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FALL '09 Issue #18
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provoking the need for such inane warning labels? Well, people like Stella Liebeck in New Mexico started winning $2.9 million U.S. for suing MacDonald’s over coffee that was too hot to drink. Stella placed the cup of coffee between her legs to cool it down while driving. She spilled it, of course, resulting in third degree burns. Stella felt poorly warned, Stella sued, Stella’s a millionaire. This woman actually inspired the incredulous Stella Awards - real awards that are given to people who file outrageous lawsuits. One example of a Stella Award went to Kathleen Robertson in Texas who successfully sued a furniture store after tripping over a kid who was running around on the floor. The kid was her son. Kathleen was awarded $80,000 U.S.
Photo: Brent Lea
Even better: In Pennsylvania, Terrence Dickson managed to sue the owners of a house he had just robbed because he wound up locked in their garage for eight days while they were away. He sued for undue mental anguish, winning $500,000 U.S.
My sister, Cindy, and I, 'surviving' 1982 on the summer slopes of Panorama Mountain.
I'm Warning You...
Box 2126 Revelstoke, BC V0E 2S0 www.reved.net editor@reved.net publisher/editor Heather Lea editor@reved.net
ad sales/marketing Emily Beaumont sales@reved.net
design/layout Heather Lea design@reved.net
proof/edits Lea Storry edit@reved.net
staff writers Alison Lapshinoff Colin Titsworth contributors Rikki MacCuish Jennifer Ferguson Karen McColl
Once, when I was maybe four years old, I was standing up in the backseat of the family car while my mom drove. We were headed down the back alley when another car backed out in front of us. Mom threw on the brakes and I did a mid-air gymnast’s roll into the front seat, landing somewhere under the dash.
You had to be on your toes as a kid back in the day! My grandma used to bake my sister and I birthday cakes with coins in them. We had to be alert children so as not to choke to death on metal objects. (I was always suspicious why my grandpa, the dentist, was in agreement with this tooth-cracking ingredient.)
This happened in Calgary, back in the day when seat belts weren’t mandatory in Alberta (not until 1987). In fact, the backseat of the '66 Pontiac didn’t even have seat belts. (This was the year of the car, not the year when I was four, just to clarify). Nor did the car have an airbag or head rests; just a bench-seat for clear, uninterrupted sailing over the seat.
But now I’m an adult and I’m annoyed. I spent my childhood breaking teeth and bones and toughening up. I felt like life was really preparing me for something. And then I discover that I didn’t need to toughen up; that everywhere I turn, there’s a warning label warning me about anything that could possibly go wrong.
An e-mail was going around a while ago sharing some humorous anecdotes from TV’s nighttime host, Jay Leno. He was amused any kid born outside the last 25 years managed to live to become adults. In those days, seat belt and helmet laws weren’t in effect and anti-bacterial soap hadn’t even been invented. Instead, kids built go carts using old, rusty nails and weren’t mature enough engineers to think or worry about brakes. Mothers would casually send their children out to play in the morning telling them to return when the streetlights came on. At lunch, kids would share a bottle of pop between four of them and no one would think to even rub the germs off the lid in between. “We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents,” Leno writes. “We made up games with sticks (and), although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.”
There is a certain sense of pride in having survived the pre-warning crazed era and I’d like to lay claim to that. Instead, I find labels like this on my hairdryer: Caution: do not use while sleeping or unconscious. Um… if I’m unconscious, I have bigger problems than wet hair. One day, I was searching for something online and came across commongood.org, a site which holds yearly contests to see who can find the most ridiculous warning label. It’s hard not to laugh reading these labels which state the so-incredibly-obvious. For example, on a snow sled for children: Beware: sled may develop high speed under certain snow conditions. On a 12-inch rack for storing CD’s: Do not use as a ladder. On a fishing lure with a three-pronged hook on the end: Harmful if swallowed. And my favourite, on a baby stroller: Remove baby before folding stroller. Really? Remove baby before folding stroller? What has happened during the last 25 years
CENTREFOLD: Revelstoke Mountain Resort - The Resort Report Community Connections Revelstoke Society - Fall Events
These are adults, like me, who grew up falling out of trees, never wearing helmets and standing too close to the fire - I thought we were tougher than that. Perhaps the lack of warning labels during childhood left its mark. These adults got tired of getting hurt and realized there was money to be made in blaming other people for your bruises and broken bones. As someone who recognizes I’m responsible for my own actions, I expect to see a warning sign for, say, a bridge coming up that may be icy under certain temperatures. But I really, really hope I’m clever enough not to need the heads-up label on a blanket from Taiwan, which reads: Not to be used as protection from a tornado. Happy autumn! Enjoy this issue of Reved Quarterly. Heather Lea Publisher/editor
What's in there? pg.2 pg.3 pg.4 pg.5 pg.6 pg.7 pg.8 pg.9 pg.10 pg.11 pg.12
Artist in Profile Arts and Cultural Happenings What Matters Health and Wellness Directory Health and You RMR's Resort Report Community Connection's Fall Events Get Outta Here From Our Readers Heritage Moments Music Notes The Scene From the Streets What's Your Biz'ness? Emerging Volunteer Job-pick Sleeps n' Eats Sponsor Thanks
Artist in Profile
by Heather Lea
The average human spends more than 90 per cent of their time indoors. Considering that statistic, it’s no wonder that many people’s livelihood involves making interior spaces beautiful. Vicki Hemmingson is one of these people. As an interior design consultant in Revelstoke, she's here to help you. “I’m a means for people to get exactly what they want in their home,” said Vicki. “People come to me when they want a change, but aren’t exactly sure how to go about it.” If Vicki’s own home is any indication, her skills extend far past coordinating colours in a room. Vicki’s concept of blending modern styles with her home’s natural heritage speaks of a deeply ingrained sense of style. “My dream was to own a character home like I do now and fix it up. I’ve spent more than a few hours swinging a hammer in this house,” she said, pointing out the heatedslate flooring she installed in her bathroom and the studio she revamped out of her backyard shed.
feel or does it just need some new paint? In the end, it isn’t what I would like, it’s what they want – they live there.”
All photos on this page courtesy of Vicki Hemmingson.
Vicki outside the office
Something Vicki is spending more time doing lately is re-design. With the idea of reduce and Private home design reuse and today’s escalating housing market, less people are moving into new homes after tiring of the old one. Instead, they are choosing to re-design their existing space. “Sometimes with just a coat of paint, a few basic items and furniture rearranging, the whole room can change,” she points out. Vicki also designs new home interiors. “I’m helping a couple right now who are in the process of building their house. They prefer to do the out-sourcing and I just offer advice.
A former backcountry lodge manager for Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH), part of Vicki’s job description was to help remodel the lodge during the off-season.
“People aren’t always sure they can afford a designer, but sometimes all you need is an hour of consulting. In that time, I can help make decisions about what paint to use, what floor goes with what countertop…that sort of thing.”
“When I had a chance to do (design) in the lodge, that was what I really enjoyed. I started thinking about opening a furniture store, but I realized the money involved and I didn’t do it."
