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North of 50®LOCAL LATITUDE, GLOBAL ATTITUDE January 2011 Vol. 9, Issue 1

The Children of Palestine

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CONTENTS

FEATURES COLUMNS12 Off The Grid: But Still In The Race By Patti Shales-Lefkos

20 Garry Gottfriedson: At Home in Two WorldsBy Trudy Frisk

38 CU L8R NGLSHBy Dawn Renaud

28 STAYCATIONSBC’s Other Winter SportsBy Margo Pfeiff

32 AWAY FROM HOMEThe Stars Are Out And About In Atlantic City

36 HEALTH MATTERS

40 ARTS HAPPENING

41 COMING EVENTS

43 JANUARY ACTIVITIES

44 COMMUNITY EVENTS

5 FROM THE EDITOR

16 REGIONAL ATTITUDEAn interview with Heather SchneiderInternational Children’s Winter Games

18 CALVIN WHITELLL vs MMA

26 DON SAWYERFair Comment: Travels with Farley: An Emptiness in the American Heartland

31 LISE SIMPSONI Hereby Resolve...

37 BOB HARRINGTONIt’s Your World: The Core of the Problem

January 2011 Vol. 9, Issue 1

DEPARTMENTS

12 20 38

the Children OF PalestineThe Israeli occupied West Bank is a world away from the Okanagan Valley, yet close enough for some Valley residents to make a difference in the lives of children in Palestine.By Christine Pilgrim 8

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FROM OUR editOr

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LOCAL LATITUDE, GLOBAL ATTITUDENorth of 50

OFten, quite by aCCident, a theme gets tucked in between the pages of North of 50°, as it did in this, the January 2011, issue.

This month, we present two stories about children from around the world; first, in Christine Pilgrim’s thought provoking article about school aged children in Palestine, and second in our Regional Attitude Q & A with Heather Schneider, Chair of the International Children’s Winter Games, which will be held in Kelowna at the end of January.

You are not alone if you are wondering why we chose to publish a story about children from the other side of the world. A few people have asked me why a regional magazine is reporting on world events.

Simply put, what happens anywhere in the world affects everywhere in the world. Last April, North of 50° changed its tag line to Local Latitude, Global Attitude to reflect our belief that this region is part of a bigger picture. Like the song says, we are the world.

While governments and businesses form international alliances, advances in technology and communications link us all. We live in a global economy, and like it or not, isolationism isn’t an option. The Thompson Okanagan is connected to the rest of the world.

One day in the not so distant future, the children of Palestine will be adults and how they see us then will depend on how we see them today. That’s why volunteers from this area go to that area, to change the world, one kind act at a time.

That’s part of the mandate of the International Children’s Winter Games, too. From January 26th to 31st, youth, aged 12 to 15 from around the world will descend on the Okanagan, along with parents, friends and coaches, for a week of competition and interaction. The event puts emphasis on sporting ideals, respect, and understanding different cultures and ways of thinking. The aim of the Games is not to win but to create strong bonds of friendship and solidarity between young athletes from all over the world.

Maybe, just maybe, events like this will help make a better world.

But then again, the world isn’t such a bad place, at least according to Dave Seymour a policy analyst with the Frontier Centre, a conservative think tank based in the prairies. His opinion piece titled, Cheer Up: the World is a Wonderful Place, appears on (page 24). Seymour’s cheery tone is in stark contrast to Don Sawyer’s Fair Comment column (page 26) , which describes “an emptiness in the American

continued

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LOCAL LATITUDE, GLOBAL ATTITUDE August 2010 Vol. 8, Issue 8

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Dear “northof50.com” I just finished reading your Vol 8, Issue 12, and as usual, I found it very interesting and educational. However, on page 13, I came across a story called “BRONC BUSTERS AND HAY SLOOPS”, and although it was of interest, I found one sentence which did not sit quite right with me. In the middle of the article, there is a sentence which reads as follows: “Ollie Matheson, one of the only women to ride in the Williams Lake Stampede’s death defying Mountain Race;” etc. I believe the word “women” indicates there were two or more women, yet using the word “one” seems to say she was the only women in the race. If nothing else, Ollie was a “woman” and for sure she was not a “women! Perhaps I’m a bit too ‘pickie”, but I think you will agree - that if nothing else - the wording used, was a wee bit awkward. Yours truly, Mike Cotton

heartland.” What’s interesting is that though the columns have different perspectives, I found myself nodding in agreement with both, proving the old adage that there are two sides to every story.

Social issues are not one dimensional. Neither are personalities, and that couldn’t be more evident than in Trudy Frisk’s profile of writer and rider, Garry Gottfriedson: At home in Two Worlds (page 20) or in Patti Shales-Lefkos story about extreme skier Dag Aabye (page 12).

I hope you enjoy these articles, and all the others in this issue!

Happy reading and Happy New Year!

TJ Wallis

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LOCAL LATITUDE, GLOBAL ATTITUDE

OUR COntributOrs North of 50

trudy FrisK is a writer who has flickers, towhees, aggressive deer, and two garter snakes she’s named Sage and Brush, frequenting her yard in Kamloops. Fortunately, she likes wildlife. (She won’t discuss gophers, though.) Visitors who’ve seen the paper piles in her office believe glaciers are regrouping.

Christine Pilgrim is a regular contributor to North of 50 and currently reviews concerts for Vernon’s Morning Star. As her one-woman history-based shows are as popular with adults as with children, she incorporated some of them in her cabaret performances over the holiday season. What a hoot!www.christinepilgrim.com .

dawn renaud realized she needed an excuse for ignoring her chores and sinking into the alternate reality of a good book. Today she channels her creative immagination and affinity for words into more lucrative pursuits, writing for business and magazines and helping other writers hone thier craft. Dawn lives in a tiny house in Penticton.

Patti shales leFKOs spends winters at Silver Star Mountain downhill, cross country and back country skiing. She enjoys summers on a remote Ontario island, a base camp for rowing, flat water and white water canoeing. She loves to introduce others to the joys of wilderness travel.

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The Childrenof PalestineBy Christine Pilgrim

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the Palestinian bOy who sits on the ground against the metal gate of the Israeli military base has not thrown a stone at a soldier or shouted at the driver of a bulldozer. Neither has he stolen, nor tried to blow himself or anyone else up. He has simply failed to produce an identity card.

The Okanagan Valley is a world away from this reality.

