Prince George Citizen July 22, 2021

BCNE OFFERS SNACK-SIZE VERSION

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

The BCNE is offering a smaller version of the fair this year from August 19 to 22 at the Exhibition grounds. There was no exhibition at all last year because of the pandemic.

4H will be the most prominent feature showcased in the barns at the fair grounds this year while West Coast Amusements will bring in 12 to 15 rides for the summer thrill factor There is also going to be food

vendors so people can enjoy traditional fair fare.

“It’s going to be really simple this year – we’re not advertising it as the BCNE because it is not a BCNE fair,” Sylvia Layzell, general manager of the Prince George Agricultural and Historical Association, said. “We don’t have our entertainment, we don’t have our vendors and we don’t have our exhibits. It is simply 4H Achievement Days and food court and West Coast

Amusements It won’t be a full size midway like we normally have in August. It will be a smaller footprint, more like what shows up in May. It will be a smaller footprint all together but it’s something we wanted to give to the community.”

Gate admission is free so people can buy their ride tickets at the fair – no advance armband sales this year – and food and look at all the animals the 4H youth have cared for all year long

Group opposes chemical plant

TED CLARKE

A group of Pineview residents living in farmland on the eastern edge of Prince George are voicing their objections to a plan by West Coast Olefins Ltd., to build a natural gas liquids (NGL) extraction plant on a 320-acre parcel of land in the area.

The Calgary-based company needs the extraction plant to process natural gas from the Enbridge Westcoast Energy pipeline, which runs through the property, and extract propane, butane, and natural gas condensates.

A 10-inch steel high pressure vapour pipeline would be built to transport the extracted hydrocarbons 7.5 kilometres from the natural gas recovery system in Pineview to a storage/processing facility on the company’s 120-hectare (300-acre) property at 10012 Willow Cale Rd., in an area zoned for heavy industrial use

The agricultural land the company intends to purchase is owned by Fred Pain of Knutsford, B.C.

For the plant to be built there, 25 acres of the property would have to be removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve and be rezoned for industrial use.

See ‘AN INDUSTRIAL PROJECT‘ on page 4

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

Riders on Frenzy fly high above the midway in 2019 during the 107th BCNE.

WHAT:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

Public Hearings regarding:

•Proposed “City of Prince George Restrictive Covenant Discharge BylawNo. 9216, 2021”

•Proposed “Authorization Issuance Land Use Contract No. LU 28-76, BylawNo. 2910, 1976, Discharge BylawNo. 9136, 2020”

WHERE:

Council ChambersofCity Hall, 2nd Floor,1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC

WHEN:

7:00 p.m., Monday, July 26, 2021

PROPOSALS:

1. “City of Prince George Restrictive Covenant Discharge BylawNo. 9216, 2021”

Applicant: Bruce Wayne Lambright for A. Bortolon Trucking Ltd., Inc. No. 187256

Subject Property: 2707 Queensway

BylawNo. 9216, 2021 proposes to discharge the existing Section 219 Restrictive Covenant registered at the Land Titles Office under Document No. PG28330 on the subject property,asshown on Appendix “A”toBylawNo. 9216, 2021.

The purpose of this application is facilitate the relocation of an existing automotive electronic retail, sales service and installation business to the subject property.The existing Section 219 Restrictive Covenant on the property limits the use to arestaurant, gift shop and asingle family dwelling

The proposed Bylawapplies to the property legally described as Lots 4, 5, 6and 7, Block 35, District Lot 933, Cariboo District, Plan 727, Except Plan 28793 and Lot 8, Block 35, District Lot 933, Cariboo District, Plan 727, as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #1 below

Location Map #1 2707 Queensway

2. “Authorization Issuance Land Use Contract No. LU 28-76, BylawNo. 2910, 1976, Discharge BylawNo. 9136, 2020”

Applicants: Koehler Land Surveying Inc. for 101178167SaskatchewanLtd., Inc. No. A0095152;101100639 SaskatchewanLtd., Inc. No. A0095153; and Frejno Holdings Corp., Inc. No. A0098760

Subject Properties: WesternAcres Subdivision

BylawNo. 9136, 2020 proposes to discharge the Land Use Contract registered on title of the subject properties under the Land Title and SurveyAuthority registration number: M12699, as shown on Appendix “A”toBylawNo. 9136, 2020.

The Land Use Contract registered on the subject properties restricts the land use, development regulations, infrastructure and future subdivision within the subject area. The purpose of this application is to discharge the Land Use Contract, therebyallowing the subject properties to be regulated under the “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007”.

The proposed Bylawapplies to the properties legally described as

•South West ¼, District Lot 625, Cariboo District, Except Plans H705, 13483, 13646, 14296, 18560, 25988, 25989 and 33086;

•North West ¼, District Lot 625, Cariboo District, Except Plans 18560, 25988, 25989 and 33086;

•Lots 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, District Lot 625, Cariboo District, Plan 13646;

•Lot 1, District Lot 625, Cariboo District, Plan 10485; and

•Lot 1, District Lot 625, Cariboo District, Plan 9280, Except Plan 21612;

all as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #2 below

Location Map #2 WesternAcres Subdivision

HOWCAN IPROVIDE COMMENT?

Residents are invited to provide comment in writing,bytelephone or in person.

Submissions in writing

Residents are encouraged to provide written comments to Council to be included in the Council meeting agenda package and available for public viewing on the City’swebsite.

Forsubmissions to be included on the agenda for Council’sreviewinadvance of the meeting date, theymust be received by the Corporate Officer no later than 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Submissions received after the noted deadline and before 3:00 p.m., Monday, July 26, 2021, will be provided to Council on the dayofthe meeting for their consideration during deliberations on the application.

Submissions maybesent by email to cityclerk@princegeorge.ca, faxed to (250)561-0183, mailed or delivered to the address noted below

Please note that written submissions for all applications will formpartofthe Council agenda, become public record and are posted on the City’swebsite. By making awritten submission you are consenting to the disclosure of anypersonal information that you provide.

Submissions by telephone

In an efforttoprovide the public with options to speak to Council on aPublic Hearing application(s) and in accordance with the current Ministerial Order,the City now offers participation remotely via telephone during Public Hearings.

Residents can pre-register to speak to the proposed Bylaw(s) live via telephone. Pre-registration will be open from 8:30 a.m., Thursday, July 22, 2021 to Monday, July 26, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. To pre-register to speak to Council via phone, visit our website www.princegeorge.ca/publichearings to complete an online registration formor call 311. If you miss pre-registering,please watch the online live meeting broadcast as there will be an opportunity for you to call in for alimited period of time.

Submissions in person

Residents who wish to speak in person can do so during the Public Hearing in Council Chambersonthe 2nd Floor of City Hall at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 26, 2021.

The City of Prince George follows the ordersofthe Provincial Health Officer and guidelines regarding the size of the gatherings and physical distancing

WESTERN ROAD

Local firm lands $1.17M contract to upgrade arenas

ARTHUR WILLIAMS

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George approved $1.17 million to upgrade and modernize the refrigeration systems at two regional arenas on July 15.

The district board approved spending $861,530 to upgrade the Robson Valley Recreation Centre in McBride and $310,300 to upgrade the Canoe Valley Recreation Centre in Valemount.

More than $587,000 of the cost of the projects will be covered by grant money from the provincial and federal governments, through the Rural and Northern Communities Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, with the bulk of the remainder coming from the Northern Capital and Planning Grant.

The district board awarded the contract for the work to Prince George-based Yeti Refrigeration Inc.

“This is an important upgrade that will improve operating costs in the long run,” district director Dannielle Alan said. “We were having really hard conversations about if we could continue to operate. It’s really tough for our small communities to make those decisions.”

Alan, who represents district electoral area H where both facilities are located, said it is difficult for small communities to afford the upkeep on amenities like ice rinks, but those amenities are important to

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board of directors approved $1.17 million in upgrades to the Robson Valley Recreation Centre (pictured) and the Canoe Valley Recreation Centre.

attracting and retaining residents.

Engineering consultant Ian Welle, of Polar Engineering, said modernizing the

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

Where Public Hearings are required to be held, measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of membersofthe public attending the Public Hearing to provide comments.

City of Prince George open Council meetings are public and maybe televised, streamed live by webcast, recorded and archived on the City’s website for viewing by the public. By attending an open Council meeting or making asubmission at apublic hearing you are consenting to the disclosure of anypersonal information that you provide.

Formore detailed information on providing submissions to Council, please visit www.princegeorge.ca/ publichearings.

Authority

Personal information is collected under the authority of section 26(g) and disclosed under the authority of section 33.1(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). For information or questions, contact the City’sFIPPACoordinator at (250)561-7600 or 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, V2L 3V9.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Acopyofthe Bylaws and other related documents will be available for review by the public on the City’swebsite www.princegeorge.ca under ‘News and Notices’ beginning Wednesday, July 14, 2021.These documents mayalso be reviewedatthe Development Services office on the 2nd Floor of City Hall on July 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 26, 2021, between the hoursof 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

WHO CANI SPEAK TO?

Formore information, please contact Development Services in person on the 2nd Floor of City Hall, by telephone at (250)561-7611 or by email to devserv@princegeorge.ca.

Forquestions related to Public Hearing participation and procedures, please contact Legislative Services Division by telephone (250)561-7793 or by email to cityclerk@princegeorge.ca.

receive information directly to your inbox. Visit news.princegeorge.ca/subscribetoselect the categories that matter to you.

refrigeration systems should result in a 10 to 15 per cent energy savings at the arenas, reduce the amount of dangerous ammonia

coolant by up to 85 per cent, comply with new Technical Safety BC requirements, and eliminate the need for the cooling plants to be monitored in person 24-hours a day

The current plants in both facilities are more than 20 years old and nearing the end of their useful life

“It will decrease the amount of money you spend each year to operate these facilities,” Welle said. “(And) we’re replacing the capacity with like-for-like. You should have as good or better ice.”

