Prince George Citizen June 9, 2022 by Prince George Citizen

ON THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE LHEIDLI T’ENNEH

THURSDAY, June 9, 2022

Sandblast memories

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

One of the most unique things to happen in Prince George has to be the Sandblast — the annual race down the cutbanks using skis, snowboards, bikes or just about anything.

The Prince George Citizen has unearthed some photos from the mid2000s and is looking to speak with anyone who was involved with this iconic event to stroll down memory lane to get a first-hand account of what it was really like to participate in the Sandblasts.

But first, here’s what we do know: The Sandblasts eventually became an event where people raced unconventional objects down the cutbanks, but it actually started in 1971 as a summer skiing competition.

The first Sandblast saw participants race down the sand on the steep cutbanks using snow skis. The Exploration Place actually has the pair of skis that Bob Nelmes used to win the first-ever Sandblast competition.

Doug Balko and his bike parted ways mid course and the bike went on without him during the Sandblast in 2002.

Although the Sandblasts are now a relic of a bygone era, memories and old footage of the events resurfaces on the internet once in a while. sent five people to the hospital and ultimately ended the competition. the 32nd annual Sandblast, was featured on the Discovery Channel in 2008 during episode of Destroyed in Seconds So what exactly went down?

Meet Mr. P.G.’s biggest fan

CHRISTINE HINZMANN Citizen staff

Ever wonder who was making those little wooden Mr. PG statues that keep popping up everywhere?

Doreen Denicola, at 61 years old, took over in 1990 when AiMHi shut down their woodworking shop where the little wooden statues had been made for years. She didn’t stop making the little guys until 2012 when she was 83. She made 243 dozen of the little icon throughout those years That’s 2,916 Mr. PGs in 22 years. During the last 10 years Peter Melnik took over and Mrs Denicola is forever grateful to him for doing that, she said.

Mr. PG was the brainchild of Harold Moffat in the 1950s who wanted to showcase the forest industry in the Prince George region and thought a local version of Paul Bunyan might do the trick Mr. PG has seen many variations over the years, including being a parade float mascot that was hinged at the waist so that he could avoid power lines and fit under bridges

“He looked like he was bowing to the crowd – it was quite charming to see him in action,” Mrs. Denicola recalled.

See BECAUSE on page 4

See COUCH CRASH on page 14

WHAT:

City Council consideration of:

•Two (2) Liquor Licence Applications

PUBLIC HEARINGS /CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS

Public hearings for City Council consideration of thirdreadings of:

•“City of Prince George Official Community Plan No. 8383, 2011, Amendment Bylaw No. 9237, 2021”

•“City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9238, 2021”

WHEN:

Monday,June 13, 2022

WHERE:

Council Chambers of City Hall, 2nd Floor,1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC

PROPOSALS:

1. Liquor Licence Application No. LL100175

Applicant: Andrea Legault for 1034857 B.C. Ltd., Inc. No. BC1034857

Subject Property: 1165 5th Avenue

Time: 6:00 p.m.

The applicant has applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) to permit the use of aseasonal rooftop patio at the Black Clover Pub located on the subject property

This application will facilitate the continued use of the seasonal rooftop patio which is temporarily permitted under the LCRB’sTemporary Expanded Service Area (TESA) authorization.

The hours of liquor service arenot proposed to be changed with the application as follows:

•Monday –Sunday: 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

The occupancy load is proposed to be increased as follows: •From300 patrons to 400 patrons.

The Liquor Licence Application applies to the property legally described as Parcel CofBlock 165, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #1 below

Notice of City Council’sdecision will be forwarded to the LCRB for their review and final determination on this Application.

Location Map #1 1165 5th Avenue

2. Liquor Licence Application No. LL100181

Applicant: Walter McCue for Tandoori Nation Restaurants Ltd., Inc. No. BC0955630

Subject Property: 1232 and 1244 3rdAvenue

Time: 6:00 p.m.

The applicant has applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) to change their existing Liquor Primary Licence located on the subject properties.

This application will facilitate an increase in liquor service by two hours for the Ignite Night Club (formerly known as Generator Entertainment Services Limited). The hours of liquor service are proposed to be changed with the application as follows:

•FromMonday –Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. to Monday –Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Thereare no proposed changes to the existing occupancy load.

The Liquor Licence Application applies to the properties legally described as Lots 13 and 14, Block 44, District Lot 343, Cariboo District, Plan 1268, as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #2 below

Notice of City Council’sdecision will be forwarded to the LCRB for their review and final determination on this Application.

Location Map #2 1232 and 1244 3rdAvenue

3. “City of Prince George Ofﬁcial Community Plan Bylaw No. 8383, 2011, Amendment Bylaw No. 9237, 2021” AND “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9238, 2021”

Applicant: Kirk Gable for Roswitha Friedmann

Subject Property: 2361 and 2385 Hart Highway

Time: 7:00 p.m.

The purpose of these applications is to amend the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to allow the existing houses on the subject properties to be consistent with the existing residential uses. The subject bylaws apply to the properties legally described as Lots 1and 2, District Lot 4377, Cariboo District, Plan 9186 as shown outlined in bold black on Location Map #3 below

1. “City of Prince George Ofﬁcial Community Plan Bylaw No. 8383, 2011, Amendment Bylaw No. 9237, 2021”

Bylaw No. 9237, 2021 proposes to amend “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 8383, 2011” by re-designating the subject property from Business District, Service Commercial to Neighbourhood Residential, as shown on Appendix “A” to Bylaw 9237, 2021.

2. “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9238, 2021” Bylaw No. 9238, 2021 proposes to amend “City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007” by rezoning the subject property from C4: Local Commercial to RT2: Two-Unit Residential as shown on Appendix “A” to Bylaw No. 9238, 2021.

Location Map #3 2361 and 2385 Hart Highway

HOW CAN IPROVIDE

PUBLIC HEARINGS/ CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS

COMMENT?

Members of the public who believe their interest in property is affected by the proposed bylaws areinvited to provide comments to Council by the methods noted below

Members of the public wishing to provide comments to Council on the following Applications may only do so by submitting comments in writing:

•Liquor Licence Application LL100175; and

•Liquor Licence Application LL100181.

Members of the public wishing to provide comments to Council on the following Bylaws may do so by submitting comments in writing or via telephone or in person during the Public Hearing:

•“City of Prince George Official Community Plan No. 8383, 2011, Amendment Bylaw No. 9237, 2021”; and

•“City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 9238, 2021”.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS

Written comments received by the Corporate Officer before 5:00 p.m., Tuesday,June 7, 2022 will be available on the published meeting agenda for Council’sreview in advance of the meeting date. Written comments received after the noted deadline and before 12:00 p.m., Monday, June 13, 2022 will be provided to Council on the day of the meeting for their consideration during deliberations on the application.

Written comments may be sent by email to cityclerk@princegeorge.ca, faxed to (250)561-0183, or mailed or delivered to the address noted on the bottom of this Notice.

Written comments will form part of the Council agenda, become public record, and areposted on the City’swebsite. By submitting awritten comment, you areconsenting to the disclosureofany personal information that you provide.

ATTEND BY TELEPHONE

To participate in the Public Hearing by telephone, members of the public should dial into the meeting at least 10 minutes beforethe start of the Public Hearing by calling 1-877-708-3350, Access Code: 1269574#.

ATTEND IN PERSON

Members of the public who wish to speak to Council in person can do so during the Public Hearing in Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of City Hall at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 13, 2022

City of Prince George open Council meetings arepublic and may be televised, streamed live by webcast, recorded, and archived on the City’swebsite for viewing by the public. By attending an open Council meeting or making asubmission at apublic hearing, you areconsenting to the disclosureofany personal information that you provide.

For moredetailed 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?

Acopy of the proposed bylaws, applications, 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,June 1, 2022.These documents may also be reviewed at the Development Services office on the 2nd Floor of City Hall on June 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 13, 2022 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

WHO CAN ISPEAK TO?

For moreinformation, please contact Development Services in person, by telephone at (250)561-7611, or by email to devserv@princegeorge.ca.

Brutal stabbing death earns man 15 years

MARK NIELSEN Citizen staff

A man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for stabbing a woman to death in her Prince George apartment was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without eligibility for parole for 15 years.

In issuing the sentence to Dennis Daniel Gladue, 38, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Gordon Weatherill endorsed a joint submission presented by Crown and defence counsel during a hearing the day before.

According to an agreed statement of facts, Gladue murdered Christin Marion West, 35, on Aug. 2, 2021 and her body was found five days later.

That Gladue pleaded guilty early in the process and is Indigenous failed to earn him the minimum 10 year without eligibility for parole.

The term fell in the mid-range of the 10-to-25 years allowed under the Criminal Code and was in the upper range of the 12-15 years case law suggests is appropriate given the circumstances, Weatherill said, noting West was an Indigenous woman who was murdered in her own home by a person she knew.

Also working against Gladue was evidence that West had been stabbed at least 33 times and that some of the wounds appeared defensive in nature as the victim tried to ward off her attacker. Gladue also admitted to covering her in a blanket and then pouring bleach on her

before leaving the scene in her car. His criminal record also came into play. It includes two convictions for assaulting common law spouses, one for assaulting his mother and one for sexual interference involving a young girl for which he was sentenced to five years in prison.

