December 1, 2011 by North Island Gazette

Shop locally and win — pages 13-16

GAZETTE

30,000

NORTH ISLAND

Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275

46th Year No. 48 THURS., DECEMBER 1, 2011

EDITORIAL Page 6

LETTERS Page 7

www.northislandgazette.com NORTH ISLAND LIFE Page 12

SPORTS Page 19

Slides strand travelers J.R. Rardon Gazette staff A series of landslides that closed Highway 19 for a day and a half beginning Sunday forced stranded travellers to scramble their work, child care and school schedules before the road was reopened Monday afternoon. Several women’s and youth hockey teams were among the travellers marooned in Port Hardy and Port McNeill for a day and a half after at least six landslides late Saturday night forced the closure of Highway 19 early Sunday morning between Beaver Cove Junction, just south of Port McNeill, and Sayward Junction. “I guess we’re going back to the Haida Way and hang out there for a day or two,” Parksville’s Gail Downey said Sunday afternoon. Downey was one of a number of parents who accompanied the Oceanside Generals peewee hockey team for games in Port Alice and Port McNeill and were stuck following the slides. “We’ve been checking around, and there’s a bowling alley in Port Hardy. We’ll probably go to the lounge later to watch the Grey Cup.” The highway reopened Monday evening after crews from Emcon and the Ministry of Transportation cleared the debris. For several hours the road was open only to single-lane-alternating traffic. The slides on Highway 19, which closed 115 kilometres of roadway, were triggered by torrential rains and high winds that lashed the North Island in a pair of storms Thursday and Saturday. Last week’s weather wreaked havoc on several fronts. Traffic on Highway 30 between Port Alice and the Highway 19 junction was reduced Sunday to intermittent, single-lane alternating

See page 4 ‘PEP offers aid’

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9045 Granville Street

250-949-7442

9,037.27

Gazette Hamper Fund Newsstand $1.25 + HST CLASSIFIEDS Page 23-25

You better not pout ... Camryn and Emersyn Stanley and Shelby Keen pose for a photo with Santa during Port McNeill’s Winter Light Night at Gatehouse Theatre Sunday. See more photos from season kickoff activities in Port Hardy and Port McNeill, page 5. J.R. Rardon photo

Shark carcass washes up Aleister Gwynne Gazette staff A mysterious cadaver washed up on Port Hardy shores Wednesday Nov. 23. The body was of a salmon shark that was first spotted that morning by local resident Norm Flanagan, who spotted the dead shark from his back porch. “I seen something red, went down to see what it was,” said Flanagan. “How it got there I don’t know,” he said. DFO officer Joe Humphreys mentioned that although salmon sharks are common in these waters, it is unusual for sharks to wash up on shore. “It’s the first one since I’ve

The carcass of a salmon shark, possibly with a bullet hole, washed up on the beach in Port Hardy last week. Aleister Gwynne photo been here,” said Humphreys. remains, birds had pecked out By the time DFO person- and eaten the eyes, but the rest nel were able to examine the of the body was fairly intact

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with a few exceptions. There was a mark on the top fin, the left fin was mostly split, there were reddish rash-like marks along the shark’s underside, and a puncture resembling a bullet hole on its back. It is not known how the shark died, but based on external signs it could be that the shark had been caught in a fishing net and possibly then shot. A DFO team collected the shark’s remains for further examination. This the third large marine animal to wash up in Port Hardy recently, the other two being an ocean sunfish and video-online] a Pacific whitenorthislandgazette.com sided dolphin.

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Wishart, Field return as trustees

Magic in the air

Toby and Jessika Roberts assist magician Kevin Ogren with a trick during a fundraising dinner and show held for Jessika Saturday night at the Legion Hall in Port Alice. The 27-year-old mother of three has been undergoing a second round of cancer treatment and the community pulled together to give the couple a fun night out while raising money through raffle baskets and games. Jan Allen photo

Gazette staff Leighton Wishart and Jeff Field picked up the two available spots for Port Hardy on the School District 85 Board of Trustees, leaving incumbent Ann Hory the odd person out in the municipal election Nov. 19. Hory sat on the board as the representative for the Western Zone through the last term, but ran against incumbents Wishart and Field for one of the two Port Hardy seats this year. Field received 649 votes, Wishart received 531 and Hory totaled 364. Field and Wishart will be joined by newcomers Lawrie Garrett from the Eastern Zone and Danita Schmidt

Civic Election November 19, 2011

from the Western Zone. Three other incumbents, Eric Hunter of Alert Bay, Carol Prescott of Port Alice and Werner Manke of Port McNeill, were acclaimed and will resume their seats. The lone contested spot on the Regional District of Mount Waddington’s Board of Directors changed hands, with Andrew Hory of Coal Harbour claiming the seat of incumbent Norm Prince, also of Coal Harbour. Hory received 105 votes to out-poll Prince (77), former board member Rod Sherrell

(76) and Diane Dillon (9) for the seat. In Port Alice, a completely new council will join newly acclaimed Mayor Jan Allen at the Village’s next council meeting. David Stewart, Janice MacLeod, Marc Allan Brackett and Scott Roberts were all elected to their inaugural terms on council. Don Vye, the lone incumbent running, was not voted back in. Editor’s note: Rural and school board election results were mistakenly omitted from last week’s election coverage. The Gazette regrets this oversight.

Jeneece gets her place Aleister Gwynne Gazette staff Families staying with relatives who are receiving medical treatment in Victoria will soon have a free place to stay. Jeneece Place, which will open Jan. 20, is a free facility with several amentities besides a place to sleep, including private bathrooms, a communal kitchen supplied with free food, and a garden with playground. The Place also has a dedicated staff that is a mixture of paid professionals and volunteers. Jeneece Place is named after Jeneece Edroff, who has been the driving force behind this project and several others. Edroff was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis

Frosted flake James McLaughlin of K&K electric installs a large snowflake ornament on a light pole along Market Street in Port Hardy Monday. J.R. Rardon photo

at the age of three. The condition causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways anywhere in the body, in her case mostly out of her spine. At the time, doctors predicted that she would never walk again and wouldn’t live to her teens. But since then she has done both and much more. She began her charity career at the young age of seven with her penny drive for The Variety Club in Vancouver. “They raised something like $600 in the first year,” said CTV Vancouver Island manager Bruce Williams, who was raising awareness of the new facility at Port Hardy’s most recent chamber meeting. Since its beginning,

the penny drive has raised about $1.4 million in pennies. The Place is her latest project, and it had an ambitious fundraising goal of $5.5 million for construction and later operation. The amount donated has exceeded that goal. TELUS, the Norgard Foundation and the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children have each donated $1 million. Closer to home, the Port Hardy Rotary Club donated $4,000 and the campaign received $110, 000 combined from various Rotary Clubs. The project to date has raised $6.1 million. “When the inspiration and the will is there, that’s when it happens,” said Williams.

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

www.northislandgazette.com 3

PEP offers aid to stranded travelers from page 1 traffic due to heavy flooding. The Coal Harbour road was briefly closed due to flooding. And BC Ferries was forced to suspend service on the TriIsland route between Port McNeill, Malcolm Island and Cormorant Island for most of the day Saturday. The road from Port Hardy to Holberg also remained closed earlier this week due to mudslides, though Western Forest Products has maintained a supply boat run from Coal Harbour to Holberg. The Holberg to Winter Harbour Road remains open. The waterfront home of Noreen Hunt on the Fort Rupert Reserve was threatened with toppling into the sea after an extreme high tide combined with 160-kilometre winds wiped out her sea wall and washed her patio away. Also, power was knocked out in the Hyde Creek and Nimpkish Heights neighbourhoods south of Port McNeill for several hours Friday evening. Those prevented from returning to their permanent residences by the slides were eligible for vouchers through Emergency Social Services centres set up Monday afternoon in Port Hardy, Port McNeill and Campbell River, said Chuck

“One of the girls was telling me her $300 tournament was now a $600 tournament.” Marnie Ordano

Lok, local coordinator for the Provincial Emergency Program. “There is some assistance available for meals and accomodations for travelers unable to return home to their permanent residence,” said Lok. “If people are simply in transit while on vacation, they’re normally not eligible.” Three women’s hockey teams in Port Hardy for the annual Wild Women’s tournament were among the hardest hit by the highway closure. Two players with young children at home and no backup child-care plan actually flew to Vancouver Sunday to catch a ferry back to the Island below the slides. Fourteen more chartered a flight out Monday morning, when the Ministry of Transportation was saying the road could remain closed until Tuesday afternoon.

“One of the girls was telling me her $300 tournament was now a $600 tournament,” said Marnie Ordano of the host Port Hardy Wild team, who scrambed to help the stranded players with food and accomodations. “I’ve got six girls on my team willing to make food, like pots of chili and soup. But we’re looking for a place to take it that they can come to eat.” The road closure disrupted not only child care, but work and school schedules as well. The women’s hockey players in Port Hardy include a number of locals home for the weekend from college or university. Several of them missed Monday classes, but at least they had homes to stay in. Hockey teams are stuck on both sides of the closure. The North Island Eagles midgets traveled to Nanaimo to wait out the closure following their game Sunday in Port Alberni. The PHSS wrestling team, however, managed to slip through before the slides came down, after competing in the first meet of the season Saturday in Duncan. “We got in (Saturday) night about 11:30,” PHSS wrestling coach Joe Humphreys said while watching the hockey in Port Hardy

PUBLIC NOTICE Village Of Port Alice SIDEWALK & FOOTBRIDGE WINTER MAINTENANCE POLICY

2011-2012 Winter Season The Village of Port Alice does not remove snow or ice from the sidewalks in the village. When the sidewalks and/or footbridges are covered with snow and/or ice they are very slippery. Please use extreme caution when walking on them. The Public Works Crew is directed to clear the footbridges only after the major roads and streets have been cleared. We regret this inconvenience brought on by forces of nature, and remind you to use extreme caution when using the sidewalks and footbridges during the winter, and that you are doing so at your own risk. Madeline McDonald Administrator Village of Port Alice Village of Port Alice Sidewalk & Footbridge Maintenance Policy Code No. 4.3.b

Sunday. “Apparently we just missed the clo-

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way conditions and travel information,

visit DriveBC at www. drivebc.ca

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North Island Crisis & Counselling Centre invites everyone to join us for a Candlelight Vigil:

When: Tuesday, December 6th. Where: Sacred Wolf Friendship Centre Time: 7:00 pm. December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, it is a time to reflect on concrete actions that each of us can take to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women. The vigil marks the anniversary of the 1989 Montréal Massacre. We remember the fourteen young women who were slain at l’École Polytechnique because of their gender. Remember Their Names… Genevieve Bergeron, age 21 Helene Colgan, age 23 Nathalie Croteau, age 23 Barbara Daigneault, age 22 Anne-Marie Edward, age 21 Maud Haviernick, age 29 Barbara Maria Klucznik, age 21 Maryse Laganiere, age 25 Maryse Leclair, age 23 Anne-Marie Lemay, age 22

Sonia Pelletier, age 28 Michele Richard, age 21 Annie St-Arneault, age 23 Annie Turcotte, age 21

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

At right, Rod Inglis presents a $2,500 cheque from the North Island Kinsmen Club to Gazette publisher Sandy Grenier for the Gazette Hamper Fund last week. J.R. Rardon photo

Toy Drive

Purchase & donate a toy to the Hamper Fund at these retailers. Mark Jones tries to run up the bidding as fellow auctioneers Andrew Ashford, Tim Chester and Scott Mitchell man the table during the Hamper Fund benefit auction at the Ministry of Forests office in Port McNeill last week. Below, Jones accepts a bid on a Vancouver Canucks lamp while Ashford looks on. J.R. Rardon photos

