Prince George Citizen November 21, 2019

GEORGE

THURSDAY

November 7, 2019

Thursday November 21, 2019

Your community newspaper since 1916

Your community newspaper since 1916

PLASTIC BAG BAN PLAN ON HOLD

City council’s quest to formally rid the Prince George’s checkout stands of plastic bags has been put on hold.

City council members unanimously agreed during the Oct. 23 meeting to wait until a provincial government public consultation on the issue has been completed before taking any concrete steps. The consultation was launched after the Canadian Plastic Bag Association convinced the B.C. Supreme Court to overturn a ban imposed by the City of Victoria. The court found the ban was outside municipal jurisdiction because the purpose is to protect the natural environment and that is a provincial responsibility.

z one C hamps the Kelly Road Roadrunners senior girls volleyball team celebrates after

14-25, 25-21, 25-16,

MARK NIELSEN Citizen Staff

claim the aa north Central zone volleyball championship. the girls

Kamloops and was a Canadian-born soldier of Chinese heritage, died in the battle.

history books simply cannot deliver - how daunting the task was for the troops.

It’s known as Canada’s Forgotten Battle. Over 11 days in August 1917, three divisions and one reserve of Canadian troops took what became known at Hill 70 near Lens, France, fending off five German divisions in the process.

“At the time, Canada didn’t recognize Chinese Canadians as citizens,” noted Adam Davey, an officer in the Rangers’ Bravo company in Prince George. Alpha company is based in Kamloops.

“As an infantry officer, I’m looking at the ground and thinking ‘wow, it would’ve been nearly impossible to take the position tactically,’” he said. “It was certainly quite emotional.”

“It’s expected that by late 2019, further direction and guidance will be given by the province on the jurisdiction and powers of local government in regulating plastic waste and single-use plastic bags,” Engineering and Public Works General Manager Dave Dyer told council. “City staff will prepare a report to council once this direction is announced to consider next steps.”

Teacher removed from local school

Mark NielseN Citizen staff

at the time, he was welcomed to the school as a new teacher.

The battle took place four months after the Battle of Vimy Ridge, regarded as the day Canada became a nation and so, has overshadowed Hill 70.

But thanks to an eight-year campaign that raised $12.5 million in donations and gifts in kind - almost all of it from private sources - a memorial is now in place to commemorate the battle.

a teacher is no longer working in school District 57 after it was learned he had been suspended by the b.C. Commissioner for teacher Regulation over violent comments he made while working at a school on Vancouver island. school board chair tim bennett said news that Joshua Frederick Roland laurin had been suspended for 18 days in December 2018 came out last week and he was removed from the post at École College heights elementary school.

At the centre of the Hill 70 Memorial is a striking white limestone obelisk, overlooking an ampitheatre partly surrounded by an elevated walkway. It is named after Lee, who came to symbolize the 1,877 Canadians who died in the battle.

laurin had been employed as a teacher on-call at a Campbell River school last november when he was overheard saying he didn’t like his job or being around kids during a field trip with Grade 8 students.

laurin also said he wanted to use one of his students to beat two other students to death and injure a third.

Following the main ceremony, a Ranger honour guard marched along that path and to a pair of park benches made possible through donations from the Rangers’ retired members.

On Oct. 2, more than 30 Rocky Mountain Rangers were among those who attended a day of commemoration to formally open the memorial and also to remember the sacrifices of one of their own.

“this matter was brought to our attention... and he will not be returning to the building,” bennett said.

laurin had been teaching at eChes since september. in a newsletter sent out to parents

Private Frederick Lee was a member of the Rocky Mountain Rangers’ forerunner, the 172nd Battalion. Lee, who grew up in

according to a consent resolution agreement posted on the Commissioner for teacher Regulation website, laurin then told the students back in class that if he was going to die the following day he would want to hurt students as he wouldn’t then get into any trouble.

“The whole site is quite fascinating,” Davey said. “The Frederick Lee walkway is supposed to resemble the trenches, so it’s concrete on either side and as you’re walking up this hill, it then opens up to the cenotaph at the top.”

“some students who heard these

For Davey, who served in Afghanistan, the walk brought home something the

But take it they did, and then fended off 21 German counterattacks after doing so.

Much of the credit has gone to a Canadian-born commander – Arthur Currie.

comments described them as ‘weird’ and reported feeling shocked by them, although they thought that laurin was joking,” the ruling said.

after the incident, school District 79 (Campbell River) issued laurin a letter of discipline and suspended him from its toC list from Dec. 3-21.

he was also required to complete a course on reinforcing professional boundaries.

By then the portly real estate speculator from Victoria had gained the respect of the high command as the chief planner for Vimy and had been promoted to lieutenant general and given command of the Canadian Corps. He had then been ordered to attack and capture Lens, a small industrial city north of Vimy, to divert the Germans from reinforcing Ypres.

the commissioner for regulation considered the previous discipline and handed laurin an additional one-day suspension, served on oct. 24.

laurin signed the consent resolution agreement on sept. 6 and commissioner howard Kushner signed it on oct. 22. it was posted on the Commissioner for teacher Regulation website last Wednesday.

bennett said the school district’s administration is taking a second look at its hiring processes as part of a review of the event.

In July, council unanimously endorsed Coun. Murry Krause’s proposal to direct staff to draft a report on how best to “regulate” single-use plastic bags.

“laurin failed to appreciate how his comments might be interpreted by students,” the commissioner said in the ruling.

Currie refused and had he been a newlyminted British lieutenant general, he probably would have been sent home, historian John Cowan said in an account posted at Hill70.ca.

continued on page 3

“We want to assure all of our parents and all of the community that student safety is the number-one priority of the district and this matter is being actively looked at and being addressed by our senior administration,” bennett said. - with files from Vancouver Sun

In deciding to take a wait-and-see approach, council also directed staff to develop a public education campaign on the issue. Cost of such a campaign is estimated at $10,000 to $15,000.

According to a staff report, Prince George residents go through an estimated 14.8 million plastic checkout bags a year.

Citizen photo by James Doyle

defeating the D.p todd trojans

25-19 on saturday afternoon at Kelly Road to

head to Vernon this week for the provincial championship. For more photos from the match, go to pgcitizen.ca.

Members of the Rocky Mountain Rangers at the Hill 70 Memorial near Lens, France.

MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

MURRY KRAUSE

Wages, faculty rights divide UNBC, profs

UNBC professors were still on the picket line Tuesday as their strike entered its third week.

A noon-hour rally Friday for picketers at the UNBC campus included 15 professors from across Canada who made the trek to Prince George as a show of solidarity.

“They walked the picket line all day with us and it was fantastic, it’s a real boost to see it’s not just us here in Prince George who are involved in this struggle,” said UNBC Faculty Association president Stephen Rader.

“It’s really professors across Canada who are watching us and seeing are we standing up for things that they believe in and holding the line when administrators try to take things away from us.”

The faculty association staged another rally on Saturday at noon at the Mr. P.G. site at the intersection of Highways 97 and 16.

The faculty strike that began two weeks ago is the first since March 2015, when classes were disrupted for two weeks. Salaries were at the heart of the dispute then as well and Rader says compensation for UNBC instructors ranks 98th out of 100 in Canada.

“We’ve been working on the salaries issue for the best part of a decade,” he said.

“How do you recruit a new scholar to come here if you’re offering the lowest wages in Canada? We really thought this time around we were going to get a clean offer on salaries without any other condition attached to it, and they decided to make it a fight over faculty rights.

“Things like decisions on promotions are usually a faculty-driven process and they want more management control. In a factory, management usually decides who gets promoted, but a university is different because we know more about our disciplines than any of these administrators. They don’t know whether we’re doing a good job or not, only we can judge one another and they want to reduce our role in that.”

UNBC’s first collective agreement since its faculty became certified as a union in April 2014 expired June 30.

The 2015 strike was suspended after two weeks when UNBC administration called in the Labour Relations Board to end it in a process only permitted for first collective agreements.

The board ordered binding arbitration and in December 2015 a five-year contract retroactive to 2014 gave faculty members a 10 per cent increase.

of the UnbC Faculty association on saturday near mr. p.G. where highways 16 and 97 meet.

The B.C. public sector is bound by a provincially-mandated restriction which limits salary increases to no more than two per cent per year over three years. Any wage increase beyond two per cent requires negotiated savings in the collective agreement.

UNBC, in its improved offer last week, proposed close to $1 million in savings which would have resulted in a 15 per cent average salary increase over three years for tenured and tenure-track faculty members.

Under the proposal, some full professors would see three-year increases amounting to 28 per cent, while associate professor salaries would jump 22 per cent and associate professors would get an 18 per cent raise.

The offer for senior lab instructors, librarians and part-time instructors would boost their pay six per cent.

The proposed increases vary depending on individual rank and years of service.

UNBC administrators were unavailable for comment Friday while negotiations continued but posted an update on the UNBC website which summed up progress made this week at the bargaining table.

“This week’s work resulted in the employer tabling a proposal this morning, which is a sincere effort to maximize compensation increases for all faculty including SLIs and Librarians, within a competitive compensation structure,” Friday’s release stated.

“It is vital that we recruit and retain outstanding faculty, and ensure we turn our attention to addressing the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for UNBC.”

Classes at UNBC have been canceled during the strike.

In the event of a settlement, depending on the day of the week and time of day that occurs, UNBC would require at least eight hours notice for students to be informed of the resumption of classes. More than likely it would be 24-hour notice.

Full student activity could also be delayed further by heavy snowfalls or obtaining clearance to use lab equipment.

Just two weeks are left in the current semester and Rader said if the dispute is prolonged the UNBC senate can decide to push the semester further into December or even January.

Library names

new director

The Prince George Public Library has named Paul Burry as its new library director.

Burry, previously the manager of support and circulation services, had been acting chief librarian since Janet Marren retired in July.

Burry joined the staff of the public library in 2011, shortly after completing his master’s degree in library and infor-

mation science from the University of Washington. Burry came to Prince George in 2003 and received a bachelor of arts degree at UNBC while working in the university library.

“Paul’s experiences in various libraries, his skill set and his interview with the hiring committee lefts us with no doubt that he is the best choice to take over leadership of the Prince George Public Library,” said board chair Mike Gagel in a release.

citizen staff

Citizen photo by James Doyle students carry signs of support during a UnbC student rally in support

citizen staff

Cirque returning to P.g.

Students from Mrs. Abra’s grade 3 class from Pinewood elementary paint Mayor Lyn Hall during the announcement that Cirque du Soleil will be returning to Prince george next year with another ice show. Axel will take over Cn Centre for seven shows from June 25-28. Show times are June 25 at 7:30 p.m., June 26 at 7:30, June 27 at 12:30, 4 and 7:30, ending with two shows at 1 and 5 on June 28. tickets are available at tickets north, ranging in prices from $39 to $145 each, plus service charges.

outdoor civic facilities closed for winter

masich Place stadium has been closed for the season due to icy conditions.

“the closure is necessary to protect the track and turf from damage,” city of Prince George

said in a posting on its website. “the facility will open in the spring on a weather-dependent basis.” all outdoor civic facilities are now closed for the winter.

citizeN Photo by James doyle

citizen staff

Action needed to fix downtown, forum hears

citizen staff

More policing, more accountability of social services agencies and more government action were some of the suggestions offered at an emergency meeting on downtown crime and social issues hosted last week by the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.

“I call the police and I get put on hold,” one longtime downtown business owner said.

“We need more policing, not one or two cops wandering around,” added another. “We need 10.”

“When we had a gang problem, the police created a gang task force,” a third man said to the group of about 70 people. “We need a drug task force because this is a drug problem.”

One man suggested putting social services like the needle exchange operated by Northern Health and social service agencies like St. Vincent de Paul’s in one location.

“We need to create an area and not in the heart of downtown,” he said.

“We just keep moving people around. We kick them out and then they just go to your

business, and your business, and your business,” one woman said, nodding towards the audience. “This is not just about getting people off the streets today. It’s long-term.”

Another woman pointed out that social services for the street population are downtown because that’s where those people are.

“You say move them from downtown but where?” she asked. “Does anyone have actual solutions or is this just complaining?”

“We need to do something here and not wait for the province,” one man said. “We pay our politicians to lead, to act, not to wait for us to come up with the solutions for them.”

Coun. Brian Skakun, the sole member of city council in attendance, said he plans on petitioning his council colleagues to hold a special community meeting to hear from everyone affected and discuss solutions.

“I’m ashamed by what’s happening downtown. It absolutely disgusts me,” he said.

“I’ve been on council a long time and I’m so sorry for what you have to go through.”

Pedestrian killed in Fraser Lake

RCMP are investigating the death of a 66-year-old Fraser Lake man who appeared to have been struck and killed by a commercial vehicle.

Police were called to a report Tuesday morning of a body found on the road behind the community’s shopping mall.

Based on evidence found at the scene, RCMP

said they identified and seized a vehicle for forensic examination. The driver is cooperating and alcohol was not involved, police added.

Police are looking for dashcam footage and asking anyone who may have been in the area of the shopping mall and along Endako Avenue on that day to contact the Fraser Lake detachment at 250-699-7700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Downtown business owner and resident John Kason called for “enforced accountability” of the groups that provide services for the downtown street population to clean up.

“It’s not fair for us to pick up after their do gooding,” he said.

“Downtown is a boat with a big hole in it but the city is more concerned with painting the boat and putting flowers in it,”

Jason Luke, another downtown business owner said. “Who else from the city other than Brian is here? Some emergency.”

Police should take a “zero tolerance” approach to drug use and other problem behaviour, Melanie Desjardines said, and more needs to be to stop “chronic offenders.”

The problem is bigger than just Prince George, stressed Jos Van Hage.

“We have to change the laws,” he said. “If people can’t look after themselves, we should have the right to do it for them.”

Safety of employees and customers, poor urban planning and poor follow through by past and present city councils on urban

planning best practices, the need for more police officers, funding cuts by provincial and federal governments passed down to municipalities and changing policy around harm reduction were also cited as problems by speakers as the microphone was passed around the audience.

Suggestions were hung up on the wall and audience members were asked to put stickers on the best ideas. More uniformed patrols of downtown, addressing downtown as a health emergency and targeting prolific offenders were three of the most popular choices.

“This is an incredibly complicated problem,” Todd Corrigall, the Prince George Chamber of Commerce CEO, said. “We’re tired of the closed-door meetings and tired of being kept in the dark on these decisions.”

Corrigall stressed to the crowd that with 700 members, the chamber has a powerful voice to bring about change.

“The frustration is out there but what we want to do is focus on the solutions,” he said. “That’s what we can advocate for.”

citizen staff

Social agencies receive grants

Mark NielseN citizen staff

Two locally-based social agencies have secured funding to provide expanded counselling services to people with mental health and addiction troubles.

In each of the next three years, Carrier Sekani Family Services will get $120,000 and Central Interior Native Health Society will get $92,000.

CINHS executive director Shoba Sharma said its grant will add an elder to the agency’s counselling staff and “build on an indigenous worldview that has been so long forgotten.”

“A lot of the ceremony and work we will be doing with our clients is stuff that went underground, it was banned here in this local area,” Sharma said. “And bringing out Dakelh tradition enables individuals to connect themselves to their identity and hopefully work through mental health and addiction issues that have come in response to all of the trauma that they’ve been enduring for so long.”

Sharma said CINHS has 1,300 clients and 30 per cent are active patients with addictions and 55 per cent are active patients with mental health conditions.

Over the last year, CINHS has taken over 1,600 appointments for methadone and suboxone treatment.

“Each one of those clients we work with to

provide counselling services,” Sharma added. “Our hope is to provide care that treats the whole individual, so as opposed to just providing them with addiction medicine, it’s providing them with connection to culture, connection to each other, connection to all of the supports that they require.”

Carrier Sekani Family Services will use its grant to focus on people with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit sexual orientations through the organization’s health and wellness program. How many people that may add up to is still to be determined, said Christina Dobson.

CSFS serves the on-reserve communities of 11 First Nations and off-reserve communities in Prince George, Vanderhoof, Burns Lake and Fort St. James, spread over 76,000 square kilometres.

In all, $10 million will be distributed to 29 agencies across the province. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Judy Darcy said it’s stable funding and guaranteed for the next three years. The grants are meant to help agencies reach under-served or hard-toreach populations.

“What was really motivating us to invest $10 million in community agencies that provide counselling is that too often access to health care, especially when it comes to mental health and addictions care, can depend on the size of your bank account,” Darcy said.

