GATEWAY
WEDNESDAY August 28 2013
Your community voice for the north!
N E WS A N D E V E N TS FOR PRINCE GEORGE AND CENT RAL INT ER IOR
The healing garden Sophie Thomas’s healing powers remembered
NEWS PAGE 6
Valemount Huble Master Plan Homestead The proposed recreation Giscome area for Valemount Glacier Destination resort on Days Mount Meighen
NEWS PAGE 8
Outdoor adventure NEWS page 5
Season wrapping up
LIFE PAGE 16
Back-to-school Ease the transition
BACK TO SCHOOL PAGE 38
Bryce Lokken from Cycle North and Amber Collett from Eden spas sit on a Polaris at Cycle North. Citizen photo by Brent Braaten
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Available on-line at www.pgcitizen.ca General Inquiries 250-562-2441 Publisher: Colleen Sparrow Advertising: Dave Smith Editor: Neil Godbout Reader Sales: Alan Ramsay
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Northern Explorer Outdoor Adventure Show BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for the North healing garden Valemount Glacier Destination master plan Prince George healthcare superhero Dr. Bill Clifford Great things to see and do in Southside Huble Homestead season wrapping up Chetwynd offers many wonderful things “Take the Sky” in Barkerville takeonPG features of the month Launch you boat, career and life in Fraser Lake Snapshot: Fraser Lake Fashion: Fall pants Back-to-school: Ease the transition Back-to-school: The right computer Back-to-school: Spark the joy of reading in kids Health & Leisure: Mothers with arthritis Gateway Grill: Three-Pepper Barbecue Potato Salad Gateway Grill: Granola Bars Community Calendar Careers: Build your own brand
Neil Godbout managing Editor
GATEWAYnews
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Thrill the outdoorsman in you! Christine Hinzmann Looking for something new to thrill the outdoorsman in you? Now there’s the Northern Explorer Outdoor Adventure show at CN Centre, hosted by The Prince George Citizen and Cycle North Powersports, on Sept. 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., to offer what’s new in the world of outdoor recreation. The free show will be a massive indoor/ outdoor expo, featuring all the best in hunting, fishing, powersports, and outdoor recreation. “After tremendous success with our other trade shows, we wanted to bring something to Prince George and Northern B.C. that showcases the best our region has to offer
“We’re committed to helping northern in outdoor activities,” said Norm Coyne, the B.C. get outside and experience everything Citizen’s promotions executive. the region has to offer - whether that’s This is a two-day event to provide quadding, northern B.C. snowmobiling, residents the fishing, boating, opportunity to Through the generous support hunting, or any see what’s going of our sponsors, we were able to of the hundreds on locally and of other great regionally when do this with free admission so things we’re able it comes to that everyone can enjoy this as a to do in our own outdoor activities community event. backyards. We offering live – Norm Coyne also want the demonstrations community to be to show you how able to try new activities, and that’s why it’s done. we’ll be demonstrating quads and side-by“Cycle North is excited to be a sponsor sides live at the show, as long as riders have of the Sportsman show,” said Bryce Lokken, a proper helmet and safety gear.” who handles marketing for Cycle North.
There are more than 100 exhibitor spots inside CN Centre, as well as on the exhibition grounds. Businesses interested in exhibiting can contact Coyne at 250 6406670 or ncoyne@pgcitizen.ca. The show is sponsored by Cycle North Powersports, Northland Dodge, and Eden Spas. Some of the other exhibitors will include Wild Life, Happy Trails, Forest Power Sports, Prince George Yamaha,Tabor Mountain Ski Resort, Skeena Meadows Wildlife Preserve,T Moore Photography, Northern BC Tourism, and Northern Hardware. “Through the generous support of our sponsors, we were able to do this with free admission so that everyone can enjoy this as a community event,” said Coyne.
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GATEWAYnews
Sophie’s garden
Ted Clarke
S
ophie Thomas’s healing powers as a medicine woman were powerful and saved the lives of many people. So it is only fitting her traditional ways will be remembered in the BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for the North healing garden, now known as Sophie’s Garden. Made up of the same indigenous shrubs and trees she used to make her medicine and planted last fall adjacent to the cancer clinic, the garden was officially opened to the public on a bright Saturday afternoon in a ceremony that included seven of Sophie’s 15 children and a large group of extended family members and invited guests. “Right now she’s probably dancing on the other side, rejoicing and singing, happy to see so many people come together in her honour and for the sake of honouring Mother Earth and the gifts that are provided through the plants and medicines,” said Jasmine Thomas, Sophie’s greatgranddaughter. “What we’ve been seeing here in the
North has been high rates of cancer and finding good quality service has been an issue until this building was proposed. Now we have this building and good quality services as well as this space, where patients and their families can come where they can see some of the traditional plants my great-grandmother used to treat cancer patients.” The plaque at far end of the path is surrounded by what Thomas’s daughter Minnie considers the most important plants in the garden. “There’s choke cherry, raspberry and mountain alder, that’s what my mom used for cancer,” said Minnie.“We use mountain alder to kill cancer cells and it works.The mountain alder does the work, and the choke cherry and raspberry flushes out the bad stuff. “She had to really know you well before she’d make the medicine for you.You had to tell her what was happening in your life and then she’d know what to do for you. She was one incredible healer.” Cont’d on page 7
GATEWAYnews Cont’d from page 6 Sophie used yarrow flowers to chase away mosquitoes, gave her kids pine bark extracts for colds, put wild rose bushes under pillows wrapped with a sharp object to chasing away evil spirits, and used the roots of tamarack trees to reduce high blood pressure and help men treat prostrate or urinary system problems.Tamarack also contains a powerful tonic that has earned it a non-traditional name, Indian Viagra. Until her death in 2010 at age 97, Sophie’s traditional medicines reached patients around the world. She treated patients with HIV when it first arrived in the 1980s, and mainstream medicine had no answers for treatment. Europeans learned of her herbal mixtures and had her concoctions shipped overseas on airplane seats. “She treated many people, doctors would send some patients to see my greatgrandmother and she never charged for her services,” said Jasmine Thomas.“She was always sharing this knowledge so it would be preserved and future generations would continue to pass on that knowledge.” Wearing a traditional headdress and suede jacket under the hot sun, Sophie’s son Stanley, chief of the Saik’uz First Nation on the Stoney Creek reserve south of Vanderhoof, spoke of his mother’s sense of humour and her qualities as a teacher, and how her healing methods were passed down to his family. “She was a chief herself, she was a true elder, and a true teacher to each and every one of us, and she made a great path for us in the family and for all the people,” said Stanley.“This is a beautiful place and it’s going to help a lot of people.”