PORT HARDY

Upcoming Hamper Fund Events PORT MCNEILL

December 3 North Island Eagles atom development hockey team vs. Comox, 2:30 p.m., Port Alice Arena. Donations of toys or non-perishable food can be dropped in the Eagles bin in the lobby. December 10 Port McNeill Lions hosts its annual Ham & Turkey Bingo! At the Lions’ Hall, doors open at 7 p.m.. Proceeds to go to the North Island Gazette’s Hamper Fund. Please bring a non-perishable food item. December 10-11 North Island Eagles atom development “Fill the Net” Hamper Fund series at Port Hardy’s Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena. Help the Eagles stuff a hockey net with donations of toys and nonperishable food during a two-game hockey series against Saanich. Games at 3 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. December 11 Port Hardy Baptist Church helps the Hamper Fund with its dinner and pre-release movie night. Dinner at 5 p.m., movie at 6 p.m., both for $4 and a nonperishable food item per person.

ts Star. 14! Nov

FOOD DRIVE

Purchase a bag of pre-selected non-perishable food items for $9.99 & donate it to the Hamper Fund at these grocery stores:

Donate your

points to the

GAZETTE HAMPER FUND and

will match your donation! Members of the North Island Eagles midget hockey team pose with a table full of toys and food items collected during their benefit game against the Eagles alumni recently in Port McNeill. J.R. Rardon photo

GAZETTE NORTH ISLAND

h Island t r o N t r o Supp es in need . famili

Thursday, December 1, 2011

www.northislandgazette.com 5

Santa makes annual visit to North Island

Clockwise from above: Sean Cox and Lieutenant Alan Mose of Port Hardy Fire rescue join Santa at Thunderbird Mall; Miley Walkus enjoys cotton candy; Twiggly Wiggly the Clown makes balloon animals for twins Dallas and Dylan Puglas; Piper Chapman arrived prepared for elf duty in Port Hardy; Shaynna Wagner chats with Santa in Port McNeill. Sandy Grenier and J.R. Rardon photos

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We print posters & more! Give Carrie a call to find out more 250-949-6225 or 250-230-2007 * 2 week processing time

GAZETTE NORTH ISLAND

Thursday, December 1, 2011

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COMMENTARY Comments? Box 458, Port Hardy, B.C. V0N 2P0 250-949-6225 Fax 250-949-7655 or email us at editor@northislandgazette.com

Anonymous comments end For the last few years, as BCLocalNews.com and our family of websites have garnered more attention, some readers have raised concerns about one issue in particular — the fact we allow visitors to post anonymous comments. The policy has led to some unpleasant and mean-spirited postings. It’s also raised an inconsistency in our Black Press brand. Our community newspapers don’t print anonymous letters, yet we’ve allowed our websites to become a place where people can hide their identity while occasionally taking shots at one another. Starting Dec. 1, that policy will change. People will be able to comment only by using their Facebook account, which means their name, often even their photograph, will be linked to the statements they post. Black Press receives no financial compensation from Facebook, but our moderators will be on the lookout for “fake” Facebook profiles and they will be banned from commenting on our website. BCLocalNews.com is not alone in making this shift. Several media companies, equally troubled by the vitriolic trend of anonymous comments, are turning to Facebook to power their website commenting. All of Black Press in B.C., Alberta and Washington State have made the switch. Our sister publications have continued to see spirited discourse among those who post comments, yet the discourse is at a much higher level, and commentators generally well-mannered and on-topic. This new approach won’t be perfect. People without a Facebook account won’t be able to participate in online discussions. For those of you who choose not to create a Facebook account, remember we will continue to run letters to the editor in print - you can submit them to editor@northislandgazette.com.

We Asked You Question:

Has the teachers’ job action had an effect on you?

Yes 41%

No 59%

www.northislandgazette.com Total votes received for this question: 44 Voting deadline is Monday at 3 p.m.

Port Alice rallies to give a cancer-stricken mom a night on the town with dinner and a magic show at the Legion Hall.

Visitors were delayed when the latest weather-related highway closure struck right in the middle of a busy travel weekend.

Court system close to collapse VICTORIA – One of the last exchanges in the B.C. legislature’s fall session was over the state of the court system. Drug dealers are walking free, NDP leader Adrian Dix reminded Public Safety Minister Shirley Bond in the final question period. Dix referred to a Prince George case this fall where a convicted cocaine dealer racked up more trafficking charges while he was on trial, and then was released because he couldn’t be tried in a timely fashion. The NDP was picking up on an unusually political speech last week by B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Bauman. Speaking to the annual B.C. judges’ conference in Las Vegas, Bauman warned that funding cuts have the B.C. court system “going over a cliff in slow motion.” The cuts are real. By next year, court service budgets are expected to be down 10 per cent since 2008, and

B.C. Views Tom Fletcher

with

staff down 15 per cent. The provincial court is down 17 judges from 2005. There aren’t enough clerks. And the federal government is about to push through new sentencing guidelines that will add more inmates to B.C.’s overflowing prison system. Bond, the overworked B.C. Liberal minister doing double duty as Attorney General, replied that some of the budget cuts are being reversed. Bond also pointed to

The North Island Gazette is published Thursdays at Port Hardy, B.C. by Black Press Ltd. Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #391275. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

B.C.’s harsh new administrative penalties for drinking and driving, which have kept most routine impaired cases out of court. Police have the authority to impound vehicles and impose heavy fines on the spot, when drivers fail a roadside breath test or even blow in the “warn” range of 0.05 to 0.08 per cent. Bond points proudly to a 40-percent decrease in alcoholrelated vehicle deaths in the first year. As the legislature adjourned, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson joined previous mayors, from Conservative Party member Sam Sullivan to Mike Harcourt, in calling for marijuana to be legalized and regulated. Not on my watch, replied Prime Minister Stephen Harper. So instead, we’re getting de facto legalization of crack cocaine. Tom Fletcher is legislative reporter for Black Press. tfletcher@blackpress.ca

long-term strategies being implemented to relieve the flood of court cases. It’s this kind of systemic change that has the most potential for long-term reform of our archaic system. Right now there are an estimated 2,000 cases in provincial court that are running long enough to risk being dismissed due to delays. It’s not a crime wave; a quarter of all cases in provincial and B.C. Supreme Court are family disputes over kids and property. The Family Law Act has been in the works for years, and it sailed through the legislature with NDP support. It encourages out-ofcourt settlements in family breakups, equalizes common-law rules with those for married couples and does away with the terms “custody” and “access” that suggest children are to be fought over as if they are property. Bond also pointed to A member of

This North Island Gazette is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

PUBLISHER . . . . . EDITOR . . . . . . . . . REPORTER . . . . . . SALES MANAGER.

. . . .

. Sandy Grenier Mike D’Amour . . . . JR Rardon . . Carrie Stone

OFFICE MANAGER . . . . . PRODUCTION MANAGER CIRCULATION . . . . . . . . . STAFF REPORTER . . . . . . OFFICE 250-949-6225

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Canadian Media Circulation Audit

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CLASSIFIEDS 310-3535

Thursday, December 1, 2011

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LETTERS editor@northislandgazette.com

BCPSEA responds to teacher's claims Dear Editor: Re: “Province brings only threats to table,” November 24 The comments of teacher Shawn Gough in his letter of November 24 are factually incorrect and misleading. The document to which Mr. Gough refers was distributed to boards of education in early October, not “late last week” as asserted by Mr. Gough. At a meeting held on October 3, school trustees from around the province discussed the current state of bargaining with the BC Teachers’ Federation

(BCTF), the effect in districts of the BCTF Phase 1 strike, and how best to move negotiations forward. Just as the Labour Relations Code provides options to employees to put pressure on the employer — and the BCTF is currently exercising their option to strike by withdrawing specific duties — there are also a number of options available to the employer, which were referenced in our discussion paper (publicly available on our website at www. bcpsea.bc.ca). Trustees provided overwhelming support to the BC Public School Employers’

Association (BCPSEA) Board of Directors to make the necessary decisions regarding the nature and timing of any employer response, with the intent of placing counter pressure on the BCTF to get serious at the bargaining table. On October 26, BCPSEA filed an application with the Labour Relations Board (LRB) to request that the LRB vary the Essential Services Order to require teachers to prepare and distribute report cards, and require the BCTF, upon notice to BCPSEA, to reimburse each school district monthly in an amount

equal to 15% of the total gross salaries and benefits costs paid to or on behalf of BCTF members by the school district for that month. Currently, the BCTF is carrying out its strike action without any financial consequences on the union or its members, as recognized by the LRB in a decision issued on September 2. This results in an imbalance, with the union exerting pressure on boards of education with no corresponding pressure on the union. We are awaiting the LRB decision on our application.

Our objective is to achieve a negotiated collective agreement with the BCTF. We have been at the table since March 1, engaged in over 55 bargaining sessions with no substantive progress, and the BCTF is on strike. The BCTF continues to maintain $2.1 billion of proposals on the table. In a move designed to focus discussions at the table, at the November 22 bargaining session BCPSEA tabled a revised package of proposals that included the withdrawal of eight proposals previously tabled by the employer.

Only one town votes to move ahead Dear Editor: You were absolutely correct in saying that Mayors were re-elected with a mandate. Mayor Bev Parnham’s community’s decision to have her as their mayor speaks of vision and a forward movement to the future. They are actively reaching out to industry to promote economic development and are focused on trans-

forming their community. Port McNeill also re-elected with a mandate. Stay with the status quo. While it is true that our mayor was elected with a 59% majority vote, there are still the 41% whose interests need to be considered. I disagree with our mayor's statement the there was no explanation of change. They were, just to name

Kettles need your help Dear editor, The Salvation Army Lighthouse Resource Centre is in desperate need of volunteers to help with our Christmas fund-raising campaign. We need volunteers to help stand at our traditional Christmas kettle (minimum of two-hour shift). The Christmas Kettles will be at Overwaitea (Inside) & the Liquor Store (Outside); shifts run from 10 a.m.-noon, noon-2 p.m., 2-4 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Wednesdays to Saturdays, and 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays only. The Campaign Starts Dec. 1 and runs to Dec. 23. Please, if you can spare a couple hours of your time to help us we would be forever grateful. Please contact Tania or Sean at 250-949-8125 or email Sean_ Junglas@can.salvationarmy.org. If your organization would like to do it together we will include you in our Annual Thank You ad. Sean Junglas Port Hardy

Letters to the editor

just a few: community infrastructure improvements, economic diversification, empowering the voices of our community (especially listening to young families and seniors) and an open & transparent government. I have heard it said that the town should be run like a household. A little more coming in than going out. Even someone

who runs a household needs to have some money in the bank when that day comes and the roof needs replacing. Drive around this little community and have a good look at the sidewalks, roads and major town assets. I dare say a “few roofs are leaking”. Gaby Wickstrom Port McNeill

Snow not just for skiing Dear Editor: Winter has decided to arrive early this year, and the early snow bodes well for skiers and snowboarders and other winter enthusiasts. The Canadian Avalanche Center even issued its earliest ever special avalanche warning due to the amount of snow already accumulated on B.C. mountains. They say it’s more typical of what B.C. usually sees in late December and January. But the best part is yet to come, because once we’ve had our fill of skiing, snowboarding and cold weather, the accumulated snow on our mountains can be used to generate clean electricity as it melts away. Snow is the ultimate storage medium for green energy. It’s Mother Nature’s battery, and as it melts it flows into the reservoirs behind the

"Once we've had our fill of skiing, snowboarding and cold weather, the accumulated snow on our mountains can be used to generate clean electricity as it melts away."

province’s hydroelectric dams and through smaller run-ofriver projects that light up our homes and businesses. Having more snow means we’ll also have more electricity. And having more electricity means the province can wheel and deal with other jurisdictions that need energy but don’t have the hydroelec-

tric capability and natural energy storage advantages B.C. has. Energy trading is very lucrative for B.C. and perhaps we should be measuring snowfall and rainfall in Kilowatt/Hours instead of inches. Charles Davis White Rock

Our proposals, as well as a discussion paper outlining the rationale for the proposals, can be accessed on our public website at http://www.bcpsea.bc.ca/ bc-teachers/teacher-collective-bargaining.aspx. Melanie Joy, Chair BCPSEA Board of Directors Editor's note: The letter from Mr. Gough being responded to here was originally submitted and published in the Gazette Oct. 20. It was mistakenly republished last week. The Gazette regrets this error.