AleFest grants available

The AleFest Craft Beer Festival returns Jan. 24 and 25.

This event is a major fundraiser for Kiwanis, which supports organizations like the Ronald McDonald House of British Columbia as well as other legacy projects geared for children and families in Prince George.

Last year’s AleFest was hugely successful. The non-profit organization annually donates funds to Ronald McDonald house which provides accommodation to families like those in Prince George and other areas of the north who have a seriously ill child who requires extensive medical treatment away from home. After making that donation, the service club has a surplus and is encouraging people to apply for funding.

“Every single year we invite people to apply for one of our grants,” Eric Ball, marketing and communications lead, said.

It’s a simple online application, he added.

Ball said in the past Kiwanis has sent an entire school to see a play at Theatre NorthWest.

“That included the buses for transportation - everything,” Ball added. “We’ve paid for school lunch days. We bought the Therapeutic Riding Association a specialized saddle so people with disabilities can ride a horse and we’ve also developed some programs with Big Brothers Big Sisters. We donate to the Two Rivers Gallery for their children’s programs every year and also provided funds to the Child Development Centre to get a new roof.”

To apply for a grant, visit www.kiwanisalefest.ca and scroll down to Kiwanis AleFest grant application.

Price is right for P.g. Prize

hotel’s owner and president, said.

its dedicated Canadian fans.

On Nov. 12, viewers of the longtime CBS daytime game show The Price is Right saw a six-night stay at the Prestige Treasure Cove Hotel Prince George as a prize offered during the episode’s fourth game and a contestant from California won.

“When producers approached us to participate, it was a no-brainer,” Craig Briere, the

“It’s such a legendary game show to be a part of and we’re thrilled that the contestant won the prize and we’ll have the opportunity to showcase our beautiful city to him.”

It’s a great opportunity that provides huge exposure to the city of Prince George and to the property, he added.

The game show is watched by more than 5.4 million Americans a day, in addition to

The international exposure is considered to be very beneficial to the city as well as to the hotel, which is undergoing an expansion that will be completed by fall of 2020.

“It’s a very exciting time for us,” Briere said.

“We can’t wait to show off our new property to this prize winner, as well as to all upcoming guests.”

citizen staff

citizen Photo by James doyle

o ran G e crush “the Juice” Juventud Guerrera flies through the air to land a blow against the “canadian crusher” a.J. sanchez on saturday at the connaught youth centre during canadian wrestling elite’s the Juice is on the loose tour.

New record for construction

Citizen staff

With two months still to go, permits for a record-setting $193.8 million worth of construction have been taken out so far this year, according to the latest numbers from city hall.

The previous record was $186.38 million, set last year.

At $184.4 million, private-sector investment accounts for about 95 per cent of the total.

The number of building permits issued have also hit a new record at 541 compared to 515 for all of 2018.

Also of note, the number of new multi-family permits nearly doubled from 33 in 2018 to 56 in 2019.

They have contributed $67.3 million in value, down slightly from $70.4 million by the same point last year.

Of the top 10-valued permits for the year, nine are for privately funded projects, which include:

- Student housing development at 1404 Patricia Blvd. - Faction Projects Inc. - $13 million;

- Fire hall at 2012 Massey Dr. - City of Prince George - $11.8 million;

- Hotel by Horizon North at 585 Dominion St. - Mundi SDR Development Inc. - $11.3 million;

- Apartment building at 6611 Southridge Ave. - Bic Hayer Rental Properties - $11 million;

- Apartment building at 4278 22nd Ave. - Hayer Construction Firm - $10 million.

Unemployment rate increases

The city’s unemployment rate stood at 5.9 per cent in October, according to Statistics Canada labour market survey numbers.

That’s up from 4.8 per cent for the same month last year. However, 49,100 people were employed last month, up by 1,600, while 3,100 were seeking work, up by 700 and 21,000 were not participating, down by 1,200.

Compared to September, the picture is less favourable. For that month, the unemployment rate was 5.7 per cent, 49,900 people were working, 3,000 were seeking work and 20,200 were not participating.s Canada urges against month-over-month comparisons due to seasonal factors. The unemployment rates for October and September are accurate to within plus or minus 0.9 percentage points and that for October 2018, plus or minus 0.8 percentage points, 68 per cent of the time.

Citizen photo by James Doyle

students gather around the africa booth last Wednesday during a multicultural Day international Village at the Gathering place in CnC that was part of the college’s international education Week celebrations.

Citizen staff

Wildfire risk Workshop coming

Christine hinZMAnn staff reporter chinzmann@pgcitizen.ca

there’s a free agriculture and wildfire risk reduction workshop taking place nov. 28 at the civic centre.

this day-long event is geared for agricultural producers, wildfire response and emergency personnel and local government representatives.

Farmers and ranchers will learn how to prepare themselves and their properties for wildfire.

the workshop is presented the by bc agriculture and Food climate action initiative and will talk about wildfire behaviour, threats, history and information about how to protect structures from a fire.

there will be an opportunity to create a customized wildfire preparedness plan detailing what needs to be done before, during and after a fire.

the workshop will get farmers and ranchers face-to-face with local government reps, as well as those in the know about wildfire behaviour.

“this will be a multi-faceted workshop so we really take some time to explore the history and wildfire behaviour to understand the scientific aspects of it,” Kevin smith, workshop facilitator and wildfire mitigation specialist, said.

“a lot of people think when they see that massive wildfire on the mountain it’s the heat coming off the trees that is to blame

ere comes s anta c laus

high-five during his

citizen Photo by James doyle h

santa gives a young girl a

arrival at Pine centre on saturday morning. santa will be at the mall for photos for the next month.

see embers, page a13

Civic Centre Christmas Light Up goes Sunday

Christine hinZMAnn staff reporter chinzmann@pgcitizen.ca

it’s going to be magnificent. It’s going to be fantastic. It’s going to be spectacular.

That’s what the organizer of the Civic Centre Light Up is saying about Sunday’s event and he wants his enthusiasm to be contagious so everyone who attends the free community event can see it through his eyes.

Civic Centre manager Myles Tycholis is already gearing up for the 26th annual event that he said will kick off the holiday season with live music, entertainment, dancing, horse-drawn hay rides, crafts, holiday treats, a visit with Santa, the illumination of the Canadian Tire Tree of Lights and a fireworks display.

Local radio personality Doug Jones will once again host the event.

“We have tons of activities starting at 4 o’clock,” Tycholis said. “We have hay rides provided by Wood Wheaton Honda. They’ve got a route mapped out through the downtown area. We have crafts taking place at Two Rivers Gallery where people can make lanterns, we have face painting by a local artisan and then of course we have the mainstage where entertainment will be showcased right from 4 to 6 p.m.”

Kicking off the musical entertainment will be the D.P. Todd jazz band and the Nusdeh Yoh drummers will perform with their instructors.

“Last year the Nusdeh Yoh drummers performed for the first time and the kids were just elated,” Tycholis said. “They had such a fantastic time so we invited them back this year and they will actually escorting Santa out to his tent and then they will be coming onto the stage to perform.”

using a radio to communicate with the crane operator, a rope is used to direct the

Twasome Highland Troupe will perform, offering a bit of variety to the showcase. Nove Voce is a local multi-award winning choir, which will perform some of their latest songs. There will be a variety of solo artists as well as a preview of The Nutcracker presented by Judy Russell this holiday season.

There is a colouring contest children can participate in to win a family pack of tickets to The Nutcracker presented in December. There is complementary hot chocolate with other treats available as well.

The Prince George Cougars hockey players will be accompanying guests on the hay ride leading Christmas carols and those wishing to

participate can use the Christmas carol guide book so as not to miss a beat.

Local mascots will be on site to add to the festive atmosphere. Representatives of the World Women’s Curling Championship that takes place in Prince George in 2020 will offer visitors an opportunity to try street curling with adapted rocks suitable for the ground.

The official lighting of the Canadian Tire Tree of Lights will take place at 5:55 p.m. at the hands of Mayor Lyn Hall and Canadian Tire owner Selen Alpay. Immediately following that people are invited to raise their gaze towards Connaught Hill where the sky overhead will be filled with fireworks, again sponsored by Canadian Tire.

“And it’s just an absolutely stunningly beautiful backdrop of Canada Games Plaza - just imagine it all lit up and festive an then you’ve got this magnificent fireworks show taking place atop Connaught Hill,” Tycholis said.

Everyone is also welcome to visit the Festival of Trees which takes place inside the Civic Centre to top off their evening’s festivities.

“There’s so much going on and there’s a lot of activity,” he added.

And sharing in the spotlight on Sunday is the lighting of the United Way tree that sits atop the Coast Inn of the North. The longawaited resurrection of the tree, which last appeared in 2016, will be used as a fundraising effort for mental health supports for the local community. The goal is to raise $25,000. The lighting of the United Way tree takes place at 3:45, just a short 15 minutes before the Civic Centre Light Up festivities take place. The fully lit tree shining from the roof will be seen far and wide in downtown Prince George during the holiday season.

“For old and young alike there’s tons of activities and great entertainment at the Civic Centre Light Up and it’s just a fun, festive evening that we hope gets everyone excited for the holiday season,” Tycholis said.

To find out more information about the United Way fundraiser, to become a sponsor, or make a donation to this initiative email info@unitedwaynbc.ca or call 250-561-1040.

citizeN Photo by James doyle

60-foot tree of lights onto the roof of the coast hotel.

NDP has no plan, B.C. Liberals say

Mark NielseN citizen staff

B.C. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson is accusing the governing New Democrats of lacking a plan to guide the region - and the forest sector in particular - through the looming economic turmoil.

“What’s the five-year plan in terms of where the economy is going to be?” Wilkinson said during a question and answer session with local media last week. “Because we’re in the midst of a lot of change here.”

He said such a plan should be drafted in anticipation of future industrial development and the changes that are occurring in the forest industry.

“We all have the legitimate question of what’s going to happen to all of these graduates going through the system now and who are their employers going to be because it’s not going to be the same as it is today,” Wilkinson said.

“Will they be working for LNG Canada? Will they be working for Coastal GasLink? Will they be working for a new industry, like petrochemicals? We don’t know and it would be helpful to get some sense from the provincial government of what their goals are for this part of the world.”

He accused the NDP of relying on “bandaid programs” to ease the blow for the forest sector.

Forests Minister Doug Donaldson was in Prince George in September to announce a $69-million package for displaced sawmill workers. It drew Liberals’ ire because $25 million came from delaying by a year programs

funded through the Rural Dividend Fund. Ministry of Forests parliamentary secretary Ravi Kahlon was in Prince George and Quesnel last Wednesday to make announcements that included grants to allow loggers to retrieve slash that would otherwise have been burned and transport it to area pulp mills and bioenergy plants.

Wilkinson said the NDP is scrambling to make ends meet in the face of a budget deficit

of their own making by focusing on “some very expensive programs” and “living off the prosperity the B.C. Liberals generated.”

“And now that prosperity is slowing down and they don’t seem to have any plan whatsoever for job creation or industrial growth, apart from LNG (liquified natural gas) which is a Liberal initiative.”

In an emailed response, Jobs, Trade and Technology Minister Bruce Ralston empha-

sized the province’s and the region’s economic performance, saying in part that B.C.’s economy leads the nation in growth and is forecast to continue to do so for the next two years.

Ralston also said 2,300 more people are working in the Cariboo region than a year ago and noted that Prince George was named the second-best city in Western Canada to invest for 2020 by Western Investor.

“Key to our success has been securing the $40-billion investment from LNG Canada, which is expected to create7,000 construction jobs and has already hired more than 1,000 people on or near the site,” Ralston said. “Our plan is to continue to build off our strong economy and make sure it’s working for everyday people.”

Wilkinson is on a tour that has also taken him to Kamloops, Williams Lake and Quesnel.

“I’m trying to get out to every corner of the province as much as possible,” he said. “Unless you’re on the ground in these communities, you get a very distorted view of what’s going on. We have to actually get out and meet people and look them in the eye and understand their concerns and their issues and our fundamental concern is that our forest minister and our labour minister and Premier Horgan are nowhere to be seen in these communities.”

Donaldson was on a trade mission to China and Japan last week. Horgan was last in Prince George in April to announce the opening of the new drop-in health clinic at Parkwood Mall and Bains was in Prince George in September for Donaldson’s announcement.

b c. Liberal leader andrew wilkinson was in Prince George last week as part of a provincial tour.

EmbErs posE dangEr

From wiLdFire, page a9

for structure loss, where we know that it’s in fact the ember storm that can extend from the fire for up to a half a mile - and up to a mile in some cases with convective currentthat are often responsible for structure loss. Over 60 per cent of structure loss is not from what we call radiant heat but from these embers.”

All these elements of wildfires will be discussed and solutions will be offered.

“Also we’ll be looking at the fuel loads, climate change and obviously the extent to which we see people living in the area that we call the wild land urban interface,” Smith said.

“I often say that in our small towns throughout British Columbia that you can live right in the middle of your town and you’re still in that wild land urban interface because those embers will extend into your town.”

Smith said during the workshop there is definitely an opportunity to address structure loss prevention.

“What we’re really there to talk about is a tool developed by the Climate Action Initiative in conjunction with user groups like the Cattlemen’s Association, which is introducing to the community a wildfire preparedness and mitigation plan,” Smith said.

The plan comes in the form of a workbook, which farmers can delve into with the intention of creating an action plan specific to their farm so they are best prepared in the event of a wildfire, Smith added.

The representatives attending the workshop include those from the Regional District who coordinate the emergency operations

I often say that in our small towns throughout British Columbia that you can live right in the middle of your town and you’re still in that wild land urban interface because those embers will extend into your town.”

centre, BC Widlfire, structural firefighters who are part of the structural protection units that are part of the wildfire battle, as well as agrologists.

Funding for the project is provided in part by the federal and provincial governments under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Climate Change Adaptation Program is delivered by the BC Agriculture & Food Climate Action Initiative.

The workshop is free, with lunch and refreshments provided.

For catering and planning purposes pre-register at bcwildfirepreparedness2019. eventbrite.com

For more information email agwildfireworkshops@gmail.com

To download the workbook visit www. bcagclimateaction.ca

There is a similar workshop set for McBride on Nov. 26.

oPinion

Patching uP confederation

a“happy-fault” pervades our country. on the one hand, the division caused by Justin trudeau has finally forced an honest discussion about the cracks in our confederation. on the other hand, due to our prime minister’s lack of deft and the rage he inspires across the country, the risk of a permanent fracture, de facto or de jure, is dangerously high. canadians now stand before a growing abyss - will we close the gap or let gravity pull us down onto the rocks below?

to be candid, i believe this country is worth saving. What i mean by “this country” is not clear even to yours truly, but in broad strokes, i don’t want the geography to change, though that is not to say the borders ought to remain the same as they are now within this landmass. as to questions of history and culture, whatever our imperfections, what we have to be grateful for far outweighs the events to regret: those who died to preserve our dominion did not do so in vain.

no canadian is an island. our heritage of

the interesting thing about being a political candidate at 22 is not that people ask you questions about international affairs when they spot you at the bar but the fact that your age is the topic of every conversation.

mumilaaq Qaqqaq, 25, was the youngest mP elected in the 2019 federal election for nunavut. she recently tweeted “would you be asking the oldest mP how they feel about being the oldest mP?”

i have been reflecting on the experience a lot and thought if there are any other young women out there interested in running for office, i should share my experience with them.

i had the absolute honour of being the Green Party of canada candidate for cariboo-Prince George in the most recent federal election. We grew our portion of the vote by almost 170 per cent from 2015 and i couldn’t be more grateful for every person who cast their vote for me.