The legacy of Sophie’s expertise in medicine stems from what she learned from own grandmother in the forests of northern B.C., which she considered,“my pharmacy.” Her book, Plants and Medicine of Sophie Thomas, and the Warmth of Love video are the results of her family’s efforts to preserve that legacy. Known for her qualities as an environmentalist, she lived by her own words:“If we look after the earth, it will look after us. If we destroy it, it will destroy us.” “I’m very proud of my mom,” said Sophie’s youngest daughter Maureen.“She did a lot for people everywhere and I was lucky, as soon as I’d get a cough she’d get the medicine from the fridge of down in the shack. “She would think this garden was wonderful. It’s beautiful.”
If we look after the earth, it will look after us. If we destroy it, it will destroy us. – Sophie Thomas Sophie learned of plans for the garden just two days before her death. Working with Pamela Tobin, regional director of operations for the BC Cancer Agency, the family’s traditional healers continued to plan its construction.The cancer centre opened last November. “People use this garden all the time,” said Tobin.“Every day we have patients and families come to sit out side and enjoy the sun and the garden and we have staff who come out to enjoy their lunch. We wanted to make sure this garden is open and welcoming to everybody.”
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GATEWAYnews
The master plan The proposed recreation area for Valemount Glacier Destination resort on Mount Meighen. Handout photo Charelle Evelyn VALEMOUNT - Now in the master plan stage, there’s not much area resdidents can do about the Valemount Glacier Destination except wait. The year-round ski resort proposal is a potential jumping-off point for revitalizing a village that has lost nearly 200 residents in the past decade. During the master plan review process, a detailed analysis of the proposal will look at technical and economic feasibility as well as determine potential environmental impacts to existing forestry and recreation activities. If the resort is approved to proceed, the golf, skiing and sightseeing facility would require about $800 million in capital investment. The Valemount Ski Society was formed more than two years ago to spur this type of development. Chair Bruce Wilkinson said the group can’t do much while things are in the designers’ hands. But in the lead up to this point, the society worked to be the community’s voice at the negotiation table. With an approachable - and more importantly, local - eight-person executive Wilkinson said the
feedback they receive is generally positive. “But there is positive with concerns, too,” he said, citing some issues such as water rights or other environmental impacts that the 2,000 bed-unit resort has generated. But an open line of communication has been key in dispelling many unfounded myths. “Right from when we started to even look at this as a group of people, we were out there telling the public what we wanted to do because we had so many other proposals here that have fallen through - this one had to be approached in a different manner,” said Wilkinson. Within the village, the key word around the resort plan is caution. “We need to recognize that we’re early on in the process for this development and there’s many, many potential off-ramps yet that could stop this development,” said Valemount chief administrative officer Anne Yanciw.“So while it is a venture that’s on the horizon, it isn’t a certainty.” In 2003, Sunrise International announced with great fanfare their intention to move quickly on setting up a development on Canoe Mountain with golf courses, hotels, trails and highlighted by an eight-person gondola. Cont’d on page 10
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GATEWAYnews Cont’d from page 8 Ground was broken on the project in 2005 with the expectation of a 2006 opening date for the hotel and golf course. But an uncertain tourism market and increased costs were cited as reasons for the $100 million project getting shelved in 2008. What the village is attempting to do now, after having gone through the Canoe Mountain disappointment, is stave off a rush on local real estate, explained Mayor Andru McCracken. “Rampant speculation on land properties and houses and whatever else... it’s a part of how the market functions, but it can be extremely disruptive to a community,” he said.“And when I think about all the people who invested in real estate with high, high expectations of about what the Canoe Mountain gondola was going to bring in terms of housing values - those families, middle class families, had lost a lot in that brinksmanship.” Market values have dropped considerably over the past several years, agreed Jeanette Townsend, who sat as mayor of Valemount for 18 years and is now vice chair of the local chamber of commerce. “People are not getting their investment back,” she said, citing one home that went on the market for more than $400,000 and eventually sold for less than $300,000. To keep these things from happening again requires good management of the proposal, said McCracken. But it also requires the village to focus on the things it already has going for it. Yanciw, who moved to Valemount from
Calgary a year and half ago, said she found what she was looking for in the village’s current state. “I was attracted to Valemount as it is,” she said.“I didn’t need VGD (Valemount Glacier Destination) for it to be an attractive community.” And while the town is ripe for development, that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen tomorrow, added Wilkinson. “It’s going to take us time to go through these processes. And they’re there for a good cause.The government has a good system for use of Crown land,” he said. According to McCracken, what the village needs to do is look ahead to two futures one where the development goes ahead and one where it doesn’t. “Having gone through this process, which I say we’re investing significant energy into, whether it happens the way we perceive it to happen, the way the developer wants it to happen or if it doesn’t happen, Valemount is going to be a better place for it for having gone through this process,” he said.“In the sense that we’ve considered our future as a community, really having thought about where it is we want to go.” But where it needs to go is somewhere that provides an injection to the local economy, said Townsend. “At one time this was a really thriving community,” she said, noting a desperate need for development now.“People with families have moved away for employment reasons.” -- In the next part of the Citizen’s ongoing series on Valemount, niche businesses get their shot while another major residential and commercial development stalls.
