Gateway to the North - March 2017

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WEDNESDAY March 22, 2017

NEWS AND EVENTS FOR PRINCE GEORGE AND CENTRAL INTERIOR

Northern FanCon 2017 features star lineup Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca

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he stars are aligning and fast approaching for Northern FanCan. The pop culture festival runs this year from May 5 to May 7 at CN Centre in Prince George.

This year’s lineup includes actors portraying some of the most beloved characters of fan favourite science fiction and fantasy TV and movie franchises.

Karl Urban has had the good fortune of being in several of them. The New Zealander first came to prominence via a pair of TV series: Xena, Warrior Princess and Hercules.

From there, he leapt to the big screen, where he played Eomer, the Prince of Rohan, in The Two Towers and The Return of the King, the second and third installments of the Peter Jackson live-action adaptation of The Lord of the Rings.

More recently, he’s put on the uniform of Starfleet Command and takes his position on the Starship Enterprise in the last three Star Trek movies, playing none other than ship’s doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy. — see URBAN, page 3

Citizen file photo

Brett Cullen poses with Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion Outerrim Garrison on May 15, 2016 during the final day of the 2016 Northern FanCon in Prince George.

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Urban plays Skurge in coming Thor sequel — from page 1 Outside of those pivotal roles, he’s played Judge Dredd in the movie of the same name based on the comic book character. He’s also suited up for Doom, based on the legendary video game. Along with another Star Trek movie last year, he co-starred in the latest Disney remake of Pete’s Dragon.

Urban was born and raised in Wellington, where he established his desires to be involved in acting early.

He parlayed early stage and regional television experiences into a move to Auckland where the busy New Zealand screen arts industry is headquartered.

It wasn’t long before his training and talent led him into increas-

Urban ingly prominent work.

A recurring role on the TV series Shark In The Park was something of a breakthrough for him, and next came his dual roles of Julius

Witt Caesar and Cupid that began on the globally popular series Hercules, The Legendary Journeys and carried into its spinoff series Xena, Warrior Princess

He was dotting the showbiz landscape with films like Price Of Milk, Out Of The Blue, Ghost Ship, and they just kept coming and growing in prominence, such as appearances in The Bourne Supremacy and the Chronicles Of Riddick. He was shortlisted to be James Bond before the role eventually went to Daniel Craig.

Looking ahead, Urban is set to appear as Skurge in the upcoming Marvel film Thor: Ragnarok alongside Idris Elba, Anthony Hopkins, Cate Blachett, Tom Hiddleston, Sam Neill and of course Thor lead Chris Hemsworth. Northern FanCon happens in spring, and the movie will come out in fall, making Urban’s

appearance in Prince George particularly resonant.

Joining Urban will be Alicia Witt, a talented singer, a songwriter, a pianist, photo model and an actress.

Her film career has had an arch the envy of Hollywood. She was discovered by legendary director David Lynch who cast her in his fantasy film Dune when she was only seven years old. But while some child-stars get only the one moment to shine, Witt was only getting started.

She picked up momentum in small parts in Twin Peaks (working again with Lynch), the movie Bodies Rest & Motion, and in Liebestraum.

— see WITT, page 4

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Witt a recording artist in addition to acting roles — from page 3 Then she scored major reviews – getting a Special Jury Recognition award at the Sundance Film Festival – for her work in the movie Fun, and then got A-list attention as Madonna’s on-screen lover in the vignettestyle ensemble film Four Rooms.

She landed a recurring role on a popular sitcom next, playing the daughter of Cybill Shepherd in the eponymous comedy series Cybill.

Back in the movie genre, she also carried off significant roles in Mr. Holland’s Opus and Urban Legend.

From there it was on to weighty roles in Ally McBeal and The Sopranos, the starring role in Playing Mona Lisa, a turn in The Upside of Anger, alongside Al Pacino in 88 Minutes, and a full season of Law & Order:

Criminal Intent.

In the most recent years of her career, she has had major roles in Kingdom, Justified, The Walking Dead and has been announced as one of those coming back to the cast of the rebooted Twin Peaks drama.

Witt also spends time on the boards of dramatic live theatre, and since her debut album in 2009 has now released three records, did a duet on a movie soundtrack with Ben Folds, and joined the cast of Nashville due to her acting/music double skills.