For some, building a home is a long awaited dream but it can also be overwhelming. The thought of having to choose all your finishes, fixtures and paint colours and hoping they all coordinate can be an
Viki took a program offered in town called the Implicit Career Search course after she left CMH. The course helps people find careers suited to their skills and dreams. The instructor asked, "If you could do anything, what would you do?"
intimidating process. That’s where Vicki’s creative expertise come in. “You don’t just go out and buy everything at once – especially if you’re not living in the city and aren’t close to all the amenities. It’s a long process. Sometimes you need to see how something looks before committing. A lot of my clients are too busy to shop, so I can help them with that.” Bringing samples to her clients, Vicki uses her eye for detail to aid in the many design choices. When possible, Vicki buys locally, utilizing the talents and services of Revelstoke artists and crafts people. What she doesn’t find locally, she’ll out-source to companies within B.C. Presently, Vicki works with clients from Revelstoke and Vancouver. She is also working with CMH on a three-year design plan helping to choose finishings and fixtures for the lodges. What’s the first thing Vicki does when she walks into a room? “I have this annoying habit – I’ve always had it – where I walk in and start re-arranging furniture in my mind. I don’t start moving things around, of course, but I have to stop myself!” You can reach Vicki Hemmingson at (250) 837-6422 or visit vhdesign.ca
"I said, 'Be an interior design consultant’.” As a designer, Vicki not only needs to have an eye for colours, fabrics and furniture, she needs to be a good listener as well. Understanding her clients' personalities while getting a feel for their home, is key. “People need to be ready for the change. They may have been living with the same couch for the past 20 years.” After she has spent some time with her clients, Vicki takes a look at the house, now as a listener: “Sometimes, the house will speak to you; is it an old-character home or is it brand new? Does it have a cozy ski-lodge
Private home design
CMH Lodge design
2
REVELSTOKE ARTS COUNCIL CONCERT SERIES 2009-10 Tickets at Talisman Trading Company 250 - 837- 6565
Kevin Fox
The Human Statues
A multi-talent whose facility includes the piano, guitar and keyboard, Fox is most closely associated with the cello, an instrument he first picked up at the age of 10. It's a fair bet that Kevin Fox is the only musician who has appeared on albums with Celine Dion, Sarah Harmer, Andrew Lloyd Webber and unsigned Toronto singer songwriter Royal Wood.
Described by some as a ‘multi-generational crossbreed between the Flight of the Conchords and Simon and Garfunkel or 'Funk meets the Beatles’, Jeff and Zach blend pop sensibility with lyrical depth and love of vocal harmony. Originally from Vancouver Island, B.C., these young men have relocated to Toronto and are on a mission to spread ‘jubilation’ across the nation.
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 United Church 7:30 p.m. $20
Tambura Rasa
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009
Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010
Ballet Kelowna
Roxy Theatre 7:30 p.m. $20
Wednesday, Mar. 17, 2010 Community Centre 7:30 p.m. $20
Is a buoyant cultural cross-pollination that fuses contemporary grooves and traditional rhythms into one energetic musical brand all their own. Packed with fiery Spanish guitar, fully orchestrated Baladi Gypsy string section, burning Afro-Latin percussion and sensual Flamenco and Belly dancers, this 8-piece act raises the roof and lights-up the skies of any concert ground.
Nearly Lear
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009
TBA $20
Ballet Kelowna has been named "Touring Artistic Company of the Year" by the B.C. Touring Council. The company has diversified its audience base each year, from seven performances in six communities in its first year to more than 50 performances presented to more than 13,000 people in 30 communities throughout British Columbia and Alberta today.
John Mann
Roxy Theatre 7:30p.m. $20
Tuesday, Mar. 30, 2010
Welcome to a Lear that is both profoundly accessible and fun, while serving the great spirit, language and emotional core of the play. Nearly Lear received its first public performance in January 2008 at the Winchester Street Theatre in Toronto and was met with great enthusiasm. It has been taken up by Prologue to the Performing Arts – a Toronto based arts organization dedicated to taking inspiring performances into schools and communities across Ontario.
Roxy Theatre 7:30 p.m. $20
A 24-year veteran of Vancouver’s indefatigable folk pop outfit Spirit of the West, John Mann has adopted the moniker Mister Mann for his first solo record since his 2002 debut, Acoustic Kitty. Mann’s solo material has none of the frenetic catchiness of Spirit of the West's best-known songs. Rather, Mann lopes along at an easy pace, backing adept lyrics with simple instrumentation. On this sophomore release, Mann has stripped everything right down to bare bones, boiling his musical sensibility down to the concentrated strumming of a single acoustic guitar behind his acerbic lyrics and warmly familiar vocals.
Discounted Prices! This year we will offer season tickets for $90 ($30 off full price). Seniors and student rate season tickets priced at $80 ($40 off full price). Please note that the senior and student tickets MUST be used by seniors or students and cannot be used by someone not in either category.
3 Please visit www.revelstokevisualarts.com for more information on our courses and exhibitions.
COURSES AT THE GALLERY TEXTILE WORKSHOP LINDA DIXON Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4, $155 Reg. by Sept. 28.
Revelstoke Arts Council Handmade Parade
Christmas Arts and Crafts Extravaganza, 2009
CONTINUING POTTERY NANCY GEISMAR Starts Thursday, Oct. 8, $185 (7 Thurs. sessions) Reg. by Sept. 28.
Revelstoke Recreation Centre Saturday and Sunday, November 28 and 29
OIL PAINTING FOR THE ABSOLUTE BEGINNER CECILIA LEA Starts Monday, Oct. 19, $130 (5 Mon. sessions) Reg. by Oct. 10 SILK PAINTING FOR GREETING CARDS JACKIE PENDERGAST Thursdays, Nov. 19 and 26 $60
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
PAINT A SILK SCARF FOR A CHRISTMAS GIFT JACKIE PENDERGAST Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21 $85
Vendors call Krista at (250) 837-8569 for details. For other enquiries, call Garry at (250) 814-9325.
Castle Joe Books
EXHIBITIONS AT THE GALLERY Earth and Fire Creations from Revelstoke Potter’s Guild From Across the Board Works from the collections of the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre Board of Directors. Sept. 4-25 Opening Reception Friday, Sept. 4 From the Mountains to the Sea Two groups of Revelstoke Artists. Two National Parks Oct. 2-Nov. 6 Opening Reception Friday, Oct. 2
Your Bookstore in Revelstoke We Now Carry Fine Art Supplies! Artist Quality Oil, Acrylic and Watercolours Brushes, Papers, Canvas and more
Mountains Call for entry from local artists. All media. Best of Banff 2009 Photographic Exhibit Nov. 13-Dec. 4 Opening Reception Friday, Nov. 13 Affordable Art Fair Dec. 11-20 Opening Reception Friday, Dec. 11 Gallery open every day, Dec.12–20.
Quality Used Books 103 Second Street West 250-837-3353
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POTTERY CLASS FOR BEGINNERS NANCY GEISMAR Starts Tuesday, Oct. 6, $185 (7 Tues. sessions) Reg. by Sept. 28.
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Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday and Sunday 1.00 p.m.– 5.00 p.m. during exhibitions. Admission by donation.
320 Wilson St. Ph: (250) 814-0261 Email : info@revelstokevisualarts.com
What Matters....