GATEWAYnews
PG’s healthcare superhero
Peter James
Prince George is home to a healthcare superhero as Dr. Bill Clifford took home the top individual honour this week at the Excellence in B.C. Health Care awards. Clifford, the chief medical information officer at Northern Health, beat out nominees from six other health authorities to take home the provincial health care hero award. He was recognized for his work over the past two decades on electronic medical records management. “I was really surprised,” Clifford said Tuesday, a day after picking up his Golden Apple award in Vancouver.“The winners from the other health authorities were doing some pretty amazing stuff. When we’re up here in the north, sometimes we put our head down and work and take it for granted people won’t be paying that much attention to what we’re doing, so when this happened I was very surprised.” According to Clifford, the electronic records help physicians on two levels: when they’re seeing patients by providing clinical decision making support and on a practice level by giving doctors general information on patient health trends. “First at the patient level, it guides you with information in real time to help with the patient visit and at the practice level it guides you about the overall care you’re providing and where improvements can be made,” Clifford explained. He said the records can also prevent patients from falling through the cracks
by altering physicians about missed appointments or holes in follow up care. The next step for the electronic records is securely sharing information between different clinics - for instance sending referral and consulting letters back and forth electronically. “That’s in the works and will be ready to deploy from any [electronic records system] to any other [electronic records system],” Clifford said. At the same time, Clifford and others are developing a way for doctors to compare aggregate information about their practice to regional averages. For instance it could allow a physician to compare how well his diabetic patients are managing their conditions with the general trends in northern B.C. He said the tool is aimed for internal use within the medical community and not a means for the general public to compare doctors. “You can invite people to be your data friend, but unless you make the invitation it’s for your use only to compare to the big group,” Clifford said, adding Northern Health could also track the trends to better deploy resources. Meanwhile, two of Northern Health’s programs also received recognition at the health awards. The Stop HIV/AIDS program walked away with a golden apple for top prize in the collaborative solutions category and men’s health program took home an award of merit in the innovation category. Organized by the Health Employers Association of B.C, the excellence awards have been around since 2007 to honour work done by employees in the publicly funded healthcare sector.
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GATEWAYlife
Southside
Great things to see and do
Southside has had a busy summer so far, but there is a lot of time and events still to come. Come see the breathtaking view at the top of Verdun Looking only about 8 km from Keefe’s Landing Road and Eaton Settlement Road intersection. Drivable with 4wd or a small trek up the road, it is well worth it. Stop at SEDA Centre on Southbank for directions and details. The Annual Lakes District Fall Fair is also a must see event in the area, including children’s events, a petting zoo, a fun day of gymkhana events including pole bending, barrel racing, flag racing, keyhole and scurry race. A wide variety of teen events include a teen tractor pull, Elvis impersonator competition, and an idol contest featuring 1940’s and 1970’s music.There is a teen dance and bonfire Saturday night too. Get the kids to partner up and compete in the Amazing Teen Race happening on the grounds. Don’t forget the Logger Sports. It includes cross cut saw, choker race, wood splitting and even spike dive for kids. Southside has always been famous for its fish, and to go with that, Noralee Resort is holding a summer long fishing derby. Entry is simply staying at the resort in either cabins or on their campground.To participate, it only means catching a fish at Francois Lake and getting your picture taken by the owner to be in the draw. The derby ends Sept.3 , and all participants are welcome, even children. With so many fish to be caught and good times to be had, you don’t want to miss out on a chance for either, not to mention the prizes available. Cont’d on page 14
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GATEWAYlife Cont’d from page 12 Don’t hesitate to phone the SEDA Centre for any details regarding events at 1-250-6943219. We’re looking forward to your visit! See you soon!
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GATEWAYlife Huble Homestead Historical Site
Wrapping up season with Giscome Days
Crossing the Portage by Richard Estell. Artist’s rendition of John Giscome; there are no known photos.
