December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 1 ECO TREE TRADITION 9 Vol. 9/Issue 49 Your Weekly Source for News and Events December 7, 2012 Serving The Upper Columbia Valley including Spillimacheen, Brisco, Edgewater, Radium, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and Canal Flats P IONEER The Columbia Valley FREE YOUTH CENTRE AIDED 5 SKI SEASON PREVIEW 19-20 kscu.com In life, being flexible keeps you open to opportunity. Ask us about the early redemption options on our Kootenay Saver term deposit and other investments. Great rates, flexibility, and as always, our 100% deposit guarantee. Trust Kootenay Savings. Stay flexible. term deposits TFSAs profit sharing RRSPs better. together. RAPID RACERS Paralympic medalist Kimberly Joines, of Team Canad a, competes in the Women’s Slalom Sitting category at the International Paralympic Committee Alpine Ski races at Panorama Mountain Village. To learn more about the pre-season training and races at the resort, see page 30. RESTAURANT OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER See our ad on Page 12 250-342-0562 Photo by Kristian Rasmussen
Transcript
December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 1
ECO TREE TRADITION
9
Vol. 9/Issue 49 Your Weekly Source for News and Events December 7, 2012
Serving The Upper Columbia Valley including Spillimacheen, Brisco, Edgewater, Radium, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and Canal Flats
PioneerThe Columbia ValleyFREE
yOuTh CENTRE AIDED
5
skI sEAsON pREvIEw
19-20
kscu.com
In life, being flexible keeps you open to opportunity. Ask us about the early redemption options on our Kootenay Saver term deposit and other investments. Great rates, flexibility, and as always, our 100% deposit guarantee. Trust Kootenay Savings.
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Enter to win a bath robe, a bottle of wine and a $75 voucher to Elements Grill. To enter, email your answer to the following question to [email protected]. Question: Name one of the entreés “From � e Grill” featured on the
Elements Grill dinner menu. Need a hint? Visit www.copperpointresort.com . Contest ends December 14th.
The 19th annual Big Christmas Craft Sale at the Invermere Community Hall drew hundreds of eager shoppers looking to bag everything from hot pepper jelly to jewelry on November 30th and December 1st.
Pictured, clockwise, from top left: Joanne Gillette (left) receives some professional gift advice from It’s A Wrap
Specialty Gifts and Baskets owner Jayne Magrie; 14-month-old Chloe Hamilton enjoys the light display of Christmas Craft Fair organizer and La Galeria II owner Carolyn Barzilay; shoppers abound during the opening night of the craft fair on Friday, November 30th. Photos by Kristian Rasmussen
Follow us on…Pioneer Newspaper@PioneerNewsTip
December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3
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By Kristian RasmussenPioneer Staff
An Invermere woman has learned that a barrage of bad news, which backed up into her Fort Point home, may soon be flushed away by the District of Invermere.
Burdette Coates Storey has been paying sewer connection fees to the district for the past 24 years without actually being hooked up to the city system.
The Invermere woman, who has paid out an es-timated $6,400 in fees, learned on November 20th that the district plans to excavate and attach a $5,000 sewer line, free of charge, from her home to the dis-trict sewer connection at the property line.
“I am quite happy with the district of Invermere if they get this all done,” Ms. Storey said. “It hasn’t lowered my opinion of them at all.”
The local woman, who lives in the 1600 block of 1A Avenue, bought her property in December 1987. The listing sheet, as well as the town record of the property, states that the home is connected to the dis-trict sewer system.
Ms. Storey first noticed an issue with her septic service when she had grey water back up into her home during the summer, which cost $1,000 to fix.
“The back up was minimal because it was on tile and cement, which we cleaned up ourselves and then had Roto Rooter come in to open the line, which in-
volved cutting out roots that caused it to plug.”The contractor recommended that the homeowner
receive a camera inspection of her sewer line, which dis-played a problem. Another contractor was then hired to excavate the line, revealing that the home was only attached to a septic tank and not a city connection.
“If we had known, we would have had it [the sep-tic tank] pumped regularly, though we would prob-ably instead have arranged to have it hooked to the city sewer in the beginning.”
The unanimous decision to fund the upgrade to the property was made at the November 27th Invermere council meeting, said Gerry Taft, Invermere Mayor.
Sewer solution served up in Fort Point
Continued on page 10 . . .
By Kristian RasmussenPioneer Staff
as bears around the Columbia Valley settle in for the season, Invermere and Radium Bear aware coordi-nator Crystal leonard can recall a season of heartbreak and triumph.
While no bears were harmed in the Radium area this season, Invermere and Wilmer had five bears destroyed, which began with an adult black bear in early September in Wilmer. The bear was believed to have gained entry to a home through a sliding door. The animal was eventu-ally captured and destroyed on September 5th.
“It was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was assumed it was the one breaking into houses and so it was destroyed,” Ms. leonard told the Radium Hot Springs council at their November 28th meeting, one night after giving a similar talk to Invermere’s council.
Two weeks after the boar was killed, a sow and two
cubs, who leonard believes were actually responsible for the original break in, were also caught gaining entry to a Wilmer home via a sliding door left ajar for a family cat. They were trapped and destroyed on September 19th.
an additional black bear was also shot and killed af-ter it strayed dangerously far into suburban Invermere and was found rummaging through garbage near eileen Madson Primary school on September 13th.
although five bears were lost, Ms. leonard was able to work on saving the lives of others through Bear aware programs enacted over the season. In the Radium area, Ms. leonard was able to use her forensic detec-tive skills to trace back addresses she found on mail lit-tered among garbage torn into by a bear. locating the owners of the mail, she was able to educate them on how to make disposal bins bear proof.
Most business owners in the Radium area were re-ceptive to Ms. leonard’s requests; however, some needed a little more convincing.
“I had to use the conservation officer for some interac-tions,” she added. “lawrence (Umsonst) went around to all the red flag businesses that I talked to a number of times. after he spoke with them, most of the bins were locked.”
Despite her success with the majority of the busi-nesses on the Radium strip, there was one establishment, which Ms. leonard did not name, so resistant to change that Conservation Officer Umsonst recommended that the Bear aware coordinator avoid contact.
Ms. leonard was also faced with issues around at-tractants in Invermere. During nightly patrols of the athalmer Transfer Station, she noticed a sow and three cubs inside the bin area for two nights in a row on Sep-tember 9th and 10th.
“as I pulled up there was a lady throwing her gar-bage right beside the mama bear and she didn’t even no-tice,” Crystal said.
Bear Aware goes into hibernation
Continued on page 14 . . .
4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer December 7, 2012
RCMP ReportSubmitted by Staff Sgt. Marko ShehovacColumbia Valley RCMP
MovemberThe detachment raised almost $2,600 for Movember,
which is over our goal of $2,000. We reached and sur-passed our goal with the help of the community (no doubt motivated by my insane commitment to dye my hair RCMP gang colors). Thanks to Julie, with the assistance of Teresa Rogel who donated the colours, I am sporting streaked hair. The colour will be there until it fades and my hair grows back. Many thanks to family, friends and our community for helping us reach our goal. And thanks for being responsible for my new look.
• On November 29th at 5 a.m., detachment mem-bers were called out to a disturbance at a residence on Subdivision Road, with an intoxicated man causing damage. The man was arrested on an outstanding war-rant out of Cranbrook and was removed from the house.
• The detachment received a complaint of harassment regarding the actions of an adult man. The actions were suf-ficient enough to forward a report to Crown requesting a peace bond be approved and brought before the courts. A peace bond requested through section 810 of the criminal code is not a criminal charge, but allows the person to be brought before the courts and to have conditions placed upon them, if the court determines that the grounds exists.
• On November 29th at 8:30 p.m., police responded to a complaint of a vehicle taken without the owner’s consent. It was located at approx 1:45 a.m. on Kootenay #3 Road. The 40-year-old male driver from Invermere was determined to be impaired and a breath demand was given. The male blew over the .08 limit and was charged with impaired driving and driving with a blood alcohol concentration over .08. The driver will be appearing in Invermere Provincial Court March 11th.
• On December 2nd at 8:30 a.m., a Columbia Val-ley detachment member attended a complaint of a single vehicle accident on Highway 93/95 near Columbia Lake Road, just south of Fairmont Hot Springs. A north-bound 2003 Volkswagen Jetta driven by a Canal Flats woman hit a deer that ran out in front of the car. The car
was damaged but was drivable. The driver was uninjured.• On December 2nd at 1:15 p.m., an officer respond-
ed to a second single vehicle accident on Westside Road. A 2002 Kia Rio was being driven down an embankment from a driveway in the 7800 block of Westside Road to turn left onto Westside Road. Due to road conditions, the vehicle began to slide and went off the road to the right and overturned into a steep ditch. The vehicle suffered roof and window damage, while the driver was uninjured.
• On December 3rd, a 2002 GMC Sierra was located on its side on Athalmer Hill. No plates were found on the vehicle. No-one was located inside the pickup truck, nor did it appear the vehicle was stolen. There was no indi-cation that anyone was hurt. The Vehicle Identification Number was run and it was determined that the insurance had expired on the vehicle. It was towed, with instructions of no release until the driver has a chat with police.
FairnessAn important quality a police officer must be able to
master, is the ability to be firm but fair. This is a quality that, in my opinion, is not something you simply in-herit, nor is it at times easily taught. It is something you learn from observing others.
Parents seem to have a great deal of influence in this matter. In my case, I learned a lot in regards to being firm but fair from my father. Everything was 50/50 with Dad. I credit him for instilling this in me.
One example was, while growing up, my three sisters had to have a meeting with Dad. I’m the oldest, and the only boy in the family. During a serious sit down my sisters asked Dad why he loved his son more than his daughters. Needless to say, he was quite upset and a little offended by this as it went against his beliefs and outlook on life.
He looked them straight in the eyes and explained that it’s always 50/50 with him to be fair. He explained that Marko has 50 per cent of my love and you three girls divide the other 50 per cent.
So, if some of you question my fairness when it comes to dealing with the public, please realize my un-derstanding of what fairness is. I hope it is still years to come, but I think I will do well when it comes to the reading of the will.
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December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5
By Greg AmosPioneer Staff
A few big donations make all the difference for a community group – just ask Invermere’s Summit Youth Centre.
With some proceeds from this year’s Kelly Hrudey Charity Golf Classic and a pair of unso-licited donations from Calgarian visitors to the valley during that event, the centre is undergo-ing a transformation aimed at making it a popu-lar, safe and fun place for youth to hang out.
“To change the look and feel, this is our goal in the next couple of months,” said Magali Larochelle, who was hired as the youth centre’s program coordinator in October. “The youth have to recognize themselves here; I want them involved.”
Through past board member Brian Schaal, the general manager of Copper Point Golf Club, the youth centre lined up a significant donation from the proceeds of the Kelly Hrudey tournament held in August, allowing the charity to expand the pro-grams being offered for youth aged 12 to 18.
“A little is going a huge ways; it’s been a game changer for us, the connection that’s been made,” said board chair Sherry Doerr of the recently-secured funding. Though the
centre benefits annually from a B.C. Community Gam-ing Grant that’s normally delivered in January, there’s no guarantee that funding will stay intact from year to year, she explained.
The youth centre occupies a second-floor space in the Invermere Community Hall, and the changes will begin with a re-painting and overhaul of the interior. The centre has added regular outings to yoga sessions,
rock climbing, and swims at the Radium Hot Springs pool, and is launching a new website that’s expected to be up and running early this month.