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, all Palestinians aged 16 and over are required to carry cards to identify who they are and where they live. Palestinian youth can be tried under military law and imprisoned for not carrying ID cards or for being outside their designated zones.

Problems arise when someone aged 13 or 14 looks older. Some boys as young as 12 have been held for questioning. If proof of their age is not submitted, they are transported from the military base to court where they can be handcuffed and remain under ‘administrative detention’ indefinitely. In such cases, Israeli lawyers advise international organizations like the Red Cross and Christian Peacemakers Team to intervene as early as possible, before any formal detention process begins.

One such Peacemaker is Armstrong resident, Johann Funk. He recently spent eight weeks in Area C in the old city of Hebron, about 26 kilometres south of Jerusalem. There he helped this youth and several others detained at military bases. (Area C is under total Israeli control.)

This is the fourth year that Funk has acted as Peacemaker. His mandate is to observe and report. When he watched a young child forced to cross Quitoun Checkpoint on her way to kindergarten, he wrote:-

“She is a vision of innocence, peering up into the dull eyes of the towering soldier who had ordered her to stop. She strains to hand him the backpack that is half her length. He systematically opens every zipper and plunges his hands into each pocket before handing the pack back. It slumps to the ground. The little girl carefully closes the zippers and, with considerable effort, slings the pack on to her back. She is already forgotten by the young soldier who has moved on to the next search. The tiny tot stumbles as she hurries to catch up with her friends.”

According to Funk, this ritual is a significant part of the girl’s education: “to know her place.” Morning and afternoon, students

Photo by Johann Funk who helped negotiate the release of this young Palestinian detained at the military base at Beit Romano in the heart of Old Hebron. There are currently over 300 Palestinian children in Israeli prisons. Cover Shot - Lisa Talisnick with two of the Palestinian children she and her friends took on a hike to Lazarus’s tomb in Bethany. Photo submitted.

like her negotiate up to three checkpoints to get to and from school. The checkpoints all have metal detectors. Some have turnstiles. The extent to which the checks are invasive depends on the orders soldiers receive. One day they might check every backpack; other days, none at all. This unpredictability, coupled with the fact that the searches often render them late for school, makes the children nervous.

Johann Funk and his colleagues in the Christian Peacemakers Team (www.cpt.org) also help to ensure the safety of Palestinian children harassed by settler youth who tend to moderate any violent behaviour if they are being observed. In extreme cases ‘CPT-ers’ try to create a diversion to give the Palestinian children time to reach safety. “It exposes us to risk,” says Funk, “but the risk to the children would be greater if we did nothing.” As most

incidents occur near sensitive areas, soldiers are often present. However they are forbidden to intervene when settler youth swarm Palestinian students.

Aware that he cannot change the severity of the occupation, let alone end it, Johann Funk watches, writes and prays that he contributes in some small way to the larger struggle.

Meanwhile, Jewish international journalist Lisa Talisnick, who regularly wrote for Vernon’s Morning Star, left the Okanagan for her second home in Israel at the beginning of last year. She had intended to stay for two months but stayed ten, working with Palestinian children in a village called Al Walajeh on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

She and several friends started the All Nations Cafe there seven years ago. As its name implies, the All Nations Cafe brought Israeli and Palestinian children together - singing, dancing, playing and learning.

But the enterprise is threatened by the

(Above) Children of different nations learning rhythm with drumsticks in a music class run by volunteers in Palestine.Photo submitted. (Below)A Christian Peacemaker Team member (CPT-er) accompanies students through a field after settler youth blocked the only access road to a Palestinian neighbourhood. Photo by Johann Funk. (Next Page)Volunteers like Lisa Talisnick give more than swimming lessons to these children of Palestine. Photo submitted.

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extension of the separation wall that runs along Jerusalem’s southern border, spanning Biblical sites from Bethlehem to Beit Sahur where “shepherds watched their flocks” and stretching east to Bethany where Lazarus rose from the dead. The wall’s extension will make it illegal for the children to cross into forbidden territory to play with their former neighbours.

Talisnick sees in Palestinian youth the deep need to regain their sense of worth and community. So she helps Israeli, Palestinian and International instructors cross the border to conduct workshops, along with summer and winter camps, under the umbrella of Service and Peace in the Community (http://service-for-peace-middle-east.blogspot.com/).

“Once, in our music class, the kids heard some of us speaking Hebrew and asked if we’d teach it to them,” says Talisnick. “So we did. That was an interesting development.”

Another “interesting development” is the group’s swimming program. Although the Mediterranean Sea is less than an hour’s drive away, the Palestinian children Talisnick works with have never seen it. Restricted by the separation wall, poverty and large families unable to care for them, they have never gone swimming anywhere.

So Talisnick’s group of volunteers bused 70 children to a pool eight kilometres from the refugee camp where they live. Once in the water, the excited youngsters begged for their turn to

learn to float: “Anna! Anna! Anna! Dori! Dori!” (Me! Me! Me! My turn! My turn!)

Talisnick recalls how, when they experienced the sensation of floating for the first time, they felt a kind of release that filled them with wonder.

The program is so successful that the team has now established lifeguard training for 15 teenage Palestinian girls - some from local refugee camps, others from a nearby orphanage. As fully-fledged lifeguards, they will be enabled to earn sufficient to put themselves through higher education and thus enhance their chances of escaping the bleak future that they currently face.

“It’s as if the girls are swimming for their lives,” says Lisa Talisnick who hopes to soon extend the program to include boys.

She shares Johann Funk’s view that we may not be the centre of the solution but we might play a small part in changing these lives of the children of Palestine.

Visit http://service-for-peace-middle-east.blogspot.com/ for more information about the lifeguard and swimming programs, and www.cpt.org for more information about the Christian Peacemakers Team.

For information on Vernon’s Palestinian Study Group, contact Steve Heeren at tzsche@shaw.ca

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OFF the gridbut still in the raCe

By Patti Shales-Lefkos

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there’s nOthing dag aabye likes better than donning his horn-rimmed glasses, sitting in front of the fire reading the Globe and Mail and the Vancouver Sun on a Sunday morning. “It’s better than TV. I can take in the information at my own speed in the quiet of the woods,” he explains. “The less you need, the happier you are.”