Just because summer is coming to an end doesn’t mean the fun at Huble Homestead Historic Site stops. Our regular season will wrap up with Giscome Days on Sunday and Monday Sept. 1 and 2.This is your chance to learn all about the Giscome Portage, a BC Parks designated heritage trail with a rich, ancient history. 2013 is the 150th anniversary of the arrival of John Giscome, for whom the trail was named, but Giscome Days will celebrate all of the trail’s history, including its flora and fauna, its use by First Nations people, the creation of the wagon road, and its importance to the business of Huble and Seebach. Learn about Jamaican culture and enjoy a Caribbean cook-
ing demonstration, and get familiar with the seasonal life of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation at the fish camp. Be sure to stop in the upper parking lot for a look at the Giscome Portage exhibit in the Salmon Valley Post Office, and take advantage of 10 per cent off all your purchases in the General Store at the season-end sale. Huble Homestead is open every day from 10a.m.-5p.m.until Sept.2 and weekends from Sept. 7 to Oct.14. Located 40km north of Prince George, just off Highway 97 on Mitchell Road, admission is always by donation. Visit hublehomestead.ca for a full schedule of events.
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GATEWAYlife
Many wonderful things Chetwynd offers many wonderful things to do during the summer months. We have numerous hiking, walking, and mountain biking trails. One of the most popular hikes,
Mt. Baldy is marked as an easy hike. It is approximately 1.6 km to the top with an elevation of 900m. From the top of Baldy you get a gorgeous view of the town.
Chetwynd is also home to 134, and counting, chainsaw carvings. Chetwynd holds and annual event called “The Chetwynd International Chainsaw Carving Championship.” Every year twelve professional carvers from all over the world come to Chetwynd to compete.The carvers are only given 35 hours over four days to complete their carving. The carvings are then displayed in front of the Chetwynd Visitor Centre for the year following the competition.The carvings are then relocated to a spot around town. The Chetwynd Visitor Centre offers maps of all the carvings and they offer walking tours of the new twelve carvings from each year. www.gochetwynd.com
Octopus is called “My Blue Ocean” done by Chris Foltz
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GATEWAYlife
Take the sky in Barkerville
Fans of hit TV shows like “The X-Files” and “Babylon 5” take note: your geekend dreams are about to come true! Hot on the heels of last year’s successful steampunk-themed Lost in Time event, Barkerville Historic Town is proud to announce the return of all things geek-chic… and this year, thanks to an exclusive partnership with the Prince George Citizen’s The Scene PG magazine, Barkerville’s geekend is going to be bigger and better than ever. Cont’d on page 21
Denise Crosby
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GATEWAYlife Cont’d from page 20 Geekenders, Vancouver’s preeminent nerdy event company and theatre troupe, are headed back to Barkerville with a threeday party for anybody and everybody who ever wanted to just put on a costume and be awesome for 72 hours. From Friday, September 27th to Sunday, September 29th, 2013, Barkerville will play host to Geekenders Lost in Time 2: Take the Sky, a fun-filled, sci-fi party-convention that is packing some serious heat. Actor and documentary filmmaker Denise Crosby, who is
Dean Haglund
perhaps best known to television audiences as Lieutenant Tasha Yar on the hit series “Star Trek:The Next Generation,” will be on deck to meet with fans, sign autographs, and pose for photographs on Saturday, September 28th, as well as participate in a special artist panel Q&A for Take the Sky ticket holders. Author and “Babylon 5” star Claudia Christian will be present throughout the day on Saturday as well, and will even jump onstage at the historic Theatre Royal to perform a 45-minute, Star Trek-themed improv show with Dean Haglund, co-star of “The X-Files” and “The Lone Gunmen.” Mr. Haglund and Ms. Christian will also be available for photos and autographs by day, and together join a stunning array special guests and performers who will appear throughout the three-day Take the Sky event. On Friday, September 27th, Vancouver-based actor Michael Schaldemose will perform his one-man tour-de-force “Call Me Kirk” at 9:00 PM, and renowned fandom comedians Jesse Inocalla (LEGO’s Legends of Chima, Anime Evolution) and Tyler James Nicol (Megasteakman, Cos & Effect) will be along for the ride. On Saturday night Trixie Hobbitses, the Canadian “Nerd Queen of Burlesque,” will head up a growing list of amazing ‘nerdlesque’ performers, comedians, and emcees who are sure to knock off a few socks – theirs and yours.
Claudia Christian
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GATEWAYlife
takeonPG features of the month
Grab a beer on the patio Aberdeen Glen Eagles Nest Restaurant has one of the best patio views in town! Look down over the 10th and 18th holes as you sip your pint under the sun.You don’t have to be a golfer to appreciate the awesome scenery and even better company.
Sleep in a secluded cabin Sugarbowl Grizzly Den Provincial Park is hikeable in any season and even has backcountry campsites and pit toilets. Hike to the Grand Canyon of the Fraser River and stay the night in a cabin. Cont’d on page 23
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GATEWAYlife Cont’d from page 22
Swing for the fences Round up your motley crew to play a fun game of baseball at one of the local public diamonds. Load the bases at Freeman Park!
Get on board for a scenic ride The Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum makes history fun! Take a tour through the facility on the mini rail, then walk through the bigger exhibits and interact with our area’s industry.
Take a guided walk through history
Meet at the PG Public Library and take an afternoon tour of Historic Downtown.Tell us what now stands in place of the Ritts Kiefer and Corless House buildings!
Defy gravity This one’s not for the faint of heart or stomach. At both the May Fair and BCNE midways, the big rides are staples for ride enthusiasts year after year. Brave the Zipper, the Ring of Fire, the Gravitron and other hits. Don’t eat before you ride! Cont’d on page 26
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GATEWAYlife Cont’d from page 23
Start up a water fight Spray your friend or just cool down at the Rotary Water Park in Fort George Park. Afterwards, dry off in the sunshine. Pack some juice boxes to quench your thirst in the heat!