RIGHT OF CENTRE NATHAN GIEDE

liberty requires defence and our democratic institutions require renovation if we are to prosper as a nation. this was an open secret from confederation onwards, as the founding documents and dealings prove. but throughout the post-war period, particularly since the canada act of 1982, our country has been on a collision course, as successive governments picked winners and losers, finally enshrining them in law. a fatal tilt towards regionalism, legislation by activist judges and a cowardly Parliament have fostered a canada devoid of leadership. We cannot build metal tubes on our own land for our resources; we prosecute those recommissioning ships to supply our royal navy; we send cash overseas, while the cupboard is bare for veterans, fur trappers, families, or seniors; and what little we redistribute is taken

from long suffering regions and given to those now in surplus. there are dozens more issues, but the final indictment was self-inflicted by the supreme court. tephen harper’s nominee was turned down by current justices and all of harper’s temporary solutions to our constitutional contradictions were ruled out of order. thus, the robed magistrates signed their own eviction notice, for if patching or repairing a crumbling foundation is unthinkable, then demolishing the entire structure is the only option left. While lacking in the dramatic sense, a hack is available to us. Quebec has never signed the constitution, which begs the question if it was ever legitimate. rather than amend the broken document that only adds to our ills daily, the rest of canada ought to rescind their signatures with a simple majority vote. i have no doubt our oligarchs in ottawa will scream bloody murder, but as an ornery outsider once said, “they are entitled to their opinion - now let them enforce it.”

many will declare such talk inflammatory, perhaps even an incitement to

too young isn’t an excuse

SENSIBLE SOLUTIONS

i’m not sure that i’ve fully processed the experience yet, but i’ll give it my best shot. if you want to be a candidate it’s helpful to know a little bit about everything and ideally be able to communicate your position in 60 seconds or less. although i was able to do this, it was frustrating because talking about solutions to missing and murdered indigenous women and girls deserves far more than 60 seconds. here’s the real secret though: i didn’t know a little bit about everything before the election.

if we tell ourselves that we can only run if we are experts at everything, no one would ever do it.

you learn as you go, you get blindsided with questions about huawei and antifa, you stumble on your words, debrief in the car on the way home and are more prepared for next time. that’s how it goes. you realize pretty quickly that even sitting politicians go through this and it makes everything oK.

i learned a lot about prioritizing my time and energy for those that deserve it and trying not to let those that are rude get to me. i learned how easy it is to get distracted by the little things and worry about things that are unimportant. sometimes you get caught up on the social media numbers or the nasty emails but then you have dinner at your parent’s house and try to explain to your younger siblings what you are running for again and everything is oK.

some of the most memorable moments occurred after the main events themselves. after debates or meet and greets, people would come up to me and shake my hand

OFFICE HOURS

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday

violence. i can only respond that our current social and political contract is a sham - no one with any integrity can defend it without caveat. no wonder nationalism and patriotism are prohibited words - they point to what is lacking under our noses: a country that makes any semblance of sense. add to this the innumerable, unsustainable promises of every party, and who can believe this farce?

again, i declare this country worth saving and the people in it worthy of “peace, order, and good government.” the last has long left us - i can only promise the other two will follow without serious course correction and that will reap civil unrest, sown decades past. but while there is still enough light to redraft our documents by, let us meet in good faith. Whatever the result, at least we attempted to keep the more than 150-year-old dream of canada alive.

i am happy to suggest what those solutions might look like in later columns. until then, we can only hope and pray the weak bonds holding us together endure the current tensions.

(i shook a lot of hands) and say they are proud of me and agree with what i’m saying. the number of messages i received from people sharing that they have never voted Green before but were this time was incredible and made it all worthwhile. When you’re the candidate, you have to make sure you aren’t just in a Green, or blue or red or orange bubble. you have to go outside your comfort zone and have great conversations with people you disagree with. there is always a place for your supporters and the people who just want to keep you going but there is almost nothing more important than taking constructive criticism seriously. regardless of your age, your opinions are valid and we need your voice in government at any level. Put your name forward, be ready to grow and take the leap. it will change your life.

— mackenzie Kerr is a unbc forestry student.

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MACKENZIE KERR

STIll TEArING DOWN WAllS

Nov. 9 marked the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. This was most significant global event of my lifetime (I was born in 1962) and it is worth remembering for many reasons.

First of all, it is significant to note why the wall fell. It simply could not withstand the human desire for freedom.

Throughout the communist bloc, people were refusing to accept the rhetoric that the state was supreme, that it trumped all, even the sacred nature of each individual.

While it is true that there is a certain ostalgia (“Ost” meaning “east” in German) for the economic security of the communist state, no one is calling for the return of Stasi, the East German secret police, who spied on people and kept detailed records of many individual citizens.

On a global scale, the fall of the Berlin Wall signified the end of the Cold War. Many of us have forgotten the almost constant fear of nuclear armageddon. I often tell my students that when I was their age, we did not know if 2019 would come. With the release of classified So-

Lessons in Learning

Gerry ChidiaC

viet and American documents in recent years, it has become very clear how close we actually came to destroying ourselves.

Nuclear weapons remain a threat to global survival, but the world today cannot compare to the constant tension, the constant troop movement, the constant cloud which loomed over us every day.

As a person who simply wanted all people to be treated well, the fall of the Berlin Wall allowed for much greater honesty.

During the Cold War, the Soviets and their allies were always wrong. They were always the ones who committed crimes against humanity.

If one dared to question the actions of supporters of capitalism, one was labeled a communist, or was simply discredited and ignored.

This happened on university campuses

and in the forests in developing countries. The Armenian Genocide could not be examined because Turkey (which was responsible for an estimated 1.5 million Armenian deaths) bordered the Soviet Union and was too valuable an ally to be questioned. East Timor, invaded by Western ally Indonesia, would not be discussed. Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaire was an African hero who kept godless communism from spreading to his mineral rich country from neighbouring Angola. Quite honestly, there was little room for real dialogue. The communists were bloodthirsty and we were defending the world from the spread of its pestilence. What a relief it was when this insidious veil was lifted from the world. True, it led to a period of tremendous political volatility throughout the 1990s which resulted in further genocide. In many ways, we continue to pick up the pieces left after the end of the Cold War. The difference is that now matters can be discussed without anti-communist rhetoric. We can study the issues, put people on trial for crimes against humanity and find ways to move forward.

We have a very, very long way to go. We still do not see members of G20 nations put on trial for their crimes against humanity.

We still live in a world where war is a reality for far too many people and the threat of nuclear holocaust has not been eliminated.

We also face continued polarization between the haves and have nots, as well as an uncertain future for the environmental health of our planet.

In many ways, the fall of the Berlin Wall was only a starting point, but what a starting point it was. We can never forget the love of freedom and the demand for the respect of the rights of each individual that brought about its fall.

This spirit which brought down a once impenetrable wall continues to spread to all corners of the world.

One can only imagine where we will be 30 years from now.

— Gerry Chidiac is a champion for social enlightenment, inspiring others to find their greatness in making the world a better place. For more of his writings, go to www.gerrychidiac.com

CATCH AND kIll THOUGHTS

Disturbing is the first word. Shocking is the second. It is imperative reading for anyone interested in the news we read, about abuse of power, and those who manipulate and cooperate to make this abuse possible. It is a book recounting disturbing instances of “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine.”

In the case of Harvey Weinstein and NBC working together to “catch and kill” the stories both of Weinstein and Matt lauer, it seems to have worked for a long time.

ronan Farrow’s book is about the journey of writing and publishing his Pultizer Prize-winning article in The New Yorker exposing Weinstein.

The book reads like a spy novel. It paints a world of double-agents and high-powered friends enabling and covering for each other, of blackmail and

thinkinG aloud

trudy klassen

safe-houses. respected people. Men. Women. It contains details of the strategy to “catch and kill” rumours and allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

The book also tells a bit of his own story of coming to terms with his years of ignoring the allegations his sister Dylan made against Woody Allen, their father. He had preferred to believe it was her story, not his, and he didn’t need to be involved. As his reporting proceeds, he begins to see that he failed his sister when she needed someone. This may

explain his graciousness and generosity to those who stonewalled him and even acted for Weinstein.

Farrow’s tale is a cautionary one. The book details only his experiences in reporting the Weinstein story. He hints at a wider world of nefarious media buying, story buying, non-disclosure agreements, and media manipulation and collusion. Even a quick look at the articles he has written for The New Yorker since then show he has been busy and not lacking for material. Since his book release, he has said there is enough evidence for rape charges against Bill Clinton.

The bright spot Farrow manages to describe are the people who came forward. Not only the women with allegations, but also those that enabled the behaviour, some of the double-agents, and some from within NBC where he began report-

ing the story. He manages to remain hopeful about the human race despite his experiences writing this book. I am an idealist and my first response is to think well of everyone, especially those who are charged with protecting the public interest, like the media. So when Donald Trump decries “fake news,” I just roll my eyes, but I have, since Farrow’s allegations became public, wondered if Trump knows there is fake news because Farrow presents some evidence that Trump has a hand in creating it.

Farrow narrates the audiobook version himself, and according to reviews, went to great lengths to make it the spy thriller it is, even including the actual audio clip where Weinstein seems to implicate himself. Buy the book, or if you don’t like reading, you can buy the audiobook. It’s an important read.

Conversations unfit for print

One of the interesting side effects about having a column in the local newspaper is that every once in a while, a person telling an exceptionally good story will stop and tell me that I can’t write about this in my column. Generally, the content of said story is vastly inappropriate for the column (but not in real life). I do wonder what would it be like to record the second-hand conversations that occur around me. One of my high school English teachers told our class that real dialogue, like the stuff we say to our friends, is not “good dialogue” in a story. If we read dialogue that resembled our real-life conversations, the text would be virtually unreadable (case-

home again

meGan kuklis

in-point: James Joyce’s Ulysses).

In my household, all conversations are variations of the same thing. Parents ask the kids if they have done something, and the kids stare blankly into space or respond monosyllabically, over-and-over, repeat, ad infinium.

“How was school?”

“Have you unpacked your lunch?”

“Why didn’t you eat your lunch?”

“Is there anything I need to sign?”

“Where is your planner?”

“Where are your library books?”

“Have you brushed your teeth?”

“Why haven’t you gotten dressed yet?”

“Where are your … (shoes, hat, mittens, snow pants, jacket…)?”

“Who’s birthday party is this?”

“When is the birthday party?”

“Did I know about the birthday party?”

“Did you do your homework?”

“Where is your homework?”

Their responses vary – not a lot – but largely my conversations at home can only be called conversations in the loosest sense of the word. People are talking – but not necessarily to each other in a

way that is understandable.

Gone are my sweet little loveys who chatter on about Thomas the Train or Peppa Pig. In their place are grade school kids: teeth are missing and oversized, hair is all amuck, and there are holes in the knees of every pair of pants because no one wears jeans anymore. The kids are at the age where they are retesting their boundaries – seeing what they can get away with and what we are paying attention to. We can still call Santa – for now – but that will not last forever.

In the meantime, we are all hanging on, trying not to forget appointments or signed forms.

periodic table elementary

Almost every science classroom I have ever been in contains a periodic table. It is one of the most recognizable of all scientific images. In part, this is due to its peculiar shape which is a consequence of chemistry ultimately being about electrons in valence shells.

The construction of the table is also a function of atomic number or the number of protons found within the nucleus of each atom of each element. Every atom of carbon has six protons while every atom of technetium has 43. The number of protons distinguishes the elements from one another.

But in the early 1800s, scientists were struggling to understand the nature and relationships amongst all of the elements which had been discovered. They recognized some patterns and similarities in the chemical properties but did not have an overall picture. By the mid-1850s, the situation was becoming sufficiently perplexing that a conference was called to discuss the state of understanding.

At the 1860 Karlsruhe Conference, Stanislao Cannizzaro proposed using atomic weight (or relative atomic masses) as the guiding principle. Nine years later, and exactly 150 years ago, Dimitri Mendeleev used the known atomic weights and the chemical properties of the elements to publish the first version of the modern periodic table.

RELATIVITY

todd whitcombe

It wasn’t presented in a form which most of us would recognize. Among other issues, it had blank spots left for undiscovered elements. But Mendeleev was sufficiently confident in the process he had used to assign the elements to his table that he was able to make predictions about the physical and chemical properties of the undiscovered species. His work resulted in the discovery of numerous elements.

If you have ever spent any time staring at the table, you might have noticed some strange anomalies. The most obvious is the atomic weights listed don’t match the atomic number and they are not whole numbers. Hydrogen is listed as 1.00797 and not simply 1.0. Indeed, in three cases (Ar-K, Co-Ni, Te-I), a heavier element comes first on the table. For example, Tellurium has an atomic weight of 127.6 grams/mole while Iodine is only 126.9 grams/mole. Nevertheless, the chemistry of Iodine is consistent with the other halogens while Tellurium fits into the chalcogenides. As confounding as these results were,

in the late 1800s, the precision of the data about the atomic weights of the elements wasn’t sufficient to invalidate the results provided by the table. These anomalies were left “unexplained” although not from a lack of trying on the part of the scientific community. The periodic table, though, withstood the questions. After all, Mendeleev’s unknown elements had been found with chemical and physical properties matching his predictions.

In the early 1900s, Ernst Rutherford, Hans Geiger, and Ernest Marsden conducted experiments revealing the structure of the atom - a positively charged nucleus surrounded by a cloud of electrons. In 1913, using core electron x-ray spectroscopy, Henry Moseley determined the atomic number was the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. The underlying structure of the periodic table was not the atomic weight of the elements but the atomic number. An explanation for the anomalies of the atomic weight inversions had been found. Tellurium precedes Iodine because it has 52 protons in its nucleus compared to iodine’s 53.

In the meantime, Niels Bohr was a post-doctoral fellow working with Rutherford tackling the questions raised by the solar system model of the atom. Specifically, such a model should lead to the electron losing energy in the form

of x-rays. The electrons should quickly collapse into the nucleus. Bohr’s work resulted in the development of quantum mechanics and the behaviour of electrons within atoms. It is Bohr’s model which gave the periodic table its modern shape.

This is not to say everything was solved. With the exception of hydrogen, all of the elements have multiple positively charged particles in their nucleus and these should repel each other blowing the core of the atom apart. Further, the atomic mass didn’t make sense because if each atom was simply a multiple of hydrogen atoms, then the masses should also be a multiple of hydrogen’s.

In 1932, James Chadwick found the answer when he discovered the neutron. Atoms contain three types of sub-atomic particle – the positively charged proton, the negatively charged electron and the neutral neutron. The neutron provided a mechanism for holding nuclei together. It also led to the realization that elements have isotopes – multiple forms where the number of protons remains constant but the number of neutrons varies. For example, every atom of tin has 50 protons in its nucleus but with somewhere between 49 and 87 neutrons – although only ten between 112 and 124 are stable.

The periodic table isn’t just a poster on the wall but the gateway to understanding the world around us.

Grants given to retrieve salvage wood fibre

Mark NielseN Citizen staff

Ministry of Forests parliamentary secretary Ravi Kahlon was in Prince George last week to promote a mixture of new and ongoing projects to make better use of wood fibre that otherwise would have been burned as slash.

Standing in front of the Pacific BioEnergy plant on Willowcale Road, Kahlon said nearly $28 million in grants have been distributed to 38 projects through the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. (FESBC).

“This funding will allow recipients to increase their utilization of fibre that would have been burned as slash since it otherwise wouldn’t have been economically viable to transport and transform this material into value-added products,” Kahlon said.

“These projects will also help employ forest contractors, some of whom may

otherwise be unemployed. In addition, they will also help employ mill workers who produce electricity, wood pellets, pulp mills that produce these products specifically.”

The FESBC is a provincial Crown agency created in 2016 to administer a program aimed at wildfire risk reduction, reforestation, forest rehabilitation, wildlife habitat restoration and raising awareness of the FireSmart program.

Opposition forest critic John Rustad welcomed the news but added funding for the FESBC is running low.

“The B.C. Liberals put $235 million into FESBC,” he said. “There is about $5 million left from that initial investment that we made... so it’s good to see the work that FESBC is carrying on but it’s concerning to see that this government refuses to put additional funding into FESBC.”

Without additional funding, FESBC will close its doors in about two years,

Rustad said.

Of the 38 projects, 27 were approved in September and the remainder in November 2018 but not yet announced. Seven are located in the Omineca and Cariboo forest districts with five approved in September:

- Canfor’s Prince George Pulp and Paper will get $1.5 million to enable log sellers to recover about 143,000 cubic metres of low-grade fibre from cutblocks in the Prince George, Stuart Nechako and Peace forest districts, creating 13 fulltime jobs in the process.

- Mackenzie Pulp Mill Corp. will get $1 million to recover about 133,000 cubic metres of low-grade fibre and truck it to the East Fraser and Duz Cho chipping plants and then onto Mackenzie Pulp, creating nine full-time jobs in the process. The McLeod Lake Indian Band will be involved.

- Fort St. James Fuel Co. will get $500,000, to recover about 52,000

cubic metres from tenures in the Stuart Nechako Resource District for its Fort St. James Green Energy facility, creating four full-time jobs.