But there’s more to this picture. It’s not a leisurely 9:00 am. It’s more likely to be 4:00 am. Dag is up to stoke the fire in the woodstove, the only source of heat in his converted school-bus home in the woods near Silver Star Mountain. He’s brewing coffee with water collected from a nearby stream while reading by headlamp. And those newspapers? Bought them the day before on his four-hour run down to Swan Lake and back. “At first it was hard, now it’s routine,” he says. “Nothing like taking the bus to Rutland and running the High Rim Trail back to Vernon. That can take 16 hours. I do that two or three times a year.”

It’s all part of his training for the upcoming Sparkling Hill Masters World Cup of Cross Country Skiing in March 2011. “I choose not to live life in the comfort zone. We have a short life and I don’t want to spend it on a couch.”

Not the usual 69 year-old. But not much about Dag’s life to date has been what most would call ordinary. Born in Sigdal, Norway, west of Oslo, he started skiing at the age of two and has never stopped, except for five childhood years in Argentina where his parents had gone to farm. After finishing high school in Norway he studied gymnastics in Denmark, followed by a stint with the special forces ski section in the Norwegian Army. “The army was a great time to figure out what I was going to do,” he says.

His story, well-known in the BC skiing community, begins in the early 60’s with Dag as a ski instructor in Scotland. Fast forward to a party in London where he was spotted walking downstairs on his hands by a talent agent and offered a job as a movie stuntman. That led to work in about 20 movies, most notably Goldfinger with Sean Connery.

Next stop Latin America, for a few years of skiing and instructing in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Then in 1966, fate struck in the form of a free ticket to Vancouver to check out the new mountain called Whistler. There he appeared in ski movies by film-maker Jim Rice, an early rival of Warren Miller. Always up for a challenge he pulled stunts like skiing the Gondola run, moguls and all, on one ski, left leg one day, right the next.

Perhaps his most notorious escapade, a ski descent of the south face of the North Vancouver Lions, is best described by Vancouver Sun photographer Deni Eagland. Dag, then 27, was helicoptered to a crested ridge between the peaks. “We watched in awe as Aabye plunged down the slope leaping off mounds and gracefully avoiding trees in beautiful sweeping turns,” wrote Eagland. “But in a split second the beauty turned to horror as a section of snow about 100 feet wide started to slide, carrying Aabye with it. We stared in horror as the seething mass of snow engulfed Aabye.”

“I fell into a tree well. Everything I had was broken: my skis, everything. But I was alive. Pure luck,” Dag recalls.

Soon after, he married and spent 17 years as a logger in Squamish. “It was a good BC job to bring up a family,” says Dag, describing his kids with obvious pride. Dana, 34, is a cross country skier married to a Saskatchewan dairy farmer, Heidi, 33, a snowboarder is a nurse in Golden and Hans, her twin brother, a record setting runner and snowshoer is the assistant manager of the Merritt Walmart.

Most Dag stories stop there. But there’s so much more.So what does a legend once dubbed The Father of Freeride do for an encore? The family moved to Vernon in 1993, joined the Silver Star ski community and built the Heartbreak Hotel chalet in the cabin colony. Dag continued his exploits, rapidly gaining a position in Silver Star folklore.

Locals describe his unorthodox training method of barrelling down the Silver Star road, strapped to the top of a car in ski tuck position, practicing for downhill speed events. Or the three times he rode the 24 Hours of Adrenalin mountain bike race solo at Silver Star, once with one arm in a cast.

Whistler and Silver Star ski legend still has what it takes, and then some.

“Nothing like taking the bus to Rutland and running

the High Rim Trail back to Vernon. That can take

16 hours. I do that two or three times a year.”

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iF yOu lOng FOr the glOwing hearts feeling of the Olympics, you won’t want to miss the Sparkling Hill Masters World Cup Cross Country ski championships March 3 to 11, 2011. Sovereign Lake Nordic Club expects to welcome 1,200 athletes representing more than 25 countries.

The original bid was submitted to the World Masters Cross-Country Ski Association in January 2007and awarded to Sovereign Lake in September 2008, making it the first time the event will be held in BC. Past Canadian locations were Alberta and Quebec.

Scott Lemon, Bjorn Meyer, Glenn Bond, Sharon Clarke and Don Wylie then formed a steering group and Bruce Cummings became chair of the organizing committee.

Sovereign Lake Nordic Club past president Brad Clements, Project Manager for the event, grew up in Stirling, Ontario, where he could ski out the back door. He still loves the sport. “What I’m most looking forward to is the buzz that’s going to be up here. You’ll be able to hear at least 12 different languages during a 10 km ski. The enthusiasm for Nordic skiing will be incredible.”

He’s on the lookout for lots of volunteers. “We need 350. No certification is necessary. The official languages are English, French, German and Italian and 120 Russian skiers have

sOvereign laKe set tO sParKle FOr glObal guestsJoin the excitement as Sovereign Lake Nordic Club and Silver Star Mountain prepare to host the world.

For the past decade endurance races have captivated his interest, most notably The Canadian Death Race in Grand Cache, Alberta, 125 km through the Rocky Mountains. “It is the most grueling event I’ve ever done. You can never take it for granted to finish. I’ve done it seven times, and had six age group first place wins,” he says. In 2002 he placed fourth in his age group in the 10km at the World Cup Masters Cross Country ski race in Quebec.

For a while he washed dishes at the Aberdeen Deli but now lives simply on his old age pension, grateful for the assistance of Silver Star Mountain, Silver Star’s Valhalla Sports and Same Sun Hostel and Roster Sports Club in Vernon. Their sponsorship allows him to focus on his upcoming 10, 15 and 30 km races in the Sparkling Hill Masters World Cup.

“Summer training is country hill running with a pack and rollerblading at Swan Lake,” he says. “Early winter is snow running on bush trails, then skiing.”

Dag’s advice is to go for it if you feel good and back off when you’re tired. “Always try to sense what you can do. Don’t let anyone else write a training schedule for you.”

Diet tips? “I eat what I feel like. I listen to what my body wants. It’s what’s in between meals that counts. The worst thing you can do is sit still.”

Know thyself. Wise words from this philosopher who has kept a journal for the past 34 years. “Every day I check the same day last year to see if I am making progress,” he explains. “But I live in the now. I have a list of priorities and keep them. Then all else falls into place.”

Glad to be alive after The Lions avalanche and countless life threatening logging incidents Dag welcomes the chance to give back. He says five years as a Friday volunteer at the Vernon Food Bank have taught him a lot. “It’s a fantastic group of real people. It’s part of my life. Payback time for all the close calls.”