Welle said the upgrades should end up saving the regional district roughly $95,000 per year in maintenance, energy and other operational costs.

District general manager of community services Michael Higgins said the biggest savings will be in the reduced staffing requirements.

Maintaining the number of power engineers and refrigeration technicians necessary to operate the facilities 24-hours a day is “a significant staffing challenge,” in the small communities, Higgins said. The training necessary can cost $3,000 to $10,000, and turnover has been high.

While the new plants can be remotely monitored, Higgins said the current plan is to maintain a few qualified people who can do maintenance and troubleshooting on site.

A timeline for the projects wasn’t immediately available

REQUEST FOR COMMENT

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW NO.8383, 2011 AMENDMENTBYLAW NO.9173, 2020

Subject Properties– 2068and 2542 PG Pulpmill Road

The City of Prince George is considering an amendmenttothe City of Prince GeorgeOfficial Community Plan (OCP) BylawNo. 8383, 2011 to amend Schedule B-6: Future Land Use for a portion of theSubjectProperties from Rural Resource to HeavyIndustrial. The amendment would facilitate the development and operation of a renewable diesel facility and expansion of the existing refineryoperations on the subject properties. This application to amendthe OCP also includes arezoning application (Bylaw9174, 2020).

Pleasevisit the City of Prince George website at www.princegeorge.ca for more detailed information. From the homepage of the City of Prince George website click on “Businessand Development”;

click on “Planning and Development”; click on “Land Use”; andscroll down to “Applications in Progress”.

The City requests written comment from anyperson, organization, or agencies that maybeaffected by thisamendment to the OCP.Please forward anywritten submissions by 5:00 pm on August 6, 2021 to the Development Services Division at 1100 Patricia Boulevard, PG V2L 3V9, Fax: 561-7721,Email: devserv@princegeorge.ca

ROBSON VALLEY VISITOR CENTRE HANDOUT IMAGE

‘An industrial project does not belong on farmland’

from page 1

From her property on Lund Road where she grew up on land she and her parents farmed, Carol Wood can see the proposed site of the plant right next door to the west, just beyond the BC Hydro transmission towers, and the thought of what could be soon standing there chills her soul.

“An industrial project does not belong on farmland,” said Carol Wood. “My biggest fear if they turn that chunk of land into industrial is what’s the next. Once one thing happens, the next falls.”

On June 26, a few days after contacting them individually, West Coast Olefins Ltd. president Ken James, chief operating officer Ron Just and regulatory director Christine Olson met with about a dozen Pineview residents to discuss the proposal. Wood said the company politely declined a request to host a community meeting while it awaits regulatory approval of the project from the Oil and Gas Commission.

Gary Wood (no relation to Carol) just finished an addition to his house on Lund Road to create room for his son and grandchildren to move to the land and their efforts over the past 10 years will allow the family to keep farming long after he’s gone. He’s worried about the impact a gas plant will have on their quality of life

“I worked all my life to buy this place

and pay for it so I could retire out here and then I get a phone call to say they want to put a gas plant across the road from me,” he said. “It was devastating The biggest

REQUEST FOR COMMENT

OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAW NO.8383, 2011 AMENDMENT BYLAW NO.9204, 2021

Subject Property –1330and 1380 Foothills Boulevard

The City of Prince George is considering an amendmenttothe City of Prince GeorgeOfficial Community Plan (OCP) BylawNo. 8383, 2011 to amend Schedule B-6: Future Land Use to facilitate the development of an additional three(3) apartment buildings on the subject property. This application to amend theOCP also includes a rezoning application under Bylaw No. 9205,2021.

Pleasevisit the City of Prince George website at www.princegeorge.ca formore detailed information. From the homepage of the City of PrinceGeorgewebsite click on “Business andDevelopment”; click on “Planning and Development”; click on “Land Use”; andscroll down to “ApplicationsinProgress”.

The Cityrequests written comment from anyperson, organization, or agencies that maybeaffected by thisamendment to theOCP.Please forward anywritten submissions by 5:00 pm by July 23, 2021 to the DevelopmentServices Division at 1100 Patricia Boulevard, PG V2L 3V9, Fax: 561-7721, Email: devserv@princegeorge.ca

Tel. (250) 561-7600 •Fax (250) 612-5605 •1100 Patricia Boulevard,PrinceGeorge,BCV2L 3V9 311@princegeorge.ca

Visit princegeorge.ca forinformation about City services andoperations.You canevensubscribe to receiveinformation directly to your inbox. Visit news.princegeorge.ca/subscribe to select thecategoriesthatmattertoyou.

contain only the minimal amount of equipment needed to extract propane, butane and natural gas condensates from the natural gas pipeline and ethane would put back in the pipeline The rest of the separation process will occur at the BCR site.

“The plastics plant is a completely different project,” said Olson. “We’re not taking ethane out. The rest of the equipment, in order to separate, store and sell the product, is over in the BCR industrial area. But the extraction portion has to be next to the pipeline We would sell propane and butane, and natural gas condensates are a feedstock for refineries.”

WCOL still intends to build the plastics plant in Prince George but it is being considered a separate project which will require its own regulatory approvals.

thing is the health of my family.

“We are not opposed to economic growth or projects of this nature, however it is an industrial plant and should not be on agricultural land which is protected by our government.”

In July 2019, West Coast Olefins announced plans to build a $5.6 billion plastic pellet complex Recovered ethane extracted from the natural gas recovery system would then be sent to an ethylene processor to make up to one million tonnes per year of polymer-grade ethylene.

The majority of that would be used in the adjacent ethylene derivatives plant to make polyethylene, in plastic pellet form, and possibly mono-ethylene glycol to be used as antifreeze and heat transfer fluid. Most of the finished plastic product would be shipped to Asia using the CN Rail line to Prince Rupert.

Reached at her home in Calgary on Sunday, Olson said the natural gas extraction plant being proposed for Pineview would

“It’s on a different timeline and it’s on a different schedule and the polyethylene portion of it would be built on a different site,” said Olson. “If that goes forward, there would have to be a small expansion to the extraction plant to add ethane removal, which isn’t there now There would be no more land required. It would just be a process change and we would put ethane into the pipeline (to the BCR site) at that time. But that again would require consultation with the same residents and we would have to get their approval, and we’d only be doing it if the ethylene plant looked like it was going to go.”

According to the consultation letter given to the residents, if approved, construction of the NGL plant would begin in the third quarter of 2022, with upgrading and construction of the access road to extend McRinney Road first, followed by site preparation. Installation of facility equipment is slated begin late in the fall of 2022 or spring of 2023 and the proposed on-stream start up would by the fall or winter of 2024.

Residents were told by James, a resident of Prince George from 1974-84, that construction of the extractor project would create more than 100 jobs.

The residents have started a petition against the project at the Pineview store. As of Saturday afternoon, 65 people had signed the petition, while six were in favour of it.

CITIZEN PHOTO BY TED CLARKE

A group of Pineview residents who farm the land surrounding the site of a proposed petrochemical extractor to be built by West Coast Olefins Ltd., gathers in front of the proposed site in the background

He Hears the Mountain Calling

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

“So my dad told us ‘go outside and play because the stork is about to bring a baby,” Clarence Boudreau said, talking about one of his favourite stories he shares in his memoir I Hear the Mountain Calling.

He was about eight years old and he had his younger brother Jack and older brother Joey with him

“Well, we put our heads together and we decided we really wanted to have a look at this dude so we covered all the entrances and the chimney. We were standing out there waiting and waiting and all of a sudden we heard a baby cry in the house but no stork – we didn’t know any different – we believed that and we thought is that ever a slippery cuss, you know? He got by us going in and out of there!”

That’s the day his baby sister June was born.

This is one of the many stories included in Boudreau’s book filled with 90 years of history. Boudreau spent 80 years living in the village of Penny, about 120 km east of Prince George, before moving to the big city of Prince George 10 years ago His passion for the great outdoors saw Boudreau spend much of his life hiking the alpine whenever he could.

“I spent a lot of time watching the grizzlies playing up there,” Boudreau said.

Many people often ask Boudreau about big changes he’s seen during the years and one of the most popular queries is about the changes he’s seen in the weather. Without a doubt, Boudreau’s got the perfect story to demonstrate how drastically the snowfall has decreased over the decades.

Here’s his example and Boudreau said you be the judge.

“One winter all the fence posts were covered,” he began. “One day I looked out the window and there was a hat going along the snow I thought that can’t be and I looked and all of a sudden it came up a little bit and there was a head. So I opened the door and I hollered ‘what are you doing?’ The guy said ’I’m just exercising my horse!’”

Let that sink in.

That’s right. The snow was so high all Boudreau could see was the top of a rider on a horse

“Now that’s pretty deep snow,” Boudreau laughed

In his book he shares these and other stories about his life in Penny with family and friends, the endless alpine hikes to watch the grizzlies at play and enjoy his time in the mountains.

Clarence started work at 15 as a flunky in a cookhouse, then moved into logging by hand with a crosscut saw, working in a sawmill, then as a cattle rancher, snow plow contractor to keep the roads around Penny clear and bridge builder including a 400-foot ice bridge across the Fraser River

He even managed a salmon hatchery for awhile.

The best thing he’s learned is the sun will shine tomorrow and that’s a pretty good description of Clarence Boudreau’s disposition. He brings along the sunshine where ever he goes.

Boudreau finally did what everyone around him kept telling him to do and wrote I Hear the Mountain Calling and it’s out now on Amazon and available at Books & Co. and the Central Interior Railway and Forestry Museum.

People might best know Boudreau by his other name Penny Slim, singer songwriter and entertainer to the masses.

FACEBOOK PHOTO

Clarence Boudreau, also known as Penny Slim, singer songwriter turned author, has written his memoir called I Hear the Mountain Calling.