- Sasuchan Development Corp., operated by the Takla First Nation, will get $435,235 to supply Fort St. James Green Energy with 59,000 cubic metres and create four full-time jobs.

- Barkerville Historic Town and Park will get $160,000 to supply about 9,000 cubic metres to Cariboo Pulp and Paper for use as hog fuel.

The package includes two more projects approved in November 2018 but not yet announced:

- $1.5 million to Fort St. James Fuel Co. to supply its Fort St. James Green Energy plant, and create 13 jobs. The cubic metres of fibre was not provided.

- $555,255 to K&D Logging to supply the East Fraser Fibre chipping plant and create five jobs. The cubic metres of fibre was not provided.

SPORTS

from Burnaby during a 1500m heat race on Saturday at Kin 1 during a B.C. Cup Short Track speedskating event.

Speed Skater heading north

Ted Clarke Citizen staff

It was a whirlwind weekend for speed skater Kieran Hanson.

A day after saying goodbye to his Grade 11 classmates at College Heights Secondary School, Hanson was back racing on familiar turf on the Olympic-sized rink at Kin 1.

While it felt strange living out of hotel for the weekend with his family’s belongings already moved to their new home in to Fort St. John, Hanson had a little unfinished business competing in Saturday’s BC Cup short track meet.

The 16-year-old provincial long track team member has opened up a new chapter in his speed skating career, one he hopes will lead to a national team spot a couple years down the road in Calgary. Until then, the indoor 400-metre oval at the Pomeroy Sport Centre in Fort St. John and the year-round training opportunities it allows will be Hanson’s home and he can hardly wait.

“I’m really excited, I’ve been wishing for this for like two years now and it’s finally coming true, which means I’ll be able to pursue my dream of long-track speed skating more than I am now,” said Hanson.“It will be nice to not have that kind of iffy period where you’re trying to remind your brain how to do something it knows how to do. It’ll be nice to start skating months earlier than I do here.”

The move was made possible by Hanson’s father Tony, an RCMP officer, who accepted transfer to Fort St. John as a means to fast-track Hanson’s development on the ice.

He and his 14-year-old brother Jack plan to take advantage of the covered ice oval training with coach Richard Stickle and the Fort St. John Elks Speed Skating Club.

The Hanson family has been heavily involved with the Prince George Blizzard Speed Skating Club for five of the eight years since Kieran began skating. His mom, Kari Rae, is a former Blizzard club president and the current president of the BC Speed Skating Association and his

12-year-old sister Sarah also races short track.

Having lived in Invermere, Ottawa, Tumbler Ridge, Vanderhoof and Chetwynd, Hanson was relatively new to the Blizzard in 2015 when Prince George hosted the Canada Winter Games. He watched the races on the outdoor oval at Exhibition Park before warm weather forced organizers to move the event to Fort St. John and also saw some of the top short-track racers in the country take their spins around the Kin 1 ice and that was enough to convince him to get serious about skating. His perseverance paid off when he qualified for Team BC and competed at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer.

“I came here not real serious about skating and then skating became my dream with this club,” said Hanson. “I watched the Canada Games here and two years ago I was told I could make the next one and that was like wow, and it happened. It was this club’s doing that got me to where I am.

“Speed skating has taught me hard

work and persistence and discipline. I didn’t give up on Canada Games and went from being seeded almost dead-last in the qualifier to making it. It’s helped me with my schoolwork just knowing if I work hard I’ll get through it and it will pay off. No slacking off.”

Hanson is getting back to competing in short-track races knowing the two disciplines complement each other. Before Saturday’s races he’d stepped away from short track long enough to invalidate all his previous qualifying times.

He plans to make the move to Calgary after he graduates high school where he can take in the benefits of being close to the national team training centre at the Olympic Oval, now the home base of former Blizzard club skaters Nico and Lina Hiller, Eric Orolowsky and Craig Miller.

Hanson plans to be at BC Cup No. 2 in Richmond, Dec. 14-15 and he’ll be back in Prince George racing on the outdoor oval at Exhibition Park at a BC Cup long track meet, Jan. 11. He’s also looking forward to a Grand Prix long track event in Calgary on March 13-15.

Citizen photo by James Doyle Sarah Hanson of Prince George leads Manuela Escobar Ballen

football player named national all-star

Citizen staff

A Prince George high school football player has been named to the Nissan AllCanadian TITAN team.

Tristin Brochu of the Kelly Road Roadrunners will be in Calgary next week as one of 70 high school football players chosen from across the country to take part in the Canadian Football League’s Grey Cup celebrations.

“We’ll get to meet some CFL players, do a bit of training and play in an exhibition game on the Saturday,” Brochu said, before watching the Grey Cup live at McMahon Stadium on Nov. 24.

The 16-year-old Grade 11 student was nominated by his coaches for his play on the field, his straight A and B grades at school and his volunteer work at the Hart Ski Hill.

Brochu also manages to work two days a week at Excel Transportation.

He started playing football in Grade 9 with his friends at Kelly Road and quickly excelled.

“In my first year, we won the P.G. Bowl and went to provincials,” he said. “Last year I led the province in tackles.”

Although he’s mostly played on defence as a linebacker and safety, he also lined up this year with the offence as a running back.

Heading into his final high school football season next year, Brochu is hoping his play and the Nissan All-Canadian recognition leads to a post-secondary football career.

“I haven’t had anybody talk to me yet but that’d be my dream, to play after high school,” he said. “That’s what I’m working towards.”

The selection committee for the Nissan All-Canadian team was made up of CFL host Brodie Lawson, HGTV personality Bryan Baeumler, Jesse Lumsden, a former CFL player and three-time Olympian, and Travis Lulay, a former CFL player and who works with the BC Lions in business operations.

Citizen photo by James Doyle Tristin Brochu of the Kelly Road Roadrunners runs with the ball while blocking a tackle from a Nechako Valley Vikings defender during a game in October at Masich Place.

Become a curling future star

Mario annicchiarico Curling Canada

Sydney Brilz recalls her experience as a future star, entering the ice surface along with Team Russia’s Andrey Drozdov back at the 2013 World Men’s Curling Championship in Victoria.

“It was really cool to be in the environment that I had admired so much and watched on TV for so long,” said Brilz, who at the time was a 15-year-old based out of the Esquimalt High School Curling Academy (which is now the Greater Victoria Curling Academy in the B.C. capital).

“It was really surreal because you see it on TV all the time and yet it still seemed that you were grounded in a small area, but there were so many people there. You see your family and all the fans and

they’re all excited for you, so it was cool to be a part of that atmosphere in that place,” she added of the event, held at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre.

The Future Stars program runs at every event on the Curling Canada Seasons of Champions calendar and involves juniors between the ages of 9-16 affiliated with clubs in the region.

Those juniors can currently apply to be Future Stars for the 2020 World Women’s Curling Championship in Prince George.

Selected applicants become honorary members of one of the teams competing in the international event and receive:

* A commemorative Future Stars jacket;

* A ticket for you and three guests to one of the team’s round-robin draws;

* An official photograph with the team; and

* Arena entrance and introduction

with the team at a pre-game ceremony.

Brilz is now a 23-year-old in her third year of social work at the University of Victoria and in 2018 was a provincial junior women’s champion, playing lead on skip Taylor Reese-Hansen’s Victoria Curling Club foursome.

Brilz is now competing in women’s play, along with Reese-Hansen (third), skip Dailene Pewarchuk and second Ashley Sanderson.

Back at the 2013 world men’s event in Victoria, Brilz received a Russia team jacket (which she still proudly displays), a flag with all the team’s signatures and, of course, had the chance to be introduced on the ice prior to a round-robin game.

Brilz now sees the Future Stars on TV during national or international championships in Canada and can proudly say, she’s been there and done that.

“When the Grand Slams or the Scotties or Briers are on, our TV is always on at home. I watch them all the time,” said Brilz, who would love the opportunity to compete in a national women’s championship and escort the Future Star onto the ice.

“Even when I’m competing now, you have the little kids from the local clubs who come out with us who are six- and seven-years-old and they’re so cute and they’re so excited to be there and it’s just so nice to see,” said Brilz. “Getting to a Scotties is the ultimate dream and I would love to be in that position to have a young star hang out with me.”

Alberta’s Chelsea Carey is the defending Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion and the two-time national champion echoes Brilz’s excitement when it comes to the Future Stars program.

“It’s a great opportunity for them and you could tell, lots of times they’re excited and nervous, and quiet. They don’t know what to say or do, but it’s fun for us to see their excitement and enthusiasm and to be able to chat with them,” said Carey.

“We were all them at one point, watching on TV and admiring all these people and looking up to them, so it’s a pretty neat experience to be a part of that. Sometimes you have to pry words out of them because they’re so nervous that they don’t say anything, so you’ve got to work hard to get them to talk to you, but it’s fun and so worthwhile.”

That’s why Carey loves to pay back to the youth of curling.

“We didn’t have stuff like that when I was their age, so I didn’t get to do anything like that, but it’s pretty neat to even just be at ice level and see all the people in the stands and how big the arenas are and what it looks like from our perspective,” offered Carey. “That’s a unique experience in itself; never mind getting the chance to be around all these teams and athletes that you normally watch on TV.

“So any chance we get to give something back to juniors - to work with them or to share a little bit of wisdom or inspiration – we take. That’s the future of our game, so anything that we can do to encourage that or develop that is obviously something we love to have the opportunity to do.”

At the last Women’s World Curling Championship in Canada, in 2018 in North Bay, Ont., Stacey Dobbin was the director in charge of the Future Stars

program.

“I still see a lot of the kids and I’ve had a lot of them call me this year to see if they could be part of the Pinty’s (Grand Slam of Curling Masters event, which was slated for late Oct. of 2019 in North Bay), in which we’ve incorporated a similar young stars program. It (the Future Stars program in 2018) was an incredible experience for me and the kids,” said Dobbin, who is the office manager at the North Bay Curling Club.

At the 2018 Worlds, the Future Stars would meet an hour before to be shown around the arena and to take pictures with sponsors.

“As soon as teams came out to practice the kids were given the OK to stand where the teams were with the coaches and experience part of the practice,” said Dobbin.

When the pre-game ceremonies began, all the teams walked out with a flag carrier.

“The kids always walked out with the teams, they would stop at centre ice and spread out underneath the display above them, and they would stand for the national anthems.”

The kids were then walked off the ice and had front row seats with their parents to watch the draw. Future Stars also received the experience to tour the TV studios of the respective broadcasters.

“The people behind the cameras and in the production trailer treated these kids like royalty,” said Dobbin. “And the athletes treated them like they were their own kids. One person who stood out was Jill Officer and that was her last event (as a regular member of Jennifer Jones’ team).

“Even when it wasn’t her team involved, if I had a group of juniors out there who weren’t with Team Canada, she would come out and if the kids had a marker, she would sign their coats and shirts and anything they wanted signed. She would take the time to stop and talk to the kids.”

Just who represents Canada at the World Women’s Curling Championship in Prince George will be determined at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in midFebruary in 2020 in Moose Jaw, Sask. Corryn Brown of Kamloops, a threetime B.C. junior women’s champion and 2013 Canadian Junior champion, would love to don Canada’s colours at the event. At age 11, Brown had a similar experience as a young star, only at a provincial event.

“It wasn’t at a national level, but I was a placard holder at provincials. There was never a Brier or Scotties close enough for us. But, it’s funny, I ended up holding a placard for Allison MacInnes (who is now Brown’s coach). It was pretty neat because I looked up to them as athletes and now Allison is my coach, so it’s kind of funny how everything has come full circle.”

Entry deadline for the one-of-a-kind experience for the 2020 World Women’s Curling Championship is Jan. 15 and all it takes is to answer the question - in 50 words or less - why you would like to be an honorary team member.

Enter at www.curling.

ca/2020worldwomen/future-stars/ Tickets for the event, slated for March 14-22 at CN Centre, are available on-line at: www.curling.ca/2020worldwomen/ tickets/

AUTOMOTIVE

Murano offers looks and luxury

Pedro ArrAis

Glacier media

The 2019 Nissan Murano Platinum is as close to a mid-size luxury crossover as you can get without a luxury nameplate. SUVs may have started out as boxy, utilitarian vehicles, but along the way many consumers clamoured for a dose of style to go with the ruggedness.

Crossovers — SUVs with more curvaceous bodies — have been the answer, with the Murano one of the earliest examples of the breed.

Introduced in 2003, the Murano was a breath of fresh air among the boxy Nissan Pathfinders and Toyota Highlanders of the day. A true international child, the vehicle was designed by Nissan’s design team in California and gets it name from an Italian city famous for its art glass.

This is the third generation of the mid-sized five-passenger vehicle, with the 2019 receiving a mid-cycle refresh to keep up with the competition.

It is the middle child in Nissan’s six SUV/crossover fleet, larger than the Kicks, Qashqai and Rogue, but smaller than the Pathfinder and Armada.

There are four trim models, starting with the S at $32,898. My tester was the Platinum, with a list price of $46,398.

Regardless of the trim, all Muranos are powered by a trusty 3.5-litre V-6 producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque.

The base S is the only model offering front-wheel drive — all the others are equipped with an all-wheel-drive system (the most popular choice in Canada). Power is delivered to the wheels on all models via a continuously variable transmission.

If you have been shopping in the near-luxury category, you will probably encounter a number of turbocharged four-cylinder engines. Manufacturers have embraced turbo fours because they can give more power than a V-6, as well as better fuel economy.

But if you are a traditionalist, you will fall in love with the V-6 in the Murano. Unlike the turbocharged engines, the V-6 delivers peppy performance without turbo lag when you bury your right foot to the carpet.

It doesn’t feel particularly fast, but if you glance down at the speedometer, you might get a pleasant surprise (or unpleas-

regardless of the trim, all muranos are powered by a trusty 3.5-litre v-6 producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque.

ant, if the reason for the glance coincides with the appearance of flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror).

Despite the power, Nissan only recommends you tow up to 680 kilograms (1,500 lbs.), which pales to the 1,588-kg limit of the Mazda CX-7.

When driven with less urgency, the powertrain is almost silent. While serenity is expected of a luxury car, such a level of quietness is unexpected — and appreciated.

You can flog the Murano on back roads, but the experience isn’t one that makes you go back for more. The suspension is more tuned for comfort, smoothing out the roughest, meanest potholes. The light steering is likewise a welcome companion on the highway and lacking in talk-back on twisty roads.

But all gripes about the Murano’s powertrain vanish when you open the door and get your first impression of the cabin.

The badge on the grille might say Nissan, but you will think that you are gazing at an interior of an Infiniti or similar luxury car.

Soft, diamond-quilted semi-aniline leather seats are framed with a tasteful combination of wood, chrome and brushed aluminum.

There is a warmth to the cabin, which features soft, flowing lines and impeccable fit and finish. This is the go-to vehicle if you are not a fan of high-tech interiors with nary a control in sight. The Murano is more in the old-school segment, with analog displays, buttons and knobs.

One major disappointment is the lack of a wireless charging port, a must-have at this price range. There is, however, a convenient slot on the centre console for you to fit your cell phone, keys and other knick-knacks (I know most people use the cupholders instead).

All Muranos come with an eight-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. By the time you reach the Platinum trim, you will get nice features such as a panoramic sunroof, remote start, around-view monitoring, 20-inch wheels and a Bose audio system, as well as heated and cooled front seats.

Its safety suite deserves mention. Even

the base model gets intelligent emergency braking and forward collision warning. The upper models take it a step further, with emergency braking with pedestrian detection and rear emergency braking.

Along with a back-up camera, certain models also come with a rear cross-traffic warning and moving object detection (works up to 8 km/h). This last feature is meant for small children or pets that move into the path of a backing-up vehicle.

f you are travelling with family, you might have to pack lightly, as the cargo volume is on the small size — 880 litres with the rear seat up and 1,840 down (you can thank the sloping roof and hatch, since a vehicle with a square exterior design always holds more).

But that’s the compromise when it comes to the Murano. It isn’t the fastest, the most modern, the most rugged or the most utilitarian mid-sized crossover. It is, instead, a smooth and comfortable vehicle that comes with a large dollop of luxury and style — and thousands of dollars less than a luxury nameplate. Which would you park in your driveway?