Gladue has also been convicted several times of breaching release orders and alcohol played a “significant role” in most of the offences, Weatherill noted.

Weatherill found Gladue’s actions in the death of Christin West amounted to “moral culpability at the high end of the spectrum.”

Weatherill recounted a troubled upbringing for Gladue. Heavy alchol consumption and drug abuse had been part of his life since age 14 and by age 17 was out living on his own. Although Gladue had spent some time living with West in her apartment, his primary home at the time of her death was an encampment in downtown Prince George.

Gladue’s background was “all too common among Indigenous persons who come before the courts,” Weatherill said.

The outcome drew a mixed reaction.

“It’s justice but it doesn’t feel like it because she’s gone,” West’s sister Nicole West said.

“It relieves the pain that was being born but it will never bring her back,” mother Beatrice West said as a drumming circle in memory of Christin West was held outside the courthouse following the hearing.

Drunk drivers nabbed

Prince George RCMP impounded four vehicles last Sunday night after finding their drivers had too much to drink at a College Heights softball diamond.

Members of the detachment’s municipal traffic services unit were patrolling the area of Domano Boulevard and St. Lawrence Avenue when they noticed several vehicles leaving a field and conducted some pullovers between 9-10 p.m.

Three of the drivers produced a “fail” reading on an approved screening device and were issued 90-day driving prohibitions and their vehicles were impounded for 30 days. A fourth driver produced a “warn” reading was issued a three-day driving prohibition and their vehicle was impounded for three days.

“Make alternative arrangements to get home safely without putting yourself and motorists around you in jeopardy,” Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said. “Police will continue to be on patrol for impaired drivers in our community throughout the summer.”

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Nicole and Beatrice West, sister and mother of murder victim Christin West, give their reaction to the sentencing of Dennis Gladue as Brenda Wilson, left, looks on during a drumming circle at the courthouse last Wednesday.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia

Tuesday,July 5, 2022 at 11:00am Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort Harbour Room 100 Harbour Road Victoria, BC V9A 061

The Land Titleand Survey Authority of British Columbia (LTSA) is apublicly accountable, statutory corporation. Established under the Land Title and Survey AuthorityAct, the LTSA is responsible for operating British Columbia’s land title and survey systems.

The LTSA Annual Report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022 will be accessible on the LTSA website at www.ltsa.ca on June 24, 2022. Copies will also be available at the AnnualGeneral Meeting.

‘Because I love Mr. P.G.’

Continued from page 1

A three-foot tall version of him that mysteriously disappeared during a Lions’ Club European tour was turned into a beer tap in a Scottish pub to be discovered by Prince George residents on holiday years later. After some negotiating with the pub owner he was brought back to where he belonged. He’s on display at Exploration Place right now and he’s wearing a kilt.

Finally for all to see is the metal version of the icon at the crossroads of Highway 16 and 97. He is made of metal because the wooden version was lit on fire so often the City of Prince George, who owns the trademark, gave up on it and made him fire proof.

In 1990, Mrs. Denicola couldn’t just let Mr. PG disappear as the face of Prince George when the AiMHi woodshop shut down and after many men were approached to create the miniature souvenir versions and everyone rejected the project as too much tiny detailed woodworking she decided she’d take on the task herself.

“He was about to disappear because we couldn’t get anybody to make the small guy,” Mrs. Denicola said. “I was craft oriented and did all manner of crafts and I didn’t see why I couldn’t do that guy so all I needed was a band saw and a drill press

Doreen Denicola, now 93, made the wooden Mr. PG statues for 22 years.

and I was in business.”

So her beloved husband Armand Denicola got her the tools she needed and taught her how to use them and away she went creating the little wooden man with the tiny doweling feet by the dozens and dozens and dozens.

“You have to risk your fingers creating the tiny pieces with the bandsaw when you’re making him,” she said.

And why did she take that risk?

“Because I love Mr. PG,” Mrs. Denicola laughed.

NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION

What: Temporary Use Permit No. 264

When and Where:

1:30 p.m., Thursday,June 16, 2022 Regional District BoardRoom 155 George Street, Prince George BC

Owner: Valorie Radley

Proposal: The purpose of Temporary Use Permit No. 264 is to allow Recreational Vehicle Storage Facility use on the subject property for athree-year period. The subject property is legally described as District Lot 1532 Cariboo District, Except Plans A98, 20387, 30940, PGP42927 And BCP37998 and is located at 15470 Miworth Rd.

Need moreinfo? Acopy of the proposed Permit and any relevant background materials areavailable for review by the public on the Regional District’swebsite at http://www rdffg.bc.ca/services/development/landuse-planning/current-applications/ or at the Regional District ofﬁce, Monday through Friday,8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., between May 30 and June 16, 2022. Appointments arepreferred.

Who can Ispeak to? Daniel Burke, Planner II, 250-960-4400

MOCCASIN WALK The Lheidli T’enneh held the inaugural Moccasin Walk on Saturday at the health centre. About 100 people gathered for the walk that raised more than $21,000 for the Elder Society.

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

After two years, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation will be officially hosting National Indigenous People’s Day (NIPD) celebrations on June 21.

The event was cancelled in an official capacity for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is now coming back for an all-day event at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.

It will feature everything from drumming, singing, Elders stories, displays, kids’ activities and food.

This year the schedule is also planned with cultural activities and live entertainment going all the way from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. in the evening.

School District No. 57 (SD57) is also participating in Indigenous Day events and will be bussing in students from throughout the district to join in the celebrations.

“It has been two years since we’ve had fun, so we want this to be a celebration for First Nations and other cultures that are going to be there,” said Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan.

She said National Indigenous Peoples Day is an opportunity for everyone to gather, and celebrate Indigenous culture and traditions but mostly it’s a day to have fun.

“This year SD57 is going to be bringing the kids so we plan on having fun and what is more fun than food, dancing, music and kids,” said Logan.

Renters post family pics to appeal to landlords

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff

Right now people are posting their family photos to find housing they can afford in Prince George.

Kristy is a single mom of two young boys and an unusually well-behaved kitty, it says on her post on Kijiji.

She hopes her post will inspire the right landlord to reach out and provide the home she so desperately needs.

“If I don’t get a place by the end of the month I will be on the streets with my two boys,” Kristy said, who has lived in her present home for more than six years. It’s the only home the boys, who are three and five, have ever known. “It’s my job to provide a safe stable home for them and I feel like I’m failing as a mother.”

She’s gone to BC Housing and the Aboriginal Housing Society and she’s on their lists with no word yet of a spot.

“I’ve heard from the odd landlord and when I go to the place it’s either too small or it’s not available when I need it. The place I looked at today was damaged and wouldn’t be ready in time because he’s got to fix everything. I just need a home now and I’m really tired of looking.”

Kristin is a mom of three young boys with a partner with a steady job and she recently posted her ‘In Search Of’ ad because it worked the first time she did it

for the house they currently rent and now she’s looking to stay in the same neighbourhood – Heritage – so her kids can go to the same school.

“We wanted to be up front with our family circumstances so that we wouldn’t have to keep going back and forth with a potential landlord,” Kristin.

And maybe they’ll find a match more easily, she added.

“We’re just praying that it works,” Kristin said. “I’ve checked the rentals 100 times a day and we haven’t found anything yet.”

Her current landlord decided to sell because the market is so good right now and the house sold in a week.

Kristin said with her three boys they want to have a whole house to themselves so they are not disturbing anyone

and no one is disturbing them. They need to move by September 1 but the way things are in the current housing rental market she knew she had to get started early.

“I just felt including a picture of my family so they can see our faces might entice landlords more to rent to us,” Kristin said. “With the market as it is nowadays it’s pretty cut throat.”

KIJIJI PHOTOS

Kristin, left, is a member of a five-person family looking for a home to rent in the Heritage area of Prince George. She posted this photo in her ‘In Search Of’ ad. Kristy, right, is a single mom of two young boys in search of an affordable place to rent quick in Prince George. She posted this photo in her ‘In Search Of’ ad.

HISTORIC PACT Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan and Prince George Chamber of Commerce President Ray Noonan sign a partnership agreement to work together on areas of mutual interest in the future.

prof to lead Indigenous health body

CHRISTINE DALGLEISH Citizen staff

Dr. Margo Greenwood has been appointed interim scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health (IIPH) for a term of three years.

The institute will be hosted at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George.

“I am deeply honoured to take up this new role and responsibilities as interim scientific director with the CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health,” Greenwood said.

“I look forward to continuing to build on the vital work set out in the strategic

plans of CIHR and the IIPH. In this work it is critical to engage with Indigenous individuals, communities, and organizations across the country.”

Greenwood is a highly acclaimed Indigenous scholar of Cree ancestry. She is currently the academic leader of the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health and a professor in the education program at the university. Greenwood is recognized nationally and internationally for her work in early childhood care and education of Indigenous children and in public health.

In December 2021, Greenwood was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for her scholarship in early childhood education and her transformational leadership in Indigenous health policy.

Pine Valley fees make no sense

Talking with Lyn Hall, I commented I don’t tend to talk about city business in these columns but sometimes I feel like weighing in on an issue.

I confess. I am a golfer.

I have been for 40 years and will keep playing until I can’t.

There is a great deal of pleasure to be obtained from golf, provided the drives are straight and the putts drop.