NJB PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO

After experiencing a health crises and loss of loved ones in her 50s local artist Sandee Bartsch will make sure her 60s are her best decade yet.

Artist writing memoir about overcoming loss

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH

The fifth decade of her life was a beast to bear and now local artist Sandee Bartsch understands this next decade is set for transformation.

Losses are always heavy burdens to carry but so many in such a short time was almost too much for Bartsch.

“My 50s truly were the most tragic years

of my life,” Bartsch said. “At 50, I was diagnosed with throat cancer, at 52 I lost my mom to lung cancer, at 54 I lost my father to suicide, at 55 my only son suddenly passed away, at 57 there was a serious car accident in the United States, at 59 I survived a global pandemic.”

Her lowest time was that of the sudden death of her son.

The medication her beloved 29-year-old Ben had taken was from an order off the Internet and he was given the wrong dosage. Instead of 100 pills he was sent 10 but the dosage that was meant for the 100 was condensed into those 10 little poison pills. Bartsch will shout it from the roof tops –don’t order medication from the Internet!

“Once he took the pill, he only had minutes to live,” Bartsch explained.

She lived through every mother’s nightmare, losing her only son and tried to reconcile with what happened so unnecessarily

you love them? Does your husband? Did you give love, did you receive love? But the other thing that was really important was regret.

“At 50 years old I had never done art and I was so mad at myself – because you don’t know if you’ll get a second chance and so I was thinking ‘I can’t believe I didn’t do art!’ I said to myself ‘if I get through this I’m going to build myself a studio and I’m going to take classes and yada yada yada.”

The hits just kept on coming and there was even a serious issue with her heart that came on suddenly at the tail end of her 50s.

She knows there is a reason she had to go through that pain and grief process and she will be writing her memoir as part of her own healing journey but also to perhaps help those going through the same type of loss. Because losing a child is its own special brand of pain that no parent should have to experience, she said.

“What I want my book to be is half writing and half art journal because when you share art it goes beyond words,” Bartsch explained.

Right now Bartsch, as fate would have it, has crossed paths with several mothers – mostly through social media – who have lost a child – when she connects with someone who has experienced this most painful loss she creates memory lockets for the mothers and without telling them, she quietly sends them along to the grieving mom

Her book will be a similar gift, she hopes, to those grieving as she has.

Before her 50s hit, Bartsch was a life coach and only when her throat cancer diagnosis hit did she think to turn to art to help in her healing journey. Before that her life was filled with questions.

“Why are we here? What’s the meaning of life? All those big philosophical questions,” Bartsch said. “I just had all of these questions for probably a decade but then when I got cancer it got real simple It narrowed down to two things – love and regret. Did you love? Did you heal some relationships that were broken? Do your kids know that

In that panic-riddled time there was a moment she will never forget.

“As I was being wheeled down the hall in the hospital, my heart pounding out of my chest – as they took me for tests I looked up and saw the flourescent lights going by and in that moment I knew I wanted to live,” Bartsch said. “I. Wanted. To. Live. Not just exist. But to really live and lead a joyful meaningful life.”

And that’s exactly what she’ll do.

When Bartsch recently turned 60 she made a decision.

“My 60s are going to be the best decade of my life,” Bartsch said.

“Because there are so many things I want to do I want to feel good – not fatigued or tired – I have three grandchildren now and it’s not about looking sexy any more it’s more about having a good quality of life.”

To that end Bartsch recently shed 30 pounds by changing her eating habits and in the winter she’ll be picking up the weights to make sure she is strong and healthy for the future.

As a way to celebrate this new chapter in her life, Bartsch did a photo shoot with a professional photographer, hair stylist and makeup artist.

“I want to inspire other people who have gone through so much and I want people to see the pictures and say ‘Wow! I know what she’s been through – and if she can do that I can do that’ and that’s what it’s all about – giving back.”

Morris pushes NDP for emergency declaration

TED CLARKE

With B.C. on pace for one of its worst-ever wildfire seasons, what will it take to convince the B.C. government to declare a state of emergency?

Prince George-Mackenzie MLA and Liberal Critic for Public Safety Mike Morris would certainly like to know For weeks he’s been calling on the provincial government to enact its emergency powers mandate to free up more resources to fight B.C. wildfires.

BC Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has said a province-wide state of emergency won’t be declared until the government is asked to by the BC Wildfire Service, Emergency Management BC and the provincial Fire Commissioner, and as yet he hasn’t received that direction from those government agencies.

“(Premier John) Horgan is saying there’s no advantage to calling a state of emergency other than getting a group of people together and that’s fundamental reason for doing it,” said Morris “He says it’s an enthusiastic partisan effort on behalf of the opposition and he takes his advice from the experts within the ministries. He forgets that we were once in that position and we called the state of emergency in 2017. We understand the fundamentals behind that, and why they haven’t done that to now, I’m mystified.”

During the devastating 2017 wildfire season, when the Liberals were in power, the province declared a state of emergency within hours of town of Cache Creek being evacuated under threat of the Elephant Hill fire The almost total destruction of the southern Interior village of Lytton in a wildfire whipped by strong winds on June 30 resulted in two deaths and is a glaring example of how ill-prepared some of B.C.’s smaller communities are to fight fires.

As a former RCMP officer, Morris knows firsthand what emergency powers provide. He said it eliminates the red-tape bureaucracy which can impede gaining approval for resources needed pon the ground.

“If you have a fire boss and he needs an airplane of 100 guys on the ground he goes and gets them,” said Morris.

“Otherwise, he’s got to go through the chain of command and get the minister or

deputy minister to get those resources for them.

“We’ve heard stories about WorkSafe forbidding people to go to work (on the fires) until they have outhouses in place. That’s B.S. You’ve got to get the job done and it just amazes me they’ve let it go this long without declaring a state of emergency It alleviates a lot of the pressure on the people doing the job when they can get those resources anywhere, any time they want.”

As of Monday, there were 298 wildfires burning in B.C., including 62 in the Prince George Fire Centre jurisdiction.

The total so far for 2021 is 1,135 wildfires, well above the 10-year mid-July average of 209. As of July 15, 2,030 square-kilometres of the province’s forests had burned, compared to the 10-year average of 600 sq-km.

The 2003 wildfire season was the worst in B.C.’s history, with 2,500 fires that destroyed 334 homes and businesses, much of that caused by the Okanagan Mountain fire in Kelowna. Three pilots were killed fighting the fires that year and 260,000 hectares of forest was burnt. Loss of property and the cost of fighting the fires totalled $700 million.

Resource-based projects ongoing in the province have crews working in rural areas on pipelines, mining projects and forestry operations and that’s led to a shortage of qualified first-aid attendants available to firefighting crews. Morris said a state of emergency would give firefighters the

authority to take those first-aid attendants away from their normal duties to join fire-suppression efforts.

Morris is also calling for the province to invest more in its aerial firefighting equipment. He’s seen how effective the Conair Air Tractor AT-802F scooper fixedwing aircraft are with their amphibious scooping capabilities. The planes have the capability to skim over lakes or rivers to refill their 3,000-litre water tanks within 15 seconds. The province has 1,700 bodies of water large enough to allow scooper aircraft to refill.

“We’ve got 10 of them and they’re in two squadrons of five, so they fly in formation and just come in one after the other and scoop and load and dump it and they just keep making these circuits, and they are the most effective piece of equipment that we have,” said Morris

“I think we should double or even triple that and have them in the province here. The problem with B.C is they’re too late on the uptake and a lot of these resources have been contracted out to other parts of the country and other parts of the world.”

BC Wildfire Service is also utilizing landbased air tankers which drop water or fire retardant, and helicopters that carry water buckets. The Canadair CL-215 turboprop air tankers, which have scooping ability, are also involved but there are only four of

those in the Abbotsford-based Conair fleet.

No fixed-wing resources have been dedicated this year to fighting fires in the Prince George Fire Centre. The BC Wildfire Service is concentrating its planes on the southern half of the province where there are more interface fires threatening more densely populated areas.

“They’ve let things get out of hand down south so badly, we’ve got so many properties and communities and ranches being evacuated and in danger right now, so they’ve put all their assets into them and abandoned the rest of the province because they don’t have a state of emergency and they don’t have the resources,” Morris said. “BC Wildfire (Service) is tapped out. They don’t have one bit more of resources to help out here.”

Indigenous leaders have joined the Liberals in pressuring the provincial government to enact its emergency powers authority

“People losing their entire life investment in their properties is just unacceptable,” Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs’ president told Global News.

“An entire town has burnt to the ground with loss of life. These fires are increasing with about 26 new fires every couple of days. We’re not even in full fire season, which is August, and these fires continue to intensify.”

Mike Morris

COVID vaccines are science in action

Ihave spent my adult life working as a scientist, as a chemist. It certainly has influenced the way I think about things.

I was recently working with a student on a research project. It was a modification of a fairly old experiment In the 1950s, Stanley Miller and Harold Urey were able to generate amino acids and other simple molecules by applying a “lightning spark” to a mixture of gases and water representative of the primordial soup.

We were asking a very simple question – what would be the effect of adding metal ions into the mix?

We started from scratch, having to build an appropriate apparatus for carrying out the experiment. We then tried to replicate Miller and Urey’s results without using any metals Amazingly enough, a simple mixture of methane, hydrogen, water, nitrogen, and ammonia does give rise to a number of organic compounds

The tricky part was analyzing what we had made. And we are still not sure about all of the compounds present. But that is part of science.

As Isaac Asimov put it – “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka’ but ‘That’s funny...’”

Even replicating an old experiment, our results were interesting. And when

AS I SEE IT TODD WHITCOMBE

we added some metal ions in the form of salts, things got really interesting. We still don’t know what we made – it will take some time to analyze all of the material we generated – but we definitely generated new and possible novel compounds.

And when I say “we” I really should be saying my student got some very interesting results.

I mention this because at its heart, this is what scientists do. We are those kids who went around asking “why?” and “how?” when we were young and we are still asking those questions. We are explorers constantly prodding and poking at nature.