The Good Recession by Jennifer Ferguson
Recession: the economic downslide that Canada and much of the western world has been in since 2008 has left us wondering: will I find steady work again? Can I continue to pay my mortgage/rent? This financial downturn appears negative but research done on previous recession periods notes that these times are often better for our health. Recent studies performed in the U.S. by Stanford University and the University of North Carolina observe that during good economic periods we exercise less and eat fattier foods. This is usually due to less free time to cook and work out and more cash to throw around. However, during a recession our lifestyles change and we are more conscious of saving money by choosing less expensive options. We may drive less and choose more active forms of transportation. We may give up pricey vacations and instead explore locally. We may eat out less and spend more time at home with friends and family. These alternatives often benefit our health and our pockets by default. An obvious choice we’ve been making has to do with the skyrocketing price of fuel. Parking our vehicles in favour of cycling or walking to work has become more mainstream, especially in outdoor-conscious Revelstoke. The benefits of this are immediately clear; a form of transportation that is both cheap and healthy. As the North American lifestyle becomes increasingly sedentary, the exercise derived is a pleasant bonus. Active transportation like cycling and walking promotes strength in the body, a healthy mood and aids in weight management. Choosing to walk instead of drive has other health benefits aside from the exercise. The reduction of vehicles on the road means fewer emissions released into the air, which results in cleaner breathing for everybody.
Another choice people feeling the economic burn make is to cut back on luxuries like restaurant meals. In Revelstoke a lunch can often run you $10 while dinner can be $30 and upwards. Cutting back on eating out is a smart and quick way to save cash, a good thing during poor economic times. In return we benefit nutritionally from the absence of the calorie-stuffed foods served by most restaurants. These meals are often packed with oil, fat, and sodium and the proportions are out of nutritional balance. Instead of restaurant meals we can make our own food at home. Some are going as far as growing their own vegetable garden to save money on groceries and eat healthier. During a recession, we may now have the time to interact with our family and close friends, which may have been neglected during a rigorous work-schedule. By spending more time bonding with people close to us, we are aiding their well-being and also our own. With our tighter budgets, activities around the home and outdoors have become more appealing, like family games and evening bike rides. For some people who have additional savings, the time may even allow for visiting distant relations - something most often neglected while people are busy at work. Though pockets may be tighter during a recession, there can be positive and healthy changes in the face of adversity.
natural fibre clothing • weaving/knitting supplies
For further reading check out www.timesonline.co.uk Why the recession is a blessing in disguise, www.phac-aspc.gc.ca What is active transportation? and www.newsweek.com The recession’s green lining.
home decor • local arts
Eat the pumpkin!
250-837-6565 weedandweave@hotmail.com
by Alison Lapshinoff
It’s hard to miss when pumpkins come into season. Every fall they are carved into various expressive emotions and gloriously lit on doorsteps throughout the continent. They smile and mock and frighten and surprise, glowing eerily in the early evening darkness.
It’s easy; just turn on your oven and cut the pumpkin in half. Scoop out the seeds - these can be blanched in boiling water to remove messy pumpkin guts - toss them in olive oil and salt, and roast on a baking sheet in the oven for a tasty snack.
sustainable building technology photo: Heather Lea
But what about eating your pumpkins as well as carving them into smiley faces?
Now chop your pumpkin into large chunks and drizzle it with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Arrange the chunks skin side down in a dish and roast them in the oven until they are soft. If the bottoms start to burn, a little water in the pan will solve that. Now that you have demonstrated to your sassy squash that you can transform it into something other than a large,
250.307.3524
pacifictimberworks.ca
Castle Joe Books glowing piece of vegetable art, scoop the soft flesh off the skin, toss it in your blender or food processor and hit start. The resulting puree can be frozen and used all winter. Use it to make your Thanksgiving pie, or add it to your mashed potatoes. Or make soup. Or use it as baby food….After all, where did the fall tradition of pumpkin pie come from in the beginning? Certainly not from a can!
Friends of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier present:
Your Bookstore in Revelstoke Modern, Classic & Children’s Literature Fairy Tales ~Fantasy ~Sci-Fi Religion & Spirituality ~ Travel & Adventure Science ~ History ~ Self-Help ~ Art & Craft Quality Used Books 103 Second Street West 250-837-3353
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour September 22 and 23, 2009
Help get Revelstoke recognized as a Fair Trade Town
Roxy Theatre
Join the Revelstoke Fair Trade Committee in the screening of Black Gold A Film About Coffee & Trade
Purchase tickets at the Friends office: 301B Third Street West 250-837-2010
7:00 PM
From Idea to Reality for all types of landscapes and budgets
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 7- 8:30 pm
p: 250-814-8635 e: info@outdoor-elements.ca w: outdoor-elements.ca
Revelstoke Community Centre
FREE
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
This is a Reved Quarterly sponsored ad. 4
Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine Revelstoke Acupuncture James D. Gawiuk RAC Suite 103 – 103 1st. St. West 250-837-3666
Health and Wellness Directory
Melonie Jensen RAC 250-837-9363
Erin Potter R.TCM.P. www.jademountain.ca 250-837-3900
Coaching (personal/business) Tana Heminsley (Speerbrecker)
http://tinyurl.com/authenticleadershipcircles 604-785-5056
Health Centres/Gyms Trans Canada Fitness 501 2nd St. West 250-837-3440
Revelstoke Curves curves.com 250-814-0288
Massage Therapy/Bodywork Revelstoke Massage Clinic RMT 301 1st St. East 250-837-6677
Helios Rehabilitation & Performance RMT www.heliosphysio.com 1605 Victoria Rd. Unit 5 250-837-7171
Beth Purser Massage CMP NHPC 250-814-3679
Neil Jones, Exercise Therapist CFT CPT Trans Canada Fitness 501 2nd St. West 250-837-3440
The Mindful Body Massage and Shiatsu Katherine Weed, Certified Practitioner NHPC Trans Canada Fitness 501 2nd St. West 250-837-3440
SoulUs Energetic Bodywork Ariadne Sassafrass
Reiki, Energy Healing, Holistic Massage 250-837-9276
Repose Massage Therapy and Day Spa (located at the Hillcrest Hotel) Ashley Sumner, RMT Trevor Allan, Certified Thai Therapist www.reposedayspa.ca 250.837.3322
Physiotherapy
Helios Rehabilitation & Performance RPT www.heliosphysio.com 1605 Victoria Rd. Unit 5 250-837-7171
Shendra Kelly Physiotherapy RPT www.revelstokeyoga.com 250-837-4825
Red Cedar Physiotherapy Jocelyn Kutcher BScPT RPT
Nutritionists 250-837-9176
Yoga/Yoga Instruction Balu Yoga
www.revelstokeyoga.com 1596 Illecillewaet Rd. 250-837-1817
The Nutritionist’s Cupboard by Alison Lapshinoff
The refrigerator was overflowing with misshapen vegetables. Their odd shapes and irregular sizes told me that they had not been bred for uniformity and ease of packing. These vegetables would not easily fit snug in a box for a round-the-world adventure. These were certainly not the globetrotters of the vegetable world; these were the homebodies. Normally, I consider it a positive thing to be well-travelled. Unless, of course, you happen to be food. A glimpse into the cupboards of Melissa Hemphill, registered holistic nutritionist, takes us back to food basics; back to a time when grains were whole and veggies came from the farm next door. When eggs came from chickens raised by a friend and pub deep fryers weren’t smoking from overused hydrogenated oil. The principles of healthy eating, according to professional nutritionists, are to utilize live, whole, natural foods. The closer a food is to its natural state, the more nutrition it retains. Simple as this may seem, in our busy lives, many fall back on the convenience of packaged foods. And many of these foods are made with bleached flour, refined sugar, lots and salt and hydrogenated oils. Low cost seems to be the priority when manufacturing packaged food. But we may be paying a nutritional price for less expensive food. As we are among the first generations to consume so much of it, we are still not sure just how high that price may be. On a high shelf above the counter, rows of glass jars contain all manner of whole grains and dried beans, many unidentifiable to the untrained eye. Fresh herbs are drying on the cupboard doors. Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean a complete dietary overhaul. In many cases, it means simply replacing something we use regularly with a more healthy option. Natural, healthy options for sweetening things up are honey, maple syrup and agave nectar,
www.redcedarphysio.ca Suite 204, 555 Victoria Rd. 250-837-8519
Melissa Hemphill RHN
Health & You
If you are a health professional and would like to be listed here, please email editor@reved.net
Mountain Goodness Natural Foods
Natural Foods & Supplements 1605 Victoria Rd.