It’s a space that already boasts pool and foos-ball tables, computers and wireless Internet, Wii and Xbox video game consoles, board games, hockey equipment and a net, an electric organ and a drumset. A kitchen within the youth cen-tre allows for pizza nights, Mexican nights, and more. Yet despite the assets, the centre has seen declining interest for several years.
“People are coming back to the centre now,” said Mrs. Doerr, who described the effect of the donations as “energizing” for a board that now has eight members including former youth cen-tre program coordinator Matthew Chapman, plus a past member and advisor, since its annual general meeting on November 7th.
The golf tournament connection could also help the centre secure matching funds from government sources in the future, she added.
“If they see the community is supporting and fund-ing the youth programs, I believe it means they under-stand it’s something the community values, and they’re willing to put their money into it,” said Mrs. Doerr.
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Summit Youth Centre energized by donations
YOUTH REVOLUTION - Invermere’s Summit Youth Centre is beginning a major surge in new activities, as well as an interior re-design, explained youth centre program coordinator Magali Larochelle. Photo by Greg Amos
Continued on page 8 . . .
6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer December 7, 2012
perspective
Stop trashing the transfer station
By Greg Amos
The columbia valley is a beautiful place, with a rugged nature that both provides shelter and exposes us to the raw power of the elements. Our mountains can be a backdrop of green alpine pastures amidst light breezes and sunshine on a warm summer’s day. A few short months later, wintery winds and driving snow can reduce even the most seasoned outdoors enthusiast to a shivering shell of Gore-tex material.
it is this volatility that humbles us as residents. to live on the fringes of civilization in the shadow of nature’s benevolence or indifference requires us to rely upon each other as neighbours and friends. Like a chinook sweeping down from the mountains, good fortune can strike, or bad luck can lash out without warning.
Over the past two weeks, the columbia valley has shown its recognition of the fact that anyone can suddenly find themselves deeply in need.
From cancer awareness and fundraising events such as the various Movember activities in the valley, to charity food drives such as the Feed the town event last sunday, people in the valley show they never forget to look out for their community.
When one event no longer has the base of support needed to sustain itself, there always seems to be a new volunteer willing to jump in, as was the case with coats for Kids this year. even as many residents are already filling christmas Bureau hampers for those less fortu-nate, Angus Mctoogle’s is stepping up with a concert to benefit the local food bank. Local businesses are taking on the purple Light campaign to stay vigilant around the issue of violence against women. Add to this many other community groups holding fundraisers this season, and one thing is clear: when it comes to generosity, it’s hard to compete with the residents of the columbia valley.
Dear Editor:
I had some trash from the office to put into the Invermere/Athalmer dump today. What a mess it was, as usual.
It seems the town had all kinds of money to beautify Pothole Park, which was very nice, but maybe they could have cut back a bit and spent some money on the garbage site. First of all, a few loads of gravel would help cut down on the mud.
Then hire someone to go over every day and clean up the mess. Never mind bears, how about rats? It’s not a healthy place for sure, never mind the look of it.
You could close the gate and just have set hours. You could make it bear proof. You could haul the trash away more often. You could have better bins. You could build a place for those who just cannot go to Windermere with their big stuff (mattresses, chairs, or whatever.) I cannot believe if you got it that far, you could not have just gone to the big dump in Windermere.
We live in a beautiful place, let’s try to keep it that way. Anyway, these are some of my suggestions.
Ida DaggettInvermere
FreewheelingGene Lambert pushes Rich Nichol across Invermere’s 7th Avenue in a wheelbarrow, circa 1957. The stunt related to a
political bet that Gene lost. If you have any more information, email us at [email protected] . Photo (A1211) courtesy of the Windermere District Historical Society
Historical LensHistorical Lens
is independently owned and operated, published weekly by Misko Publishing Limited Partnership, Robert W. Doull, President.
Thank you to the Chamber of Com-merce for finally openly stating what many of us have held off saying for some time out of fear of being blacklisted in Invermere.
Mayor Gerry Taft’s pursuit of a grander platform in provincial politics is hurting lo-cal businesses. The remarks that Mayor Taft made to the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention are only the tip of the iceberg.
I came to Invermere in 2005 under the Council-imposed “water crisis” (see The Pio-neer article of August 19th, 2005, Building freeze chills developers) that required hun-dreds of thousands of dollars from the In-vermere business community to solve. Since that time I’ve poured hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of personal dollars into social infrastructure and have watched as:
• Invermere had solar trash compac-tors, so called “green building rebates”, a rainwater collection system by the lake and a lake management plan brought in before addressing Interior Health’s drink-ing water treatment requirements, as not-ed by the November 9th What’s with the water? letter to the editor in The Pioneer.
• Invermere poured more than $100,000 into the mayor’s CPR lodge project (over budget, behind schedule, and still not done) before addressing the water treatment requirements and before imple-menting a water protection plan that has been five years in the making (also at an ex-pense of hundreds of thousands of dollars).
• Conservation groups were able to accumulate millions of dollars, including taxpayer funds, to secure additional grass-
land before Invermere and Regional Dis-trict of East Kootenay were able to fund a much lesser amount for upgrades to a vital helicopter pad at the Invermere hospital.
• Imagine Invermere and council now have the mandate to “put local food pro-ducers in touch with local retailers”, and this initiative is moving forward, again before completing the much-needed in-frastructure improvements in Invermere.
• The downtown core is a ghost town full of For Lease signs and a stagnant com-mercial sector. Who wants to do business in an environment that openly says “we don’t do things for tourists”?; not recog-nizing that shadow population is part of the tourism sector and that tourism is an economic driver in Invermere.
• Non-profit groups that create ameni-ties for residents and tourists, and represent seniors and youth, get a fraction of the sup-port Invermere’s “green initiatives” receive.
Mayor Taft’s interest in provincial poli-tics is pretty clear. One need only follow the B.C. First initiative to see where he is going: playing on the emotions of the public and pushing a couple of non-feasible concepts like replacing Site C with a gazillion “non-environmentally intrusive” wind turbines.
Finally, it seems Mayor Taft has be-come a clone of MLA Norm Macdonald, a “mini-me” or “mini-Mac” in this case. There is lots of grandiose political spin, but a distinct inability to focus on and achieve the fundamental requirements to create a vibrant Invermere where anyone would want to live or visit.
Nick Berzins, Invermere
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We want to hear from youEmail your letters to info@cv-pioneer.
com or visit our website at www.colum-biavalleypioneer.com. Mail your letters to Box 868, Invermere, V0A 1K0, or drop them in at 1008-8th Avenue.
We do not publish open letters or third-party letters.
Letters for publication should be no
longer than 400 words, and must in-clude the writer’s address and phone numbers. No attachments, please.
Letters may be shortened for space requirements. We reserve the right to edit for space, clarity, civility and ac-curacy. Opinions expressed are those of the writer, not The Pioneer.
8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer December 7, 2012
Do you enjoy fi shing, swimming and clean drinking water?Come talk with your neighbours about water at:
Water Conversations:Discussions About Our Watershed
What: Join guest speaker Dr. Anna Warwick Sears from the Okanagan Basin Watershed Board to learn about community-driven water management eff orts in the Okanagan region and share stories with your neighbours about our precious water resources.
Who: Everyone is invited – bring your friends!
When: Monday, December 10 6-8 pm
Where: Copper Point Resort
To RSVP or for more information, contact:[email protected] or call 250-341-6898
**Refreshments will be provided.
Dr. Anna Warwick
Sears
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On the horizon now is an artist-in-residence program at the centre, a possible monthly pairing of youth with artistic leadership.
A deluge of events calendars are also being posted on bulletin boards around Invermere, and a new mailing list (accessed by sending an email to [email protected]) is in effect to ensure
major events are well-advertised.“It was my dream in my small community in
Quebec to open a youth centre, so I’m very happy,” said Ms. Larochelle, who has a diploma in social work, and carried out similar work in Golden before moving to Invermere over the summer.
“The centre is a great place to hang out, and it’s safe, because it’s alcohol and drug free,” she added.
. . . ‘Youth centre’ from page 5
Treeing to trim the thicketsBy Greg AmosPioneer Staff
For one valley man, harvesting local Christmas trees is not only a matter of family tradition — it’s also a matter of ecological integrity.
“My father and grandfather both Christmas treed when I was a boy,” said Doug Goodwin, who’s a member of the valley’s pioneering Tegart family. “I just recently got back into it.”
On an 80-hectare tenure located in the Spur Valley area between Pinnacle Creek and Kindersley Creek, Doug and his wife Cheryl have been working the land since purchasing their permit four years ago, harvesting wild Douglas fir and lodgepole pine trees while clearing out thickets of non-productive forest.
“One of the reasons I got into Christmas tree-ing is because I really think its important to retain our natural grasslands and natural ecosystems, and Christmas treeing is one way that we can promote a semi-open grassland system that supports a lot of habitat for wildlife, everything from the badger, which has been extirpated in a lot of our area, to winter range for mule deer, sheep, and elk,” he said.
Most Christmas tree permits occur in the lower el-evations of the Columbia valley, at roughly 1,000 metres to 1,100 metres, where traditionally a forest fire would occur every five to 20 years, he explained.
“It would naturally be kind of a rolling grassy mead-
ows interspersed with small thickets of fir, and big, gnarly fire-resistant fir,” he said. Without the impact of fires, thickets develop to the point where animals can’t move through the area, and no grass can grow.
Doug sells his trees to Rory Hromadnik, an-other valley tree harvester, who buys from lo-cal producers and sells to the Lower Mainland. As for family involvement, Doug said his father still helps with treeing when he can - and “he’ll be 90 in February, so he’s doing pretty good,” he said.
419 words
TREE TRADITION - Doug Goodwin is continuing a fam-ily tradition of harvesting Christmas trees, a practice that helps maintain an open forest ecosystem. Photo by Greg Amos
December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 9
OPEN ALL DAY!December 14th – January 6th
Featuring our
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December 8th, 15th, 22nd
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Giving back at Copper Point Resort
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Copper Point Resort, along with The Christmas Bureau of the Columbia Valley, will be sponsoring a family this holiday season and will be collecting non-perishable food to go in the hamper to be
delivered just before Christmas. If anyone in the community would like to support us, you can drop your food item o� in our hamper located in the lobby of the resort.
10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer December 7, 2012
Just give me a call,
1. Write your Christmas gift basket list. (Check it twice)
2. Call Jayne with your order.3. Enjoy your holidays!
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Just a reminder… The classified deadline is 12 noon Tuesday.
By Greg AmosPioneer Staff
The passage of a federal bill aimed at emboldening fiscal watchdogs on First Nations reserves across Canada is being treated as business as usual by Windermere’s Akisq-nuk First Nation, and as a matter of principle by Colum-bia – Kootenay MP David Wilks.
Bill C-27, the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, would require every band in Canada to make finan-cial statements available to the public within 120 days of year end. A similar bill was introduced in recent years, but was killed with the calling of an election.
“The importance for me is that all levels of govern-ment should be on the same playing field with regards to reporting or remuneration and wages,” said Columbia – Kootenay MP David Wilks, who sits on the government’s Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Affairs committee. “In First Nations communities that are not self-governing, that is not the case.”
With a chartered accountant on staff, and staff mem-bers that belong to the Aboriginal Financial Officers Asso-ciation, the bill won’t mean any significant changes for the Akisqnuk First Nation, said communications coordinator Adrian Bergles.
The band has made its audited consolidated finan-cial statements available for viewing to band members for years, an opportunity that should be available to all First Nation members, said Mr. Wilks.