Drain a hole-in-one Putt your way around the park-like setting of Raceway Mini Golf’s challenging greens. Add your own challenges at each hole and try to keep your score low.
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GATEWAYlife
Launch your boat, launch your career, launch your life!
Fraser Lake is a great place for people to vacation and work but, it is an even better place to live!
Launch your Boat! With great lakes, rivers and streams, Fraser Lake has a multitude of boat launch’s and boating activities. Whether you fish, water ski, tube, sail or float, Fraser Lake and area can provide you the right body of water to do it in. There are over 170 lakes within a 100 kilometre radius of the Village of Fraser Lake. Fraser Lake is the Recreation Destination for the region.
Launch your Career! Fraser Lake is fortunate to have two great resource industries in the area, a large molybdenum mine and great sawmill. Both are hiring for a variety of positions. Check out Endako Mines and West Fraser Sawmills online or check out the Village of Fraser Lake’s website at www.fraserlake.ca. In addition, we are recruiting outstanding professionals in health care and education for our community. Check out the Northern Health Authority, School District No.91 or the Village of Fraser Lake website for current opportunities. Cont’d on page 31
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GATEWAYsnapshot
Cont’d from page 28 Looking at starting your own business? We have a market, a new commercial development, and a welcoming operating environment! Please contact our Economic Development department at vfledo@fraserlake.ca for more information.
Launch your Life! Fraser Lake offers a quality of life that is off the charts. We have it all. Secure employment opportunities, affordable housing, excellent recreational choices (winter & summer, inside & outside) good health and education services and a safe, caring community. Please visit our website at www.fraserlake.ca or find us on Facebook: Village of Fraser Lake or follow us on Twitter @FraserLakeBC.
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GATEWAYfashion
Samantha Critchell The Associated Press
NEW YORK - Pants are always popular, especially with real women and real lives to lead, but they rarely spark a lot of excitement. What can you do with two legs and a waistband, after all? More than you think, responds the fashion industry this fall. “Pants feed back into the overarching idea of personal style,” says Samira Nasr, fashion director at Elle magazine.“There really is a choice in how adventurous do you want to be.” She adds:“Pants are the go-to because they are the most comfortable thing, they look good and they are a functional garment. Women can go about their day and feel ‘dressed.”’ Still, can you get the compliments with pants that you always seem to receive when you wear a new dress? Absolutely, says designer Nanette Lepore: Find your fit and a good tailor, and the kind words will come. A teenager or even a young 20-something who probably mostly wears jeans or shorts has never really lived through a high-fashion pants moment, she says.This is her chance. She can break away from leggings or skinny jeans - or at least try them in prints - and she should try the relaxed track-pant silhouette that has broken out as a trend, says Lepore, who designs a youthful line for JCPenney called L’Amour.“It’s going to be a little bit of a leap for her, but she’s going to get the coolness of them.”
“I have them on today,” Lepore said. “I wear them with a nice peasant top - I decided to mix it with something soft and feminine - but most girls will wear it with a simple T-shirt. But I wanted to move it to a new place if we’re going to make it our new go-to pant.” For a more sophisticated customer, she’d recommend clean, slim-leg trousers paired with a tailored suit jacket.“I really think the suit could be the new dress.” And Lepore says higher waistbands are on the way. As for the wide-leg option, it’s out there, especially a cropped style that landed on Nasr’s radar after previews of the resort collections that will be available around the holidays. She predicts there will be even more of them next spring, but adds that they’re an acquired taste and won’t be for everyone. Lepore says women “just love skinny pants. We will put other things on the runway, like that soft pant, which morphed into a cargo pant, but I don’t see a flared leg coming back anytime soon.” The jumpsuit, however, is ripe for a return, says designer Abi Ferrin, who spent three years retooling the silhouette to create one she thought would work for her own more curvy shape. Cont’d on page 33
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GATEWAYfashion Cont’d from page 32 Ferrin is better known for her dresses, but she really wanted the jumpsuit in her repertoire. Her newest twist for fall is a jumpsuit with the geniestyle, cinched-bottom ankle. “It seems scary until you try it on, but you put it on, and put on a tall shoe, and it looks great,” Ferrin says. “It’s work upfront, but it’s one and done.You get the ease of pants, but all you have to do is add earrings and a cuff bracelet.” But trying on pants is something many women dread, says Devina Foley, vice-president of merchandising at retailer Loft. She’s been dubbed “the pants whisperer” inside the company as she has worked with chief style director Alia AhmedYahia to overhaul the design, fit and overall shopping experience for pants. “There are a lot of women who need to hire a baby sitter because they know it’s going to take them so long to get pants,” says Foley. It doesn’t have to be that way; it could be a five-minute transaction, she pledges. The last time pants were a must-have for the important fall shopping season was about five years ago, and there has been
improvement in fabric technology since then. There are good options with some wool and some cotton - but all with stretch - that will allow for some drape but still have a smoothing effect, Foley says. At Loft, the waistband also has become a little wider to create the look of a flatter middle, and the side seam down the leg has been moved forward slightly so the front looks slimmer. When shoppers find a pant they like, they buy multiples, she says, which they don’t do when it’s a dress or a skirt. Why? Part of it is loyalty to a flattering pant, she says, though it’s not as exciting as a cool printed shirt or expensive-looking necklace. “It’s not the pant itself, it’s what happens around the pants - a sliver of the midriff showing on top, great shoes or accessories that you’ll talk about - but you remember where you got your favourite pair of pants,” Nasr says. She says you need that perfect basic canvas.“I take comfort in the fact that a great pair of pants is a great pair of pants.” Follow Samantha Critchell at http://www.twitter. com/ap-fashion and http://www.twitter.com/samcritchell
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GATEWAYback-to-school
Ease the transition back to school Autumn marks a crucial time for families, especially for kids – back to school and the daily routine of class, extra-curricular activities and homework.To ease your child back into the school year, make learning fun outside the classroom to keep their minds sharp.Tech expert, Amber Mac, the co-host of television show AppCentral, shares
her tips for helping kids gear up for the school year ahead.
