Gateway - August

GATEWAY

Your community voice for the north!

WEDNESDAY August 19 2015

NEWS AND EVENTS FOR PRINCE GEORGE AND CENTRAL INTERIOR

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Travis Shymanski holds son Peter 3 months, Angela and daughter Lexie 5. Angela and the two children were in a terrible accident, went off a cliff near Jasper and Lexie scrambled up the steep embankment barefoot to get help for her mom and brother. Rescuers had to use ropes to get them up the embankment it was so steep. Angela suffered a broken back and internal injuries, Lexie was un hurt and Peter is recovering from brain injury. Citizen photo by Brent Braaten

STORY ON PAGE 5

Top hunting guide found guilty of illegally hunting grizzly

Shania Twain coming to P.G. in October

NEWS PAGE 10

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ENTERTAINMENT

Metal Music Celebration coming to city August 14 and 15 ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 16

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GATEWAYnews Salmon River Bridge replacement announced Christine HINZMANN It’s going to be wider, able to take heavier loads and, for safety, there will be a pedestrian crossing added to the new Salmon River Bridge, on Highway 97 north of Prince George.

The $24 million project is part of B.C. on the Move, the provincial government’s 10-year transportation improvement plan.

Construction is expected to start next year and be completed in 2017.

This is the second replacement for

this bridge as the original wooden bridge deteriorated, said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

“The replacement bridge made the front page of the local paper when it opened in October of 1954 – it was described as ‘a costly new bridge’ that carried the princely price tag of $200,000 back in the day.That was a lot of money back in 1954.”

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Colleen Sparrow Publisher

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Neil Godbout managing Editor

Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, annouced that the Salmon River bridge would be finally getting a much needed replacement. The current Salmon River bridge has been in place since 1954. Citizen Photo by James Doyle

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GATEWAYnews Cont’d from page 3 Mike Morris, MLA for Prince GeorgeMackenzie, started darkening Stone’s door a month after Morris was elected in 2013 and telling Stone about the need to replace the 61-year-old Salmon River Bridge.

“Every opportunity I’ve had to discuss it with Minister Stone I’ve been doing that and I was glad to see we can knock one off the list,” said Morris.

The new bridge will help meet the growing demands from the resource sectors such as oil and gas, LNG and forestry.

“It’s a 1954 model bridge. It’s served the people well for over 60 years and it’s time to accommodate the modern traffic that we have,” Morris.

“This is a first step and the Parsnip River Bridge is another one that I’ve been pushing for and we’re looking at that.

“It’s going to be an expensive project and the rail overpass up in the Pine Pass is another one but we can only do so much at a time.”

Also on the list of projects that are

in the works is extending the four laning of Highway 16 West in 2017 and includes the Bunce Road intersection to Blackwater Road, which is about 3.4 km.

Under construction right now is a $5.5 million 2-km passing lane starting at Telechick Road on Highway 16 west of town. It will be completed in the fall.

Next month, Highway 97 south sees the start of a $44 million project to widen the highway between the Stone Creek Bridge and the Red Rock weigh station to four lanes.

This project includes increasing the height clearance of the CN Rail overpass to 5.5 metres, which provides better clearance for trucks and their larger loads.

On Highway 97 south of Prince George, design work is underway for almost three kilometres of additional four-laning in between Stone Creek and Williams Road, a project worth almost $14 million to be completed in 2017.The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will invest up to $2.5 billion to improve British Columbia’s transportation network within the next three years.

GATEWAYnews

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Five-year-old saves mom, baby brother after car crash Christine HINZMANN