SPEC sheet

t yP e: mid-sized crossover, front-engine, all-wheel-drive

eNG i N e: 3.5-litre v-6, 260 hp at 6,000 r.p.m., 240 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 r.p.m.

t ra N smissio N: cvt d ime N sio N s (mm): Length, 4,897; width, 1,916; height, 1,722; wheelbase, 2,825

c urb wei G ht (kG ): 1,873

Price (base/as tested):

$32,898/$48,613 (includes $1,815 freight and Pdi and $100 ac tax)

oP tio N s: metallic paint $300 Platinum model $46,398

t ires: 235/55 r20 on alloy wheels

Fue L tyP e: regular

Fue L eco N omy (L/100km): 8.5 highway/ 11.7 city

warra N ty: three years/60,000 km new car, five years/100,000 km powertrain and three years roadside assistance program

Teaching never ends for Mr. Berry

SENIORS’ SCENE KATHY NADALIN

If you missed the documentary that premiered Nov. 8 at the Prince George Playhouse by our local 6ix Sigma Productions group then you missed a good one. The documentary is entitled Mr. Berry.

I recently had the opportunity to sit and talk to Brij Berry who I will call Mr. Berry to keep in theme with Jason Hamborg’s excellent documentary.

Mr. Berry has been teaching math to students from the ages of nine to 63 years old for nearly 66 years. Here is his story in a nutshell.

Mr. Berry, who is now somewhere in his 90s, said: “My father was a lawyer and he wanted me to be a doctor. I quickly learned that I could not stand the sight of blood and I became a math teacher instead.

“I was teaching university students at two colleges at the same time and, in fact, I was younger than many of my students. One morning I slept in and I was a half-an-hour late for my class. It was normal that if the teacher didn’t show up - the students left - so I was not surprised when I got to the school and the students were gone. I felt so bad about all of this that I went to the library to hide myself behind a newspaper. I sat there knowing that I was guilty and I suddenly noticed that the newspaper had seven pages of teaching positions. The war had ended and teachers were in demand everywhere. I read all of the advertisements and the one that caught my eye was the place with the beautiful name of Bonnyville, Alta.

“I replied and wrote a letter asking them if they would be interested in a young man and then I listed my qualifications. The reply came back telling me what wages to expect and an all-expense paid ticket to arrive in Bonnyville in time to be at work on September 1st.

“Now, I had to tell my parents. They were sad and could not understand why I would leave three good jobs and go to another country for a new job. My father, who was the nicest and kindest man and the best father ever said, ‘Don’t go.’ My mother, with tears in her eyes, said, ‘Don’t forget to write.’

“I told them that I was going for fun and that I would be back in two years. I wrote them every day for 28 years until they passed away.

“Time passed and due to my age I had to retire. I did not want to retire because it was rumoured that retired teachers either sold used cars or became insurance salespeople.

“I successfully followed up on an ad-

vertisement put out by the Department of Indian Affairs in Ottawa and filled a teaching position at the Tache Reserve near Ft. St. James.

“In 1991, I came to visit friends in Prince George. They had to go to work each day and I had nothing to do so I showed up at the school board office looking for two days of teacher substitution work. They sent me to Prince George Senior Secondary. On the third day, I went in to thank them for the two days of work and they told me I had a job.

“I can remember the time when I was given a new student that was said to be negative and quite troublesome. To make a long story short, I do not deal in negativity. I shook his hand and I assured my new student that he was going to do very well in my class. I told him if he had any problems he could stay after class or come to my home. He came to my home. I turned into his counselor and his teacher. He changed and he got an A in math.

“Many students hated school before I spoke to them in my class and now, they are successful and happy people.

“I taught in School District 57 until 1997 and because of my age I had to retire once again.

“I taught at the Catholic School in College Heights until they sold the land to Walmart and I am still teaching at a First Nations School when possible.”

Taking a quote from executive director Karin Hunt of the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association (PGNAETA) in a thank you speech to Mr. Berry, she said, “someone once wrote ‘A teacher takes a hand, touches a mind and opens a heart’ and that is a partial summary of the work of Brij Berry. In the eyes of PGNAETA, we see him more as an architect – having crafted the architecture of careers of First Nations students.”

Mr. Berry had open heart surgery in June of 2018 and even that did not stop him from teaching.

Because he wants to, he has been

teaching everyday including weekends, holidays and all through the summer.

Many former students still send him thank you notes and photos.

Many more say they have retired from successful careers thanks to him. Some of his students are grandchildren of his former students.

As these generations have passed, Mr. Berry is still teaching.

Mr. Berry concluded by saying, “each teacher has his or her own way of teaching. I do not use books because I ask my own questions and I answer the questions that my students ask of me. We have conversational lessons and a twoway class discussion and I dwell on the student’s point of view.

“My students are my family and teaching is the only joyful activity in life for me. I have to say that I am medically and clinically depressed when I am not teaching.”

The local production of Mr. Berry is available on TELUS Optic TV OnDemand platforms.

Citizen photo by James Doyle Brij Berry at his desk in his Prince George home.

A different A ppro A ch to dementi A c A re

Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff

To provide some insight into the behaviours that come with dementia in an aging population, Northern Health staff are being educated through the Gentle Persuasive Approaches program.

“What we knew 20 years and even 10 years ago, has changed completely,” clinical nurse educator Brenda Miller said.

“What is more important is for us to understand who the person was so we can get a better idea of their interests, their likes and dislikes and things they did in their life that were meaningful.”

Miller gave a teacher or nurse as an example of a person whose instincts are towards caring for and helping others.

“That caring may come out as their disease progresses,” Miller said.

“They may not be able to tell us that but understanding that may have been important to them so that’s what we try to provide them an opportunity to do again. We really look at the person’s history not so much to try to understand what the disease is doing because what we know the disease does is it changes the person.”

The focus is not what the patient can’t do anymore but what they can do, Miller added.

“Our focus is to keep that person as independent and functional for as long as possible,” Miller said.

Core foundational focus is on needs, interests, skills and abilities and how to maximize those even when memory loss is present.

“The burden on the independent caregiver (at home) is as great as it is on the amount of care we need to try to provide here for a person,” Miller said.

Similar programs to Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) are offered to people who are caring for a loved one with dementia through the Alzheimer’s Association of B.C.

More than 1,200 staff members of Northern Health have taken GPA since 2011.

It’s a course that offers the patient’s perspective.

“The person with dementia certainly sees the world from different eyes than the nurses,” Miller said.

“We have to focus on improving our communication skills and we have to understand that it’s our body language that counts just as much as the words we say. With advancing dementia communication skills deteriorate dramatically so the person with dementia depends on what they see, so this could be good advice for

someone at home taking care of someone with dementia. Don’t complicate the message you’re trying to give with too many words. Show them with your body language what you want from them.”

That could include signs like pointing to your watch and then making a gesture of holding a spoon and bringing it to your mouth for time to eat.

“So you’re using a lot of animated body language to be able to reinforce the message,” Miller said.

Part of the Gentle Persuasive Approaches program sees staff validation where they recognize patients may be living in a different time and place in any given moment.

“Staff has to recognize that and then work within those boundaries,” Miller said. “We create the setting where a person can just be what they want to be without us arguing with them, without us correcting them, without us pressuring them to come to a reality they just can’t understand in the moment so rather than arguing or confronting the person we just accept them for where they believe they are or who they are or what they think they’re doing in this moment.”

Correcting a person or arguing with a person with dementia is not a successful strategy, she added.

“No adult likes to be told what to do,” Miller said.

“We try to ask them so we say things like ‘would you like to join us?” Making it an invitation is a much more successful strategy. So we ask things like ‘would you like to have your bath, come and eat,’ things like that because we’re still talking about adults here.”

In a care facility choices are limited so staff offer options whenever they can.

“It could be as simple as coffee or tea, do you want to wear something pink or blue, but offering choice is probably the number one strategy for gaining cooperation wherever possible,” Miller said.

When a person with dementia in a long-term care facility is uncooperative it may be a result of unmet needs.

Things to consider are pain, hunger, loneliness, boredom, medication side effects and illness and it takes a bit of investigation.

“Any medical condition that limits a person, whether you had a stroke, have dementia or arthritis - an adult doesn’t like to be limited in what they’re doing and this is a disease that does create limitations, so we try to again help that person to be as independent as possible and when we do that we get successes,” Miller said.

Gentle Persuasive Approaches is taught throughout the Northern Health Authority in all long-term care facilities as well as hospitals where people are waiting for a bed in a facility.

“This is one approach on how we express person- and family-centred care,” Miller said. “I think it’s our northern way of doing things.”

At every one of Northern Health facilities there are advocacy meetings between the patient, their family and Northern Health staff to make sure everyone can share what is important, Miller added.

Miller said an evaluation of the GPA program was conducted and not only did it improve clinical knowledge but practical knowledge as well.

Miller offers tips for those who are at-home caregivers that has seen great success in facilities.

Peripheral vision diminishes to a great extent in people with dementia - to as little as the size of a basketball in front of them - so everything has to be placed where the person can see it, including cups and plates.

People should know that particularly with Alzheimer’s disease longtime memories are preserved while short term memory is not, she added.

“We have two main goals in nursing, that’s pain control and that includes physical and psychological pain, that’s number one,” Miller said. “And number two, we do what makes them peaceful and calm.”

If a person remains calm and at peace the rest will follow, she added.

“So that’s one of our main goals to achieve calm and peace and that can be challenging, don’t get me wrong,” Miller said.

“But when we achieve that the person is less distressed, less anxious - they’re happy and that’s person- and familycentred care.”

1t's never too late to get active

Marissa Cruz LeMar

Special To The Washington Post

Diana Bridger was 59 years old and a self-described “committed couch potato” when she saw a photograph of herself at a birthday party and decided she needed a lifestyle change. “I thought, ‘I need to just move,’ “ the Fairfax County, Virginia, resident said. “If I lose weight, great. If not, that’s fine. But I need to get moving, just for my health.’”

Although she had never been active, Bridger, a retail store manager, signed up for a group fitness class at Orange Theory. “I had to force myself to walk in,” she said. The workout, which involved a treadmill, rowing machine and free weights, was challenging. But she was hooked. And after six months, she was confident enough to try something she had always wanted to do: a 5K race. She hasn’t stopped running since. Her new active lifestyle, she said, has benefited her physically and emotionally.

If you’re a sedentary adult, as Bridger was, meeting the recommended goals of at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week may seem overwhelming. You may even think there’s no way you can counter years of inactivity. But Bridger’s experience illustrates what recent research is showing us: It’s never too late to start exercising and reap the health rewards.

Consider a study published this year in JAMA Network Open that looked at the activity levels of 315,059 participants from 50 to 71 years old at four differ-

ent points in their lives (15 to 18; 19 to 29; 35 to 39; and 40 to 61). Researchers found that the participants who were previously inactive but increased their physical activity in later adulthood (40 to 61 years old) to four to seven hours per week had a 35 percent lower mortality risk than those who remained inactive. Participants who were already active and maintained their exercise levels into later adulthood achieved a 29 to 36 percent lower risk. The fact that older adults who had maintained their exercise levels and older adults who were new to exercise experienced a comparable lower risk of mortality suggests midlife is not too late to start physical activity.

A University of Cambridge study of 14,599 adults aged 40 to 79 published this year reached similar conclusions. Researchers found that adults with cardiovascular disease and cancer gained substantial longevity benefits by becoming more active, regardless of their past physical activity levels. Those who had been inactive at the start and increased to an average of 30 minutes of moderate activity per day showed about 24 percent lower mortality risk.

The health benefits of starting to exercise later in life specifically extend to the heart and muscles, research shows. A 2018 American Heart Association study of 61 healthy but inactive adults ages 45 to 64 found that participants who started exercise were able to reverse the cardiac effects of sedentary aging. Those who exercised showed a 25 percent improvement in elasticity of the left ventricular

muscle of the heart - the chamber that’s responsible for pumping blood out to the rest of the body, said Benjamin Levine, director of the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine in Dallas. Restoring the heart’s elasticity prevents the increase in cardiac stiffness that’s linked to sedentary aging.

There is one caveat, however. Because the stiffening of the heart starts in latemiddle age, training needs to start before it’s too late, Levine said. That means before age 65, while the heart retains plasticity and the ability to remodel itself.

“Older individuals get heart failure not because their hearts stop pumping well, but because the hearts become hard and stiff,” Levine said. “There’s no medication that treats that problem,” so prevention through exercise training is the key.

As for the muscles, researchers from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom compared “master athletes,” men between 60 and 80 who had undertaken high-level endurance training at least twice a week for at least 20 years, with men the same age who didn’t have a regular workout routine.

The study, published in Frontiers in Physiology this year, concluded that both groups had equal ability to build muscle in response to exercise. In a statement, lead researcher and senior lecturer Leigh Breen said: “Our study clearly shows that it doesn’t matter if you haven’t been a regular exerciser throughout your life, you can still derive benefit from exercise whenever you start.”

Here are tips for establishing a safe and

sustainable exercise routine.

Start slowly. “Some exercise is better than none,” said Pedro F. Saint-Maurice, lead researcher for the JAMA study and postdoctoral fellow with the National Cancer Institute. If you can’t get 30 minutes a day from the beginning, progress slowly and gradually increase your exercise.

Think beyond formal exercise. Don’t limit yourself to structured workouts. “It’s very important to try and incorporate activity into daily routines,” Brage said. “There are opportunities for being a little active in every domain in life,” such as parking a little farther away, taking the stairs more frequently or adding walk breaks to your workday. And all those small bursts of activity add up. Mix it up. Include a variety of cardio, strength training and stretching, and include moderate- and high-intensity workouts to get the best impact. Multiple study results demonstrate that there are whole-body impacts to starting exercise, so incorporate all styles of activity to achieve the best results.

Enlist a partner. Exercising with a friend or family member can keep you motivated and consistent. Bridger, for example, was intimidated to start running at first, limiting her runs to nighttime when no one would see her. But when a neighbor learned Bridger was starting to run, she suggested they run together. Eighteen months later, the two have shared countless miles of encouragement and support, and Bridger has completed 18 races.

this is the front page from the november 26, 1919 edition of the Prince George citizen. you can search all of the citizen’s archives online at pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca

From left, Nicole Currie, Meals on Wheels coordinator, Lola-Dawn Fennell, general manager PG Council of Seniors, and Cheryl Jacobus, director and volunteer pose with some food items on Thursday morning at PG Council of Seniors office. These are only a few of the items that wll be going into the Council of Seniors Christmas hampers.

Make your ChristMas giving Matter

Christine hinzmann Citizen staff

It might seem early but to get Christmas hampers organized for those in need in the community in time for the holidays takes time, effort, coordination and plenty of helping hands.

As always, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Prince George Council of Seniors, the Prince George Native Friendship Centre and the Salvation Army are taking applications from those in need and coordinating volunteers and accepting donations right now.

Here’s how it works:

st. viNceNt de PauL society

The hamper application office for St. Vincent’s is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. until noon and 1 to 3 p.m. until Dec. 6 at 1310 Third Ave. and will accept applications for any family with children 19 years and younger living at home. Applicants are asked to bring care cards for all family members and proof of current address like a rent recent or utility bill.

All four agencies conduct cross references to best serve all community members, making sure there is no over lap.

The community can assist by making donations.

“We’re always very grateful for any donations we receive,” Bernie Goold, chair of St. Vincent de Paul Society, said.

At this time of year toys for children and gifts for teens are most welcome and small items for single parents, even mugs filled with sweets, are also welcome because as Goold said “who gives a single parent a Christmas present?”

Goold also suggested if you’re looking to regift a new item, that might be something to consider donating, which would then be given to that parent in need.

Other suggested items are toques, mitts, gloves, socks and scarves.

As the non-profit is always looking for volunteers, there is information online detailing different options.

“We need volunteers to put the hampers together, delivering them, which takes place on Dec. 21 and then to help with Christmas meals,” Goold said.

A majority of non-perishable food items donated to St. Vincent de Paul Society are received during the holiday season, which lasts them throughout most of the year.

Continued on page 29

Citizen photo by James Doyle

Making spirits bright

from page 28

They offer emergency hampers all year round.

The society purchases the food that will be included in the Christmas hampers to ensure they are all the same.

Prince GeorGe coUnciL oF seniors

Those who wish to apply for a Christmas hamper from the Council of Seniors must be at least 55 years old and low income. Applicants must bring in photo ID, proof of residence can be a utility bill or bank statement, along with proof of income and they can apply until Dec. 6 at the resource centre, 721 Victoria St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Household income is considered, not individual’s income.