And frustration when drives aren’t straight and putts lip out.

Golf is a good walk, period.

Over the past couple of years, I have played all of the courses in Prince George, but mostly Aberdeen Glen.

It is a beautiful and challenging course with great facilities. The staff does an incredible job of keeping the course in immaculate shape. I don’t mind paying higher greens fee for what should be viewed as a championship course.

And although I don’t play at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club anywhere near as often, it is an equally spectacular course well worth the money spent on green fees.

There is a great deal of care put into the course by the staff.

But for the city to approve a massive increase in the fees for Pine Valley makes no sense. Yes, it is a fun little course to play. However, it is not on par with the rest of the golf courses in town.

Consider that for the same $33 dollars, you can play at Alder Hills which is a better, more challenging course. For $47, you can play Aspen Grove - a full 18-hole golf course.

I am not saying Pine Valley is a bad course. It is great for a beginner – I have a friend who is teaching his son to play while learning himself.

The course was perfect for that sort of activity, and it was affordable. Is it worth the extra cost though? Will they keep playing there when it costs much more? Especially as kids play free at other courses in town.

Further, for Coun. Terri McConnachie to describe the increase as “small”, Coun. Brian Skakun to add “It’s a small, small increase” and Coun. Garth Frizzell to pun bespeaks a level of tone deafness you don’t expect from city councillors.

But then again, maybe you do.

Todd Whitcombe is a UNBC chemistry professor

We acknowledge the financial support of the government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appli financier du gouvernement du Canada.

LETTERS

SYMPHONY SHOW SUBLIME

On Sunday, May 29, I attended the Prince George Symphony Orchestra’s last mainstage concert of the season. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to submit a review to The Citizen, in hopes that might inspire others to appreciate the Canadian artists who were featured and attend the symphony in the future.

The entire event was a delight, from Michael Hall’s pre-performance chat to the post-show question and answer with some of the musicians. However, the most impactful part, for me, was the presentation of Mathieu Lussier’s Odd Bird Concerto, which featured bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson.

I must admit that it took me a moment to get into the piece. I don’t often hear classical music that features the bassoon over strings, for example. It sounded so different from what I usually listen to. However, by the end of the first movement, I couldn’t help but be completely captivated.

I could hear a narrative, whether one was intended or not. To me, the chimes and string section painted a solemn, challenging landscape through which the light, flitting, spirit represented by the bassoon was navigating. I could hear – and feel – what this little bird was facing. The heart-wrenching use of minor keys in the second movement read as emotionally trying moments where the courage and hope of this brilliant, innocent creature were tested. It pained me, viscerally, hearing the bassoon express something which sounded so

painful. The melody felt like grief, sometimes. However, the undeniable glow of hope sang through in the third movement, which sent a wave of relief and goosebumps from my head to toes.

The musical landscape warmed, the gloomy fog from the previous movement dissipated and the scene was filled with rays of light. I could hear the bird flying freely, and they seemed to grow more daring and hopeful as they went. The bassoon so perfectly expressed how resilient and capable this bird now understood itself to be. The strings quickened their pace to match the bird’s flight and the chimes now sounded like joy. The piece ended with such a glowing, triumphant and satisfying flourish that the entire theatre leapt to their feet in applause.

I was moved to tears by the beauty of this concerto. The entire time I was listening, I couldn’t help but wonder at how it must have felt for Nadina to have received this score, which was composed, specifically, for her. What is it like for another human being to care enough about you to be driven to create something so exquisitely beautiful? To give you something as abstract and heartfelt as music itself? I can only wonder.

After a few days of reflection, I imagine it might feel something like how I did on Sunday, sitting in Vanier Hall, listening to the PGSO and hearing this piece for the first time: profoundly grateful, inspired and affected in a way that I cannot adequately express with words. It must be sublime.

Heidi Klepsch, Prince George

MAILING ADDRESS

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Dad a huge inﬂuence in my life

Awise person once wrote, “On their deathbed, no one ever said, ‘I wish I’d spent more time at the office.’”

There is nothing wrong with being good in our chosen profession, but there is certainly much more to a person’s life.

My family recently said goodbye to our 89-year-old father. It is very interesting to listen to the things said about him. Dad was extremely competent in his profession. Meaning in life does not come only from work, however. As the family gathers and talks about Dad, there is little mention of his career. We are talking about how we knew he cared about us, how he made us feel, and how he made us laugh. It is amazing to hear the consistency in the stories about him.

One thing that is said over and

LESSONS IN LEARNING

GERRY CHIDIAC

over is that dad loved to engage with people in conversation. He was curious, but he also had strong opinions. I engaged in many arguments with him about the cause of the world’s problems and the best way to promote well-being in the developing world. We often agreed to disagree, but each of us walked away with an awareness that there may have been a grain of truth in what the other person was saying.

As I reflect on my own approach to teaching and to writing, I see the influence of my family. I continue to have strong opinions, but I know

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

IT’S THE GUNS

The gun problem in the U.S. stems from a basic misinterpretation of the second amendment of the Constitution which consists of only one sentence.

“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

The second amendment was never meant to give people the right to own a gun to hold up the local 7-11 store or mass-shoot a school full of children. Before and during the Revolution, the British government forbade the colonists from having arms, so they were at a decided disadvantage during the Revolution until they acquired them by other means. Once America declared itself independent, citizens were given the right in the Constitution to “keep and bear arms” and to form militias to protect the new country against foreign powers.

The first part is the condition that allows the right to “keep and bear arms” If the condition is removed, then that particular right becomes unnecessary. The militia in colonial times was made up of citizens, so they needed personal weapons to protect the young state (from Mexico, the French, and Canada which was still British). Now the militia is the professional armed services of America. Militias and personal arms are unnecessary to protect America against foreign powers.

America must give up its treasured “freedom” to own personal guns. This “freedom” is taking away the freedom of the average citizen to be without fear of death when going to school, going to a concert, going to church, going to synagogue, going to mosque, going to yoga class etc.

SCOTUS can be and is wrong in its interpretation of the second amendment in light of 40,000 annual gun deaths. America simply has to abandon its cherished “right” to own personal weapons or the slaughter will simply continue. It won’t stop until the manufacture and sale of arms and ammunition ceases and existing arms are collected and destroyed.

It is clear that the second amendment allowed militias only to protect the U.S. from foreign powers, not from its own government. That’s why they have elections and peaceful transfer of power. Militias formed to overthrow their own government are by definition insurrectionist and therefore illegal.

Donald A. Fraser, Prince George

that the world does not need people who think the same. We need to explore perspectives, listen to each other, and at the same time allow our ideas to be challenged.

Perhaps this is my father’s greatest legacy. Society is not the same as a family, but honour and respect are still central to all our relationships. We, therefore, need to recognize when these principles are present and when they are not. My Dad always made me feel valued, regardless of my opinions. If others don’t make us feel that way, why should we give them any credibility?

Humanity is very diverse, and each person is the gift of who they are. If we keep this in mind, maybe when our time comes, we will leave the world better than we found it.

Gerry Chidiac is a Prince George writer.

IT’S NOT THE GUNS

We all want an end to the horrific school shootings in the U.S. The question is how to stop them?

Gun control is always the gut reaction, but it’s clear something else is involved. There are 400 million privately owned guns in the U.S. Let’s be realistic - disarming the people isn’t going to happen.

While Americans endure more mass shootings than all other developed countries combined, and while they have the highest per capita gun ownership rate in the world, they do not have the highest per capita overall murder rate.

More than 100 countries have higher murder rates and all of them have stringent gun control laws.

You don’t need a gun to commit a murder or a mass murder.

The deadliest school massacre in U.S. history occurred at the Bath Consolidated School just outside East Lansing, Mich. On May 18, 1927.

The toll was 45 killed and 58 injured with a bomb.

The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing killed 168 and injured more than 600.

There already is gun control in the U.S. No one can just walk into a store and, a few minutes later, walk out with a gun.

Background/criminal record checks are enforced, and various states and cities have their own gun laws. According to 2012 data, the strictest gun controlled city was Detroit, which also had the highest murder rate in the US. The lowest murder rate was heavily armed and lightly gun controlled Plano, Tex.

In the whole decade of the 1950s there was one mass shooting in the U.S. In the 1960s, there were six mass shootings. In the 1970s, 13. In the 1980s, 32. In the 1990s, 42.

And it keeps going up. Why? What changed?

Guns were much more readily available in the ‘50s and there was far less gun control. Schools even had rifle clubs.

It seems clear that something has happened, something that has fundamentally changed society, changed how people think and act. It’s not just the mere presence of guns. Lawmakers and activists would do well to try and get to the bottom of this deeper rot, rather than taking the easy path and blaming firearms.

Art Betke, Prince George

Do you think gun and gang violence is a problem in Prince George?

● Yes, the city needs more police officers - 90 votes (13%)

● Yes, the courts need to get tougher on these crimes - 411 votes (61%)

● No, gangs are a problem but not guns - 121 votes (18%)

● No, guns are a problem but not gangs - 7 votes (1%)

● Not sure - 45 votes (7%)

Do we need more parks in Prince George?

● Yes, the more parks the better - 173 votes (31%)

● Yes, but they have to be less expensive - 66 votes (12%)

● Not sure - 44 votes (8%)

● No, we have enough already - 117 votes (21%)

● No, the money should be spent elsewhere - 156 votes (28%)

Were you cheering for the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup?