250-837-4352
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a syrup derived from the agave cactus, which is, incidentally, also used to make tequila. White flour can be replaced in many instances with whole grain, healthy flours such as kamut, spelt, hemp, quinoa, garbanzo or rice. And different varieties of pasta such as whole wheat, brown rice, buckwheat and spelt are now readily available and an easy way to incorporate some variety into your diet. I found no popular name brands in Melissa’s kitchen. Most of the big names in peanut butter add sugar and hydrogenated oil to their product. All you need to make peanut butter is peanuts. All the nut butters I found were natural or homemade. The freezer was brimming with Okanagan fruit, bought fresh from the market and frozen for the winter. For a quick fix, (even a nutritionist needs a quick fix), were cans of organic beans, an easy addition to any salad, and homemade soups. Little bags of seeds and nuts filled the cupboards. Sesame, flax, sunflower and pumpkin seeds make great, crunchy additions to any salad or baked item. Flax seeds are a cheap source of omega 3’s and can easily be ground in your coffee grinder and stored in the freezer for a healthy breakfast cereal topper. Another discovery was dried shiitake mushrooms, a good vegetarian source of protein containing all eight essential amino acids. Button mushrooms, in comparison, are largely devoid of nutritional value. The baking soda was aluminum free. Aluminum sneaks its way into our diets through many avenues. It is used in the processing of white flour, salt and processed cheese as an emulsifier and whitening agent. Aluminum occurs naturally in our bodies, but too much is thought to be a cause of Alzheimer's and senility. Organic or local are good standards to try to adhere to for the health of yourself and that of the planet. Great organic veggies are available at the Revelstoke farmer’s market on Saturdays and Mountain Goodness Natural Foods sells organic meat. The D Dutchman Dairy in Sicamous, will deliver local dairy products right to your doorstep. When making informed food choices, the environment should be a factor. A nonorganic Okanagan apple may be a wiser choice than an organic one from New Zealand. An apple was never meant to fly around the world. Making healthy food choices can sometimes cost a little more, but consider what you are buying. Is a longer, more healthful life worth a few extra dollars? When considering the health problems that many North Americans face today, I would consider it money well spent.
Community Connections Revelstoke Society
Providing high quality social services to the community of Revelstoke
EVENTS AND PROGRAMS - FALL 2009 October
September
November
Youth Programs:
Youth Programs:
Youth Programs:
Sept. 9 September Fest at Revelstoke Secondary School for high school students FREE Sept. 16 Welcome Back BBQ at Queen Elizabeth Park for ages 9-12, from 3-5 p.m. FREE Sept. 17 Welcome Back BBQ at Queen Elizabeth Park for ages 13-17, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. FREE Sept. 23 Go-Carting for ages 9-12, from 3-6 p.m. Please Register by calling 837-2920, ext. 27 Cost: $5 Sept. 24 Host a Meal for ages 13-17, 3:30-7:30 p.m. at Community Connections. Please register by calling 837-2920, ext. 27 FREE Sept. 29 Clothing Swap for ages 9-17, from 3-5 p.m. at the Rec. Centre. Clothing donations welcome. FREE Sept. 30 Tie Dyeing for ages 9-12, from 3-5 p.m. at Community Connections FREE
Oct. 1 Movie Night for ages 13-17 at Community Connections from 3:30-6 p.m. FREE Oct. 5-9 Penny/Bottle Drive Fundraiser for ages 9-17. Please register at (250) 837-2920, ext. 27. Oct. 28 Halloween Chocolate and Candy Apples for ages 9-12 from 3-5 p.m. Please register at (250) 837-2920, ext. 27. FREE Oct. 29 Halloween Chocolate and Candy Apples for ages 13-17 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Please register at (250) 837-2920, ext. 27. FREE * More events to come! Please watch for upcoming calendars at Community Connections and throughout the community.
Nov. 21 Family Dance Fundraiser for ages 13 and under at the Revelstoke Community Centre. * More events to come! Please watch for upcoming calendars at Community Connections and throughout the community.
Other Programs: Thursday Morning PACT Group - continues every Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Other Programs: Sept. 15 The Free Positive Parenting Series (6 sessions) and brief workshops begin. This month’s workshop will be Single Parent Families. For information or to register contact Mareena Buchanan, parent educator. (250) 837-2920. PACT Every Thursday Morning - Parent & Child Drop-in from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Food Skills for Families - This is a call to all who enjoy food. Come and learn how to cook simple meals while learning healthy cooking/eating skills that can also assist in meeting your budget. This series of 6 classes will help you to: - gain hands-on cooking experience - try out and adapt simple recipes to take home - learn about nutrition, making healthy food choices, safe food handling and storage, meal planning, healthy snacks, shopping - meet your cultural, social and financial needs - share in the enjoyment of the food and making new friends Dates and times TBA. For further information, contact Patti Larson at (250) 837-2920, ext. 28. Sept. 24 Good Neighbour Day with Revelstoke Florist Revelstoke Florist will be hosting their 4th annual “Good Neighbour Day” fundraiser for Community Connections Food Bank. Customers will receive a bouquet of six roses and keep one for themselves while giving the other five away. This encourages all neighbours to help create a friendlier, more caring and compassionate world through the gift of flowers while supporting the Food Bank.
Positive Parenting Series - Blended Families. Times subject to participant preference. Co-parenting After Separation Workshop Dates and times TBA. For further information, contact Mareena Buchanan, parent educator. (250) 837-2920.
Ongoing Programs: Clinical Services at Community Connections Clinical Services provides counselling services to individuals, couples and families who may be facing challenges in a number of areas including relationships, depression, anxiety, trauma, addictions, violence and stress. Counselling is provided free by qualified counsellors. Call (250) 837-2920.
Other Programs: Thursday Morning PACT Group - continues every Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Positive Parenting - Parenting Pre-teens. Times subject to participant preference. Fathers Only Workshop Dates and times TBA. For further information, contact Mareena Buchanan, parent educator. (250) 837-2920.
December Dec. 9 Singing for Supper 7:00 p.m.Revelstoke United Church An evening of song and celebration featuring Tom Jackson and guests. This cross-Canada concert series is raising funds for food banks and food programs. Stretching coast to coast - from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island - this 18-stop tour is a unique and affordable Christmas event crafted for families. An evening of Christmas music - both traditional and non-traditional - best defines this two-hour evening. For more information on this event, please contact Patti Larson at (250) 837-2920, ext. 28.