Alongside Witt and Urban, Northern FanCon will feature another heroic warrior leading man.

Kevin Sorbo became a household name for being the leading hunk in Hercules, the Legendary Journeys.

— see SORBO, page 6

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

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GATEWAYnews “Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.”

— Mark Twain

Call 250-562-2441 to go large

AP file photo

Kevin Sorbo speaks during the Heartbreakers portion of the Discovery 2014 Summer TCA on July 9, 2014 in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Sorbo more than Hercules

News Tip? Call 250-562-2441

— from page 4 The show was a sibling of Xena: Warrior Princess starring Lucy Lawless and Young Hercules starring Ryan Gosling.

It set the bar for the spate of classical fantasy programs that used swords to cut a swath of popularity across the 1990s and into the 2000s, bringing it for the first time out of niche cinema into mainstream homes every week.

Along the way, he was also named the titular fantasy hero Kull in the popular

movie release Kull The Conqueror.

Also in that interim, he traded the sword for the rifle as the lead actor in the justiceseeker film franchise Walking Tall.

Hercules was a long-running show, lasting seven years on network television. After it closed its run, however, Sorbo was able to change uniforms and again take on a leadership role in a realm of heroes.

This time, the genre was sci-fi and he was tapped to portray Captain Dylan Hunt in the smash hit Andromeda. He was on that project for another six years.

He has his softer side, too, though.

He was an actor’s actor from the get-go, remember. He was cast in films like Last Chance Café where he plays a modern rancher, a gunslinger cowboy preacher in Avenging Angel, and did a solid turn in the acclaimed biopic Soul Surfer. He also won critical praise for his leading role in the indie film What If...

He was also invited to guest star in a litany of television comedies, from Just Shoot Me, to Two and a Half Men, to Dharma and Greg, to Psych. He also agreed to a recurring role in the final season of The OC. In more recent years he has added the title of author to his lengthy list of accomplishments.

— see AUTOBIOGRAPHY, page 8

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

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Autobiography talks about Sorbo’s brush with death — from page 6 He penned an autobiography entitled True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life, released in 2012.

Part of its content was a vivid telling of a near-death experience after Sorbo suffered a series of strokes.

For this, Sorbo received the Public Leadership in Neurology Award from the

American Brain Foundation and American Academy of Neurology for his work in bringing stroke awareness to an international level.

Sorbo also received the 2013 Invisible Disabilities Association Inspiration Honors Award.

Sorbo also co-authored a volume in the Chicken Soup For The Soul series. His was entitled Think Positive for Kids: 101 Stories About Good Decisions, Self-Esteem, And Positive Thinking.

It’s a title that encapsulates the goals and intentions of Northern FanCon, a popular culture convention that celebrates the quirky, applauds the nerdy, eschews labeling and stereotyping and underestimating the inner hero in all of us.

FanCon comes to the CN Centre/Kin Centre complex May 5 to 7. For information or

He penned an autobiography entitled True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life, released in 2012. Part of its content was a vivid telling of a near-death experience Sorbo suffered (a series of strokes) but overcame. to get tickets, look up the Facebook page or go to the official website, fancon.ca.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

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MP’s PTSD bill goes to committee Citizen staff

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ariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty’s private member’s bill on post-traumatic stress disorder passed unanimously at second reading this month in the House of Commons and will now be studied by an all-party committee.

“Thank you to all parliamentary colleagues who today joined together in the fight against #PTSD,” Doherty posted on his Twitter account.

In response, fellow MPs Mel Arnold and Blake Richards offered praise and congratulations.

The bill calls for the formation a national framework to assist Canadians with PTSD, with focus on first responders.

“This bill sends a message to our silent

Doherty sentinels that this is not a battle that you have to fight by yourself,” said Doherty in the House. “It’s up to all of us – federal, provincial, territorial legislators – to come up with a plan to make sure that no one is left behind.”

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

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Vitamin D linked to brain function Barbara Latkowski Citizen staff blatkowski@pgcitizen.ca

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new study from the Northern Medical Program at UNBC shows that taking a relatively high dose of vitamin D helps brain function.

Dr. Jacqueline Pettersen, a cognitive/behavioral neurologist, compared two groups of healthy adults, one taking high vitamin D doses and the other taking low doses.