● Never! - 77 votes (13%)

● Yes, they were the last Canadian team left in the playoffs - 279 votes (50%)

● Yes, but it hurt me as a Canucks fan - 100 votes (17%)

● No, the weather’s too nice out to watch sports on TV - 117 votes (20%)

LETTERS WELCOME: The Prince George Citizen welcomes letters to the editor from our readers. Submission should be sent by e-mail to: letters@pgcitizen. ca. Maximum length is 700 words and writers are limited to one submission every three weeks. We will edit letters only to ensure clarity, good taste, for legal reasons, and occasionally for length. Although we will not include your address and telephone number in the paper, we need both for verification purposes. Unsigned letters will not be published.

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PGARA repaved

TED CLARKE Citizen staff

When stock car racing resumes this weekend at PGARA Speedway, sipping a cup of tea behind the steering wheel won’t be on the list of things to do for drivers once the green flag drops on another race season.

But they just might be able to get away with it, considering the smooth sailing they’ll encounter now that a layer of fresh pavement that been laid down on the three-eighth-mile oval track.

Paving crews from Lafarge have been taking advantage of the sunshine and warm conditions the past three days to give the track a $350,000 facelift and it will be ready in time for the WESCAR Rolling Mix 100 season-opener on Saturday.

“It’s definitely been needed for 20 years for sure, everyone’s talked about it for a long time,” said Jamie Crawford, president of the Prince George Auto Racing Association.

“It was a goal I set five years ago when I became president that I wasn’t leaving until the track was paved, so I guess 2022 is my year.”

Crawford says he has no plans to step down anytime soon and he’s encouraged by the sponsors who have stepped up to supply materials, labour and equipment to make the necessary track improvements. Before the track was paved a concrete wall had to be repoured and that was all handled by a crew from Williams Lake that donated its time on a weekend to build the concrete forms.

“The direct cost out of our pocket, by the time we’re done fixing walls and fencing and paving this year its going to be close to $350,000, but above and beyond the cost are our sponsors, they’re unreal,” said Crawford. “Twin Rivers Development, Rolling Mix Concrete, TC Electric, P.G. Auto Wrecking, The CAT Rental Store, those places have stepped up and made this all happen together. The help and the sponsors is above and beyond the actual money that we spend. Westcana Electric is doing all our lighting, it’s just things we don’t have to worry about. They’re just stepping up. This can’t happen without the sponsors.”

All told, 1,800 tonnes of asphalt delivered in 110 truckloads were needed to pave the track.

Crews in northern B.C. will be busy working this summer on paving projects that cover more than 296 km of highways and sideroads.

Major resurfacing projects taking place in the Pregion and throughout the north this spring and summer include:

• Resurfacing four kilometres on Highway 97 from the Junction of Highway 16 to 5th Avenue – work includes resurfacing on Old Summit Lake Road, Wright Creek Road and Reid Lake Road.

• Resurfacing 29 kilometres on Highway 52 from the junction of Highway 97 to Brassey Creek and 22 kilometres on Highway 29 from the junction of Highway 97 to Sukunka River Forest Service Road.

• Resurfacing 21 kilometres on Highway 35 from Burns Lake Trestle Bridge to the intersection of Colleymount Road.

• Resurfacing 36 kilometres in the Chief Lake Road and Ness Lake Road area.

• Resurfacing 40 kilometres on Highway 37N from Eddontenajon Rest Area to Stikine River Bridge. Work includes first-time hard surfacing on two kilometres of side roads in Lower Post.

• Resurfacing 48 kilometres on Highway 97 from East Pine to 247 Road.

• Resurfacing 40 kilometres of side roads in the Cluculz Lake area.

Work will take place from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., and drivers can expect some delays.

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Work crews lay down a new surface at PGARA Speedway.

Entrepreneurs make their pitch at business fair

HANNA PETERSEN Citizen staff

Olamipo Bandele was one of the 80 local vendors who attended the Summer Small Business Fair at the Roll-A-Dome Sunday.

Bandele moved to Canada three years ago from Nigeria and for the past two years she has been exploring how to build community through fashion and culture.

Her booth called the Slow Fashion Boutique displayed handmade items she’s worked to produce with artisans in Nigeria.

“The idea is to decrease the consumption of fast fashion through conscious and intentional styling,” said Bandele.

“Everything was handmade, and custom made in Nigeria, and they are all collaboration projects with designers in Nigeria so I picked out the leathers, picked out the designs, sketched out the ideas and we produced it.”

She said each item takes about 14 to 20 days to produce and she wants these products to help redefine what being ‘made in Nigeria’ is.

All of the texture and fabrics used in the products are indigenous to western Nigeria but with modern infusions.

“There’s so much talent and so much beauty in where I am from and being in

Canada and being a minority – this is just how I make my mark on the world and say that I am here,” said Bandele.

“I figured that bringing these afro-infused pieces to Prince George for people to wear – they are unique- and it’s to make them feel like ‘yes, I can wear this and not everyone has it’.”

Bandele said her current collection of items is six-to-eight months in the making.

“But everything has been slowly

Scholarship awarded

College Heights Secondary School student Shaylynne Keffer was one 140 B.C. Grade 12 students to receive a scholarship for up to $40,000.

West Vancouver real estate developer Ryan Beedie created the scholarship in 2018 to support students “who not only demonstrate strong academic potential, but are also involved in their communities and have faced life challenges and adversity with determination and optimism,” a statement issued by the

Beedie Luminaries foundation.

In addition to financial assistance of up to $40,000, Keffer and her peers will be paired with mentors, offered paid work opportunities, student support, invitations to special events and access to the foundation’s online community.

Beedie established the scholarship on his 50th birthday on Nov. 13, 2018 with a $50 million donation. As of this year, the program has awarded 487 scholarships to students across B.C.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Are youafriendly,helpful individual whoisinterestedinbecominginvolved with the airport and is excited to tell visitors about our region? The Prince George Airport Authority is searching forvolunteerstojoin our Airport Ambassador program.This positionincludes welcoming arrivingpassengers, assistingpeoplewithdirections and information, and keepingthe info desk stockedwith brochures fromTourism PG and other local tourism organizations. Trainingfor theSuperHost customer service certiﬁcation is available to all volunteers. Hours are ﬂexible and COVID safety measuresare inplace.

If youare readytowelcome visitors to Prince George, contact Chrisie Berry at 250-963-2431 or cberry@pgairport.ca for more details or to apply

produced and consciously produced,” added Bandele.

“Last year I launched a mini collection to test the waters and see what the response would be and I really got a great response to this inspired me to go bigger.”

The small business not only featured unique clothing like Bandele’s designs but everything from food trucks to local artisans and even beekeepers.

“I recently retired last year July and I got full time into beekeeping and have just every hive product except royal jelly,” said Neil Hutt, from Bee Hutt Apiary.

He sells everything from liquid and creamed raw honey, specialty honey, beeswax, and candles and even brought live bees and a honeycomb with him to the business fair as a demonstration.

He now operates 30 hives in Prince George and about 60 in Vanderhoof.

“Everyone thinks you just throw some bees into a box and it just takes care of itself but beekeeping is very specific when the bees demand your time you have to abide to it otherwise you are not going to succeed very well,” said Hutt.

“It’s not labour intensive but it is time-specific.”

In terms of the products, he’s able to produce with the help of the bees, Hutt said you can’t get more natural or healthy than bees.

“Everything. All the by-products – it’s nothing but healthy for you.”

The annual Summer Small Business Fair saw many people visit the Roll-A-Dome for the event, which is intended for local vendors to meet new customers and promote their products many of which are unique and handcrafted items.

The next small business fair takes place in the fall.

FRASER RIVER CHEVROLET

CITIZEN STAFF PHOTO

Olamipo Bandele works with designers in Nigeria to produce her own ethically sourced clothing line.

SHAYLYNNE KEFFER

Museum receives $750,000 federal grant

ARTHUR

WILLIAMS Citizen staff

Minister Harjit Sajjan was in Prince George to announce $750,000 in federal funding for The Exploration Place’s ongoing renovation.

Sajjan, minister of international development and minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, announced the funding as part of $1.8 million for five culture and recreation projects across northern B.C. In addition, Sajjan announced $150,500 for the Northern B.C. Tourism Association to create an inventory of accessible tourism opportunities in the region.

“The Exploration Place is a great example of how local infrastructure supports our communities,” Sajjan said. “When it does (re)open, I think it will be an amazing place to visit.”

Supporting arts and culture venues like The Exploration Place also helps grow local economies by supporting tourism, he added.

Museum CEO Tracy Calogheros said The Exploration Place was informed it would receive the funding several months ago, and made the decision to expand their renovation project. The decision has meant that the museum had to push back its reopening date from June to September, she said.

The funding means the museum has been able to redo its roof, renovate the exterior, purchase commercial kitchen equipment for the Origins Kitchen and upgrade the museum’s mechanical systems, she said.

“I anticipate most construction will be done in July and then we’ll start on the exhibit work,” Calogheros said. “It’s totally worth the wait.”