Travis and Angela to be sure Peter was reaching developmental milestones. So far, he is doing very riving home to Prince George well. from a vacation to the Calgary As a result of the accident, Lexi had a little area on June 8, Angela Shymanski scratch on her chin and was really sore for about a had a lullaby CD playing that helped to week because of soft tissue injury in her neck and provide a soothing atmosphere for her the pain continues to linger. two napping children, Lexi, 5, and Peter, “Once Lexi was home and started doing her 10 weeks old. gymnastics and after her swimming lessons she Unfortunately, the lullaby also worked was saying her neck was sore,” said Angela. It will on Angela. As she felt her eyes close take time for her to heal and not just from her once, she gave herself a talking to and physical injuries. because of the steep drop off along the “For Lexi it’s more emotional trauma,” said road she knew it wasn’t safe to pull over. So she promised herself she Angela, looking down at her hands clasped in her would stop in Jasper for a break so she could continue home safely. lap.“She’s had nightmares but I’m hoping when Angela nodded off despite her best efforts. Her SUV traveled down things settle down those will disappear. I carry a 12-metre embankment about 15 kilometres outside of Jasper, major guilt over this whole thing.” coming to rest with the front wheels up against a tree and its back Angela was told she needed to be resuscitated wheels up in the air. Angela was knocked unconscious by the impact twice between the crash location and her arrival at and suffered a broken back and extensive internal injuries. Her the hospital in Edmonton. daughter Lexi woke to her baby brother Peter’s cries.

“I was in pretty rough shape when I got to the When Lexi realized her mother couldn’t wake up, she knew she hospital,” said Angela.“I had small fractures in had to get help. my neck and upper back, and then I had broken Lexi undid her car seat’s five-point harness – a feat she had only accomplished twice before – jumped to the ground and scrambled up the steep embankment barefoot to flag down a passersby.The first people to stop were a mom and dad with a boy, said Lexi, who was born on the same day as Peter, March 31, five years earlier.

“The dad went down to get Peter,” she said.The next person to stop was a man who later was identified as a paramedic who knew not to move the still unconscious Angela.

“He stayed with me until I regained consciousness and I could see Lexi lying down next to the highway and that someone else had the baby,” said Angela.

Because the “good stranger” – as Lexi called him – didn’t have a piece of paper, he committed Travis’ number to memory so he could call him. He called again a few days later to check up on them.

“It took him five tries before he could get cell service to call 911,” said Angela.

Paramedics could only reach the car by using ropes to navigate the steep terrain that Lexi had climbed up barefoot.

“It’s just so crazy that she did that,” said her grateful mom.

The family was taken by ambulance to Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre, and then Angela and Lexi were air ambulanced to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton while Peter was taken by ground ambulance and arrived later that night because they thought he was fine.

It was later determined that Peter had a small bleed on his brain and then another more significant bleed was discovered by a neurologist in Edmonton. While he was under observation they discovered swelling which had to relieved, and Peter was rushed into surgery to have subdural drains put in his head to relieve the pressure. He was kept in the hospital for six days. Doctors advised

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ribs and internal injuries.The spleen had to be taken out and my liver was really badly damaged but they took all my organs out to check for rips and tears and the very next day they were going to do back surgery on me but a girl who was in a motorcycle accident, whose entire back was broken, was given surgery instead.”

It was a good decision because Angela’s blood levels were low because of the internal bleeding.

She has been able to regain some strength and heal but she still goes for consultations with surgeons on a regular basis to see how her back is healing. Her L1 and L4 vertebrae were broken and Angela was told if the break was even a centimetre higher she would have ended up a paraplegic.

Angela is still using a wheelchair to get around and has a hospital bed in her living room. Just this week she was given the go ahead to use a walker but her left leg has suffered nerve damage and she doesn’t seem to have full control of it.

“When I stand, my leg doesn’t always get the message to walk,” said Angela.

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GATEWAYnews

Cont’d from page 5 “So when I use the walker, I’ve had days where it’s impressive and then other times I walk with my right leg and I drag my left leg behind,” said Angela.“And that’s even more frustrating because I think I’m making progress and then I’m not.”

After 44 days (Angela keeps count), she was allowed to hold Peter unassisted. She was able to nurse him throughout those

early days but she couldn’t move him from one side to the other or hold him on her shoulder.

“Now I can hold him but he’s 14 pounds and because I couldn’t build up to it, I find he’s really heavy,” said Angela, whose abdomen is still healing from the massive surgery she endured to repair her organs.

Doctors told Angela it would take about a year for her organs to go back to normal

and she talked to people who have had a similar back injury and they told her even a year and a half later they still experience chronic pain, something she endures every day.

Right now their home is a very busy place with people coming and going often as family and friends gather to provide support, meals and take on cleaning duty to help make things easier for the injured family.

“Everything has been quite chaotic,” said Angela.“Even now I sometimes wonder if this is a dream – is this real?