“What ends up happening sometimes is people be-come very intimidated by the process, and also within the band, they get bothered quite a bit by the chief and or councillors,” he said. “Because of the process set up through the Indian Act, it’s not the same as any other form of government where you can either request a copy of sala-ries and remuneration, or go online if that’s available.”
“You have to divulge your name, you have to divulge why you want the information, and it becomes quite onerous,” he said.
To Shuswap Band chief Paul Sam, the bill is unnecessary in the face of larger needs facing First Nations in Canada, such as improvements for drinking water or housing on reserves.
“I don’t think the bill is good,” he said. “Finances are something we have control of already.”
The bill received third reading on November 27th af-ter committee hearings held earlier that month, meaning it’s now being reviewed by the Senate, who are expected to return the bill to Parliament in February or March. If the bill becomes law by March 31, 2013, it would allow the legislation to apply in the next fiscal year.
“At committee, we heard testimony from band mem-bers themselves,” said Mr. Wilks. “They provide the most compelling evidence of anyone, because they’re the ones who have made application and then go through a process that they find very frustrating, and then just stop.”
Between January 1, 2011 and September 25, 2012, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs received approximately 250 formal complaints from people in First Nation communities in Canada saying they could not ac-cess the information that they wanted about their chiefs and their councillors.
Wilks said he hasn’t heard any complaints about First Nations finances from within his Kootenay-Co-lumbia riding.
“I haven’t heard anything from any First Nations, whether it be the Ktunaxa or the Shuswap, since the bill went through, and I don’t think that I would, because I don’t think that it’s that grievious an issue for those elected officials,” said Mr. Wilks.
“Where it has become evident is in other smaller com-munities, especially in Ontario and Manitoba,” he added.
“We did talk about how in some utilities, your fees just pay for the system to be operating, whether you are using it or not. In this case we felt that there was an element of fairness because she had been paying for the service and thought that she had it.”
Since the case of Ms. Storey came to light, May-or Taft has fielded a range of inquiries as to the in-tegrity of the district’s sewer system.
“People have commented and raised concerns over whether there is some sort of problem with the
infrastructure in Invermere, and I don’t think that is the case at all.”
Although she has received an upgrade from the district at their cost, Ms. Storey must still field the bill of the excavation and removal of her septic tank and the filling in of the resulting hole.
“I hope they will pump and fill the existing tank, which has to be done as well, but that may be expecting too much,” she added. “I would be abso-lutely thrilled if they did.”
. . . “Sewage’ continued from page 3
Federal bill to clear financial fog
December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11
MOVIE REVIEW
PAGE 12
PAGE 15
Out & About
Your weekly guide to what’s
happening around the Columbia Valley
Page 13
MUSICAL MELTING POT
What’s happening in theColumbia Valley
Page 11
Music • visual arts • dining • Bar scene • entertainMent • perforMance arts
Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423.
What does ARTmean to you?
Fresh Fridays Open Mic at PynelogsHosted by Oso Simple · Friday Dec 7All Ages – Licensed Bar. Doors open at 6:30 – Music at 7 pm · $2 admission
Feeding the TownStaff Sergeant Marko Shehovac, of the Columbia Valley RCMP, sports a colourful new hairdo as he serves Lawrie Mack at the 9th annual Feed the Town Christmas Meal at Copper Point Golf Club. The event — which saw hundreds of attendees served a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings — raised money and food donations for the Columbia Valley Food Bank. Photo by Kristian Rasmussen
12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer December 7, 2012
Reviewed by Kate Irwin
The Dark Knight Rises is a sprawling, over-long con-clusion to Christopher Nolan’s rebooted Batman trilogy.
This solid end to the series will doubtlessly satisfy most fans, but the piecemeal tale rides along on a wave of hype that’s almost impossible to live up to. The result is a confus-ing, drawn-out film that never quite gains momentum.
While the movie attempts to edge towards a con-clusion that ties up all the story threads, the audience is instead left with a bit of a tangled mess that will baffle any-one who hasn’t watched the previous pair of films. With a patchy memory of its predecessors, I had to watch with a synopsis in hand to have any clue of what was going on.
We begin eight years after The Dark Knight left off. Gotham’s citizens plod around safe in the knowledge that the ‘noble’ death of ‘hero’ Harvey Dent has put a lot of
crooks in jail. Batman (Christian Bale) is in self-imposed retirement, having taken the fall for Dent’s unreported murdering spree, while his alter ego, Bruce Wayne, is reclusively moping around Wayne Manor.
Unavailing sub-plots bog down the first hour, before we reach the real thrust of the tale: a new supervillain, Bane (Tom Hardy), has arrived to terrorize Gotham and bring it to anarchic ruin.
The absence of Heath Ledger’s Joker leaves a huge hole in the villain department. Unfortunately, Bane does little to fill it. Batman films, on the whole, tend to soar or nosedive on the success of their central villains, rather than the stoic titular character.
Big problem. Bane is one dimensional, often unin-telligible due to the mask covering half his face, and his plummy, badly-dubbed British accent grates horribly with the steroid-fuelled terrorist persona.
Happily, given the bloated, 165-minute run time, the top-quality supporting cast (including Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michael Caine) also get their moments in the sun. All that great casting from 2005 really pays off and we see some storylines brought to a satisfying conclusion.
While it’s not as gritty as The Dark Knight, or as unique and refreshing as Batman Begins, The Dark Knight Rises does mitigate its slew of shortcomings by bringing the trio of films to resounding end. With some tighter editing, the film could have been brilliant; instead it rises, and falls, and rises, and falls in perpetuity.
Music • visual arts • dining • Bar scene • entertainMent • perforMance arts
Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises
RATING: 6 OUT OF 10 HEADS
Gone Hollywood’s TOP FIVE OF THE WEEKLast Week’s Top 5 Rentals
1 Men in Black 32 Lawless3 The Expendables 24 Watch5 ParaNorman
New Releases December 41 The Dark Knight Rises2 Hope Springs3 The Odd Life of Timothy Green4 Beasts of the Southern Wild5 Thunderstruck
New Releases December 111 The Bourne Legacy2 Ice Age: Continental Drift3 Ted4 Backwards5 Dreams of Life
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Saturday, December 8th
12:00 to 1:30 p.m.Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena
Free hot dog and pop
for children 12 and under.
Everyone welcome!
Family Skate with Santa
Sobeys presents
December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13
Submissions must be received by the Monday prior to publication. We may only run an entry for two weeks
prior to the event. Please limit your submission to 30 words. Priority is given to one-off events,
so weekly events may run rarely.
Toby Theatre
• Closed from October 28th to December 26th.
Friday, December 7th
• Coats for Kids charity fundraiser. Drop off loca-tions for coats in good condition include CIBC, The Monkeys Uncle, Hotsprings Studio in Fairmont and a drop-off bin at 443 4th Avenue, Invermere. Dona-tions accepted until December 20th at 12 p.m. For more information, please contact Kristine Tan at 250-342-2033.• 4 - 8 p.m.: All Signs Point to Christmas shopping night in Fairmont Hot Springs. An evening of spe-cial deals and features. Christmas light switch-on begins at 4 p.m.• 4:30-10 p.m.: Spaghetti and Christmas Decoration Night at the Summit Youth Centre.• 6 - 9 p.m.: Cross Roads Collective hosting an open house. Arts and crafts for kids. 10% savings on Christmas trees. Free refreshments. Doug Goodwin will be doing an educational segment on the sustain-ability of Christmas treeing. Kyle Burley will be do-ing a chainsaw carving that will be raffled off at the end of the evening. Matthew Chapman, acoustic gui-tar player, will lead the Christmas carols. Majestic U Brew and Wine will supply brewed apple cider for adults at no cost. For more information, call Jessie Blakley at 250-341-6983.• 7:30 p.m.: Sing for Joy Valley Voices in Concert with specials guests Voices of EMP at Christ Church Trini-ty. Tickets $5 for students and $10 for adults. Tickets available at Essentials, Picture This, Meet on Higher Ground and the Fairmont Gift Shop.
Saturday, December 8th
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Tourism Radium’s Holiday Market at the Prestige Inn in Radium Hot Springs. Photos with Santa (furry family members welcome). For more infor-mation, contact Kara at Tourism Radium at 250-347-9331, 250-688-0658 or email [email protected] .• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Christmas Market at Columbia Ridge Community Hall (10 minutes south of Fair-mont). Quilts, paintings, pottery, baking, Christmas boughs/trees, Gourmet food items and crafts. For more information, contact [email protected] or 250-345-6673.• 10:30 a.m.: The Radium Public Library will be presen-ing Crafts with Trudy. For more info, call 250-347-2434.• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Pictures with Santa at Copper Point Resort. $15 with proceeds donated to the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club and Invermere Com-panion Animal Network. Donations to the Columbia Valley Food Bank also accepted.• 12 p.m.: Invermere Library Silent Christmas Auction closes. Make sure to get all bids in on dozens of unique items. For more information, please contact Lynda Tutty at 250-341-3185.• 1 - 3 p.m.: Christmas Tea and Bake Sale at Windermere Community Hall. Admission $5 with Christmas enter-tainment and raffles. • 4 - 6 p.m.: Global Animal Lovers 2nd annual Photos with Santa at Home Hardware. Bring your child or pet for a photo with Santa. $10 minimum donation. Event runs from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. on December 9th. • 4:30 - 10 p.m.: Pool tournament at the Summit Youth Centre.• 9 p.m. Willhorse live at The Station Pub celebrating the release of their debut album Southern Rock. No cover charge. For more information, please contact the Station Pub at 250-342-5557.
Sunday, December 9th
• 3 p.m.: Radium Volunteer Fire Department are host-ing a Children’s Christmas Party. Please phone the Vil-lage office at 250-347-6455 to RSVP. • 5: 30 p.m.: Rotary Seniors’ Christmas Dinner at the Best Western Invermere Inn. Call 250-342-5566 Mon-day – Thursday, between 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. to register prior to December 6th.• 7 p.m.: Blue Christmas at Christ Church Trinity for those who have lost loved ones.
Monday, December 10th
• Nor-Am Cup ski race begins at Panorama. For more info about the Nor-Am Cup, visit www.alpinecanada.org/events/nor-am-cup .• 6 - 8 p.m.: Join guest speaker Dr. Anna Warwick-Sears from the Okanagan Basin Watershed Board at Copper Point Resort to gain ideas about community driven wa-ter management efforts in the area. For more informa-tion and to RSVP, please contact the Lake Windermere Ambassadors at 250-341-6898.
Wednesday, December 12th • 8 a.m. - 8:50 a.m. Swim Boot Camp and 9 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. aqua-jogging with Kutenai Aquatics at Ra-dium Hot Springs Pools. Cash and non-perishable food items for donation to the Invermere Food Bank accepted as admission. Everyone welcome!• 4 p.m.: Annual General Meeting for Wings Over the Rockies birding festival at Pynelogs Cultural Centre. • 11 p.m.: Kytami, Strings and Beats Tour at Bud’s Bar. Two electric violinists (Kytami and Michael Fraser) supported by DJ Joshua James. Tickets $8 at the door.
Thursday, December 13th
• 6 p.m.: Summit Youth Centre is going to Yoga at SYC leaving the Summit Centre at 6 p.m. Please call the Summit Youth Centre at 250-342-3033 to sign up in advance and for further information.• 7 p.m.: David Thompson Secondary School Bands in Concert at the DTSS Gym. Band 9, Band 8, Sr. Con-cert Band, Sr. Stage Band. Silver collection at door.
