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Indefinite life after closure
■ Rustad Mill
Permanent shutdown decree would allow employees access to severance
DeLynda Pilon newsroom@pgfreepress.com
There’s more than geography that separates a family living in a five-bedroom home on the Hart and a family surviving by using the food bank. There’s pride. Losing her pride and feeling embarrassed and ashamed while standing in line at a food bank is one memory that can still bring tears to Shonna O’Donnell’s eyes. The O’Donnell family discovered the hard way that the loss of a long-held job can quickly bridge the gap between middle class and the bread line. “Most people are one pay cheque from poverty. Everybody lives on their pay cheque,” Gerald O’Donnell said. Gerald was one of the employees at the Canfor Rustad sawmill which was closed indefinitely two years, five months ago. “On May 30, 2009 they told these guys they were doing an indefinite shutdown,” Shonna said. The news came the same day their youngest was celebrating his graduation. Shonna remembers Gerald coming home and laying the paper on the kitchen table, face down, as he put on a brave smile. She saw through it immediately, however. “He spent 30 years at the mill,” she said. “This guy was so devoted. He left one of my birthday parties once to go work for them.” And the thing that really gets to Shonna is the way they did it. By calling the shutdown indefinite, she says they were able to get away from paying any severance packages. “They used the word indefinite because they could get away with a lot of things, like not paying severance,” she said. “We lost everything we owned. We went bankrupt.” “I thought it would be easy, getting another job. I ran heavy equipment all of my life,” Gerald said. But it wasn’t easy. Because Gerald was in his 50s, no one wanted to hire him, according to Shonna.
“Even with retraining no one wanted to hire him because, at 50, he had no experience,” she said. Eventually, Gerald was able to get back to work, but in the meantime his family was suffering. Shonna remembers taking her teenager to the food bank, and the shame she felt at that moment. “You can lose things, but you can get them back. But when you lose your pride?” she shakes her head, eyes full of tears. The five-bedroom family home went. Her new car went. The family moved into one of the toughest areas of town. Her son took on a job and shared the money he earned with his folks. Talking about that hurts Shonna. “He was using his pay cheques to buy food. Food. Can you imagine?” A lot of hard work has started De Ly nd a PILON/ Fre e Pre s s to turn things around again An indefinite shutdown at the Canfor Rustad mill, continuing now over two years, has for the family, but as for their left Gerald and Shonna O’Donnell in limbo and devastated the family financially. struggle with Canfor, there is he said, Canfor intended to re-open it at 10 a.m. at 10th Ave. and the bypass. no closure yet. For example, the as soon as they could, but the market She’s hoping that enough people will O’Donnells can’t pull out their pension dropped, stayed stagnant with a few come out to get the attention of the powmoney. In order to do that, you have to peaks that gave some false hope along ers that be. A second rally is planned for quit, and if you quit you never get your Dec. 14 at the old Rustad mill and a third, the way. severance. Because of the intention to re-open, he if necessary, will take place Dec. 21 at “Quit?” Gerald asked. “Quit what? said, in the beginning calling an indefiCanfor. They got us by the balls.” nite shutdown was appropriate. Frank Everitt, United Steel Workers The couple said they haven’t heard However, nearly two-and-a-half years local 1-424 president, said the O’Donnells anything from anyone at Canfor for a have come and gone, and not only have been instrumental in spearheading long time. Union arbitrators are working has the mill not re-opened but Canfor action on the issue and should be comon the issue, but the O’Donnell’s don’t recently purchased two new mills. mended for their efforts. know if they are making any progress. “That frustrates the hell out of every“We’ve been trying to work with the Meanwhile they heard that Canfor is body. If you’ve got the money to buy, company,” he said. “We have submitted buying two more mills – while the one why not pay out your workers? Though their case for arbitration. The indefinite Gerald worked for remains closed indefiI’m sure Canfor would argue they’re shutdown has lasted too long already. nitely. making the purchases with borrowed We don’t believe the language was ever She said the remaining equipment at money,” he said. intended for a mill to sit closed that long, the mill is out-of-date and deteriorating. Nevertheless, Everitt said he is looking so we’re challenging that language.” In her opinion, the mill will never reforward to settling the issue. Short of arbitration, Everitt said, if a open, the company will stall for as long “I look forward to a quick resolution of resolution can be found which is fair for as it can, and the public has forgotten the the employees, allowing them to get their it to the employees’ satisfaction,” he said. employees and their plight. A Canfor spokesperson could not be That is why she is organizing a rally for severance pay, he will be pleased. reached for comment at press time. Initially, when the mill first closed, former Canfor Rustad employees Dec. 7
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■ impaired driving
Stiffest roadside penalties on hold Tom Fletcher Black Press
VICTORIA – Police in B.C. won’t be imposing their toughest roadside penalties for impaired driving until they give accused drivers a way to appeal results of a failed breath test. Public Safety Minister Shirley Bond announced the change Wednesday after a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled that the most severe of B.C.’s new impaired driving penalties infringe people’s constitutional right to a fair trial. Ruling on a challenge to the new roadside penalties, Justice Jon Sigurdson said the increased roadside penalties for blowing in the “warn” range of blood alcohol, from 0.05 to 0.08 per cent, are permissible. But drivers who who blow in the
The provincial government will be changing the way roadside penalties for impaired drivers are administered afater a judge’s ruling. Boaz JOSEPH/ Black Press
“fail” range above 0.08 should have a chance to challenge the decision if their vehicles are impounded for 30 days and they face
thousands of dollars in administrative penalties. Bond said the court ruling means the B.C. government needs to
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amend its year-old impaired law to give drivers who exceed 0.08 on the roadside screening device a chance to appeal that reading. Until that is done, “the circumstances for those in the ‘fail’ range will revert to what was previously in place,” Bond said. “Police will have the option of determining whether or not a criminal charge is warranted, and in that case you could face criminal charges and a 90-day administrative driving prohibition.” A blood alcohol reading in the “warn” range can result in a three-day driving ban,
a $200 administrative penalty and another $250 fee to have a driver’s licence reinstated. Drivers may also have their car impounded for three days and be billed for towing and storage. For roadside readings of 0.08 per cent or higher, police have been imposing a 90-day driving ban, a $500 fine and impounding the vehicle for 30 days. That suspension can cost a driver $3,750, including $700 for towing and storage and $1,420 to take a mandatory “responsible driver” course. Sigurdson did not immediately strike
down the new penalties, but asked for submissions from the province and the driver who challenged the penalties to determine what comes next. Last week Premier Christy Clark and Public Safety Minister Shirley Bond celebrated the results of the new roadside penalties, a 40 per cent decline in alcoholrelated deaths in the first year. The ruling comes as B.C. launches its annual Christmas CounterAttack campaign, with increased roadblocks across the province to look for impaired drivers.
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GERIATRICS: Northern Health says no decisions made yet A5
Up Front
Diana Phillips’ latest book continues the story of life with Pan A12
Bill phillips 250-564-0005 newsroom@pgfreepress.com
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Engineering shortage being felt in north Delynda pilon
newsroom@pgfreepress.com
Northern British Columbia is facing a skilled labour shortage, something that will drive up the costs of projects while causing others to be put on hold which, in turn, will be to the detriment of the province’s economy. Experts predicted just such a scenario and as mines open up in the north and the Asia effect boosts lumber sales while major projects like the Site C dam proceed, the pinch is already being felt by some. Those facts come as no surprise to Dr. Albert Koehler, recently elected to Prince George city council. One important answer to the dilemma, he believes, is to put more technologists and engineers into the local work force by creating an engineering program at the university. It is a project he’s been working on for many years, beginning in earnest when he was president of the Chamber of Commerce in 2008 and 2009. “When I was president of the chamber industry
came to me and said we can’t find technologists and engineers. I wanted to do something about that anyway, so I started an engineering committee at the chamber,” he said. At the same time another committee started at the college. The two groups came together and formed a consortium with Koehler, a professional engineer and certified mechanic himself, as president. The group hired an independent professional consultant to investigate the issue and compile a report. The report, a 600-page document, is available online at www.ateec.ca and includes a 24-page executive summary. “It shows the gap between supply and demand,” Koehler said. “It’s widening every day.” When he was no longer the chamber president, Koehler founded the Northern Technology and Engineering Society and those who were part of the consortium lined up with NTES, which became an independent society. “Since then we meet regularly,” Koehler said.
Members of the group, with representatives from post-secondary institutions as well as industry, have continued with the project to the point where a civil engineering program is ready to start as soon as funding becomes available. “The civil engineer-
Festival
of
ing program is fleshed out. The current standing is it’s ready to go and could start up any time the government will provide the funds,” Koehler said. “They say at the moment the funding is not there. I’m disappointed because I believe it’s a matter of priorities. There is a direct
relationship between technology, engineering and job creation.” However, just because funding isn’t available at the moment doesn’t mean Koehler intends to give up. “We keep on lobbying,” he said. Koehler pointed out there
are few other choices since, according to the report completed by ATEEC there is currently a shortage of 700 to 800 technologists and engineers in northern B.C. “That is how many jobs there are available for them in northern B.C. right now,” he said.
Flavours
Some of the displays at the Festival of Trees were good enough to eat. Teresa MA LLA M/ Free Press
November weather definitely a tale of two halves William Cullen Bryant said of November, “The melancholy days are come, the saddest of the year, of wailing winds, and naked woods, and meadows brown and sear.” Whether or not it was a melancholy month is up for discussion, but the wind did wail and the meadows were brown, at least until the snow came by way of
significant Pacific moisture, according to a report on the weather during November from Jim Steele, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. The month started with normal temperatures and little precipitation with a small cool down between the 4th and 8th. Then Pacific moisture brought a wet period with mixed rain and snow for four days.
Colder air by mid-month set the scenario for a major snowstorm beginning on the late afternoon of Nov. 16 and ending late in the day on Nov. 17, resulting in between 20 and 25 cm of snow. Then came the coldest temperatures of the month with a return to more moderate temperatures by the 22nd and strong southerly winds.
Some snow and fog ended the month, which ended up being a bit above normal temperature-wise once things were averaged out with snowfall being a little above normal. November 10 was the warmest day of the month this year at 8.7C while the coldest was the evening of Nov. 19 when it dropped to -26.3C.
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Everitt ready to find efficiencies
He added that can only be done if it’s a common sense approach that doesn’t violate Finding efficiencies within other factors like environmencity operations is something tal concerns. Working on goals he shared Frank Everitt is looking forward to as he begins his first during his campaign is also important, he term on city said, things like council. growing the tax “It’s something base, revitaliza lot of people ing the city and voted to council reconnecting with talked about. A residents. review will look First, however, at what the city he expects he, as does, how it is well as other new done and find members of counefficiencies. It will cil, will be worktake some time Frank Everitt ing hard to get upto do, but coun- New councillor to-date on various cil is committed processes that to doing it,” he said. “We have to analyse the come along with being part things we do in the city and of municipal governance. “You have to get your feet be more efficient. “And we may be able to do underneath you and find out some streamlining to make what the processes are,” he the permit process easier for said. He added council will folks.”
Delynda pilon
newsroom@pgfreepress.com
begin that procedure over the upcoming weekend. “We will have some education this weekend. Tomorrow we meet with various departments within the city and get introductions with the help of an outside facilitator.” He added he’s looking
forward to working with his council team-mates. “I think there’s some good expertise with some of the new councillors,” he said, adding that will be a positive combination with what incumbents are bringing to the table.
Getting It Over
A lla n W ISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s
Rebecca Wright of College Heights puts a backwards shot over the net against D.P. Todd in a volleyball game in the Girls Junior B Districts at Duchess Park on the weekend.
Serious injuries in highway crash
One man was seriously injured in a three-vehicle accident on Highway 97 south of Prince George Wednesday afternoon. The crash, reported at about noon, involved an unloaded
logging truck, a pickup truck and a fully marked RCMP four wheel drive vehicle. Emergency crews attended the scene, between White Road and Corval Road. Investigators believe
that the driver and lone occupant of a southbound pickup truck lost control of the vehicle, which then crossed the centre line and collided with a northbound unloaded logging truck. The impact of
the collision forced the pickup back into the south bound lane, colliding with the police vehicle. The truck driver, police officer and another motorist assisted in the extraction of the pickup driver due to safety concerns. The driver of the pickup suffered what is believed to be serious injuries and was transported to the University Hospital of Northern BC by the BC Ambulance Service. The truck driver and the police officer suffered minor inju-
ries. All three drivers are male. The North District RCMP Collision Reconstuctionist attended the scene to gather evidence. Due to the seriousness of the collision, Highway 97 was closed for approximately four hours, with no alternative route available. The investigation is continuing and causal factors have yet to be determined. The officer was responding to a routine call in Hixon at the time of the collision. No emergency equipment was being used.