And this is nothing compared to what some people go through. In the same trauma room that I was in people were waking up to find out people in the car with them had died or they’re waking up and they don’t have a leg, you know? It was crazy in that room. It was terrifying.

So we’re really lucky in that way. We’re all alive.”

Angela is a swim instructor and runs a bed and breakfast out of the home and of course, because of the accident, she’s not

able to continue with either right now, while Travis is on leave from work to care for the family.

“Thank goodness we have Travis,” said Angela.“We need to do whatever we can to help him so he can keep going because caring for all of us keeps him very busy.

We’re all just in survival mode right now.”

A gofundme account was set up for the family at www.gofundme.com/yrkpa9s and as she went to look at who was donating, Angela said she only recognized about a quarter the people contributing.

She finds it unbelievable that strangers would donate to her family.

STARS air ambulance, Give A Mile – a non-profit organization where people donate air miles so people can visit loved ones who are either ill or injured – and Hope Air, which provides air transportation for those in need of medical treatment outside their community, have all been very helpful.

“I’d like to thank everyone,” said Angela.

“It’s been just amazing how people have helped us.”

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GATEWAYnews

Airport eyes $5-10 fee increase

Mark NIELSEN

The Prince George Airport Authority is seriously considering a $5 to $10 increase to the airport improvement fee as a way to raise enough money to pay for $50 million worth of upgrades it plans to pursue over the next 10 years.

Passengers currently pay $20 every time they fly out of Prince George – the fee does not apply to arrivals – and starting in 2016, they could be paying $25 to $30, PGAA president John Gibson said this week, if the authority goes ahead with the hike.

During a presentation to city council on Monday night, Gibson said WestJet

is concerned because the federal government now requires airlines to quote the “full-end price” for plane tickets, including the airport improvement fee.

“So when we come along and add $5 or $10, we’re actually increasing their published fares,” Gibson said in answer to a question from Coun. Garth Frizzell.“They’ve got some modeling that shows what the impact will be and they’re going to share that with us.

“Our feeling is yeah, you’re going to slowly but surely start to erode it, because it’s not $5 or $10, it’s $25 or $30 and it’s on top of all the other charges that are levied by the government as well.”

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GATEWAYnews Cont’d from page 8 Gibson said the problem would be solved if the federal government stepped in. But because the airport is on federal land, the airport authority is ineligible for programs that would see Ottawa come to its aid.

“The federal government doesn’t fund upgrades to federal government property that are operated by somebody else,” Gibson said in an interview on Tuesday. There are five other airports across Canada in the same situation, he added.

He said both Prince George-Peace River MP Bob Zimmer and CaribooPrince George MP Dick Harris have been “very supportive” in taking the PGAA’s case to Ottawa for a change in policy.

In part, the money raised would pay for upgrades to “air-side infrastructure” – such as the runway lighting systems, the taxi-ways and aprons – as set out in an engineer’s report completed last fall. It would also pay for upgrades to “groundside infrastructure” such as the roads into the airport, and the sewer and water

systems and purchasing new emergency equipment.

One of the larger projects is repaving and re-lighting the cross-wind runway, an $11-million project.

Used primarily by smaller aircraft when the wind is strong, it accounts for about 20 per cent of the airport’s traffic.

After depreciation, the PGAA took in about $2.4 million from airport improvement fees last year and every $5 increase to the fee is expected to add about $1 million. The aim is to raise $5 million a year over 10 years from the fee, Gibson said.

A record-setting 445,929 passengers passed through the airport last year, a 15-per-cent increase over 2013, but Gibson said there is currently no need to expand the terminal in the next 10 years.

Answering a question from Coun.

Frank Everitt on Monday night, Gibson said there is no chance covered ramps to the airplanes will be introduced.

He said the airlines do not want them because they would impede their turnaround times.

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GATEWAYnews

B.C.’s top hunting guide found guilty of hunting grizzly with bait Dan FUMANO | The Province The man named B.C.’s top hunting guide for 2015 was months later found guilty of illegally hunting a grizzly with bait.

In March, Martin Thomas was named by the Guide Outfitters Association of B.C. (GOABC) as the recipient of the Leland Award, recognizing “guide professionalism,” at the association’s annual general meeting in Kelowna.