Friday, December 14th
• Opening Day for the 2012-13 winter season at Pan-orama Mountain Village. For more information, please visit www.panoramaresort.com .• 5:30-8 p.m. 1st annual Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Holiday Market at the Lions Hall. Shopping with pizza and beer. Admission is $6. Event also runs from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on December 15th. For more information, contact Deanne Abrams at 250-342-2844.
Saturday, December 15th
• 10 a.m.: Classic Learn to Ski Clinic by Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club at Nipika Mountain Resort. One-day technique improvement for classic skiing. Sec-ond class held on December 16th. Free for mem-bers, $30 for non-members. [email protected] .
Out & AboutPlease call 250-341-6299
or e-mail us at [email protected] enter your event in our FREE listings.
Music • visual arts • dining • Bar scene • entertainMent • perforMance arts
(next door to Fairmont Goldsmiths)250-341-6044 • Fax: (250) 341-6046
www.maxwellrealtyinvermere.ca
� e 2013 MaxWell calendars are in for pickup!
14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer December 7, 2012
December 14 & 15 at Lions Hall(651 Hwy 93/95)
Food bank donations accepted at the door as admission!Gift wrapping services available!
The Christmas The Rotary Club ofBureau Invermere
Windermere Valley
A Book Under Every TreeThe Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy will be collec8ng new and
gently used books to place in Christmas hampers. Books are needed for children, youth and adult readers.
Please place your dona?on of new or gently used books in collec?on bins at AG Valley Foods or Invermere Sobey’s
un?l December 17, 2012
For more informa?on, please contact Ka?e Andruschuk at [email protected]
The Christmas The Rotary Club ofBureau Invermere
Windermere Valley
A Book Under Every TreeThe Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy will be collec8ng new and
gently used books to place in Christmas hampers. Books are needed for children, youth and adult readers.
Please place your dona?on of new or gently used books in collec?on bins at AG Valley Foods or Invermere Sobey’s
un?l December 17, 2012
For more informa?on, please contact Ka?e Andruschuk at [email protected]
The Christmas The Rotary Club ofBureau Invermere
Windermere Valley
A Book Under Every TreeThe Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy will be collec8ng new and
gently used books to place in Christmas hampers. Books are needed for children, youth and adult readers.
Please place your dona?on of new or gently used books in collec?on bins at AG Valley Foods or Invermere Sobey’s
un?l December 17, 2012
For more informa?on, please contact Ka?e Andruschuk at [email protected]
Rotary Club of Invermere
The Christmas
Bureau
. . . ‘Bear Aware’ continued from page 3Crystal went to the District of Inver-
mere the next day with her concerns. The facility was closed for the rest of the month, which unfortunately resulted in residents overfilling garbage bins around Invermere, she added.
Despite the setback, Ms. Leonard worked on a door-to-door campaign, tar-geting 450 homeowners in areas prone to bear sightings. She also conducted gar-bage raids, locating trash left overnight and attaching sticker reminders on bins in the Radium and Invermere area.
“This is a really good way to get the res-idents to understand that somebody caught them, and also to add that peer pressure be-cause their neighbours see that bin.”
Last year, the bear expert had to stick-er 42 bins left overnight. The numbers fell to between 10 to 20 bins each week this
year, but repeat offenders were prevalent, she added.
The coordinator worked to manage attractants throughout the second an-nual Columbia Valley Fruit Swap, which matched eager fruit pickers and fruit tree owners together. The group had 20 volun-teers and 30 fruit trees.
Bear Aware targeted 500 youth in the valley through 20 different group presen-tations and a special apple pressing day at Edgewater Elementary School.
“We made fruit leathers and apple juice and kids were encouraged to bring fruit from their home.”
Although her work is wrapped up for this year, Ms. Leonard is seeking volun-teers to help with next year’s program. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or at [email protected] .
Business Beats• Invermere’s All Angles Towing
has purchased fellow local tow com-pany Club Towing and is taking over the business name.
After 17 years in business locally, Don Clowers, Club Towing’s owner, sold the business to Blair Mooney, owner/operator of All Angles Towing, at the start of November. The company has also moved to a new location near Canadian Tire, on Athalmer Road.
“The new location seems to be paying off already. We have a lot of people stopping in to see what’s going on,” Mr. Mooney said.
To contact Club Towing, call 250-342-9551.
• The Prestige Inn Radium Hot Springs is becoming a member of the Best Western Hotel brand.
With renovations currently un-derway at the hotel, the facility is planned to launch as a Best Western Plus hotel in the new year.
“It will be an updated experience, still the same team, still the same own-ership; prices will be the same,” said Tanya Stroinig, Vice President of Op-erations for Prestige Hotels & Resorts.
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December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15
ICAN would like to thank all the volunteers, guests and following businesses and individuals who made our 1st Annual Raise the Woof Comedy Show & Dinner an overwhelming success. Special thanks to our Master of Ceremonies Bill Cropper, Best Western Invermere Inn for lodging the comedians, Anne Riches for the lovely meal and The Valley Echo for its sponsorship.
Together we will Raise the Roof for a new rescue and adoption facility. We look forward to seeing you at this event next year!
We have endeavoured to make this list as accurate as possible. If your name is incorrect or has been omitted please accept our apologies and let us know at 250-341-7888.
Friday, December 7th, 4-8 p.m.
La Galeria IIA friendly and unique shopping experience. Pottery to jam, we’ve got it all!LOTS of in-store specials and draws.
Fairmont Pizza & Ice CreamThe best of both worlds. FREE pizza samples and hot chocolate for the evening.
Fairmont Village Gift ShopSpecials in every department.
Fairmont Mountainside MarketWine tasting and spiced rum eggnog.Samples and snacks.Hot deals in store, mandarins, co� ee, Grade A Turkeys ¢99/lb., Happy Hours - 10% o� all beer, wine and spirits.
Smoking Water CaféCo� ee and tea gift ideas. We will be serving complimentary hot apple cider and sweets.
Tranquille Escapes Complete esthetician and massage
Fresh Professional Salon & Beauty OutletHair, esthetics, hair removal and massage.All-natural products available.2 for 1 on selected natural products. We will also be doing mini-demos of our services.
From Scratch ~ A Mountain KitchenEat, drink and be merry! Receive the gift of stress-less holiday entertaining! Our elves are here to help you with your gift list, share recipes and show-o� some winter entertaining ideas!
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Experience endless opportunities for fun – including three resort owned golf courses, a ski resort, trail riding operations, a spa, mini golf, a professional recreation program, and a deluxe RV park.
Columbia Ridge PotteryUnique, handmade pottery created by local artisans.
Fairmont Outdoors (at Fairmont Car Wash)20% o� all vintage cottage signs.
Shopping Night in Fairmont
An evening of fantastic specials and features.
Pick up a passport at any of these locations. Fill your passport and enter to win one of the 5 Grand Prizes. Bring a food bank item and get an extra stamp from any vendor.
FresHairdesign
“SNEAK UP ONSANTA SALE”
November 30th – December 15th
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Kevin Murphy, Surface,YoungBlood Mineral Makeup,
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(Beside Back Door Wine Cellar)
By Kristian RasmussenPioneer Staff
The collision of a traditional violin con-cert and a symphony of space-age electronica will shower down a whole new galaxy of cre-ative sounds upon lucky valley ears at Bud’s Bar and Lounge.
Artists Michael Fraser and Kytami are bring-ing the Fraser Beats + Strings Tour to Invermere on Wednesday, December 12th.
“You are going to hear a lot of different styles,” said Kyla Uyede, who goes by the name Kytami on stage. “You are going to see two vio-linists not like any violinist you have ever seen. We come at it with energy. We come at it with technical ability, but we come at it with style too.”
Billed by Whats Up Magazine USA as a “Violin Extremist,” Kytami has collaborated with top Canadian acts such as Swollen Members and was a founding member of the popular Canadian world music group Delhi 2 Dublin.
Her background in music and performance was shaped partly by her formal training in violin, beginning at age three at the Vancouver Academy of Music. Kytami learned how to make the violin
her own with life experiences spent in the moun-tains. At the age of 17, Kytami quit her formal violin training and left her family home for a life of snowboarding and adventure in Whistler, B.C. during the early 1990s.
“There was something special that happened in Whistler back then,” she said. “There was a lot of really great music nights and a lot of DJs and a lot of good bands were coming through. I had always been a very good girl and all of a sudden, I had thrown myself into this underground cul-ture. It was really exciting and cool.”
The new surroundings opened up a realm of possibility when looking at her traditional style of playing the violin.
Kytami’s new attitude pushed her to ex-plore the limits of collaboration when she be-gan mixing her traditional classical and fiddle background with the emerging electronic music scene.
“Originally I just wanted to stick with violin, but then I realized that mixing the two mediums sounds beautiful and adds to the music,” she said. “I think it is natural to mix the organic sounds with electronic and is something I have enjoyed exploring.”
Representing the other half of the tour is Vancouver’s Michael Fraser. The violin master and accomplished DJ has shared a stage with hip hop superstar Talib Kweli and began his violin training at the Vancouver Academy of Music at the age of three.
The musician earned his street cred at the age of nine when he started busking with his father in the Granville Island area of Vancou-ver. After working to perfect the violin, he be-gan to expand his skills as a DJ and producer.
“I would lock myself in my room and not do homework, and just make beats all the time,” he said.
Michael has progressed to the point where he produces all of the tracks for his shows, which are limited only by the energy of the crowd and his own imagination.
“I want people to come with an open mind, but something fans can expect is to hear a really diverse field of electronic mu-sic,” he added. “I never choose the same se-lections. It is always based on the crowd that I am playing to, but you will get to hear a broad selection of electronic music with vio-lin over top of it.”
String revolution scheduled for Bud’s
16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer December 7, 2012
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What is Your Favourite Holiday Recipe?
� e Pioneer wants to hear your most delicious holiday recipe. Grandma’s fruitcake, cookies for Santa,
or eggnog pudding – the pie’s the limit!
Submit your recipe by 12 noon on December 10th to…
Coats for Kids, one of the many Columbia Valley traditions around Christmas and community, is continu-ing this year thanks to the timely efforts of one local volunteer.
“I felt sad it wasn’t going to be hap-pening this year, so I took it on,” said Kristine Tan, a valley resident since 1994. “I just didn’t want it to be com-pletely gone.”
The program ran for several years thanks to the efforts of the Family Re-source Centre and Julie and Dano Saun-ders, a prominent community member who passed away last June. Through discussion on a Facebook group called Invermere Moms, Mrs. Tan learned that no plans were underway to continue the program this year.
“There was always a good turnout,
both for those who donated and those who needed coats,” she said.
That need spurred her into action, and though planning normally gets un-derway for the program as early as Sep-tember, a concerted effort has resulted in the program starting this week.
Kids coats of all shapes and sizes can be dropped off at the Monkey’s Uncle Toy Store and at the CIBC bank from now until Thursday, December 20th.
The coats will be handed out at the Invermere Legion on Sunday, Decem-ber 23rd from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m., and will be distributed in Fairmont Hot Springs on Thursday, December 27th between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Hot Springs Studio in the Fairmont Hot Springs Village Mall.
Ms. Tan is still seeking more vol-unteers to wash the coats and to set up on the distribution days. She can be reached 250-270-9022.
Charity warms up local kids
December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17
Brand new lunch and dinner menus starting today at Copper Point Resort...
Located at Copper Point Resort, 760 Cooper Road
250-341-4000 • www.copperpointresort.com
Open Wednesday through Sunday for
lunch and dinner.
Come try these tantalizing dishes today, such as…
For lunch Start with warm and crisped
Goat Cheese Rondelle topped withcomposed salad of cucumber, Frissee and heirloom spinach splashed with
Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette followed by Tender Lasagna noodles layered with
House Smoked West Coast Salmon, Sweet Pea Bechamel and Tarragon Laced Ricotta.