I also mention this because this was a fairly straightforward experiment lasting only seven weeks with a clearly defined goal and a procedure which involved very few variables. Research in chemistry tends to involve very few variables because we are able to control most of the conditions. The temperature of the water, the amount of gas, the amount of water, the time for each run, the salts we were adding to the mixture – these are all things under

our control. And none of them include the messy human element.

Over the past 18 months, we have all been watching science in action with the development of COVID vaccines – an experiment involving way more variables. These are much more complicated experiments involving many scientists working diligently, each picking apart their own part of the problem

Because the vaccines are for humans, it is not enough to mix a few chemicals in a flask and hope to get something interesting. It is much more complicated.

All of the vaccines are built based on our understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology We know how viruses work. The tricky part is figuring out how to stop them

The number of variables involved is orders of magnitude greater than in our experiment. This is why vaccine development takes time. Ironically, time was the one thing no one gave the scientists Pundits and politicians around the world, on both sides of the political aisle, were complaining about how long it was taking to generate a vaccine.

Did the scientists doing the research rush things? No. They carried out all of the steps necessary to ensure the vaccines would be safe. They were open and transparent with their findings. The data was

checked by thousands of individuals. You can read it in journals.

They succeeded in generating vaccines in an effort somewhat akin to putting a human on the moon and did so in a few short months

Were there some false steps along the way? Yes. But the scientific approach is self-correcting. The whole framework for the science responding to COVID-19 has had to backtrack and modify our understanding several times But that is how science works.

It is not simply a matter of asking a question and getting straight to the answer It is more complex and interesting.

In the case of the vaccines, every precaution was taken given the timeline demanded by the politicians and public.

But now we have people saying they don’t want the vaccine In a little over six months, 70 per cent of Canadians have received one dose and 50 per cent are fully immunized but the rate of vaccination is slowing. This trend appears in many countries and particularly the United States where vaccine hesitancy seems to have firmly take hold of a large portion of their population.

The science is unequivocal. Vaccines drastically reduce the incidence of disease and death. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. So why are people waiting?

Canada at a pivotal moment for reconciliation

Canada Day 2021 was like none other in our history. The unmarked gravesites of children who died at residential schools seemed to be on everyone’s mind. Efforts to “kill the Indian in the child” did tremendous damage to our country.

Today, Indigenous people are disproportionately represented in our prison system, their high school graduation rates are lower, rates of violence against women are higher, wages are lower, infant mortality rates are higher, and a large percentage of Indigenous children do not live with their biological families It is important to be aware of these facts, but one must also understand that there are always underlying reasons for such statistics.

Canada is facing a pivotal moment We can choose to continue to try to keep the

LESSONS IN LEARNING

GERRY CHIDIAC

truth buried, or we can choose to heal.

A major step in the path toward healing took place when the Stephen Harper government initiated the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2007. This was followed by Harper’s official apology in Parliament one year later. The TRC worked for eight years and shortly after Justin Trudeau took office in 2015, they published the 94 Calls to Action.

I would strongly encourage all Canadians to study these because they apply to every one of us I should point out however, that educators play a particular role in helping

Canada to heal from the wounds caused by generations of abuse in our residential school system. Indeed, Justice Murray Sinclair, who headed the TRC stated, “Education is the means by which we will be able to fix this.”

Our efforts to become educated, however, must extend far beyond the school system, at least for the moment.

People working in government, social services, the judicial system, churches, the health care system, business and all who take part in forming our democracy need to understand their role in healing Canada.

Those of us working in the field of education need to understand that our responsibility extends far beyond our current generation. We are training future social workers, health care workers, lawyers, business people, educators, religious leaders and voters. We also teach Indigenous

students, many of whom are impacted by the intergenerational trauma of the residential school system.

The most immediate challenge for our school system is, as stated in Call to Action number 10, to “close identified educational achievement gaps within one generation.” In doing so, we are to develop culturally appropriate curricula, enable parents to fully participate in the education of their children and respect and honour Treaty relationships.

We are also challenged to revitalize Aboriginal languages. The task seems overwhelming, but I can see progress being made. On a personal note, I believe that implementing these Calls to Action has made me a better educator and a better human being.

You can still have skills with brain injury

Six years ago, a distracted driver crashed into Kelli Moffat’s vehicle leaving her with a permanent brain injury.

At the time, Kelli, a registered nurse, worked in a senior management position and had just received her master’s degree.

Kelli was an active and vibrant woman who was married and the mother of six children, four of whom were living at home.

In addition to her regular day job, Kelli pulled shifts at the hospital and Hospice House when she was able to on weekends.

Despite being a senior manager, Kelli never lost her compassion for high-risk babies and the terminally ill.

Kelli is a good friend of mine. What I witnessed with her behaviour after the accident was nothing less than shocking... and heart-breaking. I watched her struggle to make a pot of coffee. I helped her with completing forms and emailing. Kelli could not manage interacting with more than two people at a time. She did not have the sequencing skills to prepare meals, do housework or solve normal ever day problems Kelli’s injury significantly affected her vision and she was unable to drive.

Her long and short-term memory skills were limited.

Her life had completely turned upside down. Little did I know then that three years later, I would join Kelli in the same boat. Her symptoms have improved in the

past five years and she is hoping this will continue.

Since Kelli was a child, she was always artistic and won awards for her creations. After she was injured, friends brought her coloured pencils, sketch books and colouring books in an attempt to help her brain heal. Because her eyes were significantly affected by her brain injury, she was very discouraged to discover she was no longer able to draw or colour

One day, Kelli heard about a weekend course teaching people how to refurbish

Greatness requires honesty and courage

from page 8

Exploring and trying to put into practice Aboriginal ways of knowing and being has been a very enriching experience. I work in the school district with the highest number of Indigenous students in British Columbia, and in a school with significant Indigenous enrollment. I am especially grateful for the guidance and support I receive from our Aboriginal Education Department.

At the same time, there is a lot of work to be done. A 2016 report published by School District 57, Prince George makes

this quite clear For example, there are still significant gaps in achievement for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

It is also important to note that the 94 Calls to Action provide only a starting point because the path ahead has not come fully into focus. My role as an educator is pivotal, not only in empowering Indigenous students, but empowering all students to find the way forward Canada is a great country, and part of greatness is having the courage to look honestly at ourselves.

We will get through this sad time in our history, and we will do it together

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

furniture. On a whim, she decided to enroll in the course and asked her husband to join her

“That was it,” Kelli said. “I fell in love with recycling furniture. I loved finding old furniture, sanding it and painting it. To me, it was like meditating. It helped me a lot ”

As time went on and with practise, Kelli realized she possessed a knack with furniture People saw her work and wanted to purchase various pieces she had completed. Then, people started bringing her furniture to refurbish. Her newfound

BOGGLED

hobby began to heal her sense of loss.

“It has helped me a lot. I thought I had lost all of my skills,” said Kelli “I was good at working with furniture. It’s been therapeutic and a nice outlet.”

I have spent many hours with Kelli in her garage, working on all kinds of projects.

She has taught me painting techniques, how to use different types and colours of paint and how to look at an item and appreciate its potential. I had a steamer trunk that my grandfather brought his belongings in when he immigrated to Canada over 100 years ago Kelli was excited when she saw it and promised me she would make it look amazing. I couldn’t visualize that beat up old trunk could look amazing but I trusted Kelli’s word. The outcome was more than I could have imagined. Now the trunk sits proudly in my living room instead of hiding in the basement.

I know from my own experience that having a hobby or two helps heal the brain and increase self esteem. For Kelli and I, being good at something while having a brain injury has been like being thrown a life jacket when we were drowning.

The religious word “sin” hurts many humans. If we replaced the religious word “sin,” with the non-religious word “behavior,” it would keep us grounded. Humans would no longer believe that a god existed that was spying and judging their every move and thought I suggest that we should be taught as children that we are whole, just as we are, and that, concerning how we treat others, the onus is on us.

June Vandermark McBride

DIANE NAKAMURA

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Kelli Moffat found a passion for refurbishing furniture after a car crash left her with a permanent brain injury

Fishing hole

The rainbow trout fishery offers great options for every type of angler.Fly fishers can float the section of water between Babine Lake and Nilkitkwa Lake, knownas Rainbow Alley.

Fishing in RainbowAlleycan be some of the best in the province. Fly patternsthat can workwellare stoneflies, chinook and cohofry,and Epoxy Minnows and Stimulators.

There arethreemajor hatchestowatch for—caddisflies, stoneflies and mayflies.

Babine Lake (South)

When imitating these flies, it is important to know your insect’spatterns. Forexample, when emerging,damselflies will swim straightupand then to the edge, while dragonflies will swim to the edgebefore heading up.

Angler’sAtlas Field Staff member Kenneth Donaldson reports thatthe south end of Babine Lake,into Rainbow Alley, is great fishing.“Ihave fished at the Babine Lake end of Rainbow alleyand caught more large Rainbowsthan whenIhavefishedfurtherinto the lake(SouthofGranisle for example). This MAY be the fact that we wereclosertothe Rainbow Alley “funnel” and they were congregating

www.anglersatlas.com

there,but Iwouldhave expected theselarge Rainbows to congregate at themouths of any tributaries, waiting for any injuredfish releasing their eggs early.”

The salmon populationcontributes to the great trout fishing in this part of the lake. Donaldson says thatduring Juneorthereabouts, the troutfrom bothBabineand Nilkitkwa Lakes migrate through the river to gorge themselves on sockeye fry

Please be aware that several different restrictions apply.Pleaseconsult the B.C. Freshwater Fishing Regulations and

the salmon supplement regulations for more information.

