February 22, 2012

REGIONAL DISTRICT: Landfill gas a money maker A5 Wednesday, February 22, 2012

www.pgfreepress.com • Newsline 250-564-0005

Sex assault trial starts ■ Court

A Taste of India a treat for all involved A14

A Little Dip’ll Do Ya

Alleged at biker clubhouse Teresa Mallam arts@pgfreepress.com

The trial for three men accused of sexual assault and other offences that stem from events alleged to have occurred inside a biker gang clubhouse in March 2011, got underway this week in B.C. Supreme Court.

Crown counsel Cassandra Malfair outlined the Crown’s case Monday, providing a narrative of events she expects the court will hear about through witnesses and the complainant’s own account.

The incidents are alleged to have happened March 24, 2011 at a house on Fir Street believed to be a Renegades clubhouse.

Albert Donald Piche, 31, Julian Niskakoski, 19, and Adam Andrew Boyd, 21, all face charges of assault, sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault causing bodily harm, unlawful confinement and administering a noxious thing.

All three men stood with their respective counsel Monday and pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all charges against them.

Malfair said on March 23, 2011, a group of young women attending a sports event agreed to go along to the clubhouse when one of them wanted to meet up with a man she knew to talk about a cell phone.

“The girls thought it might be ‘funny’ to go to a motorcycle clubhouse and (so) they agreed to go,” Malfair said.

Three of the women left soon after arriving, however the complainant

and her former female roommate stayed behind – the only females among three or four males.

The ex-roommate, a key Crown witness, took the stand Monday and gave a number of “I can’t remember” and “I don’t recall” answers to several questions asked by Malfair. The witness said she consumed “vodka soda” the night in question and became “quite intoxicated.”

She also admitted taking cocaine but denied consuming ecstasy. She felt sick, she said, and eventually passed out on the bed upstairs.

“How is your memory of the event that evening?” asked Malfair.

“Very blurry,” said the witness.

However, under cross-examination by defence lawyer Keith Aartsen (counsel for Piche) the witness remembered much more.

Q. “You remember drinking?”

A. “Yes.” Q. “You remember taking cocaine.”

A. “Yes.” Q. “If there had been sexual activity surely you would remember that? – I appreciate that it is embarrassing.”

The witness paused.

“I wasn’t fully dressed at one point.”

“Naked?” asked Aartsen.

“Correct.”

“Downstairs?

“Correct.”

The witness told Aartsen there were three or four males present and at one point, she remembers turn to PAGE A4

A lla n W ISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s

Two of the approximately 30 people who participated in the Polar Bear Dip at Ness Lake Bible Camp on Sunday hit the water. The dip was postponed from New Year’s Day after a fire destroyed the gym at the camp.

Loan goes to alternate approval DeLynda Pilon newsroom@pgfreepress.com

Council passed the first three readings of a bylaw to authorize the city to borrow money for the River Road dike project, then decided to seek public approval for the loan through the alternative approval process.

When the municipality decides to borrow money, it has to have public approval which can be sought in one of two ways. Council can use either a referendum or the alternative approval process.

City staff applied for provincial and federal funding for the River Road dike project at the request of the former city council, and the request was granted after the current council members were elected. The total cost of the project is $11.5 million. Two and a half million will

come from the land development reserve fund and $5,442,000 will come through grant funding. That leaves $3.6 million the city will need to pay to cover its portion of the cost of the project, money that will be borrowed, pending the outcome of the approval process.

Coun. Albert Koehler asked if the city could avoid borrowing the money if it sold off some of its land assets.

City manager Derek Bates said though the city has some land reserves, the balance is not in a particularly healthy place right now, and he isn’t aware of a circumstance where a land sale not already earmarked would serve the city considering the project has a deadline of March 2013.

“There’s an uncertainty raised by that funding gap that may not fit this borrowing circumturn to PAGE A3

Prince George Free Press

City promises more accessible option from PAGE A1

stance,” he said.

If, however, the city is in a position to pay the loan down sooner, it may do so according to Kathleen Soltis, director of corporate services. She said the city usually takes out loans over 10-year periods and looks at terms when refinancing with the hope of finding the best deal for the municipality.

If it goes over a 20-year term, which was what was suggested at first, there will be a debt servicing cost of $279,594 per year beginning in 2014.

Coun. Brian Skakun, who opposed the three readings of the bylaw, said he was concerned the loan would force another raise in taxes.

However, once it passed he asked what the cost difference would be between a referendum and the alternative approval process.

Walter Babicz, manager legislative services, said a referendum, which is comparable to an election, would be about $55,000. The alternative approval process would cost about $1,600.

Skakun said he couldn’t support the referendum because of the cost, how-

ever expressed concern over the accessibility of the alternative process, a concern echoed by Coun. Garth Frizzell.

This time, they were told, the city will work to make the process more accessible, possibly making forms easily available on the website then returnable by mail, fax or perhaps even e-mail with a PDF document.

However, Coun. Frank Everitt expressed concern about the alternative approval process itself.

With this process a local government must publish a notice in a newspaper explaining the matter, in this case the loan request for the River Road dike project. After the second of two notices electors have 30 days to express the opinion, by signing an elector response form and returning it in time, that the matter is significant enough it requires a referendum. If 10 per cent or more of voters express this opinion, then the municipality can’t proceed without holding a referendum.

“It’s no secret I’m opposed to the alternative approval process,” Everitt said.

He said he believes there is a stigma attached to it making it hard to sell to

Weaving Words

A lla n W ISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s

Pineview Elementary students Harman Dhaliwal, left, John Chiou and Laine Thomas play a game of Scrabble as part of the school’s Literacy Day on Thursday. citizens.

“I prefer people feel they had a say in the process.”

Coun. Dave Wilbur said he, too, is not usually in favour of the alternative approval process, but in

comparing costs in this instance it makes sense.

Coun. Lyn Hall added he is reluctantly in favour of it as well.

Public approval for the River Road dike loan will

be sought using the alternative approval process, with everyone except Everitt in favour of the motion.

The dike will protect about 300 hectares of land that includes Industrial

Road, the CN tracks, Highway 16 and the east end of the downtown area, and was recommended following a report shared in 2009 investigating flood control solutions.

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■ Court

‘We were on drugs:’ witness tarily?” Aartsen asked.

“Yes,” the witness answered.

In her opening, the Crown suggested the sexual acts took place on the couch (in the living room) and in the upstairs bedroom where the complainant was forced to engage in sexual acts with three men.

“She told (them) to stop and (they) put a hand over her mouth and told her to shut up,” Malfair said.

According to the Crown, the morning after the attacks, the complainant and her female friend left the house.

from PAGE A1

the complainant being downstairs with them all. Asked about her inability to recall more details, the witness said, “we were drinking, on drugs...”

In response to other questions by Aartsen, the witness agreed that at no time did she see the complainant ingest cocaine involuntarily, or seem to be in any danger and that both women were free to leave when they got up and decided to go the next morning.

“You (both) left volun-

Later that day, the woman “broke down” and went to her counsellor and was taken to hospital and examined, said Malfair.

The first witness Monday was RCMP Const. Phil Charron. He testified he was dispatched to UHNBC on March 24 to interview a woman who had been examined by a physician and had been administered what is commonly called a “rape kit.”

As the initial investigating officer and exhibit man in the case, Charron identified for the court a number of bagged items seized at the

■city

Business committee makes 16 recommendations DeLynda Pilon

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newsroom@pgfreepress.com

Sixteen recommendations, from treating potential investors and developers like valued customers to researching best practices and policies in other cit-

ies, were presented to council by the select committee on business during Monday’s meeting.

The committee, which was struck by Mayor Shari Green shortly after her election, took just 30 days

to return to council with the recommendations, which elicited both appreciation and congratulations from several council members.