Come have some fun at Jumping Jacks Preschool! Jumping Jacks Preschool is a non-profit, all inclusive preschool. Our aim is to provide your preschooler with an enriched and nurturing environment that facilitates learning through play. We also offer the Seeds of Empathy Program – the younger sibling of the Roots of Empathy programs. This program focuses on developing the children’s literacy skills on identifying the children’s own feelings and developing empathy through visits with our Seeds of Empathy baby and his parents. Come and join us for a jam-packed program that includes daily art activities, singing, large muscle movement, games, story time (literacy), table top toys, sensory table, creative drama/house center, lots of toys and more! We have 2 classes to choose from: Monday/Wednesday/Friday’s or Tuesday/Thursday’s. Class times for 3-5 year old’s are: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. For more information or to register, call us in the mornings at (250) 837-5773 during the school year. Or call Community Connections anytime at: (250) 837-2920. Jumping Jacks is located at 1550 Illecillewaet Road. The Supported Child Development Program at Community Connections The SCDP provides support to children ages 3-6. The program is for parents who have concerns about their child’s development and supports children having trouble being successful in a staffed early learning environment. Parents who are concerned about their child’s development can refer themselves to the program by calling (250) 837-2920.
All photos provided by Community Connections
The Infant Development Program at Community Connections The Infant Development Program serves children from birth to age 3, who are at risk for, or who already have a delay in development. Development consists of gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, language and personal-social skills. Families who are concerned about their infant’s development can refer themselves to the program by calling (250) 837-2920, ext. 24.
Food skills for families series
Halloween pet week at Jumping Jacks
Blowing bubbles at Jumping Jacks
(250) 837-2920 www.community-connections.ca 6
Photos: Doug Marshall
The Resort Report News and Updates NEW! Revelstoke Outdoors Centre (ROC)
Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) announces the Revelstoke Outdoors Centre (ROC), located at the foot of the Revelation Gondola in Nelson Lodge. ROC will provide mountain education, awareness and performance programs. Call or stop by for bookings for snow school, cat skiing, heli-skiing, backcountry touring and avalanche awareness courses. Programs can be catered to individual interests.
ROC Programs include:
• Introduction to ski touring and split boarding • Guided Day Ski Touring – a full day guided experience in the backcountry of Revelstoke • Avalanche Skills Training (AST1) • First Tracks Cat Skiing
Opening Day! Saturday, December 5, 2009 Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Skiing from Nelsen Lodge Packages Include: • Day Heli-Skiing – Small group heli-skiing from Nelsen Lodge is a great introduction to a heli experience with Selkirk Tangiers. • Private and Semi Private Heli-Skiing – Available for single-day or multi-day packages. Rates are available for Nelsen Lodge owners and hotel guests.
New Services: Dining at Nelsen Lodge
Whether you stop by for breakfast, lunch, après ski or an exquisite evening dining experience, our new Pan-Asian and traditional American fare in the village centre will be a welcome addition to Revelstoke’s restaurant scene. Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Monashee Mountains, the restaurant will offer a delicious range of menu options, specialty cocktails and great B.C. wines.
BIG News!
Revelstoke Mountain Resort and Mountain Sports International have signed a three year commitment to host the Freeskiing World Tour at RMR. Revelstoke will be the only location in Canada to host this prestigious event series, which acknowledges that RMR is already recognized as one of the top resorts in the world. The first event takes place in Revelstoke January 8-10, 2010. Other locations include La Parva, Chile; Kirkwood, California; Snowbird, Utah, and Alyeska, Alaska.
What is Competitive Big Mountain Freeskiing?
Competitors are given a start gate and a finish line and what they do with the mountain in between is up to them. Competitive Big Mountain Freeskiing attracts the best skiers in the world.
2009/2010 season pass rates starting at $559 before Thursday, October 1st, 2009! Also Available at RMR: • Weddings and Family Reunions The Day Lodge at RMR is available for private bookings and is the perfect location for your family reunion or wedding. With spectacular views of the Monashees and on-site catering provided by Great White North, this is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after event locations in Revelstoke! • Special Events Small business conferences for up to 150 people • High Performance skis for sale Stop by Guest Services at Nelsen Lodge to get the best deal on second-hand high performance powder, carving and big mountain skis. A variety of brands and lengths are available.
Combining speed, style and technique, skiers lay huge carves on open faces, negotiate tight chutes, launch 30 to 100 foot cliffs, while throwing a myriad of tricks into the mix. Competitors are judged in five categories and the skier who pushes the limits while maintaining control and exhibiting style, will stand at the top of the podium.
Photo: Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Programs/Courses Level 1 Prep Course
CSIA Level 1 Course
AST Level 1
Dates*:
Dates: Dec. 19 – 22 Feb. 9 – 12 Mar. 8 – 11
Dates: Dec. 12 - 13 Jan. 2 - 3 Feb. 13 - 14
Jan. 23, 24, 30 and 31 Feb. 6 and 7 or Feb. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28.
*More dates can be added as needed
Ages: 14-16 (we can also hold one for adults should there be enough interest)
Revelstoke Mountain Resort 250-814-0087 info@revelstokemountainresort.com
SNOWPHONE: 250-837-REVY(7389)
Voted "Best Downhill Terrain in Pacific Northwest" by onthesnow.com
7
Get Outta Here
travels from afar...
by Heather Lea
On a cool, fall evening in 2007 when the leaves were turning in Canada, I was getting my bare ass slapped by a woman with a moustache in Istanbul. I was fresh off a 72 day bike tour in which five friends and I had cycled from Paris to Istanbul and thought I'd reward myself with a Turkish bath of warm, soothing waters and body massage. That wasn’t how it worked out. I asked the owner of my hostel where I could get the full Turkish bath experience without paying tourist prices. He gave directions that led me off into the confusing corners of downtown Istanbul. Eventually, I found the building, which looked seedy and unimpressive. I thought about leaving but was committed by interest and walked in. An old woman with attached eyebrows approached and showed me to a change area where I slipped out of my street clothes and into some cracked, well-used flip-flops and a tatty-looking towel. I was guided to the women-only bath area.
Steamy shafts of light came through cracks in the steeple above my head and the room was muggy and claustrophobic with its wetness. A steady dripping came from the urinal-like urns mounted to the walls. The old woman turned to me and I could now see her beard, which reminded me of old, dead trees in a sparse forest. Suddenly, she barked an English word "WASH!" and gestured for me to sit on the marble steps by the urns.
Photo: Heather Lea
The Turkish 'Bath'
View from hostel roof in Istanbul. Asia in background. It greatly concerned me to sit on the wet surface where everyone's parts had been. Even the old lady seemed a little ill at ease with the grayish Pleading in my head, I asked that she not by my scrubber. balls of dead skin from past bathers but she turned and left In my Turkish bath quest, I’d had visions of a more nurturwithout comment. ing, motherly sort, with soft hands and more clothes.
I took a plastic bowl from beside the urn and began to splash water over my-self assuming this was what WASH! meant. Somewhat wet now, I sat and waited for a good 10 minutes, modestly trying to cover myself with my hands while I watched what a local woman across from me was doing. She seemed to be overly enjoying herself and hardly noticed me until, unsure about what to do next, I got up and made for the door. She looked up with a puzzled expression and said, "Finish?"
Photo: Heather Lea
I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing! Was this just a public shower stall? Should I have brought soap? She had some... maybe I could borrow hers. And where did the massage factor in? Impatient, I wrapped the thin towel around me and went back out into the foyer, feeling the flip-flops flicking water up my thighs.