McNeill has solid hand on the tiller Dear editor, We are fortunate in Port McNeill to have Gerry Furney continuing to steer the ship and damning the torpedos of his political foes. Congrats to the new town council elects and all the best in the future. Murray Cantelon Port McNeill

Try local shops Dear editor: I don’t think it is a secret that business on the North Island could be better. What about purchasing gift certificates for goods and services provided by our North Island businesses? Certificates for gifts for the handyman from local lumber yards. Gifts for homemakers from local appliance and hardware stores. Certificates for services such as automobile maintenance and repairs, hair styling, even groceries. It would provide useful gifts and support our local businesses. Brian Thurber Port Hardy

The goal is to publish every letter, so keep them brief, clear and to the point. Be hard on the problem, not the person; skip quotes except where readily confirmable; accept editing for length and legality. Include full name and home community (plus phone number to confirm authorship). Mail, fax, email or drop off c/o the editor by 4:00 pm Friday.

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Gazette Christmas Contests

Christmas Story Contest The North Island Gazette is holding our annual Christmas story contest. Writers can enter in three categories: Grades K-3; 4-7; 8-12 Please restrict your entries to a maximum of 300 words. The Gazette will publish winning entries and runners-up December 22. Entries are judged by a panel of community volunteers. The entry deadline is Wednesday, December 14. Include your full name, grade and your school. We prefer stories be emailed to production@northislandgazette. com. or drop it oﬀ to the Gazette oﬃce 7305 Market St., Port Hardy.

Colouring Contest Open to children of all ages 4 categories ages: Ages 0-4; 5-8; 9-11; 12 & up

Starting sentence for the story is: Jimmy and Kim were worried. It was Dec. 16 and they still didn’t have a Christmas tree. Jimmy went to the shed and took the hatchet and his sister glided into the nearby woods. “There’s one,” cried Kim. Jimmy walked to the tree and lifted the hatchet in both hands. Suddenly a loud “snap! of a branch breaking behind him. The twins spun around and…

Please provide name, age, school, grade and phone number on the back of your colouring contest submission. Drop oﬀ at the Gazette oﬃce by Dec. 13. Prizes awarded to 1st & 2nd each category

Thursday, December 1, 2011

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‘Namgis on the Nimpkish Kwa kwa walaspeaking First Nations referred to their terraced village on the banks of the Nimpkish River as Whulk. Whulk was a significant winter village for the Nimpkish or ‘Namgis peoples, whose territory included the large Nimpkish watershed, throughout which the ‘Namgis traveled both on foot and by canoe. The ethnographer Franz Boas reported that Whulk, or Xulku as he spelled it phonetically, meant “interlocking foundation” after the construction method used to secure the houses to the steep slope. Captain George Vancouver noted visiting this village on July 8, 1792. The Chief, Cheslakees, presented him with presents of copper. The British noted that Cheslakees was familiar with the Nuu chul nulth chiefs Maquinna and Wicananish on the West side of Vancouver Island, and they attributed this in part to the trade route that ran by

land over Vancouver Island through the Nimpkish Valley. The Nimpkish peoples told the explorers that there was a way to visit Nootka overland which involved four days of travel. Vancouver was impressed with this chief and referred to the village on his maps as Cheslakees. The village at the time of first contact with Europeans was recorded as having been very large. There

were 34 big houses, each with many families. Estimates of the population around the time of first contact vary between 400 and 900. By 1860 most of the houses at Whulk had disappeared, and the population had moved to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island, where a cannery had opened to take advantage of the plentiful Nimpkish salmon stocks. The lower Nimpkish

was also a favourite of Vancouver Island naturalist Roderick HaigBrown, who wrote in his 1959 book, Fisherman’s Summer: “The Nimpkish was the one first North American rivers that I felt I had in some measure made my own. I fished it a lot in the late twenties and early thirties, trapped and hunted and camped along its banks, traveled it by canoe and skiff and once even in a homemade scow. I

had been upset in it, half-drowned in it and considerably scared by it more than once. I had watched its great salmon runs with everincreasing wonder. In it I had caught cutthroats and steelheads and, by fair means and foul, all five species of Pacific salmon. “Above all, I had first learned there to catch the big king salmon, sachems as the Indians called them, tyees to the sportsman.” Today Cheslakees Elementary School in Port McNeill is named after the ‘Namgis chief. There are reportedly some petroglyphs on the beach at the old Whulk village site. Brenda McCorquodale lives in Port Hardy and is a North Island history enthusiast. If you have any stories or North Island information that you would like to share, or if you want to correct anything in these articles, please e-mail her at storeysbeach@ gmail.com or call her at 250-949-7650.

Village of Port Alice

NOTICE INAUGURAL MEETING OF COUNCIL December 5th, 2011 To be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Village of Port Alice Council Chambers Madeline McDonald Administrator Dated: November 18th, 2011

It’s Here! It’s Big! It’s Full! North Island’s largest annual

Christmas Showcase of

Arts & Crafts Saturday, December 3 rd

11-4pm Photos with Santa Scout Hall by Rangers

11-4pm Port McNeill Community Hall & Old School

Carefully handcrafted arts & crafts by people from the Island ' stained glass ' home cooking & baking ' jewellery ' cards ' paintings ' pottery ' sewing & much more! ' door prizes with admission of $2 ' children under 12 get in for free

Come for lunch & catch the spirit! Lunch available at both halls

Sponsored by PM Lioness: info 250-956-3673 or 250-956-4400 or 250-956-3770

Thursday, December 1, 2011

10 www.northislandgazette.com

North Island

Hot Spots

Today through December 4 Port Hardy Hospital Auxiliary Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Christmas Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday at Thunderbird Mall.

December 2 Gingerbread House Decorating & Ornament Making A fun filled night for the whole family as we officially kick off the Christmas season! 6:30 p.m. at the Port Alice Community Centre. Info, community centre at 250-2843912.

MEETINGS & ONGOING EVENTS â&#x20AC;˘ Are you interested in being part of the team? Join the PH Fire Dept. drop-in meeting every Thursday at 7 p.m. at the fire halls. â&#x20AC;˘ Port Hardy Museum open daily 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Temporary Fossil Exhibit. â&#x20AC;˘ Quatsino Museum & Archives is open Friday to Sunday from 1:00pm-2:00pm. Open daily July & August. FMI quatsino.museum@recn.ca â&#x20AC;˘ PH Youth Health Clinic: Tues 3-5pm drop in. Family Place (back door). â&#x20AC;˘ PM Youth Health Clinic: Thurs 3-5pm drop in. Public Health office (beside town office). â&#x20AC;˘ PH Lions Club Bingo every Thursday. Doors open at 5:30pm. â&#x20AC;˘ The German Edelweiss Cultural Club meets Thurs. at 7pm in PH Inn Pub. FMI 250-230-1376. â&#x20AC;˘ Lions Bingo every Thurs. @ Civic Centre. Doors open at 5:30pm. â&#x20AC;˘ PH Lions Mtgs: 1st & 3rd Tues every month @ Lions Den - Civic Centre 7:30pm. Everyone welcome. â&#x20AC;˘ Third Sunday of the month: Hamburger/hotdog day at Hardy Bay Seniors. (except December) â&#x20AC;˘ Every other Tuesday: Footcare clinic at Hardy Bay Seniors 9-5pm. FMI 1-888-334-8531. â&#x20AC;˘ Dec 3: Annual Lions Toll Booth for Timmy 10am2pm.

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December 3 Port McNeill Christmas Showcase 2011 hosted by Lioness at the Old School. Stained glass, jewellery, pottery, baking, cards, painting, sewing, knitting and more from arts and crafters locally and throughout the Island. $2 adults, $1 students/seniors, free for 12-under. Door prize entry with admission. Info, Anne Dumonceaux at marcanne@telus.net or phone 250-956-3770. December 3 Pictures with Santa at Port McNeill Guide/Scout Hall, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Fundraiser for Guiding program, hosted by Port McNeill Pathfinders. December 3 St. John Gaulbert Anglican United Fellowshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Christmas tree sale in Port McNeill begins at 9 a.m. The trees will be located beside IGA and will be on sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until all sold. No HST and trees still $30 each. We have the perfect tree for you. Buy early to avoid disappointment.

5935 Steel Road (TACAN Site) Call Jim: 250-949-1283 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: 250-949-6865 burgess@cablerocket.com

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4 p.m. Craft, food, jewelry, carving and you-name-it tables! Info, Donna and Norman, 250-974-5281.

December 4 Second Annual Santa Claus Parade 4 p.m. FLOATS NEEDED! Please contact Angie Clance at 250-9497248, or email aclance@monk.ca. Tree-lighting at the Chamber of Commerce immediately after. December 4 Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Port Alice, 7 p.m. at Port Alice Fire Hall. Hot chocolate, carol singing and goodies. Info, community centre, 250-284-3912. December 5 Ladies Dessert Night at the Port Alice Community Centre. A great way to kick off Christmas for all the ladies in town! December 8 Blue Christmas Service. A time to remember for those thinking of loss at Christmas. Those who wish to do so are invited to bring a picture or memento of a loved one. 7 p.m. St. Columba Anglican United Church December 10 Port McNeill Lions is having their annual Ham & Turkey Bingo! At the Lionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hall, doors open at 7 p.m.. Proceeds to go to the North Island Gazetteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hamper Fund. Please bring a non-perishable food item.

December 3 Alert Bay Christmas Bazaar at the Recreation Centre,

This is a great opportunity before Christmas & New Years to get your Kettle Korn ďŹ x!

Glenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s G lenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kettle Kettle Korn Korn will be at the Port McNeill Xmas Craft Fair Saturday Dec 3 - 11am to 4pm

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December 2-3 Portside Academy of Performing Arts third annual presentation of the Nutcracker ballet, 7 p.m. both days at Sunset Elementary School. Tickets $10, available in advance at The Flower Shoppe and at Portsideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Studio on Cedar Street in Port McNeill. Info, Alana 250-2300825.

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North Island

www.northislandgazette.com 11

Hot Spots

December 10 Hardy Bay Seniors annual Christmas Bake Sale, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the seniors centre, 9150 Granville St. Come out and support the seniors. December 11 Alert Bay Royal Candian Legion Ladies Auxiliary hosts breakfast with Santa, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Info, Donna, 250-974-2909.

December 11 Port Hardy Baptist Church benefits the Gazette Hamper Fund with its dinner and pre-release movie night. Dinner at 5 p.m., movie at 6 p.m., both for $4 and a non-perishable food item per person. December 15 Avalon Adventist Academy presents its annual Christmas Program, 7 p.m. at the school on Airport Road, Port Hardy. Refreshments to be served following the program. December 16 Port Hardy Rotarians and their families will be caroling around Port Hardy during the annual festive sing. Starts at 6 p.m. Info, Janet at 250-949-1080. December 17 Port Alice Christmas Celebration. Photos with Santa, magic show, goodies and more. Info, community centre, 250-284-3912. December 23 Christmas movie night at Port Alice Community Centre, 6:30 p.m. $2 per person, includes popcorn and drink. Movie to be announced. Info, PACC, 250-2843912. December 25 Free Christmas dinner at Bo-Banne’s Cafe in Port McNeill. 4 p.m., please call 250-956-2739 or 250-9029527 to reserve a spot. This dinner is possible because of donations from businesses and friends. All extras given to the food bank.