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■ Geriatric care
Northern Health says no decisions made Officials say all programs dealing with geriatric care are being examined newsroom@pgfreepress.com
The senior population is growing faster in Prince George than anywhere else in the province, and to meet that increased capacity Northern Health is looking at all the programs it provides in terms of geriatric care, however no changes have yet been decided upon. “We’re looking at improving quality and access, we’re not closing the GAT unit or reducing services,” said Michael McMillan, COO of Northern Health. McMillan, who was unavailable for comment at press time on a story published last week in the Free Press regarding concerns from a patient at the Geriatric Day Hospital and lead doctor Douglas Drummond, spoke about the issue
in a phone interview. A press release following publication of the story states, “Over time, Northern Health would like to increase the capacity to see clients, improve service delivery, and reduce gaps and duplication of service for elderly people in Prince George. No changes have been implemented at this time during the course of the discussions and if changes are made, they would be discussed with the clients prior to implementation.” Integrating services and ensuring more seniors can access them is becoming increasingly important, McMillan added. He said the many doctors and nurses who work at the GAT unit have been part of the discussions slated
One arrested in drug bust on Pine Street
Drug related charges will be recommended by police against a 43-year-old Prince George man after officers executed a search warrant on the 2200 block of Pine Street at about 11:30 a.m. Nov. 24. The Prince George RCMP Downtown Enforcement Unit, Crime Reduction Team and Drug Section arrested five men at the house. A search of the property resulted in the seizure of crack cocaine, powder cocaine and an assortment of drug trafficking paraphernalia. The Prince George RCMP ask that the general public continue to call the police or Crime Stoppers to report suspicious behaviours. If you have any information about this or any other criminal offence, please contact the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or Text-ATip to CRIMES using keyword “pgtips”.
to accomplish that goal. He added Drummond was planning on leaving in the spring, and he’s disappointed he’s leaving four months early. “I don’t know why he said the program is being gutted,” he added, saying he couldn’t speak to
Drummond’s statement. “We are committed to working with people to create the right service mix.” He said though Drummond is the only geriatric doctor in the north, there is an outreach program that brings in those doctors, and Northern Health will be
working to recruit a replacement. He added there is no plan to cut hours to the Geriatric Day Hospital, however they having been looking at changing things so the fourhour block put aside for it in the middle of the day might be shifted to morning and afternoon ses-
sions for the convenience of more people. This, he said, does not mean the fourhour sessions will be reduced to two-hour sessions. The same amount of time will be provided, just in a different way. “It may be different, but no decisions have been made. We
want to integrate and expand the capacity in that program. We are not looking to reduce resources,” he said. However, like many other entities, he said Northern Health is looking at ways to find efficiencies so more people can be aided while care is enhanced.
YOUR CITY MATTERS December 2, 2011
REGULAR MEETINGS OF COUNCIL Regular Meetings of Council Monday, December 5th Council Chambers – 7:00 p.m. Prince George Athletic Commission Tuesday, December 6 – 12:00 p.m.
2012 DOG LICENSES
Advisory Design Panel Wednesday, December 7 – 12:00 p.m.
BROADCASTING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS: Shaw TV runs a recorded version on Tuesday’s after each Council meeting. To follow live Council meetings, visit the City’s website at www. princegeorge.ca as webcasting services and video archiving of agenda items are available for the public.
PROCLAMATION December 3, 2011 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the provisions of Section 26(3) of the Community Charter that the City of Prince George
Whatever the excuse... Accidents Happen.
intends to lease a portion of 2424 Highway 97 (Carney Hill), Prince George, BC to the Prince George Amateur Radio Club for a term of 25 years at a rent of $1,000.00 per year. Ian Wells, Real Estate Services
2012 Dog Licenses are now on sale. The discounted rates are available until January 31, 2012. The discounted rate for a sterilized dog the license is $24.00 and if the dog is not sterilized the cost is $61.00. For a dangerous dog the license fee is $121.00/$303.00. Dog licenses can be purchased at City Hall, Day & Night Store (Hart Highway), Dog Gone Bakery, Ospika Pet & Farm Supplies, Petland, Quackers Canine Kuisine, SPCA and Total Pet or through the mail or by phone at 250 561 7600. If you no longer own a dog that was previously licensed, please contact our office. Licensing your dog is a key factor in responsible pet ownership. It is required by the Animal Control City Bylaw and allows for quick identification should your dog become injured, abused, lost, found or impounded. Keeping a dog without a current license can result in a
$100 fine. Bylaw Services, 250 561 7622
CULTURAL GRANTS Application packages are now available for non-Profit organizations wishing to apply for City‘s Cultural Grants. The City of Prince George’s Arts policy encourages the City to promote Prince George as the Northern Arts Capital of BC through providing access to the arts for all citizens by supporting the arts, encouraging partnerships, stimulating excellence and acknowledging and promoting the contribution of the arts towards providing an excellent quality of life in Prince George. The Cultural Grants are one avenue for the City to realize this goal. Arts and Cultural groups can obtain an application package from the Service Centre at City Hall. Applications may also be obtained on the City’s web site www.princegeorge.ca/ cityhall/grants. Late or incomplete submissions may result in the rejection of applications. The deadline for year 2012 grant applications is 5:00 PM – Wednesday January 4th, 2012
1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9 Tel. (250) 561-7600 • Fax (250) 612-5605 www.princegeorge.ca • ServiceCentre@city.pg.bc.ca
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Other taxes, registration, insurance, licensing, PPSA ($79) and dealer fees are excluded. Retailer may sell for less. See dealer for full details. ♦“Don’t Pay Until Spring” on select models (120-day payment deferral) applies to purchase financing offers on select 2011 and 2012 models on approved credit (OAC) (Sportage/Sorento/Sedona/Borrego excluded). No interest will accrue during the first 90 days of the finance contract. After this period, interest starts to accrue and the purchaser will repay the principal interest monthly over the term of the contract. ††FlexChoice Financing for 36-, 48- and 60-month terms on approved credit through TD Financing Services is available at participating dealerships to qualified retail customers on select new 2011 and 2012 Kia vehicles. Taxes on the full negotiated purchase price are payable at the beginning of the contract term, resulting in higher payments than payments taxed on a periodic basis, and are not reflected in advertised payments. The following terms apply to TD Financing Services contracts. Vehicles are financed over a 36-, 48- or 60-month term with payments amortized over a term of up to 96 months and the pre-determined residual balance payable at the end of the contract. At contract’s end, customers have the choice of: (i) returning their vehicle through a Kia dealership with no further obligations (except payment of a $199 return fee and excess wear and tear, mileage and similar charges if exceeding 24,000 km per year allowance); (ii) financing the remaining balance for the rest of the amortization period at then-current standard rates; or (iii) paying the residual balance indicated on the bill of sale in full. Some conditions apply. FlexChoice Financing offered by TD in Quebec is subject to different terms and conditions. All advertised FlexChoice Financing offers are TD offers. Delivery and destination fees (up to $1,650) are included. Taxes, licence, insurance, registration, excess mileage, wear and tear charges, any retailer administration fees and other applicable fees and charges are not included. FlexChoice Financing is provided on approved credit through TD Financing Services. Your Option Date is set out on your TD Financing Services Payment Advantage Loan Certificate (the “Certificate”), which contains the terms and conditions governing your Return Value Option. If you exercise your Return Value Option, a return fee of $199 must be paid by you (not applicable in the province of Quebec) and you will be responsible for excess kilometre charges, excess wear and tear, and any other amounts as specified in your Certificate. The remaining loan balance will be subject to then-applicable TD Financing Services rates and fees. Retailers may sell for less. See participating retailers for complete details. Representative example based on 2012 Sportage (SP551C)/2012 Forte (FO540C)/2012 Soul (SO550C) with a purchase price of $23,645/$17,450/$18,245 financed at 2.49%/3.39%/1.49% APR over 48/60/48 months with $0 down, bi-weekly payments of $147/$98/$115 for a cost of borrowing of $1,590/$1,808/$699 and a total obligation of $24,235/$17,758/$17,944, including delivery and destination fees ($1,650/$1,455/$1,650). Sportage (SP551C)/Soul (SO550C) includes a $500 FlexChoice credit and $500 WINterfest Everybody Wins credit. Forte (FO540C) includes $500 dealer contribution, $500 FlexChoice credit and $500 WINterfest Everybody Wins credit. Certain restrictions apply. Taxes, licence, insurance, registration, excess mileage, wear and tear charges, any administration or other applicable fees or charges are not included. Dealer may sell for less. See dealer for details. ‡Loan credit for 2012 Kia Sorento LX AT (SR75BC) is $1,250 (includes $500 loan credit and $750 loyalty bonus¥), and is available on purchase financing only on approved credit (OAC). Loan credit varies by model and trim. ¥Loyalty Bonus offer available on 2012 Kia Sorento at a value of $750 for any current Kia owners towards the purchase or lease of a new 2012MY Sorento. Loyalty Bonus offer applicable to cash purchase, lease and purchase financing only before January 3, 2012. Offer is transferrable within same household only (must provide proof of address). Limit of one bonus per customer or household. Certain restrictions apply. See dealer for details. Highway/city fuel consumption of these vehicles may vary. These estimates are based on the Government of Canada’s approved criteria and testing methods. Refer to the Government of Canada publication EnerGuide Fuel Consumption Guide. ΩVisit auto123.com/en/awards for more details. Some conditions apply to the $500 Grad Rebate Program and $750 Kia Mobility Program. See dealer for details. Information in this advertisement is believed to be accurate at the time of print. For more information on our 5-year warranty coverage, visit kia.ca or call us at 1-877-542-2886. Kia Canada is the official automotive sponsor of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada). KIA and FlexChoice are trademarks of Kia Motors Corporation.
In Provincial Court in Prince George on Oct. 17: Jessie L. Giroux was found guilty of assault and uttering threats and placed on probation for one year. Adam M. Petavel was found guilty of assault causing bodily harm and mischief, sentenced to one day in jail, placed on probation for one year and prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years. Petavel was also found guilty of theft of property with a value less than $5,000, sentenced to one day in jail and placed on probation for one year. Tracy C. Casimel was found guilty of driving with a suspended licence, fined $500, assessed a victim surcharge of $75 and prohibited from driving for one year. In Provincial Court in Prince George on Oct. 18: Robert A. Hall was found guilty of driving while prohibited, fined $575 and prohibited from driv-
Bad drivers keep court calendar busy probation order, sentenced to one day in jail and assessed a victim surcharge of $75. In Provincial Court in Prince George on Oct. 20: Nathaniel L. Basil was found guilty of failing to comply with a probation order and failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance and sentenced to 24 days in jail. Henry C. Pius was found guilty of failing to comply with a probation order and sentenced to one day in jail. In Provincial Court in Prince George on Oct. 21: Vincent A. Martin was found guilty of theft of property with a value less than $5,000, sentenced to 117 days in jail and placed on probation for 12 months. Lucas V.L. Switzer was found guilty of failing to comply with a probation order and sentenced to 17 days in jail.
Bear season a quiet one in region The 2011 bear season is drawing to a close with dropping temperatures and the blanket of snow that has already fallen.
Most bears have already entered into their deep winter sleep, meaning fewer and fewer calls are coming in about bears
in the city. As most residents will have noticed, 2011 was a quiet year for human-bear conflict in Prince George, espe-
cially when compared to the numbers seen in 2010. There were approximately 480 calls made to the Conservation Officer Ser-
Festival Finishes
A llan WISHA RT/Free Press
Sunday was the last day of the Festival of Trees at the Civic Centre, and there was still a fair number of people turning up to look at the decorated trees and enjoy the entertainment.
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AN AND ND
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vice in regards to bears around Prince George for the 2011 season, resulting in 12 black bears being destroyed. Less than one per cent of all the calls made represented complaints about grizzly bears. In 2010 we had the highest numbers on record for this area – there were close to 1,900 calls to the Conservation Officer Service and 88 bears were destroyed, mainly due to the lack of natural foods in that year. Several reasons account for the significant decrease in human-bear conflict this year. First, we had a wet spring and summer which resulted in an abundant natural berry crop – this provided plenty of sustenance for the bears, not forcing them to look for unnatural attractants in urban areas. Secondly, following the poor food year of 2010, anecdotal evidence points to the possibility that a number of yearling cubs did not survive through last winter. Finally, in addition to high mortality
upon us, but there is still the odd call coming in about bears in town, so if you see a bear that is destroying property or is a risk to human safety, please call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277. For more information on how to manage backyard bear attractants or if you would like to volunteer with the Northern Bear Awareness Society, please e-mail nbasociety@gmail.com or visit www.northernbearawareness.com.
through the winter, the removal of 88 animals from the local population last season simply resulted in fewer bears in the immediate area, leading to fewer animals coming into the city. Although the bears may be asleep, the Northern Bear Awareness Society is still active and planning a spring ‘den emergence’ pub night fundraiser. Stay tuned in the coming months for more details about this event. December may be
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Opinion
The Prince George Free Press, founded in 1994, is published every Wednesday and Friday in Prince George by Prince George Publication Limited Partnership. Contents copyright of Prince George Publication Limited Partnership.
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Courts collapsing?
VICTORIA – One of the last exchanges in the B.C. legislature’s fall session was over the state of the court system. Drug dealers are walking free, NDP leader Adrian Dix reminded Public Safety Minister Shirley Bond in the final question period. Dix referred to a Prince George case this fall where a convicted cocaine dealer racked up more trafficking charges while he was on trial, and then was released because he couldn’t be tried in a timely fashion. The NDP was picking up on an unusually political speech last week by B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Bauman. Speaking to the annual B.C. judges’ conference in Las Vegas, Bauman warned that funding cuts have the B.C. court system “going over a cliff in slow motion.” The cuts are real. By next year, court service budgets are expected to be down 10 per cent since 2008, and staff down 15 per cent. The provincial court is down 17 judges from 2005. There aren’t enough clerks. And the federal government is about to push B.C. through new sentencing guidelines that will add more inmates to B.C.’s overflow- Views TomFletcher ing prison system. Bond, the overworked B.C. Liberal minister doing double duty as Attorney General, replied that some of the budget cuts are being reversed. More sheriffs have been trained, and 14 provincial court judges have been hired in the past two years. (Meanwhile, provincial judges are suing the deficit-laden government, demanding a six-per-cent raise.) Bond also pointed to long-term strategies being implemented to relieve the flood of court cases. It’s this kind of systemic change that has the most potential for long-term reform of our archaic system. Right now there are an estimated 2,000 cases in provincial court that are running long enough to risk being dismissed due to delays. It’s not a crime wave; a quarter of all cases in provincial and B.C. Supreme Court are family disputes over kids and property. The Family Law Act has been in the works for years, and it sailed through the legislature with NDP support. It encourages out-ofcourt settlements in family breakups, equalizes common-law rules with those for married couples and does away with the terms “custody” and “access” that suggest children are to be fought over as if they are property. Bond also pointed to B.C.’s harsh new administrative penalties for drinking and driving, which have kept most routine impaired cases out of court. Police have the authority to impound vehicles and impose heavy fines on the spot, when drivers fail a roadside breath test or even blow in the “warn” range of 0.05 to 0.08 per cent. Bond points proudly to a 40-per-cent decrease in alcohol-related vehicle deaths in the first year. Of course this is being challenged as an infringement of the right to go to court and try various drunk-driving defences. A judge will soon decide if the hazards of impaired driving justify such an infringement. Justice Bauman acknowledges that courts have to clean up procedures too. Set aside the baseless conspiracy theories around the Dave Basi-Bobby Virk saga, and you have two small-time crooks whose lawyers were allowed to spin the case out for seven years in a tangle of evidence disclosure demands. As the legislature adjourned, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson joined previous mayors, from Conservative Party member Sam Sullivan to Mike Harcourt, in calling for marijuana to be legalized and regulated. Not on my watch, replied Prime Minister Stephen Harper. So instead, we’re getting de facto legalization of crack cocaine.