Staff will now have the opportunity to review and provide

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The report, presented by co-chairs David Livingstone and Janine North, also shared six points stating what the city is currently doing right in regards to dealing with the business community as well as a preamble to the recommendations explaining what the city’s role should entail to promote investment and a vibrant business sector.

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scene under a search warrant, as well as a series of photographs he took at the house.

On cross examination, the officer was grilled by Niskakoski’s defense lawyer Jon Duncan about his task action report completed soon after his interview with the complainant, and Patricia Connor (counsel for Boyd) focused on the accuracy of “field” tests used to determine if cocaine is present.

Malfair said the Crown’s case is expected to take one week.

The trial continues.

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***Information contained in the applications will be included in the public Council Agenda and posted on the City’s web page***

COUNTRY CONCERT: Bentley and Brownlee put on a show A15

Up Front

Bounces didn’t favour the Spruce Kings at home on Saturday A9

www.pgfreepress.com ■ Regional district

Landfill a money emitter Delynda pilon

newsroom@pgfreepress.com

The Regional District of Fraser Fort George has found a way to turn trash into cash, beginning with a $525 million advance from Green Municipal Corporation (GMC), a subsidiary of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

The regional district will be marketing emission offsets created from the landfill gas collection system at the Foothills landfill. It has been working with the FCM and GMC, and in return for the advance, GMC will keep the revenue from the sale of emissions until the money is paid back, which is likely to take two or three years, and then proceeds will go to the regional district.

Jim Martin, CAO of the regional district, said the plan to utilize emissions from the landfill has been a long time in the making.

Back in 1998 the board decided it wanted to look at capturing gas from the Foothills landfill site with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Several studies showed capturing the GHG would open options for several benefits down the

road.

In 2002 the regional district put out a tender for construction and 16 wells were drilled at the landfill. A piping system was installed leading the captured emissions to a flare combustion system, which takes the methane produced by the trash and turns it into carbon dioxide.

Methane is 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide, Martin said.

At that time the board talked to the FCM about trading on the emerging emissions market, however they hit a roadblock because the landfill was located on Crown land.

“We had to resolve the issue, so we made a purchase of the land, which took about two years,” Martin said.

Then new provincial regulations came into place, and it took some time to ensure they were completely addressed.

The system was expanded and eight more wells were drilled.

After that the quality of the emissions had to be verified.

“Now we will be able to trade to the end of 2015,” Martin said.

He added the expected revenue will be between one million and one and a half mil-

Chocolate For The Chill

lion dollars.

The money will be well spent.

“There is a lot of capital investment that goes into these facilities,” he said.

“Then after they are closed we look after them for 25 years.”

This, he said, is an opportunity to offset costs with new money, and it is a welcome one considering local governments are limited in the ways they can raise funds.

The next step, Martin said, is to look for a beneficial use for the emissions, something the board intends to check into later this year. One example of how the emissions might be used in a beneficial way, he said, would be to generate power for greenhouses.

At this time the landfill collects and combusts about 15,000 tonnes of GHG annually. It is producing a bit less than a megawatt of energy.

The standard, Martin said, is around a full megawatt.

“We want reliable generation when we go into the marketplace,” he said.

Currently the Foothills landfill has a life expectancy that takes it to 2021 with an area open for expansion that hasn’t been planned out yet.

Highway centre tourism priority Delynda pilon newsroom@pgfreepress.com

Revamping the tourism visitor information centre at the Highway 16 and 97 intersection will be a priority in the new year for Tourism Prince George.

“It’s at the top of our priority list,” Aidan Kelly, CEO of the organization, said. “It’s a bit of an embarrassment to our community.”

He said he expects to be back before council mid-April with a game plan to that end.

They will also look at giving Mr. PG a fresh coat of paint.

Kelly visited the budget presentation meeting on Feb. 15, and went through the proposed 2012 budget, which was carried by council.

The organization generates its revenue through various means including hotel room tax, private partnerships, advertising sales and merchandizing sales as well as a service agreement with the City of Prince George.

The sum of that agreement is $327,000 this year, the same as in 2011.

A lis ta ir M cINNIS/ Fre e Pre s s

Top to bottom: Brooke Kimberley, 7, Sophia Kimberley, 5, and Asia Burkinshaw, 5, enjoy complimentary hot chocolate during P.G. Skates 2012 on Sunday at the Outdoor Ice Oval. The event, which ran for two hours in the afternoon, was put on by the City’s Winter Committee.

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.

www.pgfreepress.com

Floating in a sea of gas

VICTORIA – Premier Christy Clark’s recent fanfare about developing a natural gas export industry in northern B.C. included a major change in electricity policy.

Last year Clark’s government forced BC Hydro to trim its operations and keep its next two annual rate increases below four per cent. Part of the savings will come from redefining former premier Gordon Campbell’s climate strategy, which required BC Hydro to be self-sufficient in even low-water years, with no net electricity imports.

The target is now self-sufficiency in average-water years, limiting expansion of independent power projects. It also means B.C. will import more gas-fired electricity in the coming years, and burn some of its own abundant gas to generate new power up B.C. north. North America finds itself floating Views on a sea of shale gas.

TomFletcher Campbell’s plan entailed using B.C.’s big dams to stabilize and store power from new intermittent sources of hydro and wind, building the Site C dam on the Peace River and exporting clean energy at a premium in a carbon-priced North American market.

Both the carbon market and the export market have evaporated.

While B.C. was developing run-of-river to sell to California, the U.S. west coast built new capacity, much of it gas fired, after an electricity crisis that caused brownouts more than a decade ago.

Today, Washington state producers are actually paying BC Hydro to take their excess power because they need to move it into the grid, and B.C. is the only place that can store it using dam capacity.

NDP energy critic John Horgan is celebrating this change in BC Hydro policy. He says the government made a multi-billion-dollar miscalculation by assuming California’s electricity shortage would continue indefinitely, and surplus power would be profitable. He says independent power contracts are part of BC Hydro’s current financial problems, but political interference in planning is the bigger issue.

Horgan would not endorse the Wilderness Committee’s call to cancel electricity purchase contracts BC Hydro has signed for more run-of-river developments. Additional projects are planned for the Upper Lillooet, Upper Toba and Harrison Rivers in southern B.C., and the Kokish River on northern Vancouver Island. Most are aboriginal partnerships.

Energy Minister Rich Coleman told me no contracts will be cancelled, and he rejected my suggestion that BC Hydro could end up with too much power in the wrong places and at the wrong time of year. BC Hydro can move power around as well as store it, and that ability will improve when the smart grid is completed.

Independent power doesn’t end there. It shifts to northern B.C., where three liquefied natural gas projects will need output equivalent to two and a half Site C dams to operate.

Coleman confirmed that at least one modern gas-fired power plant will be needed to develop LNG, which is expected to be in business before Site C could be built. That powerhouse will likely be built by the LNG developers, and used to back up new intermittent sources of offshore and land-based wind and any river or geothermal sites available along a new northwest power line.

B.C. will likely have a second gas-fired power plant in the northeast corner, to supply the Horn River shale gas development and processing plant now underway. Coleman says that plant should be able to capture carbon dioxide and sequester it deep underground. Fort Nelson and points north will remain off the BC Hydro grid. Even with carbon capture in the northeast, Campbell’s greenhouse gas targets look to be the next part of his legacy to be abandoned.

■ opinion

A Conservative world order

“Among other things, the bill requires ISPs to In case Vic Toews’ Internet thought police come to install surveillance technology and software to enable roust me out of bed in the middle of the night to grill me on why I posted yet another picture of my dog on monitoring of phone and Internet traffic. Section 34 is there to make sure ISPs comply. So what, exactly, Facebook or on my predilection for trying to up the does it say? Essentially, it says that government bids on Auctionnet, much of this column comes from agents may enter an ISP when they wish, without a the CBC’s Terry Milewski. warrant, and demand to see absolutely everything – So, get him instead. What’s that you say? When including all data anywhere on the network – and to they came for me there was no one left to stand up copy it all. for me.