January 14 North Island Concert Society presents the Afro-Cuban roots music of Adonis Puentes and his band. Show starts 7:30 p.m. at Port Hardy Civic Centre. Single tickets $25, sold at Cafe Guido, PH Museum, Hobby Nook, Port McNeill Flower Shoppe, Gail Neely in Port Alice. FMI, 250-902-2228 or www.niconcert.ca.

February 11 North Island Concert Society presents the swinging gospel stylings of The Sojourners, backed by their band, in the society’s annual dinner show at Port Hardy Civic Centre. Doors open 5:30 p.m. for buffet dinner catered by Malones and backed by dinner music from the North Island Community Band. Concert follows at 7:30 p.m. Single tickets $45 on sale in Port Hardy at Cafe Guido, PH Museum, Hobby Nook; in Port McNeill at The Flower Shoppe; in Port Alice by calling Gail Neely at 250-284-3927. Visit niconcert.ca or call 902-2228 for more information. February 24-25 Port McNeill Figure Skating Club presents Under the Big Top, its 2012 Ice Carnival, at Chilton Regional Arena in Port McNeill. Shows 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. Raffle table, concession. Info, Elizabeth 250-956-3995. March 10 North Island Concert Society presents legendary West Coast folk/rocker Barney Bentall with multiinstrumentalist Eric Reid, 7:30 p.m., Port Hardy Civic Centre. Single tickets $25 on sale in Port Hardy at Cafe Guido, PH Museum, Hobby Nook; in Port McNeill at The Flower Shoppe; in Port Alice by calling Gail Neely at 250-284-3927. Visit niconcert.ca or call 902-2228 for more information. April 8 Alert Bay Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary hosts Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Info, Donna, 250-974-2909.

April 14 North Island Concert Society presents Infinitus, a classical string trio with a fresh, modern and sometimes humorous approach to the genre. Single tickets $25 on sale in Port Hardy at Cafe Guido, PH Museum, Hobby Nook; in Port McNeill at The Flower Shoppe; in Port Alice by calling Gail Neely at 250-284-3927. Visit niconcert.ca or call 902-2228 for more information. May 13 Alert Bay Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary hosts its annual Mother’s Day Tea, 1-4 p.m. Info, Donna, 250-974-2909.

June 14-17 54th Annual June Sports in Alert Bay. First Nation soccer tournament, Salmon prince and princess pageant, parade, kids races and games, food, vendors and more. Info, ‘Namgis Band office, 250-974-5556. July 5-August 25 T sasala Cultural Group Traditional Native Dance Performance . In our Big House 1:15 p.m. -2:15 p.m. Admission: $15 per adult, $8 per child under 12. Andrea Cranmer (250) 974-5475, maxinux@cablerocket.com. Special performances for group’s of 25 or more July 27-28 30th Annual Alert Bay Seafest Family feud, adult/ youth/child lip sync’s, Seafest Cabaret craft/food/jewelry/carving you name it table endors, T sasala Cultural Group, Opening ceremonies, crowning of Mr. & Mrs. Seafest, Baby Contest, Shop Rite Shopping Spree, Golden Girls Contest, Fantasealand Parade, Kids Zone, etc.Norine Smith-Visitor Centre Manager-Member of Seafest Board of Directors (250) 974-5024 Fax: (250) 974-5026 email: info@ alertbay.ca July 27- 29 5th Annual Alert Bay Artfest Showcasing Alert Bay Artists. Sue Bell (250) 974-9911 Beth Dunlop (250) 974-2787.

April 8 Alert Bay Lion’s Club hosts its annual Easter egg hunt, 1-2 p.m. Info, Casey Chapman, 250-974-2235.

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12 www.northislandgazette.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

North Island Life

The Mount Waddington Highland Dance Association presented its sixth annual Celtic Christmas shows last weekend in Port McNeill and Port Hardy. Clockwise from above: Jenna Brown and Ella Barrett are aliens in Bagpipes from Mars; Emily Walker and Taylor Soper perform the half-Hullachan; Camryn Stanley and Xandryn Frost go for a spin; beginners try out their Pas de basques steps; Chloe NoĂŤl peeks at the audience while waiting to J.R. Rardon photos take the stage

Shop Locally & Win More than $50000 in gift certificates from these participating merchants

14 www.northislandgazette.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Shop Locally & Win

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â&#x20AC;˘ Igloo style Dog houses 25%OFF â&#x20AC;˘ Dog & Cat assorted dental care up to 50%OFF â&#x20AC;˘ Aquarium Kits 20-30 gal. up to 30%OFF â&#x20AC;˘ Lifejackets & clothing up to 30%OFF â&#x20AC;˘ Deluxe Dog & Cat beds up to 25%OFF

Mt. Cain and Shed Gift CertiďŹ cates available. Layaway now for Christmas

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

www.northislandgazette.com 15

Holiday Spirits

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16 www.northislandgazette.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

www.northislandgazette.com 17

Recycling with a personal touch J.R. Rardon Gazette staff PORT McNEILL— Spying a tote set out at the edge of a local yard, Jenny Sorenson pulls her van to the curb and hops out. With a flip of her ponytail, she snatches the tote, dumps the contents into her vehicle, then drives off with the booty. And the tote’s owner couldn’t be happier. Sorenson is the sole proprietor of the new Coastal Curbside Recycling business serving Port McNeill and the surrounding area. For years she was a stayat-home mom for her three children, but as they aged into school she found herself looking for something more in her life. “I wanted to do something,” said Sorenson. “I wasn’t quite sure what it would be.” That was solved in a phone chat with her sister, Amy Quarry of Quesnel, who mentioned a curbside recycling business in that town. “She asked me, ‘How is

Jenny Sorenson recently started her own homebased business, Coastal Curbside Recycling, in Port McNeill. Above, she hauls a tote of recyclables to her waiting van. J.R. Rardon photo

recycling in Port McNeill?’” Sorenson said. “I said, ‘Not great.’ She said, “Why not do a curbside recycling business in Port McNeill?” And thus was Coastal Curbside Recycling born. Though there were labour pains. With no experience in starting or running a business, Sorenson relied heavily on Quarry to navigate the

steps in forming and marketing her one-person firm. Bookkeeping and invoicing is handled through an online service, and she met with staff at Seven Mile Landfill to ensure they would accept her loads of sorted material. Her husband Andy Sorenson, the metal shop teacher at North Island Secondary School, is in the

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process of constructing a trailer with boxes to hold sorted material. She hopes the budding business will eventually grow to require the trailer, though she finds it more convenient to pick up and transport recyclables in her van at the moment. “I’ll probably have to see someone to learn how to drive a trailer,” Sorenson said. Customers who sign up

have the choice of two plans, pickup each week for $32 per month, or biweekly pickup for $24 per month. Coastal Curbside is the first such door-todoor service in the town. Port McNeill has a recycling centre open twice a week, for five hours each Saturday and seven hours each Monday. But many people Sorenson

has talked to have said it is not always convenient for them to sort and haul their own recyclables there or to the larger depot at Seven Mile. “I’m taking away one more chore,” Sorenson said. “I want to work really hard at giving people a good service and doing a good job,” said Sorenson. As of last week she had 19 customers and has already expanded her operation to include businesses. While Coastal is strictly a onewoman operation for now, she would like nothing better than to see it grow to the point when more help is needed. “I have a couple people in mind if I need to hire,” she said. The once-a-week pickup schedule still leaves her plenty of time for her family, she said. “I want to be a good example to my kids and to walk away from motherhood with some experiences, as well,” Sorenson said. “I find this is something easy to feel good about.”

18 www.northislandgazette.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Take steps to avoid bone loss Gazette staff Osteoporosis is a debilitating and potentially life threatening disease that

causes bones to degrade over time. An estimated 80% of 30, 000 hip fractures that occur

annually in Canada are caused by Osteoporosis. Regular exercise, especially walking, and high

calcium and vitamin D intake are good ways of protecting oneself against the disease.

Christmas gifts available at the Chamber

Chamber Update

Christmas Greetings

submitted by Yana Hrdy Port Hardy & District Chamber of Commerce Manager Submissions to Update: Fax: 250-949-6653 or email phcc@cablerocket.com Od to Ode t the th Small S ll Business B i Owner O and the Chambers of Commerce that Serve Them By Robin Poncia The Government of Canada’s Human Resources Development and Skills Canada tried to develop a job description of a Small Business Owner-Operator. Yikes…this is going to be fun. It would probably have been more efficient use of time to make a list of what a small business owner doesn’t do, but that wasn’t their purpose. The site documents have the essential skills for the job, which include: reading text, writing, numeracy, oral communication, thinking skills, including problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, job task planning and organizing, significant use of memory, finding information, working with others, computer use, and finishing the list, continuous learning. As I read the list, I thought of the quote from Author Alvin Toffler: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” Who more exemplifies this than a small business owner? If a small business owner does not continually adapt to changing circumstances in their client base, their economy and their

industry, always finding ways to make and save money, they quickly wrap up shop. What is a small business owner to do? How will they ever do everything that needs to be done? How will they train staff? How will they tweet and blog and Facebook? You may be a business owner who has inkling that there is a way to use spreadsheet software to analyze your cash flow, but what owner has the time to take a course at the local community college? And what do you mean, “I make terrible coffee, and there’s going to be a staff mutiny if I don’t get this figured out?” One part of the answer to these ever changing questions is to join your local Chamber of Commerce and take advantage of the small business solutions it offers. An organization where a business owner can find the support they need to grow, learn and connect with others who have the same challenges along with offering programs that save money and as importantly, time. Gas discounts, insurance programs, and continuous learning programs (like The Chamber Learning Network) are offered. The savings alone on these programs can more than pay for your Chamber membership. And if the Chamber can’t teach you how to make coffee, I bet they know

someone who could. Contact your local Chamber today to find out more about training and support for your business. New member welcome Wellbalance is a Naturopathic Medical Clinic in Sointula BC. Treatments include nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and counseling. All ages are welcome. Check Dr. Michelle Dowker, MSC, ND website: www.wellbalance.ca Or call for an appointment at 250974-8418 Do you need gift for your visitor? Our Visitor Centre located at the famous Carrot Park has a big variety of Port Hardy T-shirts, coffee mugs, ball caps, black bear toys and much more. Just come and see it for yourself at 7250 Market Street Proudly Serving our Community For more information on the Chamber or to inquire about joining, us call 949-7622 or visit our website: www,ph-chamber.bc.ca

this message is sponsored by the

Send your best holiday greetings to customers, friends and the North Island community with a Gazette greeting in our award-winning Christmas edition featuring stories & art by North Island children. Book early to ensure a spot in this popular 16-page feature. Call Carrie @ 250-949-6225, cell 250-230-2007 or email production@northislandgazette.com

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GAZETTE NORTH ISLAND

AROUND TOWN Please join us for our

Grand Opening! Coastal Community is pleased to announce that we have moved our Port McNeill Credit Union and Insurance branch to a new location: 1597 Broughton Boulevard Please join us for our Grand Opening Celebration! THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 GIVEAWAYS | DOOR PRIZES REFRESHMENTS [CAKE CUTTING — 1:00PM] Stop by for your chance to win a $500 GIC! Credit Union — 250.956.3972 Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm Insurance — 250.956.4437 Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:00pm Saturday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

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Credit Union | Insurance | Investments | Business Services

Thursday, December 1, 2011

SPORTS

www.northislandgazette.com 19

RECREATION

Submit results to 250-949-6225 Fax 250-949-7655 or email us at sports@northislandgazette.com • Deadline 10 am Monday

on deck

Tell us about items of interest to the sports community. December 2 Commercial hockey Islanders at Warriors, 9:15 p.m., Port Hardy. December 2-4 Minor hockey Port Hardy novice tournament at Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena. Concession, raffle table, 50/50 draws. Game schedule tba. Curling Broughton Curling Club’s annual men’s open bonspiel in Port McNeill. 7 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. Saturday, f inals Sunday. Concession, lounge open. Info, Mike 250949-1245 or Nick 250956-2736. December 3 Rep hockey North Island Eagles atoms host Comox, 2:30 p.m., Port Alice; Eagles midgets host Saanich, 4:15 p.m., Port McNeill. December 4 Rep hockey North Island Eagles midgets host Saanich, 11 a.m., Port McNeill. B League hockey Smokers vs. North Islanders, 8:45 p.m., Port Hardy. December 9 Commercial hockey Devils at Islanders, 8 p.m., Port Alice; Warriors vs. Bulls, 9:15 p.m., Port Hardy. December 9-11 Minor hockey Port McNeill peewee tournament at Chilton Regional Arena. Concession, raffle table, 50/50 draws. Game schedule tba. December 10 Rep hockey North Island Eagles atoms host Saanich, 3 p.m., Port Hardy. December 11 Rep hockey North Island Eagles atoms host Saanich, 9 a.m., Port Hardy. Commercial hockey Warriors at Devils, 5:30 p.m., Port McNeill.