LAKEACCESS

There are four primary access points to Babine Lake—north of Burns Lake to Pendelton Bay Provincial Park; near Granisle at recreation sites and provincial parks; at Smithers Landing and at Fort Babine. Granisle is located northofTopley (on Highway16),following the GranisleHighway. Access to Smithers Landing/ Fort Babinefrom Highway 16 is fromEckman Road, about 5kmeast of Smithers on the right(east).Turn hereand follow for 53 km. (Note:The road eventually turns into Babine LakeRoad).Turn left (north) onto the Nilkitkwa Forest Service Road, and follow for 44 km,tothe turnoffto Fort Babine on the right(east).

Fishing hole

Cobb Lake

Cobb Lake is a popular spot about 70 km west of Prince George. The lake supportsahealthy populationofstocked rainbow andbrooktrout.In2018 Coob wasstocked with20,000 brook trout and 10,000 rainbowtrout

DanMoffat from Northern Hardware in Prince George, says thatCobbLake is areally good spot yearround. In the fall, thereislittle pressure on the lake,and the troutare fatteningupfor winter.As

the weather coolsdown after the heat of summer,the fish are beginningtobe more active again.

In the springand summer, Moffatnotes that there areplenty of choices.“The lakeisalways good for smallspinners,” he suggests.Anglerscan also try Chironomidpatternsand Flatfish.

To learnmoreaboutfishing this lake, drop

by North ern Hardware in downtown Prince George and talk to one of their helpful staff at the fishing counter.

LAKE ACCESS

FromPrinceGeorge, follow Highway 16 westfor about 65 km,and then turn right(north) at FinnmoreRoadjust before Cluculz Creek.FollowFinnmore Roadfor 6kmand you willsee another road on theright (nameunknown). This roadisnot plowedinthe winter and maynot be suitable fordriving Continue alongthisroadfor ashortdis-

tance andthe recreation siteturn off (right) is justpastthe creek. You can access thelake fromthere.

NECHAKOWHITE

STURGEON RECOVERYINITIATIVE

The District of Vanderhoof is home to the Nechako White Sturgeon Hatchery,whichispart of the initiative to recover healthysturgeon populations in the Nechako River.The hatchery offers toursand information, and is well worththe visit. Youcan see the sturgeon in their pools, learn about how they grow,and watch them up close andpersonal. The Recovery Initiative also offers school tours, as wellascommunity projects designed to protectand enhance sturgeon habitat and recovery efforts. Stop by the hatchery,and visit their website at nechakowhitesturgeon.org.

Do

210 Hectares (519 Acres) 10 metres (33 feet) 777 metres (2,549 feet) October 1982 Metres

THE BUMPY ROAD FROM ZERO TO HERO

Each week this summer, Citizen editor Neil Godbout will share his experience learning to golf at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club. Want to get in a free round with Neil? Just drop him a line at ngodbout@ pgcitizen.ca

Week 7

In Guitar Zero: The New Musician and the Science of Learning, psychologist Gary Marcus wrote about his experience taking a year to learn how to play guitar. He took lessons, practised faithfully and attended a summer camp with children learning to play

He was able to unpack a few clichés by doing regular scans of his own brain during that year to map the changes as he was learning. Old dogs can learn new tricks but it’s harder Younger brains are more flexible, more easily absorb new information and are more adaptable. On the flip side, there are no shortcuts for young or old on the road to mastering a skill. Practice really does make perfect and everybody has to put in the time and the effort It does come easier for some but, whether it’s playing guitar or learning golf, commitment is an essential ingredient.

At this point, my commitment is being tested.

When trying to pick up any new skill, it’s

There are no shortcuts to learning golf – practice makes perfect.

demoralizing when you feel you’re making progress, your teacher compliments you on your improvement, practices are going great and then you go out to do the real thing and fall on your face

It wasn’t that bad when I shot a round last week with Lorne Calder, the recently retired Integris CFO and current Rotary District 5040 District Governor, and Cameron Stolz, the current Yellowhead Rotary

Club president.

There were good drives, good approaches, good chips and good putts but they were the punctuation to the many all-too-familiar mistakes and frustrations of poorly hit shots

The effort is there but the biggest part of commitment, as Marcus found out learning to play guitar, is putting in the time to master the fundamentals. This can be dreary,

repetitive work or it can be joyful, engaging learning.

The choice is yours.

Prince George Golf and Curling Club pro Blair Scott has been working on those fundamentals with me and it’s been fun. All of my golfing partners have been fun. As Marcus found out as well, it can be hard when you think you’re getting so much better and then you realize the journey has just begun.

In the end, however, it’s all worth it, Marcus stressed at the end of Guitar Zero As we get older, it’s more valuable than ever to learn new skills. It keeps our brains sharp and it pays big dividends for our mental health. Finding a new passion, at whatever age, adds some pep to everyone’s step.

Despite my sloppy play with Lorne and Cameron, I know what I did wrong, I know what I have to work on and I can’t wait for my next lesson with Blair and to get out onto the course again.

I’ve also committed to more practice time and more playing time for the rest of the summer

It’ll be nice to play better and shoot more respectable scores but the journey to get there needs both effort and enthusiasm.

I’m up for that.

GETTY IMAGES STOCK PHOTO

Terracenursehosts

“WhatMatterstoYou?”Daycelebration

ByDanielRamcharran,CommunicationsAdvisorforPlanning,QualityandInformationManagement,NorthernHealth.

What’smostimportanttoyou whenreceivinghealthcare?

Thisquestionisthefoundation of“WhatMatterstoYou?”Day (bcpsqc.ca/advance-thepatient-voice/what-mattersto-you/),whichhasbeen internationallycelebratedinmore than30countriessince2014.

Thepurposeofthisdayis toencouragemeaningful conversationbetweenpatients andtheirhealthcareprovidersto ensurecareisalignedwithpatient preferences,andtofocusonthe patientasapersoninthecontext oftheirlife,ratherthanfocusing onthehealthconditiononly.

AtTerrace’sSevenSistersand BirchwoodMentalHealthfacilities,

aregisterednursenamed BrianaSidneyworkedwithCathy Almost,anengagementleader withPatientVoicesNetwork (patientvoicesbc.ca),toorganize aneventthatletresidentsand staffdiscusswhatmattersmost toresidents.

“Werecognizethatourresidents arethetrueexpertsontheirown needsandexperiences,”says Briana.“Asking,listening,and respondingtowhatmatterstoour clientsensuresweremainperson centered.

Residentswhoparticipated receivedaswagbagwith pens,handsanitizers,buttons, bookmarks,andlanyards.They wereencouragedtoanonymously givefeedback.Thefeedbackwas displayedonposterboardatthe siteforeveryonetoread. Theresidents’feedbackwasalso recordedtobereviewedand discussedwithsiteleadership.

Brianaplanstopartnerwith Cathyformorefeedbackevents becauseitwassosuccessful, andbecauseofstaffandresident interest.

Wildfirescausepoorairquality whichcanaffectyourhealth.It’s importanttominimizeyourexposure tosmokyair.Tokeepyouandyour familysafeduringwildfiresmoke events:

•Payattentiontoairqualityreports andforecasts

•Keeptheaircleanerindoors bykeepingdoorsandwindows closedifyoucandosowithout overheating,anduseanaircleaner ifyouhaveone

•Seekmedicalcareifyoufeelunwell

•Reducetimespentoutdoorsand exerciseindoors

•IfyourcarhasAC,keepaircleaner byrollingthewindowsupand usingrecirculatedair

Learnmoreaboutwildfiresandpoor airqualityat:http://www.bccdc. ca/health-info/prevention-publichealth/wildfire-smoke

HORO SC OPES &P UZ ZLES

ACROSS

Storm winds

Have bills

Shielded 37. Blizzard stuff

Flower

Messy type

Trench

Device for wingtips

12/24 and 12/31

Baby grand, e.g.

Eons

Did not win

opposites

Commercials

PUZZLE NO. 827

Charged

HOW TO PLAY:

Fill in the gridsothat every row, every columnand every 3x3box contains the numbers 1through 9only once.

Each3x3 box is outlined with adarker line You already have afew numberstoget you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1through 9inthe same line, column or 3x3 box

Owned

Dated

PUZZLE NO. 91

CL ASSIF IEDS

In loving memory

EMILY ANGELA MIDDLETON (Nee Turgeon)

November 26, 1954July 25,2001

Emily

It’s difficult to believe that 20 years have gone by since you passed onto your higher calling.You are always Loved and missed by so many for the kind Loving Soul that you are. Little Lady, you will always be my true Saveco sweetheart and eternal Soulmate. Keep smiling down on all of us with your special Love, as you always do. You are in our hearts forever.

Dan Middleton, the Turgeon and Niro Families and many friends

SEAWARD,DOUG JULY25,2020

It’sbeenoneyear withoutyou.

Wemissyousomuch. Allourlove, -Val,Natalie(Trevor), Karla(Matt),Jocelyn (Nick),andVivian.

REMEMBRANCES

In loving memory of Diane Stepski

Dec 25, 1948Jul 22, 2019

Death is nothing at all I have only slipped into the next room. Whatever we were to each other We still are. Call me by my old familiar name Speak to me in the same way you always have.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

You’re really missed by your family and friends.

In loving memory

Lloyd John Hanton

January 1, 1951 - July 23, 2018

Three years gone by. It hasn’t gotten any easier. We spend days longing for you to come back to us. We love you dad. We miss you every day. Can’t help but wonder what you would be thinking during all this craziness in the world. Wish you were here with us to lead the way.

Love forever Mom, Jackie, Tyler and Chris

In loving memory

Margaret Ann Szollosi (nee Thompson)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sisto Jean Zanette on July 16th, 2021 in Prince George, BC. He was 93 years old.

Sisto enjoyed a long life well lived, surrounded by family and friends. He was proud of the life he built in Canada after emigrating from France as a young man in 1952, and of the life he was able to provide for his family in Prince George.