■ opinion
Education combats poverty
long term. They need treatment, shelter and, at We live in a land of abundance. That makes it diftimes, supervision. It is not appropriate to force ficult to understand why we have poverty. supervision upon them, but rather give them spePoverty is difficult to define. The state of povcific assistance that allows them to lead a reasonably erty is very different in a prosperous country such independent and good life. The fates can strike at a Canada when compared to many other parts of anyone and most of these individuals are in this jam the world. We have all seen the news clips showthrough no fault of their own. ing people staving to death. The reasons are many. There are a number of actions that can be taken. Political strife, drought, overpopulation and cultural Adequate permanent shelter configured to give forces, all contribute to the sad state these poor them the greatest amount of independence they can people find themselves in. While aid efforts help in the short term, long-term handle without endangering themselves. There may be sheltered work situations where strategies are few. Billions of dollars they can train and earn all or part of have been spent on food aid, water the money they need to lead a more systems, health care and other immedifulfilled life. It is an investment that ate necessities. Less has been spent on will reduce costs and give us back citihealth care and education, particularly zens who can take pride in their life. for women. Onside Another large group are those indiIn many of the cultures, women are VictorBowman viduals who failed to acquire an edusimple chattels. Owned by their huscation and marketable skills. There is bands to wait on them, do the menial little work that a strong back alone will qualify a tasks and be baby-producing machines. More of person for. In today’s world, job skills are essential. the aid money needs to be directed toward women. While our education institutions are making some Education in general is important. More important solid efforts, it is not enough. Society must be willin the immediate future is solid health care and a ing to invest more and cheer them on. They can solid knowledge of birth control. While some of those in the prosperous parts of the world may have then be taxpayers just like the rest of us. Many have been sucked up in drug or alcohol hang-ups over birth control and therapeutic aboraddiction. tions, they must deal with the realities. Preservation They have a much tougher road to walk. We can of life is a precious objective, but when that life is have all the treatment facilities desired, but until likely to be lost at an early age from malnutrition or they hit bottom and wish to change, it doesn’t work. disease, how is that moral? Most of them have fallen into the trap by their own Here at home, throughout the nation, we have our own impoverished people. It seems strange that stupidity, but don’t we all have our stupid decisions that we got out of by luck or the help of friends or in the midst of material plenty, there are those who family? live a sad life. Education in all its forms is the answer. Training, There are many reasons why they are stuck with awareness, pride building and all the other methods this kind of living. Most of those reasons can be should be emphasized more. overcome. That may not solve the problems completely, but Individuals with mental problems are a large it will go a long ways to make it better for all of us. group. They are not able to help themselves in the Circulation Manager...........................Heather Trenaman Email: circulation@pgfreepress.com...... 250-564-0504
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Canfor must deal with mill Our society is enriched ■ OPINION
Editor: I write this letter in hopes that Canfor has some respect left for the employees that kept Rustad’s mill running for more than 30 years. I worked at Rustad’s for 10 years. Often I considered myself fortunate to be employed at Rustad’s as it was said to be a good, well-paying job. I was young and just getting started in life. I used my paycheques to buy a truck, purchase my first house, get married, and start a family. I worked hard to ensure that I always had a job to provide my family a stable future.
When my wife was seven months pregnant with our third child, Canfor had the audacity to shut down the mill with no warning. You have no idea what it was like going home to share that news with my family. On Canfor’s web page it states “At Canfor ‘Our Roots are in this Community,’ is not just a corporate slogan but also a reflection of our commitment to the people and the communities in which we operate.” Please. Where was that commitment when it came time for me to pay my bills, buy my groceries and keep the roof over my family’s
heads? The measures I have had to go through just to keep my house and put food on the table have come at a great cost. Now I ask you, Canfor, just fire me and shut down Rustad’s permanently. I have moved on now. It has been more than two years. Rustad’s needs to pay out severance immediately. There has been enough hardship and it is time for all Rustad’s employees to be treated with the respect and dignity that all Canfor employees deserve. Sheldon Sande Prince George
Have a white, not tanned, Christmas
Editor: Being tanned wasn’t always associated with being beautiful. In fact, it wasn’t until the late 1920s, when a sunburnedCoco Chanel returned from a trip to the French Rivera, that tanned skin gained popularity. Prior to that, skin of ivory monopolized the fashion industry. Today whiter skin is associated with youth, wealth, and attractiveness in China, Japan, and Korea. Most cosmetic lines including Shiseido, Lancome, and Estee Lauder all carry products to brighten skin tone. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. As a fourth-year nursing student working closely with the Canadian Cancer Society, I urge the public to look at the statistics associated with indoor tanning. According to the World Health Organization, even occasional use of tanning beds before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) by 75 per cent. Along with tobacco, indoor tanning is a Class 1 carcinogen. UV damage is cumulative and permanent. According to the Canadian Dermatology association, exposure to UV radia-
tion causes 90 per cent of premature aging and wrinkles. Despite the detrimental effects on health, tanning still somehow seems to be a right of passage in some families. A recently conducted study found that 40 per cent of post-secondary students went tanning for the first time with their mothers. These girls were also five times more likely to become heavy tanners (tan twice a week or more) compared to the 20 per cent that went tanning alone for the first time. Your teenage children listen more than you think. Evoke their confidence by teaching them that beauty is not defined by the cover of a magazine. The definition of beauty varies within each culture, geographical location, and age. Tanned skin is not universally beautiful, but confidence is. I urge parents to please think twice before taking your children tanning or purchasing tanning minutes as Christmas or graduation gifts. Katherine Sui Prince George
Some suggestions for a better election
Editor: Certain well-heeled candidates had access to ads (e-mail, radio, TV, mailouts, signage) and election offices where the unwashed masses would be greeted warmly and feted to a cool glass of orange juice. Less solvent candidates had, well, themselves plus large doses of hope. The signage appeared to be widelyvaried, as there seemed to be no particular regulated size, and some candidates had many more than others. The same with the number of candidates; there seemed to be no limitation to them either. As a result, this gave incumbents, already having an advantage, an even greater one because all these votes would be distributed even more unevenly. Another problem with the number of candidates arose when they all assembled together: there were so many that, unbelievably, each one was allotted exactly one minute for their spiel.
Another difficulty, as I see it, was that all the questions posed of the candidates were pre-arranged and more often than not, similar questions kept re-appearing (at least that was the case when I attended the CNC Atrium hosted by the Chamber of Commerce).Pre-arranged questions simply do not work well. At the very least, (within that time frame) each candidate should have been allowed to state one or two issues that were of particular importance to them. Actually I was hoping that there would finally be questions of the candidates from the floor, but that did not happen. Perhaps this artificial arrangement was a significant reason why there was such a low voter turn out. The public is savvy and they can smell a rat a mile away. Some suggestions for future elections: 1) Treat each candidate with respect, especially the first-timers, who have a
lot to learn. 2) Cut down their numbers. 3) Arrange so that public meetings for candidates be more spontaneous. 4) Eliminate forever the Draconian one-minute response. 5) Eliminate all pre-arranged questions. 6) Allow audience to question candidates who must think on their feet. 7) Arrange for this year’s candidates to get together to suggest changes in the present voting system. 8) Arrange public debates for any interested parties, utilizing an experienced moderator, who will keep the debate moving and on topic. Until such time as these, and, or similar criteria are met, this municipality (and every other municipality in the province,) is not even close to meeting the definition of a democratic entity. Marilyn Juds Prince George Safe Water Coalition
One of my teenaged daughter’s best friends is an openly gay boy I have not had the pleasure of meeting but if he’s half as cool as he sounds, I can’t wait. Excellent taste in music, wicked sense of humour, artistic talent and a loyal friend. I’m thrilled we’ve come so far in a generation that he can even exist. Back in the dark ages, better known as the cultural wasteland of the 1980s, coming out of the closet at a small high school in the B.C. Interior was not an option. Instead, some of my friends were forced to hide their true sexuality, bury their feelings and wait until they escaped the judgment of their teen peers with their smalltown minds. I know three gay men from my high school. One of them didn’t come out until he was in his thirties, after the end of his first marriage. He’s since remarried, this time to someone of the same gender. I look at their pictures on Facebook and see two ridiculously handsome men, Rough Cuts hopelessly in love. NeilGodbout Another came out as soon as he escaped to the more tolerant confines of Vancouver. I had the pleasure of interviewing him eight years after high school, me the working journalist in a Kelowna newsroom, he the increasingly prominent gay rights advocate, fighting for the rights of gay and lesbians in the workplace. I was so clueless about homosexuality that one of my university roommates was a lesbian and I didn’t know it for the first year-and-half we lived together. When her friend stayed over, I thought it was for safety reasons – too late to take the bus home, dark streets, woman travelling alone. That’s me in the dictionary, smiling blankly next to the word “naïve.” This country bumpkin cheerfully informed friends at the time that I enjoyed listening to Night Ranger and Honeymoon Suite on my “steer-eo.” Openly gay teens aren’t just in Prince George high schools, they’re proudly depicted on top TV shows. Santana finally came out on Glee this week on a show that already has an openly gay guy couple. Last season, the focus was on Kurt, forced to leave McKinley High after a football team bully threatened to kill him (turned out he was gay, too). This year, it’s about Santana, the foul-mouthed, takeno-prisoners cheerleader whose only soft spot is her fierce love for her fellow cheerleader Brittany. Although Glee hasn’t always been great, it got some of its mojo back last month, thanks to a thoughtful episode that sensitively portrayed the emotionial anguish of “the first time” for two main characters – Kurt and Rachel. The Santana episode was equally riveting, thanks to a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want To Have Fun, sung as a gorgeous piano ballad by Finn, played by B.C.’s own Cory Monteith, easily his finest moment in three years on the show. My daughter’s life, our high schools, our television shows, our society are all richer with homosexuals of all ages able to openly express themselves and their individuality.
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Training for the safety of all Canadians ■ Rocky Mountain Rangers
Jeremy Deutsch Kamloops This Week
It’s pitch black and the snow is falling lightly. A group of Rocky Mountain Rangers descends on a small cabin at the edge of Ross Moore Lake. Inside are several members of a terrorist cell who call themselves the Movembers. It’s a breakaway offshoot of the Occupy movement. However, this group is more radical. The leader of the Movembers has already assassinated a highlevel consul-general in Vancouver; the group now plans to blow up an oil pipeline in the area. The local RCMP got word of the plan and they need help arresting the group before it’s too late, so they call the Rangers. For two days, the infantry unit has been scouting and patrolling the area, about an hour’s drive from Kamloops, in preparation for operation Clandestine Ranger. The plan is for a predawn raid on the cabin and the military forces have been authorized to use deadly force if needed. Though compelling and somewhat frightening for residents, none of this story is true. But, for a group of army reservists with the Rangers, this could one day be the real thing.
Several times a year, the Rangers, an infantry unit based in Kamloops, perform training exercises similar to operation Clandestine Ranger, to give members a chance to learn and sharpen their skills. They are members like Dale McDonald, a private from Kamloops. The 26-year-old’s role during this task is to provide fire support for the assault. It’s a lot different from his day job at a grocery store in town. McDonald spent the night prior on his feet, traversing the Ross Moore Lake area for eight hours. He said he always wanted to join the reserves, but finally got around to doing so a couple years ago. McDonald said serving isn’t a full-time goal, but rather an opportunity to do something different and make a bit of extra cash. “It’s fun to come out every month and hang out with the guys and do our thing,” he said. Reservists with the Rangers meet every Wednesday and take part in training exercises on a monthly basis. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces own a couple of cabins in the Ross Moore Lake area for the purpose of training. There are roughly 100 Rangers,
Je re my DEUTSC H/ K a mlo o p s Th is We e k
Members of the Kamloops-based Rocky Mountain Rangers trudge through the snow south of Kamloops as they train for a simulated assault on a cabin harbouring terrorists.
mostly based in Kamloops, with another couple of dozen in Prince George. Sgt. Daniel Mack was flown in to the Tournament Capital for the weekend, since there aren’t enough members in the northern community to pull off a similar training exercise. He’s been a reservist since 1999 and is studying to be a high school teacher at the University of Northern B.C.. “If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t have been doing it as long as I have,” Mack said. Over the years, his role has J eremy DEUTSCH/K amloops This Week changed. Sgt. Daniel Mack checks on the boiling water used for drinking and cookHe started out as ing. The Prince George resident was flown to Kamloops for weekend train- a soldier, but trained ing exercises with the Rocky Mountain Rangers. in explosives.