“First, Section 33 tells us that, ‘The Minister may If you get a chance, read Milewski’s analysis of the designate persons or classes of persons as inspectors Conservative government’s online surveillance bill. for the purposes of the administration and enforceIt’s very well done. ment of this Act.’” Toews, the public safety minister, has gained a In other words, it’s not the police that considerable amount of notoriety for sugwill have the power to root around your gesting that Canadians are either with Internet usage, it’ll be someone from govthe government or the child pornograernment and, oh yes, they’ll be here to phers on this issue. And now Toews is Writer’s help. And in case you think the references getting some threats, likely from child Block pornographers who don’t like being Billphillips to George Orwell and 1984 are too farfetched for today’s enlightened society: lumped in with the terrorist enemies of “The inspectors may ‘enter any place owned by, Canada who are opposing the Northern Gateway or under the control of, any telecommunications serpipeline. vice provider in which the inspector has reasonable As the politics of division plays out in Ottawa, grounds to believe there is any document, informaCanadians should really take a look deeper down tion, transmission apparatus, telecommunications into the guts of the Internet surveillance bill because, unlike what usually happens in the nation’s capital, it facility or any other thing to which this Act applies.’”

And it still gets better (more frightening, actually). affects every Canadian who has a computer or smartThe inspector, who may, or not be a Conservative phone and has an online presence. party henchman, can then copy “any information in “To date, much of the commentary has focused the form of a printout, or other intelligible output, on one aspect of this change: the fact that informaand remove the printout, or other output, for examition identifying Internet users must be disclosed to nation or copying.” the government, upon demand and without a warThe coup de grace, of course, is that the inquisirant, by Internet service providers, or ISPs,” writes tors … er, inspectors, can even use your computer to Milewski. “Those facts include your name, address, e-mail that damning NDP membership form on your phone number, e-mail address and IP address – the computer to Master Control. latter being the unique code identifying your comThis from the folks who were positively giddy last puter so that a webpage you click on is sent to you, week for striking down the long gun registry which not someone else.” was “an invasion of privacy and made criminals out Currently disclosing that information is voluntary of law-abiding Canadians,” and from the folks who or, if police are hot on the trail of one of Toews’ child pornographers, a warrant is needed. If the bill passes, turfed the long form census because it was an invayour Internet service provider will be required to pro- sion of privacy.

And, this just in … the word ‘hypocrisy’ has just vide your information without a warrant or reason. been removed from all Canadian dictionaries.

And it gets better.

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Enforce bylaws – make money

Editor: An open letter to Mayor Shari Green: In regards to your recent plans to cut costs at city hall, I have often thought that we could increase revenue by providing our taxpayers with an improved bylaw department. Do the bylaw officers actually fine people when they should, or are they just driving by to warn them?

I can see a potential for increased revenue in this area of city hall.

Some of the bylaws that could be enforced are

animal control, clean air, parking, and noise, just to name a few. How does our city compare to other cities in B.C. in the opera-

tion of their bylaw departments?

City bylaws are intended to keep our city clean, healthy, and safe.

The laws are in place and we should seriously look at enforcing them.

Jonathon Wilson Prince George

Editor: On behalf of the Prince George Iceman Society I would like extend our sincere thanks to CKPG, Shawnigan Lake School, Stride and Glide Sports and Tourism Prince George for their title sponsorship of the 25th anniversary of

the Prince George Iceman event.

We would also like to thank all of our other sponsors and volunteers who have provided support to ensure a safe and enjoyable event.

Finally we would like to thank all of the participants

for coming out and making the 25th anniversary of the Prince George Iceman such a success.

We look forward to seeing everyone next year on February 10, 2013.

John Martin Prince George Iceman Society Chair

Iceman group says thanks

Watch thief reviled

Editor: This is in regard to the person who took my blue-faced Rolex watch from my home when I was in hospital January 19.

My daughter sent me the watch for my 80th birthday. All I can say to this evil person is every time you look at the watch it will remind you how evil you are and I hope you get your just reward when you go up there.

I’m offering a reward for information regarding the stolen blue-faced Rolex watch on January 19.

Paul Serko Prince George

A llan WISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s

Prince George Public Library children’ librarian Becky Stark brought some puppets to help tell stories to Pineview Elementary students on their Literacy Day.

Mouse problem nothing to scream at

all the mice were ‘dealt with’ when My friend, let’s call her Darby one skittered across the floor, scam(mostly because that’s her name, and I pered under my feet, stole a morsel of think I should use it even if she threatdog food, then disappeared ened me with violence if behind her stove. ever it appeared in my Darby: (Standing on her column again) is terriLife in kitchen chair and pointing) fied of mice. the fat SCREEEEEEEEEECH!!!!

Just like that old lane Mouse! Mouse! Mouse! cartoon says, she hates DelyndaPilon Me: (Taking another sip of meeces to pieces. It was coffee) Yep. Sure was. with dawning horror that she realDarby: (Now pointing at the couch ized her trailer has a definite rodent where her beautiful fluffy cat was fast problem. I told her she needs to set asleep) Cat! Cat sleeping! Why cat out traps, but she can’t even stand the sleeping? Stupid cat. thought of picking one up, off-loading Usually she speaks in complete senthe corpse, then resetting it. But the tences, but somehow a mouse throws mice problem was getting out of conher directly into the ‘See Jane Run’ trol, so she decided the best thing to do mode of speech. was rope, errr ask, a neighbour, Scott, Me: Told ya. He doesn’t like fast food. to come over and check the ‘trap line’ She cast me a look that would have on a daily basis, get rid of any offendmelted the courage of a Spartan and sat ing mice of the recently deceased variback down, albeit with her feet careety, then reset the traps. fully tucked under her.

It’s worked marvellously.

Darby: &*#$%[*& mice. I hate mice.

In fact, just yesterday she was busy How can you just sit there when a telling me she was pretty darned sure

mouse just ran over your foot? It’s completely disgusting.

Me: Actually, it ran under my feet. It didn’t even touch me.

Darby: (Another look) Yes. I’m pretty sure it did.

I shook my head and sighed. I just don’t understand her sometimes. After all, it’s just a little bitty mouse. Heck, some people even have mice as pets.

And really, the good Lord created all creatures, right? So they all must have a purpose under his great plan.

I congratulated myself on my philosophical viewpoint and my highly evolved mode of thinking, then took another sip of coffee.

Darby: Oh, look. There’s a spider on the wall beside you.

Me: (On the other side of the kitchen, shaking in subject terror, cowering behind my bewildered pug) SCREEEEECH! Spider! Spider! Spider!

Darby: For crying out loud don’t be such a baby. It’s just an itsy bitsy spider.

It can’t hurt you.

Prepare to be bowled over It’s official.

I’ve signed up to participate in the Bowl for Kids Sake on March 4 at the Strike Zone. It’s a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince George, and I’ve been there the last couple of years to get photos of the fun, but this year I decided to get involved. Allan’s Amblings If you want to get AllanWishart involved, why not sponsor me? You can get the details on how to do that at the bottom of the column, but first I’m going to give you some of the details of my career in bowling.

The first bowling I remember doing was five-pin bowling, and it was long enough ago that there was what they called a “counter” pin. To score any points for a frame, you had to have knocked down the back left pin. If memory serves me correctly, each of the two back pins was worth two points, the next two were worth three and the head pin was worth five.

What was fun at times was watching someone who had obviously done tenpins before, and figured this was going to be easier: Fewer pins and a smaller ball. What could go wrong?

And then they threw their first ball, took the head pin out cleanly and left four pins standing, two on each side. All of a sudden, things didn’t look so easy.