Read Reading is fundamental to childhood development.To make it interactive, replace the television with reading exercises in your child’s downtime. Cont’d on page 35
GATEWAYback-to-school Cont’d from page 34 For example, the LeapReader (by LeapFrog) is a new technology tool that helps children sound out words, read sentences and works with your child’s skill level to improve their reading and vocabulary.“Reading at home bolsters children’s imaginations, develops their interests and above all, is the ideal complement to school studies,” says Amber Mac.
Challenge With Games One of the key ways to make learning fun is to add an entertainment component. Games with an educational foundation are an easy way to ensure your child is learning while having fun.There are a number of kid-friendly tablets available, and one of the favourites is also from LeapFrog, the new kid-tested, LeapPad Ultra.With over 800 downloadable games, apps and videos for this device, your child will be able to tailor content to best suit their interests.
Make It Personal With the return to the classroom come new
wardrobe additions and fresh supplies. Spark your child’s creativity and encourage them to personalize.Whether it’s patches on a backpack, a keychain for their backpack they make themselves, or stickers to personalize their agenda, getting the creative juices flowing will give them a sense of accomplishment and allow them to express their unique personalities.
Schedule time for Fun Plan educational and fun activities/outings on the weekends. For instance, visit a museum one day, play a word association game the next, or head to a sports game. The key is to switch up the routine and still integrate learning, while helping kids stay inspired and have fun. Keeping kids engaged in learning activities outside of the classroom will ensure their minds are fresh and prepped for the school year ahead. Back to school is a special time for parents and children alike, so make the experience fun and keep the excitement and learning going throughout the year. www.newscanada.com
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GATEWAYback-to-school
Your new study buddy
With back-to-school around the corner, now is the time to research and make an informed decision about the right computer for the student in your life. A new PC can start in a flash, has the power to do everything faster and is less expensive than you may think. Whether you have a budding Picasso, track star or science champion, there’s no need to take a “one size fits all” approach when choosing the right PC for academic success. Make sure that you consider the following:
Battery Life: The drama queen can take countless videos of herself practicing her latest monologue, without worrying about battery life running out. With a new computer, she can watch herself on video and change her acting cues instantly, without having to search for a power source. Speed: Just like a sports star on the field going from the side line to the end zone, speed is important. With updated processors and capabilities, the latest PCs will lower your wait times and bring you entertainment, faster.
Power Up: The extra-curricular busy bee needs a laptop that powers on in seconds, rather than minutes. With instanton technology, be sure to choose a laptop that won’t waste any time booting up at debate club before running off to student council.
Weight: The social butterfly requires a light laptop. No longer a heavy burden, PCs weigh as little as three pounds, making it easier to zip from class to the coffee shop, without weighing them down.
Thickness: A studious student needs the perfect study buddy. All-in-one PCs keep textbooks, DVDs and the occasional video game together in one thin console, mere millimetres thin. With these key ingredients, you can find a computer perfect for academic success in the year ahead. Need help? Visit www. pcmatchmaker.ca to help find the right match. www.newscanada.com
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GATEWAYback-to-school
Spark the
joy
of reading in kids Reading is a gift – it takes you on a journey, opens your eyes, raises questions and exposes you to new thoughts and ideas. With the following five tips, you can make sure your child will read more and have fun while doing it:
Designate Reading Time
Keep a Journal
Setting daily reading time with your child is an effective way to motivate him or her to read more. Whether it is during breakfast, after school or before bedtime, a set time of day infuses routine and stability, giving your child something to look forward to.
A journal is a great way to bolster your child’s creativity and enhance reading and writing skills.To add another layer of learning, encourage kids to use some of the new words they have been learning to further enhance their vocabulary. A short daily journal entry will help keep their skills sharp.
Learn a New Word a Day Pick out a word in an encyclopedia, or have your child flip to a random page and select a word with his or her finger, then study it and learn the spelling and meaning behind the word. If you would like to go even further, you can encourage your child to use that word in a sentence the following day to help with memory retention.
Learn Through Listening Audio books, learning songs and trivia challenges help build comprehension skills and vocabulary. For a tool to help the learning to read and write process, the LeapReader (by LeapFrog) has a library with over 150 stories, work and audio books, along with a wide range of activities that are sure to stimulate their minds and help foster enhanced reading and writing skills.