OCTOBER 30, 1933 - JULY 26, 2020

Margaret passed away July 26, 2020 at the age of 86. She was born in Bayfield, Wisconsin in 1933. Margaret was predeceased by her husbands Bob Parris and Joseph Szollosi, and her youngest son Doug Parris. She is survived by her children Susan (Bob), Dave (Kim), and Mike (Patti), grandchildren Billy and Mark Dow, Matt, Andy and Tyler Parris, and Sean Parris, greatgrandchildren Maressa, Carter, and Camryn Dow, numerous other relatives and good friends.

Nonno, as he was lovingly referred to by his grandchildren, was the pillar of our family. He was proud of the values and work ethic that he and Teresa instilled in their children and was delighted to watch his expanding family grow and prosper.

Sisto is survived by his loving wife Teresa and their children Dennis (Terrie), Marilisa Leamy (Andrew), Robert (Jennifer) and Patrick (Nicole); grandchildren Ryan (Alysha), Courtney (Josh), Lindsay, Christina, Alex, Adam, Hayden, and Isla; great-grandchildren Leilan and Taylor, as well as his sister Adelia, and extended family in France and Italy. He is pre-deceased by his son Paul and his brother Tony.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Drs. Wankling, Mansour and Ahmed, and to all who cared for Sisto in his final days at the University Hospital of Northern BC.

A service celebrating Sisto’s life will be held on July 27th at 2 PM at Lakewood Funeral Home at 1055 Ospika Blvd, Prince George, BC.

Obituaries In Memoriam In Memoriam

Sisto Zanette

January 21st, 1928 - July 16th, 2021

Dieter Heinz Pfrang

September 20, 1954 - April 22, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dieter Heinz Pfrang.

Predeceased by his, mother Greta Pfrang, father Frank Pfrang, brothers: Pete and Roland Pfrang.

Survived by his loving daughter Brittany Bourgeois Pfrang and her mother Val Bourgeois, numerous nieces and nephews and in laws. Also survived by special friends Ken and Karen Ross.

A Celebration of life will be held at a later date.

FERRIS - Doug & Arline

As you share the stories and the memories of how they lived their lives and how very much they meant, may you find comfort...

Doug Ferris

Sep 6, 1926 - Jun 24, 2021

Arline Ferris (nee Davis - nee Wilson)

Sep 7, 1939 - Jun 26, 2021

Doug is survived by his four sons; Pat (Patsy), Ken (Jasmine), David & Tim Ferris.

Arline is survived by her three children Debbie (Dave) Biese, Rae-Anne (Milton) Conn & Cal (Debby) Wilson.

Together they had many grandchildren and great grandchildren which they both cherished dearly.

They are together with all their loved ones that have preceded them.

Always loved and truly missed by all.

Happy Travels

Joann Barbara Cake - Daponte 1954-2021

Born August 6th, 1954 in Montreal, Québec. Passed away peacefully July 7th, 2021 surrounded by her family in Prince George, BC. She is survived by her beloved husband John Daponte, Her sons Joey-wife Tracy, Andy-wife Laura & Granddaughter Sophia, Her Sister’s Kandy-husband Kres, her Heart-Sister Diana-husband Monty. Her brother’s Tim & Davidwife Kim and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces & nephews. She is predeceased by her mother and father Theresa & Tom Cake. She was a long time supporter of PG Casino and Bingo charities and loved the sandy beaches of Mexico with John and their best friends Ron & Wendy Perron. Her last word was Love and she did that unconditionally her entire life. She will be missed dearly.

Her funeral was held at Assman’s Funeral Chapel 1908 Queensway, PG, BC July 12th, 2021.

Leif Leslie Tevely 1956-2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and tragic passing of Leif Leslie Tevely at the age of 65.

He will be profoundly missed by his partner Amber, daughter Jessica (Kevin), grandchildren Maddy & Max, stepmother Doreen Tevely, stepfather Art Reynolds, uncle Rolf Tevely, brother Mark (Bev), sister Kari (Doug), and many nieces and nephews. Leif was predeceased by his mother Dianne and father Leslie.

Leif loved his family, his friends, his bike, the ranch and retirement. He worked hard, lived well and gave his best in life. He was a man whom you could always count on. Leif touched the hearts of so many.

Rest in peace, we will meet again.

A Celebration of Life to be held on Monday July 26th, 2021 at 2:00 PM at JTNL Properties (old Ritchie Bros site) 1434 Old Cariboo HWY, Prince George, BC V2N 6S6

In Memory of

Sarah Agnus Hein

Born June 2, 1947 to the pre deceased parents

Mr and Mrs Peter Luggi of Stellat’en First Nation Sarah passed on peacefully at her home July 14th, 2021.

Beloved wife to Mikhel Hein, mother to her sons; Peter, Edward and Stan; Grandmother to; Gavin, Tamrah, Zander and Tye.

Sarah was from Stellat’en First Nation. She attended Lejac residential school and went on to complete her nursing degree. Sarah worked for over 50 years plus in nursing, including at Saint Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, Prince George Hospital, and here at CSFS. She was very proud to receive recognition from Prime Minister Trudeau for her 50 years of nursing service. Sarah worked for CSFS in many capacities including providing support to the Nursing Program, Care Aides, Maternal Child Health young mothers and babies, the Family Preservation Team, Mobile Diabetes Clinic, and recently was part of our foundational team who developed and provided the Nowh Guna Culture Training. Sarah is a proud member of the Frog clan and very knowledgeable of her tradition/culture and shared many of her traditional teachings.

We join Sarah’s husband, her sons, daughter in law, grandchildren and their families, sibling’s - including Mabel Louie, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, many friends and colleagues in profound grief for the loss of Sarah’s beautiful presence here on earth. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Canadian Cancer society in Sarah’s Name.

SARAH DUPONT 2x93.5

PGC002251

ElaineGiese

August14,1952-July11,2021

Ourbelovedmother,grandmother,sister,daughter,and aunt,ElaineGieseofPrinceGeorge,passedawayonJuly 11,2021.

Elaineisdearlymissedbyherlovingspouseof50years, GilbertDupont.Shelivesonintheheartsandmemories ofherandGilbert’sfourchildren:Sarah(Bruce),Amber, Andrew(Nikki),andBruce(Raquel).Shewasamotherto twins(AmberandAndrew)andgrandmothertoHailey AnnandMcKennaElaine(ofBruceandRaquel).

ElaineissurvivedbysiblingsKaren(Roger),Lloyd,Brian (Shelley),andMyrna(Lou),aswellashermother, Dorothy,andmanynieces,nephews,great-nieces,and great-nephews.Sheispre-deceasedbybrothersBruce andCalvin,fatherEverett,nephewEvan,andniece Brittany.

HerearlychildhoodyearsatEM&KSawmill’s"bushcamp" andatTaySchoolweresomeofherfavouritememories. SheattendedKellyRoadSchoolandwasagraduateof thePrinceGeorgeSecondarySchool(Classof1970). Elaine’sfirstjobwasasatelephoneoperatorwithBCTel andshelaterhadajobwithLakelandMillsbeforehaving children.

GilbertandSarahwishtothankDr.Roberts,Dr.Powell, Dr.HunterandthewonderfulnursesoftheBCCancer Agency(especiallyCorinna)fortheirtremendoussupport andcareofElaine.TheyalsowishtothankDr.Anekwe andthecompassionatenursesintheFamilyMedicine UnitPodC.AspecialthankyoutoElaine’sniece,Amy Giese,forhernursingexpertiseandlovingcareforher auntinherfinalweekswhileshewasinhospital.

MemorialdonationscanbemadetotheBCCancer AgencyortheUniversityHospitalofNorthernBritish Columbia.CardscanbesenttoGilbertDupontat3628 BellamyRoad,PrinceGeorge,BC,V2K3X2.

2x56.8 PGC002252

Nordin,FayE. March09,1935-July07,2021

Itiswithgreatsadnessthatweannouncethepassingof FayNordin.SheleavesbehindsisterElsie,sonBruce (Tipawon),daughterWendy,son-in-lawTerry(Dhanna), grandsonsLeigh(Sydney)andColin(Kelsey),great granddaughterTh’a:le,herManxcatKitty,andmany treasuredfriendsandfamily.Shewaspredeceasedbyher husbandLawrencein2012andherdaughterLauriein 2015.

FaywasbornandraisedinPrinceGeorge.Shemarried Lawrencein1954andtogethertheymadeahomeand raisedafamilyinthecommunityofNukkoLake.She lovedhercountryhomeandtheircabinonBobtailLake. Fayworkedinadministrativesupportandasaninstructor attheCollegeofNewCaledonia,retiringin1987. Sheisdearlymissedbyallwholovedher.

SpecialthankstoDrsGeddes,AttiaandYouseffandthe lovelyhomecareworkersandnurseswhocaredforherin thelastmonths.

Eleanor May Simmie (Perry)

April 17, 1939February 10, 2021

Eleanor (81), passed away peacefully in Edmonton with her family by her side after a short battle with cancer. She was a loving mother, grandmother and wife that will always be remembered for her love for cooking, reading and higher education. Her long career as a RN and commitment to Eastern Star is something that guided her and instilled the values that she embraced throughout her life. Eleanor is predeceased by her husband Beverly James (Corky), her mother and father (Iva & Roy Perry) and leaves behind her two daughters (JaNeen & Jennifer) and her five grandchildren (Morgan, Sienna, Graeme, James and Sophia).

Rest in peace Mom xoxo

“When stars shine in the sky, a little light enters our hearts for we know you look down on us”

Ken Rash 1945-2021

Survived by his wife Jackie, sisters; Ethel Penner, Madeline Rash, Ann Hoffman, Esther Hanson; brother Preston Rash and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was predeceased by his parents Henry Ray and Helena Rash, half brothers Henry and Joe; half sisters Lorraine, Thelma and Martha; sisters Joyce, Lucy and Rebecca; brothers Ray, David, Daniel and Herb.

Arrangements in care of Assman’s Funeral Chapel.