Recently, Mack was tasked with destroying thousands of old and obsolete rifle rounds used for clearing avalanches. Tony Swarts is a private from Kamloops. His role for the mission is to sneak through the bush, find the enemy, get as much information and send it up the chain of command. The Thompson Rivers University student joined the Rangers for a number of reasons, but isn’t shy to admit one of his motivations was his love of shooting guns. Though the exercise is a mock and no real bullets are fired, there is nothing fake about the weather. It snowed for parts of the weekend and the mercury spent time below the freezing level. Swarts noted the hardest part of training is the weather. On this late-November weekend, it wasn’t quite cold enough, so the snow would melt. “It’s not fun to walk through,” he said.
Capt. Mike Oviatt has taken part in a number of similar raids in his six years with Rangers, but now he mostly liaises and helps organize the 75 members of the unit in Kamloops. He said some soldiers take a perverse pleasure from the tough training conditions. “It attracts a certain type of person,” Oviatt said, adding it helps to love camping and generally being outdoors. Despite the often less-thanideal training conditions, he said serving in the reserves is a great opportunity for students who might join part-time while putting themselves through school, or someone considering a career in the armed forces. After a successful mission defusing the homegrown terrorist threat, the group spends the rest of the final day of training taking down the makeshift camp. The Rangers leave much better prepared if one day the scenario becomes a reality.
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■ UNBC Winter Garden
Ceremony today for Montreal Massacre Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada In what has become an annual tradition at UNBC, the Montreal Massacre Day
Hip
to
of Remembrance will be held today (Friday, Dec. 2) in UNBC’s Winter Garden. The
event is a time for men and women to remember and reflect on the lives of the 14
women who were gunned down in 1989 at l’ Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal.
Winter
Bill PHILLIPS/Free Press
Rose hips cling to the branches under a heavy load of snow. The forecast for the weekend, though, is mostly sunny.
Dec. 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders. Melanie Bodhi, northern undergraduate student society women’s representative, and Sarah Boyd, coordinator of the northern women’s centre, are hosting this event. Eight speakers will be featured: Dr. George Iwama, Dr. Si Transken, Dr. Marilyn Iwama, Sarah Boyd, Paul Michel, and Cat Kendal as well as students Melanie Bodhi and Heather Ritchie. Everyone is invited to join UNBC in this National Day of Remembrance, supporting the prevention of violence against women and the empowerment of
women in education. The documentary Polytechnique will be shown after the memorial and reception in Room 7-152. Admission is free. The film takes us back to the day of Dec. 6, 1989 and portrays the horrible things that took place. “It will be a powerful event,” says Bodhi. “I hope everyone and join us in remembering and
celebrating the lives of these women. I believe that in order to prevent future hate crimes directed towards women, we must support women in education. Through this process of remembrance, we will become educated and informed about the prevention of violence against women and what we can do to support women in education.”
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Red Nose on roads ning for the holiday season. Anyone who has a vehicle and needs a ride home tonight or Saturday can call 250-962-RIDE (7433) between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. There should be 10 to 15 teams on the road this weekend. Operation Red Nose is still looking for volunteers, since things will get busier as the holiday season
progresses. Anyone interested in helping either as part of an onroad team or at the office can print out an application form from www.ornpg.ca, fill it out and take it to Community Policing at 575 Brunswick St. The service is free, and donations go to the Rotary Club of Prince George Nechako for local youth and athletic programs.
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Operation Red Nose volunteers are anticipating things will be busier tonight and Saturday. The opening weekend last Friday and Saturday was down just a bit from last year, but still had solid numbers. On Friday, nine teams were on the road providing 25 rides, while on Saturday the 12 teams provided 51 rides for a weekend total of 76. In 2010, the first weekend saw 81 rides. When the teams weren’t providing rides to get people and their vehicles home safely, they were stopping by local pubs and community centres to make sure people were aware the service is back up and run-
Northern
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6567 Hart Hwy in the Hart Ctr. PH: 250-962-6678 www.fabriclandwest.com Store Hours: Mon.- Wed. & Sat. 9:30-5:30, Thur. & Fri. 9:30-9:00, Sun. Noon-5:00
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Friday, December 2, 2011
SIGNINGS: A busy couple of weeks locally for authors A14
Community
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An afterschool care group gets into the holiday spirit A18
teresa Mallam 250-564-0005 arts@pgfreepress.com
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Free Press
Playbill Great Debate
Drop by for the 18th annual Great Santa Claus Debate at the Canfor Theatre at UNBC at 7 p.m. today (Friday, Dec. 2). Two teams of scholars from various disciplines will take a hilarious look at the serious scholarly question of whether or not we should believe in the existence of Santa Claus. The debate will be judged by CBC personality Wil Fundal. Admission is free.
AWAC Benefit
The Twisted Cork is hosting a benefit for AWAC (Association Advocating for Women and Children.) Live entertainment. Sunday, Dec. 4 from 4 to 8 p.m. Suggested donations: shampoo, conditioner, warm socks, winter outerwear, thermal underwear, phone cards, Tim Hortons cards, hoodies, arts and crafts supplies. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 available at the door. Twisted Cork 250-561-5550, Studio 2880 at 250-563-2880.
Run Extended
Theatre North West has announced extra performances on Dec. 6, 7 and 8 for its hit play, Home Ice, which has scored big with audiences. If you haven’t seen this hilarious production, tickets are still available (while they last) at Books and Company or by phone at 250-614-0039.
Diana Phillips still talking Pan Delynda pilon
newsroom@pgfreepress.com
It seems like every old-timer who has lived in the north has a Pan Phillips story. There’s one about Pan running a concession stand at the rodeo, trying to maximize profits while minimizing expenses. He did that by putting just one hole in the evaporated milk can so cowboys loading up on coffee with cream would use less. “He was a real prankster,” agreed Dave Helkenberg. Helkenberg was at Books and Company last Sunday during Diana Phillips’ book signing of her latest memoir, Beyond the Home Ranch, which talks about the years following the sale of the Home Ranch, her escapades working with her famous father at his first fishing and guiding lodge, then her own adventures owning and running her ranch. Helkenberg, who worked on the Home Ranch, is featured in several stories in the book. When asked about his favourite Pan Phillips story he thought about it for a few minutes then laughed that deep belly laugh you’d expect to hear come from a man who’s made his living working in the forests of the north. “Nope, I can’t tell that one,” he said. The whole process repeated several times as he remembered several tales that just weren’t fit for sharing in mixed company. Finally he came up with one he felt comfortable telling. He said there was a tree felled across a couple of stumps which the men used as an outdoor facility, sitting on a steep bank by the river. Knowing Pan to be quite a trickster, Helkenberg along with a couple of other guys on the fishing trip decided it was time for a little payback. They sawed the bottom side of the tree right up to the bark and waited for Pan
Bring in 5 or more non-perishable food items for an entry form. All donations will go to the Salvation Army.
De Ly nd a PILON/ Fre e Pre s s
Diana Phillips chats with Bonnie Wilson during the book signing of her latest memoir, Beyond the Home Ranch, last week at Books and Company. to go use the facilities, smirking every time they thought about what was going to happen. Sure enough, they weren’t disappointed. Early one morning Pan made a trip to the handy tree, took a seat on the severed throne, fell through and tumbled down the river bank, cussing all the way. Anyone who has read the three novels, Grass Beyond The Mountain, Rancher Takes A Wife and Nothing Too Good For A Cowboy, has a good enough picture of Pan in their heads to laugh along with Helkenberg and feel like they, too, were right there, getting one over on the infamous Pan Phillips. The longevity of those books is quite incredible, and the characters within them were brought into the modern age with the advent of the television series, Nothing Too Good For A Cowboy. They were just as popular when they came out and, through
the ensuing years, continued to influence the way Pan Phillips was viewed. Diana said her dad got letters, postcards and visits for as long as she remembered from people who just wanted to meet the frugal fun-loving cowboy who helped open the north country. “People would walk, ride and fly in just to meet him,” she said. Her first book, a memoir called Beyond the Chilcotin: On the Home Ranch with Pan Phillips, gave new depth to the story of Canada’s folk hero, as told by his own daughter. Her new memoir is also selling very well, and sits at fourth place on B.C.’s top 10 list. “People have told me they like it better than the first one,” she said. “I’ve been asked if it’s a woman’s book. A man told me it isn’t because women’s books end up in his flower garden, and this one didn’t.” She, too, has a deep belly laugh
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that makes everyone around her smile with her. And there were plenty of people around her, stopping by to chat about her father, some who knew him in life and some who knew him only through the books about him. The other character that resonates through all the books, whether it’s the old trilogy written by Rich Hobson, or Diana’s memoir’s, is the land. It takes on a spirit of its own, and love for that land, from the whispering pines to the mosquito-filled swamps, from the brisk rivers to the grassy meadows, is a trait obviously shared by father and daughter. Diana admits she misses the land now that her life has changed and she is no longer a rancher out back of the Chilcotin. “I have my sad moments. I’ll always be tied to that land. But it’s not good though to spend that much time alone,” she said.
DL#9621
1.877.217.8491
Local or Long Distance www.WoodWheaton.com 2879 Highway 16 West, Prince George Next to Costco, Turn At The Husky Station!
■ VISUAL ARTS
Something Old, Something New at gallery ALLan Wishart
allanw@pgfreepress.com
Melanie Desjardines knew she was giving her artists an openended invitation. “The name of the show is Something Old, Something New,” the owner of the Groop Gallery said, “and that was all I gave them to
work with. “It got the creative juices flowing, and I saw a lot of different takes on the subject.” Desjardines was busy this week, as she had two shows coming down in the gallery at 1127 Third Ave. and was putting up the works for Something Old, Something New,
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which opens tonight (Friday). “I think it’s fun to challenge the artists by giving them free rein,” she said, straightening one of the pieces already hanging on the wall. “I sent the call for pieces out in April or May, because I like to give them enough time to come up with a new piece if they want. Some of them might have something they’ve already done which fits the theme, so they can submit that.” Given the limited space in the gallery, Desjardines said it was difficult to make choices for which pieces would be displayed. “It’s a feature show, and I have some artists who I have worked with in the past who submit pieces, but I also like to get some new artists in.” One of the newer artists in the Something Old, Something New show is Amanda Nolan, whose piece features a Prince George resident many
A lla n W ISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s
Curator Melanie Desjardines makes sure a piece by Amanda Nolan is hanging straight at the Groop Gallery as she prepares for the opening of Something Old, Something New. The official opening is this evening (Friday) at 7 p.m. will recognize – Ben Ginter. “The story she submitted with the piece,” Desjardines said, “talks about growing up near what’s now known as Ginter’s Field, where his big house used to be. She did some research on him, because she had
heard so much about him growing up here. “Then she found out where his house used to be is where the new off-leash park for dogs is, so that’s why the work also features dogs.” Something Old, Something New indeed.
Some of the submissions from artists she has worked with the in past surprised Desjardines in different ways. “This piece by Betty Kovacic, for instance. She usually works with a lot of pastels and soft colours, but this one is a more neutral palette.
It’s a change, but I like the piece.” Several of the artists in the show will be on hand for tonight’s opening, which starts at 7 p.m., and local singer-songwriter Jeremy Stewart will be in to play a couple of sets as well.
PG Farmers’ Market...”For Something Special” * Produce * Preserves * Baking * Mexican Specialties * welr * Gift Certicates * Soap * * Leather * J Jewelry
Crafts & Sewing Pet Treats & Accessories
d!
n ou R r
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OPEN
Every Saturday
8:30am to 2:00pm At the corner of 3rd Ave. & George St.
Christmas Market on December 17th
Also, Come Visit with Santa
from (10am - noon) info@farmersmarketpg.ca www.farmersmarketpg.ca
Honey & Jams Hot Food & Drinks
* Beef * Bison * Chicken * Lamb * Pork * Eggs * Coffee * PG Farmers’ Market will be Closed on December 24th & 31st...Happy Holidays Everyone!
Books and Company busy
The John Deere Toys Have Arrived!
Lots of authors will be on hand for book-signings
Gifts For Under The Tree! Assorted Toys Available Starting at $6.95!
Great Stocking Stuffers Just In Time For Christmas!