I graduated to tenpins a few years later and (I’m dating myself here again) this was before they had any sort of bumpers to put in the gutters.

Of course, that didn’t make much difference to my bowling, since I hadn’t really bothered to check the rules and figured throwing the ball overhand would improve my chances of knocking down the pins.

I was disavowed of this theory by the manager of the bowling alley, and asked to please follow the rules and bowl underhand.

I soon found I had a talent for finding the gutter, and I was an equal-opportunity bowler.

My first ball usually went in one gutter, and then I overcorrected and put my next one in the other gutter.

Eventually, I learned how to put some spin on the ball, which I thought was just the neatest trick. Of course, being me, I overdid it, which was how in one game I managed to get a strike on lane 6 while bowling on lane 8.

So if you’re looking for a good laugh on March 4, come over to the Strike Zone. I don’t know what time I’m bowling yet, but I’ll let you know in next week’s column.

Anyone interested in sponsoring me, please go to www.bbbspg.ca and follow the links. I may as well raise as much money as I can to make up for the potential embarrassment.

Free Press reserves the right to reject unsigned letters. Letters are edited for brevity, legality and taste. Contact Editor Bill Phillips, 250-564-0005

Project Perusal

Rhonda Girard looks at one of the projects in Immaculate Conception School’s Science Fair on Thursday evening.

Students from Grades 4 to 7 put almost 30 projects on display.

A llan WISHA RT/ Free Press

Assaults result in jail sentences In Provincial Court on Jan. 31: David A. Metin was found guilty of operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol reading over .08, fined $2,000, assessed a victim surcharge of $300, placed on probation for 18 months and prohibited from driving for 18 months.

Roger L. Plant was found guilty of resisting a peace officer, sentenced to two months in jail, placed on probation for 12 months and prohibited from possessing firearms for five years.

Plant was also found guilty of failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance and

Free Press

Court docket sentenced to 14 days in jail. Plant was also found guilty of a second count of failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance, sentenced to 14 days in jail, placed on probation for 18 months and prohibited from possessing firearms for five years.

Sakani S. Tom was found guilty of failing to comply with a probation order and sentenced to 14 days in jail. Tom was also found guilty of a second count of failing to comply with a probation order and sentenced to 21 days in jail.

In Provincial Court in Prince George on Feb. 1: Brent E. Langan was found guilty of assault and failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance, sentenced to six weeks in jail, assessed a victim surcharge of $50 and placed on probation for two years. Langan was also found guilty of a second count of assault, sentenced to two months in jail, assessed a victim surcharge of $100 and placed on probation for two years. Langan was also found guilty of a second count of failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking or recognizance, sentenced to two weeks in jail, assessed a victim surcharge of $50 and placed on probation for two years. Langan was also found guilty of uttering threats, sentenced to one month in jail, assessed a victim surcharge of $100 and placed on probation for two years.

Rick L. Alexis was found guilty of assault causing bodily harm, sentenced to one day in jail, assessed a victim surcharge of $50, placed on probation for 18 months and prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years.

Bernard M. Andreason was found guilty of causing a disturbance, placed on probation for 12 months and prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years.

COLUMN: Big crowd was nice, but getting them back is key A12

Sports Alistair McInnis 250-564-0005 sports@pgfreepress.com

There’s a boxing card coming to Prince George on St. Patrick’s Day. A13

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Capacity crowd sees Kings clipped AListair McInnis

sports@pgfreepress.com

A capacity Coliseum crowd cheered when Leo Fitzgerald celebrated the home team’s opening goal against his former team on Saturday evening.

But he finished the B.C. Hockey League game unhappy, as the Nanaimo Clippers edged the Spruce Kings 3-2 in front of more than 2,000 onlookers. The loss snapped a sixgame winning streak for the Spruce Kings, dropping their record to 28 wins, 18 losses, two ties and four overtime defeats (28-18-2-4). They remain third in the eight-team Interior Conference.

“We should’ve had it, just a couple of bad mistakes,” said Leo, who represents one third of the fan-favourite Fitzgerald triplets. “We worked hard, but just couldn’t bury our chances, that’s all. Their goalie played very well.”

The Spruce Kings outshot the Clippers 37-31, with Billy Faust going the distance in the visitors’ goal. Losing goalie Kirk Thompson turned aside 28 shots.

A lis ta ir M cINNIS/ Fre e Pre s s Clinging to a 2-1 lead in the third Prince George Spruce Kings forward Jujhar Khaira breaks in on goal as the puck sails above Nanaimo Clippers goalie period, the Spruce Kings surrendered Billy Faust and over the net, during the first period of Saturday night’s B.C. Hockey League game at the Coliseum. The two goals within a couple of minutes Clippers edged the Spruce Kings 3-2. midway through the frame. Graeme McCormack beat Thompson with a ton Vees on Sunday.

The loss was the Spruce Kings’ first pers acquired in the deal was forward high wrist shot from just inside the blue “(The Warriors) have a very good since Jan. 29, a 5-4 overtime defeat to the Trevor Fitzgerald, who has no relation line to tie the game at the 9:47 mark. home record,” Dupas said. “Their road Vernon Vipers. They were coming off a to the triplets. Defencemen Josh Bryan Mason Blacklock scored the game winner 4-3 overtime win against the Chilliwack record is not very good, but their home and Scott Milnthorp were also sent to at 11:45, the Clippers capitalizing on an record is very good so we have to be Chiefs the previous evening.

Nanaimo. odd-man rush after leading scorer Paul careful about going in there.”

Nanaimo entered the contest on a P.G. connections De Jersey was unable to score. De Jersey three-game losing streak, its previous Schedule dragged the puck to his backhand, but outing a 5-1 defeat in Vernon on ThursA couple of other members of the Clipwas unable to get a quality shot on Faust, day. At 23-20-0-9, the Clippers sit fifth pers have connections to Prince George The Spruce Kings have only eight the Clippers stealing the puck and going in the eight-team Coastal Conference. as former residents. Vandecamp coached dates left on their 60-game regular seathe other way.

They’re 11 points behind the Coquitlam the Western Hockey League’s Cougars in son. They’re back on the road again next “If he dishes that puck, (linemate) Express, which holds the fourth and final week, returning to the southern interior 2005 and 2006, while 20-year-old forward Michael Colantone was standing three playoff spot in the division at 31-18-2-2.

Dan Correale is a Prince George product. for divisional games against the Trail feet away with a wide open net,” Spruce “We know (the Spruce Kings) have Correale has committed to play NCAA Smoke Eaters (March 2 and 3) and VerKings head coach Dave Dupas said. “He a good team. They’ve been on a good Division 1 hockey at the University of non (March 4). They wrap up their 2011dishes that puck, it’s game over. Instead streak,” Clippers head coach and general 12 schedule back at the Coliseum against New Hampshire next season. they go down the other way and game manager Mike Vandecamp said. “Both Penticton on March 9 and 10. over for them, so it’s disappointing.” teams need wins right now. They’re in a Attendance Leo opened the scoring 5:22 into the better position in their conference than Playoff race Announced attendance for Saturday game with a marvelous goal. He skated we are right now, but both teams need night’s game was 2,112, as the Coliseum While the Spruce Kings may be eyeing towards the net and got to the mouth of points and desperation and so on. We was filled to capacity. It marked the highsecond, their first goal is to qualify as one the crease before lifting a backhand shot haven’t had a great first two games on est number of spectators for a Spruce of four playoff teams in the conference. off the crossbar and in. Brenden Forbes, this road trip so for us, it was a pretty Kings home game since 1992.