Turning 70 in May 2011, the 6’2” mountain man isn’t content to rest on his laurels. “If it’s difficult, I’ll do it right away. If it’s impossible, just give me a little more time.” He plans to be the first 70-year-old to complete the Death Race. Then, on the list for 2012 is a brisk three-month jog over the 3, 500 km wilderness Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

“Bring it on,” as Dag would say.

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JANUARY 1960 - 50 Years Ago

This Month

January 1 - The British farthing coin, used since the 13th century, and worth 1/4th of a penny, ceased to be legal tender.January 1 - Australia became the second nation, after the US, to permit the sale of the birth control pillJanuary 2 - Cuba’s Prime Minister, Fidel Castro, demanded the US Embassy in Havana reduce its staff from 87 to 11 and U.S. President Eisenhower responded by ending diplomatic relations with Cuba and banning travel by its citizens to Cuba.January 6 - John F. Kennedy was formally elected as the 35th President of the United States. January 11 - The University of Georgia admitted African-American students for the first time, five days after a federal judge ordered integration. January 15 - Motown Records signs The Supremes.January 18 - Canadian NHL player, Mark Messier was born in Edmonton January 25 - John F. Kennedy began a tradition by holding the first live presidential press conference, which was broadcast on all 3 TV networks. January 26 - Canadian NHL star, Wayne Gretzky was born in Brantford, Ontario January 27 - The Soviet submarine S-80, with a crew of 68, vanished in the Barents Sea. The wreckage of the S-80 was not discovered until more than seven years later.January 27 - The television show Sing Along with Mitch debuted on NBC and ran for six seasons. As Mitch Miller sang, lyrics appeared in subtitles on the screen.January 28 - The Smothers Brothers, comedians Tom and Dick Smothers, first appeared on national television, as guests on the Tonight show, hosted by Jack Paar.

already confirmed. Volunteers with different languages are especially welcome,” Brad says. For information go to http://www.mwc2011.com.

The 10-day extravaganza will include a Nordic Expo under a huge tent in the parking lot with ski demos, and merchandise sold through Stussi Sport. Souvenirs will include logo buffs, T-shirts, toques, mugs and hoodies.

But it’s not all about shopping; it’s about race participation. While many elite racers will attend, the majority of skiers will enter the 5 to 50 km races at the recreational level. The only criteria? You must be 30 years of age or older on race day. The $230 race fee includes enrollment in three races, awards, transportation to Vernon and Silver Star hotels, opening ceremonies at Silver Star and the closing banquet at the Wesbild Centre.

There’s also the chance to ski the new roller coaster trail designed by Don Wylie, named for his father, Carl Wylie, first president of the Silver Star Ski Club in 1938 and charter member of the North Okanagan Cross Country Ski Club, now Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.

Local sponsorship has been amazing. “We have tremendous support from 47 different organizations and businesses at various levels,” Clement says. “We are especially grateful to be working with Silver Star Mountain. The village provides the perfect ambiance for the opening ceremonies and daily awards program.” The Sovereign committee will also organize Okanagan tours. “People are coming here for more than a race. They are coming for the full experience,” he says.

Silver Star Nordic Manager Glenn Bond says it will be the biggest event the North Okanagan has ever seen. “I’m most looking forward to the Parade of Nations in Silver Star Village on Friday, March 4,” he says. “It’s going to be busier than Christmas.”

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REGIONAL

attitudeheather Schneider is the regional Dean for the Central okanagan for okanagan College. heather is a rotarian and a director on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board. She participates in many other community and charitable events such as the United Way, 24 hour relay and Wild Festival for Youth. North of 50° spoke with heather in her capacity as Chair of the 21 member organizing Committee for the International Children’s Winter Games in Kelowna being held in Kelowna from January 26-31, 2011.

The International Children’s Winter Games (ICG) have been held every year since 1968 in various European cities. How did this event come to North America for the first time this year, and specifically, how did it come to Kelowna?

The ICG have been ongoing for the last 40 years, mostly held in European cities. The last summer games were held in Bahrain. Other games have been held in Athens; in 2012 they’ll be in South Korea. However, the ICG was looking for a venue outside of Europe. With the recent Winter Olympics held in Vancouver, they cast their eyes over to BC. They contacted Bob Sugden, who had been involved in the

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ICG summer games in Hamilton, Ontario, and who now lives in Peachland. He suggested they consider Kelowna. So the ICG got in touch with City of Kelowna and an agreement was signed to bring the 5th International Children’s Winter games to North America for the first time.

Why are these games an important event for the Okanagan?

We live in such a beautiful resort area. It’s important to have the Okanagan known internationally. We’ve invited well over 200 cities from around the world, many of which haven’t heard of Okanagan or Kelowna. Events like this bring incredible international recognition to our city and region.

We’re also having a business forum similar to the one they had at the Winter Olympics. The idea is to connect companies from the Okanagan with countries that have the same industries. It’s an opportunity for those companies – tourism, wine, technology - to promote their product and services in connection with international markets. For example, we’ll pair up some one from the Slovenian wine industry with someone in the wine industry here, giving them an opportunity to network. The Economic Development Commission and the Chamber of Commerce are on board to make this a really meaningful event.

What’s important about these Games is that we have people coming from all over the world. What a great opportunity for our youth. I attended the summer games in Bahrain where we saw youth connecting with each other from different countries. By hosting the games, Kelowna will have an ongoing legacy to attend future games. The next summer games will be held in Lanarkshire Scotland, this August, and we’re putting together a team for that. If anyone is interested in participating in those games as an athlete, they can contact us at info@kelown2011.com

The seven core winter sports will be cross country skiing, alpine skiing, snow boarding, figure skating, speed skating, curling and hockey. How are athletes selected to participate, how many athletes do you anticipate and from how many cities/ countries?

It’s a city to city invitation. Cities turn to their athletic organizations who select their athletes, depending on the sports included. In some cases there are try outs such as the curling try outs we had in December and the Big white racers are scheduled for try outs in January. From there the best athletes are selected to attend the Games. We’re

expecting over 450 athletes from 38 cities. They bring coaches and other delegations. Many visitors will come with those teams. The ICG Winter games will be a real international event, with all totalled over 1000 people from around the world in Kelowna that week. Each city will send a VIP,a city representative, who will stay at the Delta Grand. That’s where our athletes village is and where the closing ceremonies will be held. We’re housing the boys’ hockey team at Rutland Secondary and the girls’ hockey team at Parkinson’s Rec. The athletes and coaches are billeted and if anyone wants to help they can email me at info@kelowna2011.com.