For dinner Start with Carpaccio done
three ways, classic Alberta Beef Tenderloin, Ahi Tuna with Cucumber
Balsamic dressing and Beet Carpaccio with Ginger Miso followed by
Seared to your liking Duck Breast kissed with Dried Cherry and Cointreau
Jus atop Roesti style potato.
And we haven’t even mentioned the sweet endings!
I N V E S T M E N T S | R E T I R E M E N T P L A N N I N G | I N S U R A N C E
Suite 302, 1313 – 7th Ave. PO Box 429 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 www.cmkwealth.com
Saturdays,December 8th,15th & 22nd10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
at Columbia Ridge Community Hall(10 minutes south of Fairmont Hot Springs)
Featuring new items each week from local artisans including quilts,crafts,baking,paintings,fresh Christmas arrangements,gourmet food,pottery and much more!
Interested vendors contact Donnaat 250-345-6673 or [email protected].
Food Bank donations welcome at the door.
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Firearms Courses & ChallengesRestricted, Non-Restricted and Youth Licence.
Tickets available at:INVERMERE - Essentials, Picture This
RADIUM - Meet on Higher Ground Co� ee ShopFAIRMONT - Fairmont Gift Shop
By Kristian Rasmussen, Pioneer Staff
A valley man and his band of merry musicians plan on strumming the heart strings of the valley during the Angus McToogle’s Food Bank Benefit Concert on December 16th.
“It has always been a good cause and the valley is par-ticularly good for turning out for events like this,” said Mike Smith, owner of Angus McToogle’s. “We have quite a wealth of talent in the valley with good musicians.”
The event, which will be hosted by Bill Cropper, of local musical trio Smarty Pants, will kick off at 3 p.m. and feature a host of guitar greats, including Angus Mc-Toogle’s house band, made up of Mike Smith, his son Fraser Smith and fellow musician, Bruce Childs.
The trio prides itself on a diverse, organic playing style.
“It is easier to tell people what we don’t play,” Mike said. “We don’t play punk, don’t play rap and we don’t play heavy metal. Our sets could go from Puff the Magic Dragon to Sultans of Swing.”
Playing live music is nothing new to Mr. Smith. He spent his youth in eastern Scotland where he began his rock and roll musical career.
“It was a juxtaposition back then,” he said. “We still had lots of folk clubs and we sang Celtic music, but at the same time I was in a five piece rock and roll band at the height of the fame of the Rolling Stones and The Beatles.”
Also playing at the event are local musicians Stacy Decosse, Kurt Reichel, Brian Rogers, Pat Hess and Emily Rawbon. Additional musicians are welcome to sign up. For more information, please contact Mike at 250-342-1383.
Musicians raising Food Bank funds
Leaving a legacy Eight students receive their introduc-
tion to carpentry certificates from the Col-lege of the Rockies on November 30th at the Akisqnuk First Nation’s Eva Joseph Centre.
The students were part of the Legacy Project, a partnership between the college and Akiqsnuk to offer carpentry training to local First Nations students.
Pictured, left to right, back row: Har-ley Joe, Kellen Viret, Cory Stuart, Aaron Nicholas. Front row, left to right: Mar-tina Shovar, Nicole Sam, Theresa Kains, Dominique Sam. Photo by Kristian Rasmussen
18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer December 7, 2012
YOUR MONEYTax-Free Savings Account contribution limit increased
This New Year’s Eve, Canadians will have an even bigger reason to celebrate. That is because on January 1st, Canadians may contribute an extra $500 to their Tax-Free Savings Account, in addition to their regular $5,000 allotment.
For someone who has never opened a Tax-Free Sav-ings Account, and was at least 18 years old in 2009, that means their total cumulative contribution room as of January 1st, 2013 will be $25,500.
Since their introduction in 2009, Tax-Free Savings Accounts have given Canadians a way to save and grow their money without incurring tax liability. To date, about 8.2 million people have opened an account, result-ing in thousands of tax dollars remaining in our pockets, to be saved or spent as we wish. Here are a few ideas to employ when using a Tax-Free Savings Account.
Retirement incomeTraditionally, people have counted on government-
sponsored savings programs such as the Canadian Pen-sion Plan, Old Age Security Program, employer-spon-sored pensions, and Registered Retirement Savings Plans to provide income in retirement.
Nowadays, many people are counting Tax-Free Sav-ings Accounts among those options. Some are even con-tributing to their Tax-Free Savings Account instead of their Registered Retirement Savings Plan.
This can be a very good tax move, as many retirees
find out they are paying as much in tax during retire-ment as they did during their working years.
Remember that the whole purpose of investing in an Registered Retirement Savings Plan is to enjoy tax-deferred growth, and eventually withdraw the funds at a time when a person’s taxable income is lower than it was when they were working. That is why those who ex-pect to be in the same marginal tax bracket in retirement as their working years should consider contributing to a Tax-Free Savings Account before a Registered Retire-ment Savings Plan.
Home purchaseMany Canadians use the Home Buyers’ Plan to fund
the purchase of their first home. This is a tax move where an individual may withdraw up to $25,000 from their Registered Retirement Savings Plan to put towards the purchase of their first home, to be repaid in equal, inter-est-free installments over the next 15 years.
While this is still a good program, many people are finding that using their Tax-Free Savings Account to save for their first home can be a good option as well. While they do not get a tax deduction in the year of contribution, there is no repayment schedule, nor any withdrawal penalties.
As life can sometimes be unpredictable, some people are choosing to use a Tax-Free Savings Account to save for their first home and make Home Buyer’s Plan contri-butions thereafter, as they can afford to do so.
Future RRSP contributionsOften, younger Canadians just starting their ca-
reers have much lower incomes than they can expect in future years. Nevertheless, younger workers should establish a habit of saving a portion of their income. One way of doing this is to regularly contribute to a Tax-Free Savings Account.
Once their earned income rises to a higher tax brack-et, they can transfer those funds to their Registered Re-tirement Savings Plan, thereby making the contribution when the tax savings are greater.
Senior’s benefitsThose approaching retirement with high incomes
should be cognizant of how further Registered Retire-ment Savings Plan contributions may affect their Old Age Security benefits. Socking away funds in a Tax-Free Savings Account instead of adding to a Registered Re-tirement Savings Plan may help avoid an Old Age Secu-rity claw-back.
For those nearing retirement with little or no savings or pension, benefits such as the Guaranteed Income Sup-plement may be lost due to withdrawals from a Regis-tered Retirement Savings Plan or Registered Retirement Income Fund.
Funds withdrawn from a Tax-Free Savings Account are not counted towards income and won’t cause loss of government benefits.
Manulife Securities Incorporated is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Insurance products and services are o � ered through Manulife Securities Insurance Agency (a licensed life insurance agency and a� liate of Manulife Securities) by Manulife Securities Advisors licensed as life agents. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company is the sole issuer of the Manulife GIF Select insurance contract which o � ers the IncomePlus bene� t and the guarantor of any guarantee provision therein.
Investments, Insurance & Financial Planning
O� ering the valley…Investments
Stocks, Bonds, GICs, Income Trusts, Preferred Shares, ETFs, Mutual Funds and more.
Call us for professional, free consultations! • Ph: 250-342-2112 • Fax: 250-342-2113 • 712-10th Street, Invermere
GIC Rates*as of December 3rd.
1 year 1.90%2 year 2.10%3 year 2.25%4 year 2.35%5 year 2.50%*Rates subject to change without notice.
Ski PreviewWhether you’re into lift-accessed downhill shredding or reaching the pow-der by other means, logging cross-country mileage or traversing into back-country realms, the 2012-2013 promises to be another great season in the
Columbia Valley. Here’s a quick preview of what’s in store. . .
By Pioneer Staff
PANORAMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE50 years of mountain magic
Opening day: December 14th
• What’s new: Glading this summer in the re-sort’s Taynton Bowl area has opened signature bowl runs such as C-Spine and Ktunaxa. Further glad-ing occurred in Surf, the Extreme Dream Zone, and throughout the Sun Bowl, reclaiming further terrain for all to enjoy. In total, Panorama has gladed more than 280 acres of terrain this winter 2013, including more than a quarter of the Taynton Bowl.
Those who prefer staying on the groomers may notice an improvement thanks to the mountain’s new Prinoth high tech grooming machine. The terrain at Panorama will continue to be manicured to perfection, providing a cruising experience that’s better than ever.
• You can expect: 120 runs over 1,152 hectares of patrolled terrain, and a friendly atmosphere in the scenic ski-in/ski-out village. Panorama staff are already hard at work to make sure the ski resort’s 50th season is the best one yet, and the village encourages all those who’ve grown up with Panorama in their backyard to help celebrate the 50-year legacy. The hill will be open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily, with night skiing open until 8 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday.
• The stats: 1,220 metres (4,000 feet) of vertical. Average snowfall of 470 centimetres. 120 runs, plus the Taynton Bowl, the Extreme Dream Zone, and two terrain parks. Uphill capacity of 8,500 skiers per
hour. Average winter tempretature is – 5 C. • Events at a glance: December 14th-16th - Ski
with the Pros Workshop; December 15th-18th - BC Miele Cup; December 31st - New Year’s Eve celebra-tions and fireworks; January 18th-19th - Panorama’s Mountain Snowflake Festival; February 2nd - Linda Putnam Invitational; February 8th-9th - Panorama’s Mountain Mardi Gras; March 1st-4th - Can-Am K2; March 9th-10th - Panorama’s Mountain Stampede; March 30th-April 4th - FIS Spring Series; March 30th-31st - Easy Rider Snowboard Cup; April 6th-7th - Panorama’s Mountain Spring Carnival; April 7th - Panorama winter season ends.
• Snowfall prediction: “We have had two record-breaking winters year after year and we’re hoping for another,” said Jamie Hurschler, marketing coordinator. Thus far, Panorama’s has 203 centimetres of snowfall at the summit and a settled base of 89 centimetres.
FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS SKI AREAFrom winter blues to yahoos
Opening day: December 21st
• What’s new: Busy snowmakers have been work-ing overtime to add to Fairmont Ski Area’s signature soft snow to even the more advanced runs, which in-clude Desperado and Yahoo.
• You can expect: Family skiing and snow-boarding in a laid back environment with an add-ed warm up feature. Every lift ticket comes with a free pass to Canada’s largest natural hot springs. . . . Continued on page 20
20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer December 7, 2012
Columbia Valley Trading Co.Invermere, B.C. • 250-342-3366 • columbiavalleytrading.ca
Outerwear • Footwear • Workwear
Table Top Christmas TreesAn anonymous elf in the Columbia Valley
has provided small table sized trees, as a fundraiser for the Christmas Bureau. These trees are going to be available in
December at Valley Foods and Home Hardware, as they have been for the past several years. Very signi� cant
funds raised have helped to provide groceries for hampers not sponsored.
In addition to skiing, Fairmont Resort Ski Area boasts the SnowPlanet alien-themed learning zone. Built around a magic carpet lift, the area features alien-themed flags and cushions designed to help youngsters learn the concept of snow riding. Boardwild and Snowbirds youth learn-to-ski programs begin on January 5th and 6th.
• The stats: Three lifts transport riders to 14 groomed trails spanning 1,000 vertical feet. For those looking to increase their airtime, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort includes the Rockstar Terrain Park, for use by intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
• Events at a glance: December 24th - Torchlight Christmas Parade and Fireworks; December 30th – World Snowboard Day with a multitude of activities on the hill; Friday nights in February hold the Star-light Challenge - a friendly adult racing event.