KATIE SCHMID

2x70.8

PGC002244

SCHMID,Peter

December17,1959-July02,2021

ItiswithheavyheartsthatthefamilyofPeterSchmid announcehispassingonFriday,July2ndattheageof61 years.Peterislovinglyrememberedbyhiswifeof36 yearsDiane,theirthreechildrenKatie(Glen),David (Marlee),andKirsten,fivegrandchildrenOlivia,Liam, Dean,Owen,andHannah,motherLisa,sistersJosie,and Doris(Stephen),andbrotherFritz(Odette).Hewas predeceasedbyhisfatherPeterSchmid.

Aloverofallanimals,iftherewasacatnearbyitwassure tobeinhislap.AnyonewhoknewPetercanattesttohis incrediblesenseofhumour.Peterwasneverafraidtogo theextramiletogetasmileorlaughtobrighten someone’sday.

Peterenjoyedafulllife,workingatSafewayasamanager alloverBCfor32years,whilealsovolunteeringasan RCMPAuxiliary.HethenworkedatAskew’sinSicamous for13years.Inhissparetime,Petercouldbefound drivingtourbuses,camping,metaldetecting,building birdhouses,andstarting(andsometimesevenfinishing) projectsaroundthehouseandyard.

WewouldliketothankthestaffatbothUHNBCandLions GateHospital,alongwithfamilyandfriendswhohave reachedoutwiththeirloveandsupport.

WENDY NORDIN

Business Opportunities

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Established Franchise Photography Business

Serving Northern B.C for over 35 years

Gross Revenues of $150.000 plus annually from seasonal work

Lots of opportunity to expand the business. Transition support available to the right buyer

Serious Enquiries Only

Office 250-596-9199

Cell 250-981-1472

Career Opportunities

NWCDC PAEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

LocatedinVanderhoof, B.C.Thisisatemporary fulltime(35hr/week) positionfromAug9/21Jan1/22.ParentalLeave Coverage.Relocation fundsavailable. hr@nwcdc.ca www.nwcdc.ca

Trades Help

PEACEVALLEYINDUSTRIES

(2016)LTDQUALIFIED JOURNEYMANWELDERS

PeaceValleyIndustriesis currentlylookingfor QualifiedJourneyman WeldersforChetwyndB.C. Minimum5years experience.Pleaseemail resume to peacevalley@uniserve.com. Nophonecallsplease. peacevalley@uniserve.com

Trucking & Transport

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Established Franchise Tax Preparation Business Mackenzieservicing and McLeod Lake area for over 30 years.

Gross Revenues of $85,000 to $90,000 Annually and Potential to expand revenues in a growing economy. Transition support available for the right buyer.

Serious Inquires Only Office (250)997-9003 Home (250)997-5538 Cell (250)990-0152

Dollar Saver Lumber has openings for the following positions:

La bourers

PL aNer

FeeDer ( FT)

• Gr aDers ( FT or PT )

for 1x4, 1x3 in 8’, 7’ 6’ & 5’ lengths) Will pay competitive wages

Please apply in person to:

Dollar Saver Lumber Attn: Ken 9359 Nor thern Cres Prince George, BC or email keyles@lumber.ca or gobbi1@telus.net Fax: 250.561.2111

Lost

LOST black eyeglass cloth bag containing a small vial of ashes and a beaded bumblebee. (250)552-1196 Reward offered.

Toys/Games/Puzzles

Alot of used & new puzzles. $5-$15 each. 778-675-4716

Personal Messages

ANYONE with a drinking problem? Alcoholics Anonymous, www.bcyukonaa.org 250-564-7550

BC

Dollar Saver lumber operates a lumber remanufacturing operation in Prince George We currently have an opportunity in our management group for a Sales Production Coordinator.

This position is responsible to perform the following functions:

• Co-ordinate purchase of raw material to meet mill requirements

• Co-ordinate shipments of finished products to existing customers.

• Work with Mill Manager to ensure optimal inventories are maintained.

• Communicate with customers to ensure their needs are being met.

Preference will be given for persons:

• Who have an understanding of sawmill operations familiarity with lumber grades and sizes

• Good computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

Successful candidate will possess the following qualities:

• The ability to deal with customer needs in a calm constructive manner

• The ability to adjust to rapidly changing conditions and developments

• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team

The position offers:

• A competitive salary and benefit package

• Opportunity to work in and exciting dynamic environment.

• Opportunity for advancement.

Please submit your resume to Frank Skerlak, General Sales Manager at fskerlak@lumber.ca or Bev at: gobbi1@telus.net Only those persons chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Mills/Equipment

1998 KENWORTH with mixer trailer, white. $120,000. 617-3373

Art & Collectibles

A LOT Of 45 & LPs. All kinds $5$40 each, 778-675-4716

COLLECTOR PURCHASING COINS & COIN COLLECTIONS! BUYING OLD COINS, ROLLS OF COINS, BANK BAGS OF COINS, RARE COINS, COLLECTOR COINS, OLYMPIC COINS, OLD PAPER MONEY, PRE 1968 COINS, ROYAL CANADIAN MINT COINS, US MINT, COLLECTIONS +. WANTED CANADA, USA & WORLD COLLECTIONS! Todd’s Coins 1-250-8643521

Bedroom/Bedding

Hospital bed : ETUDE-HC bed kit. Very lightly used. includes: Beech head and foot board, power operated head and foot deck sections, 4 function control pendant with function lock outs (mattress not included) $2000 250 964-9417 pics at http://invacare.ca/doc_files/Etu de_Booklet.pdf

Firewood

BIRCH Firewood in 20 foot lengths. Delivered by dumptruck load. $800. or bucked to length $950 per load delivered 250-6146667

SAWMILL, 48” head rig, hand set, completely rebuilt, $8000 obo plus parts. 250-441-3242

Sheds/Outbuildings

NEW 30’ x 50’ All Steel Commercial shop, never assembled, c/w complete set of drawings and engineer cert. Has straight outside walls, 1 12’ x 14’ service door opening, 1 3’ man door opening, inside clearance 16’, roof has 3/ 12 pitch that is 20’ high at peak. Outside wall cladding painted tan. $30, 000 Call Bob 250-983-3372

BUYING OLD JEWELRY Gold, Silver & costume jewelry! Charm bracelets, rings, chains, necklaces, pocket watch chains, watches, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, brooches, coins, all old jewelry WANTED, QUALITY, ESTATE,

Apartments / Condos-For Sale

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

Houses for Sale

4 bdrm house - 2 bdrms upstairs, kitchen, bathroom completely renovated. 2 bdrms basement need upgrading. Stove, fridge, blinds inc. Buy now before the price goes up. $338,000 2679 Queensway St. Will consider trade of a motor home, newer trailer or truck. 250-981-3583

Property For Sale

“DUNSTER PROPERTY FOR SALE” 115 acres with 1/2 mile Fraser River frontage. 10 acres Island. 15 acres cleared. Mixed forest. 100% reliable water source. Log cabin attached to mobile home. Water line and hydro. Easy access. Mountainscape views. Private. 250-479-5545

2294 Queensway St. Fully service, C6 zoning, will take partial trade of motorhome, trailer or pick-up. $128,000 (250) 981-3583

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

Recreational Property

1000sq m building lot, #L72NCorintoPearleco-development Honduras. Contact Recap Investments, Toronto 1-888-212-8584 for more info and owner 250-5634999 $35,000 Canadian

RFP-BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTINGSERVICES

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA 2x35.4

PGC002249

TheUniversityofNorthernBritishColumbiaChildcare Society(the"Society")islocatedontheUniversityPrince Georgecampusandofferschildcareservicesto Universityemployeesandstudents.

TheSocietyisseekingacontractortoprovideAccounting andBookkeepingServicesincludingpayrollfor~20.

Companiesshouldhaveexperiencewithaccounting, NoticetoReaderengagements,generalbookkeeping,and reportingforaBCnon-profit.

UNBCisrunningthissolicitationonbehalfoftheSociety. Interestedpartiesmaycontact: michelle.mckinnon@unbc.ca

ClosingDate:July28,2021

Warehouseman’s Lien Ac t TAKE NOTICE

Pursuant to Section 4 of the Warehouseman’s Lien Ac t, the motor vessel:

described as Sea Cruise ex 29766 will be sold by private sale on July 29th 2021, to satisfy the indebtedness of Roderick Johnson in the sum of $17,915.62

described as Slide Bay ex 23780 will be sold by private sale on July 29th 2021, to satisfy the indebtedness of Jason Groven in the sum of $26,857.44

described as Pelican Houseboat will be sold by private sale on July 29th 2021, to satisfy the indebtedness of David Macrae in the sum of $22,219.79.

TODAY'S PUZZLE ANSWERS Sudoku Answers

The vessel may be viewed at Port Edward and offers made in writing to the Port Edward Harbour Authority, PO Box 1820, 200 Bayview Drive, Port Edward, BC, VOV 1 GO

The sale will be on a where is-as is Vessels must be removed from PEHA Highest offer or any offer not necessarily accepted

THIS WEEKEND GARAGE SALES

Draft Master Plan for Expansion - Tabor Mountain Ski Resort

Tabor Mountain Sk i Resor t Ltd. has submitted a draft Master Plan to the Ministr y of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) for review and approval, consistent with the All-Seasons Resor t Polic y. The draft Master Plan details the proposed expansion and development concepts to suppor t all-seasons resor t purposes

Public Information Session

The Province and Tabor Mountain Sk i Resor t invite the public to attend an Online Information Session on August 4, 2021 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm (PST )

The link for the session will be posted at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/ natural-resource-use/resort-development/proposed-approved-resort-master-plans/list-ofproposed-plans/tabor-mountain-ski-resort-master-plan-review/tabor-mountain-masterplan-review-public-engagement Note: The recording will be available following the session. Please refer to the website link above for more information and details as they become available

Projec t Review Information

The draft Master Plan as well as suppor ting project review information is available online at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resort-development/ proposed-approved-resort-master-plans/list-of-proposed-plans/tabor-mountain-ski-resortmaster-plan-review Hard copies will not be made available due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

Public Comments

FLNRORD is requesting comments from the public regarding the Tabor Mountain Sk i Resor t Draft Master Plan. Comments can be submitted online at https://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ applications (search for file 7407307) or mailed to Mountain Resor ts Branch, 510 – 175 2nd Ave., Kamloops BC V2C 5W1. The deadline for comments is 4:30 pm on August 20, 2021.