Two weeks before the meeting, charges were sworn against Thomas in connection with a bear-hunting incident in September 2012 in northern B.C., according to filings in the Fort Nelson court registry.

Thomas was charged with hunting grizzly by placing or using bait, in violation of the Wildlife Act, as well as one count of illegally possessing the dead animal.

In June,Thomas was found guilty of using bait to hunt the bear and fined $3,500, at a trial in provincial court in Fort Nelson. He was acquitted on the second charge of possessing the dead grizzly without authorization. He was working as a guide at the time, and was found to be guilty because his American client shot the grizzly, according to the Conservation Officer Service.

Thomas was unavailable for comment, because he’s working as a guide in a remote part of the province until October.

GOABC executive director Scott Ellis said the charges “came to the attention of the GOABC after he won the award.”

The Leland received by Thomas, Ellis said, is “the highest award bestowed on a hunting guide, it’s quite a competition.”

Ellis said Thomas is “a longtime guide with a good reputation.”

Of the charge, Ellis said:“(It’s) a small

distinction, hunting with bait or hunting near bait, in regards to bear hunting. I have some information on this charge, I don’t pretend to have it all.

“From what I understand, there was a carcass on the land and he knew it was there ... and I believe his client shot a bear.

“We were surprised to hear of the charges. He’s a character guy.The details around what happened there aren’t clear, at least to me, not yet. But I know he would not have placed a carcass,” Ellis said.

“Ironically, or coincidentally, he got the Leland Award and charged in the same year.”

The file goes back in court Aug. 10, said Criminal Justice Branch spokesman Neil MacKenzie,“to clarify the court’s intention with respect to disposition of the bear involved in the incident, which had been stuffed and mounted.”

The mounted grizzly was seized by the conservation service during their probe, and remains in their custody pending next month’s court date.

Micah Kneller, a conservation officer in Fort St. John, said:“Any animal that’s harvested unlawfully, we take it seriously.”

Different jurisdictions have different rules, Kneller said, and in B.C. it’s legal to hunt black bears and grizzlies, but not when the animal is over bait or near bait.

The rules are based on two factors, Kneller said. First, is “the fairness of the chase,” he said, the idea of an ethical and legal pursuit of an animal. Some people, Kneller said, view the use of bait as “not really sporting.”

Second, there is a safety element to banning bear-hunting with bait, he said, “to avoid getting bears habituated to garbage and food.”

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GATEWAYnews Cont’d from page 10 Kneller said, in his experience, most professional guide outfitters in B.C. operate in a legal and ethical manner.

In this case, Kneller said, the defendant “was found guilty in a court of law.They intentionally hunted the bear over bait, and they know that they’re not allowed to do that.That’s why we kind of shake our heads at it.”

The GOABC Code of Ethics and Standards reads:“A member must be familiar with the Wildlife Act and other related statutes and the regulations enacted there under, and at all times shall be in a good position to advise both employees and customers of their rights and responsibilities while under his jurisdiction.”

The hunting of grizzlies in B.C., while legal, is more controversial than other kinds of hunting, Kneller said.

The Wilderness Committee is one Canadian group “absolutely opposed” to the grizzly hunt, said Joe Foy, the committee’s national campaign director.

“Until such time as we get grizzly-bear hunting banned ... people should follow the rules.”

Foy said he isn’t opposed to all hunting, and said in the committee’s work around B.C. they encounter “many communities where that’s what keeps entire families going, the ability to be able to go out and hunt and fish for food.”

“But nobody eats grizzly bears,” he said.“It’s a barbaric, stupid sport that one would have thought we would have banned a long, long time ago. It’s not a sport. It’s a blood sport.”

B.C.’s guide outfitting industry directly employs more than 2,000 people and generates about $116 million of economic activity each year, according to the GOABC. According to B.C. Stats, about 5,000 non-residents come to B.C. to hunt each year, about 86 per cent of whom are from the U.S. The species licence for a non-resident to hunt for a grizzly in B.C. is $1,030, the most expensive of the 17 categories.

entertainment

Shania Twain

coming to P.G. Frank PEEBLES

Shania Twain is coming to Prince George for the first time.