RK HELISKIProviding a stairway to heaven for 43 years
Start date: December 21st
• Whats new: RK Heliski is now using a larger Bell 204 helicopter that allows the team to bump up their pas-senger numbers from four up to seven. The team at RK have also gladed four of their ski runs to add extra space for skiers and boarders to play between the trees.
• You can expect: The heli-skiing and boarding experience of a lifetime. Sun, safety and 1,500 kilome-tres of available heli-skiing and snowboarding await the adventurous enthusiast.
• The stats: Two helicopters provide access to the highest altitude heli-skiing and snowboarding in B.C. The team average around 300 flights per year at 120 different landing sites.
• Snowfall prediction: “I’ve been told the only ones who predict snowfall are fools and newcomers, and I have been here way to long to use one of those reasons,” said Rod Gibbons, operations manager at RK Heliski. “That being said, this winter is shaping up like many seasons before and I expect a great heli-ski season.”
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIINGBackcountry beauty for miles
• Whats new: The team at Nipika Mountain Re-sort are kicking off their season of cross-country ski ad-ventures with a new race series: The Nipika Mountain Challenge. It begins with the Nipika Classic Loppet and the Toby Creek Nordic Skate Loppet weekend from February 2nd-3rd, continues into the summer with the
Nipika Crazy Soles Trail Run on June 1st, and ends with the Kootenay Krusher mountain bike race on June 15th. Racers who compete in all events will have their overall times added up for a series of big prizes.
• You can expect: The Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club present the largest skating and skiing surface on the planet with the creation of this year’s Lake Wind-ermere Whiteway. The course stretches 17 kilometres around a portion of Lake Windermere and will feature better signs and mapping for this year. Nipika Moun-tain Resort has added an entire fleet of skate and skiing rental equipment as well as a series of lessons on how to use the equipment properly and safely.
• The stats: Nipika Mountain Resort offers 100 kilometres of trails stretching across beautiful terrain in the Rocky Mountain region.
• Events at a glance: Nipika Mountain Resort kicks off its events calendar by offering two all-day cross-coun-try ski clinics on December 15th-16th. Beginning at 10 a.m., the Classic Learn to Ski Clinics are one day tech-nique improvement classes. The Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club has added a Wednesday night adult recreational ski club program. Participants looking for winter fitness will ski terrain ranging from the Lake Windermere Whiteway to trails surrounding Panorama Mountain Resort. For more information, please visit www.tobycreeknordic.ca .
• Snowfall prediction: “The Farmers’ Almanac and all the weather people are saying it is going to be a fairly wet winter,” said Lyle Wilson, president of the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club and owner of Nipika Mountain Resort. “If the weather stays cool enough a wet winter usually means a good snow year.”
BACKCOUNTRY SKIING Get inspired by our breathtaking backcountry
• Whats new: A pending peace pact for motorized and non-motorized use of the Catamount Glacier, Northstar Glacier and Forster Creek Meadows — all found in an area west of Radium Hot Springs — will have a big impact on the local backcountry options this winter. If the changes are approved as they now stand, Forster Creek Meadows would be open to snowmo-biles from December 1st to May 31st annually, and the Catamount Glacier would be open to snowmobile use from February 16th to May 31st.
• Snowfall prediction: “I’ve heard everything from above average snowfall and cold to lower than average snowfall and warm; we’ll just have to see how it goes,” said Columbia Valley Hut Society president Ryan Bavin.
December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 21
Don’t forget! All sewing machines are on sale! See flyer in store.516 13th Street, Invermere • Phone: 250-342-9313
Invermere B.C. • 1-250-999-9191Donald MacDonald – Dentur i s t
• Full and partialdentures
• Repairs • Relines• Rebases
Myth: One big ad will make a big impression.
Reality: The same money invested in a regular series of small ads will yield bigger results. Call Dean or Angela at
250-341-6299 to find out more.
N EW S PA P E R
By Kristian RasmussenPioneer Staff
A local ski racer got the op-portunity to witness southern hospitality first hand when he was chosen to attend the exclusive Ris-ing Stars camp in Vail, Colorado.
Team Panorama’s Keegan Sharp, 15, joined eight of his fellow Canadian ski racers and seven American up-and-comers as part of a unique arrangement between Alpine Canada and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Asso-ciation.
“I find this to be pretty big for my career,” Keegan said. “It was awesome being selected to rep-resent Canada down in Vail and show what I am really made of.”
Keegan began his skiing ca-reer in Invermere on a pair of old Atomic skis at the age of 18 months, and was chosen to attend the Rising Star camp because of his status as the top racer on the Alberta circuit in his age category.
The racer spent 10 days living, training and interacting with the best American and Canadian skiers in his age group.
. . . Continued on page 30
Racer earns dream trip
A FACE TO REMEMBER — Invermere’s Keegan Sharp will be competing at the 2013 Can Am ski rac-ing competition at Panorama Mountain Village on February 28th. Photo by Kristian Rasmussen
Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 8 p.m. For more information, please call 250-342-2424. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday (closed), and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. Radium Friendship Group: Friday at the Catholic Church, East Side of Main St. With the exception of Tuesday, all meetings are open.
Windy Café . . . is now open for lunch from 11:30 a.m - 2:30 p.m. and dinner as always from 5 - 9 p.m. Enjoy 10% off all orders.
Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us. Al-Anon meets EVERY Monday in Invermere at 7:15 p.m. at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 – 12th Ave (behind the Invermere hospital). For information, please call 250-342-8255.
Narcotics Anonymous meeting now available. Thursdays at 8 p.m. Call 250-342-1071 for more info.
ThANk yOU
A big, huge thank you to Monkey’s Uncle, Dee, Kristine, Kalista, Tammy, Naomi, Mark, Scouts and their parents, Kathleen of Little Badgers, Palliser Printing, Cherie - Sonshine Children’s Centre! Looking forward to a second year of National Children’s Creativity Night!
ChEErs & jEErs
Jeers to all those tossing rocks on the ice. It ruins the surface for skating!
Cheers to John Ronacher for making and donating the heavy-duty Christmas tree stand for the Invermere Public Library rooftop tree.
ChEErs & jEErs
Cheers to Cindy who found my family ring. From a very grateful Pat at IW.
Jeers to snow. You are water masquerading as ice which makes you just another wannabe. So pathetic.
Jeers to the person who jeered the locals for going to Black Friday which only happens once a year. They have amazing deals, in which you are just missing out on. If we only shopped locally everyone would be wearing the same thing!
Jeers to the person who stole my Bear’s big blue chair. Please bring it back and the police will not be notified, as we know who you are. My bear will appreciate it.
Cheers to the kind construction worker who unraveled my long scarf from my wheelchair on my way to Zumba. It’s because of people like you that I love this town.
Cheers to Sky Guy who grew his moustache and raised $880 toward the Movember campaign for prostate cancer. Generous and willing friends and locals made it an enjoyable undertaking.
Cheers to everyone who donated and supported the Purple Light Campaign.
Cheers to those who shop local! Jeers to those who believe shopping local means purchasing anything under 50 dollars locally, and over that going out of town.
Cheers to Shawn V. for always making the dishes without asking. You’re the best! ~ Greets the butcher.
Cheers to Bruce at Home Hardware for your help with my light. You really enlightened the situation. Thank you. ~ Harold.
ChEErs & jEErs
Cheers to Miss Colleen. You made Clare’s birthday extra special...you are one amazing lady!
Cheers to the Valley Peace Makers for making the beautiful quilted lap blankets for the residents of Columbia House. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Double cheers to the Copper Point crew and cooks for the great dinner and dessert at Feed the Town!
Cheers to the Steamboat Mountain Music Society and Dr. Fraser Smith for their kindness and compassion during my recent hospitalization. Sincerely ~ Mickey’s guitar, “Old Man Gibson.”
Jeers to whoever is responsible for vandalizing the light display in Fairmont.
Jeers to the guy at a local restaurant that was harassing a paying patron about how many desserts he was putting on his dish. Shame on you.
sTOrAgE
NEWHOUSEMULTI STORAGE
Various sizes available.Now with climate-controlled units.
Call 250-342-3637.
STORAGE SPACE – assorted sizes, easy access, immediate availability, long-term or short-term. Deck Properties Warehouse, Industrial Park: 250-342-3166.
COMMErCiAl spACE
Rent/sell: approx. 2,400 sq. ft. between Home Renovation Centre & Fitz Flooring. For more information please call Lorne at 250-270-0102.
1,200 sq. ft. commercial space. Excellent highway location, adjacent to Canadian Tire. 250-342-3790.
COMMErCiAl spACE
For lease: 1,200 sq. ft. finished office space. Available immediately. Call Scott at 250-342-5758.
For lease: newly renovated, beautiful office spaces. Street level. From 250 sq. ft. to 1,200 sq. ft., air-conditioned. Available immediately. Panache Building across from the A&W. Call 250-342-5805.
shArED ACCOMMODATiON
Private room with cable, phone, laundry access, Internet, and all utilities included, $400/month + $200 D.D., N/P. 1-866-222-0325.
Invermere: furnished room for rent in Westside Park. Available immediately. Call 250-688-7787.
Furnished room available for rent to female roomie. Ideal for working professional. Located in Westside Park, Invermere. Clean house with W/D, internet, storage. Utilities included. Call for a view. 250-341-5192.
sUiTE fOr rENT
CARRIAGE COURT APARTMENTS! Conveniently located behind Sobeys within walking distance to downtown. 2-bdrm townhouse units, outside entrance. Sliding glass doors open onto balcony, overlooking private courtyard. Fireplace and W/D included in each unit. Long-term preferred, N/P. Utilities not included. $750/month. Available immediately. 250-270-0729.
2-bdrm, 2-bath near Kinsmen Beach. Walk to downtown. Fully furnished, 6 appliances, $1,000/month includes utilities. N/S, N/P. 250-342-8787.
Radium: 2-bdrm apartment, F/S, W/D, dishwasher, real fireplace. $850/month, utilities included. 250-347-6420 or 250-688-1582.
Invermere: brand new 2-bdrm, 1-bath, fully-furnished basement suite with private entrance. 6 appliances, N/P, N/S. $1,250/month, utilities included. $625 D.D. References required. Available immediately. 250-342-7323.
Large, renovated 2-bdrm suite close to schools. Large yard, in-suite laundry. $750/month + utilities. [email protected].
sUiTE fOr rENT
Invermere centre: 1-bdrm apartment available immediately. Central location, parking at your door, laundry on site. 1-year lease, N/P, N/S. Call Sharon, 250-688-1365.
hOUsE fOr rENT
FOR RENT
www.gdpm.caor call Ben Green at
250-688-0362 for more info.
RADIUM2 bedroom + den, 2 bathroom Sable Ridge
Condo. Furnished and equipped. $1,000 + utilities.
WINDERMERE1 bedroom + den Akiskinook Resort Condo.
Seasonal rental, furnished and equipped. $750 includes utilities.
INVERMERE3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom Westside Park family
home, close to schools. $1,300 + utilities.
SEASONAL Fully furnished and equipped 2 bedroom,
2 bathroom condos in Lake Windermere Pointe and Heron Point from $1,250 inclusive.
Townhouse for rent at Cedarwood Glen Estates. 3-bdrm, 1.5 baths, garage. $1,200/month + utilities. N/S, N/P. Available immediately. 250-341-1182.
Westridge: 5-bdrm, 3-bath, large deck, fenced yard, double garage. F/S, D/W, microwave. N/S, N/P. $1,500/month + utilities. Available immediately. 604-935-7519.