Along with the sporting events, what cultural activities are planned to coincide with the ICG?

The opening ceremonies are on January 27 at Prospera Place. It’s a two hour ceremony which will have a parade of athletes and a live show with local artists. It’s free to the public, but tickets are necessary. They’ll be available through the website on January 1st. (http://internationalchildrensgames-kelowna2011.com). We’re also having a Splash down event at the H2O centre for host families and game participants.

How can locals get involved with the games?

Come out and cheer on our local athletes. All sporting events are free of charge for you to attend as well as the opening ceremonies. An events guide will be distributed through the Capital News in January where everyone can find where and when the events are being held. We have over 500 volunteers and billeting families and if you re interested in helping visit our website. It is not too late to be a sponsor or get involved with the games.

Website: www.kelowna2011.com Email: info@kelowna2011.com

northof50.com18

i’m COnsidered a leFt leaning liberal (lll). I’m all for teenagers’ rights. I especially think that parents should let their children crawl, explore, and savour the possibilities of freedom. Creativity is good. I once counselled a teenager’s parents who were troubled by his lying to stop asking him questions so he wouldn’t need to lie. But, it’s come to a point where we have truly gotten lost in our embrace of “anything goes.” We have lost our minds and we are encouraging our children to lose theirs -- literally, in this latter reference.

Arguably the fastest growing “sport” in North America is the “ultimate fighting” concept, often under the label of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). It has been a wildly expanding spectator phenomenon that has seen its participant ranks exploding. Now, our children are rushing to become those participants. MMA clubs and programs in gyms across the country are opening their doors to the young. A recent Vancouver Sun report suggests at least 15 area gyms offer

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such classes to children.But, what is behind those doors? Despite any claims of building fitness, agility, endurance, or character, MMA is totally based on beating another human being into submission. This has been a spectator attraction for millennia but not an obvious draw for taking part.

Now, however, there has been a shift. The power and adrenalin associated with combat seems to be the allure. Perhaps this has something to do with the general helplessness many of us feel in regard to events transpiring around us on a daily basis. North America is rife with social and economic changes that affect us, but over which we have no control. Governments and the power elite make decisions with no consideration or input from us, the little people. Thus, we look for some way to express the anger, some way to live some power.

This is all fine for adults who are fully formed. But, our children? Who is responsible for their well-being? Within hockey circles there is constant debate about whether body-checking should be allowed and at what age. Fighting in minor games usually earns ejection. MMA, on the other hand, unapologetically cultivates the physical violence, and, forgive the pun, ultimately it promotes the inflicting of pain. Adults often resist honest self-reflection when it comes to their own child rearing practices or when their own appetites come into conflict with their children’s needs. But why on earth would we want to teach our children to beat other children?

There is a wonderfully transparent phrase used in MMA called “ground and pound.” It refers to the act of forcing an opponent to the ground and then pounding him/her as often and hard as possible – the goal being to terminate the opponent. I use the word ‘terminate’ because at one time in history that was the precise objective. So, imagine a seven year old smashing the head of another seven year old who lies beneath him or her on the floor of a gym. And, make no mistake, both genders are engaged in the “sport.” The child is enthusiastically cheered on. The coach is pleased and the parents beam at their child’s success at so dramatically defeating the opponent. What a message!

Then there is the guaranteed head trauma. Protective head gear is a misrepresentation of the truth. In hockey and football, muscular adult athletes in prime condition are regularly concussed by blows to their protective head gear

-the best headgear that science can apparently produce. For developing brains there can be only one possible consequence of repeated blows to the head, padded or not. This is not rocket science. We developed safety guidelines for our children in minor hockey leagues everywhere because we understand the need to separate the child world of sport from the adult world of sport. We have safety rules in the professional ranks because we recognize the validity of that need. So, what has happened to eliminate our common sense when it comes to children and ultimate fighting of any kind? In the last Borat movie there is a dreadful scene, which portrays so desperate to get their children into the movies that they will go to any length – even risking the child’s life. That may explain how parents hope to gain financially from the “success” of their children, but how do we explain such recklessness when there is no profit to be made?

Calvin White is a retired high school counsellor who lives in the North Okanagan. He has over 70 essays published in various Canadian daily newspapers, including the Globe and Mail, the Ottawa Citizen, Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun and Province. If you have any comments on this column, you can write to Calvin White at calvinwhite@northof50.com or to Calvin White c/o North of 50, Box 100, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0

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he lOOKs liKe a regular guy. Nothing about the calm, sturdy fellow wearing jeans, cowboy boots and a ball cap indicates that he is an honoured Secwepemc elder, a respected horse trainer and an internationally recognized poet.

“Poetry is the shortest form of novel writing that there is,” Garry observes. “When you’re economical with words, you choose your words carefully.”

His business card displays that economy: “Author, Educator, Rancher” it reads, summing up a man equally at home in his traditional Secwepemc culture and the world outside it.

The third youngest of thirteen children, Garry was born into a renowned British Columbia rodeo and ranching family. He grew up on the Tk’emlups Reserve adjacent to Kamloops, where he and his family were integral members of both the Secwepemc and ranching communities. “There are generations of horse people on both sides of my family. It’s like the colour of my skin; I can’t get rid of it.”

Garry’s 2006 collection of poems, Whiskey Bullets: Cowboy and Indian Heritage Poems, reflects his experience of that Western horse circle. He writes in the introduction, “I grew up in an exciting rodeo and ranching family and I am a part of and love both the cowboy and Indian cultures. … I have the best of all worlds.”

Whiskey Bullets describes how the two cultures overlap and strengthen each other.

Garry’s parents, Gus and Mildred Gottfriedson, both worked to reclaim Secwepemc traditions. Both were advocates for their people. Their influence was strong on Garry, who joined the Paul Creek Tribal Dancers as a child and toured Canada performing Secwepemc songs and dances.

In the 1970s Garry lived for a short time at the Alberta Rocky Mountains camp of Chief Small Boy, foregoing modern conveniences for a more traditional lifestyle.

Horses were always important to Garry. He was a bull rider, saddle bronc rider and jockey. “I was riding bulls when I was eleven or twelve years old, riding against men.”