There is a choice of receiving a turkey or ham, and the council tries their best to accommodate special dietary needs, Lola-Dawn Fennell, general manager, said.

“The goal is to provide all the makings for one festive meal as well as groceries for another seven days,” Fennell explained. “The reason for the seven days is that cheques come out a week early in December so people end up with an extra week between their December and January cheque and for some folks that’s a real hardship.”

This is an annual project for the Council of Seniors, while other agencies provide food hampers to the community throughout the year.

Delivery days will be Dec. 16 and 17, with as many people picking up their hampers as possible.

Community members can help by donating any non-perishable food items being mindful of being healthy, including those that are unsweetened like canned fruit and juice or sodium reduced items like soup or crackers. Bulk items cannot be broken down into smaller sizes so please, Fennell said, no giant boxes of anything.

“We cannot accept home preserves, homemade food or candy, and absolutely no scented anything,” Fennell said. “So no personal care items, including soaps, are on the wish list largely due to the scent issues.”

Volunteers and recipients have had allergic reactions to scented items in the past and the council of seniors does not want a repeat this year.

The full list of suggestions is online at www.pgcos.ca or people can pick up a hard copy at the office. Deadline for donations is Dec. 10 so volunteers can organize more than 200 hampers that are distributed each year.

There is no funding for this project, Fennell added.

“So we rely 100 per cent on donations

“Those people who have disabilities that prevent them from traveling are who we will support by delivering their hamper,” said Erin Anderlini, director of health at the Native Friendship Centre.

Funding for the Christmas hampers is in part from gaming funding, she added. Groups and Individuals donate toys for the children on the list, while other volunteers will take the time to wrap those gifts to be included in the hampers.

The local Native Friendship Centre has a food bank that is accessible throughout the year and also offers those in need emergency food hampers whenever required.

The priority is always food for hampers to cover off the basic needs of those who are in need.

Basic staples needed throughout the year are on the wish list like tomato sauce, tuna, peanut butter, boxed pasta, soup and beans.

For more information call 250-5643568.

tHe sALVAtion ArMY

To get a Salvation Army Christmas hamper people can apply in person every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at the food bank, 3500 18th Ave., until the end of November. People are asked to bring photo ID, income and shelter expenses. Anyone can apply.

“We have two streams for donations this year,” Terra LaFlamme, community ministries supervisor, said. “We have Adopt-A-Family, where companies or individuals or a family can sponsor a family in need.”

Donations for that program are food and gifts for each family member.

“We also have angel trees that will be placed in the community next week,” LaFlamme said.

from the community,” Fennell said. “People can donate cash, grocery store gift cards or non-perishable food items.” If people are interested they can sponsor a hamper in the amount of $200 or people can get the list of items each hamper contains and shop themselves and then provide a $50 gift card that will cover the perishable items on the hamper list.

Charitable tax receipts are available. Volunteers are needed. Fennell said anyone who is looking for a bit of a physical workout while volunteering is most welcome. Grocery items need to be taken to the basement to be organized into hampers, then hampers are packed and then when it’s time for delivery hampers need to be taken back up the stairs.

Volunteers can sign up for two and four hour shifts. Call 250-564-5888 for more information and to volunteer.

tHe Prince GeorGe nAtiVe FrienDsHiP centre

Anyone who wants a Christmas hamper is eligible to apply until the end of November at the Native Friendship Centre, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. People can go to the front counter at the Friendship Centre to fill out an application with a recent piece of mail to verify their residence. People are asked that if they can pick up their hamper that would make it much easier for the centre and organizers are offering bus tickets to make that happen.

The trees will have tags with the age of a child on each and people can take a tag, make a purchase at the store that is age appropriate and put the tag on the unwrapped donation and bring it to any Salvation Army location.

Any non-perishable food items that are donated during the holiday season go to the food bank for those in need and money collected through the kettle campaign will go towards purchasing food for the hampers given for Christmas. That way everyone gets exactly the same items.

This year the Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for gift wrapping sessions where parents can come into the Salvation Army to select and wrap gifts for their children.

“That makes it a little more purposeful and fun,” LaFlamme said.

For more information call 250-5644000 ext 224 or email terra_laflamme@ can.salvationarmy.org.

Citizen file photo

Last December volunteer Jasmyn Lai placed a turkey in one of the many bags delivered as part of the Prince George Council of Seniors annual Christmas Hamper event.

Around town

AROUND TOWN

Sacred MuSic

Sunday, Nov. 24, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Grace Anglican Church, 2640 Goheen St., Alban Classical presents Sacred Music featuring Erica Skowron on oboe, Shoshanna Godber on Celtic harp as they play classical, Celtic, Jewish, spirituals and hymns. Admission by donation. Contact: 250-563-4693 | admin@albanclassical.org

caledonia raMblerS hike

Sunday, Nov. 24, at 8:50 a.m. the Caledonia Ramblers will meet in the City Hall parking lot to car pool to hike along the Lost Lake Large Loop trail in Beaverley. The hike is rated easy to moderate and take four to six hours. Participants should be equipped with proper footwear and a daypack carrying extra clothing, rain gear, lunch and snacks and something hot to drink. Hiking poles, bear spray and ice cleats may also be worthwhile. If there is snowfall, bring snowshoes. The carpool fee is $3. For more information visit caledoniaramblers.ca.

laSagna and paSta Sale

Sunday, Nov. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the PG Italian Club, 1289 Fifth Ave., the annual Lasagna, Pasta, Sauce and Meatball sale offers a chance to stock up on authentic home made Italian cooking for the holiday season. Lasagnas (6 servings) will be sold for $20 and meatballs are 10 for $10, plus home made gnocchi and pasta sauce. Contact: 250 612 8645 | ron. polillo@jpbg.ca

Wildfire riSk reduction WorkShop

Thursday, Nov. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Prince George Civic Centre, 808 Canada Games Way, the BC Agriculture and Food Climate Action Initiative presents an agriculture and wildfire risk reduction workshop for agricultural producers, wildfire response and emergency personnel and local government representatives. This workshop is free, with lunch and refreshments provided. For catering and planning purposes pre-register at https:// bcwildfirepreparedness2019.eventbrite.com

ring of fire

Thursday, Nov. 28 until Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. at No. 36 North Nechako Rd., Theatre NorthWest presents Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, which fetaures five actors, 10 instruments and more than 30 songs played live to tell the amazing true life story of Johnny Cash through song. Tickets at theatrenorthwest.com.

tapeStry SingerS

Thursday, Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and 12 at 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Trinity United Church Downtown, 1448 Fifth Ave., the Junior component of Tapestry Singers welcomes new members for 2020. Junior singers include non-auditioned singers in Grade 4-7. As a community choir Tapestry Singers invite all children to join; private, public, online and home school students. For more information, visit tapestrysingersd57.weebly. com or email carolynduerksen@hotmail.com.

celebration of lightS

Wednesday, Dec. 18 to Monday, Dec. 23 at the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum, 850 River Rd., the museum transforms during its Celebration of Lights event. Enjoy a walk taking in the sight of more than 100,000 Christmas lights or hop onto the Cottonwood Minirail Express to explore the eight-acre park for a small fee. Guests are invited to roast hot dogs and marshmallows over a bonfire or have a meal from the concession for purchase. People can enjoy a visit with the special guest in a red suit and live entertainment. On Dec. 18 admission to the park will be with donation of a non-perishable food items. For more information visit www.pgrfm.bc.ca.

eMerging adult Social

Monday, Dec. 9 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way, this emerging adult social is geared for those 19 to 30 years old to kick back, eat snacks and try different activities with other emerging adults. Contact:

2505639251 | adhanjal@pgpl.ca

adult band

Every Monday until June 29, 2020 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 483 Gillett St., the Alban Classical New Horizons Adult Band meets. For more information visit www. albanclassical.org. Contact: 250-563-4693 | admin@albanclassical.org

pJ StorytiMe

Every Monday until Dec. 9 from 6 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way, bring the little ones dressed in their PJs for stories, rhymes, and songs before bedtime. Suitable for children up to five years old. Contact: 2505639251 | adhanjal@pgpl.ca

heartbeat MeetingS

On the third Monday of the month at the Foundry, 1148 Seventh Ave., at 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. for youth between 12 and 24 and for adults at 6:45 to 8 p.m., there is a peer support group meeting offering empathy, encouragement and direction for those who have lost a loved one by suicide. If the door is locked, please knock. For more information contact Sandra Galletti at galletti@telus.net or call 250961-9330.

acapella choruS

Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Studio 2880-15th Ave, back entrance, the White Spruce City Acapella Chorus is looking for women of all

ages to tuneup and re-energize their passion for singing. Everyone is welcome for fun, laughter and friendship. For more information call Pam 250-562-9855.

youth needlecraft

Every Tuesday until Dec. 3 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way, there is Tens to Teens Needlecraft. Those 10 to 18 years old can join Alise to learn the basics of knitting and crochet. Yarn, needles, and hooks will be provided. Call 250-563-9251 ext. 108 to register.

Mental health MeetingS

The first and third Wednesday of every month at 11:15 a.m. at 1139 Sixth Ave., the Prince George Mental Health Consumer Council welcomes the public to regular meetings. For more information call Sherry at 250-562-1839.

cantata SingerS

Every Wednesday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at , St. Michael & All Angels Anglican Church, 1505 Fifth Ave., the Prince George Cantata Singers, a group of about 60 voices (ranging in age from 17 on up), come together each week to sing in harmony for musical performance. The choir performs about two to four major concerts per year, divided into two sessions from Sept. to Dec. and Jan. to June. Event fee is $90 per session.

citizen file photo

alban classical performs last november at two rivers gallery. the group returns for a show on Sunday at grace anglican church.

From overwhelmed to overwhelmingly successful

Editor’s note: This column was supposed to run last week but was missed due to my error. Here it is. Dave’s column for this week is on page 35.

I woke up the other night, sleepless at 2:30 am. If you are in a leadership role in a business or even in your household, you probably know the drill.

My mind was spinning with the long list of tasks that I had to complete: the 75-unit project I am working on for a client; the three people who need training; the two basketball teams I am coaching; the health issues that my father-in-law is facing.

In addition, my brain decided to go further and think about the three presentations I am giving this week as well as the strategic planning day I am hosting at the end of the month. My mind went on and on, around and around for hours it seemed. I woke up tired and scatterbrained. At breakfast, my eldest daughter mentioned that I didn’t seem grounded while my eleven-year-old son told her that when I got like this, I always talked gibberish in the morning.

I was definitely overwhelmed, which is common for many small business owners who are faced with a continuing onslaught of information, decisions, customers, constant change and staffing issues, in addition to the day-to-day family and community matters that they are involved with. Often being overwhelmed can be the result of transition in our lives or a feeling that we lack purpose.

So how do we turn overwhelmed into overwhelmingly successful?

To get help, I looked at the research. It appears that being overwhelmed is something so common that there is significant research on the topic. The symptoms of being overwhelmed can include anxiety, feelings of helplessness, worry, self-doubt and even anger. In business this can reduce our effectiveness in making decisions, dealing with staff or customer complaints, and can

B.C.

BUSINESS COACH DAVE FULLER

even bring on the feelings of shame and guilt at not being able to get things done in a timely manner. In my many years of experience, I have seen business owners breakdown and give up their initiatives and sometimes, even their businesses.

According to experts like Nancy Schlossberg, author of the book Overwhelmed, part of the reason for many of us feeling overwhelmed is because we feel that we have lost control of our situation. When we feel that we don’t have the ability to manage the details in our lives, we become anxious, stressed and worried. However if we make decisions to take control of the situation and turn our challenges into opportunities for change, we can rise above our feeling of being overwhelmed and proceed to a sense of accomplishment and success. That probably sounds simplistic so on an everyday level, what do we need to do in business to achieve a sense of accomplishment? Here are a few tips.

Make a written list: one of the easiest ways to gain control is to write down all those tasks you need to accomplish and give them priority. Getting stuff out of our heads and on to paper allows us to visually see what we need to do so we can stop worrying about forgetting something. The worry of forgetting something can be a significant cause of stress contributing to our anxiety. When we have a written list and have priority about which tasks we need to accomplish first, we have a plan. Plans reduce anxiety. Breathe and relax: when we feel we have too much to do in a short period of time, we tense up. Our muscles contract, our jaws tighten, our heartbeat increases

RCMP slashing C osts

Postmedia

The RCMP in British Columbia is cutting more than $10 million from its provincial policing costs, which include small rural detachments, and some of the funding for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and the anti-gang Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Strachan sent out an email last week stating that due to a deficit, cuts to overtime, travel budgets and other discretionary expenses would have to be made immediately.

Strachan said in the email, a copy of which was obtained by Postmedia, that provincial policing costs “exceeded our spending authority” last year and “we are forecasting a similar situation this fiscal year.”

“As you are aware we are not permitted to run a deficit budget, simply put, we can’t spend more than we are given. Individual budgets may appear to have available funds, however, cumulatively, we do not have enough funds,” she said.

The cut only affects the “provincial business line” - the RCMP budget in B.C. that covers the cost of 2,600 Mounties in small detachments across the province as well as some of the funding for integrat-

and all this affects our judgment and our decision making. This is not to say that all stress is bad for us, we need a level of stress to motivate us to get things done. By taking time to focus on our breathing, we relax our bodies. The Dalai Lama spends extra time in meditation when he has a busy agenda as it grounds him and reduces his stress. Focusing on breathing might mean that we do some exercise which has been shown to reduce anxiety and that feelings of being overwhelmed. Quit multitasking: research shows that there are very very few people who can multitask effectively. Trying to do more than one thing at a time increases our stress level. As I am writing this article, I have emails coming in, texts, and requests from my clients and family to do other things. I know that in order to get this task done I need to be focused and eliminate all those other options for a few minutes until my present task is completed. Too often we let interruptions

or distractions take priority over what we need to focus on right now. Many of my clients have begun closing their office door to ensure the timely completion of essential work. This effectively reduces their stress and enhances efficiency. Feeling overwhelmed is natural in the busy world we live in. Recognizing and naming this feeling can make a huge difference for us. Taking steps to regain control by setting priorities, blocking time, and breathing more deeply can reduce our stress and those feelings of anxiety that accompany feelings of being overwhelmed. Focusing on one task at a time will ensure that we accomplish more in less time and reduce the long term impact of our unhealthy self-imposed stress.

—Dave Fuller, MBA is an award-winning certified professional business coach and the author of the book Profit Yourself Healthy. Overwhelmed by your business challenges? Email dave@profityourselfhealthy.com.

ed units like IHIT and CFSEU.

Municipal policing agreements like that for Prince George are funded 90 per cent by the municipalities and 10 per cent by the federal government and are not impacted. Nor is the federal serious and organized crime section, which is completely financed by money from Ottawa.The total provincial policing budget in B.C. is more than $450 million.

Strachan said the cost-cutting measures “will assist in addressing a portion of our deficit. However it will not cover the entire deficit.”

“We are continuing to work with our partners in the provincial government to address the issue of the pressures, make sure that the (provincial budget line) is sufficiently funded, and reducing or eliminating areas that do not support the provincial policing services they want us to provide.”

“I fully recognize that these measures will have a negative impact on our employees and they may potentially affect operations, but regrettably they must be made to ensure we remain within our allotted budget.”

Some front-line officers told Postmedia they are concerned the cuts to overtime and travel may impact ongoing or future investigations.

Learn about Britain’s capital at Museum of London

The British Museum features ancient treasures from throughout the world

Will HaWkes special to the Washington Post

The British Museum is full of priceless plunder. Most of its exhibits were obtained when the British Empire covered almost a quarter of the world’s land, including large chunks of Africa, North America, Australasia and Asia. Pax Britannica being what it was, there’s also plenty in the museum from bits of the map never painted pink, such as the Elgin marbles, removed from the Parthenon in Athens in the early 19th century.

Moral qualms aside, this huge collection of global antiquities, housed in London’s grandest Greek Revival structure, is unmissable for anyone interested in the history of human creativity. If you’re fascinated by ancient Egypt and Sudan, there are seven galleries of artifacts to enjoy, including the Rosetta Stone (taken, as victor’s spoils, from the French in 1801). If you’re passionate about Greece and Rome, there are delightful fragments from two of the ancient wonders of the world, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the Temple of Artemis.

If Mesopotamia is your thing, there’s more here of value than anywhere outside of Iraq. It’s no surprise that six million people visit each year.