Evening street life in Istanbul
From Our Readers Revelstoke: the B.C. town with Aloha Spirit! submitted by Robert Bishop
I travel a lot. I came from the Mariana Islands to Revelstoke in September 2007. I had an idea of producing a Revelstoke Community phone book. I didn’t know anyone, no one knew me. I gave it three days to make a decision. The first day I wandered through the town, waterfront and residential areas. I saw mature trees everywhere, even in people's yards. Most towns cut down all their big trees out of fear, “maybe they’ll fall on us”. I saw clean streets with smiling people saying “hello”. Drivers stopping in the road to let me jaywalk and waving to me. Dogs didn’t yap at me when I walked by. Such a difference from the bigger towns and cities I usually have to work in. It reminded me of the towns on Maui and Kauai. Days two and three were to talk to the business owners; I needed their support to do the phone book. I expected them to direct me back to the highway with the usual excuses, “Everyone in town knows me. Don’t need to spend
money on advertising. I’ll wait and see your book, see what it looks like”, etc. etc. I’ve heard all the excuses to dismiss something new but I didn’t hear that from the Revelstoke business owners. They talked to me, listened to my idea and said they’d give me a chance to do the phone book. Since those three days in September, I’ve told everyone I meet, everywhere I go, that Revelstoke is the B.C. town with Aloha Spirit, just like Maui (but no warm ocean). When I meet people who have been to Revelstoke, they agree, so I know it’s not just me who loves this town.
There was a shocked murmuring in the foyer when I came out. The old lady waddled over, angry, and push-guided me back into the bath growling, "WASH!" and left in a huff. I suddenly wondered if I’d stumbled into a Turkish prison. Back in the thick, moist room, I splashed bowl after bowl of water over myself until I was thoroughly bored. Finally, the old lady came back but I wasn’t glad. She was naked. Except for a black pair of bikini underwear.
That said, there were a few business owners who directed me to the highway. You’ll find their names listed in the phone book under the heading ‘Cranky Old Buggas’. Thank You, Revelstoke. With love, Robert Bishop.
Submit your story: If you have a story, we'd love to hear it! Write to editor@reved.net 8
But maybe she was just coming in to bath herself? A slap from her hand on a giant slab of marble was an abrupt come-hither to where the shafts of wavery sun fell into the room. I went over to the butcher’s block hesitantly. She aggressively forced me down onto my back. I tried eye contact but she was having none of that. She then began a vigorous rub down with a sponge that looked like a wire pot cleaner, which started at my feet and ended at my face. Should we be mixing toe jam with blackheads? A smack on the thigh signalled I was to turn over. I lay face down and wondered about soap. Another vigorous rub down and a WASH! slap, this time on the ass. What was with all the slapping? Did people normally drift off in pleasure around here? Back at the urn, I poured water over my head thinking of how I would immediately go back for a shower at my hostel when I got out of here. Another slap on the marble - my cue. I went over and was relieved to see a bar of soap this time. She went at me, scrubbing my arms and I watched embarrassed as my limp hands slapped against her long, sagging breasts while she worked. I averted my attention to my arm at one point and was astonished to see gloppy balls of dead skin all over me - disgusting! But somehow, fascinating... There was so much lather that I was hard to get a good hold on. She kept trying to grasp an arm or a leg but it was like using your hands to catch a fish. I reached a breaking point and began to laugh in great, gulping sobs and she slapped my ass. "WASH!" I limped back to the urn, slipping a couple times on the soapy floor with my soapy feet. There was a shampoo session next; my face between her breasts as she scrubbed my scalp. I couldn’t breathe until she pulled my head back and with a resounding shhhlock, the seal was broken and I choked air into my lungs. Then, by the grace of God, it was over. In the change room, I crawled, raw and stinging, into my clothes, which now felt like sandpaper. At the cash register, she came at me sporting a smile around her hairy mouth. Hovering at my shoulders, she gestures to my wallet as I pay. I am still coherent enough to understand that this means I give her a tip. I do because I am terrified of the kind of severe torture she reserves for non-tippers….
Heritage Moments
Woolsey Creek- From Mining to Dining
MUSICNOTES
Photo courtesy of Revelstoke Museum & Archives
by Karen McColl An untitled article from the Revelstoke Museum Archives circa 1918 reads, Revelstoke began its existence as a mining town but you never would suspect it. Whatever it may have looked like in its early days, its appearance today is very different from the popular conception of a mining community.
Regardless of Revelstoke’s past or present exterior, it would be hard David Woolsey's mine up Albert Canyon in 1887. to deny the livelihoods that mining provided for many Revelstoke-area families around the turn of the 19th century. Luckily, some of these pioneers left small traces of their heritage for us to ponder. One of these people is David Woolsey, a local miner, whose ‘stakes of fame’ earned him timeless recognition in the form of a nearby creek named after him. Although Woolsey Creek is perhaps best-known these days as the restaurant in town that bears its name, it wasn’t always so. Years ago, Woolsey Creek would have evoked images of silver and lead ore, and not necessarily the savoury meals that we now think of. Previously known as Silver Creek, the Woolsey Creek drainage forms the eastern boundary of Mount Revelstoke National Park and empties into the Illecillewaet River 30 km east of Revelstoke near the Trans-Canada Highway. This was a profitable area and much of the mining development here was led by David Woolsey.
On that note . . . by Rikki MacCuish
Another end to a busy summer; the leaves begin to change colour and with the coming of a new season comes a new school year. Time for music lessons! Some music lessons go on hiatus during the summer months but when the school year starts up again, look out. Kids and teens all over Revelstoke will be refreshed and ready to pluck strings, hammer keys and blow horns. Music lessons can be a nice break to the daily toils and troubles of school and children learn a great form of self expression that often leads to other benefits down the line. A recent study published in the Journal Psychology of Music by Joseph M. Piro and Camilo Ortiz performed a study of two separate elementary schools. One offered a steady music program and one didn’t to see if there were any noticeable effects. The children from the first school who received piano lessons as part of their curriculum were found to excel not only in school but in their day-to-day lives. The report noted increased hand-eye co-ordination, improved fine motor skills
and dexterity as well as improvements in literacy, verbal memory, visio-spatial processing, math and the all-important IQ. All this from pressing a few black and white keys a day? Absolutely. If you’ve ever watched your child or had music lessons yourself you know how much dedication, concentration and memorization it takes to put together a simple piece of music whether it’s on the keyboard, guitar, clarinet or bagpipes. Of course, we are in a recession and lessons may not be in the budget for this fall. However, many schools offer music programs and lessons can also be found online for free. Check out www. may-studio-music-lessons.com or www. guitarchops101.com. A quick search on Google will bring up a list of free music instruction sites. Maybe it’s time to dust off that old sixstring that’s been laying in wait in the closet. With a little cleaning and tuning it could become a whole new opportunity for your child. Just make sure they close the door during home practice—you know, to avoid the fingernails-on-chalkboard effect. Happy playing!
Sometime after his death in 1926, Silver Creek was renamed to commemorate the more than 30 years Woolsey worked there and in sites near Albert Canyon. Although Woolsey made his mark in mining, it was the railway industry that originally brought him out west. Born in Ontario in 1865, Woolsey later worked as a brakeman on the first west-bound train to traverse the mountains on the new railway. His arrival in Revelstoke coincided with the short ‘mining boom’ that occurred in the late 19th century, when mining operations were popping up all over the nearby valleys. It appears Woolsey was quick to get involved and although he did a great deal of exploration, he’s best known for his work in the Silver and Clabon Creek areas, which fall north and east of the national park boundaries. After leasing claims in 1917, he discovered others and actively developed them until his death at the age of 61. At the time of his passing Woolsey was fondly remembered by his wife and five children as being “one of the best known and most popular mining men in the province.” During the peak of mining in Silver Creek, there were at least four active mining sites, one of which was in use until the late 1960’s. Although potential still exists in these sites, the future of mining there remains uncertain. What is more certain is that if David Woolsey were alive today, he would probably enjoy telling his stories in the café that shares his name.