Downpour reign over tourney J.R. Rardon Gazette staff PORT HARDY—Outside Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena Sunday afternoon, a weekend’s worth of heavy rain finally gave way to sunny skies. Inside the arena, the Downpour was still going strong. Ashlynne Moore scored a hat trick and Nicole York pitched a shutout in goal as the Port McNeill Downpour romped to the championship of the Port Hardy Wild Women’s tournament with a 5-0 victory over the Comox Breakers. Moore netted a pair of first-period goals, which proved more than enough to secure the win, and capped her hat trick with another score at 17:38 of the second. In between, Chelsey Jones added two goals as the Downpour completed a four-game, unbeaten run through the seven-game tourney. Aleta Rushton had two assists in the win. The host Wild faced the Nanaimo Black Ice for the second time in the tournament in the fourth-place game. Nanaimo punched home four first-period goals and held on for a 4-2 victory, reprising its 4-1 win over the Wild in Friday’s opening round. Ashley Smith briefly tied the game 1-1 for the Wild with her second-effort shot from the slot at 7:30 of the first period. After Nanaimo extended its lead to 4-1, Rosie Dugas tallied with 5:30 to play to provide the final margin.

Clockwise from top: Port McNeill's Sonja Strang (44) cuts off a rush by Barb Callander of the Comox Breakers; Nanaimo's Meaghan Sheepwash and Port Hardy's Christine Robitaille mix it up in the corner; Port Hardy's Ashley Smith fights free of a Nanaimo defender. J.R. Rardon photos The Breakers needed a a meeting of the No. 2 and shootout to gain a spot oppo- No. 3 tournament seeds, site the Downpour in the the Breakers prevailed on championship final. Facing the fourth shootout shot to the Courtenay Whalers in advance.

Taking the low road North Island Eagles peewee Steven Keamo tries to corral the puck after going down behind the net in a duel with an Oceanside opponent during their game Sunday in Port McNeill. See rep hockey coverage on page 20-21. J.R. Rardon photo

20 www.northislandgazette.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Sports & Recreation

Baker rink nets 8-ender Gazette staff PORT McNEILL— For curlers, scoring an elusive “eight-ender” is a rarity akin to carding a hole-in-one in golf. Local skip Tom Baker pulled off the rarest feat for the second time in his career during Broughton Curling Club men’s league play last week. And to make it even more rare, Baker did not even have the hammer — or final rock thrown in the match. When the opposing skip’s final stone gently tapped one of Baker’s rocks into the 12-foot ring, it left Baker’s rink with all eight of its red Tom Baker's Port McNeill rink poses with its eight-ender, achieved stones in the house, during league play at Broughton Curling Club last week. From left which was devoid of opposing blue rocks. are Jacques Gaudet, Arly Blight, Baker and Doug Goodman. Baker’s rink included Keith Balcke photo

Arly Blight, Jacques Gaudet and Doug Goodman. The eight-ender occured in the third end of Baker’s match against Rob Conley’s rink and gave Baker a 9-2 lead. Baker can only hope the highlight carries over to this weekend, when Broughton Curling Club hosts the first Bill Gurney Memorial Men’s Open Bonspiel beginning Friday night. The tournament is the 34th men’s open hosted by the club, and beginning this year is will commemorate longtime club member and volunteer Bill Gurney, who died in March this year. The first draw is

scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday. Play continues throughout Saturday, and finals are tentatively scheduled for early afternoon Sunday. Lounge and con-

cession will be open throughout the bonspiel. For info, call Mike at 250-949-1245 or Nick at 250-956-2736.

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Peewees bounce back with win J.R. Rardon Gazette staff PORT McNEILL— Josh Walkus snapped a tie with his second goal of the game Sunday, lifting the North Island Eagles to a 3-2 victory over the Oceanside Generals at Chilton Regional Arena. The game was just an exhibition, but the win helped erase some of the sting of a 3-2 loss to the Generals one day earlier in Port Alice, and put the peewees back on track after they won their previous league contest, 2-1 over Peninsula, last week. “I was disappointed (Saturday),” peewee coach Brian Heller said of the loss in Port Alice. “I thought we could have won that game, but we just didn’t work hard. We were better in our own end today, for sure, and the guys skated harder. Hopefully we can build on this.” Walkus, whose first goal early in the second period tied the game 1-1, snapped a 2-2 score with 6:59 left in the game. He took a neutral-zone feed from Sean Pineda and skated in, beating one defender, before lifting a wrist shot from the slot past another defender and

ATHLETE of the Week NICOLE YORK

North Island Eagles peewee Kenton Browne stretches for the puck as teammate Sean Pineda tumbles over him during Sunday's game against Oceanside in Port McNeill. J.R. Rardon photo the goalie. Pineda and Browne Oceanside did finally “We kind of fell It was the team’s only score in the closing asleep for awhile,” said had the goals, with lead after they played minutes of the period, Heller. “We had a cou- Brown, Clayton catchup on each of but Walkus knotted it ple of those lulls, which McDonald and Nathan their previous scores. at 1-1 with a wrister are a concern. But the ‘Bean’ Sandeman colWalkus narrowly from the bottom of the kids woke up and got lecting assists. missed a hat trick when circle in the second, it going again, so that One week earlier, his shot at an empty net with an assist to Tyrell was good to see.” Taylor Ranger and sailed just wide in the Davidson. Kenton Browne Browne scored as the final minute. Ruel was again put knotted the score at 2 Eagles won a tight, 2-1 Goalie Nyck Ruel to the test for several off assists from Jake decision at Peninsula kept the Eagles in minutes following the Heller and Pineda, and in league play. Jake the game early as mid-game intermis- the Eagles kept up the Heller, in his first weekOceanside applied most sion for ice cleaning, pressure until Walkus end back after missing of the pressure in the but again the Eagles came through with the five weeks with a broken arm, assisted on re-established momen- game-winner. opening 10 minutes. Saturday’s Division both goals. The momentum tum. The visitors’ secThat win gave the turned, oddly, when the ond go-ahead goal, on 3 league game was Eagles were forced into a quick rush following a mirror image of peewees a split of their a penalty kill and actu- the third-period puck Sunday’s rematch, with weekend road swing ally kept the visitors drop, proved to be an the Eagles taking leads down-Island following from breaking out of outlier as the peewees of 1-0 and 2-1 before a 5-2 loss at Sooke. their own end for most carried play for the rest Oceanside first tied, Pineda and Browne scored in that loss. then won, the game. of those two minutes. of the period.

The Port McNeill goalie shut out the Comox Breakers Sunday as the Port McNeill Downpour won the Port Hardy Wild Women’s hockey tournament with a 5-0 championship victory. J.R. Rardon photo

Strait Shooter Photography Sports & Event Photo Specialists Mobile portrait studio & on-site printing. Call to schedule an event, portrait or passport sittings.

250-949-0528 info@straitshooter.ca If you know someone who should be the Athlete of the Week, phone the Gazette at 250-949-6225.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Sports & Recreation

www.northislandgazette.com 21

Bantams stumble at home J.R. Rardon Gazette staff PORT McNEILL— First the North Island Eagles bantams lost an ugly hockey game. Then they lost their chance at redemption. After a solid start that had them tied 1-1 in the first 10 minutes of play, the bantams looked alternately sluggish and listless as the visiting Oceanside Generals skated off to a 5-2 Vancouver Island Hockey League victory Saturday at Chilton Regional Arena. “We were really good, the first two minutes,” bantam coach Dan Wilson said. “The other 53 minutes we (weren’t).” The Eagles’ chance for a bounce-back effort Sunday against Comox was wiped out by the landslides that closed Highway 19 and prevented the Chiefs from making the trip north for the scheduled exhibition game. To be charitable, the bantams had more than two minutes of solid play in them Saturday. It was probably closer to eight or nine. The visitors opened the scoring six min-

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North Island Eagles bantam Alex Scott gets free on a breakaway during Saturday's game against Oceanside in Port McNeill. At right, Eagles defenseman Alexander Stavrakov gets the upper hand in a dance along the boards with the Generals' Austin Hykaway. J.R. Rardon photos

utes into the game on a redirected shot from the circle, and it took just 30 seconds for the hosts to even the score when Thomas Symons converted a one-timer from the slot on Matthew Cahill’s crossing pass. The Generals gradually assumed control from that point, however, pressuring Eagles goalie Riley Mathieson

throughout. They went up 3-1 with back-toback goals in the opening half of the second period, and even the mid-game intermission didn’t turn the bantams’ fortunes around. The Eagles thought they drew within 3-2 when Cahill’s breakaway shot at the second-period buzzer went into the net, but it was waved off and ruled

to have come after the buzzer. The back-breaker came when Oceanside successfully killed a four-minute penalty, then immediately pushed ahead 4-1 when Trent Bell simply walked through the defence and potted an unassisted shot past Mathieson at short range at 3:04 of the third period.

“All-around, the effort was just not there,” said Wilson. “We just didn’t have it as a team.” Cahill drew the Eagles to 4-2 with an individual-effort rush started by a long lead pass from Alexander Stavrakov, but that was the team’s last hurrah. Oceanside capped the scoring on a power-play tally with 9:54 remaining.

McCarrick rejoins Oceanside juniors Gazette staff Cam McCarrick of Port Hardy has rejoined his original Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League club, being reacquired by the Oceanside

the season with Generals last Sports the Campbell week. River Storm. McCarrick, Briefs McCarrick a 20-year-old winger who spent two sea- played in two games for the sons with the Generals, began Storm, registering two assists

c a p s u l e

and four penalty minutes. The former North Island Eagles standout skated for the first time with Oceanside in last weekend’s home-andaway split with Kerry Park.

c o m m e n t s

Many people receive vitamin B-12 injections monthly. New evidence shows that taking enough of the vitamin orally can do the same thing. Orally, people absorb only about 1% of the dose but if 1000 mcg is given daily, this provides enough of the vitamin to do the job. Your doctor can tell you if this would be good for you. At this time of year, we are often asked if zinc lozenges are useful to treat the common cold. Evidently, the lozenges with the higher doses of zinc are the better choice and have been proven to slightly shorten the duration of a cold. A daily dose from the lozenges of at least 75 mg seems to give better results. Some people worry about using public washrooms, afraid they might pick up a sexuallytransmitted disease (STD). There is no worry. STD’s cannot be obtained from toilet seats. However, good hygiene after using the facilities is important. This includes thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water, drying well and not touching your face until after hand-washing. If a medication just passes its expiry date, it still should contain at least 90% of active ingredient. However, using an out of date medication will not be supported by the manufacturer if anything goes wrong. For maximum beneﬁt, use medications that are within their expiry date. If in doubt, ask our pharmacists. We value all your questions about medications. Use our pharmacists as your reliable resource for all the answers. w w w . p e o p l e s d r u g m a r t . c o m

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22 www.northislandgazette.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

NIC expands international program Aleister Gwynne Gazette staff North Island College is broadening its horizons, and the local Mt. Waddington campus may be getting a bit more cosmopolitan in the future.