What a way to celebrate 100 years as a city and 25 years as a venue.The publicly owned and operated CN Centre will host Canada’s music legend on Oct. 22. Other than Celine Dion, Neil Young and Bryan Adams, no one else in Canadian history has sold more albums than Twain. She is the highest-selling female country recording artist of all time, a monolithic feat considering she has passed iconic names like Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Reba McEntire and Anne Murray.

Shania Twain became a household name around the world when, in 1995, her album The Woman In Me blew away the records for country music sales, but then out came Come On Over in 1997 and did even better. It was, at the time, the best-selling album in history by a female recording artist of any description.

But we in Canada already knew her. Singles like What Made You Say That and Dance With The One Who Brought You set some fires on Canadian radio in the early ‘90s, and in regional circles she was known to audiences and other country performers even when her given name Eilleen was the one on the handbills and posters.

There could be bar fights sparked today over what Shania’s best song is. Some like her humourous breakout single Any Man Of Mine, some prefer the high octane You Win My Love, or the fist pounder If You’re Not In It For Love, I’m Outta Here.The light and airy tunes No One Needs To Know and Forever And For Always are longtime favourites, the assertive tunes Man, I Feel Like A Woman and That Don’t Impress Me Much are imbedded on playlists,You’re Still The One didn’t win two Grammy Awards for nothing, and Honey I’m Home is beloved for its wit and poppy beat.

The list could go on.

In fact, she intends it to go on. After considerable time off from the demands of the show-biz industry,Twain announced that more albums were coming and 2015 was going to be the launch pad of her next musical phase.

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GATEWAYentertainment

Metal celebration set

Frank PEEBLES

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usic fans will soon feel the concussion of metal on metal.

The city’s annual screech of guitar strings and thunder of drums comes to a head on Aug. 14 and 15.

The event happens at Brookside Resort about 60 kilometres west of Prince George, so the sound won’t cause any seismic events in the city but the effects will certainly carry all the way here. Many of the goods and services to stage the event are rooted in the local economy, and bands and fans are coming from all over Canada to take part in the power spectacle known as Metallion Two.

Co-founder Brad Foster said the inaugural edition last year was musically successful but most importantly the behind-the-scenes aspects also worked.

“Year one was a learning curve for us but we pulled it off,” he said.

“Not only did we pull it off, there was less than a half a bag of garbage for me to clean up on Sunday morning last year.

Pure success. Also, everyone we talked to said it was their favorite weekend of the summer.”

Foster’s band Deveined was lamenting their lack of opportunity to perform around the city, or have their comrade bands perform with them.That’s how the idea came together to have a festival. Out of that idea, things grew beyond their initial belief.

“The 22-band lineup this year spans from Prince George bands like Deveined and The Hellsmen to a band from Winnipeg,Tyrant’s Demise,” Foster said.

“Included are west coast heavyweights West Of Hell, Saturday night’s headliner from Vancouver, and Death Toll Rising from Edmonton, Friday night’s headliner.

“Aggression is on their 30th anniversary tour and we welcome back the band that rocked when everyone else was thrashing last year, the ultimate party band, Cocaine Moustache.

“Hands down the favorite performance of last year’s fest belonged to them.

“Also great bands like Iron Kingdom, The Golers and God Said Kill, all from Vancouver.”

According to Foster,“the whole

purpose of the fest, to show off B.C. Interior metal,” so a heavy emphasis is on local and regional acts, or acts from afar like Edmonton’s Tides of Kharon or Vancouver’s Pyramidion that have former area residents in their ranks (TOK has Garrett Nelson on vocals while the latter has Adam Repetowski on guitar and Max Matthews on drums).

While the stage personas of metal bands might project an image of postapocalyptic violence and barbarian lust, the speed and precision to accurately play this form of music requires a studious mind and devoted heart.

These same players are often successful in trades and academics because that mental rigour transfers to broader life.

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GATEWAYentertainment Cont’d from page 16 Foster said he likes the sound of the music but he loves the people who make it.

“A little known fact about the bands we get is that every single band is our friend,” he said.

“We don’t allow bands on that aren’t great people, aside from being great bands. If you are anything less than a great human being, you might never get an invite from us.