Only the league-leading Vees (46-3-0-2), named the game’s first star, replied for emotionally charged kind of night for us “This rink, I’ve always enjoyed being who have already clinched top spot and Nanaimo at 12:50 before the Spruce and we wanted to be that way. in this rink over the years,” Vandecamp home ice advantage throughout the playKings regained the one-goal lead with a “Our goalie made a couple of saves, said. “Tonight reminded me a lot of the offs, have secured a playoff berth in the Jarryd Ten Vaanholt unassisted tally at we put in a couple of second and third good old days, in the sense of the arena conference. The Spruce Kings, second14:13. efforts on a couple of plays, certainly late place Merritt (29-17-2-5), fourth-place being full and the energy being there.”

Dupas pointed out that the Clippers in the game. For the first time in a couple Chilliwack (27-21-1-3) and fifth-place Verwon the battle between the pipes. of games, I thought we finally really Injury non (27-23-1-3) continue to battle for the “The first one and the second one committed to putting in those second final three postseason berths.

Defenceman Cody Bardock continues have to be stopped. Their goalie didn’t efforts that are necessary.”

Trade partners – The game had special to battle a shoulder injury and wasn’t let those goals in and I’m not sure if The Spruce Kings returned to practice meaning for Leo and his brothers, Myles on the ice for the Spruce Kings on the (Thompson) was screened on it or if the this week to try and regroup before leavand Gerry. Former members of the Clipweekend. Dupas remains hopeful he’ll first one was deflected or not, I’m not ing on another three-game weekend road pers, the Fitzgeralds joined the Spruce be back in the lineup before the playoffs sure right now. But it just seems like we swing. They visit the Okanagan to play Kings from Nanaimo in an offseason trade begin in mid March, but the injury may really have to work for our goals, they the Westside Warriors on Friday, Salmon in August. Among three players the Clipbe season-ending.w have to be good goals all the time.”

Arm SilverBacks on Saturday and Pentic-

UNBC hoopsters both earn playoff byes B10

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

AListair McInnis

sports@pgfreepress.com

They finished first on the final weekend, thanks to the help of another game in the Lower Mainland.

On the road for their final weekend of the PacWest 2011-12 regular season, the UNBC women’s basketball team defeated the Langara College Falcons

66-41 in Vancouver on Friday night. After that contest ended, the Northern Timberwolves discovered that the Capilano University Blues won their home game against the Vancouver Island University Mariners, edging the visitors 70-68 in North Vancouver.

The results left UNBC In control of its destiny. They secured

Prince George - Sports - Free Press

first in the nine-team standings the following evening in Surrey, downing the Kwantlen Polytechnic Eagles 87-50.

The Timberwolves finished the season 15-1, while the Mariners ended up 14-2.

Had the teams finished with identical win-loss records, Vancouver Island would’ve ended up first for outscoring UNBC in their two games.

In their latest headto-head meeting, the Mariners outscored the Timberwolves 73-57 on Feb. 11 in Nanaimo.

The first contest saw UNBC down Vancouver Island 60-52 on Dec. 2 at the Northern Sport Centre.

UNBC and Vancouver Island take the automatic berths into the semifinals of the PacWest provincial championships, March 1 to 3 at Capilano University. But since they finished first, the Tim-

berwolves have no chance of seeing the third-place Blues (133) until the final.

“They’ve been playing very, very well lately and the fact that it’s in their gym, that’s a very tough game,” UNBC women’s basketball coach Loralyn Murdoch said.

The Timberwolves will play the winner of a game between the fourth-place Quest University Kermodes (9-7) and fifth-ranked Camosun College Chargers (7-9). The Blues meet No. 6 Kwantlen (6-10) in the other quarterfinal, with that winner advancing to play Vancouver Island. Capilano University hosts both the men’s and women’s draws. The quarterfinals are on Day 1 with the semifinals following on Day 2, the threeday event wrapping up with medal games on March 3.

Should UNBC meet

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Cougar Coloured

A lis ta ir M cINNIS/ Fre e Pre s s

Cariboo Cougars forward Logan Styler gets his face painted by Jazmyne Livingstone during P.G. Skates 2012 on Sunday at the Outdoor Ice Oval. On their bye weekend from the BC Hockey Major Midget League, members of the Cariboo team participated in the event at the oval, organized by the City’s Winter Committee.

Quest on March 2, the Timberwolves won’t be seeing Keremodes star rookie Katryn Sandblichler. Sandblichler, an international student from Germany, suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier this month.

Regardless, Murdoch stresses that they aren’t looking past their first game.

“We’re either playing Quest or Camosun. Both are very well coached. Both are very tough teams.”

In discussing their final regular season game on Saturday, Murdoch said she wasn’t pleased with their effort early in the game. But she complimented her players for finishing strong, outscoring Kwantlen 39-16 in the second half.

Second-year forward Sarah Robin led the Timberwolves on Saturday night with 27 points.

In PacWest men’s basketball on the weekend, UNBC followed

a 98-94 overtime victory over Langara with a 92-72 triumph over Kwantlen. At 13-3, the Timberwolves finished second in the nineteam standings, behind only Vancouver Island (15-1).

At provincials, UNBC will play the winner of third-ranked Camosun (10-6) and the sixth-seeded Douglas College Royals (7-9). The Mariners will meet the winner of No. 4 Langara (106) and No. 5 Capilano

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Prince George Free Press

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

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Prince George - Sports - Free Press

Spruce Kings sellout a reminder of yesteryear Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Sometimes, things just fall into place at the right time.

Case in point: the Prince George Spruce

Kings’ sellout crowd on Saturday night at the Coliseum.

First off, I’ll give credit where it’s due.

The marketing staff of the community-run organization ull deserve some ourt recogress nition Alistair for the capacity crowd of 2,112 (announced attendance) against the Nanaimo Clippers.

The Spruce Kings worked in advance with local media and advertisers while offering a ton of promotional packages. It was Save On Foods night and packages were awarded to customers of the grocery store chain attending the game. The shootout at the intermission offered an opportunity for each contestant to win a Dodge pick-up truck (they both missed the hole).

If that wasn’t enough, the B.C. Hockey League’s Fred Page Cup championship trophy was in the concourse of the building.

The promotions

F C P

obviously went over well, but other factors worked in the Spruce Kings’ favour.

They carried a McINNIS six-game winning streak into the contest, coming off a 4-3 overtime victory over the Chilliwack Chiefs the previous evening. Enjoying their most successful season since 2006-07 (the same year they hosted the Royal Bank Cup junior A hockey national championship), the Spruce Kings are well over .500 and can finish as high as second in the eight-team Interior Conference.

An absence of other sports events that night played a role.

Make no mistake.

First off, the Vancouver Canucks’ Hockey Night in Canada game against the Toronto Maple Leafs was a 4 p.m. start (that’s what they get for playing host to the Centre of the Universe).

While they may typically draw differ-

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A lis ta ir M cINNIS/ Fre e Pre s s

Prince George Free Press sports editor Alistair McInnis stands with the Fred Page Cup during Saturday night’s B.C. Hockey League game at the Coliseum. ent fans, it didn’t hurt the Spruce Kings that the Western Hockey League’s Cougars and UNBC basketball teams were on the road. And the Cariboo Cougars, who develop players to advance to the WHL and BCHL, were on a bye weekend from the BC Hockey Major Midget League.

It’d be easy to get carried away with Saturday night. Seeing so much support was awesome, but let’s

not sugar coat this too much. A sizeable portion of those tickets weren’t paid for.

This gives the team something else to work off of as they look ahead to their final home weekend on the 2011-12 schedule, March 9 and 10 against the Penticton Vees.

The March 10 contest is also the Spruce Kings’ final game of the regular season.

How the Spruce Kings fare in their

next six games, all on the road, will go a long way in determining how they end up.

But with the team trying to secure a playoff spot and the Vees the top junior A team in Canada, attracting BCHL supporters for those games shouldn’t be hard. It’s getting outside of the core group of 1,000 or so that must be their focus. How many of those fans from Saturday night will go back?