NIC president Jan Lindsay recently inked a deal with the Foundation College of China to facilitate educational, professional, and cultural exchange between students and faculty in B.C. and China.

“We expect more students to come to us as a result of this trade mission,” said Karsten Henriksen, associate regional director for Mt. Waddington region. There are 100 international students attending

NIC, at the Campbell River, Comox and Courtenay campuses. Ten per cent of these students are from China, and this number is expected to increase to 20 to 30 per cent. The Port Hardy cam-

epcor.ca

pus will soon be catering to international students as well. The Mt. Waddington Campus will implement

several new programs this winter, including an ESL course. Mt. Waddington is leading in growth for

NIC, and will likely experience the most change of any of the campuses in the near future.

Do you have an interest in tourism on the North Island?

Here’s your chance to get involved.

The Vancouver Island North Tourism Advisory Committee (VINTAC) is requesting Expressions of Interest from within the Regional District of Mount Waddington (RDMW) for 2012 committee membership. The Vancouver Island North Tourism structure is a unique and innovative approach to community destination marketing. This structure includes a staff member physically located in the region, dedicated to implementing the Regional Tourism Plan and coordinating marketing initiatives. The Vancouver Island North region represents the municipalities of Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Alert Bay, Port Alice, and Rural Areas A, B, C & D. VINTAC is an advisory committee of the RDMW, formed by regionally representative volunteer members, in the categories of Tourism Operator, First Nation, and RDMW. The role of the committee includes: l l l l

Advising the Regional District on the annual business and marketing plans Ensuring the Business Plan reflects regional priorities and committee input Ensuring cooperative marketing and advertising initiatives have local support Ensuring the Business Plan reflects the community needs and is not top-down

Interested? Please send a brief description of your professional background and why you would like to be considered for the committee. Please include which community of the RDMW you are from. Submit to info@vancouverislandnorth.ca by December 4, 2011. All Expressions of Interest will be reviewed by the current committee and recommendations made to the RDMW for approval. For further information on Vancouver Island North Tourism, please visit:

www.vancouverislandnorth.ca/stakeholders

Peoples Drug Mart Port Hardy Kristen & Adam’s ﬁrst

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Bad for the watershed:

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE of Arts & Crafts. Port McNeill Community Hall and Old School. Sat. Dec. 3/11. 11am4pm. FMI call 250-956-3673, 250-956-4400, 250-956-3770.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Port Hardy meets every Wednesday & Saturday at the Upper Island Public Health Unit on Gray Street at 8pm. Sundays at the Salvation Army Lighthouse, 8635 Granville St., at 7pm. ATTENTION RESIDENTIAL School survivors! If you received the CEP (Common Experience Payment), you may be eligible for further Cash Compensation. To see if you qualify, phone toll free 1-877988-1145 now. Free service! DATING SERVICE. LongTerm/Short-Term Relationships, Free to Try!!! 1-877297-9883. Live intimate conversation, Call: #4011 or 1888-534-6984. Live adult 1on1 Call: 1-866-311-9640 or #4010. Meet Local Single Ladies. 1-877-804-5381. (18+). DATING SERVICE. LongTerm/Short-Term Relationships, Free to Try!!! 1-877297-9883. Live intimate conversation, Call: #4011 or 1888-534-6984. Live adult 1on1 Call: 1-866-311-9640 or #4010. Meet Local Single Ladies. 1-877-804-5381. (18+). NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Port Hardy meets on Mondays at 7:30pm & Fridays at 8pm. Located at Upper Island Public Health Unit on Gray St. (rear entrance), Port Hardy, B.C. For more information call 1877-379-6652.

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GET PAID - Grow Marijuana Legally. Educational seminar, Victoria. December 3 & 4 th. Legal/medical/cultivation MMj. Tickets - 250 870-1882 or greenlineacademy.com GET PAID - Grow marijuana Legally. Educational seminar, Victoria. December 3 & 4 th. Legal/medical/cultivation MMj. Tickets - 250 870-1882 or greenlineacademy.com GIANT BOOK SALE held at the Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Institute, 351 Rainbow Rd., Salt Spring Island, Dec. 2nd - 4th, 10am to 4pm. Over 12,000 books. New books out each day, prices $1 to $3, with many â&#x20AC;&#x153;Uniqueâ&#x20AC;? books specially priced. Cash only. www.ssicommunityed.org

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

DEATHS

Laurie Dumonceaux It is with heavy hearts the family of Laurie Dumonceaux announce that Laurie passed away quietly at Eagle Ridge Manor in Port Hardy after a lengthy battle with Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease. Laurie leaves to mourn her beloved husband of 66 years, Maurice, her children, Marcelle Lyttle (Terry), Pat Letourneau (Bob), Marc (Anne), Veronica Rukin (Robert), Diane Daugherty (Richard), Francis (Gerry). Grandchildren, Maury, John, Joyce, May, Rick, Heather, Chris, Nick, Christen, Cole and 9 great grandchildren. Laurie was a wonderful lady who will always be remembered for her her generosity and her love of family. A memorial service will be held for Laurie on Saturday, December 3, 2011, 10 am at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic Church, 430 Chapel Street, Port McNeill, BC. There will be a reception at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immediately following the interment. Everyone is welcome to share their memories and thoughts of Laurie with the family. Donations in her memory to the Parkinson Society of Canada, 4211 Yonge Street, Suite 316, Toronto, ON M2P 2A9 would be most welcome.

855-866-2240

Condolences may be left for the family at: www.campbellriverfunerals.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS to Every Hunter in BC! Advertise in The BC Hunting Regulations Synopsis 2012-2014 publication. Increased circulation 250,000 copies! Tremendous Reach, Two Year Edition! Contact Annemarie at 1 800 661 6335 or hunt@blackpress.ca

BE YOUR Own Boss with Great Canadian Dollar Store. Franchise opportunities now available. Call today for details 1-877-388-0123 ext. 229 or visit our website: www.dollarstores.com.

SUPER B DRIVER Req. for regional hauls within BC. Must have exp. Top Commissions Paid. Home Weekends, once during the week & Holidays! Fax resume: 604.856.9042 or e-mail: banntran@shaw.ca

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS ACCOUNTING & Payroll Trainees needed. Large & small ďŹ rms seeking certiďŹ ed A&P staff now. No experience? Need training? Career training & job placement available. 1-888-424-9417. AIRLINES ARE HIRINGTrain for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualiďŹ ed- Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (877)818-0783.

GRANDE PRAIRIE older well kept 44 unit, one storey motel. Booming again! Owned since 1997. $3.2 million. Consider farm etc. as trade. May ďŹ nance. 780-488-7870.

Become a Psychiatric Nurse - train locally via distance education, local and/or regional clinical placements and some regional classroom delivery. Wages start at $30.79/hr to $40.42/hr. This 23 month program is recognized by the CRPNBC. Govâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t funding may be available. Toll-free 1-87-STENBERG www.stenbergcollege.com

LEGALS

GET YOUR Foot in the garage door. General Mechanic training. Learn basic engine theory, power train, suspension, job safety. First step to Automotive/Heavy Duty Apprenticeship. GPRC Fairview College Campus. 1-888-999-7882; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview. GO TO Your Next Job Interview with 2nd Year Heavy Duty Mechanic Skills. GPRC, Fairview Campus. 34 week course. Heavy Equipment CertiďŹ cate. Intense shop experience. Safety training. On-campus residences. 1-888-9997882; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview. LOOKING FOR A Powerful Career? Great wages? Year round work? Power Engineering program. GPRC Fairview Campus. On-campus boiler lab, affordable residences. Study 4th Class and Part A 3rd Class in only 1 year. 1888-999-7882; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview.

LEGALS

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINING Get Practical Skills That Get Jobs Vancouver Island University training for over 50 years, No simulators. Low student / instructor ratio. 1-888-920-2221 ext: 6130 www.viu.ca/ heavyequipment

LOVE ANIMALS? - Love your career! Animal Health Technology diploma program. GPRC Fairview Campus. Oncampus working farm. On-site large and companion animals. On-campus residences. 1888-999-7882; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview. MEDICAL OFFICE Trainees needed! Hospitals & Dr.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need medical ofďŹ ce & medical admin staff. No experience? Need training? Career training & job placement available. 1888-748-4126. MEDICAL OFFICE Trainees needed! Hospitals & Dr.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need medical ofďŹ ce & medical admin staff. No experience? Need training? Career training & job placement available. 1888-748-4126. PHARMACY TECH Trainees needed! Retail Pharmacies and Hospitals need certiďŹ ed techs & assistants. No experience? Need training? Local training & job placement is available. 1-888-778-0461.

Looking for a NEW job? www.bcjobnetwork.com LEGALS

NUCHATLAHT TRIBE COMMUNITY WATERWORKS SECTION 1 INVITATION TO TENDER

Sealed tenders, clearly marked â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tender for Nuchatlaht Tribe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Community Waterworksâ&#x20AC;? will be received by Chatwin Engineering Ltd., 1614 Morey Road, Nanaimo, BC V9S 1J7 up until 3:00pm on December 16th, 2011. The work generally consists of the supply and installation of the following: - Site preparation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; grading, fencing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; storm drainage - Packaged Treatment Building with Chlorination, UV, Pipes, Valves, safety equipment, electrical controls and training - Well Improvements, Pipes, Fittings & Valves - Electrical Controls and electrical connections - Supply and installation of watermain pipe, ďŹ ttings, - Erosion protection and silt control. - Earthworks and roadworks. - Reservoir mixing system, swabbing of watermains and clean and paint reservoir Copies of the drawings and speciďŹ cations may be obtained from the ofďŹ ces of Chatwin Engineering, on or after November 28th, 2011, upon receipt of $100.00, including H.S.T., by cheque, made payable to Chatwin Engineering. This deposit is non-refundable. The tentative work commencement date is January 3rd, 2012. A ďŹ nal start and ďŹ nish date is to be veriďŹ ed after the award of the contract. Each Tender must be accompanied by a Bid Bond or CertiďŹ ed Cheque of 10% of the Tender Price, made payable to Nuchatlaht Tribe. Only contractors with proven experience with pump station and underground civil installations over $100,000 will be considered. Prior project details and references are to be supplied. The Owner may decide in its sole discretion that no bid submitted will be accepted and no contract will be awarded pursuant to this tender process. In that event, all tenderers will be notiďŹ ed and the Owner will have no liability to any tenderer. If the Owner decides to accept a tender and award a contract, the selection of the successful tenderer will be based on a number of criteria which shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, price, construction schedule and completion date and qualiďŹ cation of the tenderer. Receipt of an invitation to bid or receipt and evaluation by the Owner of a bid does not imply that the tenderer is qualiďŹ ed. A public Tender opening will be conducted at the ofďŹ ce of Chatwin Engineering located at 1614 Morey Road, Nanaimo, BC on December 16th, 2011 at 3:30pm. Enquiries may be directed to: David Shearer, P.Eng. or Todd S. Wilson, P.Eng. Chatwin Engineering Ltd. 1614 Morey Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 1J7 Telephone: 250-753-9171 Toll Free: 1-866-753-9171 Fax: 250-754-4459 Email: twilson@chatwinengineering.com

24 www.northislandgazette.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS

HELP WANTED

TRADES, TECHNICAL

SNOWMOBILES IN Winter, Watercraft in summer, ATV’s in Between! Become an Outdoor Power Equipment Technician. GPRC’s Fairview College Campus. Apprenticeship opportunity. On-campus residences. 1-888-999-7882; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview.