“The owners of the Brookside Resort, Pam and Percy, who in their own right are great people, were amazed at the talent of the bands in year one, but more so with the level of people who attended. To invite a couple hundred people to live on your property for a few days and walk away smiling says a lot.

“Myself and Robert Belanger were the last two to leave last year and the first thing Percy said to us was ‘let’s do it again!’ So, let’s do it again. Bring your friends.”

The experience will get an upgrade in vendors, this year, and an on-site raffle (prizes include signed and limited edition items from Megadeath, Hatebreed, Lamb Of God and other star acts) will benefit the Child Development Centre. There is also a Facebook nomination process to get free tickets into the hands of people who love metal but can’t afford to attend a live music event. All kids under the age of 12 are free.

“We aren’t in it to make money, we are in it to make memories,” said Foster.

Tickets for Metallion Festival Two are $70 until the week of the event, at which point they go to $80. Camping is included for free.

Day passes will be available at the gate for $40 and do not include camping.

Weekend passes and raffle tickets are available at Electron Sound & Percussion.

Passes only are available at the Brookside Resort (Cluculz lake), Earthenware (Vanderhoof) and the Fort Loonie Bin (Fort St. James).

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GATEWAYhealth

4 simple ways to help your family

eat well on a budget (BPT) - How people approach a wholesome diet has changed dramatically over the decades.

Today, many Americans see home cooking as an investment in health, but that leaves hurdles for many families who struggle with busy schedules and tight budgets. A few simple tips using frozen foods can help put any family on a path to healthier eating without breaking the bank.

The challenge: finding ways to eat healthier affordably While many people desire to eat healthier, it’s just not happening as often or as easily as they’d like. MyPlate, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s

recommendations for balanced meals, illustrates how to build a healthy meal. Generally, the recommendation is that one half of your plate be composed of fruits and vegetables and the other half features grains and protein. However, many meals don’t follow these guidelines, and in 2011, Americans met MyPlate recommendations just seven days out of the year on average, according to NPD Group’s National Eating Trends database.

Lack of time and higher cost are largely cited as top reasons why families aren’t eating as well as they could be. Fortunately, families can create balanced meals that fit into their busy schedules and budget.

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GATEWAYhealth Cont’d from page 18

The solution: 4 affordable ways to help the modern family eat well 1. Buy frozen produce Buying fresh produce can be costly and time consuming. An affordable, convenient way to boost veggie intake is to stock the freezer with frozen fruits and vegetables. Contrary to what some may believe, frozen options often contain as many nutrients as fresh options because they are flash frozen when picked.

This helps to preserve some/many nutrients during a key window when produce begins decomposing and losing nutritional value.

2. Don’t forget your dinner-time helper: Frozen and prepared food/dishes/entrees Frozen and prepared food/dishes/ entrees can help you to create low-cost,

nutritious, delicious meals in a snap.

Quality isn’t sacrificed when you shop the frozen aisle. One approach is to pair frozen prepared foods with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy for simple meal planning. For example, take STOUFFER’S Lasagna with Meat and Sauce made from 100 percent pure beef, freshly made pasta, and vine-ripened tomatoes and pair it with steamed broccoli or a side salad for a wholesome meal with minimal effort and time.

3. Frozen food eaters reported eating fewer calories than quick service diners According to research conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination, people who reported eating frozen food took in 253 fewer calories per day, and consumed more essential nutrients like fiber, vitamin C and vitamin A, as compared to those who reported eating at quick service restaurants.

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GATEWAYhealth Cont’d from page 20

4. Rethink pizza night Pizza night is a fun family tradition and frozen pizza is cost effective and can be easily prepared at home. DIGIORNO pizzeria! Pizza Primo Pepperoni can help you to create a low-cost, nutritious meal at home without sacrificing quality.

Pair with a steamed vegetable or a side salad for a quick, affordable and wholesome meal.

Bonus tip:You don’t have to be a full-fledged green thumb to grow fresh herbs and vegetables and add pizzazz to your pizza. Start a container garden on your deck and with a small investment of time and money, you can have fresh herbs to turn your regular cheese pizza into a tomato and basil delicacy.

Great healthy options to plant in a container garden include tomatoes, basil, kale, lettuce, peppers, carrots and rosemary.