Open from 5 p.m. -10 p.m. Every Night Reservations recommended
PEAK IMAGES presents:
Vintage Revelstoke 2010 Calendars A photo collection of Revelstoke's classic cars
To order a 2010 calendar, call 250-837-3347 All net proceeds donated to the Revelstoke Food Bank The Revelstoke Community Band
Reved Quarterly supports non-profit organizations. E-mail for special non-profit advertising rates. Space limited. sales@reved.net
meets every Tuesday night for practice from 7:00-9:00 p.m. We will start up again after the summer break on September 15. For more information contact Terry Marshall. P: 250-837-6865 E: marshall@rctvonline.net www.revelstokecommunityband.ca
9
Congratulations Sister Girl!
for being selected in the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest as one of the 10 Canadian regional finalists for the song, 'Lonesome Rambler', written by Joanne Stacey.
Here's hoping for first place!
THESCENE Le Scoop
Timeline for the launch of a Francophone school in Revelstoke by Karen McColl
Parlez-vous Français? Caroline Grenier does and hopes her children will have the opportunity to have a French language education under the public school system here in Revelstoke. A native of Montreal who moved to Revelstoke with her husband Denis five years ago, Caroline has been spearheading the effort to launch a Francophone school in Revelstoke since early 2008. Caroline, who is volunteering her time for this pursuit, believes being bilingual is important. “Living in Quebec my parents tried to enroll me and my siblings in an Anglophone school, but we were not eligible. I want to give this opportunity to my kids; we live in a bilingual country and I want them to be fluent in English and French.” Caroline’s biggest challenge is getting the commitment from the parents of 10 children who will be between the ages of Kindergarten and Grade two for the starting year. So far she has seven names on her list for 2010 and 11 for 2011. Eligibility is based on at least one parent being Francophone or having received their primary school education in French (excluding French immersion) in Canada. Immigrants are also eligible under the same criteria. Providing a Francophone school system in Canada falls under Charter 23 of the constitution, which states Canadians have the right to receive education in either official language.
school so that there is a gymnasium and other facilities available.” Caroline explained. SD No. 93 is based out of Richmond and runs more than 40 Francophone schools across the province. Nearby Francophone schools are in Nelson, Rossland and Kelowna.
The Streets
From
“What's your favourite activity during the fall months?”
Although Caroline is optimistic for a September 2010 start date, she is even more confident there will be a program in place by the fall of 2011. This is still good timing for her son Louis, now three-and-a-half, to get started in Kindergarten. If all goes as planned her younger daughter Audrey would soon follow. Caroline and Denis are not the only Revelstoke family to plan ahead. Caroline has been approached by a few young couples who are hoping there will be a Francophone school available by the time they decide to have a family.
Brenda Deibert: "Going back to work at the school to see the kids and get caught up."
Arlo Gingerich: "Getting out and taking photographs."
There have also been inquiries from Francophone families outside Revelstoke from as far away as Ottawa - one more aspect making Revelstoke an attractive move for a young family. The Revelstoke Francophone School would start with one mixed classroom for Kindergarten to Grade Two, with the possibility of later expanding. Kindergarten would be a full day to help the children develop their French language skills early - especially important if English is the language spoken at home.
Susan Teuton: "Hiking."
Brittany Wall: "Walking my black lab cross Sally down to the river to swim."
Caroline is inviting any interested families to contact her or to visit the web site of the Conseil Scolaire Francophone de la ColombieBritannique. You can reach Caroline at: Ph: (250) 814-0328. E-mail: ecolefrancophonerevelstoke@yahoo.ca Web SIte: www.csf.bc.ca
Keith Burgart: "Apple season - waiting for the fresh apples."
After Caroline does the leg work it’s up to School District 93 (SD No. 93) to work out all the logistical details with local SD No. 19. This includes finding a location for the small school. “Normally, because there are so few students they would probably share spaces with another
Drew Roberts:
"Walking around at night because it's cool out. Longboarding through the leaves. Leaf jumping."
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Coming Events Sept 12 - Terry Fox fundraiser golf tournament.. Thanksgiving dinner at The Last Drop Winter is fast approaching, so watch for our Apres ` Ski Specials and Entertainment!
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WHAT'SYOURBIZ'NESS? Wild Flight Farm
Mara, B.C.
had left rural life behind to earn a biology degree at the University of Victoria. His days on the farm were over, or so he thought.
cides effectively kill the weeds and bugs.This clearly reduces labour and allows for the veggies to be sold at rock bottom prices. Despite the trucking costs and environmental impact of importing produce from afar, consumers still scoop up these cheap imports.
Over a bounty of fresh cherries, Hermann tells how, 16 years ago, he and Louise transformed a vacant cornfield into a productive market garden. The Bruns had a baby on the way and the young couple, with no outside income or hope for a bank loan, mixed the concrete for their home’s foundation by hand. Soon after, the first seeds were planted outside in the soil. Photo courtesy of Hermann Bruns
As the garden grew and veggies found their way to market, it became apparent that the farm would be too much work for Louise to manage alone and, thus, Hermann found himself back in the fields. His knowledge of farming equipment and construction complimented Louise’s experience growing vegetables. They had always known they would adhere to organic standards, which brings the subject back to the potato beetle.
Hermann and Louise Bruns on their farm in Mara.
by Alison Lapshinoff Every spring Hermann and Louise Bruns, owners of Wild Flight Farm, must hide their potatoes. It’s not what you think. They aren't tucking them in a far reaching cupboard, away from snoopy houseguests and hungry children. No, Hermann and Louise must hide their potatoes from the potato beetle. Wild Flight Farm, whose fresh, organic produce can be found every Saturday at Revelstoke’s Farmer’s Market, grew from a 25 acre field of corn in Mara, B.C. Pleasingly situated in a wide valley framed by mountains on the banks of the Shuswap River, Wild Flight is the farm from which the colourful, market veggies that we hungrily consume every week are planted, grown and harvested by hand. Having a market garden was Louise’s venture. Hermann, having grown up on an adjacent dairy farm,
Wild Flight is a certified organic farm, meaning it may not, among a host of other regulations, use artificial fertilizer, synthetic pesticides or seeds treated with a fungicidal coating. Thus, the pesky potato beetle lives on. Every spring the potatoes are planted in a different spot, buying the farmers some time while the beetles diligently search the farm. The carrot fly is another pest fighting for life on an organic farm. Row upon row of feathery carrot greens are shrouded in a protective white gauze, keeping these flies off the precious orange root. Without the simplicity of using a chemical spray to kill all manner of creature daring to venture too close to the crops, organic farmers must be more creative. Most of the vegetables we purchase at the supermarket have been grown on enormous farms that produce only one crop. The plants have been ‘spoon fed’ the nutrients they need in the form of synthetic fertilizers that make them grow large quickly. Pesticides and herbi-
Emerging by Colin Titsworth
Our local ski hill is the prime training ground for rapid skill acceleration of helmet-headed tykes breaking into the ski scene. It’s humbling when pint-sized skiers tear past you on the slopes but that’s standard in these parts. Youngsters are mentored by parents and professionals but they are pushed to progress by their fellow ski buddies. Before long they ditch the guardians and form powder shredding posses that lap the mountain from open to close. These juniors will be transfixed when some of the planet’s premier skiers compete at the World Freeski Tour stopping in Revelstoke from Wednesday to Sunday, January 6-10, 2010. Revelstoke Mountain Resort has developed new programming to help foster young skiers into competent big mountain skiers. Weekend courses run in sessions that are eight weeks long and will teach your little ones to point-it down the mountain. The All Mountain Club is for ages 10-13 who want to step up their level of skiing with the help of professional instructors. These kids will be toured around the ski area boundary and taught the best techniques for handling diverse terrain and snow conditions. There is also the Revelstoke Freestyle Ski Club for youth who train and compete in moguls and big air competitions throughout the province. Revelstoke’s World Freeski competition will not have a junior category this year but there is an open qualifying round for locals who want in the competition. Junior big mountain skiing competitions have been increasing in popularity over the past decade with annual competitions held at Red Mountain, Fernie and Lake Louise. Mix a starting gate and a finish line with gnarly terrain and you have yourself a freeski venue. Technique, fluidity, control, aggressiveness and choice of line are critiqued by three judges who examine a series of elimination rounds.