Start a Book Club Organize a book club amongst your children’s friends. Host a get-together once a month, where they can discuss the latest book they are reading. Make it fun by serving some snacks and drinks (you can even theme them around the story). These tips will help ensure reading is an enjoyable experience that you and your child will relish. By making reading fun, you will ensure that your child enhances his or her skills and it will be a memorable experience that you can share together for years to come. www.newscanada.com
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GATEWAYhealth&leisure
Mothers with arthritis get help with the
‘3 Ps of Parenting’ From sweet cuddles to sudden clean-ups, motherhood can be both rewarding and demanding, especially for women with arthritis – a condition that causes painful inflammation in the joints and one that may limit mobility. Arthritis is now seen as a woman’s disease, affecting 2.8 million women in Canada. What’s more, it’s not just a disease of the old – it can strike a woman in the prime of her life, before or even during pregnancy.Therefore, it is important that women experiencing symptoms, such as joint stiffness, swelling or inflammation, get screened early. Shoppers Drug Mart, in conjunction with the Arthritis Consumer Experts and Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, has developed the first and only arthritis screening especially for women designed to detect arthritis and help women living with the disease better manage their condition dayto-day. The ‘3 Ps of Parenting’ can help women with arthritis enjoy the rewards of motherhood, while staying on top of its demands:
• Prepare: For school-aged children, preparation the night before, like packing lunches, laying out school clothes and setting out school bags, can help ease the stress of the morning. For mothers with babies, when preparing for diaper changes make sure to adjust the table to a comfortable height, where you do not have to bend over using sore or stiff joints. Some changing tables can attach to a wall at any height.
• Pace: Think about ways to pace yourself and conserve your energy by looking at what you can realistically do. Focus on what really matters to you and delegate the rest.The same applies to playtime. Adapt your activities to your abilities. Instead of skiing or a game of tennis, play a board game, take a walk or go to the movies with your child.
• Positive: It’s important to maintain a positive attitude in front of your children. Avoid thinking of requests for assistance as burdening them because as they grow older they will increasingly take on the tasks you’ve been doing for them. Learn more about the arthritis screening for women from your Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist, or visit www.shoppersdrugmart.ca. www.newscanada.com
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GATEWAYgrill
Peppers add
distinct flavours
One variety of pepper just isn’t enough to get this potato salad ready for your next celebration. So we upped it to three - black pepper, cayenne pepper and roasted red peppers each adding their own distinct flavour. And don’t worry, the bite of black and cayenne peppers are tamed by the sweet roasted red peppers and the sour cream dressing. Want to add fourth and fifth varieties? Mix in some diced mild Peppadew peppers (tangy, but not much heat) and banana peppers (sweet and crunchy). For a crunchy contrast, you even could add a sixth with a diced fresh green bell pepper.
Three-Pepper Barbecue Potato Salad Start to finish: 1 hour (15 minutes active) Servings: 8 Ingredients: 2 pounds red potatoes, cubed 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 cup barbecue sauce 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained, patted dry and chopped 4 scallions, chopped 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese Salt, to taste Directions: Place the potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to cover them by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are just tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Drain the potatoes, then spread them on a rimmed baking sheet to cool. Sprinkle the cooling potatoes with the vinegar, then refrigerate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine the sour cream, barbecue sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir in the roasted red peppers, scallions and cheddar. When the potatoes are cool, gently stir them into the sour cream mixture until well coated. Season with salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve. EDITOR’S NOTE: Alison Ladman is a recipe developer for the AP. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ CrustAndCrumbCo
GATEWAYgrill
Fuel up with easy homemade
granola bars
Homemade granola bars are an easy and healthy after-school snack and aren’t as sweet as the store-bought varieties. They can be stored in an air-tight container to have handy when hunger strikes. More great recipes can be found at www.peanutbureau.ca.
Double Peanut Granola Bars Prep time: 10 minutes Cooling time: 1 hour Baking time: 25 minutes Makes 14 bars Ingredients: 2 cups (500 mL) old-fashioned rolled oats ¾ cup (175 mL) peanuts, chopped ¼ cup (60 mL) raisins 2 tbsp (30 mL) ground flax seed (optional) ½ tsp (2 mL) cinnamon ¼ tsp (1 mL) salt ⅓ cup (75 mL) liquid honey ¼ cup (60 mL) peanut butter ¼ cup (60 mL) brown sugar 3 tbsp (45 mL) butter Directions: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease an
8x8-inch (20x20-cm) baking pan and line with parchment paper, letting it stick and hang over the pan. In a large bowl, stir oats with peanuts, raisins, flax seed, cinnamon and salt. Place honey, peanut butter, brown sugar and butter in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Stir constantly until sugar is dissolved and mixture boils around edges, about 1 minute. Pour over oatmeal mixture and stir well to combine. Using damp fingers, press firmly into pan. Bake in preheated oven until edges are a deep golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan. Using the parchment paper, remove to a cutting board then discard parchment. Slice into bars and store in an airtight container. www.newscanada.com
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GATEWAYcommunity calendar
Houston Houston is a friendly community with many attractions. Steelhead Park, which can be seen right from Highway 16, is a beautifully maintained and flourishing park with many diverse plants and flowers, an incredible fountain, picnic tables and a nice playground for children. The Park is home to the World’s Largest Fly Rod, Houston’s Famous Grizzly and the historical museum. The Fly Rod is 60 feet long, weighs 800 pounds and for five dollars any one can purchase a “Piece of the Rod” in the form of a numbered certificate that shows ownership of a specific centimeter. Houston’s Famous Grizzly Bear is displayed in a glass enclosure attached to the Visitor Centre, this bear is around 18- 22 years old, 975 pounds and when standing erect he is 11 feet tall. So come visit Houston, where the welcome is warm and the wilderness beckons. Visit our website: www.houstonchamber.ca Like our Facebook page - Houston & District Chamber of Commerce
Pleasant Valley Community Market The Pleasant Valley Community Market is open every Friday for the summer season between the hours of 10a.m. to 3p.m. located in Steelhead Park here in Houston. Come stroll though the park and check out what our local vendors have to offer. Farm fresh eggs, Fresh Baked goods, handmade crafts, and bedding plants are some of the goodies you can find at the Pleasant Valley Community Market.