Once the renovations are complete, the museum will feature a new gallery focused on glaciation and ice ages on the main floor, Origins Kitchen will serve food directly into the park but also provide a teaching kitchen for adult and youth cooking classes, dedicated gallery space

Author runner-up for national prize

Prince George author Gillian Wigmore has won the runner up prize for The Danuta Gleed Literary Award for her book Night Watch: The Vet Suite. The Danuta Gleed award celebrates a Canadian writer for the best first collection of published short fiction in the English language.

“Night Watch is a beautiful anthem to the hard world of a rural veterinarian, a life of muscle and blood and guts, all detailed by Gillian Wigmore with surprising delicacy and

lyricism,” the selection jury wrote about Night Watch. “These moving stories make poetic the mountains and gravel roads, the headlights at night and C-sections in doomed barns, the calves and donkeys and horses and otters, the miracles and casualties during nights without sleep. The book is intimate, superb.”

Night Watch: The Vet Suite is made up of three novellas centred around the author’s background of growing up as the child of a rural veterinarian.

for repatriated artifacts belonging to the Lheidli T’enneh and other northern B.C. Indigenous groups, a Mr. PG gallery, a larger space for travelling exhibits on the main floor, a “living wall” of plants in the atrium and plenty of other new features, Calogheros said.

“We function as a northern provincial museum,” Calogheros said.

The Exploration Place is looking to reach out to many immigrant and minority communities in northern B.C. to dedicate gallery space to telling their stories as well, she said. In addition, it is seeking to get designated as a zoo so it can increase the number of local animals it can feature.

Wigmore’s vets struggle during calving seasons, reaching for moments of grace between phone calls and farm calls; they balance their family’s births and deaths with shepherding animals through caesareans and euthanasia in harsh winters and muddy, ruthless springs.

Wigmore is also the author of three books of poetry, (most recently Orient, Brick Books, 2014) a novella, (Grayling, Mother Tongue Publishing, 2014) and a novel (Glory, Invisible Publishing, 2017).

Cancer climb tops $60K

The 7th annual Climb for Cancer has surpassed the fundraising goal set for this year’s event.

The preliminary fundraising amount for the 7th annual Climb for Cancer has been calculated and over $60,000 has been raised so far, which was the goal for 2022.

This compares to $50,000 raised in 2021 and brings the total raised over seven years to over $300,000.

The annual event sees participants climb up the Nechako cutbanks in support of the Kordyban Lodge, which is a not-for-profit home-away-from-home

for cancer patients from northern B.C. who are receiving treatments in Prince George.

An estimated 400 people attended, making up a number of teams that climbed the cutbanks either vertically or via the switchbacks.

The biggest team consisted of 40 people who came out in support of a local 17-year-old who is going through cancer treatment and currently staying at Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver, a facility which is very similar to the Kordyban Lodge in Prince George.

GILLIAN WIGMORE

Fishing hole

Babine Lake (North)

Babine Lake is home to a special strain of rainbow trout that grows much larger than common rainbow trout species. This strain of trout is part of arare ecotype called the Sutherland population.

These rainbow trout feed on kokanee and salmon fry,and grow quite large. There is limited information regarding the size of Babine Lake’sSutherland population, and because it is arare ecotype, anglers are encouragedtopractise catch-and-release when going after these big rainbow trout to encourage the long-term sustainability of this species. Barbless hooks are also encouragedtoimprove survival.

Fisheries biologists and area stakeholders continue their research programs on Babine Lake to determine if the stock is sustainable at present levels. They look at the habitatand conduct surveys on tributaries as well.

Babine Lake is known for producing trophy char,rainbow trout and salmon.

Angler’s Atlas Field Staffmember Kenneth Donaldson saysthat the trout in Babine Lake, “are considered by many

to be comparatively large and aggressive fish and have been known to bite on sockeye rigs (flashers and bead setup @<30’) as well as plugs (green /yellow and blue worked for me) trolled at many depths. While you don’tneed adownrigger,Ithink it just gives you more control on the repetition of what depth works.”

Donaldsonadds that, “Willow leaf and small “lifelike coloured”lures,such as green and yellowwork well at shallower depths.” Early in the season the trout will inhabit shallow waters, but as the water warms up the fish migrate to deeper,cooler sections of the lake.

Don’tmissthe popular the Babine Lodge Fishing Derby in July!

Caution: Do notuse this mapfor navigationalpurposes. This mapmay notreflectcurrent conditions.Uncharted hazardsmay exist.BaseMap ©ProvinceofBritish Columbia.

Couch crash put an end to Sandblast

Well, that year, three participants (Jonathan Dryblom, Eric Leach and Shawn Burleigh) attached bicycle tires to the underside of an old couch.

Unfortunately, when they set off down the slope, they lost control of their couch contraption and it veered off course.

The couch slammed into some spectators watching from the sidelines.

It flipped and sent the three men flying.

The couch ran directly into Sandblast volunteer Julie Middleton and eight-yearold Meara Morse. All five people were sent to the hospital with various injuries.

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George said they weren’t aware of the furniture-racing aspect of the competition.

(The regional district was the one who had to issue the permit for the event.)

Permitting dealt with spectator safety and fencing at the top of the hill, rather than the devices used to race down the slope.

Although the five people taken to the hospital were not seriously hurt, because of the crash and the rising insurance costs, organizers never held the event again.

If you or someone you know was ever involved with a Prince George Sandblast event throughout its 40-year history and would like to share your memories, please email news@pgcitizen.ca

SD57 slashes $2.2 million to balance budget

School District 57’s board of education passed a balanced budget after the district was forced to find $2.2 million in cuts to offset rising costs.

The budget was originally considered by the board during a special meeting on May 16, and followed by 10 days of additional public consultation from May 17 to May 27.

“We are looking at almost a seven per cent inflation rate. How are we going to continue funding what we are doing if (provincial) funding is not increased?”

trustee Tim Bennett said. “Without funding being increased at least at the rate of inflation, it is a cut to services.”

The district is projecting to bring in $173 million in revenue for the 2023 school year, but anticipated nearly $175

million in operating expenses, according to a report which was presented to the board. The district was able to use more than $100,000 of accumulated surpluses from last year to offset some of the rising costs, but the remainder was found through cuts to the district’s facilities and central administration departments, secretary treasurer Darleen Patterson said.

The savings were found by the removal of unfilled staff positions, eliminating two utility vehicles and reducing the budgets for “dual coverage” when teachers and staff are away, professional development and travel, snow removal, furniture and equipment replacements, supplies and resources and software licenses, Patterson reported.

“None of the cuts are in schools,” Patterson said. “(But) you can’t cut in the facilities department and not feel it eventually.”

The number of full-time equivalent students attending school in the district is projected to drop slightly, from 13,143.7 in 2022 to 13,068.9 in 2023.

“When you have flat enrollment and unchanged per-student funding, you have very similar revenues,” Patterson said. “All our contracts for transportation are 30 per cent higher than in previous years. Our capital contracts are coming back 25 to 50 per cent higher than the ministry estimated. We had these incremental costs, matched with flat revenue.”

Another driver for rising costs are the negotiated salaries increases for the district’s unionized teachers and staff, Patterson added. The district has been forced to reduce the scope of its capital projects to do as much as it can within the money available.

District chairperson Sharel Warrington said the board is legally obligated to pass

a balanced budget, and could be removed by the minister of education if they fail to do so.

The district was able to find $2.2 million in cuts this year, but unless something changes the new board will be facing even more challenges next year at budget time, she said.

“There will, ultimately, be a time when we will have a sustainability issue,” Warrington said. “We will, indeed, be facing a very significant challenge next year. We are just extending the need to have a sustainability discussion to next year.”

However, she said, there is still time for the provincial government to come forward with additional funding to help school districts across the province face the inflationary challenges ahead of them.

“We need to push the government that we aren’t alone here,” she said. “A lot of districts… will face challenges next year.”

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

Matt Nelson squints through a cloud of tiny rocks as he throws out the anchor during his ski run during the Sandblast in 2002.

ARTHUR WILLIAMS Citizen staff

Healthy North y

Do you know about the NorthernHealth Virtual Primaryand Community Care Clinic?

The Northern Health Virtual Primary and Community Care Clinic provides servicesbyphone or through avideo call.

The Virtual Clinic works with your family doctor,nurse practitioner,and health care team to complementthe careyou receive in your community,ortoprovide supportfor those whodon’thave afamily doctor.The Virtual Clinic provides culturally safecareto patients who need medical help after hours and wish to speak to aheathcareteam member (doctor,nurse practitioner,ornurse) by phone or video.

Call theVirtual Clinic if you or afamily member are experiencing:

·Asthma ·Ear aches ·Eye irritation/injuries

·Feelingsofanxiety,sadness, or depression

·Headache ·Mildback pain

·Mild breathing difficulties

·Mild shortness of breath ·Minor burns

·Skin rashesand infections· Sore throat or cough

·Sprains caused by minor accidents and falls

·Symptoms of COVID-19 ·Urinarytract infections

·Vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration ·Worsening cough

·Aneed for support around substance use treatment such as Opioid Agonist Therapy,orsafer pharmaceutical alternatives to street drugs

Call 1-844-645-7811

The clinic is open 7days aweek from 10 am to 10 pm (including holidays).

Visit theNorthernHealth Virtual Primary and Community CareClinic webpagetolearnmore: northernhealth.ca/locations/medical-clinics/virtual-clinic

Reminder:Rapid tests available at local pharmacies

Did you know that rapid antigen testingkits are free for residents of BC? Anyone can ask for akit –you don’teven have to show ID!