Near Invermere: 1-bdrm upper-level suite situated on an acreage. Private, with beautiful views overlooking the lake and Rockies. D/W and great wood stove for cozy heat. $750 month. References please. 250-342-3790.
Windermere: 1-bdrm house. Cozy and clean, $750/month + utilities. 250-342-3790.
Windermere: newer 2-bdrm, 2-bath with garage on 11 acres. $1,000/month. Mark, 403-519-0252.
Large, bright, 5-bdrm, 2-bath home located in Wilder subdivision. N/S, pets negotiable. Large yard with fruit trees. Great incentives with long-term lease. $1,400/month + utilities. [email protected], 250-341-7167, or 250-341-8924.
Radium: 3-bdrm spacious house. N/P, N/S. $850/month + utilities. Available immediately. For more info call 250-347-9915.
Invermere: fully-furnished, wonderful, clean, bright 5-bdrm, 2-bath home for responsible family or joint tenants. Near high school and Kinsmen beach. 2 living rooms, walkout basement, attached garage, large deck, high-efficiency furnace, fireplace, D/W, F/S, W/D, microwave. N/S, N/P. Available immediately, $1,400/month + utilities, D.D., and propane deposit. References required. 403-618-7486.
Fairmont: 1,200 sq. ft. bright, 3-bdrm, 1.5-bath, large yard. 6 appliances, N/P, N/S. $900/month +DD+hydro. References required. 250-345-6100 or 250-341-8177.
Invermere: 3-bdrm house close to hospital and downtown. Quiet location suitable for families. Available immediately until May 2013. $1,200/month. 250-342-3790.
Edgewater: large, 4-bdrm trailer. Skylights in kitchen and bathroom, W/D, F/S, D/W, jetted tub. Electric and wood heat, $850/month + utilities and D.D. References required. Please call Marge Eugene at 250-347-9401 or 250-342-5275.
house for rent
Newly renovated clean, bright, 3-bdrm, 2-bath home with attached in-law suite. Fenced back yard. Walking distance to James Chabot beach. W/D, D/W, partially furnished, or unfurnished. N/S, small pet OK. $1,100/month. Available December 15th. 250-342-1597.
Edgewater: large 3-bdrm + den double wide. W/D, F/S, dishwasher. Jetted tub, skylights. Close to schools. $800/month + utilities. Has wood stove. 250-347-9401 or 778-440-1523.
Cozy 2-bdrm home by Columbia Lake. $500/month + utilities. N/S, N/P. 250-342-5215.
Rustic, cozy, 2-bdrm furnished cabin. No W/D. Large private yard with storage shed, pets okay. Suitable for one or two adults. 10 minute walk to downtown. $825 includes cable and utilities, available soon. 250-342-9636.
3-bdrm house. Great location and lake views! One level, W/D, F/S, dishwasher. Available January 1st. $815/month + utilities. Jeff, 250-688-1105.
Invermere: 3-bdrm home, with W/D and walking distance to all schools. Available immediately. $800/month + utilities. Call 342-3410 or 342-0088.
condo for rent
Canal Flats: 2-bdrm, 1.5-bath condo with in-suite laundry.1,000 sq. ft. of beautiful, comfortable, living space in quiet neighbourhood. $700/month + utilities. Available immediately. Call 403-873-8158 or e-mail c a n a l c o n d o @ l i ve. c a . S e r i o u s inquiries only.
2-bdrm condo near Sobeys. N/S, N/P, with washer and dryer. Quiet folks only need apply. $700/month. 250-342-6255.
Akiskinook Resort: 1-bdrm condo, fully furnished, 6-appliances, equipped indoor pool and hot tub. $700/month includes cable. 403-281-3991.
condo for rent
Contact Eric Redeker
250-342-5914
FirstChoiceRentals.ca
FOR RENTINVERMERE:
Lake Windermere Pointe starting at $800/month for unfurnished;
$1,250 and up for furnished. Pool, underground parking,
elevator and much more.
CASTLE ROCK: Luxurious condo, 2 master
suites, fantastic view, garage. $1,250 plus utilities.
RADIUM RESORT: Furnished 2 bedroom condo at
$1,250 plus utilities.
FAIRMONT SOUTH: Luxury two bedroom furnished
home at Spirits Reach. Call for information.
homes for rent
Trade my home in Calgary (MLS C3542937) plus a prime lot in Bella Vista for your home in Panorama or Columbia Valley. Call Ray 403-473-3359 or 403-890-4950.
4-bdrm, 2-bath home with 2 legal suites. Great location in Invermere. 250-409-9801.
Manufactured mobile home situated at #2 Green Acres Mobile Home Park. 8628 - Eacrett Road, Radium. 250-342-6007 for details.
condo for sale
Ski to your door, fully furnished 1-bdrm condo, F/P, deck, heated parking, swimming pool, and hot tubs. Tamarack Lodge, Panorama, BC, $115,000 Firm. Call 250-342-6858 after 6 p.m.
misc. for sale
Kidz Outlet Consignment December sale. 20% off second hand clothing. Bring in a donation item for the local food bank and receive an additional 10% off. Open Tuesday - Saturday. Located below Lambert and Kipp. Starting December 1st.
misc. for sale
Warwick Cabinets. Small quantities of hardwood flooring for sale. 20 sq. ft. - 100 sq. ft. All species, all colors. $20/box. Please call 250-342-6264 for more information.
Exterior smart trim: factory-finished in black. 36 pieces, 1” x 4” x 16 ft. + flashing etc., $350. CanExel Dutch Lap siding: factory-finished in Granite, 525 sq. ft., $750. Kenmore dishwasher, stove, and fridge. $50 each. Go-Pro Hero video camera, new, $125. Snowboard gear: men’s and women’s. Tons of stuff, priced to sell. Call and ask. 250-341-6287.
Electric scooter, needs 2 batteries, $400. 8-person Nahanni hot tub, like new. 2 water pumps/air pump. AM/FM stereo and CD player. Built-in 100’ electrical cable and GFI breaker. 27 large jets, 35 small jets. Deep seat, 2 recliner seats. $3,500. Phone 250-342-5905 or 250-688-0176.
Hay and Greenfeed, round bales. $30 - $80/bale depending on quality. Elkhorn Ranch, 250-342-0617.
Regency wood burning, air-tight stove. Gold door, excellent condition, with fan kit. $800. 250-342-0554.
Oak TV corner cabinet. Lower shelves with tinted glass doors. Opening 30” x 25” x 18”. $75. 250-345-0065.
Local, free-range, natural, gourmet Berkshire pork for sale. Cut, wrapped and ready for your freezer. Hams, roasts, sausages and more! Call 250-347-6868.
firewood
Support Rockies Hockey! Pine, fir, larch, dry and split. To order call 250-342-6908.
Fir firewood, split and delivered $200/cord. 250-342-5413.
recreational vehicles
2007 Summit X Skidoo. 5,000 kms. 159” track. New engine in 2011 with less than 1,000 kms. $5,900. 250-342-2898.
recreational vehicles
2001 Yamaha Warrior. Clean, well maintained. New chain and sprockets, low hours. $2,000 O.B.O. 587-227-6609.
wanted
Do you have a piano that is taking up space that you would like moved to a good home? If so, email [email protected] .
vehicles for sale
2004 Cavalier. 2-door, black, 5-speed. 185,000 kms, alloy rims, winter tires, 2 extra rims with tires. Great commuter, 40+ MPG. $3,500 OBO. 250-341-8578.
automotive
Remote control car starters sold and/or installed at Autowyze Services. 250-342-6614. Great Christmas gift!
automotive
Autowyze Services250-342-6614
Monday – SaturdayHere for all your automotive needs!
Leaks, squeaks, or rattles? Check engine light, running rough,
or perhaps not running at all? We’re here to help!
In a large bowl coarsely crumble the potato chips. In a double boiler (or large pot and metal bowl) melt chocolate and peanut butter chips. Stir in the peanuts mixing well; add some of the crumbled chips mixing well between each addition. Drop by heaping tablespoon onto a cookie sheet and put in the fridge/freezer or if winter put outside to cool and harden. Store in the fridge or they also freeze well. Makes about 48. ** These make great Christmas treats and gifts **
Environmentally friendly products. Dry in 1 hour! Call 250-688-0213 or visit www.heavensbest.ca .
Shannon’s Blinds & DesignsFree Draw – Pick your discountand receive before Christmas.
Expires December 14th.“ We are very happy with Shannon’s service; very dependable, accurate, technical and color advice. She was wonderful to deal with. She matched the product perfectly and the house became even better as a result of her work,” Henry and Shirley, Cranbrook.
Shannon’s Blinds & Designs250-342-5749
Covering the Valley – OneWindow At A Time
Have you purchased a Mac computer and need a tutor to learn the basics? Making the move to a Mac can be an intimidating experience. I will show you the basics and show you how to get more value from your system. Basic tutoring session, $30/hour. Call Emily at 250-409-4104.
Guitar lessons. Available most evenings and weekends. Call Emily at 250-409-4104.
services
Windermere Valley Childcare has permanent spaces in the 3 - 5-year-old group daycare. Available immediately! Please call 250-342-3168. Ask for Arlee, Silvia or Pat.
Gift wrapping - you hate it, I do it! Contact JD Jeffery for drop off and cost at 250-341-5803. Proceeds go to Windermere District Museum.
help wanted
Black Forest Restaurant is looking for a F/T server. Call, email or drop off resume. [email protected] or 250-342-9417.
Peppi’s is now hiring cooks and servers for the winter season. All applicants must be able to work weekends. Please forward resumes to [email protected] .
Invermere Petro-Can is currently accepting resumes for F/T and P/T employment. Apply in person to 185 Laurier Street, Invermere between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
help wanted
(4) FOOD COUNTER ATTENDANTS. 615637 B.C LTD O/A DAIRY QUEEN BRAZIER STORE, located in Cranbrook. Permanent, full-time, some high school, $10.50/hour. Duties are: take customer orders; prepare, heat and finish simple food items; serve customers at counter; use manual and electrical appliances to clean, peel, slice and trim foodstuffs; portion and wrap foods; package takeout food; keep records of the quantities of food used; clear and clean tables, trays and chairs; load bus pans and trays; set tables; replenish condiments and other supplies at tables and serving areas. Skills: can work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, good customer service and good communication skills. Apply by fax: 250-489-1462, attention to Mr. Trevor Weisbecker.
help wanted
Exciting employment opportunity for the right person. Do you have skills in computers, social media, fashion, health, and public relations? Are you looking to grow with a company? If so, I would like to hear from you! This is a full-time management position, located in Invermere, B.C. Send resume by email to [email protected]
help wanted
Ichi Resources Ltd. is seeking experienced logging equipment operators for work in Radium Hot Springs/Canal Flats area. Please send resume by email to [email protected] or fax to 778-479-2088.
QI GONG AND TAI CHI• Chinese exercises to promote healing, fitness and anti-aging
• Practices of moving meditation to promote good health and well being• Classes are on-going and beginners are welcome
• Ask about the new year schedule and register.For more information please contact:
Good attitude, that is!You hold an accounting designation (or very close to it or equivalent experience), but your friends and coworkers don’t really think of you as an “accountant”. You know your numbers instinctively, but are keenly interested in being a part of the business’ operations. You always take personal pride in the quality of the information you produce and you can effectively keep many balls in the air at one time in a busy, multi-organization entity. Those are the critical success factors for the Group Controller who will join our team – along with a great sense of humor and the ability to laugh at yourself. You are an accountant, after all.We are a group of companies located in the Invermere area that includes Windermere Water & Sewer, Parr Utilities Ltd. and Point Developments. We are involved in everything from water and sewer utilities to residential and commercial land development and every day puts a different challenge on the desk. Your attention to detail and passion for doing things right the
to dive into research whenever required and be knowledgeable
a private company environment. If you’re interested in being part of our team, please get that resume into our hands. This
requires a commitment to meeting the deadlines related to our [email protected]
Wanted: A Beancounter with Attitude
- -
Corix Utilities has an immediate opening for a Utility Administrator
(Job #2012-1739) at its Panorama location.