11
As the long summer days give in to cool, autumn evenings, the work does not end on the farm. The first seeds are sown in mid-February and harvesting continues until November. However, some crops, such as corn salad (mache) and claytonia (miner’s lettuce) can be harvested in the wintertime. And some plants, such as spinach, green onion, lettuce and kale, will survive winter’s frosts and can be planted in the fall, giving them a head start for an earlier spring harvest. In Revelstoke, the farmer’s market continues indoors throughout the winter. Crops such as squash, carrots, onions, cabbage, beets and rutabaga, to name only a few, store exceptionally well and allow us to continue eating locally throughout the season. After all, in the days before jet planes and cheap imports, it was veggies like the hardy turnip and long-lasting potato that saw us through our long, dark winters. High demand, good vibes and friendly faces have kept the Bruns coming back to Revelstoke. With Wild Flight, you can get your fix of organic veggies and feel good about buying locally from a down to earth farming family who employ sustainable, earth friendly farming methods. Look for them in the Revelstoke Farmer's Market this fall. During the winter, Wild Flight can be found every Thursday after 2:00 p.m. at the Revelstoke Community Centre.
Volunteer Job-pick
Revelstoke's Youth Freeskiin’ Youngsters
A blend of qualified instructors, relentless snowfall, massive mountains and high-speed lifts puts Revelstoke youth in the ideal position to become elite freeskiers. The ability to choose your terrain, manage your speed and explore thousands of acres instills a sense of freedom. The beauty about freeskiing is there doesn’t need to be a competition, instructors, a club or even a resort. The requirements are simply a snow-filled mountain with you on your skis.
Organic farmers have a different philosophy: instead of fertilizing the plants artificially, they cultivate a healthy soil. Hermann and Louise have 25 acres of property but only use 10 to produce crops. The remainder is a messy tangle of oat, alfalfa and pea plants that are known for their nitrogen fixing properties. At the end of the season, this ‘green manure’ is tilled into the soil, improving its health for the following year. Crop rotation is an important aspect of organic farming.
Volunteer opportunities in your community Fruit Pickers
by Colin Titsworth Harvest season marks the opportunity for one of the best volunteer jobs of the year. Volunteer fruit pickers working for Bear Aware and Community Connections are gleaning Revelstoke to help people and bears. Gleaning is terminology for the act of collecting unwanted or unused food for the benefit of others. Centuries ago, gleaning was a way of life for peasants who would scrounge the fields for grain after the main harvest. Modern-day gleaning distributes provisions from food outlets and plentiful gardens to grateful citizens. Berries and fruit are cleared from people’s yards who may not have the time or means to do it themselves. Eliminating the backyard buffet for bears and bringing the fruit produce to Revelstoke Food Bank is working to help feed people and reduce bear conflicts within our city. Gleaning just makes sense and being a volunteer gleaner does not mean you have to live in a tent by the river. Gleaners only need outdoor work apparel, volunteer spirit and an appetite for snacking while working. The two bear statues at Grizzly Plaza symbolize we live in bear country but the real evidence is the claw-marked garbage cans, broken fruit trees and bear scat in our gardens. The arrival of a bear is usually signified by an outraged dog barking in the night. This triggers other dogs to freak-out and sets off a chain reaction of motion lights throughout the neighbourhood. Once the bear has been detected it will find a place to hide, like the apple tree of your neighbours who are in Mexico. Bear Aware can help with these issues and your neighbours will be happy their fruit was eaten by humans and not the bears. Bear Aware is a program that reminds us how to conduct ourselves with issues that affect the furry omnivores that surround Revelstoke. Their mission is to “reduce bear/human conflict in the community of Revelstoke.” This is a challenging objective in a town that now has more seasonal people unaccustomed to living in bear country. Detecting and addressing concerns before they become a problem can often save these animals from getting killed and dumped in the woods. Harsh but true. Revelstoke Bear Aware is a non-profit organization that relies on the support and actions of the community for its continued success. Local folk are welcome to sign up for picking duty by contacting Revelstoke Bear Aware at 250-837-8624 or Community Connections Food Bank at 250-837-2920.
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r eved publications writing and publishing
Hotels/B&B's
$ = under $60 $$ = $60 - $90 $$$ = $90 - $110 $$$$ = $110 and up
Cheeky Beaver Chalet 802 2nd St. West
250-837-5886
$$
301 Wright St.
250-837-2191
$$$$
1616 Dogwood Drive
250-837-4601
$-$$$$
2 km east of Revelstoke off Hwy 1
250-837-3322
$$$$
523 3rd St. West
250-837-3262
$$$
815 MacKenzie Ave.
250-837-9337
$$$
201 2nd St. West
250-837-5151
$$
112 1st St.
250-837-2107
$$$$
1101 Victoria Rd.
250-837-4650
$$-$$$$
Days Inn
Grumpy Bear Lodge Hillcrest Hotel
Inn on the River
Minto Manor B&B
Powder Springs Inn Regent Inn
Swiss Chalet Motel
Reved Quarterly is published independently by Reved Publications. Please turn to the front page for complete contact information or find us online at reved.net Thanks for reading Reved!
Restaurants/Pubs
$ = under $15 $$ = $15 - 25 $$$ = $25 and up
Conversations Cafe
205 Mackenzie Ave.
250-837-4772
$
5km west of revelstoke on Hwy 1
250-837-3495
$$
located in the Hillcrest Hotel
250-837-3322
$$
109 1st St. East
250-837-2467
$-$$$
212 Mackenzie Ave.
250-837-6886
$
116 First St. West
250-837-2112
$
112 1st St.
250-837-2107
$-$$
201 2nd St. West
250-837-5151
$$
1601 West Victoria St.
250-837-4211
$
112 1st St.
250-837-2194
$$
306 Mackenzie Ave
250-837-6240
$$
604 2nd St. West
250-837-5500
$$
112 1st St.
250-837-2107
$$-$$$
Great White North
Hillcrest Dining Room Kawakubo Sushi Sake Steak
Modern Bake Shop & Cafe Paramjit's Kitchen River City Pub The Last Drop
The Nomad Food Company Traverse Lounge Club Village Idiot Pub
WRITE TO US editor@reved.net On the Web www.reved.net
Reved Quarterly is partially sponsored by:
Woolsey Creek Bistro
112 Restaurant & Lounge