TWO WHEELIN’ Excitement! Motorcycle Mechanic Program, GPRC Fairview College Campus. Hands-on training street, off-road, dual sport bikes. Challenge 1st year Apprenticeship exam. 1-888-9997882; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview

READY TO Work and play in a four season recreational paradise? Parts and service advisor required immediately at Jacobson Ford - Revelstoke, BC. Successful candidate must possess excellent interpersonal skills, have Ford experience, be eager to advance within the company and want to work in a young and growing market. This is the best opportunity you’ll ever have to work in a great multi Presidents Award Winning dealership. Interested? - Email your resume right now! To: mike@jacobsonford.com

SERVICE MANAGER - Hanna Chrysler Ltd. (Hanna, Alberta). Opportunity in a perfect family environment. Strong team, competitive wages, benefits, growth potential. Fax resume: 403-854-2845. Email: chrysler@telusplanet.net. WELDERS WANTED. Journeyman 2nd and 3rd year apprentices with tank manufacturing experience. Automated Tank Manufacturing Inc. Located in Kitscoty, Alberta. 20km West of Lloydminster is looking for 15 individuals that want long term employment and a secure paycheque. Journeyman wages $33. $37.50/hour. Wages for apprentices based on hours and qualifications. Benefits, training programs, full insurance package 100% paid by company, savings plan for retirement, profit sharing bonus. Join a winning team. Call for appointment or send resume to: Joe Bowser 780-846-2231 office, joe@autotanks.ca or Jamie Flicek 780-846-2241 fax; cindy@autotanks.ca.

POST RN Certiﬁcate in Perioperative Nursing. Online theory, hands-on skills lab, clinical practicum. January / September intakes. ORNAC Approved. GPRC Grande Prairie, Alberta; 1-888-5394772. www.gprc.ab.ca. SKILLED WORKERS Always in demand. Pre-employment Welder, Millwright/Machinist program. 16 weeks and write ﬁrst year apprenticeship exam. Be ready for high paying, in demand trades jobs. Starts Jan. 3, 2012. GPRC Grande Prairie Campus. 1-888-9997882; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview.

Looking for a NEW job?

THE ECONOMY Is heating up! Welders Millwrights/Machinists will be in high demand. Be prepared. 16 week pre-employment programs at GPRC. January classes. 1888-999-7882; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview. THE ONE - The Only - The only one in Canada! Only authorized Harley-Davidson Technician Program at GPRC’s Fairview Campus. Fairview, Alberta. On-campus residences. 1-888-999-7882; www.gprc.ab.ca/fairview.

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HELP WANTED

WORK FROM Home. Find out why over 1,285 CanScribe Career College Medical Transcription graduates, aged 18-72, can’t be wrong. FREE INFORMATION. 1-800-4661535. www.canscribe.com. admissions@canscribe.com

HELP WANTED N.I. SPORTSMAN in Port McNeill. Now hiring servers. Please apply in person & ask for Arta or Yannis.

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TRADES, TECHNICAL

Village of

Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant

ACE CONSTRUCTION IS HIRING POWERLINE TECHNICIANS AND INDENTURED APPRENTICES FOR ALBERTA Email schiebel@cana.ca Fax 403-253-6190 www.aceconstruction.ca

ZEBALLOS

The Village of Zeballos requires a Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant. You are a highly motivated individual with excellent public relation skills. You are able to multi task and can pay attention to detail. Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the successful applicant will perform a variety of duties including telephone and front counter reception to residents and visitors, office and supplies management and secretarial support to the CAO as directed. The bookkeeping duties include but are not limited to accounts payable, accounts receivable, month end journal entries and bank reconciliations. You are experienced with established office practices and possess excellent computer skills including MS Office Suite. Local government experience is an asset. The preference is for a permanent full time employee available immediately or as soon as possible. A competitive wage is offered dependent upon skills and experience. To apply please email or fax with a cover letter and resume including relevant work references to Eileen Lovestrom, Chief Administrative Officer, Village of Zeballos. Zeballos@recn.ca fax: 250-761-4331 by December 12, 2011. We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

PORT HARDY BAPTIST CHURCH Corner of Trustee & Highland Morning Service 11:00 am Plus regular family activities Office: 250-949-6844 www.porthardybaptistchurch.ca Pastor: Kevin Martineau 11/11

ST. COLUMBA ANGLICAN UNITED 9190 Granville St. Port Hardy Phone 250-949-6247 11:00 a.m. Sunday School and Service Wed., 12:00 noon Bible Study 11:00 am Midweek Eucharist Everyone welcome Meeting rooms available Rev. Rob Hutchison columbac@uniserve.com 11/11

FULL GOSPEL CHURCH 2540 Catala Place Port McNeill (across from Firehall) Sunday 10:30 am - Morning Worship Church Office 250-956-4741 Pastor Stan Rukin Youth Pastor: Steve Taylor Cell: 250-527-0144 Office hours: 10am-4pm Mon-Thurs Visitors always welcome www.ptmcfullgospel.org 11/11

CHRIST CHURCH ANGLICAN Alert Bay Sunday Services - 10 am Reverend Lincoln Mckoen 1-250-974-5844 Warden Flora Cook 250-974-5945 Warden Joan Stone 250-974-2234

11/11

Drop off your dead batteries at the Gazette ofﬁce.

PERSONAL SERVICES MIND BODY & SPIRIT GET PAID To lose weight. $5,000 For Your Success Story. Personal Image TV Show. Call to Qualify: 416-730-5684 ext 2243. www.mertontv.ca Joanna@mertontv.ca.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 4680 Byng Rd. Port Hardy Pastor George Hilton 250-949-8925 or 250-949-8826 “Everyone welcome” Saturday Services 9:30am - Bible Study groups 10:45am - Worship/Praise service Wednesday @ 7pm - Prayer meeting Avalon Adventist Jr. Academy Offering Christian Education 250-949-8243 11/11

NORTH ISLAND CATHOLIC CHURCHES Sunday Masses St. Mary’s Port McNeill: 9am St. Bonaventure Port Hardy: 11am St. Theresa’s Port Alice: 1st, 2nd & 5th Sundays 9am 3rd & 4th Sundays 1:30pm Alert Bay: 2nd & 4th Sundays 10am Father Roger Poblete 250-956-3909 11/11

PORT MCNEILL BAPTIST CHURCH 2501 Mine Road Sunday 9:45 am (Sept-June) - Sunday School 11:00 am - Worship Service 7:00 pm - Evening Fellowship Youth Group Wed - 7:00 pm Children’s Programs & Adult Bible Studies are scheduled throughout the year. For information contact 0ASTOR $AVE 0URDY s 11/11

PORT HARDY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP at Providence Place, 7050 Rupert St Sunday Worship 10:30 am & 7 pm Tuesday Prayer 7:30 pm Midweek Biblestudies - Call the church for time and place 250-949-6466 Pastor George & Karen Ewald (home) 250-949-9674 E-Mail:pastorgeorge@providenceplace.ca 11/11

PORT ALICE ANGLICANUNITED FELLOWSHIP Sunday Services - 4pm Reverend Rob Hutchison 1-250-949-6247 Box 159, Port Alice You are extended a special invitation to share in our Services 11/11

ST. JOHN GUALBERT UNITED ANGLICAN CHURCH 250-956-3533 Email: gualbert@uniserve.com Sunday Worship - 9:00am All Welcome 175 Cedar Street Port McNeill 11/11

GWA’SALA-’NAKWAXDA’XW SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH at entrance to Tsulquate Village (8898 Park Dr) Saturday/Sabbath 10:00 am-Sabbath School 11:15 am-Worship Service Pastor Randy Elliott 250-230-1885 cell 11/11

LIGHTHOUSE RESOURCE CENTRE s #HAPLAIN 3ERVICES s "IBLE 3TUDIES s 3PIRITUAL #OUNSELLING s 7EEKLY !! 'ROUPS (8635 Granville St. Port Hardy) 250-949-8125 11/11

REAL ESTATE

LEGAL SERVICES

HOUSES FOR SALE

CRIMINAL RECORD? Guaranteed Record Removal since 1989. Conﬁdential, Fast, & Affordable. Our A+BBB Rating assures EMPLOYMENT & TRAVEL FREEDOM. Call for FREE INFO. BOOKLET

1-8-NOW-PARDON (1-866-972-7366) RemoveYourRecord.com DIAL-A-LAW: access free information on BC law. 1-604687-4680; 1-800-565-5297; ww.dialalaw.org, audio available. Lawyer referral service: need a lawyer? Learn more by calling 1-604-6873221; 1-800-663-1919.

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE FRIENDLY FRANK PHILLIPS TV, 24”, great condition, $75. Call 250-902-0647.

FUEL/FIREWOOD SEASONED FIREWOOD Vancouver Island’s largest ﬁrewood producer offers ﬁrewood legally obtained during forest restoration, large cords. Help restore your forest, Burndrywood.com 1-877-902-WOOD.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE 2 LOVE seats, TV stand, dresser, queen size bed, wooden rocker, stand up art easel, heavy duty tool cabinet, Sony speakers, foam mattress for a camper, typing desk, dartboard and a foot stool. Call 250-902-0647. BIG BUILDING Sale... “Clearance sale you don’t want to miss!” 20X26 $4995. 25X34 $6460. 30X44 $9640. 40X70 $17,945. 47X90 $22,600. One end included. Pioneer Steel 1800-668-5422. www.pioneersteel.ca. BUILDING SALE... Final clearance. “Rock bottom prices” 25x40x12 $7350. 30x60x15 $12,700. 35x70x16 $15,990. 40x80x16 $20,990. 47x100x18 $25,800. 60x140x 20 $50,600. End walls included, doors optional. Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422. CAN’T ImagineGET Up your stairs? Acorn Stairlifts can help! No coughing up this much phlegm obligation consultation. Comevery day, prehensive warranty. Can be just to breathe. installed in less than 1 hour. That’s life1-866-981-6591. Call now

North Island Church Services

11/11

ABUNDANT LIFE FELLOWSHIP “A non-traditional connecting point for North Island Christians” - Monthly “large group” gatherings - Food, Fellowship & Encouragement - Home-Group gatherings and studies now underway! Go to www.MyNewChurch.ca or phone Pastor Rick Ivens at 250-230-5555 for more info. Time for a change in your life? Everyone is welcome!

Remember…

WELDERS WANTED. Journeyman 2nd and 3rd year apprentices with tank manufacturing experience. Automated Tank Manufacturing Inc. Located in Kitscoty, Alberta. 20km West of Lloydminster is looking for 15 individuals that want long term employment and a secure paycheque. Journeyman wages $33. $37.50/hour. Wages for apprentices based on hours and qualifications. Benefits, training programs, full insurance package 100% paid by company, savings plan for retirement, profit sharing bonus. Join a winning team. Call for appointment or send resume to: Joe Bowser 780-846-2231 office, joe@autotanks.ca or Jamie Flicek 780-846-2241 fax; cindy@autotanks.ca.

WORK WANTED LOG LOADER Operator available for camp work. 12 years exp. Call 250-902-7401.

PERSONAL SERVICES

HOMES WANTED

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REAL ESTATE SERVICES

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DROWNING IN DEBT? Helping Canadians 25 years. Lower payments by 30%, or cut debts 70% thru settlements. Avoid bankruptcy! Free consultation. Toll Free 1 877-5563500 www.mydebtsolution.com GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877987-1420. www.pioneerwest.com IF YOU own a home or real estate, Alpine Credits can lend you money: It’s that simple. Your credit / age / income is not an issue. 1-800-587-2161. IF YOU own a home or real estate, Alpine Credits can lend you money: It’s that simple. Your credit/age/income is not an issue. 1-800-587-2161. M O N E Y P ROV I D E R . C O M . $500 Loan and +. No Credit Refused. Fast, Easy, 100% Secure. 1-877-776-1660. M O N E Y P ROV I D E R . C O M . $500 Loan and +. No Credit Refused. Fast, Easy, 100% Secure. 1-877-776-1660. NEED CASH Fast? Get a loan any time you want! Sell or pawn your valuables online securely, from home. Apply online today. Call toll-free: 1888-435-7870 www.pawnup.com

NEED CASH Fast? Get a loan any time you want! Sell or pawn your valuables online securely, from home. apply online today: www.PawnUp.com or call toll-free: 1-888-4357870 SMALL BUSINESS Grants start or grow your small business. Free to apply. Qualify for up to 100K. www.leadershipgrants.ca.