And he was good at it. “You have to be extremely fit to be a rough stock rider.” He did well with cutting horses and rode as a jockey on the B circuit in Alberta.

garry gOttFriedsOn:

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Story by Trudy FriskPhotos courtesy of Ronsdale Press

northof50.com22

When his

mother insisted

that he continue

his education, horses

helped out. “That’s how

I paid my way through

university. It was those horses. And people say they’re dumb animals!”

Garry was one of the first band members from the Tk’emlups Reserve to earn a Master’s degree. After receiving an undergraduate degree in education from Simon Fraser University, Garry was awarded a scholarship to study creative writing at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado. There he studied under Allen Ginsberg and Marianne Faithfull, becoming friends with Ginsberg.

Garry’s first book, In Honour Of Our Grandmothers, was published in 1994, when Garry was forty. He began writing so late in life because, he says, “I was exposed to rodeo and ranching; I was never exposed to art.”

Storytellers have always played a vital part in Secwepemc society, as important as hunters or healers. “Storytellers presented a world view, handed down tribal history. Through stories, people learned how to conduct themselves, what their place was, how to act with respect,” Garry recalls.

In his writing, Garry continues that tribal tradition. His deceptively simple verse is infused with subtle allusions, irony and honest emotion. He playfully points out flaws in both Aboriginal and Euro-Canadian cultures. His recurring

theme is a deep, abiding concern for the world which shelters both cultures. He urges his readers to protect nature so that “there will be abundance for both humans and the earth itself.”

Garry describes himself as a “binge writer.” He doesn’t force himself to write every day at a certain time. “If I’m going to write, it would be for someone to read. Why would I write if I have nothing to say?”

And when he does write? “Everybody stay away. Close the door and leave me alone!” He wrote Whiskey Bullets in two weeks.

Garry’s latest book, Skin Like Mine, published in 2010, has been nominated for both the Governor General’s Award and the Griffin Award. His other works include Glass Tepee and Painted Pony.

Garry has read from his work in Europe, Asia and North America. He often gives lectures and writing workshops. His writings have been included in international anthologies.

Today Garry teaches at the Chief Atahm School, a full immersion school operated by the Adams Lake Indian Band, offering Aboriginal languages, songs, dances and outdoor culture, including working with horses. The Secwepemc people’s traditional culture, he points out, is very much centred around horses. “In Secwepemc there’s a whole vocabulary around horses, different types of horses, types of bridles and saddles. We have songs and creation stories about horses. There is a story that the spiritual connection between horses and persons came about through a little kid. There’s even a horse dance in which women form a corral and men are the horses. Men dance and prance around outside the corral while the women call and entice them to come in.”

After fifteen years away from the community pursuing higher education, Garry came home to his roots. In 1989 he returned to Paul Lake, on the Tk’emlups Indian Reserve. There he and his son Vince cleared land and Garry settled in. In addition to teaching and writing, he got back into horses, raising and training quarter horses. His ideal life, Garry says, consists of riding and writing. He’s achieved that balance.

His poems are a harmonious and powerful blend of the two cultures he understands so well.

northof50.com 23

railway talesbill miner escapesBy Jack Godwin

many PeOPle KnOw that famous American outlaw andescape artist, Bill Miner was the first person to rob the Canadian Pacific Railway. Fewer people know that he wasalso the second person to rob it. The CPR., described as “the largest and most powerful business interest in Canada,” really hated old Bill!

In his first caper in 1904 Bill got $3,000.00 in gold as well as a mysterious package that the C.P.R. later listed as “contents unknown”. In fact this was a trove of nonnegotiable ustralian bonds worth $300,000 that the CPR—in its arrogance—hadn’t bothered to insure. If the company couldn’t locate the bonds it had to pay up. Despite a massive man hunt and a reward offer of $12,000 the robber and the bonds weren’t found.

Eventually the easy money ran out and on May 8, 1906, Bill and a couple of henchmen boarded the CPR’s westbound Imperial Limited No. 97 just outside of Ducks (now Monte Creek). This time, everything went wrong. The take was a mere $15.50 and three days later the gang was caught and taken to Kamloops for trial. Despite facing life behind bars Bill was a cool customer at his trial saying, “No jail you build will hold me.” Sent to the B.C. Penitentiary in New Westminster and with the help of the assistant warden’s daughter, Bill experienced a jailhouse conversion to Christianity. Much of what follows is conjecture, but whatis known is that Bill met with the warden and subsequentlya CPR special detective had an unpublicized visit withhim. Shortly thereafter Bill’s prison assignment was changed from the shoemaking shop to a job in the prison yard near the gate. And then … Bill miraculously escaped! Oh, there was a tiny hole found under the fence but it wasn’t big enough to accommodate even a small prisoner and Dominion Police Commissioner Sherwood said his inspection revealed that the prison gate had been left open! Shortly after the escape the guard assigned to the prison wall resigned and the prison assistant warden retired early. Had “The Grey Fox” traded the location of the Australian bonds for his freedom? No one knows, but the CPR never had to pay the insurance and Bill was never seen in Canada again.

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it’s easy tO Feel PessimistiC for our species. A very few people are getting richer, the glum complain, but only by exploiting the poor. And when they’re not running down their contemporaries, the lament goes, the exploiters steal from future generations by trashing the environment.

The merchants of gloom derive their pessimism from the underlying misapprehension that life is a zero-sum game. They choose to believe that wealth can only ever be taken, never created, so there can never be improvement, only injustice. The reality is that everyone is getting wealthier and the environment is generally improving, so something else must be happening: Human ingenuity is creating win-win results.

If you doubt that, consider the phenomenon of e-Bay. It has generated billions of dollars of value by solving the search problem for hoarders and buyers alike. Not many have lost wealth as a result of e-Bay but almost everyone is better off, including the environment since e-Bay has reduced the demand for new goods. e-Bay is a spectacular but normal example, just like the wheel, cell phones, home appliances, better management in companies, and so it has gone on.

It’s hard to overstate that extraordinary innovations in medicine, nutrition, and sanitation doubled life expectancy since the Industrial Revolution, from only 40 in England in 1800 to around 80 in most of the developed world today.

The benefits are more widely spread than commonly thought. The United Nations Human Development Index, which has measured health, longevity, access to knowledge, and a “decent standard of living” since 1980, shows that nearly all countries have improved over the past three decades. What’s more, the “spread” of scores has been narrowing, meaning that the least developed countries are catching up. The rich are certainly getting richer, but the poor are getting richer too, and faster.