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GATEWAYgrill

e z e e r B through summer with cool grape recipes

(BPT) - There’s something about summer that just makes everything feel brighter and lighter, more relaxed and less hurried.That’s how dinner should be, as well - minimal prep time and maximum quality time to sit and enjoy the company of those gathered around the table.

Main dish salads make a perfect entree for summer evenings.

Ingredients can be prepped and mixed ahead of time, so when dinnertime rolls around, it’s a simple matter of just putting it all together.

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GATEWAYgrill Cont’d from page 22 This Vietnamese chicken and grape noodle salad is a favorite. All of the ingredients - from the grilled chicken and noodles, to the chopped veggies and spicy-sweet dressing - can be ready to go when you roll in the door or quickly made all at once. Every great recipe boasts a secret or unexpected ingredient that adds that special sparkle to a meal. In this salad, it’s grapes from California.They add just the right crisp texture, slight sweetness and brilliant color that lights up this dish.

And to cap off the meal with something that’s cool, sweet and oh-soeasy, try these delicious fro-yo pies.These mini-style treats provide just the right amount of sweet satisfaction and will help keep you from breaking the calorie bank. Plus they’re perfect for kid-size appetites, too.

Vietnamese Chicken and Grape Noodle Salad 8 ounces dried rice noodles (also called rice sticks) 1/3 cup water 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce 1/4 cup lime juice 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 1/4 teaspoons chili garlic sauce 1/2 teaspoon peanut oil 1 1/4 pounds chicken breast

Salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 cups shredded romaine 2 cups mixed red and green California grapes, halved 1 carrot, cut into thin matchsticks 1/2 cup mint leaves, torn 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, torn 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts Cont’d on page 25

GATEWAYgrill Cont’d from page 24 Directions Preheat the grill or broiler.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and remove from the heat.

Let stand eight to 10 minutes, or just until tender. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the water, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, chili sauce and peanut oil. Remove 2 tablespoons of the dressing and reserve the remainder.

Brush the chicken with the 2 tablespoons of the dressing, sprinkle with salt and

pepper and grill or broil until cooked through, about eight minutes. Set aside.

Divide the noodles between four large bowls. Top with the romaine, grapes and carrots. Thinly slice the chicken and divide between the bowls. Drizzle with the remaining dressing, sprinkle with the herbs and peanuts and serve. Serves 4 Nutrition information per serving: calories 500; protein 31 g; carbohydrate 84 g; total fat 7 g (saturated fat 1 g); 13 percent calories from fat; cholesterol 84 mg; sodium 1,015 mg; fiber 3 g.

Cont’d on page 26

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GATEWAYgrill

Cont’d from page 25

Grape-a-licious Fro-Yo Mini Pies 1/2 cup grape juice concentrate (divided use) 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 1/2 cups California grapes 1 tablespoon corn starch 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 9 squares) 3 1/2 ounces vanilla frozen yogurt (softened) Frozen grape clusters for garnish Lemon slices (optional garnish)

Directions Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 12 muffin tins with foil cup liners and set aside.

In a small bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs with the butter. Place 1 tablespoon of the graham cracker mixture

into each muffin cup and gently press to form a crust in the baking cups. Bake for seven minutes; set aside.

Combine 1/4 cup of the grape juice concentrate, lemon

juice, and grapes in a small sauce pan over medium heat.

Meanwhile combine the remaining grape juice with corn starch and mix well, then add to the sauce pan. Bring the mixture to a boil for one to two minutes until thick. Allow to cool. Once this mixture cools, pour into a blender and blend until smooth. Add the softened yogurt and blend for a few pulses until just combined.

Place about 4 tablespoons of the grape-yogurt mixture into each muffin tin. Place in the freezer for four hours or more. Serve with small clusters of frozen grapes and enjoy.

Makes 12 mini-pies Nutrition information per serving: calories 211; protein 6 g; carbohydrate 36 g; total fat 6 g (saturated fat 3 g); 22 percent calories from fat; cholesterol 43 mg; sodium 67 mg; fiber 0.5 g.

For more grape ideas, go to GrapesfromCalifornia. com, facebook.com/GrapesfromCalifornia, twitter.com/ GrapesfromCA or pinterest.com/GrapesfromCA.

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