For more info and to apply, visit
www.corixjobs.com
LOG TRUCK OPERATOR POSITIONAre you ready to work for a company you can truly believe in?
Are you prepared to be a frontline Customer Service representative for our company?
Are you constantly learning and asking the right questions?Do you believe in ensuring safety and continued customer satisfaction?
Brisco Wood Preservers Ltd., a major Canadian Pole Producer of CCA treated wood poles to Western utilities and communications companies, is seeking to hire a Log Truck Operator.
Our main treating facility is located just north of Radium Hot Springs in the beautiful Columbia Valley in British Columbia. Brisco Wood Preservers’ second treating facility is located in Peers, Alberta. In addition to our pole manufacturing and treating, Brisco also produces large engineered beams from LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) in our laminating plant Brisco Manufacturing Ltd. Brisco sells treated posts, rails, plywood and lumber and we also custom treat a variety of wood products.
General Summary: Reporting to the Sales & Marketing Manager, the Log Truck Operator is responsible for the safe operation of the truck, hauling throughout BC and Alberta as well as occasional hauls to Saskatchewan and the US. This position is based out of Brisco, B.C., although overnight trips are required on a regular basis.
We wish to thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
Please address cover letter and resume to Dave Fabro – Sales & Marketing Manager. Include a copy of Driver’s Abstract. E-mail pdf file to: [email protected] or fax to
250-346-3218. Deadline for application is 5 p.m. (MST) Tuesday, December 18th, 2012 .
Sunny shoresIt’s the final countdown to submit your travel photos for
The Pioneer’s annual Travel Contest, which draws to a close at the end of this month.
Send in your high resolution images to [email protected] by midnight on December 31st for your chance to win two tickets to a Calgary Flames game, plus overnight accom-modation in Calgary, courtesy of Invermere Travel World. The winners will be announced in our January 5th edition.
Pictured, clockwise from top left: Bill and Marlyn Des-Brisay, Dale and Barbara MacDonald, and John and Joan Selzler (left to right) at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy; Steve Tristram and Patricia Teran in 38 degree temperatures at a surfing competition on Jaco beach, Costa Rica; Pete and Penny Jensen at the launch of Blue Nose II in Lunenberg Nova Scotia.
December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 29
We’re ready... are you?
Did you know we have huuuugeSeniors’ discounts?
Magazine editor and newspaper reporterThe location
The Columbia Valley Pioneer Newspaper is seeking a full-time magazine editor/newspaper reporter.
The roleThis full-time, permanent position in-volves content gathering, writing and ed-iting for six annual magazine publications including a local visitor guide, homes & lifestyle magazine and wedding magazine. As the driving force behind all magazines, creative flair and the ability to self-moti-vate and work independently are integral.
When not working on magazines, the successful applicant will be 1/3 of a small-town newspaper’s editorial team, working alongside a reporter and editor to take photos, write stories, and lay out and edit
pages in InDesign. A passion for small-town news and unearthing interesting features is key.
Around 50 per cent of the role is as a reporter, with occasional cover of the newspaper editor’s position. The other six months are dedicated to magazines. Some weekend and evening work is required.
• Beef Wellington • Stuffed Turkey Breast • Salmon in Puff Pastry
By Pioneer StaffThe Columbia Valley Rockies are asking the
public and fans attending their games against the Grand Forks Border Bruins and Creston Thunder-cats on December 7th and 8th to show their valley generosity by bringing along a non-perishable food
item for donation to the Christmas Bureau. The philanthropy of fans will not go unno-
ticed as each donor will have their name entered into a draw for a unique Rockies alumni jersey signed by Rockies coach and former New York Islander, Wade Dubielewicz.
Rockies need help showing softer side
Give the gift of beauty this holiday season.
Gift cards and gift packs available at
Valley Hair Styling.
Valley Hair Styling1313 7 Avenue, Invermere250-342-6355
Lit from withinThese sparkling entries into Invermere Business Committee’s Window Display Decorating Competition come courtesy of
Be Gifted (left) and Monkey’s Uncle Toy & Gift Company. Photos by Greg Amos
30 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer December 7, 2012
. . . ‘Racer’ continued from page 21
“The idea was to take the best from around the country, because it hadn’t really been done before,” said Mark Sharp, Keegan’s father and Team Panora-ma head coach and program director. “The key was getting the best with the best. They train and live to-gether like they do in Europe.”
Keegan’s schedule during the camp consisted of 5:30 a.m. wakeup calls, followed by homework,
hours of training runs on the ski hill, dryland gym training and even a little time to be a teenager.
“One of the best days was probably our second to last,” he added. “We went to the movies, had pizza together and then we all went swimming and had an awesome time. We will be friends now and it will be good to see them again.”
The next time Keegan will see his American friends will be from behind the starting gate when they come to Panorama for the under 16 Can-Am
ski racing competition at Panorama Mountain Vil-lage on February 28th, 2013. The racer is prepared to defend his home hill, partly due to some of the lessons he imported from his time in Vail, he added.
“My worst habit was a really strong pull on my left side,” Keegan added. “My body would follow through with my ski and it would make me fall quite a bit on the left side, but now I am just fix-ing it and squaring my hips out so that I am more stacked on top of the skis.”
Top-end athletes start season at PanoramaBy Kate IrwinPioneer Staff
World-class skiers from across Canada have been tearing down the slopes at Panorama Mountain Village in recent weeks as part of the resort’s pre-season race training.
The ski hill, which has been open since November 14th for early season, on-snow race training, is currently playing host to around 350 athletes. These range from Canadian na-tional ski team members to young up-and-com-ers from the Windermere Valley Ski Club and Team Panorama.
“It’s a huge program that we do every year and we’re one of the only resorts that caters to this type of training,” said Jamie Hurschler, Marketing Coordinator for Panorama.
“The really cool thing is it gives racers a space of their own to practice and it gives us a chance to prepare for the full season.”
While the mountain will not open to the public until December 14th, with snowmaking and grooming still taking place on many runs, the lower half of the ski area is bustling with hundreds of racers.
“Right now they’re on Oldtimer, Showoff and Hayfever,” Mr. Hurschler added. “It’s really excit-ing for the staff who are here year-round to see people out on snow again, as well as for new staff
arriving to a hill with lots of activity already.”With no alpine ski world cup races taking
place at Panorama this year, the first big event of the season has been the International Para-lympic Committee Alpine Ski races, which took place from November 28th to 30th.
Members of the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team — including Paralympic medallists Josh Dueck, Viviane Forest, Kimberly Joines, and Chris Williamson — spent three days jockeying for podium finishes in their respec-tive race categories.
“We’ve had some of the best in the world, very high level athletes here competing,” said Lloyd Steeves, Chief of Races for IPC Alpine Ski. “As it wasn’t a Continental or World Cup race, some athletes who would not normally ski with the Canadian team had a chance to compete with and alongside them.”
The next big event of the season for Pan-orama will be the Nor-Am Cup, taking place from December 10th to 17th.
“We’re very excited to host all of the up-coming season’s races,” Mr. Hurschler added. “The public are welcome to come up and watch the Nor-Am or any other races this season from the bottom of the hill.”
To learn more about Panorama Moun-tain Village, visit www.panoramaresort.com, or call 250-342-6941.
SPEEDY — Trinity Tratch, a young member of Alberta’s para-alpine ski team, skis to a third-place finish in the Men’s Slalom Standing category at the Interna-tional Paralympic Committee Alpine Ski races at Panorama Mountain Village on November 30th. Trinity is one of 350 athletes competing and training at the hill before opening day on December 14th. Photo by Kristian Rasmussen
December 7, 2012 The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 31
FAITH Valley Churches
By Father GabrielSt. Joseph’sCatholic Church
Canadians are known for their volunteerism, a gen-erous sharing of time, talent and resources to bring joy and happiness in the lives of others. It’s indeed quite im-pressive to think of this con-cept of volunteerism in our modern times.
Probably this greatness of heart is slowly being rel-egated because of the busy lives that we all lead. The people who came into this land of opportunity in 1845 and afterwards were always praised for their selfless sharing of their skills and talents without counting the cost. They brought such joy and development to this land.
For example, the Chinese people who were chiefly responsible for the Canadian Pacific railroad catch our attention. What an amount of struggles they would have faced to lay the foundation for this transport facility.
Overcoming the mountainous challenges, they worked in sqalid conditions to provide us with the rail-road. Chinese people in Canada are always remembered for their dedication, goodwill and volunteerism.
Much the same are the several Europeans who came into this land to make a living. Crossing borders, hurdles
and entertaining untold miseries both on the sea and land, leaving their family and friends behind, they came into this land to begin a new life. They grouped them-selves together, belonged to each other and volunteered to help each other towards progress and prosperity. They were able to create a “we” feeling in the communities they lived in because they shared the community’s strug-gles and challenges willingly by becoming part and par-cel of the social fabric.
It was all their good will, generosity and greatness of heart that motivated them to contribute towards the growth and development of others through their dedi-cated volunteerism.
This great Canadian ideal of volunteerism is slowly but steadily losing its spirit from our social endeavours, perhaps because of the shifting of culture, busy lives or our aging population.
People in the recent past made such a difference in their lives by becoming one with the community, inter-twining themselves with its social life and volunteering to share their time, talent and resources. Are we able to see the same spirit pervading in the modern minds too, to walk an extra mile with those who require our services, to make a difference in our lives through our humanitarian activities to bring joy and happiness in the people we meet?
Christmas is a season of grace. God volunteered to honour the humans by becoming a human being to be with us all. Shall we give expression to His Love and ser-vice through our volunteering nature? I wish you peace, joy, and Merry Christmas!
Volunteerism is a Canadian ideal
Garden expert and ce-lebrity author Mark Cullen, who regularly appears on CTV’s Canada AM, paid a special visit to the Columbia Valley to talk to customers and staff at Invermere Home Hardware about proper gar-den care on December 1st.
Pictured, from left to right, back row: Don Miller, Mark Cullen, Al Miller, Bri-an Mackenzie. Front row: Donna Statham, Marianne Ragan and Marlene Pirie.
Photo by Kristian Rasmussen
Garden guardian
Valley ChurchesLAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH
Sunday, December 9th, 10:30 a.m. Worship and Life Instruction, “The Peace of Christmas.” Pastor Trevor ministering
“K.I.D.S.” Church for children age 3 to Grade 1 and Grade 2 to 5 during the morning service.
No sing and celebrate this evening.Pastor Trevor Hagan • 326 - 10th Avenue, Invermere
250-342-9535 • www.lakewindermerealliance.org
WINDERMERE VALLEy SHARED MINIStRyANGLICAN-UNItED
10:30 a.m.: Worship at Christ Church Trinity, Invermere.9:30 a.m. God’s Breakfast Club for children and youth
Reverend Laura Hermakin 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-6644
www.wvsm.ca
VALLEy CHRIStIAN ASSEMbLy
Sunday, 10 a.m.: Worship and Word Kids’ Church provided.Pastor Murray Wittke