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They may have to bring in a new supply of pens at Books and Company, considering how many book signings they have coming up in the next couple of weeks. It starts with could be billed as a double feature on Saturday, Dec. 3. At 11 a.m., Stan Krumm will be signing his latest, Zachary’s Gold. It’s the story of a Pinkerton man, Zachary Beddoes, who decides to get out of law enforcement and into gold mining in the 1860s. He heads to San Francisco, but is told the best goldfields are up north, in a place called Barkerville. Suffice to say, things don’t go as planed, and Beddoes is soon on the run from the law. Then, at 2 p.m., a tale of travels around the world unfolds in Journeys with Jo Selkirk. Her military service and travels took her to places such as Egypt, India, Afghanistan and the Amazon River. Selkirk looks back over almost 100 years of friendships and adventures. On Dec. 4, Susan Smith-Josephy will tell a story of a different journey. In Launching Lillian Alling: The journey home, she tells the story of Alling, a European immigrant in New York in 1926 who decides to return home. In the following three years, she
C a ro ly n IBIS/ Sp e cia l to th e Fre e Pre s s
Jo Selkirk will be telling her stories of travels around the world on Dec. 3 at Books and Company. walked from New York to Dawson City, Yukon, then sailed a makeshift raft down the Yukon River to the Bering Sea. SmithJosephy will be at Books and Company for a book-signing at 2 p.m. For those who prefer to take centre stage themselves, there’s FAMOUS PLAYERS 6
1600 15th Ave, Prince George 250-612-3993 www.cineplex.com
FRIDAY DECEMBER 2ND ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
(DIGITAL 3D)
(G: Family, Animation, Comedy)
HAPPY FEET TWO (G: Family, Animation)
IMMORTALS (18A: Action, Drama, Fantasy) Explicit violence J. EDGAR (PG: Drama) Violence, Coarse Language PUSS IN BOOTS (G: Adventure, Animation, Comedy) Violence THE MUPPETS (PG: Comedy, Family)
3:45, 7:10, 9:40pm
(DIGITAL 3D)
3:55, 7:15, 9:45pm 3:35, 9:50pm 4:00, 7:00, 10:05pm
7:20pm 3:40, 7:05, 9:55pm
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PT 1 (PG: Drama, Fantasy, Romance) Sexually suggestive scenes, Violence 3:50, 6:55, 10:00pm
another round of Three Minutes and a Microphone: Literary Karaoke in Cafe Voltaire on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The theme this month, incredibly, is winter holidays. Pick a funny, maudlin or stirring passage from a book, play, or poem. The author can be world-renowned or virtually unknown. You’ll get three minutes, a microphone and an audience. What will you read? It’s the end of the world as we know it on Dec. 7 when Bob Robertson drops in. Robertson is one half of the comedy team Double Exposure, and has written a book entitled Mayan Horror: How to survive the end of the world in 2012. In it, he outlines what could happen when the Mayan calendar comes to an end next year, and
provides answers to vital questions such as, are oven mitts useful against the Earth’s molten core? Robertson will be signing at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7. Saturday, Dec. 10 sees a pair of children’s authors signing at 11 a.m. Margaret Pascuzzo series of books follows the life of Anton, a boys whose insecurities children can relate to. Coral Chen translates and retells Chinese folk tales, such as The Old Man Who Lost His Horse. Just to make sure everyone is in the Christmas mood, you can have breakfast with Santa at Cafe Voltaire on Dec. 11, starting at 8 a.m. There will be food, stories, a singalong and chances to let Santa know what your Christmas wishes are. Tickets for breakfast with Santa are on sale now, but are limited, so get them quick.
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Prince George Free Press
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Friday, December 2, 2011
Go to the World Juniors in Calgary on Wood Wheaton.* Win 1 of 4 ticket packages gas for 2 including a card. One of the packages is a
For complete contest ontest d details etails a and nd a an ne entry ntry fform orm g go o tto o
www.WoodWheaton.com Proudly Co-Sponsored by
The Best Things in Life Are FREE
Other ways to Win - Please bring in 5 or more non-perishable food items for Wood Wheaton’s Food Drive for an entry form. You can also receive an entry form with your current receipt from the Parts, Sales or Service Departments at Wood Wheaton. * Only ofďŹ cial entry forms from www.WoodWheaton.com or in-store will be accepted. All entries must be received at Wood Wheaton by noon December 10th, as draws start at 1pm. All prizes must be accepted as awarded, no cash surrender value by Wood Wheaton or the PG Free Press. No purchase necessary.
Local or Long Distance
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Prince George Free Press
Friday, December 2, 2011
Partners with
n tow n T g o n i g w k e ther f Wor or a Vibrant Do
DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE
$5000+
Total Showcase Prize Package value approximately Antiques on 6th
Kathy’s Quilt Shop
Carved French Secretaire Desk
Beautiful Christmas Lap Quilt
Package Total will include prize value from ALL 33 Business!
Dyson Vacuum
Dick Harris MP
Gift Certificate toward Listing Fees
2 Gift Baskets Plus 2 Cougar Tickets Macadamia Natural Oil Gift Package
Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society Gift Certificate - Sport Chek Beauty Basket
Spruce City Resale/ Flip Side 5 DVDs
Mineraluxe Kit
Restaurant
W.D. West Studios
Gift Certificate for Family Sitting & One 8x10” Basket full of Vendor items
The Coffee Garden Prime Rib Dinner for 8 (2x Dinner for 4 Certificates)
The Inn Flower Place
1 Christmas Arrangement
Prince George Florists Floral/Gourmet Gift Basket
Nancy O’s
Downtown Bucks, to spend at any participating business
Complimentary 1 night stay at Ramada Hotel, Prince George
Bowling for up to 10 people. (3 games including shoes. Cosmic or regular bowling)
Embroidery & Gift Winter Package: Coa Scarf, Toque
Gift Certificate
Basket of Board/Card Games
Gift Certificate Drawing/Sketch Art Package 4 tickets to professional Stand Up Comedy January 2012 show (19+ years) Plateau Clothing Scarf, Mitts, toque and Niknacks
2 Gift Certificates
Bracelet with Swarovski crystals, and vintage sterling silver cufflink
Echoes at Dawn Metaphysical
McInnis Lighting Illuminated Bonsai Tree
Urban Treasure
Decorative Rooster Cork Holder
Holy Clothing - Dress Commercial Financial Services 1 Men’s Fleece Jacket, 1 Women’s Fleece Jacket
theRitz
Bakery & Coffee Shop Two 8x10” Cakes
Gift Basket
OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM NAME ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– PHONE –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ADDRESS ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– SHOWCASE TOTAL IS $ –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Deposit Entry at DBIA Office, Northern Hardware or Antiques on 6th
Downtown Christmas
SHOWCASE!
Total Prize Package to be won by whomever is closest to guessing the Actual Regular Retail Price for all the items included in the Showcase. In the event of a tie, winner decided by a draw. Showcase Winner will be announced December 9th, 2011.
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Prince George Free Press
Friday, December 2, 2011
How To Win the Showcase! When you Come On Downtown, look for posters for the Downtown Christmas Showcase in these Participating Downtown Businesses, then view all 33 Business’ special Showcase Prize in-store! Enter your guess of the total “Showcase Prize Package Value” by Dec. 7th, 2011.
Participating Businesses: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33
Northern Hardware Antiques on 6th Urban Treasures Spruce City Resale/Flipside PG Farmer’s Market Alison’s Embroidery and Gifts Eric’s World of Leisure Ric’s Grill Kathy’s Quilt Shop McInnis Lighting Echos at Dawn Ritz Bakery & Coffee Shop The Inn Flower Place Plateau Clothing WD West Studios Prince George Sewing Centre The Pepper Tree Hair Studio Coast Hotel - Inn Coffee Garden Nancy O’s Restaurant Ramada Prince George Topaz Bead Gallery Sassafras Savouries Black Diamond Lanes Les Beaux Visages Salon PG Florists Dick Harris MP Doucette Realty RBC - Royal Bank of Canada Canada Winter Games IPG - Initiatives Prince George Spee Dee Printers Armoury Games & Hobbies JJ Springer
PRINCE GEORGE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSN.
DOWNTOWN
DOLLARS The Best Things in Life Are Free!
30 DBIA Office
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Drop your guess entry here
Don’t forget! Spend Your Downtown Dollars* at any Participating Business by Dec. 7th, 2011!
*When making a purchase of $25 or more. Check back of $10 coupon for all disclaimers
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When you buy the CNC 2012 Wall Calendar, you get money-saving deals, and you help equip the nursing simulation lab for CNC health sciences students. The calendars will be available @ CNC Bookstore Costco - Dec. 3, 4, 17 and 18
Please support our advertisers: A lla n W ISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s
Nancy Shelford of the Canadian Cancer Society accepts a cheque from Camara and Marcus of the Heart To Hart After School Care Program, and presents the group with a plaque and a thank-you card.
Heart to Hart gives hand to Cancer Society ALLan Wishart
allanw@pgfreepress.com
The Heart to Hart After School Care program got the season of giving off to a great start before November even ended. On Wednesday, the group presented the Canadian Cancer Society with a cheque for $103.65, money the children in the program raised through a series of bottle drives in October and November. The children in the group were split into teams and went through the different blocks in the Hart region, explaining they had chosen the Cancer Society as the recipient of their work.
In each team, younger children were teamed with older ones, while the staff of the program simply observed, allowing the children to do the project themselves. Nancy Shelford, volunteer engagement co-ordinator of the society, was on hand to receive the cheque and present the group with a plaque and thank-you card. “The money you’ve donated will go for a lot of different things,” she told the children. “Some of it will be used for research, but some will go to help individuals with specific needs and some of it will go to programs like Camp Good Times, for children who have cancer.”
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■ BRrring on Winter
Katimavik clothing drive wraps up Saturday McKinley or pick up is available for large donations (one garbage bag or more). Additional drop-off places include the Canadian Diabetes Association, St. Andrew’s Church, Kumbaya, and Topaz Beads. The Brrring on Winter Fundraiser includes activities such as raffle draws, games for all ages, and tasty treats, and there will be several Katimavik volunteers from across Canada to talk to. Entrance is by donation and monetary proceeds will be donated to the Elizabeth Fry Society. Representatives from both groups will be present during nowbirds the fundraiser. Katimavik is Canada’s national youth service organization. The organization focuses on the development of lifelong personal, professional and social competencies in the areas of civic engagement, healthy lifestyle, cultural discovery, official languages, communication, environmental stewardship and project coordinator. For the 20112012 program year, Katimavik will be present in 52 communities in which more than 1,000 volunteers will be dispersed. The Connaught Youth Centre is located at 1491 17th Ave. For more information phone B ill P HI L L I P S /F ree P ress Rachel Walpert Some may think the recent snowfall was for at 1-866-941-6589 the birds, including, obviously, the inhabitants ex. 2218 or write of this house who haven’t cleaned their driveprincegeorge. way yet. katimavik.org.
The Prince George Katimavik group is having a Brrring on Winter Clothing Drive and Fundraiser at the Connaught Youth Centre Dec. 3. Katimavik volunteers and alumni in collaboration with the Elizabeth Fry Society and the Family Resource Centre, will be collecting winter clothing donations this month (the community project began in November) for the Family Resource Centre. Donations can be dropped off at Katimavik House at 110
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Community Christmas ■ Prince George Cougars
There are four Prince George Cougars home games left before Christmas, and four different ways for fans to help the less fortunate during the holiday season. Tuesday, Dec. 6 is Gift of Hope Night as the Cougars host the Portland Winterhawks. The Canadian Mental Health Association will be collecting hats, mittens and gloves for its clients. There is a strong need for items for men, but gifts for women will be gratefully accepted. The following night, Dec. 7, is the second game of the doubleheader against Portland and it’s also Coats for Kids Night. Bring a gently used child’s
coat or jacket to the game for Toss. When the Cougars score the Aboriginal Choice School their first goal, fans are encouraged to toss stuffed and receive a coupon animals and toques for one small popcorn, onto the ice. The courtesy of Eurest. bears and toques will The final doublego to the RCMP Vicheader before Christtim Services Unit, the mas sees the Vancouver Salvation Army, and Giants at CN Centre on other local organizaDec. 16 and 17. The Hats, coats, tions. There will be Dec. 16 game is the Yel- food and a limited number of lowhead Rotary Food teddy bears Drive, with representa- highlight the stuffed animals available for purchase tives of the Yellowhead donations Rotary Club collecting sought at the at the game, with proceeds to the Big non-perishable food next home Brothers Big Sisters items for Christmas games. of Prince George. baskets. Donations at all games can The final home game before Christmas, Dec. 17, is the tra- be made at Section X of the CN ditional Teddy Bear and Toque Centre.
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Christmas Craft Fair “Give Your Loved One that Special Gift, this Christmas” Over 20 exhibitors to choose from.
Saturday December 3rd, 2011 10:00am - 4:00pm Come and enjoy the festive spirit at the Prince George Chateau, Free food and Prizes throughout the day Take a tour and you will receive a poinsettia and your name entered for a beautiful Fireplace.
FA C I A L S - WA X I N G - T I N T I N G - P E D I C U R E S - M A N I C U R E S - W R A P S - M A S S A G E S - Y O G A - P I L AT E S - C O S M E T I C I N J E C TA B L E S
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Spruce Kings drop close one to Chiefs Going into Wednesday night’s game at the Coliseum against the Chilliwack Chiefs, Dave Dupas said the Prince George Spruce Kings seemed to be having a few problems recently. “The last time we played them, we lost in overtime,” the coach of the Spruce Kings said earlier this week. “We have to find ways to win those games.” Unfortunately, the Kings had that same problem Wednesday, losing 3-2 to the Chiefs on a thirdperiod goal by Trevor Hills. The Kings got firstperiod goals from Michael Colantone and Tyson Witala (on the power play) to take a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes, but those were the only pucks they got past Mitch Gillam in the Chiefs goal, despite outshooting Chilliwack 35-22. The game was the first in a four-game homestand for the Spruce Kings, as they’re back on the ice Dec. 3 and 4 against the Westside Warriors before hosting the Merritt Cen-
tennials on Dec. 9. Games times this weekend are 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Coliseum. Colantone got some good news earlier this week as he received a scholarship commitment from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell for the 2012-13 season. “We acquired Colantone early in the season to come in and complement our scoring,” Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes said in a press release. “He has done everything we expected, and has impressed enough to receive this great opportunity at a great school in UMass-Lowell.” The River Hawks play in the Hockey East Association, a Division 1 league in the NCAA. In 25 games with the Spruce Kings this season, Colantone has 12 goals, including three game winners, and 23 assists for 35 points. Colantone is the first Spruce King to attend A lla n W ISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s UMass-Lowell, which Spruce Kings goalie Kirk Thompson had plenty of company at the front of the net as he deflected a shot to boasts NHL alumni such the corner against the Chilliwack Chiefs on Wednesday night at the Coliseum. as Craig McTavish and
Cougars aim to keep Kamloops bears off the ice ALLan Wishart allanw@pgfreepress.com
The Prince George Cougars have a simple goal in Kamloops tonight. “We want to keep those teddy bears in the stands as long as possible,” said coach Dean Clark. Tonight’s game is the annual Teddy Bear Toss in Kamloops, with the home fans littering the ice after the Blazers’ first goal. Clark wants to keep them waiting as long as possible.