This means that the next time you runout of shampoo, toilet paper,ortoothpaste, you can also pick up your free kit at participating pharmacies across the province! Get your kit today! Find apharmacy near you. bcpharmacy.ca/rapid-tests/list

COVID-19 vaccine information for Prince George (including 5-11 year olds):

Age 12+ vaccination can happenatyour local pharmacy.

· All ages (including 5-11 year olds) vaccination will continuethrough Northern Health. For more informationon12+ COVID-19 vaccines in pharmacies,visit: bcpharmacy.ca/patients

For more informationonall ages (including 5-11 year olds) COVID-19 vaccine clinics in NorthernHealth, visit: northernhealth.ca/health-topics/covid-19-immunization-clinics

HOROSCOPES &PUZZLES

HOROSCOPES

ARIES

Beforeevery great project, therewas a dream. You’ll be inspired to put your ideas into action and be successful. You’ll aspire to have amoreinteresting personal and professional life.

TAURUS

You’ll be overcome by emotion in some circumstances. You’ll ﬁnd yourself in a situation that forces you to make profound changes or encourages you to travel abroad on an enlightening pilgrimage.

GEMINI

Youand your signiﬁcant other must ﬁnd common goals to live in harmony.You may need to take astep back to see the situation moreclearly and move forward.

CANCER

You’ll get involved in arather stressful negotiation. In romance, someone will make astatement that leaves you perplexed; even if you aren’tsingle, they may be insistent.

LEO

Youmay have to swallow your pride before developing the self -conﬁdence you want. It’snot always easy to climb onto apedestal and ﬁnd yourself in the spotlight.

VIRGO

One of your children will impress you and ﬁll you with pride, even if it’sonly by taking their ﬁrst steps. You’ll be successful at work because of your outspoken nature.

LIBRA

If your children have left the nest, you’ll decide to put the family home up for sale. It’stime to start anew and moreexciting life by making some necessary changes.

SCORPIO

You’ll go over your budget with aﬁne toothed comb. Youmay decide to take aholiday that brings you great adventure and signiﬁcant discoveries, either solo, as a couple or with friends.

SAGITTARIUS

You’ll be able to quickly react to any situation. It would be wise to consult the people around you. For example, before making adecision, carefully weigh the pros and cons to avoid ﬁnancial stress.

CAPRICORN

If you’rethe type of person who questions everything, you may have adream that shows you what needs to be done in your professional life. You’ll have asurprising revelation.

AQUARIUS

You’ll be under alot of stress and need to take abreak. Youmay also be inspired to redecorate or renovate your home.

PISCES

You’ll be asked to organize agathering with some of your friends. Many of your loved ones will invite them selves to your home or another setting for aget -together

32. Mine shipment 33. Kinds 34. “____ Only Live Twice” 35. Ponder 37. Resist

38. Food supplier 40. More skillful 43. Clothing fabric 47. Tower 48. Change text 51. Chopper 52. pop 53. Dull person 54. Geese formation

Harbinger

57. “Bonnie Clyde” DOWN 1. Crescents 2. Chicken’s home 3. On the cutting 4. Venomous snake 5. Some 6. Service cost 7. Superman’s logo

Directed

HOW TO PLAY:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every3x3 box contains the numbers 1through 9only once. Each 3x3 box is outlinedwith adarkerline. You already have afew numberstoget you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1through9 in thesame line, columnor3x3 box.

PUZZLE

cl assi fi eds

BURYN,FRANCES AUGUST5,1943JUNE6,2021

Weaskwhyyouhadto leavesosoonandmiss youeveryday.You remainforeverinour hearts.

Lovealways, Wallyandfamily

Nicklas George

A great soul serves everyone all the time, A great soul never dies, It brings us together again and again.

You left us on June 4, 2021

It’s been one difficult year without you. You remain in our hearts and souls.

You are missed very much as a father, husband, grandpa, brother and uncle.

With love, Stella George Louella, Dan, Greg, Gilbert, Vincent and Tammy

REMEMBRANCES

Sylvia Ellen Majetich (nee Richmond)

March 20, 1948 - November 4, 2021

Celebration of Life Saturday: June 11 at 3:00 pm Gateway Church - 2055 20th Ave Refreshments to follow

McEachern,Stan

November27,1937-May24,2022

Wearesoincrediblysadtoseeyougo,GrandpaStanbut arecomfortedinabeliefthatGrandmaTeinemetyouon theotherside.Youleftusallwithmanygreatstories, whichwillbeanhonourtocontinuetotell.From’Stool Pigeons’youencounteredonyourtravelstohelping youngteensgettheirtruckunstuckinthemiddleofthe night.Andwhocanforgetallthetreesyou’vefallenfor us?Allofwhichyoudidwhileyouwereinyour70sand 80s!Yourlegacywillliveonforever.RIP! Love,allyourfamily(TheEdgsons)andfriends

John (Jack) Goold

Edith Louise Jahn passed away peacefully on May 28, 2022 at the age of 90.

She will be remembered by her children: Michael Noonan (Sheila), Kathleen Labounty (Jim), Dennis Noonan (Kelly), Susan Goudreau (Bill), John Noonan (Maureen), Bruce Noonan and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

No service by request.

Djuro (George) Mihaljevic

April 11, 1952 to May 30, 2022

George is survived by his wife Sandy, daughter Anya (Brad) and grandsons Archer and Maverick. Also survived by those that were there for us Susan, Richard Kelly,Steven. and Julie Jay; and our our amazing friend Laura who spent countlesshours with us. Many friends in Canada and family in Croatia and Bosnia. No service by request. Thank you to Dr. Marco, Dr. Zhang and the wonderful nurses in the IMU Pod B, and the nurses and Care Aides at Hospice House. These are truly amazing people.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of John (Jack) Goold on May 31, 2022 at the age of 77.

Predeceased by his mother and father, Jack and Nancy Goold and his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Bob Clee. Survived by his loving wife, Bernie, his brothers, Bill, Barry (Corrie), Keith, Gordon (Jean) and numerous nieces and nephews in Canada and the Lavery families in Ireland.

Funeral mass will be at Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday June 11th 2022 at 10:00am followed by a reception at the Bon Voyage Banquet Room.

In lieu of flowers donations to St. Vincent de Paul in Jack’s name will be greatly appreciated. Mass will also be available and assessable 10 minutes prior to the beginning of mass at www.icparish.ca

Obituaries

In Memoriam

Memorial Services

Edith Louise Jahn

LAURA LANGLEY

In loving memory of Shirley Louise Goglin

Born: May 13, 1952 in Prince George, BC

Passed away: April 7, 2022 in Ladysmith, BC

Predeceased by Mom & Dad Jim & Louise Vansomer and brother Buzz Vansomer. Shirley is survived by her husband Stephen, children Stephen Dennis, Shane Bradly, Scott and fiance Katrina, grandchildren Alex & Anna (Jasper James), and brother Donny Vansomer.

Shirley was a great wife, mother and friend. She came from a very humble beginning and became a very successful woman working as a medical office assistant in several specialist’s office in Prince George and Nanaimo, B.C.

Shirley is missed and always will be by her family, friends and BFF’s.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the Elks Hall-663 Douglas St, Prince George

Gilbert Jess

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert.

Survived by his loving wife Louise, their 6 children – Michele (Dave), Kelly (Don), Tara, Bev (Craig), Alan, and Sandy (Ken), 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and many close friends.

Predeceased by his parents Albert & Bertha, brother Calvin, two grandchildren Shane and Christie, and great grandchild Olivia.

Gilbert loved life! He will always be remembered for his love of hunting, fishing, weekends at the family ski cabin, and spending time with family and friends.

Celebration of Life : June 4th @ 12:00- 2:00 pm at Senior Activity Center - 425 Brunswick St

Because I Love You So

George Edward Winter

Jan 12, 1932 - Feb 7, 2022

It is with love and deep sadness that we announce the passing of George Edward Winter. Dad was born on January 12, 1932 and passed away February 7, 2022.

He had so many achievements that we were proud of. He moved from Victoria to Prince George in 1972 to become General Manager of Coca Cola. He was the oldest Boxing Commissioner of the Boxing Federation of Canada, President of the Restaurant Association, Mardi Gras, CNIB and so much more.

His legacy lives on with his daughters Cheryl (Ted), Janice (Glen), son Geordie (Sherry), grandchildren Landon (Dezarray), Dane (Catherine), George (Ashley) and Kassandra (James); great grandchildren Melody, Sadie, Shaye, Phallon, Aidyn, Jude, Ava and Carter.

Predeceased by his parents Norman and Clara, brothers Charlie and Rod, wife Bev, grandchildren Clayton and Ben and great grandchild Gracie.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the Salvation Army- 777 Ospika Blvd at 2:00 pm, tea to follow. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the SPCA and the Salvation Army.