West Fraser Mill Tours Call or come into the Houston & District Chamber of Commerce to book a tour of the West Fraser Mill here in Houston. Tours are Available for the months of July and August. We are only booking on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. First tour starts at 10a.m. and the second one at 2p.m. Proper attire is required, such as: Full length pants and a minimum of 4” sleeves, Must wear closed toed shoes, and we will provide the necessary safety equipment. Ages 10 and up only, and children must be accompanied by and adult. No cell phones or cameras are permitted. Call the Houston & District Chamber of Commerce at 250-845-7640 for more details.
PRINCE GEORGE August 30 & 31 - UNBC Soccer Watch two pre-season university soccer games against the visiting Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack of Kamloops. Location: North Cariboo Senior Soccer Fields 4p.m. - 6p.m.
August 31 - City Hall Market Fair The City Hall Market Fair is an outdoor European-style market with no boundaries and open to everyone. We also hope to have jam sessions with local talented musicians and performers. Anybody who wants to put on a performance is welcome. Make the City Hall stairs your stage. Don’t miss it. Visit our website for more details and for registration at www.cityhallmarketfair. vpweb.ca
GATEWAYcommunity calendar August 31 - Hit to Pass Four cylinder Hit to Pass weekend. Location: PGARA from 7p.m. - 10p.m.
September 1 to 2 – Huble Homestead Historic Site Giscome Days In 2013, we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of John Giscome’s arrival at Lhedesti, later known as the Giscome Portage. This is a multi-cultural event, featuring Jamaican, Caribbean, and First Nations dishes, as well as music and demonstrations. Website: www.hublehomestead.ca
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays - The Downtown Walking Tour The Prince George Public Library will be offering guided tours of the historic downtown core. Interesting features and buildings will be highlighted along with some great stories from the unique and often quirky early days of the city. Join our guide as she shares these stories and answers your questions. Walking tours leave from the front desk of the Bob Harkins Branch at 11a.m. To book a private tour please call the library at 250-563-9251 Ext. 120
PG Farmers’ Market The Indoor market is located at 1074 Sixth Avenue, behind the Keg Restaurant. There are two outdoor locations, one on 1074 Sixth Avenue and one at the corner of George Street and Third Avenue. Saturday’s from 8:30a.m. to 2p.m.
The Little Prince-Steam Train Back for a new season of railroad fun at Fort George Park. The 24-inch gauge train runs along a half mile loop next door to the Exploration Place Museum. 12 - 4p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. $2 per person.
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GATEWAYcareers Graduating students advised to
build their own brand Today’s seasoned professionals recognize the challenges you face trying to stand out in a crowd of new grads.There are ways to market yourself in a professional and effective manner. While there is no fool-proof algorithm to produce the perfect professional brand, being knowledgeable, credible, authentic and trust worthy puts you on the right track as these are all qualities of a solid, hire-able, professional. Marc Quesnel, CGA, is the president of QMR Consulting and Professional Staffing, a firm in the financial and corporate management industry, operating in Ottawa. Cont’d on page 47
GATEWAYcareers Cont’d from page 46 With years of experience navigating the careers of financial and business professionals, Marc offers young professionals advice on how to create and maintain a strong professional brand that will ensure their future successes. Here are five key elements to consider:
Be a lifelong learner – An undergraduate degree isn’t necessarily the end of formal learning. For many, the next step is a professional designation. Marc attributes much of his success to his pursuit of a professional designation within his industry. Learning should be a lifelong pursuit throughout your career – so start your lifelong learning plan now. What skill do you want to learn; what personality trait do you want to develop? Being conscious of opportunities for growth and development will help to keep you and your skills current.Those who subscribe to a life full of learning end up as successful CEOs, CFOs, COOs and entrepreneurs. Start networking – Peer-to-peer networking can open up many opportunities. A professional association is a great resource for making connections, as are industry associations and service clubs. Join organizations that reflect your goals and values. Make sure your online presence reflects your brand – Don’t cripple your professional brand with an unprofessional on-line presence. Employers use LinkedIn, Facebook and Google search, too. Post accomplishments that enhance the impression you want to leave and delete information that presents a brand that you have outgrown. Volunteer for charitable causes – Develop your skills, broaden your perspective, and advance your career while doing good. Be consistent and trustworthy – Consistently reinforce your brand. No one will believe, trust or hire someone who is inconsistent or seemingly untrustworthy. Be authentic. Be yourself – Don’ttry to create a brand that doesn’t reflect the real you. In moments of stress or important decision making, remember the principles you created your brand upon, and it will take care of itself. “Your brand is ultimately your reputation,” Marc advises.“It’s not just the image you present to the world; it’s also how the world perceives you. Good or bad, your reputation will follow you throughout your career and be a key factor in determining your success.” Every academic and accredited professional has worked hard for their degree and/or designation. Learn how you can do more with your career and the diverse opportunities that are available to you. www.newscanada.com
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