What about oppression? There certainly are some nasty characters around; Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe come to mind. However they are exceptions to an overwhelmingly positive trend. Freedom House, an organisation dedicated to measuring civil liberties and political rights, reported only 44 free countries in 1972. Today there are 89, with the number of un-free countries having steadily declined to 43 from 68 over

Cheer Up – the wOrld is a wOnderFul PlaCe By David Seymour

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the same period and a varying number in the “partly free” transition stage.

The moaners will surely moan that a world with an ever increasing population who enjoy ever increasing living standards will invite an environmental Armageddon. But people who make such arguments fail to understand three counterintuitive facts about economic growth and the environment.

Living standards are a measure of the value of finished goods and services consumed, not the value of resources used to produce them. In fact, profit motivates the production of more valuable goods using fewer resources. Consider the difference between the iPhone on the one hand and a camera, network of telephone cables, record collection, calculator, and alarm clock on the other. The iPhone offers the same features as the latter products combined but consumes far fewer resources. Getting richer is compatible with conserving the environment.

They also fail to understand that increased wealth increases environmental concerns and the demands to protect it. To put it bluntly, starving people can’t afford to join Greenpeace. More seriously, wealthy countries with advanced agriculture can afford to set land aside for nature reserves. They can afford to enforce environmental regulations, their industries can afford to adhere to them, and wealthy people have more time to enjoy nature. Yale and Columbia Universities’ Environmental Performance Index confirms that freer and wealthier countries are better

environmental custodians.

Economic growth also reduces fertility and therefore population. As a societies become more technologically advanced, there are fewer “muscle” jobs and more high paying jobs for women. This gives women more power in the home. Meanwhile contraception is becoming more affordable. As technology develops, children move from being a source of cheap labour to a major education expense. For all of these reasons, the United Nations predicts that our population will most likely peak at around nine billion this century, decline slightly, then stabilise. Concerns about overpopulation are now a known quantity.

Altogether the best evidence we have suggests that the future will involve wealthier, healthier people with stable population growth and greater ability to be environmental custodians than at any time in the history of our species. And with that, Merry Christmas.

Seymour is a senior policy analyst at the Frontier Centre (www.fcpp.org)

northof50.com26

Jan and i, alOng with Farley the wonder dog (according to an outfit called DNA Your Dog, a combination of Norwegian Elk Hound, Rottweiler, Chow, Yorkshire terrier and (gulp) Pomeranian) just completed a 10-day trek through the western US on the way to visit our daughter in New Orleans. From the Oregon coast to the redwoods and Joshua trees of California and the mountain-ringed Mojave Desert, we passed through a stunning land of beauty and contrast, matched in its magnificence only by the equally astounding ability of humans to devastate, diminish and ruthlessly exploit it.

You can tell a lot about a people by listening to casual, unguarded conversations in public places. Let me share an

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exchange I overheard in the breakfast room of one of those dozens of chain motels that clog highway exits across the country. The room was watched over by a giant screen TV tuned to the Shopping Channel, where enthusiastic hucksters were pushing tawdry jewellery and other “fashion accessories.” Guests from Minnesota and Pennsylvania ate biscuits covered in gravy on plastic plates, ate Froot Loops from single-use plastic packages, and drank bad coffee from Styrofoam cups (while upstairs plastic cups are wrapped in plastic and residents are urged to “Help Save the Planet!” by not insisting that our towels be changed daily).

Conversation was loud, almost shouted, so it wasn’t exactly like I was eavesdropping. I tuned in when two couples discovered they were both from Minnesota and thus established as cousins, began comparing purchases at a nearby outlet mall. This opening led to -- what a small country! – the realization that both couples were heading for their respective condos in the Phoenix area. Discussion of the merits of their respective hot tubs ensued, and then the men moved onto golfing.

“Do you golf?” one man asked the other Minnesota male.

“Golf!” the man’s wife shrieked. “That Fred’s passion! That’s what he lives for!”

The two men began an exchange, shouted across the room, about the cheapest green fees and cart rentals amongst the hundreds of golf courses around Phoenix, while the women talked about their favourite shopping centres.

The conversations were as hollow as the giant stucco-covered plywood columns at the entrances to these cheap, soulless hotels, which look like they’ve been turned off some gargantuan assembly line in China and plunked in hideous strips of almost identical monster hotels across the country with utter disregard for local history, architecture or commercial impact. But the discussions do contain a cautionary tale, a story of entitlement, casual excess – and insularity. Though they may pass through areas of great natural beauty, when these folks arrive at their destination, there will be no surprises, no challenges. They will find the same stores selling the same stuff, the same chain restaurants with the same bland menus.

This is a country living beyond it means. Not just in terms of the much-ballyhooed national deficit, created in large part by the country’s trillion-dollar military expenditures and absurd tax breaks for the wealthy, but in terms of

personal financial and cultural poverty. It is a country that has bankrupted itself morally and fiscally pursuing the “American dream” of ever-expanding growth, consumption and extravagance, and where the idols are ruthless business figures like Donald Trump or those, such as Paris Hilton, who are admired simply for their excess.

It’s it no wonder then that American’s are pathologically averse to taxes or that it has one of the highest levels of personal debt in the world. But there is another side to a nation whose citizens are living beyond their means. They demand not the best, but the cheapest. They worry not about their neighbour, but only themselves. Complicating issues such as environmental degradation, the lack of public health care, poverty, and inequitable wealth distribution are simply not on their radar. They, quite literally, can’t afford them to be.

So there is a push for cheap gas, in the Gulf and overseas, regardless of the political or environmental impacts. A demand for cheap food, no matter that it means destroying rivers, aquifers and endangered species (termed by agribusiness as “putting the rights of animals before those of humans”). A need for cheap clothing and electronic gadgets so necessary for the contemporary “good life,” even if it means devastated downtowns and the destruction of local producers.

This is a country where freedom has come to mean the right to be a glutinous consumer without concern for others, locally or globally. To be selfish without guilt. To be wilfully ignorant and proud of it. To “save the planet” by making the ultimate sacrifice – passing up fresh towels each day.

I found an explanation for all of this dysfunction in an unusual place – carved into the walls of a washroom in a gloomy gas station on the outskirts of another sad little community long since bypassed and emptied by the clutter of commercial activity along the highway. The message read, “Noboty (sic) cares.” Underneath it someone had scrawled, “No shit.”