Nancy (Nickiforek, Kuchurak) Woyciehouski

May 28, 1922 - June 2, 2022

Nancy born and raised as Nancy (Safrina) Nickiforek into a family of 7 other siblings and a set of parents, Nancy is the last surviving member of her immediate family. Nancy and her family lived in Three Hills or Hairy Hills Alberta (one of which is now obsolete) then the father decided to pack up the family et all and moved to Vernon, British Columbia. There they re-established another farm and Nancy lived at the same home until she got married to Mr. Nick (Nicholas) Kuchurak. They lived in a simple house with no running water and a pot stove heated the living room while the good ol’ kitchen stove heated the remainder of the home and served as a cooking corner for all their meals.

The Kuchuraks’ had three children - the oldest is Shirley, middle child is Violet and the youngest and only male child in the family is Stanley. The children had a simplistic life style of going to school, helping out with chores around the house and playing with neighborhood children. They are all seniors and reside in Prince George, New Westminster and Vancouver.

Nancy had tried grade 1 three times and at that time they told her not to return. (in that time frame they did not have “help facilities” like there is today to help everyone have a full, useful life.) Nancy was a sickly child who was not expected to live long. She was a happy, easygoing child willing to gather the eggs, milk the cows, pick fruit from the bushes as well as the trees and strawberries from the garden patches. As a married mother of three; she did a lot of babysitting for her nieces. Her hands became gnarled from all the constant embroidery, knitting and baking that was her custom to do. Nancy would give you her last shirt off her back due to her kindness and generosity. Nancy was well liked by everybody. After her husband died in 1958, Nancy was left to fend for herself but thanks to her wonderful sister Grace, the family survived. The two sisters had to give up the spacious home they bought together as they were no longer able to look after a large home. Grace went to live with her two daughters and Shirley was called up to take her mother as Violet reneged on her promise to Nancy’s dying husband George that she would take care of Mom. There was just enough room for the two of the to travel back to Prince George. Nancy and Shirley did everything together, travelled, volunteered locally at special events as well as different non-profit organizations. They travelled to visit family in Vancouver as well as Gibsons, B.C. Nancy lived with her oldest daughter til she was married to George and after George died; Nancy went to live at Gateway Assisted Living.

May 28th, 2022 Nancy had a celebration put on by the residents of Gateway and then a separate one was held for Nancy’s family that was able to attend. (Lumby and Gibsons B.C. The best and most dearest wishes were shared with Nancy on the 100th celebration of her birth and on Thursday, June 2, 2022, Nancy’s pain subsided and her peaceful rest began.

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

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

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: butwhoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have

BibleSociety office@tbscanada.org

Management/Administration

Spruce Capital Seniors is looking for a part-time Administrator/CoOrdinator. Email resume to sprucecapitalseniors@shaw.ca or call 250-563-6450 for more information.

Skilled Help

Spruce Capital Seniors is looking for a janitor, 2 times per week. Email resume to sprucecapitalseniors@shaw.ca or call 250563-6450 for more information.

Spruce Capital Seniors is looking for a part-time cook. Please email resume to sprucecapitalseniors@shaw.ca or bring to 3701 Rainbow Dr (Basement) Monday-Thursday between 9 am - 3 pm. For more info call 250-563-6450

The Prince George Citizen is looking for a freelance photographer. Interested candidates please email lsmith@glaciermedia.ca along with some samples of your best photos.

Trucking & Transport

(250) 614-6667

Technical Workforce Inc. (TWI) acts as a subcontractor, supplying a skilled workforce to the industrial, infrastructure, and civil construction sections in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. We supply construction craft workers, including apprentices, journeypersons, foremen, and superintendents in all compulsory and non-compulsory trades.

TWI is supporting the Stuart Lake Hospital Redevelopment Project.

This is the development of a new hospital to serve Fort St. James and surrounding area including First Nations communities of the Takla Lake First Nation, Tl’azt’en Nation, Binche Whut’en First Nation, Nak’azdli Whut’en, and Yekooche First Nation.

Length of Project: Spring 2022 to Summer 2025

WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

JOURNEYMAN AND APPRENTICE CARPENTERS SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED OPERATORS

GENERAL SKILLED LABOURERS

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Demolition of existing hospital

• Design and construction of a new hospital Construction of surface parking, landscaping, and a redundant emergency access

COMPETITIVE WAGES, HEALTH BENEFITS, RRSP AND PENSION OFFERED

For information and to apply, visit our website: http://jardeg.com Please send your resume to michelle.basken@jardeg.com

We thank you for your interest in TWI however only those selected for phone screens/Interviews will be contacted.

Binche Whut’en Job Posting

Band Operations Manager

Binche Whut’en is hiring for a new Band Manager. Full-time permanent position, 37.5 hours per week Responsible for supervising up to 20 individuals. A degree in Commerce, Business Administration, or Leadership and Management (or related degree); as well as three to five years related business and management experience is an asset but not required.

Please send resume to finanace@binche.ca For more detailed information, go to Binche.ca

Digital SalesSpecialist

The Prince George Citizen is growing our team and looking to add aDigital Sales Specialist.

The ideal candidate is someone who is comfortable meeting with business owners, managers and decision makers and discussing their marketing and communications needs. Prior media experience is an asset, but not required. We’relooking to onboardsomeone with agreat attitude and personality

As adivision of Glacier Media, our sales team at the Citizen has access to industry-leading digital marketing solutions, to help our clients reach the right audience with the right message at the right time.

If this opportunity speaks to you, please email your resume to Curtis Armstrong –carmstrong@pgcitizen.ca by May 27, 2022

22062cc0

Help wanted for local financial services location - an Office Assistant, 3-4 days per week, top wages plus benefits. Some experience in this field would be helpful. Reply to Box 1001 c/o 505 4th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3H2

Eq uipme nt Op er at or s

Pro-Link Logging in Quesnel is look ing forfull time equipmentoperators forthe 2022/2023 season, to run alog loader and ahoe chucker. Work is within the Quesnel area.

Email resumes to qsgravel@outlook.com

Logging and Gravel Truck Drivers

Quesnel Sand &Gravelislooking forlogging truck drivers as well as graveltruck drivers,for the 2022/2023 season. Work is within the Quesnel area.

Email resumesto qsgravel@outlook.com

BINCHE WHUT ’EN

BAND OPERATIONSMANAGER

Binche Whut ’enishiring fora new Band Manager.Full-time permanentposition, 37.5 hours per week .Responsible for super vising up to 20 individuals.AdegreeinCommerce, Business Administration, or Leadership and Management(or relateddegree); as well as three to five years relatedbusiness and managementexperienceisanasset but not required.

Please send resume to finanace@binche.ca

Formoredetailed information, go to Binche.ca

O ffice of the Wet’suwet’en

Finance Controller

Hours of week: FTE-35Hours per week (8:30 a.m. –4:30 p.m.)

As the FinanceControllerispartofthe ManagementTeam and oversees the financial managementofall programs and administrative operations of the Wet’suwet’enNation’s administration office to ensure effectiveprogramdelivery in acost-effectivemanner.The Finance Controller will provide super vision to the FinanceDepartmentand Receptionist to ensureeffective, culturally appropriate services forthe Office of the Wet’suwet’en. TheFinanceController is accountable for all financial per formanceand exercises all authoritytransmitted into the organization by the Chiefs. Finance Controllerper formancewillbe considered to be synonymous with organization financialper formance as awhole

TheSenior Management Team will attend Chiefmeetings and provide the chiefswithregular repor ts on programand services.The Finance Controller willalso informthe Chiefsofany problems or sensitiveissues thatarise with respectto finances

Required Qualifications

Education:

•Excellentcomputer literacy (MicrosoftOffice)required

•CPA Designation or currently working towards CPAdesignation

•Experienceand knowledge of Wet’suwet’encultural and values

•Valid BC Driver ’s License and reliable vehicle

Rolesand Responsibilities:

•Interacts with theManagementTeam on aroutine basisand establishedgoodworking relationships;

•Par ticipatesinall regularChief meetings to repor ton financial and programstatus and to provide ongoing advicefor strategicand tactical planning decisions;

•Provideinterpretivedocuments in laymen’s terms;

•Manage the daytoday Financial,Human Resourcesand Personnel Standards of all office staff aremet;

•Workwith ProgramManagers to ensureprogramaccountability, financialstability, and ensureprograms areadapting to changes/ growth and areculturally competent;

•Providefair and timely decisions when conflicts arise;

•Createahealthyand supportiveenvironment;

•Beproactive, fair/impar tial and provide professional leadership to the Senior ManagementTeam, including recruitmentand selection, orientation and training,per formanceplanning and review and interpretation of policiesand procedures;

•Proving information in atimely manner to Chief’stable fordirection and ensuredirection is implemented.

When submitting your application forthe above position, please clearlyindicate howyou meet the required qualifications and include the following:

1. Acover letter clearly indicating the position forwhich youare applying

2. Aresume with three references.

3. Jobdescription is available upon request

Apre -skill evaluation is required following averbal interview.

APPLICATION PACKAGES ARE TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE FOLLOWING:

Office of theWet’suwet’en

Attn: Judy Walton

#1 -205 Beaver Road,Smithers,B.C. V0J 2N0

OR *EMAIL: judy.walton@wetsuweten.com

*Subjectline MUST CLEARLYSTATE “FinanceController Application”

Post Date:May 31,2022 Close Date:June 17, 2022

How to write a classiﬁed ad that works.

Writing an effective classiﬁed ad is easy when you use these time-tested principles.

• Use a keyword. Start your ad with the item for sale, ser vice offered or the job title.