CAN’T Up Your Stairs? Please GET help us. Acorn Stairlifts can help. Call Acorn Stairlifts now! Mention this ad & get 10% off your new Stairlift! Call 1-866-981-5990. 1-800-378-CCFF • www.cysticfibrosis.ca CAN’T GET Up your stairs? Acorn Stairlifts can help! No obligation consultation. Comprehensive warranty. Can be installed in less than 1 hour. Call now 1-866-981-6591. DO-IT-YOURSELF Steel Would you priced buildings to clear like to swallow 20 pills every day, Make an offer! Ask About free just to digest your food? delivery, most areas! Call for If youand had free cysticbrochure fibrosis, quick quote you’d have no choice. - 1-800-668-5111 ext. 170. DO-IT-YOURSELF Steel Buildings priced to clear Make an offer! Ask about free delivery, most areas! Call for quick quote and free brochure - 1-800-668-5111 ext. 170. **HOME PHONE Reconnect** Call 1-866-287-1348. Prepaid Long Distance Specials! Feature Package Specials! Referral Program! Don’t be without a home phone! Call to Connect! 1-866-287-1348 HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available. 1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/newspaper?

MISCELLANEOUS WANTED PORT HARDY- Seeking a Tutor for my 11 yr. old son. Subject is grade 6 math. 250-949-6754 after 5pm.

STOP into our ofﬁce to pick up your detailed catalogue of all listed properties on the North Island. We can show you any listed property regardless of the listing agent!! Let’s make it at your convenience! 250-949-7231 www.hardyrealty.ca www.realtor.ca hardyltd@telus.net

RECREATIONAL PROPERTY FOR SALE CABIN FROM THE FOUNDATION UP ONLY: Cabin must be moved from its current location at Brooklyn, BC. Please call after 5:00 250-365-6371 or email jbalfour@shaw.ca for details. Open to offers

RENTALS APARTMENT/CONDO HADDINGTON COURT APARTMENTS PORT MCNEILL Newly renovated apartments for rent. Clean & quiet building. Free cable. Furnished suites available. Call Ron & Linda 250-956-3365

KINGCOME MANOR

WE’RE ON THE WEB Thousands of ads online updated daily Call 310.3535

PORT MCNEILL NEWLY RENOVATED Bach, 1 or 2 bedrooms. Newly furnished available. Please call for availability & inclusions. Includes free cable. Phone Ron and Linda 250-956-3365

Thursday, December 1, 2011

www.northislandgazette.com 25 g

RENTALS

TRANSPORTATION

APARTMENT/CONDO

HOMES FOR RENT

AUTO FINANCING

PORT HARDY- 2 bdrm apt in Beaver Harbour area, in suite laundry. Available Dec 1. N/S. $700. 250-949-6084.

COAL HARBOUR 2 bdrm modular home w/ panoramic ocean view, $550/mo. Call 1250-830-7123.

PORT HARDY Large 3 bdrm condo, secure building & caretaker on site. W/D in unit. N/P, N/S. Avail imm. Heat & hot water included. $725/mo. Ref. req. Lease options, free month rent. Call 250-949-7085 after 5pm.

WANT A Vehicle but stressed about your credit? Christmas in November, $500 cash back. We fund your future not your past. All credit situations accepted. www.creditdrivers.ca 1-888-593-6095.

PORT HARDY: 4 bdrm, 2 bath house for rent. Rent negotiable with term. Phone 250923-9842.

WANT A Vehicle but stressed about your credit? Christmas in November, $500 cash back. We fund your future not your past. All credit situations accepted. www.creditdrivers.ca 1-888-593-6095.

STORAGE

PORT MCNEILL3 Bdrm townhouse, close to schools & hospital. Avail now. 250-9563440 www.portmcneilltown houses.yolasite.com

PORT MCNEILL MCCLURE APT’S. 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom apartments, furnished or non-furnished. Clean & quiet. Hot water & cable included.

Call 250-956-3526, 250-230-0079. References a must. SEAHAVEN APARTMENTS 7070 Shorncliffe St. P.O. Box 222 Port Hardy, BC 2 bdr unit avail Nov. 1 new kitchen and ﬂooring includes Fridge/stove, blinds, private parking stall, locker, laundry on premises. Quiet, adult building, non smoking, no pets. References required. Inquiries contact Janet 250-949-8501 Appointment to view. WEST PARK MANOR & LINDSAY MANOR in Port Hardy Large one & two bedroom suites, some with a great view, all clean and in excellent condition. Also elegantly furnished executive suites available. Well maintained secure & quiet buildings. Close to shopping. 2 year rental history and credit check required. Friendly onsite resident managers. Linda & Bruce. Call 250-949-9030 or email for info & pictures: wpark_lindsay@ cablerocket.com

CARS

SUITES, LOWER GREATER PORT Hardy area: Fully private, above ground, 1bdrm suite, newer ocean view home, across the street from the beach. High ceilings. Hardwood. Tastefully furnished. No excessive drinking. Avail. now.$495.Marie 250-949-9970

SUITES, UPPER PORT HARDY: Bright spacious 3 bdrm upstairs suite in duplex next to Avalon School. Byng Rd. Shared laundry room downstairs. $600/mo. 250-288-3652. PORT HARDY- upstairs of a house, 6400 Chatham Ave (just across the road from Storey’s Beach) bright, spacious rooms, 3 bdrms, wood F/P, 2 decks, D/W, shared laundry. Refs. Looking for responsible long term tenants. palukan@shaw.ca

TOWNHOUSES PORT HARDY: Central, like new, 2 bdrm, $675. Avail. Immed. (604)418-3626 or email: trojan12@shaw.ca PORT HARDY: Central, like new, in gated comm., 3 bdrm, $800. Avail. Immed. (604)4183626 email trojan12@shaw.ca

PORT ALICE SHOPPING CENTRE Business is Great! We have a number of units of various sizes for lease. 300 sq. ft. & up. Contact Steve Edwards at Colyvan Paciﬁc 604-683-8399

COTTAGES

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES FOR SALE

Cars trucks suvs Vans top dollar for trades. Apply online:

1993 SIERRA 5th Wheel. 28’, winter special. Needs TLC. 250-949-5114.

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1-888-635-9911 Now!!!! DreamCatcher Auto Loans “0” Down, Bankruptcy OK Cash Back ! 15 min Approvals

1-800-910-6402 www.PreApproval.cc FREE CASH Back with $0 down at Auto Credit Fast. Need a vehicle? Good or Bad credit call Stephanie 1-877792-0599 DLN 30309. Free delivery www.autocreditfast.ca FREE CASH Back with $0 down at Auto Credit Fast. Need a vehicle? Good or Bad credit call Stephanie 1-877792-0599 DLN 30309. www.autocreditfast.ca. Free Delivery. INSTANT AUTO Credit. We can ﬁnance your auto loan in minutes, you drive home now, or we can deliver to you. w w w. D r i v e H o m e N o w. c o m . 877-758-7311 or 250-7515205.

SCRAP CAR REMOVAL SCRAP BATTERIES Wanted We buy scrap batteries from cars, trucks & heavy equip. $4.00 & up each. Free pick-up anywhere in BC, Minimum 10. Toll Free 1.877.334.2288.

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PORT HARDY Furnished elegantly or unfurnished executive style, 1 or 2 bedroom suites. Quiet, clean, excellent views. Call 250-949-9698

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL

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Did you know…

APARTMENTS FURNISHED

PORT HARDY Highland Manor •Bachelor •1 bdrm •1 bdrm furnished Move in incentive on approval References Call Jason 250-949-0192

Auto Loans Approved!

2007 CUSTOM Chev HHR. Excellent condition. Loaded. White. 119,000 km, mostly hwy driven. On-Star. $12,900 ﬁrm. 250-755-5191.

To ﬁnd out how I can help you increase sales, give me a call at Carrie Stone Sales Rep

GAZETTE

250-949-6225 or 250-230-2007 or email me at: sales@northislandgazette.com

NORTH ISLAND

smile...

of the week.

OCEANVIEW COTTAGES for rent in Port Hardy

Includes satellite tv, internet, jacuzzi bath, No pets. $850/mo. (250)949-7939 www.bearcovecottages.ca

MOBILE HOMES & PADS PORT MCNEILL Mobile Home Park Short walk to town. Pads for rent. Water, sewer and garbage included. $258.00/ month Call 250-956-2355

Matt Mercer of Port Hardy tries out one of the party masks during the women’s hockey tournament Sunday. J.R. Rardon photo

26 www.northislandgazette.com

2011M

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

www.northislandgazette.com 27

U’Mista honoured

The U’Mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay overlooks the ‘Namgis Photo submitted Big House and Johnstone Strait.

houses contemporary artwork and the world-renowned potlatch collection of K wa k wa k a ’ wa k w ’s most treasured masks and ceremonial objects, is one of the longestoperating First Nations

cultural facilities in B.C. “Our main mandate was built for our own people to regain our own culture,” said Hunt. The U’Mista Centre houses a remarkable collection of historical

artifacts depicting the potlatch ceremony of the Kwakwaka ‘wakw people. U’Mista is open seven days a week in summer and Tuesday through Saturday during winter.

Thank You Just For You!

Thank You

I would like to take the time to thank each person that supported me this past election. I promise not only to think of those that voted for me, but also take into consideration the needs of all of the citizens of Port McNeill. Please feel free to contact me any time with to your thoughts and ideas.

Gazette staff Applications are now being accepted for Canada’s Top 20 Under 20 Awards 2012. Founded by Youth in Motion, the award celebrates and honours young Canadians who are under the age of 20 years old and have demonstrated significant levels of innovation, leadership and achievement. Youth in Motion’s mission is to give Canadian youth the skills and support they need to achieve success in their lives, education and careers; while encouraging and facilitating their efforts to be positive change makers and contributing citizens. Help us seek out these young leaders, and give them an opportunity of a lifetime! The deadline for applications is January

22. Award Applications can be downloaded at:

www.top20under20. ca.

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Visit our other Black Press sites

NEW Hearing Care in Port McNeill Area!

Walk Better.

Many thanks to the residents of Port Hardy for supporting me in the Civic election.

Talk Better.

— Rick Marcotte

Thank You again

Hear Better. Do More.

Way to go Mason! Mason donated 62 bricks towards the bears. Mason did a wonderful gesture by giving all his birthday cash (total $210) to Born to be Wild.

oceanviewds@gmail.com or 250-902 9115

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Courtesy of Island Foods you receive a free pop with every Just for You Placed in the Gazette!

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Gazette staff Alert Bay’s U’Mista Cultural Centre was recognized as being the best in its class at a recent awards gala. The centre won the Aboriginal Tourism B.C. Cultural Authenticity Award at the 12th Annual B.C. Tourism Industry Awards, held in Victoria. “The award was initiated by a former executive director, who was influential in encouraging Aboriginal Tourism B.C. to incorporate the cultural authenticity program to encourage Aboriginal tour businesses to achieve a higher level and assist in our marketing campaigns,” said cultural tour guide, Lillian Hunt. The centre, which was built in 1980 and

Nominations open for Top 20 under 20

28 www.northislandgazette.com

Thursday, December 1, 2011

DISCOUNT WAREHOUSE PRICING CONTINUES

% All In Stock Reg. Price Dining Sets OFF

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399 99

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1700 Broughton Blvd Port McNeill 250-956-3323

8775 Granville St. Port Hardy 250-949-8223