March boxing card to honour Laurie Mann Free Press

the Prince George Golf and Curling Club.

Normally held at the end of March, organizers moved the event back a month for 2012 in an effort

Sports Briefs The Spruce Capital Warriors Boxing Club is holding a dinner show to honour one of Canada’s greatest to ever step in the ring.

A special tribute boxing card for Prince George Sports Hall of Fame 1998 inductee Laurie Mann is scheduled for March 17 at the Northern Sport Centre. The event will begin at 6 p.m., and will include introductions before the boxing begins.

Mann was on hand at a press conference on Thursday at Northland Chrysler Dodge, where organizer Wayne Sponagle officially announced that the event would be held.

Mann’s boxing career lasted a quarter century and saw him accomplish an abundance of feats. He won six Canadian titles and was named the best boxer at the national championships three times. Circumstances beyond his control prevented him from the ultimate dream, as Canada joined a U.S.led boycott of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, Russia.

During his professional career, Mann compiled a 31-4 record. He retired in 1992 following a 10-round unanimous decision over Al Harper at a card in Prince George.

As for the boxing event on March 17, it’ll feature a variety of Prince George talent. Warriors member Thomas Speirs will step in the ring for the main event. Speirs was a silver medalist in the 81-kilogram division at this year’s Canadian National (Senior) Elite Championships last month in Cape Breton, N.S. Sponagle also hopes to feature 64 kg senior open boxer Robbie Cusine on the card.

Cougars The Prince George Cougars completed a four-game Western Hockey League road swing on Tuesday night in Portland.

Back at home this week, the Cougars begin an eight-game

A llan WISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s

Spruce Capital Warriors Boxing Club members Thomas Speirs, left, and Robbie Cusine chat with Laurie Mann on Thursday before the announcement of a major boxing card in Prince George on March 17. homestand on Friday evening (7 p.m. at CN Centre) against the Victoria Royals. The two teams will play again Saturday night to wrap up the doubleheader.

The Cats began the four-game swing against the Victoria Royals. After dropping a 4-2 decision to the Royals on Friday, they rebounded with a 3-1 triumph on Saturday. Hoping to build off the victory, the Cougars fell flat against the Portland Winterhawks in a matinee affair on Monday, losing by a 7-2 score.

The score of Tuesday’s game was

unavailable at press time.

BC Winter Games The 2012 BC Winter Games run Thursday to Sunday in Vernon.

The multi-sport event features a variety of activities, such as hockey, skiing, speed skating, figure skating, ringette, martial arts, archery, curling, badminton, biathlon and gymnastics.

Among the participants in the event will be a variety of athletes from Prince George representing Zone 8 (Cariboo-North East).

For more information, visit the BC

Games website at ww w.b cga mes. org.

The website includes a link to the results and participants lists.

Kelly Cup The 86th annual Kelly Cup men’s curling bonspiel runs from Thursday to Sunday at

to attract more teams.

The deadline to register was Tuesday.

For more on the Kelly Cup, check upcoming issues of the Free Press.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

HELP: John Howard Society holds community event A17

Community www.pgfreepress.com

A Taste It of India

Teresa Mallam arts@pgfreepress.com

truly was a taste of India. Traditional silk and cotton saris, Bollywood-style shalwar kameez, brightly coloured decor, Indian dances and drumming, chai tea, authentic Indian buffet style dinner including crowd favourite picks butter chicken and lamb curry – in a choice of mild or spicy.

There was a surprise grand entrance by master of ceremonies, CBC radio personality Carol Gass, who was carried to the stage in great fanfare on a man-powered lifter. It was all part of the Taste of India event Saturday at the Prince George Civic Centre, a celebration of cuisine, culture and community and a fundraiser presented by the Rotary Club of Prince George Yellowhead. About 600 dinner guests were dazzled with a high energy, Bollywood dance performed by the Yellowhead Rotary Ladies as well as Gidha and Bhangra dances by UNBC Bhangra team.

Other highlights of the evening included an exciting live auction (one of the items was a Seth Tobin item) which raised $23,100 and a raffle draw for a Hubbell Designer Goldsmith 14 kt yellow and white gold pendant “Exotic Life.” Guests could also bid on a number of beautiful silent auction items and later dance the night away.

Proceeds from this year’s event support two causes: the Kordyban Cancer Lodge, a home away from home for people with cancer and their caregivers when they travel to Prince George for treatment and health and education projects in Amreli, India. In partnership with the Rotary Club of Amreli, the latter project provides funding for two schools in Amreli that are in need of clean water and sanitation and as well supplies 150 desks for children.

Clockwise from top left: Monica Peacock and Diane Hubbell compare raffle ticket numbers at A Taste of India; UNBC Bhangra Team member performs Bhangra number; rice pudding flavoured with cardamon was a favourite; a Bollywood dance number is performed by the Yellowhead Rotary Ladies.

Teresa MA LLA M/ Free Press

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Dierks Bentley rocks the crowd at CN Centre A15

■ Country concert

Dierks Bentley rocks out at CN Centre Chad Brownlee proves to be a great opener for wonderful concert evening ALLan Wishart allanw@pgfreepress.com

One of them got a little bit Sideways after the other one went Gaga over Prince George.

Dierks Bentley and Chad Brownlee brought a great mix of modern and more traditional country music to CN Centre on Friday night, and about 2,600 fans let them know it was appreciated.

Bentley lived up to his good ol’ boy image in appearance, but showed a very slick presence on stage, as well as a fine sense of timing and humour After singing the first two verses of Am I the Only One, he informed the crowd that Allan WISHA RT/Free Press he and the band were going to play the “secret Dierks Bentley entertains the crowd during his show at CN Centre on Friday. third verse”. a couple of occasions referred to “This verse was written especially for our trip to Prince it being a Friday night and asking George,” he said, prompting a few if people were ready to get a little expressions of doubt from those sideways, but he didn’t play his hit of the same name until later in fans gathered by the stage.

Bentley just shrugged, but with the show.

His new album, Home, hit the a bit of a grin on his face, and he and the band launched into a third shelves earlier this month, and verse which did, in fact, mention Bentley played a number of the songs off it, including the fastPrince George.

The fans didn’t seem to mind paced 5-1-5-0, which he told the that they didn’t know the lyrics for crowd is police code for “criminally this “secret” verse; they just saved insane”. It was unclear how many of those in attendance figured this up their energy for the chorus.

Bentley showed he could rock information could be filed next with the best, but also showed his to the bit about the secret verse, more mellow side on songs like but the crowd got into the song Tryin’ to Stop Your Leavin’ and quickly.

And then, all too soon, it was Settle for a Slowdown. His voice was clear, and filled the CN Centre over. There were those in the audieasily, while the band was content ence who were sightly upset that a to sit back on the slower stuff and particular favourite of theirs hadn’t been played, but they seemed to let Bentley’s voice lead the way.

Showing a nice sense of keeping realize that Bentley has already the audience waiting, Bentley on reached the point in his career

where he has to pick and choose his playlist more carefully.

The opening act, B.C. native Chad Brownlee, isn’t at that point in his career, but from his stage presence and crowd reaction, that could be just a matter of time.

Starting with a couple of his hits (Carried Away and Sitting on the Hood of My Car), Brownlee swung into a quieter song from his own new album,

His Own Terms, a song he wrote about his grandfather.

Being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks some years ago meant Brownle was obviously a hockey fan, as he proved when he gave a shout-out to the Prince George Cougars. The crowd cheered, but Brownlee was looking at a couple of people right next to the stage.

“I heard a couple of people booing,” he said. “Are you

guys Blazers fans?”

At one point, with no warning, he and the band launched into a slightly countrified version of the Lady Gaga hit, Poker Face. At the end of the song, Brownlee was laughing.