• Be descriptive. Give customers a reason to respond. Advertisers have found that the more information you provide, the better the response.

• Limit abbreviations. Use only standard abbreviations to avoid confusion and misinterpretations.

• Include price. Always include price of the item for sale.

• How to respond. Always include a phone number (with area code) and/or street and email address.

To place your ad call: 604-630-3300

To advertise, call 250-562-6666 or email cls@pgcitizen.ca

To place your ad call: 604-630-3300

Mills/Equipment

Sheds/Outbuildings

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

hides. Will pay CASH

NUMISMATIST PURCHASING COIN COLLECTIONS & ACCUMULATIONS! Royal Canadian Mint, Canada & World Collections Wanted. Also buying 9999 bullion, old money, jewelry, nuggets, sterling, gold, silver, coins,

Legal/Public Notices

Between Ryland, George Purcell or anyone related with the trailers MHR# 009877, Serial# M3364, Year 1970 Glendale Corporation, located at #2, 3455 Westwood Drive, Prince George, BC V0T 1R0. 0829336 BC Ltd., and owner of Westwood Trailer Park, 251-3381 Cambie St., Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 4R3 (604-876-3394). I, Westwood Trailer Park Ltd., will dispose the above-mentioned trailer unless the person being notified takes possession of the property and establishes a right of possession of it within 30 days from the date the notice is served on that person.

Sudoku puzzles are

ACROSS

PUZZLE ANSWERS ON SEPARATE PAGE

1. Slovenian mountain 5. Growl 9. Where things stand 11. Made a sharp sound 13. Female spirit in Irish folklore

15. Deteriorate with age 16. A way to save for retirement

17. The Big Apple

19. Intestinal pouches

21. City in New Hampshire

22. Giving a bad impression

23. Samsung laptops

DOWN

25. Without (French)

26. Scientist’s tool (abbr.)

27. System of one more computers

29. Captures

31. Authentic

33. Female mammal’s nipple

34. Pandemonium

36. Satisfy

38. Arrived extinct

39. Shipborne radar (abbr.)

41. Network of nerves

43. Monetary unit

44. Showed old TV show

46. They help you hear

48.

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HOMES

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

A solarium or sunroom is an indoor space thathasanabundanceofnaturallight.Thisis thankstothestructurehavingoversizedwindows or walls entirely made of glass. If you’re thinking about getting one, here are someofthebeneﬁtsyoustandtoenjoy

• Extra living space. A solarium can increase your home’s usable space Many peopleusetheirsaseitherabreakfastnook, homeoﬃceorexerciseroom.

• Natural light. A solarium allows sunlight into your home. Studies have shown that exposuretonaturallightcanhelpyousleep better at night, increase your productivity andimproveyourmood.

• All-season gardening. Do you miss your herb garden in the winter months, or have you struggled to protect your veggie patch frompests?Withasolariumyoucanhavea healthyandvibrantgardenallyearlong

Solariums and sunrooms are great places to relax and enjoy life. If you have a porch or patio you don’t use much, consider convertingit

Thetermsareoftenusedinterchangeably,but solariumsandsunroomsarediﬀerent.Asolarium features walls and a ceiling made of glass, while a sunroom is a room with large windowsbutaregularceiling.Bothhaveadvantages and disadvantages, so it’s up to you todeterminewhichworksbestforyourhome.

FREE ESTIMATES

How to safely dispose of burned out light bulbs

When a light bulb burns out, you may wonderwhethertotossitinthetrashortakeitto your local recycling centre. However, the best action to take depends entirely on the typeoflightbulbyou’rethrowingout.

INCANDESCENT BULBS

When a standard light bulb burns out, you canputitinthegarbagewiththerestofyour household waste. The thin glass and metal wires are almost impossible to separate for recycling.

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHTS (CFL)

CFL bulbs contain small amounts of mercury that can damage the environment if the bulb breaks. Many municipalities have drop-oﬀ points for hazardous waste items andyoushoulddisposeofCFLlightbulbsat theselocations.

LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE (LED) LIGHTS

Get your outdoor living space ready for summer

Once the warmer weather arrives, it’s time to setupyouroutdoorlivingspacefortheseason.

But before you bring out the patio furniture, youshouldattendtothesefourtasks.

1.Wash your windows. Clean the frames and glass, and don’t forget to give the screens a scrub as well. You should also inspectthecaulkingaroundyourwindows and doors. If there are any cracks, apply newcaulking

2.Getyourdeckready.Cleanyourpatioor deck and check for loose boards or anything else that looks like it needs to be ﬁxed. Make repairs, then sand and seal woodsurfaces.

3.Examine exterior surfaces. Inspect your siding for damage and ensure your foundation is free of cracks that might have formed over the winter If you see any peeling paint on your shutters or window frames,makeplanstohavethempainted.

4.Inspect your barbecue. Look out for signs of damage. Clear oﬀ spider webs, clean the grill and make sure animals haven’tnibbledonthegasline.

Onceyou’redonewiththeabove,it’stimeto set up your outdoor furniture. Give chairs, tables andloungersagoodcleaning, thensit back,relaxandenjoysoakingupthesun.

LED lights don’t technically burn out like other bulbs, but they do dim over time. When this happens, you can safely discard them in the trash as they don’t contain mercury like CFLbulbs do.You can also check with your local recycling centre to see if theyacceptthistypeofbulb.

Regardlessofthetypeoflightbulb,takecare to wrap it in paper before you throw it away This way you’ll avoid the possibility of someonegettinginjuredbythebrokenglass.

Manyhardwarestorechainshaverecycling boxes for CFLbulbs as well as batteries, left over paint and other things that can’t safely be thrown out. Check your local big box hardware store to see if they oﬀerthisservice.

5 signs it’s time to replace your siding

Siding is one of the most important parts of your home’s exterior Not only does it protect the structure from the elements, it also showcases your house’s style. While you may wish your siding would last forever, it willeventuallyneedtobereplaced.Hereare afewsignsyouneednewsiding.

1.Visibledamage.Numerousthingscandamage siding including dirt, the weather and moisture. If only a few panels are affected,youmightbeabletoreplacethem. But if the damage is widespread, you’ll needtoreplacethewholething.

2.Peeling paint indoors. If you have water damage on your interior walls, it might mean that your siding is no longer eﬀectivelykeepingmoistureoutofyourhome.

3.Yourbillshaveincreased.Sidingplaysa big part in insulating your home. If you notice a drastic change in your bills, your siding may have an air leak. In this scenario, your heating and cooling system

works extra hard to regulate your home’s temperature, which ultimately results in costlierutilitybills.

4.Mould ormildew. Fungusormouldinor neartheseamsofyoursidingmayindicate waterinﬁltration.

5.Itlooksfadedandold.Replacingyoursiding can drastically increase your home’s curb appeal. Among home renovations, newsidinghasoneofthehighestreturnson investment.

Whenit’stimetoreplaceyoursiding,besure totakeactionsoonerratherthanlater Thelongeryouwait,themorelikelyitbecomesthat otherpartsofyourhomewillgetdamagedas aresultofhavingdeterioratedsiding.

By replacing your siding when necessary, you’re protecting your home and increasing its value at the same time

GO FOR GOLD.

4 good reasons to install a natural pool

Naturalpoolsaregaininginpopularity Here are four good reasons to install one on your property

1. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Natural pools don’t contain harsh chemicals andoftenfeaturebeneficialaquaticplantslike water lilies, pond sedges and perennial grasses. This attracts more flora and fauna, like birds,butterfliesandsmallmarinecreatures

2. LOW MAINTENANCE

Theaquaticplantsinnaturalpoolshelpclean, oxygenateandregeneratethewaternaturally Therefore, you don’t have to worry about keeping up with intense maintenance. Only the central swimming area requires a ﬁlterandskimmer

3. AFFORDABLE

The cost of designing and building a natural poolisequivalenttothatofanin-groundconcrete pool. However, natural pools are much cheapertouseandmaintainthantraditional pools.

4. EASY TO CARE FOR

Natural poolsdon’trequiremuch effort.Simplyclearawayfallenleavesanddebris,prune theaquaticplantsinthefallandaddphosphorite or bacteria to prevent algae Moreover, youmustemptythefiltrationpipesbeforethe firstsnowfall,sotheywon’tcrack.That’sit!

Consultaprofessionallandscaperifyouwant to create a beautiful natural pool in your backyard.

When to prune your trees and shrubs

Although trees and shrubs can grow very wellwithoutintervention,occasionalpruning helpspromoteoptimalhealth.

Here’swhatyouneedtoknow.

FLOWERING

Shrubs like rhododendrons and lilacs bloom from last year’s stems, whereas others, like roses and hydrangeas, bloom from new growth. It’s best to prune shrubs that ﬂower from old wood immediately after blooming. However, shrubs that bloom on new growth shouldbetrimmedinthespring.

DORMANCY

In general, shrubs and trees go dormant in thespringbeforetheirbudsopen.Thisisthe besttimeforpruningbecausetheplantsheal faster Late fall is also appropriate. However,pruninginthewintershouldbeavoided.

Furthermore,mid-summerisidealforpruning trees that produce a lot of sap in the spring, likemaple,birchandwillow

Lastly, pruning large trees and fruit trees should beleft tothe experts. Forthe bestresults, contact a professional tree pruner in yourarea.