Disclaimer

This regulatory advertisement is paid for by the proponent as part of the Master Plan Review process. It does not constitute approval of the development project by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Please refer to file 7407307 in all correspondence.

How to liven up grey-painted rooms

Greyisacommonwallcolourbecauseitworkswellwithmosthomedecor styles. However, sometimes painting a room this colour can make it look coldandsterile.Here’showtoensureyourgrey-paintedinterioriswarmand inviting.

USE THE RIGHT MATERIALS

Introduce warmth and depth to a grey room by styling it with items made ofnaturalmaterials.Chooserattan,wicker,woolandlinenforyourfurniture and decorative items. Wood is a good choice for tables, chairs and floors.Includingplantswilladdlifeandcolourtothespace.

PLAY WITH ACCENT COLOURS

In order to add interest to your grey interior, choose one or two accent colours.Ifyoupreferasoftlook,optforpasteltonessuchasblushpink,butter yelloworskyblue.Ifyouprefertomakeastatement,considerneonorjewel tones.When used minimally in an otherwise neutral room, they won’t be overwhelming.

Lastly, be sure to choose a neutral grey with no warm or cool undertones. This will guarantee that your walls match everything, allowing you to changeyourdecorwithoutrepainting.

Landscaping against wildfires

Every year in Canada, wildfires devastate an averageof2.5millionhectaresofland.While the sheer destructive power of this force of natureisn’tsomethingwehumanshavemuch control over on a large scale, there are a few measuresindividuals cantake tohelp protect theirpropertyagainstfire.Hereareafewtips forfire-resistantlandscaping.

MAINTAIN A DEFENSIBLE SPACE

The areas closest to your home and other structures are most critical when it comes to defending against fire; this buffer zone of sortsisknownas“defensiblespace.”Dependingonthesizeofyourproperty,yourdefensible space should be between 10 and 30 metressurroundingyourhome

KEEP IT CLEAN

There should be as little plant fuel as possible within your defensible space. Get rid

of any dead vegetation, including dead shrubs and trees, dried flowers and grass, and fallen leaves and needles Move piles of firewood outside the defensible space during fire season.

KEEP IT LEAN

Landscaping should be minimal within your defensiblespace.Agrasslawnwithfewtrees and shrubs is a good barrier against fire plants that grow low to the ground are preferable. Trees should be at least three metres apartatcrownlevel.Pruneawayanybranches within three metres of your home or other structure.

KEEP IT GREEN

Properirrigationisessentialforplantswithin thedefensiblespace.Inspectyourplantsregularlyandgetridofanydryordeadmaterial.Choosefire-resistantvarietieswithlow waterneeds,such asherbaceous plants(bulbs, groundcovers,annualandperennialflowers)and deciduoustrees Avoidevergreens, whicharehighly flammable

Keepthearea closesttoyour homeclean, leanandgreento helpdefendyour propertyagainst wildfires.

Weeping willows: what you need to know

The weeping willow has long, cascading branchesandmakesanattractiveadditionto mostgardens.AlthoughnativetoChina,this species now grows all around the world. However,it’snotyouraveragetree.Hereare three things to consider before planting a weepingwillowonyourproperty.

THEY GROW QUICKLY

Weeping willows can grow more than a metre (three feet) every year in height and width.Afull-growntreecanbeupto15metres (50 feet) high and 12 metres (40 feet) across. The root system also grows quickly andextensively Thistypeoftreemusttherefore be planted far from buildings, septic tanks and sidewalks, as well as underground sewer, waterandpowerlines.

THEY NEED A LOT OF WATER

Weepingwillowsthriveinmoist locations. The best place to plantoneisnearabodyoffresh water, such a pond or river, whereitcandrinkasmuchasit needs.

THEY’RE MESSY

Weeping willows frequently shed their leaves, twigs and branches,soifyouplantoneon yourproperty,you’llneedtoregularly tidy up after it. For this reason, you should plant it away from your home, pool and driveway to prevent damage caused by falling branches.

In short, a weeping willow tree makes a beautiful addition to a large property with a body of fresh water Otherwise, it may become be a hazard or an inconvenience.

OPEN HOUSES

THURSDAY 5:30 -7:00 124 Douglas St •$399,900

Modern3bedroom, 2bathhome with private backyard Updatedkitchen, bathrooms,floors,and new vinyl windows.Carport, shed,new HWT, and updatedfurnace. RebeccaWorthington

SUNDAY 12:00-1:00

202 1683 6th Ave•$295,000

2bed,2 bath lovely updatedunit in desirable Willows complex! AshleyWoodsand Brian Steinhauser

SUNDAY 2:00 -3:00

2555 Upland Street •$344,900 4bed /2 bath /1808 sf Fresh paintand new flooring Suitepotential Large privateyard. AngelineUrysty

THURSDAY

-7:00

SUNDAY 1:00 -3:00 1710 6th Ave•$365,000

Beautiful well kept home locatedinthe crescents. Close to the hospitalshopping and amenities of downtownPrinceGeorge BonnyGriffith and Lisa O’Neill

SUNDAY 2:00 -3:00

3506 Blackburn Rd S•$312,000

Perfectfor downsizers or thosejust starting outthis home is move-in ready Davy Greenleesand Janine Phillips

SUNDAY 2:00-3:30

SUNDAY 2:30-3:30

1220 Cuddie Cres. $299,900 MLS #2599801

Cute starterhome or investmentwith severalupdates. Lots of privacyinthe backyard,lovely flower gardens,& terrific neighbours on both sides! Lori Cruddas and Michelle Legere

207 Trader Cres. Prince George $409,900

Great home with 3 bdrms/1 bath up and 1 bdrm plus den suite down. Newer kitchens, laminate flooring and separate laundry’s.

Located on a quiet cul-desac, this 4 bdrm , 2 bath with newer rec-room is an affordable first time home or great investment property.

The advantages of permeable paving

Permeable pavers, such as interlocking stones, can be used to build driveways, walkways and patios. Here’s why they’re agreatchoice.

THEY REDUCE RUNOFF

Permeable paving allows water to seep intotheground.Thismeansrunoffisless likelytopoolonthesurfaceorendupin the sewer system. Consequently, you’ll havefewerpuddleswhenitrainsandless icebuildupwhenit’scold.Permeablepavers also reduce the risk of flooding and erosion.

THEY KEEP CITIES COOLER

Permeablepaversremaincoolerthanasphalt because they’re paler and absorb lesssunlight.Thismakesthemparticular-

lysuitedforcitieswherelargeamountsof asphalt create urban heat islands. In fact, some cities are beginning to make permeable paving a requirement for certain projects.

THEY’RE

A GOOD INVESTMENT

Permeable pavers are easy to install because they don’t require the ground to be compacted beforehand.They’re also more durablethanasphaltsotheycostlessinthe longrun.Plus,they can increase the value ofyourhome.

Lastly, permeable pavers can help filter out pollutants and replenish the water tablewithcleanwater Thismakesthema particularly great choice for ecoconsciousconsumers.

4 backyard shade solutions

If your property doesn’t provide you with enoughshade,herearefourstylishstructures thatcangiveyouabreakfromthesun.

1. AN AWNING

This type of device can be rolled out over a patio or deck when you need shade and is easilyretractedwhennotinuse.However,it needs to be secured to an exterior wall first. Although typically controlled by a hand crank, some newer models open and close withthepressofabutton

2. A FREESTANDING GAZEBO

This sturdy structure consists of a metal frame with four pillars and a canvas roof. Some models include curtains that can be closedforprivacyortoblockthesun.

3. AN ARBOUR

This classic garden feature is often used to create an entryway. However, since its archesaretypicallylinedwithvinesandother climbingplants,itcanalsoofferrespitefrom thesun.

4. A FOLDING CANOPY

Thistemporarystructurecanbeunfoldedand setupwithinminutes.It’sapracticalsolution for backyard parties and picnics when you needtoaccommodateanumberofguests.

Allofthesestructurescanprovideyouwith ample shade and a comfortable place to lounge in your backyard. This summer, minimize the risk ofgetting sunburned byinstallingoneormoreofthesedevices.

How many bathrooms should you have in your home?

Ifyou’rebuildinganewhomeorwanttorenovateanexistingproperty,you maybewonderinghowmanybathroomsyoushouldinstall.Herearesome tipstohelpyoumaketherightchoice.

KNOW THE DIFFERENT TYPES

Bathrooms can be categorized as full baths, three-quarter baths, half baths and quarter baths. Full bathrooms have a sink, toilet, shower and bathtub. Three-quarter baths have a shower, sink and toilet but no tub. Half baths, also known as powder rooms, only have a sink and toilet. Quarter baths havejustatoilet.

ASSESS YOUR FAMILY’S NEEDS

It’s important to consider how many people are in your family as well as theiraccessibilityrequirements.Forexample,abathtubmaybedifficultfor a person with limited mobility to step over, but it’s convenient for bathing young children. If you have teenagers, an extra full bath or three-quarter bathisprobablyawiseinvestment.

KEEP THE LONG TERM IN MIND

You should be mindful of the future when installing or renovating a bathroom.Inadditiontoconsideringhowtheneedsofyourfamilymembers are likely to change over time, you should think about how your choices mayimpacttheresalevalueofyourproperty

Ifyouneedadviceonyourrenovationproject,consultabuildingcontractor inyourarea.