Various cognitive functions were assessed before and after treatment.

Pettersen found that the group that received the high dose performed significantly better with tasks specifically related to visual memory.

Pettersen also found that the benefits were even more pronounced among those

with lower levels of vitamin D to begin with.

“This is one of the first studies to demonstrate a positive effect of vitamin D supplementation on brain function in healthy adults,” said Pettersen.

“While there has been good evidence that vitamin D improves memory in animal models, research to date has been limited with respect to humans.”

The study involving the “sunshine vitamin” was carried out as part of an 18-week randomized trial with 83 participants ranging in ages from 20 to 76 years old.

The average age was 55, and 67 per cent of those who participated were female.

All were from northern B.C. “We know it’s common to be insufficient in vitamin D in the north because our winters are so long,” Pettersen said.

— see MEMORY GAINS, page 13

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Pettersen

Memory gains shown in study — from page 12 “That’s why I wanted to explore this. I am from Prince George and memory is something that particularly interests me.”

Areas of testing included verbal memory, visual memory and executive functioning. Those with higher doses of vitamin D excelled significantly in tests involving visual memory.

Vitamin D insufficiency has been estimated to affect one billion people worldwide.

As a nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium, vitamin D helps maintain healthy bones and teeth while helping muscles, nerves and the immune system to function properly.

Research continues to show that vitamin D may be linked to lowering the risk of diseases such as multiple sclerosis and cancer.

Vitamin D must either be synthesized in the skin in response to the sun’s UVB rays or consumed through diet with foods such as salmon, cow’s milk, eggs and fortified yogurts.

And for places in northern latitudes such as Prince George, there are not enough UVB rays to help make vitamin D during several months of the year.

“Food is a poor source of vitamin D. It’s just not enough especially here in the north so it’s so important to supplement this,” said Pettersen.

“These results have implications for public health.”

— see VITAMIN D, page 15

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

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Handout photo

Jonathon Joseph survived a Feb. 15 ordeal on Stuart Lake, near Fort St. James.

Snowmobiler survives plunge into Stuart Lake Barbara Latkowski Citizen staff blatkowski@pgcitizen.ca

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ll I had was the seat to hold on to. Thank goodness that seat floated. It helped keep me alive.”

The rest of Jonathon Joseph’s snowmobile sank to the bottom of Stuart Lake on that warm winter’s day last month as the 33-year-old Yekooche man bobbed to the surface. The sun was shining when Joseph had set out from Portage to Tachie with family and friends on Feb. 15. The trip from Portage to Tachie was a first for Joseph and one that should have normally taken about two hours.

Joseph set out ahead of his fellow snowmobilers and they agreed to meet at the water tower in Tachie on arrival. But on the way there, Joseph noticed the colour of the ice change.

“I should have turned around but I just wasn’t aware of the situation. I was so excited and it was such a nice day. It all happened so fast,” Joseph said. “I was so excited. I just didn’t notice what was ahead of me.”

Joseph was suddenly submerged in the freezing water, watching his snowmobile disappear in the icy blackness.

“I didn’t know if I would make it. And I knew I didn’t have much time,” Joseph said.

— see ‘I DIDN’T, page 16

GATEWAYnews Vitamin D supplements recommended — from page 13 “For people living in northern B.C. and other regions with extended winters, the findings suggest they should be supplementing with vitamin D during the cold weather months and also taking a dose higher than the current recommended daily amount,” Pettersen added.

But, according to Pettersen, it’s still un-

known if supplementing with high doses for long periods of time is recommendable as there are likely other important factors that need to be considered. Pettersen’s research is related to other studies she is currently pursuing including the role of genetics and exploring the balance between vitamin D intake along with other nutrients such as calcium, zinc, vitamin K2 and vitamin A.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

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‘I didn’t know how much time I had’ — from page 14 Then Joseph noticed his uncle’s snowmobile coming towards him.

“I could see my uncle Jason coming up.

I yelled at him to turn around to get help and he did,” Joseph recalled. “I’m glad the others weren’t right behind me or we might

have all ended up in the water.”

All Joseph could hear was his cousin’s voice.

“The whole time I was in the water, my cousin kept talking to me. No one could reach me but he kept talking to me and assuring me that everything would be

alright,” Joseph said.