“I’ll bet none of you expected to hear that song tonight, did you?”

The roar from the crowd told him no, the crowd wasn’t expecting that, but yes, they loved it.

Business Directory Northern Notes Burns Lake Mill

The fire in Burns Lake at the Babine Mill has created a huge economic loss for the town and the region. Looking at the bigger picture there appears very little incentive or possibility of the mill being rebuilt. As a private company, Hampton does not have the financial capability to rebuild the mill. The ongoing investigations that will include WCB and insurance as well as any civil lawsuit (from the death and injuries of the workers) will produce legal instability for the next two to five years. With most of the lumber in the area being beetle kill wood, the long-term supply is running out. Given this predicament, as well as the mill’s U.S. customer base, the mill will not be rebuilt. Instead any potential work within the region will fall to the company’s other mill, Decker Lake Forest Products, which produces lumber for the Asian market. As well, sources have also mentioned that all timber licenses and cutting rights have been sold to West Fraser.

Tumbler Ridge Wind

Capital Power (www.capitalpower.com) has started shipping the new wind turbines from Portland for the new project 10 km northeast of Tumbler Ridge. The turbines from Vestas were not expected until May 2012, but with the warmer spring weather the bases will be delivered to the site. Major construction will start two to three months early and will not be back on schedule. This 142–megawatt project will produce and sell back to BC Hydro. Capital Power is based in Edmonton and used to be known as EPCOR and owned by the city of Edmonton. It is now a public company (TSX:CPX).

New Gold

New Gold (www.newgold.com) is continuing with the development of their Blackwater site south of Vanderhoof. This site was purchased from Richfield Ventures over a year ago and has resources of 2.09 million ounces of gold and 8.59 million ounces of silver. There are currently over 200 people working at this camp with the general construction of the camp and mine under the direction of All North Consultants (www.allnorth.com). The camp is expected to increase to close to 800 workers in the next two years.

Fort St. John Airport

With the recent announcement of Westjet serving small regional airports in Canada, Fort St. John has shown interest in being part of the destinations. There has also been interest from Enerjet (www.enerjet.ca) looking to include Fort St John in their plans. This company specializes in charter 737 flights for large groups in the oil and gas sector. This Calgary-based company currently operates services to Mexico as well as Vancouver, Fort McMurray, Winnipeg and Edmonton.

Skeena Cellulose

Sun Wave Forest Products purchased this mill in 2006 with a promise to inject investment and resume production. When the company did not fulfill its promise, the land was repossessed for taxes. Now Sun Wave has been caught trying to receive money from banks, based on the support of local Chinese government officials, that the mill is valued at $202 million when in fact it was only purchased for $9 million. The problem underscores the difference in value placed on projects, land and businesses between Chinese companies and Northern B.C. The mill has not operated or even been developed since the closure. With Sun Wave being tied up with courts and the perception of accounting differences, the mill will not open for years and should be considered closed forever. (http://english.caijing.com.cn/2011-11-22/111434674. html)

Experts look at municipal taxes

An expert panel has been appointed to compare B.C.’s taxes with other places around the world that have attracted new investment, and the review will include industrial taxes imposed by local governments. Finance Minister Kevin Falcon announced the new panel at a Vancouver Board of Trade luncheon recently. It is to report back to the government by the end of August, after reviewing B.C.’s system of rebates, labour tax credits and other programs that affect business. In an interview after his speech, Falcon said former deputy minister of community and rural development Dale Wall was named to the group to examine tax rates on forest product mills and other industries. The B.C. government has made efforts before to address industrial rates, which in some communities are many times the residential rate.

10 Second Business Advice

Facebook as a Problem Looking to recruit new employees to your business? Check out their Facebook profile first.

More and more companies are reviewing Facebook to see how their current and potential employees are in the community. This is not an invasion of privacy as people put their feelings on the Internet. Don’t want anyone to see what you think about your employer? Easy, do not write anything on Facebook or any other place on the Internet. It is expected that one in five teens/young adults will change their name by the time they are 30 in order to hide embarrassing facts, photos and videos about them that are on the internet. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas used to be the saying. Now what ever happens – gets on the Internet.

For more information visit www.northernbcbusiness.com

Have a Business Bouquet you’d like to send?

Call: 250-564-0005

Te re s a M A LLA M / Fre e Pre s s

Wencke Angelski is retiring from her Studio 2880 duties this week and a reception for her was held Thursday.

Adieu, Angelski Teresa Mallam arts@pgfreepress.com

Most of all she will miss the artisans and art lovers who come in to see the beautiful exhibits and items for sale in the gallery and shop.

Wenke Angelski retired from Studio 2880 this week with a reception and friends dropping by to visit. Now she will be able to enjoy her grandchildren and travel more, she said.

Angelski came here from Norway with her parents in 1952.

“I was four when I came over. My parents started up a business here, father got Sons of Norway started.”

In her earlier careers, she set up Sunshine Press and also worked for the local school district for 14 years. She regards her five years at Studio 2880 as some of the best.

“We really do have a lot of artistic talent in this community,” she said. “I really enjoy meeting all the people who come through here and all the artists that exhibit their work here. They are very interesting people. There is a lot of artistic talent in this community and so much variety. It’s just amazing.”

Some of her favourite pieces in the shop are wooden bowls and pottery. Although she doesn’t have artistic projects on the go herself, her daughter, Kathleen, is an excellent knitter, she said.

Community Arts Council executive director Wendy Young says Angelski is a very dedicated worker who always went out of her way to accommodate people, especially out of town visitors.

“She does a lot of things behind the scenes,” said Young. “One time she was telling me about artists from Smithers who had come through the gallery earlier – she was telling me this at 9 a.m.

– the group had come through at 7 a.m. Then she looked after a group of visitors who came from Quesnel in the evening. She was always available to show people the gallery after hours.”

■ John howard Society

Former inmates helped to rejoin society Day-long anger management course a first for local group Delynda pilon newsroom@pgfreepress.com

An all-day event Saturday gave former federal and provincial inmates the chance to learn anger-management strategies as well as participate in several spirit-building events, courtesy of the John Howard Society.

Kim Steve, the society’s volunteer coordinator, said they offer several services every day, however this is the first daylong Saturday event.

“We’ll be building a medicine wheel out of stones and then the guys will be walking

DeLynda PILON/Free Press

Each person taking part in Saturday’s events at the John Howard Society began with a smudging led by Imani Miller.

Free Press

Playbill Seedy Saturday

The 2012 Seedy Saturday runs Feb. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Exploration Place. The day’s events celebrate seeds that sustain us, seeds we can grow, share, trade and save, seeds that are a part of our past and will be an important part of our future. The day focuses on bringing gardeners, farmers, food producers and consumers together to learn more about the local growing culture. Lunch concession provided by Twisted Cork Restaurant.

Black History

Join in the celebrations for the Main Event Saturday, Feb. 25 at the CNC cafeteria and atrium. Light dinner 6 to 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker is Wes Williams, better known as

Maestro, a top Canadian rapper, record producer and actor.

Entertainment from 8:45 to 9:30 p.m. Dance at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Books and Company, CNC Bookstore and UNBC Bookstore.

The Clockmaker

the third production of Theatre North West’s 201112 season is playwright Stephen Massicotte’s darkly beautiful The Clockmaker. This enchanting is part love story, part mystery, part thriller and part jigsaw puzzle. Bending the realities of time and space, The Clockmaker is a story about the power of love that will keep you guessing to the end. The play runs until Feb. 26 at TNW in Parkhill. tickets are available at Books and Copany or by phone 250-614-0039.

through that wheel,” she said.

However, the day began with a story and smudging of herbs, a First Nations cleansing practice, led by Imani Miller, who also helped the men build the medicine wheel.