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Success on the road lately will, he hopes, translate into points at home. The first chances for that will be Dec. 6 and 7 when the Portland Winterhawks are in for a pair of games. “We seem to have a tough time at home,” Clark admitted. “We’re keeping it close, we’ve lost a lot of one-goal games. Offensively, we need to find a way to finish those games and get that extra goal.” He was encouraged by a number of things on the two games in Washington on the weekend.
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“We want to score first and build on that,” Clark said. “We’ve obviously got a rivalry with them, and the games are played hard.” The Cougars go into games this weekend in Kamloops and Kelowna on a twogame winning streak, following a pair of one-goal wins in Seattle and Spokane last weekend. “The Spokane win was huge,” Clark said. “Nobody on the team had ever won before in Spokane, so mentally, it was a huge game for us.”
“Charles Inglis and Greg Fraser are starting to play like they can. (Goaltender) Drew Owsley has been very consistent lately, and in Spokane, we got contributions from all four of the lines.” Clark says Owsley will get the start Friday in Kamloops, and then, “we’ll on Saturday what we want to do,” whether to keep Owsley in goal or give Devon Fordyce a start. Game times for the Portland series are 7 p.m. on both Dec. 6 and 7 at the CN Centre.
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Duchess Park claims Junior B girls title ALLan Wishart
allanw@pgfreepress.com
It was a strong finish to the season for the Cedars Christian junior girls B volleyball team, and better things could be ahead. The Eagles lost the
district finals to the host Duchess Park Condors on Saturday, but coach Krista Buttenaar said getting to the final was “very exciting.” “Our semifinal win over Kelly Road was probably a bit of an upset, but it was one
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of those games where everything fell into place. The girls played a great game.” They continued that level of play in the finals, but couldn’t break through against a strong Duchess Park squad. “We love playing Duchess,” Buttenaar said. “They’re a great team, and they always have a good attitude. They’re a lot of fun to play against, even though they usually beat us.” Cedars came through the roundrobin portion of the tournament undefeated. Duchess Park and Kelly Road also won their pools
without dropping a set. In the first round of the playoffs, Cedars downed D.P. Todd, who had finished second in the Duchess Park pool, while Duchess Park and Kelly Road had byes into the semifinals. In the semis, Cedars surprised Kelly Road while Duchess beat PGSS. Buttenaar says Cedars, like most of the other schools in the city, is looking strong for next year as well. “We gave 10 girls on the junior teams moving on to Grade 10, as well as a full team of Grade 8s moving up.”
A lla n W ISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s
Alyse Willman of Cedars Christian tries to get a spike past a Duchess Park block in the finals of the Junior Girls B District Championships on Saturday.
Peewee girls hockey squad second on road ALLan Wishart
allanw@pgfreepress.com
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The Best Western peewee female hockey team placed second in a tournament in Kamloops on the weekend, their second second-place finish of the season. “None of the girls have played rep hockey before,” coach Terri Pfliger said. “We have four first-year players and 14 second-year players, but there was no rep team last year, so this is new to them. “It’s a learning experience for the parents too.” Prince George went 2-2 at the tournament, winning its first two games in the roundrobin 4-0 over Tri-Cities and 3-2 over Kamloops and losing 9-0 to Richmond. They played Richmond again in the final, losing 7-0. Pfliger said the score didn’t really reflect the game. “I thought they played a good game, maybe their best game of the weekend. Richmond has a very good team.” The female team plays in the peewee boys house league locally, and Pfliger says they’re doing well. “We’re competitive. We’ve actually won all but one game in the league so far this year.” The team is on the road again this weekend for a tournament in Vernon before coming home for a pair of Cariboo League games against Williams Lake on Dec. 10 and 11.
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WorkSafe BC is proud to sponsor the award for health and safety innovation. This award will recognize all types of safety innovations no matter how modest, including the management of workplace impairment issues, planning for safety at the design stage of projects, engineering controls that replace personal protective equipment. The award will also recognize innovative tools and other programs such as return to work or techniques that help prevent work place incidents, injuries and illness. Sometimes even the simplest innovation can improve workplace health and safety.
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Wolves back at home
had them down and couldn’t can convert. finish it. “It was more our mental state “I can’t be too unhappy, on Saturday than anything There are times Loralyn Mur- though, since the last time we else.” Being ready to play hard doch wishes the PacWest had played them, we lost by 23.” Jennifer Clyne led the attack is something Jordan says the changed just its name, and left Friday night with 26 points, coaches always emphasize to the basketball schedule alone. while Emily Kaehn the players, “but this week a In previous years, had 18 points and bit more.” the coach of the 14 rebounds in the “We have to battle to be our UNBC women’s basSaturday game. best. That Capilano game may ketball team knew Going into action have been a bit of a slap in the the team she played this weekend, face.” at home on Friday Clyne is third in Frances Rowe got off to a would be the same PacWest scoring scorching start for the Timone they played at 18.5 points per berwolves on Friday, scoring on Saturday. That, game, while Kaehn early and often on his way to along with the name is averaging 8 a 31-point performance. As for no longer being the rebounds a game, Saturday . . . B.C. Colleges AthLoralyn Murdoch good for ninth. “We didn’t get a really good letic Association, - Women’s coach The Timberwolves performance from anyone,” Jorhas changed, and have three players dan said. home doubleheadin the Top 10 in assists, with UNBC is back at home for a ers are no more. The reason Murdoch might Jennifer Bruce fourth at 3.75, couple of games this weekend, have hoped for the same oppo- Jennifer Knibbs sixth at 3.5 and playing the two teams above nent two nights in a row at the Mercedes VanKoughnett ninth them in the PacWest standings. Tonight, they host Vancouver Northern Sports Centre is less at 2.75. Island University, and Saturthe quality of the opposition Mens Team day it’s Camosun. Both teams and more their styles of play. “Camosun (Saturday’s oppoTimberwolves men’s coach have 4-1 records, just ahead of UNBC’s 3-1. nent) like to slow the game Todd Jordan says “VIU is very down, and Vancouver Island the biggest factor tough,” Jordan (tonight’s opponent) like to in an 80-55 loss to said. “They’re wellspeed it up. Capilano on Saturcoached and we’ve “It’s a lot for the girls to pre- day was a simple been rivals now for pare for in four days.” one. a couple of years. The fact VIU is sitting on “We were out“Camosun is top of the PacWest standings worked a bit. They playing well right at 5-0, just ahead of the Tim- scrapped and now. They’ve got berwolves at 4-0, with Camo- fought and we just a young team, and sun close behind at 3-2, makes weren’t ready to they can really the weekend games even more match them.” score.” Todd Jordan important. But Murdoch says The loss came - Men’s coach Game times for a pair of weekend road wins after an 82-57 win both tonight and were good for the team. the previous night Saturday have the “Friday night (an 81-59 win over Quest. over Quest), we did the job. Sat“We showed Friday night women playing at 6:30 p.m. and urday (a 78-77 win over Capi- that if we execute our offence, the men playing at 8:30 p.m. in lano), we let it slip away. We we can get good looks and we the Northern Sports Centre.
ALLan Wishart
allanw@pgfreepress.com
Dec 5, 2011 Go Volunteer! International Volunteer Day offers an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make visible their contributions - at local, national and international levels - to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. United Nations Member States have pledged to meet the following goals by the year 2015. 1. Eradicate extreme poverty & hunger 2. Achieve universal primary education 3. Promote gender equality & empower women 4. Reduce child mortality 5. Improve maternal health 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria & other diseases 7. Ensure environmental sustainability 8. Develop a global partnership for development For more information on International Volunteer Day visit www.worldvolunteerweb.org For local information on volunteering in our community, contact Volunteer Prince George at 250-564-0224 or visit www.volunteerpg.com
Four boxers to nationals ALLan Wishart
allanw@pgfreepress.com
It wasn’t a bad weekend in Revelstoke for boxers from a pair of Prince George clubs. Seven boxers went down, five got fights in the provincial championships, they fought a total of nine times, they scored nine wins, and four of them are off to the nationals. Not a bad weekend at all. “We did very, very well,” said Spruce Capital Warriors coach Wayne Sponagle, who saw four of his five fighters win provincial titles. “The only boy
who didn’t get to fight was Dylan Cruickshank, who was in a category with nobody else entered. We set up an exhibition match for him, but by Sunday afternoon, the other team had left.” Dylan’s brother, Mackenzie, and Hank Lukan both won provincial titles in their divisions, but won’t be going to the nationals in January. “They’re both in novice classes, which means they have less than 10 fights. The nationals are only for boxers with more than 10 fights. “They’re both doing
well, though, for such limited experience.” The two Warriors who will be headed to nationals are Thomas Speirs and Robbie Cusine, with Speirs being named most outstanding fighter at the provincials. “That’s quite an honour for Thomas,” Sponagle said, “because there were a lot of good boxers there.” Two members of the Inner City Boxing Club also attended provincials, even though both had already qualified for nationals. Coach Bob Pegues said Kenny Lally went down not expecting to fight at
Aaron OR LA NDO/Black Press
Robbie Cusine of the Spruce Capital Warriors warms up with coach Wayne Sponagle before a match in Revelstoke at the provincial boxing championships.
Gift of Hope
Canadian Mental Health Association Prince George, is asking for assistance from the Prince George community. 2011 marks the 30th year for CMHA’s “Gift of Hope” Campaign which provides a Christmas dinner and gift for individuals living with mental illness and their families. We’ve served over 450 people in previous years with your generous help.
Please Help – Your Donations make it possible
• Drop new, unwrapped gifts into any of our Gift Drop Boxes at the locations given below. • Monetary donations, for which tax receipts are provided, are gratefully accepted at our office at 555 George St. For information phone: (250) 564-8644 Drop Box Locations: Canadian Tire Marks Work Wearhouse All Shoppers Drug Marts Sears Zellers The Bay Second Cup Hart Drugs Your Dollar Store (Hart) Superstore Evergreen Pharmacy Northern Hardware Books & Co. Topaz Bead Gallery Reid’s Prescriptions
Gift Suggestions: Books, CD’s, tapes Movies,puzzles, Movie passes Socks, gloves, hats Slippers, shirts,pants t-shirts, sweaters, nightgowns, Pj’s perfume, soaps,lotion crafts, beading, wool, embroidery, models wallets, flashlights key chains, tools, radios towels, linens, kitchen ware ornaments, candles blankets, chocolates
all, but ended up with an exhibition bout. “There’s never anybody in his division,” Pegues said of Lally, currently ranked 19th in the world by the Amateur International Boxing Association. “They always move up a class or down a class to avoid him.” In Revelstoke, Lally didn’t want to have any bouts, but the organizers persuaded him to fight against a local boxer. “The kid doesn’t have a lot of experience,” Pegues said, “but they wanted to have a guy ranked in the top 20 in the world fight. Kenny actually ended up enjoying the fight, because there was no pressure on him.” Jag Seehra was the other Inner City fighter in Revelstoke. Two wins in two fights meant he had earned another trip to the nationals as well. “Jag had two good matches,” Pegues said. “He looked great. I’m really fussy, and we’ve
A a ro n OR LA NDO/ Bla ck Pre s s
Jag Seehra’s arm is raised in victory after the Inner City Boxing Club member beat Nasim Ahmed to win the provincial boxing championship in Revelstoke on the weekend. changed his style up a bit, but he looked great.” The nationals are in Nova Scotia in early January. The four local fighters – Cusine, Lally, Seehra and Speirs – will make up about half the provincial team, Pegues figures.
For news and updates, check us out online at www.rdffg.bc.ca 155 George Street, Prince George, BC V2L 1P8 Telephone: (250) 960-4400, Toll Free 1-800-667-1959 Fax (250) 563-7520, Web: www.rdffg.bc.ca
Here’s a great card for WWE Smackdown
R U N • S K I • S W I M • A P PA R E L
agle, a P.G. Sports Hall of Famer, will represent the Spruce Capital Boxing Club and his stable of punchers. This is a re-incarnation of the Hatfields against the McCoys and needs to be a falls count anywhere match. Pegues, in his late 50s, has youth on his side as Sponagle is now into his mid-60s. Sponagle has experience giving away years as he made his boxing debut at the age of 51 against an opponent 30 years his junior. These two combatants have nearly squared off several times in public and age has just added to their bitter rivalry so maybe the Smackdown setting will be the appropriate time to end their warfare once and for all. Another P.G. Sports Hall of Famer, Laurie Mann, would be an ideal choice as the guest referee. There are countless other potential bouts on the waiting list including: Brett Favre vs. Aaron Rodgers, Lebron James vs. Dan Gilbert, Brian Burke vs. Kevin Lowe and/or Mike Gillis, Jim Balsillie vs. Gary Bettman, Roger Clemens vs. trainer Brian McNamee, Bud Selig vs. Frank McCourt, and last, but not least, Outgoing P.G. Mayor Dan Rogers vs. Coun. Brian Skakun. Smackdown tickets range from $15 to $60 plus taxes and fees. It’s safe to suggest that my proposed card could garner at least 10 times that amount. •••
From the Quote Rack: Two over-70 former CFL greats traded punches during Grey Cup celebrations in Vancouver. Angelo Mosca and Joe Kapp renewed decades-old hostilities with Mosca even using his cane to ward off Kapp. A spokesman for the Calgary Flames was in attendance and has advised Coach Brent Sutter to allow his aging player to bring their canes to defend themselves. Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (smacksport.blogspot. com/) With the recent firings of coaches Bruce Boudreau and Paul Maurice, I wonder if the Islanders will fire Jack Capuano. But do they want to pay a guy for doing nothing? I mean other than Rick DiPietro. Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York Afterward in the clubhouse he bought everyone a round of Metamucil. Brad Dickson of the Omaha (Neb.) WorldHerald, after 82-yearold Arnold Palmer hit his 20th career holein-one. And in case you missed it: Sports Illustrated model Brooklyn Decker debuted La Senza’s new line of lingerie on the American Thanksgiving. I’ll bet there were no complaints about her dressing. Comedy writer RJ Currie (www.Sportsdeke.com) Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the Opinion 250. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com.