“I didn’t know how much time I had. I tried to stay positive and think about all of the good things in my life, the good times and especially my two boys.”

After 45 minutes in the frigid water, friends from Tachie came to the rescue.

Bringing their boats from nearby Thomas Point and Robert’s Point, the men were able to pull Joseph from the water.

“These men risked their lives to save me,” Joseph said.

“Thank God they were there when they were or I might not be here today.”

His friends, Chad Roberts, Allan Roberts, Darcy Isadore and Ron Winsor, all from Tachie, helped with the rescue and later received certificates of appreciation from Tachie Village.

In hospital, Joseph will never forget how cold and shaken he was after the rescue.

“I was scared. I didn’t think I would make

The whole time I was in the water, my cousin kept talking to me. No one could reach me but he kept talking to me and assuring me that everything would be alright.

— Jonathon Joseph it,” Joseph said.

Rob Pritchard, an advanced care paramedic with B.C. Ambulance in Prince George, says that situations such as this can be very complicated.

“The safety of all rescuers must be considered,” Pritchard said.

— see ‘IT STILL, page 17

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‘It still scares me, even now’ — from page 16 “This would be a multi-agency response,” Pritchard added.

“We always have high hopes for cases involving cold water submersion. Often, it’s not the hypothermia that gets you. It’s drowning.”

According to Pritchard, the snowmobile survival suits that are available today can be life saving.

And for Joseph, being alive is something he does not take for granted.

After the incident, he could not wait to reunite with his wife, Katelon, and their two boys, Braedon, 5 and Grayson, 2.

“I couldn’t wait to see them,” Joseph said.

“My mom said she aged 20 years in five minutes. I’m so thankful to everyone who helped that day, to the men who helped save me, the police, the fire department, the nurses and doctors at the hospital and everyone that came to see me. I’m so thankful for their prayers and wishes. Although, after that, I’m not sure if they wanted to punch me or hug me,” Joseph said.

After the incident, Joseph was made aware that people have lost their lives snowmobiling in that very area.

“It still scares me, even now,” Joseph said.

“You never know when something like this is going to happen. I’m so thankful to everyone. I’m so thankful I’m here.”

News Tip? Call 250-562-2441

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

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B.C. Summer Games come to P.G. Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca

P Citizen file photo

Supporters at the Kin Centre in Prince George celebrated the announcement on March 10 that the city will host the 2022 B.C. Summer Games.

rince George has been chosen to stage yet another major multi-sport athletics extravaganza.

Only two years after hosting the Canada Winter Games, Prince George will now switch gears and welcome the province’s top athletes to the 2022 B.C. Summer Games.

The human capacity, many of the venues, and the legacies provided by the Canada Winter Games will be called into action once again.

A contingent of sports and arts leaders from around the area were called together at the Kin Centre complex March 10 for the announcement from Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris. — see BROAD SUPPORT, page 19

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Broad support for bid — from page 18 More than 66 letters of support were gathered into the bid package, demonstrating broad support.

“Just about every other community in the province applied for this,” said Morris, but Prince George was chosen for all the reasons he and his family chose to stay in P.G. when he retired from the RCMP. The well-appointed sports and recreation facilities are key components of the Prince George profile. The way top-notch facilities dovetail with top-notch coaching and other forms of human support have turned this city into a cultural hotspot, said Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond via video. She cited biathlon standout Megan Tandy and high-jump star Alyx Treasure as examples of local athletes who started locally, earned spots in the B.C.-level multidisciplinary sports festivals, then the Canada Games level and finally the Olym-

pics. One of the reasons Canada succeeds in so many sports beyond the expectations of our population numbers is the preparation system embodied by these major confluencial events.

“Together, let’s make the 2022 BC Summer Games a success for our community and our province,” Bond said.

City councillor Albert Koehler, Mayor Lyn Hall (by video), and school trustee Trish Bella took turns discussing the positive impact the games will have on the community and pledged the support of their branches of local government.

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George commenced celebrating its 50th anniversary, making this announcement its first significant gift.

Regional district administrator Jim Martin acted as master of ceremonies for the announcement event.

— see ‘THIS COMMUNITY, page 21

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Symphony changes tempo with new director Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca

T Citizen photo by Brent Braaten

The new director of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, Michael Hall, speaks at a press conference on March 8.

here’s a new hand on the baton at the Prince George Symphony Orchestra.