Steve said the day would include still-life drawing lessons.

“Art is important, in it gives them something positive to focus on,” she said, adding it is important for them to have the opportunity to do that.

An elder, Sam Moody, offered a talk on the laws of attraction.

“He’s going to give his perspective on that,” she said. “It’s

important to talk about how to manage your anger in a healthy way.”

Steve, who said the society helps men on parole or probation, added other events they host include movie nights, trips to a yoga studio and things like access to a computer lab, telephone, bus passes, job searches and resumes.

“We are always looking for volunteers,” she said.

Volunteers must go through a criminal record check, which the society pays for, and then are trained to understand the clientele they are working with.

B18

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Datebook

www.pgfreepress.com

Free Press accepts Datebook submissions in written form only — dropped off, mailed or e-mailed. No phone calls please.

Free Press Datebook runs as space allows every Wednesday.

No guarantee of publication.

Mail to 1773 South Lyon St., Prince George, B.C. V2N 1T3.

E-mail datebook@pgfreepress.com

www.pgfreepress.com

Wednesday Potluck, Feb. 29, 5 p.m., Senior Activity Centre, 425 Brunswick St. Prince George Healing Rooms - Are you hurting? Do you have health issues?

Confidential prayers Wednesday noon2 p.m, All Nations Church, 1395 Fifth Ave. Information: 250617-9653.

COPD support group meets Wednesday, 1 p.m., AiMHi. Information: Nancy 250-561-1393.

Whist, Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Senior Activity Centre, 425 Brunswick St. B.C.Civil Liberties meets every second Wednesday, 6 p.m., Civic Centre. Next meeting Feb. 29.

CNC Retirees meet fourth Wednesday, 9 a.m., D’Lanos.

Information: Lois 250563-6928.

Army Cadet Rangers free youth program, meets Wednesdays, Connaught Youth Centre. Information: Capt. McCue 250565-6993, 250-5649030.

Thursday DayBreakers Toastmasters meets Thursday, 7-8 a.m., Elder Citizens Recreation Association,1692 10th Ave. Information: Heather 250-9649699.

NCP workers and retirees meet third Thursday of the month, 10 a.m., Pine Centre food court.

ECRA Forever Young Chorus meet Thursdays, 12:45 p.m., ECRA, 1692 10th Ave. Chess nights,

Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., Books and Company.

Information: Marilyn 250-562-9580.

Prince George Grassroots Cribbage Club registration, 6:30 p.m. play 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Spruce Capital Recreation Centre, 3701 Rainbow Dr. Information: Gerda 250-564-8561.

Tai Chi Classes meets Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., Knox United Church basement, 1448 Fifth Ave. Info: Lister 250-964-3849.

Old Time Fiddlers jam, Thursday, 7-10 p.m. Elder Citizens Rec Centre, 1692 10th Ave. NorthBreast Passage Dragon Boat Society meets first Thursday of the month, 7 p.m., Chronic Disease Management Room, UHNBC. Information: Anita 250-563-2949 or Betty 250-9627985.

Community Builder Community Builder

A lla n W ISHA RT/ Fre e Pre s s

Participants in the YMCA daycare program take a look at some of the birdhouses built by bus driver Harold Iverson and being auctioned off as part of the Strong Kids campaign.

Proud those Proud to to recognize recognize those who give in our community.

who give in our community.

1475 Edmonton Street • 250.565.2515 www.spiritofthenorth.bc.ca

Friday Live bands, Friday, 8 p.m.-midnight, Royal Canadian Legion.

Saturday Joyfully Singing Our Favorites and Yours featuring: North of 65 Group plus a sing-along, Feb. 25, 7 p.m., ECRA, 1692 10th Ave. Tickets at the door.

Dance to the Goodwin Bros., Feb. 25, 8 p.m.-midnight, Hart Pioneer Centre.

Live bands, Saturday, 8 p.m.midnight, Royal Canadian Legion.

Sunday Pancake breakfast, Feb. 26, 8:30-11 a.m., Eagles Hall, Dagg Road.

Caledonia Ramblers easy four-hour snowshoe hike @ The Ancient Forest Trail Area, Feb. 26. Meet in parking lot behind city hall at 8:45 a.m.

Information: Carolyn 250-562-1826.

Joyfully Singing Our Favorites and Yours featuring: North of 65 Group plus a sing-along, Feb. 26, 2 p.m., ECRA, 1692 10th Ave. Tickets at the door.

An Evening at the Oscars, Feb. 26, Hummus Brothers Tapas Bar. Ladiesonly event. Red carpet 3:30 p.m., show 4 p.m. Hosted

by Ospika Animal Hospital Relay for Life team. Tickets for sale at Ospika Animal Hospital.

Meat draw, Royal Canadian Legion, 3-5 p.m., sponsored

by Peace Keepers Proceeds to Alzheimer and MS societies and others.

Monday Annual General Meeting, Feb. 27, 1 p.m., Senior Activity Centre, 425 Brunswick St. Tai Chi, Mondays, 1:30 p.m., Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Dr. Northern Twister Square Dance Club meets Mondays, 7 p.m., St. Michael’s Church Hall.

Information: Gys 250563-4828 or Reta 250-962-2740.

1475 Edmonton Street • 250.565.2515 www.spiritofthenorth.bc.ca

Royal Purple meets meets second and fourth Mondays, 7:30 p.m. Information: Dianne 250-596-0125 or Jeanette 250-5639362.

Tuesday Buddhist meditation class, Tuesdays 7–8:30 p.m., 320 Vancouver St. Information: 250-9626876 or www.tilopa. org.

Hospital retirees breakfast meeting, first Tuesday of the month, 9 a.m., Prince George Golf Club.

Information 250-5637497 or 250-5632885.

Bridge, Tuesdays, 1 p.m., Spruce Capital Seniors Centre, 3701 Rainbow Dr. Sweet Adelines women’s fourpart chorus meets Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., Studio 2880. New members welcome.

Information: Kathleen 250-563-2975.

Prince George Genealogical Society meets the

third Tuesday of the month, St. Giles Presbyterian Church, 1500 Edmonton St..

Support Groups Free sports and recreation, Wednesdays, 2 p.m., 1160 7th Ave., ages 15-30. Information: 250-656-5278.

Children’s choir, Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Hartland Baptist Church. Information: 778-415-5000.

Parents Together, a mutual/self-help support group for parents of teens, meets Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Intersect (basement entrance).

Information: Carmen 250-562-6639.

Tuesday night Tops (take off pounds sensibly) 6:157:15 p.m. weigh in, 7:30-8:30 meeting.

Everyone welcome.

Information: Marvene 250-962-8001 or 250612-2031.

DivorceCare, a support group for persons going through a separation or divorce. To find

out if this group is for you, call 250-5646213. Group meets at Artspace, Room 202, Sundays at 5 p.m. Call about childcare.

Hepatitis C support group meets second Tuesday of the month, PGRH fourth floor conference room.

Information: Ilse or Pat 250-565-7387.

Thursday Tops (take off pounds sensibly) 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m., Knox United Church,1448 Fifth Ave. Information: 250-564-6336 (days), 250-964-4851 (evenings).

Red Hat Chapter meets for lunches and outings. Information: 250-564-6879.

AiMHi is offering networking and information session opportunity for parents, guardians, and caregivers.

Information: Jule O’Reilly 250-564-6408 ext. 228.

Elks’ meat draw, Thursday, 4:306 p.m., Legion.

Proceeds to Elks’ Children’s Fund.

The Community Datebook provides free community event listings every Wednesday. Submissions are accepted in written form only – dropped off, mailed or emailed – No Phone Calls please. Datebook runs as space allows, there is no guarantee of publication. Mail to 1773 South Lyon St., Prince George BC V2N 1T3 E-mail datebook@pgfreepress.com

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

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