One culture the museum doesn’t illuminate, though, is that of the city in which it is found. The British Museum, by its existence, shows us that London was once the capital of a huge empire that collected the shiniest jewels it could lay its hands on and the results of that empire still resonate. But it doesn’t say much about the history of or life in the capital.

Location: The British Museum is on Great Russell Street, close to four Underground stations: Goodge Street, Russell Square, Tottenham Court Road and Holborn.

The Museum of London’s collection hits closer to home, and the heart

Head just over a mile east from the British Museum, though, and you’ll find the Museum of London. Unlike the British Museum, this is not an impressive site. It’s an unwelcoming postwar muddle, with huge brick walls and raised walkways, partly situated on a roundabout in one of London’s grayer spots. Inside, though, it’s wonderful.

Here, this remarkable city’s story is told in fascinating, invigorating detail. From the Romans to the Victorians, from Oliver Cromwell’s death mask to the 2012 Olym-

the british museum has interesting architecture and priceless objects, but little about

lection.

pic cauldron, it’s here (and, like the British Museum, it’s free to visit).

My favourite permanent exhibit, Expanding City, details the story of London between 1670 and 1850, when the British capital went from provincial to patrician. It includes a wooden debtor’s cell door from 1750, with graffiti engraved by the poor souls it trapped. That’s human history.

The temporary exhibits at the museum are invariably delightful, like the current Beasts of London, which tells the story of the city through the eyes of the animals that have lived here over the centuries (it runs until Jan. 5). It’s a must-see, particularly for those with children. Older visitors might enjoy an exhibit celebrating the Clash, one of London’s archetypal punkrock bands, which runs from Nov. 15 until April 19.

The museum has another location, the Museum of London Docklands, situated even farther east, close to Canary Wharf.

This branch, which details London’s maritime history, includes an exhibit on how the country ascended to global dominance: London, Sugar & Slavery.

The main museum aims to move into a new, more elegant home in part of

the museum of london features temporary and permanent exhibits that illuminate the fascinating history of the city.

Smithfield Market, London’s historic meat market, by 2024. Change is coming, hopefully for the better. In that and many other ways, the Museum of London perfectly reflects the city it celebrates.

Location: The Museum of London is at 150 London Wall, a short walk from Barbican and St. Paul’s stations. The Docklands branch is at No. 1 Warehouse, West India Quay, near the Westferry and West India stations.

Italicize:

hawkes is a freelance writer based in london.

Photo courtesy of the british museum

the capital of the empire that built its col-

Photo courtesy museum of london

Reviving old-school table accessories

Jura Koncius the Washington Post

At one time, baby boomers may have loved hauling out their French rimmed soup plates and polishing their sterling salt-and-pepper shakers, but many of these accessories have moved into the aftermarket. You’ll find tons of entertaining stuff on Etsy and eBay and at estate sales and thrift shops.

But some old-school basics are being brought back, even reinvented, to grab the attention of a younger, hipper crowd looking for fun - not fussy - accessories.

Here are some fresh ideas to toast the holidays using entertaining throwbacks Place mats

Embroidered linen and cotton place mats are not seen on the tables of most Americans these days. They evoke a fussy, grandmotherly look and are in constant need of washing and ironing. Yet place mats are a nice way to frame individual settings at a table.

Sandy Chilewich, creative director of the company that bears her name, has offered an easy-care option for 19 years, with her wipe-clean woven vinyl place mats. Her new line of mats pairs the modern textile with designer John Derian’s evocative vintage botanical and historical motifs including cabbage roses, hummingbirds and ferns.

“John Derian’s imagery is so romantic,” Chilewich says. “Putting it with our textiles is a juxtaposition of old and new.” Place cards

Although cards engraved with guests’ names are associated with formal gatherings such as weddings or diplomatic dinners, they don’t have to be fussy. Karen Suen-Cooper and Martin Cooper love using place cards when setting the table for a dinner with friends.

“They always spark a smile,” Suen-Cooper says. “It’s not something everyone uses in the age of paper plates.”

They realized, however, that the plain white cards they were using “seemed so blank and boring,” Suen-Cooper says. So the couple, who both come from the fashion world and live in New York’s Hudson Valley, launched Punctilious Mr. P’s Place Card Co.

They produce a line of seasonal place cards featuring traditional European or Chinese illustrations. For November and December, they offer pheasants, reindeer, mushrooms and mid-century Christmas tree baubles. The cards come with custom digital calligraphy and can arrive with your guests’ names already inscribed, if you like.

“We encourage people to take our place cards home as a souvenir,” Suen-Cooper says. “In a digital world, everything goes into the ether. You can tuck this into a

mirror and create a collage of experiences. It’s a memento of a fantastic time you had with your friends.”

Decanters

Most glass decanters or carafes were originally made for holding liquor or wine. You could pour red wine into a carafe so the flavor would open up by being exposed to oxygen. Scotch was kept in a heavy cut crystal decanter with a stopper on top, a la Mad Men.

As more relaxed lifestyles came into vogue (and day drinking diminished), many decanters were shoved into the back of cabinets or donated to thrift shops. But the truth is that many of them are really

good-looking and are fun to pull out for a special occasion, if not more often.

For Marian McEvoy, former editor of Elle Decor and House Beautiful and now a Hudson Valley artisan, dinners are a bottle-free zone. She says decanters unify things.

“Everything I put on my table goes into a decanter, carafe or pitcher, and that includes wine, water and Gatorade,” she says. And, yes, she puts all of those things into the dishwasher without worrying.

“People don’t know how to use decanters today, so you can pick them up for nothing.”

“Wine served in a carafe,” she says. “How gorgeous is that?”

Everything i put on my table goes into a decanter, carafe or pitcher, and that includes wine, water and Gatorade,” she says. and, yes, she puts all of those things into the dishwasher without worrying.

Punch bowls

in New England the Christmas punch bowls came out at the annual boozy Tom & Jerry party featuring warm milk punch laced with dark rum or brandy. In the South, huge cut crystal bowls were regulars at wedding showers or Easter open houses, filled with sugary concoctions chilled by ice rings.

Vintage punch bowls are not often seen partying these days. Instead, they’re languishing in basements or thrift shops. But in researching her new book “Entertaining at Home: Inspiration from Celebrated Hosts,” author Ronda Carman writes about Christy Ford, whose family in Charlottesville has given punch a new spin. At an annual mother-daughter holiday tea, a mixture of orange juice, cranberry juice and champagne is ladled from a tall punch bowl into elegant champagne flutes rather than the usual small cups. It makes for a more festive, fizzier experience.

“The appeal of a punch bowl is that it’s a way to make a beverage ahead of time,” Carman says.

“Then people can help themselves and you don’t have to be fussing around making drinks for people.”

Candlesticks

Votive candles have been in vogue for a while now. Maybe it’s time to bring back the classic charm of tall white tapers in classic holders. “I always keep my dining room light dimmers pretty low and use lots of candles,” McEvoy says. “It makes everyone look better.” She stockpiles boxes of Ashland unscented white taper candles ($7.99 for 15 at Michaels) so she never runs out.

McEvoy keeps her eyes open for old wood candlesticks at tag sales and thrift shops, then paints them white with black outlines.

“It unifies them and makes them look architectural. Some are tall and some are short, some are mid-century and some are 19th century,” she says. “It’s nice to see the mix of shapes on a table.”

WashinGton Post Photo by marian mcevoy

this group is part of marian mcevoy’s candlestick collection that she painted herself.

The psychology of business success

tim Gilbert told me it would be tough, but I never realized how tough tree planting was until I stood in the bush in the middle of nowhere, bugs swarming around my head, as I was being exposed to the raw elements of a northern springtime. With my bag of trees strapped across my hips, shovel in hand, I bent down picked up a dime, took two steps forward, cleared the ground with my boot, dug in my shovel and picked up another dime. On and on I went, 50 dimes, 100, dimes 500 dimes, 780 dimes finally I hit my goal of day of 1000 dimes.

As the horn went signalling the end of the day, I forced my fatigued body back to the truck and squeezed in with the other planters for the long drive back to the camp.

So what business wisdom can you learn from planting trees?

The truth is that these tree planters are entrepreneurial. They are working for themselves and have to figure out how they are going to make enough money in a short window of time to allow them the lifestyles to which they aspire. There are

several key success factors that great tree planters know.

1. Have a goal - not only do good tree planters know how many trees they want to have planted by the end of the day, but they also know how much money they need to earn in a planting season to ensure that they can go back to school or travelling for the rest of the year. Most business owners I know, have very few concrete goals, they have some ideas about what they would like to see from their business, but not understood as concrete numbers, nor are they tracking their progress to that goal.

2. Tracking your progress - every night on the way back to the camp after a hard day of planting, Tim would call out names and each person in the crowded van would shout out how many trees they planted that day. Not only did each

planter have clarity on how much they made but they also had a benchmark about what their peers were planting in similar terrain. When was the last time you checked to see how your business was doing compared to similar-sized businesses in your industry?

3. Persistence - the bugs might be eating you alive, the sun, snow, or rain beating down on you. Your back hurts from bending over, your arms ache from hitting the ground with your shovel, your toes are bruised and your toenails failing off from kicking the end of your boots, but unless you continue to push yourself like a machine to put the seedlings in, you are not going to get paid. Sure, you can quit and go home like many others before you, but how are you going to replace that income? Often in business at the least bit of resistance, we want to quit. A prospect says no, a lead turns out to go nowhere, we have a bad day with our employees or a bad month. These are the realities of business. Yes, you can quit, like many before you, however only with persistence will you succeed in hitting your targets and achieving your

goals and dreams.

4. Celebrate and recover- one thing that migratory workers, tree planters, and many other trades do after a hard day’s work is relax and celebrate their accomplishments. They know there is another hard day ahead tomorrow, but they are grateful for what they have accomplished today. Leaving the work in the field, they often relax and have an evening of music and celebration. How often have you been able to leave your work at work and really relax and celebrate what you have accomplished during the day? Too often we forget to turn off our minds and relax so we too can be prepared for the next day.

Business is like tree planting. It takes a psychology of dedication, persistence and the mindset to want to be successful. Perhaps it is time that you set some goals, tracked your progress and celebrated your success.

— Dave Fuller, MBA, is an award-winning professional business coach and the author of the book Profit Yourself Healthy. Did this article plant a seed? Email dave@ profityourselfhealthy.com

Communism’s horrible sins

the problem with socialist visions, is that Jack always takes over the island.

My ninth grade social studies teacher, an earnest Communist, enthusiastically regaled us with his summer vacation to dreamy, utopic China. He wasn’t good with numbers. A few years earlier, Mao had promised China unbounded prosperity in a massive economic overhaul, which instead produced mass starvation. When a young boy in Hunan village was caught by a Communist official gripping a small measure of grain in his hand, his father was forced to dig a hole and bury him alive. Conditions were so desperate elsewhere that some families resorted to cannibalism -- the details of which I will spare you. Tens of millions starved to death during the The Great Leap Forward. Over and over, the outcome has everything to do with the core doctrine itself. As Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a Gulag survivor and Nobel Prize winning author noted: “It was not a good idea that somehow went wrong... It was a bad idea from the outset, and one forced into life… with barely imaginable self-righteousness…

and horror.”

During a 1922 famine in Russia, the Orthodox Church offered all of its nonliturgical treasures to help alleviate the crisis. But Lennin saw this as an attack on the state’s supremacy, responding with:

“It is precisely now… when the starving regions’ people are eating human flesh, and hundreds if not thousands of corpses are littering the roads, that we (must)… carry out the confiscation of church valuables with the most savage and merciless energy… and crush its resistance with such brutality that it will not forget it for decades.”

Several of the church’s leading patriarchs were then shot.

And over half a century later, another Lennon fawned over the ideal of a world with: “…no religion too! Imagine all the

people...”

Imagine all the victims. Pol Pot, Mao Zedong, and Karl Marx, and their 100,000,000 or so dead. They were not, strictly speaking, contemporaries. But all three were born to well-todo families, attended prestigious schools, hailed from religiously pious bloodlines, but seemed embittered by their own “failure to launch” as young men, spending their daddies’ money.

When the prophesied underclass revolution was not forthcoming it was their ilk, not the proletariats, who sparked revolt. As Martin Amis points out: “The revolution came from above -- a coup underscored by machine guns -- the tragedy was experienced from below.”

Even higher-born Tolstoy spun his birthright in to unbounded literary success, only to slide in to a profound nihilistic depression – which nearly killed him. He eventually concluded that the closest thing to a meaningful life might be found in observing those same toiling classes, but his admiration inspired self-reflection, not anger: “… in our circle… the whole of life is passed in idleness, amusement, and dissatisfaction… (workers) were

content with life… (and bore) illness and sorrow… with a quiet and firm conviction that all is good… If I wish to understand life and its meaning, I must not live the life of a parasite, but must live a real life.”

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet boss, shrugged off the socialist disaster with: “We tried.”

As Alan Kors notes, there’s as an “unforgivable double standard” here.

“We rehearse the crimes of Nazism almost daily, we teach them to our children as ultimate historical and moral lessons… (but) there never has been and never will be a similar ‘de-Communization,’ although the slaughter of innocents was exponentially greater.”

I still can’t imagine why.

— Mark Ryan is an investment advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (Member–Canadian Investor Protection Fund), and these are Mark’s views, and not those of RBC Dominion Securities. This article is for information purposes only. Please consult with a professional advisor before taking any action based on information in this article. See Mark’s website at: http:// dir.rbcinvestments.com/mark.ryan. BUSINESS

REMEMBRANCES

Arnold Ballum

Nov 30, 1935 to Oct 5, 2018

Very much missed by his family: Shirley, Barb, Chris, Jason (Jeonghwa), Kenzie, Lexi (Justin), Hana, and Everett, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews. “Spud” served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Korean War, he sails now to God’s immortal shore.

In Loving Memory Of STEPHEN WALKER

July 5, 1960November 17, 2018

My perfect fit in life - no measure of time with you would have ever been long enough. Our years together were full of love, laughter and commitmentit was more than many others could ever wish for in an entire lifetime. I miss hearing Dr. Hook being sung in the shower - I miss you.

Love Wendy

We would like to congratulate J.S. from Duchess Park as he is the first recipient of the Stephen Walker Memorial Bursary (SD #57). Many thanks to our family, friends and local business owners who have contributed to his fund over the past year. Steve’s heart soars knowing this bursary will encourage and educate young minds to preserve our Wildlife and Forests for years to come.

With gratitude, The Walker Family and The Taylor Family

In Loving Memory Of Patricia Rose

November 15, 2010

We Miss You

Our hearts still ache with sadness, and many tears still flow. What it meant to lose you, no one will ever know

We hold you close within our hearts, and there you will remain. To walk with us throughout our lives, until we meet again.

We miss you Mom

Love Coralea and Jason

GORDON KENNETH HELSOE

Jan 25, 1955 - Nov 17,

KJELL HELSOE

July 23, 1927 - Nov 17,

Forever in our hearts Bernice, Karin, Janice (Bryan), Trine (Mark), Randi (Tyler), David, Steven, Paige, Finlay

October 17 1977October 8 2019

August 13, 1939 - November 11, 2019

Survived by wife Alice Westra, daughter Tammy (Troy) Davison, son Brad (Terra) Clark, 4 grandchildren (Bryden, Kerri, Tyler & Taylor), brother Bob (Verle) Clark and family, and former wife Jean Clark.

Loved and remembered by many

the

Jerry was predeceased by his parents Lester and Shirley Beck and by his brother Paul Beck. A Memorial Service in celebration of a life well lived will be held at Westside Family Fellowship on Sunday, November 24th, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

“Dick” RICHARD DAVID ABBOTT

July 5, 1947November 7, 2019

Born in Kenora, Ontario, Eric passed away Nov. 7, 2019 in Chilliwack, BC, his family at his side, after a long struggle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Ingrid Holmstrom, son Gregory (Amy) Holmstrom and daughter Deana (Jean) Emond. Eric was especially proud of his grandchildren Bryce, Sarah, Matthias, Luc and Alexander. Each one brought him great joy. He is also survived by his sisters Diane (Gerald) Lucas, Donna (Mark) Duggan and brother Douglas Holmstrom. Also survived by his mother-in-law Ellen Hoard, sisterin-law Karin (Bruce) Nyberg, and sister-in-law Kaltha Hoard.