Michael Hall has been appointed to the dual position of conductor and musical director after a yearlong audition process.

Hall and the others shortlisted for the position each came to the city as a guest conductor of a PGSO performance, as well as underwent an interview and written portion of the exhaustive selection system.

He was the last of the candidates and ended up being the first on their list.

“Michael was by far the best fit,” said PGSO board chair John DeGrace, when accounting for the feedback provided by the musicians of the orchestra, the interview committee and also the public.

Hall is currently in his third season as Music Director of the Kennett Symphony in Pennsylvania.

Prior to that, he was the music director of the Southwest Florida Symphony from 2007 to 2012.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to begin my tenure here,” he said Wednesday, likening the audition process to a blind date that ended up sparking exciting chemistry for all those involved.

His drive for artistic excellence, innovative thematic programming, and collaborations with celebrated guest artists resulted in unprecedented artistic growth, audience praise and enthusiastic reviews.

— John DeGrace, PGSO board chair “Every encounter I had was really so positive.”

DeGrace said Hall’s skills included “inspired performances, imaginative programming, and passion for developing new audiences,” based on his American track record.

“His drive for artistic excellence, innovative thematic programming, and collaborations with celebrated guest artists resulted in unprecedented artistic growth, audience praise and enthusiastic reviews.”

That is the kind of outreach the PGSO has struggled with over the years, but always that struggle has led to another year and another.

— see ‘YOU REALLY, page 22

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‘This community has learned and grown’ — from page 19 Martin said he was participated in his home province’s version of these games when he was a youth in Alberta and now his children are successful young athletes.

He then introduced the regional district’s external relations manager Renee McCloskey who had her own Summer Games story.

McCloskey first competed in the 1982 B.C. Summer Games in Vernon in water skiing.

She went on to become a veteran competitor in subsequent editions, including 1990, the last time the Summer Games took place in Prince George. The city also hosted the 1981 B.C. Winter Games.

“There’s something entirely different about having a provincial championship in your home town,” she said. “It gave our city something to buzz about. The biggest legacy from those games was establishing Prince George as a first-class host for major events... To have them come back to my

hometown makes this a day to celebrate.”

The 2022 B.C. Summer Games is expected to attract about 3,700 athletes, coaches, officials and managers in 18 sports.

Depending on the sport, the age range will be from nine to 19 years old. This stimulates a surge of family and friends coming in from all over the province to support these up-and-coming elite athletes. The spinoff impact is anticipated to be about $2 million injected into the local economy, plus whatever legacy programs and features can be accomplished at the same time.

Kelly Mann, president and CEO of the B.C. Games Society, said “we are excited to see the B.C. Games return to Prince George and to provide new development opportunities for your summer sports. This community has grown and learned from hosting the nation at the 2015 Canada Winter Games...”

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

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‘You really are hired to make good music’ — from page 20 The PGSO has survived where many other small-market orchestras have failed across Canada in the past few decades.

Hall said he was just as excited about the audience growth potential here as for the music he and the orchestra will strive to make.

The long history of the orchestra, especially when considering the state of orchestras and not-forprofit organizations in general, was one of the reasons he was

drawn to the position.

“Every orchestra has its own successes and sets of challenges,” said Hall.

“It sounds trite but you really are hired to make good music and the audience responds to that.”

Hall is also happy to be back on the north side of the Canadian/ American line where he was born and raised.

The Toronto expatriate said something as simple as Tim Hortons makes coming home so

The position for Hall commences Aug. 1, officially, but he is already involved in orientation and working with key PGSO leaders... satisfying. “There is a different feeling as soon as you cross the border,” he said.

He’s not afraid of the winters, either.

He has been a resident of Winnipeg so he knows he can handle this climate.

His wife, Jennifer French, is also pleased to be taking up residence in Prince George where she will join the horn player ranks.

She also brings music librarian skills to the PGSO table, making them a positive one-two punch.

The position for Hall commences Aug. 1, officially, but he

is already involved in orientation and working with key PGSO leaders to set up the coming season for success.

The music must be chosen, then plans made to gather the necessary musicians for each concert’s musical demands. Rehearsal and performance schedules must be made and provisions made for guest soloists.

His first conducting action will be the Pops In The Park event coming in September.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

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