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Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3 x 3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3 x 3 box. Answer can be found in the classifieds. PUZZLE NO. 323
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two mystery partners to take on all three in a special elimination match. Cherry started this war on his Hockey Night in Canada Coach’s Corner show when he verbally blasted former players who suggested that the recent deaths of three former NHL tough guys as evidence that fighting should be eliminated from the game. “You people that are against fighting, you should be ashamed of yourselves. The ones that I am really disgusted with……are the bunch of pukes that fought before: Stu Grimson, Chris Nilan and Jim Thomson,” said Cherry. This famous Canadian also called the three “hypocrites” for their stance. Feeling the heat of a potential lawsuit, he apologized several days later stating, “I gotta admit I was wrong on a lot of things. Three enforcers, tough guys, my type of guys, I threw them under the bus, and I’m sorry about it.” Sure, Don. It’s okay. On this card, no one has to worry about lawyers, suits and political correctness. Bob Pegues vs Wayne Sponagle It’s always great to have local content on a major show and these two longtime Prince George residents fit the bill perfectly. Pegues will represent his Inner City Boxing Club and its two fighters, Kenny Lally and Jag Seehra. Meanwhile Spon-
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tler himself, may I suggest headlining this one as the MAIN EVENT! Tiger Woods vs Steve Williams Take out the drivers, irons, putters and wedges, anything goes in this much anticipated no disqualification blood bath. Williams may have an edge by having his secret weapon as a manager in his corner, Elin “The Ex” Nordegren. Tiger and Steve were good friends when they teamed for 13 majors with Tiger serving as the talent and Williams the caddy. “You could say I’ve wasted the last two years of my life,” Williams was quoted by a New Zealand television station after he was sacked by Tiger in July. Golf needs a muchneeded boost to its game and nothing would draw interest like these two renewing acquaintances and settling the score. After all, it was a different type of “score” that started the Tiger tumble. No pun intended but Tiger should have a big edge when the “Woods” come out of the bag. Don Cherry vs Stu Grimson or Chris Nilan or Jim Thomson I am not fussy about who Cherry chooses as his opponent. Since he is 77, he can pick which of the much younger opponents he wants to face. Perhaps this could be a handicap match? Better yet, Cherry gets
UPLAND
Mosca retaliated by as they scrapped on swatting him with stage at the annual his cane. CFL Eyewitalumni ness Dick luncheon, Dinelle of just two Hart Ottawa days prior Beat told the to the B.C. Lions hartleymiller Vancouver Sun, 34-23 tri“Kapp cold-cocked umph over the Winhim, right out of his nipeg Blue Bombers. chair, Angie almost That football game took a back-seat to the fell off the back of the stage.” battle of the legends Now that’s enteras reports indicate tainment! Since Mosca Kapp waved flowers is a former pro wresin Mosca’s face and
TAMARACK
After a 15-year absence WWE returns to Prince George on January 15 at CN Centre with Smackdown. I am not sure if Vince McMahon has finalized the card, but there are a few bouts that the public and I would love to see: Joe Kapp vs Angelo Mosca These two colorful 73-year-old icons have trained. In fact, they stole the headlines on Grey Cup weekend
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would like to thank the following businesses that supported our recent retirement celebration. Hart Community Centre Michaels Jewelers WJ Trailer Sales & Rentals PG Pipers Association
Cariboo Cougars back on home ice
A llan WISHA RT/Free Press
Prince George goalie Kris Joyce reaches for the puck with a couple of defenders back to help and a couple of Williams Lake players looking for a rebound. Prince George won the roundrobin game of its own Midget Tier 1 tournament 4-3.
■ Midget Tier 1
Cougars third at home If they handed out medals for all three placings in hockey tournaments, the Prince George Coast of the Inn midget Tier 1 Cougars would have a complete set after three tournaments. The Cougars won a tournament in Kamloops to open the season, then lost to the host Rockets in the final of a tournament in Kelowna. On home ice on the weekend, the Cougars finished third in the roundrobin with three wins and two losses. The two losses were to Kelowna and South Delta, who played in the final, with Kelowna winning 6-1. That result was a virtual repeat of the roundrobin game between the two, which Kelowna won 8-1. The Cougars opened the
time, Hards got the pair, while Bhatoa, Warner, Blackburn, Scott Cullen and Regan Young had singles. Against Kelowna, the Cougars put up a good battle before falling 5-4. Epp, Young, Bhatoa and Corey Foucher had the goals. The last game of the roundrobin saw a third-period goal from Cullen make the difference in a 4-3 win over Williams Lake. Affiliated player (AP) Gabe Mason had a pair of goals and Young had the other. Injuries, illness and a suspension meant the Cougars had to call up players from the midget Tier 2 team as well as a midget Club team. The game against Williams Lake saw four APs in the lineup, with six regulars missing.
tournament with a 9-5 loss to South Delta. Prince George had a 3-1 lead after the first, but South Delta exploded for five goals in the second to take a 6-4 lead, then pulled away in the third. Liam Blackburn had a pair of goals for Prince George, with singles from Derek Bulmer, Matt Warner and Kirk Hards. Game two against Pursuit of Excellence saw Prince George hold a 2-1 lead after two periods before pulling away for a 5-2 win. Braiden Epp had two goals, with Blackburn, Michael Bhatoa and Riley Hawes getting the others. A big third period helped the Cougars down Vancouver 7-4 in their next game. The Cougars had just a 4-3 lead after the second period. This
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If the South Island Thunderbirds were hoping a bye week would affect the Cariboo Cougars, they got a rude awakening. After a weekend off from the BC Major Midget Hockey League battles, the Cougars travelled to the Island and picked up a pair of wins to stay one point out of first place in the league heading into a home-ice showdown with the leaders. The Cougars had won a pair of games over the Thompson Blazer at home before having a week off, but outshot the Thunderbirds 47-15 Friday night on the way to a 3-0 win. David Readman picked up the shutout in goal, his fifth win and first shutout of the season. The offense was supplied by Jake LeBrun and Raymond Grewal with power-play goals, along with an even-strength marker from Eli Jarvis. Friday’s game was in Colwood, and the teams headed to North Saanich for Saturday’s rematch. The change of venue may have helped
the Thunderbird offence, but it wasn’t enough as the Cougars eked out a 4-3 win. Nathan Warren had his turn between the pipes for the Cougars, picking up his seventh win of the season. Jarvis got his second goal of the weekend, this one shorthanded, while Nathan Craft scored on the power-play. Tanner Fjellstrom and Brett Harris had the other goals. Special teams played a big role in the pair of wins, as the Cougars went three-for-13 on the powerplay, and killed off all 15 shorthanded situations, as well as getting a shorthanded goal. It’s a big weekend back on home ice for the Cougars, as they entertain the Vancouver NE Chiefs, who have 27 points after 18 games, one point better than the Cougars and Vancouver NW Giants. The Giants are in Chase this weekend to play a pair against the Thompson Blazers. Game times for the Cougars are 7:15 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday, with both games at Kin 1.
Society issues fire-relief challenge
The victims displaced by the fire at the Victoria Towers apartment building just got a helping hand. Carrier Sekani Family Services, a local non-profit organization dedicated to providing services to aboriginal families, donated a cheque for $5,000 to the Red Cross with the request that the entire donation go to the citizens of Prince George affected by the apartment Photo submitted fire. “We all saw the photos in the Becky Row of the Canadian Red Cross is all smiles as she receives a cheque paper, and we think of those who for $5,000 from Warner Adam, execuhave lost their homes, had their tive director of Carrier Sekani Family belongings damaged by the smoke, Services. and maybe lost precious things like family photographs. We want to open our doesn’t want to see the aid end here, howhearts and our hands to them,” explained ever. Executive director Warner Adam has Warner Adam, executive director at Carrier issued a friendly challenge to other orgaSekani Family Services. “We knew the Red nizations in Prince George, asking them to Cross needed donations and hope our con- help out as well. “Let’s not stop here. Let’s keep helptribution will make things a little easier for ing until all these victims of the fire are in the people hurt by this emergency.” “We’re so thankful. This donation really out of the cold, are back in to safe, warm helps us and gives the people affected by homes they can call their own,” he urged. this devastating fire some breathing room,” “The holiday season is coming and no one should feel like they’re left behind, like they she said. “The Red Cross plans on using this can’t enjoy the festivities because they are donation from Carrier Sekani Family Ser- too stressed about finding a place to live. If vices to support the most vulnerable vic- we all work together, we can help them get a little settled before the holidays.” tims first.” Carrier Sekani Family Services
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MOBILE MEDICAL EXAMINERS: RN’s, RPN’s, LPN’s, Lab Techs. Insurance Paramedical Services Co. committed to excellence is recruiting for these positions in Prince George and surrounding areas. Candidates must have venipuncture/phlebotomy experience. Previous Mobile Medical Examiner experience an asset. Contact: careers@watermarkinsurance.com or mail to: ATTN: VP Operations, Watermark Insurance Services Inc.,1020 Brock Road South, Suite 2005, Pickering, Ontario, L1W 3H2.
F/T SELF Loader (Picker) Log Truck Operator is require immediately for a Mid Vancouver Island Operation. Must be experienced with a clean abstract and be safety oriented, benefits included. Please fax your resume to 250-286-6163. SUPER B DRIVER Req. for regional hauls within BC. Must have exp. Top Commissions Paid. Home Weekends, once during the week & Holidays! Fax resume: 604.856.9042 or e-mail: banntran@shaw.ca
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Chris Coldwell of Port Credit, ON Bill Coldwell of Salmon Arm, BC Shannon & Guy of Sorrento, BC Chris Shiell of Prince George, BC
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Lost & Found Lost: 5 yr. old Black Lab. Last seen on Otway Rd. near Catherine Dr. Answers to Mike. Any info call 250-562-7006
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Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a PR/PE Society As senior management in Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a PR/PE Society (GNS), the CEO manages the society by making decisions which determine its identity, systems, internal organization and operations and by which direction is established, priorities are set and resources are allocated. The function of the CEO is to manage the day-to-day and business activities of GNS by enhancing the social, economical, physical, cultural and spiritual well-being of Nisga’a citizens whose ordinary residence is within the city of Prince Rupert and the District of Port Edward. Education/Experience: -Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration -Minimum 5 yrs experience in senior management -Strong financial background Responsibilities: -to recruit, train, develop and motivate courteous, knowledgeable staff -to research funding sources, oversee the development of fundraising plans and write fundraising proposals to increase the fund of GNS -to oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of GNS programs and services -to participate with Board of Directors in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide GNS Other Requirements: -Valid BC Drivers License -Knowledge of Nisga’a culture an asset -Submission of a criminal record check Applicants are required to submit resume package consisting of a cover letter, resume and 3 work related references prior to 4:30pm on December 9, 2011. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information please contact Interim Manger Bess Leeson, 250-627-1595. ALL RESUME PACKAGES MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a PR/PE Society Attn: Bess Leeson 301-860 3rd Avenue West Prince Rupert, BC V8J 1M6 Fax: 250-627-1575 Email: gitman@citytel.net
to Every Hunter in BC! Advertise in The BC Hunting Regulations Synopsis 2012-2014 publication. Increased circulation 250,000 copies! Tremendous Reach, Two Year Edition! Contact Annemarie at 1 800 661 6335 or hunt@blackpress.ca
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BUSINESS FOR SALE Cheap Wheels & Exhaust
First time offered. Owner retiring after 31 years. All equipment & inventory. $75,000 firm. Affordable lease. Evenings 250-563-7078
NURSE MANAGER, COMMUNITY LIAISON - Bayshore Home Health is hiring an RN to grow its private home care business in the Prince George area. Key responsibilities: building business relationships, delivering presentations and creating a high profile for Bayshore in the community. Other responsibilities: delivery of care to clients, supervision of Field staff and coordinating clinical education. The ideal candidate is a driven self-starter with an outstanding work ethic and exceptional people skills, who works well with limited direction. This is a casual, part-time position with the potential to grow to permanent full-time. Resumes to shgeekie@bayshore.ca. Only those short-listed will be contacted.
Education/Trade Schools Become a Psychiatric Nurse - train locally via distance education, local and/or regional clinical placements and some regional classroom delivery. Wages start at $30.79/hr to $40.42/hr. This 23 month program is recognized by the CRPNBC. Gov’t funding may be available. Toll-free 1-87-STENBERG www.stenbergcollege.com
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Career Decision Making Expert employment counseling Resumes and Cover Letters that work Winning interview techniques Plans for retraining options Connections into the Hidden Job Market M. Turner & Associates has been helping people get back to work for over 25 years. Come to the experts.
Give us a call at 250-563-6181 or visit us at 1360 Fifth Avenue Get Connected…
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Vancouver Island University training for over 50 years, No simulators. Low student / instructor ratio. 1-888-920-2221 ext: 6130 www.viu.ca/ heavyequipment
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HELP WANTED Class 1 drivers needed for Fort St. John B.C. and Grande Prairie AB area Bulk Transport, Oilfield tickets and drivers abstract required. Full and Part Time positions.