Eric was predeceased by his parents Sonny and Jenny Holmstrom and brother-in-law Lyle Hoard. He was a kind and generous man with a great sense of humour and a love of laughter. He will be forever remembered as a happy, loving family man.

Special thanks to the ladies at Netcare as they were essential for Eric’s ability to remain at home, giving Ingrid time to run errands. Their love, kindness and constant attention were appreciated and something he looked forward to each week. Thank you to Dr. Bakker, Fraser Health, Palliative Care and all the people involved in caring for Eric. We are eternally grateful for the wonderful help. Thanks to all our special life long friends and everyone who checked on us. May you be blessed many times over.

A celebration of life will be held in Prince George, BC in the Spring of 2020. In lieu of flowers, donations to Chilliwack Netcare would be appreciated. On-line donations can be made at https://www.fvhcf.ca/donate/. Select Chilliwack Hospital and in comments indicate donation to be made to Netcare. Donations can also be made at the celebration of life.

STAIRS, Richard Donald It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Richard Stairs on November 3, 2019 at the young age of 31 in British Columbia. Loving son of Heather and Derrick Stairs, cherished brother of DJ Stairs and treasured uncle to Olivia. Richard was the proud and loving father of Connor and Payton. His happiest moments in life were the ones he spent with his children. He will be deeply missed by their mother Darla Wilson and his extended family members and friends. Cremation has taken place. No service at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 1152 3rd Ave, Prince George, V2L 3E5.

In our hearts he will always stay, loved and remembered every day.

March 4, 1939November 11, 2019

Beloved husband to Lila, father to Richard (Kris), Leanne (Jason), grandpa to Brycen and Zach. Brother, uncle, and friend to many.

Dick was born in London, England and came to Canada as a young child, with his family.

Many memories were built around the cabin at Cluculz Lake, family vacations, and always a BBQ or get together with friends.

Dad had a long, rewarding career and always valued his memories and friendships from his work days.

Dad also developed many friendships with the medical community that helped take such good care in the last few years. The family is very grateful to you all. No service by request.

“We will miss you Dad and will keep you with us always.”

ERIC JOHN HOLMSTROM

Mason Rye Frazier

Celebration of life at the Friendship Center November 23 at 1:00pm

VERNE M. CLARK

In Memoriam In Memoriam

Obituaries

Jerry Lester Beck was promoted to higher service on Thursday, November 14th, 2019 at

age of 68 years. Survived by his loving wife Marlene, son Darrell (Jenn), daughter Beverly (Tony) and 5 grandchildren: his two angels, Kaitlin and Jasmine and his three buddies, Liam, Kaden and Levi.

In Memoriam In Memoriam

Obituaries

Obituaries

In Loving Memory Of GLEN COLEMAN HUGHES

July 4, 1944November 9, 2019

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we are announcing Glen’s passing. Glen passed peacefully at home with his family by his side. He is survived by his best friend and wife Barbara Hughes, faithful dog Lulu Bel, daughters: Patricia Ceperley (Heath), Carrie Ebert (Dyck), grandsons: Tyler Ceperley, Justin Ceperley, Coleman Mueller (Katie Cornish).

He was sometimes our own Archie Bunker, other times our own John Wayne. He will be missed dearly.

There will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Canadian Cancer Society. Condolences may be offered at www.assmansfuneralchapel.com

Terri Jay Langton JANUARY 13, 1963NOVEMBER 1, 2019

It’s with great sadness that we say goodbye to Terri Langton. Predeceased by her mother Joyce, her father Douglas and her sister Jodi. Terri leaves behind her brother Guy, her sons Jacob and Jeremy Van Den Bergh, her lifelong friends Diana Webb and Lianne Lynch, Frank Van Den Berghe; father of her boys, and many other family members and friends.

Terri was a bright light in a world that needed it and she will be remembered by all who knew her for her ready smile and willingness to help anyone who needed it.

There will be no service at Terri’s request but please consider a donation to cancer research in her name.

Terri, your light will shine on in the hearts you touched.

ROBERT CARPENTER

2x69.8

Carpenter,FrancesD. July18,1929-November9,2019

PGC001925

Frances(Frankie)DorothyCarpenter,90,ofVictoria,BC, passedawaypeacefullyonNovember9,2019.

BorninVancouvertoHamptonandElsieMcMurray,she attendedLordNelsonElementary,TempletonJuniorHigh, andBritanniaschoolsandmarriedherlatehusband, Marvin(Mac)Carpenter,in1954.Shewasamemberof BetaSigmaPhisororityinEdmontonbeforemovingto PrinceGeorge,wheresheworkedatthelocalartgallery andasaswiminstructor(afterhavingtolearnhowto swimfirst)andraisedtheirchildren.Sheevenlearnedto ski.

Eventually,FrankieandMacmovedtoVictoriawhereshe workedfortheMinisterofEducation.Alifelong Conservative/Socredwithanunbridledpassionfor politics,thereisprobablynotruthtotherumourthatthe recentdeteriorationinherhealthwascausedbythereelectionofJustinTrudeau.

Frankieenjoyedsewing,weaving,knitting,and,like everythingshesethermindto,wasanexcellentcook. SheenjoyedhertripstoScotland,wasabigfanofBritish mysterynovels,andwatchinggolfonTV.Shewillbe missedbyBerta,thelatestofmany,manyminiature schnauzersinthefamily.

Frankieissurvivedbyhersister,Betty;herthreesons, Murray,Sandy(Stephanie),andRob(Kelly);and grandchildren,Taryn,Clare,andWill.

HerfamilywouldliketothankthestaffatRoyalJubilee andherneighbors,JudyandJohnCrawford,whohelped lookafterhersowell.Frankie’swishwastohaveno servicebutdonationsinhermemorytoacharityofyour choicewouldbeveryappreciated.

Manfred Domning

Manfred Hermann Otto Domning passed peacefully into eternity on Tuesday, November 12, 2019. Manfred was born in Insterburg, East Prussia on December 28, 1941. Near the end of World War II, his family was forced to flee their home which led them to West Germany. He joined the German Air Force at age 18, and having visited his sister, Ingrid, in Prince George he decided he wanted to settle here. Manfred married Renate in 1967 and together they immigrated in 1969. In 1970 he began his career as an industrial instrument mechanic at Intercontinental Pulp Mill (CANFOR) where he worked until he retired in 2006. In his retirement, being Opa to his granddaughters gave him the greatest joy. Manfred was faithful, generous, hardworking (despite health limitations), and had a dry sense of humour. His love for God and his word continued to grow throughout his life.

Manfred is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Renate, his daughters, Christine (Robert) Domning and Melanie (Derek) Pierce, his beloved granddaughters, Amy and Breanna Pierce, his elder siblings, Erika Domning (Germany), Ingrid Pankonin Schultz (Kelowna), and Walter (Elaine) Domning (Edmonton), and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.

The Service of Remembrance for Manfred will be on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 1:00 pm at First Baptist Church, 483 Gillett Street, Prince George, BC. Condolences may be offered at www.assmansfuneralchapel.com

Must

open to the general public and will be held at our office located at 1294 3rd Avenue, Prince George.

Any person interested in becoming a member of The Board of Directors, Society Member or wanting more information please contact:

Intersect Youth & Family Services Society

Doors open at 11:30am

ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING

PUBLIC NOTICE OF RATE INCREASE

Effective January 1, 2020

Tuesday May 5, 2015 4:00pm to 6:00 pm

Long term parking rates at the Prince George Airport will be increasing:

Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum 850 River Road

$14/day from $13/day

$70/week from $65/week

$175/month from $165/month

General Public and all interested parties are invited to attend the presentation of the Prince George Airport Authority’s Annual Report and 2014 Operational Overview

Full rates and charges can be found on our website: www.pgairport.ca R0011754818

FOSTER FAMILY NEEDED

Carrier Sekani Family Services is looking for a fulltime foster family for two siblings; a 12-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl. These siblings attend school full time and love the outdoors. They are very active and love swimming. The girl loves music and participates in choir. The boy loves reading and is creative with Lego. These children thrive with structure and routine.

We are looking for an experienced caregiver or couple who are very patient, committed, loving, and understanding. These children thrive with one on one time and will do best living in a home with no other children.

The caregiver should have knowledge of trauma informed care, FASD, and an ability to conduct crisis intervention and conflict resolution or be willing to receive this training.

For more information, please contact Vivianne at 250-563-3360 ext. 122 or vivianne@csfs.org

BLACK PRESS - CLASSIFIEDS

R0021760124

3.00x77.0-BW PG23 / 615595

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Dunkley Lumber Ltd. operates a modern and efficient SPF dimension Sawmill and Planermill facility at Strathnaver, 75 km south of Prince George, BC. Our quality lumber products are sold across North America and in overseas markets. To find out more about us, please visit our website at www.dunkleylumber.com.

We currently have an opening for an Administrative Assistant

Key responsibilities include matching invoices to purchase orders and packing slips, verifying accuracy, reviewing, managing and processing invoices and other duties as assigned. Cross-training and providing backup duties for accounts payable and reception will be required.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following skills and experience:

• a minimum of two years of office experience

• accounts payable experience

• excellent general computer skills (Microsoft Office applications)

• exceptional attention to detail and the ability to efficiently prioritize

• strong communication skills.

This position offers a highly competitive wage and benefits program.

If you possess the skills and experience required to be successful in this role, please submit your resume in confidence via fax or email to the attention of:

HR Coordinator

Dunkley Lumber Ltd.

Fax: (250) 998-4513

Architect

Ready to start a practice? Ready to relocate to Vernon, BC?

We have existing projects and a fully operational office, being passed forward by a retiring architect.

Email wilf@lunde.ca

250 503 3000

MAYFAIRGASANDPLUMBINGINC

AMBER BEAUREGARD

2x10.7

PGC001880

Wearelookingfortwoexperiencedjourneyman plumberstojoinourserviceteam;weofferacompetitive benefitspackage.Ifthisopportunityissomethingyou wouldbeinterestedin,pleaseemailyourresumetoBrett atoffice@mayfairinc.comoraccounts@mayfairinc.com.

BLACK PRESS - CLASSIFIEDS

2x28.0

R0011756380

RN’s and LPN’s

Casual Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses needed for in home 1:1 pediatric respite care for medically fragile children in your area. Offering union wages, paid training and full support.

For full details and to apply visit www.resourceability.ca

R0011756380

What if you were given the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference? It is time to embrace your Infinite Possibilities. This is your opportunity to be part of International Paper, a Fortune 500 company and global leader in paper and packaging products. IP is known for our commitment to the environment and to cutting-edge technology. We have spent more than 100 years creating new ideas, and we are looking for people who can collaborate to help us build on our history, while creating future success. We are committed to attracting, preparing, promoting and supporting our teams. At International Paper, you control your destiny. We offer benefits, challenges, global opportunities and total rewards. When we say Infinite Possibilities, we mean it.

The Grande Prairie mill is a 1000+ ton per day NBSK mill. It currently operates with approximately 325 mill employees. Our mill is situation 12 kms south of Grande Prairie, Alberta. Grande Prairie is located in Northwestern Alberta, in the heart of the Peace Region. It is the largest city North of Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city. It is a thriving young city full of continuous growth and opportunity.

The population of Grande Prairie is 69,088 according to the 2018 census, with the greatest population being between the ages of 30 and 34. This population includes representation from more than 80 different cultural and ethnic groups!

Beyond its own population, Grande Prairie acts as a regional hub serving an additional 281,000+ people from across Northern Alberta, Northern British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. It sits as the largest commercial centre north of Edmonton.

Some of the positions that we have are:

Machine Tender

Equipment Operator

Chemical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Please review our webpage to see current openings: www.internationalpaper.com/careers

With more than 35 years of experience and facilities throughout North America, the BID Group is the leading integrated supplier of turnkey solutions for equipment, technology and service to the forest products industry.

We offer innovative, efficient and reliable equipment & services that strive to exceed customers’ expectations. The group’s ability to provide turn-key solutions which include engineering, project management, installation, startup, and after-sales service, furthers its strategic value to its customers. The company has offices across continental North America.

BID GROUP’s WOOD PROCESSING DIVISION is looking for a :

Main responsibilities :

 Implement the strategic direction of the company as put forward by the Executive Committee.

 While adhering to company mission, values, policies and procedures, develop the business plan and identify new opportunities for the entire territory under his/her responsibility.

 Set goals and work closely with the sales and marketing team to develop sales and marketing strategies.

 Set goals and work closely with the operational team on short and long-term operating objectives in areas such as cost reduction, quality improvement and all other continuous improvement opportunities.

 Contribute to improving operational systems, processes and policies, specifically management reporting information flow, business processes and organizational planning.

Handyperson

MINOR REPAIR - Painting, Flooring, Plumbing, Fencing, Clean-up, Need Help. Free estimates. (250)962-7834

Health Services

GET UP TO $50,000 from the Government of Canada. Do you or someone you know have any of these conditions? ADHD, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, COPD, Depression, Diabetes, Difficulty Walking, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowels, Overweight, Trouble Dressing...and Hundreds more. ALL ages & Medical Conditions Qualify. Have a child under 18 instantly receive more money. CALL BRITISH COLUMBIA BENEFITS 1-800-211-3550 OR Send a Text Message with Your Name and Mailing Address to 604-739-5600 for your FREE benefits package.

HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT? Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,000 yearly tax credit and $20,000 lump sum refund. Expert Help 1-844-453-5372

Legal Services

CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer Employment/Licensing loss? Travel/Business opportunities? Be embarassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US Entry Waiver. Record Purge. File Destruction. Free Consultation 1-800-347-2540 accesslegalmfj.com

Property Maintenance

MAINTENANCE SERVICES:

Exterior and painting, Home repairs and Installations including:

Sawmills

Top Soil

Heavy Equipment

Steel Buildings / Granaries

 Coordinate activities through planning with functional managers to insure the overall manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and efficient manner.

 Implement company policies and procedures related to occupational health & safety and ensure they are adhered to, in order to provide a safe and secure environment to all employees.

Please send your resume to: bgjob@bidgroup ca R0011763755

Apartments / Condos-For Sale

Common facil incl kit, din, tv rm, gym. Quiet area, near shops & g.course. New home warr. 563-8846

Spacious, 3 level 4 bdrms, 4 baths, superb location. $277,500. 250-561-1255 Ready to sell!

2220

Duplexes for Sale

Apartments/Condos for

Houses for Sale

Property

For Sale

ACRES Corner of Upper Fraser Rd & Beaver Forest Rd. with good driveway & building pad. $155,000. 250-614-6667

Lots & Acreages for Sale

1.148 AC. LOTS 35 & 36, Birchill Cres. 16 W., city limits. No GST. (250)563-7414

12 ACRES of commercial zoned land, 1400 ft of Hart Hwy frontage $150,000 per acre. 563-6985 or 981-1950. Will consider partial trades.

2.186 ACRE, 9341 Birchill Cres, close Hwy access, no gst. (250)563-7414

7902 North Nechako Road (DL 2099) 6 acres of land, subdividable after removal of gravel (est 700,000 yards). Priced to sell. Interested parties reply to The Citizen 505 4th Ave Prince George BC V2L-3H2 Box 1076 BUILDING Lot 8091 Flamingo Rd. 80’X135’ with city sewer & water. Allows mobiles as well. $85,000. 563-6985, 981-1950 HART Area, 400’ frontage X 100’ deep, serviced $300,000. 250565-4888

LARGE Res. lot, serviced, green belt on back, Oak Ridge Cres, Hart hwy. $89,900 obo 250-5623886 LOT for Duplex, 4-plex or apartment/condo. Fully zoned. Ready for permit. Near Multiplex & Walmart. 250-961-6786

Recreational Property

m building lot, #L72NCorintoPearleco-development Honduras. Contact Recap Invest-

15 -

Resort On Francois

Bring Offers Best view & best lot on waterfront. gated, family friendly community with pool, playground,

DISTRICT LOT 2219, PART OF NW1/4, DISTRICT LOT 8435, and PART OF SW1/4, DISTRICT LOT 2242, CARIBOO DISTRICT. (Camp Sites).

The Lands File for this application is 7410085. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Tricia Klein, Authorizations Specialist, Omineca Region, FLNRORD, at 5 th Floor 499 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1R5, or Tricia.Klein@gov.bc.ca Comments will be received by FLNRORD up to Dec 29, 2019. FLNRORD may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at http://arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/index.jsp for more information.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to