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Fax resume to Bushmen Trucking Ltd 250-787-7268 or Email to busht@shaw.ca
ABC Communications seeks a self motivated individual to join our Wireless Department as a Network Operations Coordinator in our Quesnel, BC head ofÀce.
LOG TRUCK DRIVERS
As part of our growing team you will be responsible for troubleshooting, repair, maintenance and monitoring of our provincial wireless network.
Looking for log truck drivers for our Whitecourt, Alberta operations starting immediately and lasting until the end of March.
Successful candidates will have an IT background and will also possess strong organizational and customer service skills. This is a full time position and will require weekend and evening work. For more information visit our website at:
Southwood Trucking Ltd.
Camp provided, wages are competitive and benefits offered after 1 month of employment. A safety/retention bonus is available at the end of the season and based on performance. You must possess or be able to demonstrate the following: • Class 1 or equivalent drivers licence. • No more than 6 demerits on your current (within 30 days) drivers abstract. • Pass a pre-employment drug test. Fax resume and abstract to 780-539-4077 or email to ridgeline@telus.net
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Need Christmas Cash? Cash Factory Loans offers Collateral loans up to $10,000 using almost any vehicle or $800 Payday Loan using employment, CTB, EI or Pension! 1261 B 3rd Ave, next to Nancy O’s 250-649-0808
Dana Mandi EAST INDIAN RESTAURANT REQUIRES: 2 full-time Chefs, 40 hrs per week, $17/hr min 2 yrs exp. 1 Food server supervisor 40 hrs per week $18/hr. Must speak Hindi or Punjabi & English. Drop resume @ 2095 5th Ave. or email: nijjerb@hotmail.com
Vernon Dodge, a busy automotive dealership in Vernon, B.C. requires an experienced Service Technician with the following qualities: Motivated Journeyman Technician, Dodge/Chrysler experience is an asset, a proven track record in a flat rate shop. Vernon Dodge provides a comprehensive salary and benefits package to the right individual. Contact Ron Russell, Service Manager ron@vernondodge.com or 250-503-3310
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HMC Ser vices Inc., Road and Bridge Maintenance Contractor in the Interior of British Columbia, is looking for a Trade Journeyman Heavy Duty Mechanic or a Commercial Transpor t Mechanic (one position) for Quesnel, BC, Nor th Cariboo Area. This position is 12-month per year position, full time status.
250-563-2585
21 WEEK HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM Prepare for a Career in Heavy Equipment Operation. Introducing our new Apprenticeship Program which includes: • • •
ITA Foundation ITA HEO Theory Multi Equipment Training (Apprenticeship hours logged) Certificates included are: • Ground Disturbance Level 2 • WHMIS • TrafďŹ c Control • First Aid Reserve your seat today by calling Taylor Pro Training Ltd at 1-877-860-7627 www.taylorprotraining.com
HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC OR COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT MECHANIC QUESNEL, B.C. 12 MONTH PER YEAR POSITION Required qualiďŹ cations include: • Trade Journeyman CertiďŹ cate in Heavy Duty Mechanics’ or Commercial Transport. • Valid BC Driver’s license and positive driving record with the ability to obtain a valid Class 3 BC Driver’s license with air endorsement when required. • Physically ďŹ t and capable of performing job requirements. Wages and beneďŹ t package as per the BCGEU Collective Agreement.
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JOB POSTING – Quesnel Plant Accountant Pinnacle Pellet is seeking an experienced Accountant to ďŹ ll a full-time accounting position at its Quesnel BC Plant location. Responsibilities include: • Full cycle accounting including payables, payroll coordination and inventory control • Involved in budgeting process and monthly analysis of budget variances • Maintain bank records and prepare cash ow forecasts Skills and QualiďŹ cations: • Preference given to candidate enrolled in accounting designation program • Background in a manufacturing environment an asset • ProďŹ ciency with Microsoft OfďŹ ce • High level of accuracy and attention to detail • Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Pinnacle Pellet is a dynamic and rapidly growing company that currently manufactures wood pellets at 6 locations in British Columbia. Pinnacle offers competitive salaries and beneďŹ ts, as well as the opportunity for young professionals to build a long term career. Submit your resume to: E-mail: hr@pinnaclepellet.com
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3 Locations in PG to serve you. t 1BSLXPPE .BMM t 8FTUHBUF 1MB[B t UI "WF
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New hires are subject to a pre-employment drug screening test.
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HMC Ser vices Inc., Road and Bridge Maintenance Contractor in the Interior of British Columbia, is looking for an energetic, candidate for the following position:
Road Superintendent – Revelstoke As the Road Superintendent, you will be part of the management team – highly skilled in interpersonal relationships and able to work with our road crew staff; responsible for coordinating and implementing the work program(s) in a safe, productive and cost effective manner. Also requires positive interaction and productive working relationships with other super visor y staff, ofďŹ ce and technical staff, Ministr y of Transportation personnel, emergency personnel and the traveling public. The Road Superintendent is the direct Super visor for positions such as Machine Operators and Road Foreman involved in both maintenance and contract work within the Ser vice Area, and is also responsible for the coordination and direction of the workforce in the per formance of their duties. This position is excluded from union membership and offers a competitive compensation package to the right candidate. A detailed Job Posting is available for viewing at www.hmcser vices.ca QualiďŹ ed applicants are invited to submit resumes, accompanied by references prior to December 14, 2011 to: HMC Services Inc #103 1121 McFarlane Way, Merritt, BC. V1K 1B8 Attn: Personnel Manager Fax: 250-378-4209 Email: laura.christy@hmcservices.ca
No Phone Inquiries Accepted – Closing date December 9, 2011
Please note that only short listed applicants will be contacted.
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Employment Skills Access Program
How to Apply: QualiďŹ ed applicants are invited to submit resumes along with a photocopy of driver’s license, an up to date driver’s abstract and references to: HMC Ser vices Inc. 3401 Quesnel-Hixon Road Quesnel, BC V2J 5Z5 Fax: 250-992-3656 Attn: Mechanical Superintendent Or via email: laurachristy@hmcser vices.ca
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INFORMATION SESSIONS: December 6th, 2:00-3:00 pm UNBC Prince George Campus room 5-122 (follow the signs)
ARE YOU UNEMPLOYED & LOOKING FOR A NEW SKILL? Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Certificate & Wildland Firefighting Training Program
Career Opportunities
Who is this for?
Now Hiring for Exciting Exploration Project Nechako Plateau of central British Columbia
The Employment Skills Access Program is for people who are:
New Gold Inc.’s Blackwater Project is an exciting exploration/development project located 160 kilometres southwest of Prince George in central British Columbia. The Company is actively engaged in exploration at Blackwater with the ultimate goal of bringing it through development and into production.
What will you get?
We are currently looking for qualiďŹ ed candidates to join our team in the following roles:
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Funding for the course fees and textbooks for an eligible program of study;
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Professional training and skill development for entry into the labour force;
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Experience in an academic learning environment.
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Unemployed, non-Employment Insurance clients;
Eligible participants in the Employment Skills Access Program receive:
CONTINUING STUDIES
See the full posting details at our website below. We oďŹ&#x20AC;er a competitive salary including bonus incentives and a comprehensive beneďŹ ts package. Interested candidates are encouraged to email a cover letter and rĂŠsumĂŠ outlining your qualiďŹ cations and experience in Word or PDF format to: ><M@@MN =G<>FR<O@M I@RBJG? >JH
www.unbc.ca/continuingstudies 250-960-5980
www.newgold.com/careers
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HD MECHANICS 3rd or 4th apprentice or Journeyman Heavy Duty Mechanics with their Red Seal and CVIP License to work in Red Deer & Hinton. Please call 250-718-3330 or Fax: 1-888-679-0759 For more information or send your resume & current drivers abstract to: driverclass1@shaw.ca
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Handypersons Handyman from Newfoundland All jobs big & small, I’se the b’ye to do it all. Carpentry & plumbing etc. W.E.T.T. Certified. Call Jim 250.562.8203 / 250.613.5478
Home Improvements G Gilbert Renovation Year round reno needs. Int/ext, nothing too small. 30 yrs exp. Free estimates! Call Gaetan (250) 560-5845 or 552-7184
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Misc. for Sale HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available. 1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/newspaper?
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PUREBRED MAREMMA PUPPIES FOR SALE! asking $350 Great Guardian Dogs Perfect for protecting livestock and yard against predators (especially wolves & coyotes). Very friendly towards people and they DO NOT WANDER
A-STEEL SHIPPING STORAGE CONTAINERS / Bridges 20’40’45’53’ Used / Damaged 40’ insulated makes great shop. Only $2300! Needs door and 40’HC $2800 No Rust! Semi Trailers for Hiway & storage. Delivery BC and AB Call 24 hrs 1-866-528-7108 www.rtccontainer.com
Coin Collector Buying old Coins, Silver, Gold, Olympic + Also buying bulk silver coins. Chad: 250-863-3082 (Local)
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HILLSBOROUGH Apts
3 bed. mobile with lrg add, separate ldry room on .26 acres in Hart area. Comes with 4 appl. New flooring throughout. $80,000 250-962-8568
PINE GROVE Apts
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412- 420 Voyager Dr (off 5th Ave) Spacious 1, 2 & 3 bdrm apts Clean, quiet, secure entrance. Students Welcome. Rental Incentives. No Dogs
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11/2 - 2 bdrm apts. Close to downtown. Safe, clean & quiet. Adult oriented, free parking w/plug-in, basic cable. Receive your 12th month rent free(conditions apply) Let us provide you with a great place to live!(250)613-7483 Darby Apts. Apt 2 bdrm furnished or non. Clean quiet cabin, NS NP, Hart ref req. $650 & $700 all util. incl.Phone (250)962-2764 Briarwood Apts. 1330/80 Foothills Blvd. 1 & 2 Bdrm suites 250-561-1571
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HARDWOOD MANOR APTS 1575 Queensway Bachelor, 1 & 2 bdrm suites Hardwood floors. Heat incl. 250-596-9484
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2 & 3 bdrm.
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250-561-2236 www.parklanegarden.com
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1 bdrm suite for rent. Includes utilities $550/mo close to Costco. 1 person, NP, NS Phone (250)596-5962
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Prince George - Travel - Free Press
CRUISING THE RIDEAU
by Jane Cassie What unique waterway bridges two Canadian cities, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the most beautiful places on earth? Answer: Ontario’s Rideau Canal. The 202 km (126 mile) channel flows continuously from Kingston to Ottawa, just as it did
Photo: by Brent C assie
Captain Andy Neeteson tells us every historical tid-bit along the way.
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when it was built back in 1832. The series of lakes, rivers and dams are linked by forty-seven locks at twenty-four stations, most of which are still operated by winches, chains and manpower. During this cruise we travel from Perth to Jones Falls and the entire way are treated to a journey back in time. With more than a dozen years touring experience under his epaulettes, Captain Andy Neeteson, operator of 1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises, knows every historical tid-bit and treasure. “The Rideau is a story of hopes and dreams, disappointment and tragedy,” he states, as we ply effortlessly by campgrounds and posh homes that pepper the canal’s reed-choked
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shoreline. “It’s also an epic part of Canada’s heritage.” We discover that after the War of 1812, British mastermind, Colonel John By was commissioned to oversee the construction of this canal, a defensible waterway that could be used in the event of an American invasion. He designed gated chambers (locks) so that boats could navigate the varying water elevations. When filled, the vessels would float up to a higher level. When drained, they’d descend to a lower one. And neighboring weirs would deal with any excess. Over the day we test out this bathtub theory at six locks— rising in some, sinking in others, a ten minute process that moves a few hundred thousand gallons of water. And beyond every park-like station, we’re treated to new ventures and vistas: trout-filled lakes, marshy wetlands and sliver-thin canals, all etched out of limestone and granite-hard Canadian Shield. It’s an aquatic route of untarnished beauty with a colourful past. “As brilliant as Colonel By was, he couldn’t manage this feat on his own,” Andy continues. “Hordes of unemployed Irish arrived armed with picks and shovels— all for two shillings of pay a day. But they didn’t know what
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Upper Beveridges lock.
they were in for.” Long work days, frigid winters and atrocious conditions would have been challenging enough in this untamed wilderness. Add malaria, dysentery and unruly dynamite to the mix and it certainly raised the
yet it was all for naught. The threat of war had then passed and the route was no longer needed. And when By disclosed that he had spent five times more than the initial budget, he became a laughing stock—all the way to his grave.
Jane and Brent with historical Hotel Kenney beyond.
death toll. In spite of the strife, it only took determined Colonel By five years to complete the task—
Our final destination point is Jones Falls, one of the largest engineering marvels en route. Four locks
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need to be navigated at this station to conquer the water levels that span eighteen meters. A blacksmith shop, lockmaster’s home, and visitors centre are featured along a self-guided tour, and topping it off (or holding it back) is a
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stone arch dam that supports the powerful force of Sand Lake. This amazing wall of limestone spans 107 meters, is 19.5 meters high and was coined by its makers as the “Seventh Wonder Of The World.” The concave shape also has an unusual acoustic quality, dubbing it as The Whispering Wall. I prove there’s truth to this fact while quietly sharing a secret with my husband who is standing a hundred meters away. History also lives on at nearby Hotel Kenney. The yellow clapboard beauty that looks right out of Nantucket has been welcoming guests to its shoreline locale since 1877. We book a night in one of the comfy lakeshore rooms and while enjoying a little down time, great food and legendary service, take another step back in time! IF YOU GO:
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Prince George Free Press
Friday, December 2, 2011
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Friday, December 2, 2011
Prince George Free Press
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