Don Sawyer is a writer, educator and former Director of Okanagan College’s International Development Centre. He lives with his wife in Salmon Arm. You can contact Don Sawyer by email at donsawyer@telus.net or by mail at Don Sawyer c/o North of 50, Box 100, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0. For more information on Don’s writing and development work, visit his web site at www.thenortherned.com.

northof50.com28

stayCATIoNS 49°NA staycation is a bit like being a tourist in your own town. Instead of travelling afar for a vacation, you stay home and relax, taking day trips close to home. Living in the Thompson Okanagan is a bonus for staycationers, considering all there is to do here. Plan your staycation just like you would a regular vacation. Set a time and date for your ‘departure’. Buy a local guidebook. Go on a winery tour. Spend a day at the beach. Have dinner out. Visit a museum or art gallery. Check out one of the world class ski hills in the Thompson Okanagan. Experience live theatre. Attend a musical festival or sports event. Find a new hiking trail. The trick to enjoying a staycation is to make sure you do what you would do if you were on vacation: relax and explore!

bC’s Other winter sPOrtsBy Margo Pfeiff

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it’s mid-winter in british COlumbia, time to slip into a warm and cosy suit, grab a board and head for . . . the beach! If surfing giant rollers isn’t your thing when the temperature drops, meander instead through landscapes where tropical-coloured blossoms sway as wildlife peers wide-eyed from between the fronds of a lush garden . . . underwater! OK, so you’re bundled into a dry suit, but who says winter has to be all about ice and snow? In coastal southern BC, temperatures hint at Mediterranean balminess and lavender and rosemary thrive in window boxes year round, so it’s almost possible to forget it’s December, or January, or February . . . Just because BC is rippled with snow-capped ranges doesn’t mean everybody loves to snap into skis – skinny, fat or single board – and challenge their vertical vertigo. That’s not a problem. Either head outside and pretend it’s spring or go play in the snow: virtually every mountain resort offers a varied and growing menu of winter things to do, from tubing - whizzing down a track on an inner tube - to outdoor ice skating, romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides, even ice fishing. Unleashing an inner coureurs des bois is as simple as strapping on a pair of snowshoes, a quintessentially Canadian mode of winter travel; most mountain resorts rent them for a mid-winter stroll amid a forest of alpine trees or to mountain peaks. In the Okanagan, the abandoned Kettle Valley Railway is a country trail where you cross wooden trestle bridges with spectacular views. In the same region, go multi-day snow stomping with Wells Gray Adventures who provide everything from snowshoes to guides on cabin-to-cabin treks through the snowy wilderness of Wells Gray Provincial Park, north of Kamloops. Vancouver’s proximity to the outdoors offers the chance to snowshoe in the woods, with the lights of downtown twinkling in the distance, on Cypress, Grouse and Seymour mountains. In a forest clearing or backcountry lodge at the end of a vigorous walk, adventurists can even opt for a bit of indulgence, with plump strawberries primed for a luscious chocolate fondue. Mt. Seymour also provides twilight tours through the forest, gentle Baby and Me excursions for moms and dads and a chance to crank your cardio on 90-minute snowshoe fitness hikes. Snowshoeing has even gone upmarket amid the Selkirk and Monashee mountains around Revelstoke where Heli Canada Adventures zooms trekkers in a helicopter onto high mountain ridges for a day of heli-snowshoeing, complete with views across glaciers and endless rows of jagged peaks. Or let the dogs do the driving. The traditional northern transport method of dog sledding is making a comeback as a hot new sport; it’s relaxing to sit on a comfy

sled and glide through snow-covered forest trails. The folks at Cold Fire Creek Dogsledding in the Kootenay Rockies setting of Valemount even offer mushing by moonlight. Learn to run the reins yourself by joining Canadian Outback Adventures who teach newcomers how to harness and hitch up a troupe of eager canines before hitting the trails in Whistler’s surrounding Callaghan and Soo valleys. For a rush onboard a sled of a different kind, try snowmobiling. This distinctly Canadian invention - the brainchild of Quebecker Joseph-Armand Bombardier - is perfect for exploring BC’s vast landscapes. Slide into boots, strap on a helmet and hop on board to soar across a glacier near Pemberton or carve tracks in the powder-packed alpine with Totally Awesome Adventures. Take a guided ride – or snow-cat trip – with Canadian Snowmobile Adventures atop Blackcomb Mountain and finish up with chefs serving a three-course candle-lit fondue dinner in the Crystal Hut, a rustic lodge cabin perched at 6,000 feet. Skipping the snow altogether is another option. For scuba buffs, winter on BC’s coast is the time of highest visibility along 27,000 kilometres (17,000 miles) of coastal waters Jacques Cousteau called “the best temperate water diving in the world.” Suncoast Diving, a National Geographic dive centre in Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast, allows you to commune with octopi. Drift above colourful sea life at a leisurely pace, poke around the wrecks off Powell River or feel yourself tugged along by the surging current of Skookumchuk Narrows, a tidal channel renowned for sea life on steroids. More fun on the water awaits in Squamish, north of Vancouver. Here, take a wildlife safari aboard a Canadian Outback Adventures’ raft to watch one of the highest concentrations of bald eagles in the world - hundreds of them – gathering from November through February. Watch the birds plunge from treetop perches to pluck migrating salmon from the river. Further north, you can do the flying yourself by soaring above snowy treetops and across streams securely harnessed to a steel cable: Ziptrek Ecotours has made zip-lining a year-round sport at Whistler. The surf goes up as the thermometer drops on the west coast of Vancouver Island where the small town of Tofino has become Canada’s surfing capital. Rollers six-metres (20-feet) high pound long, empty beaches to the delight of surfers seeking the thrill of riding big waves. Guests at Long Beach Lodge Resort can learn the tricks of the trade from the lodge’s dedicated pros at the Surf Club. Additionally, the Pacific Surf School has camps to provide know-how and the female instructor-led Surf Sister Surfing School is dedicated to getting girls onto boards (boys can join, too). Counter-intuitively, keeping your fingers crossed for a storm has become a winter tradition in Tofino for those

The Chocolate Fondue Snowshoe tour at Mt. Seymour promises a delectable experience. Photo: Evan Chandler-Soanes.

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addicted to that coast’s spectator sport of storm-watching (Official Season: November through March). Enthusiasts head to the west coast, don rain gear and prowl beaches in search of the biggest and loudest thundering waves. Idyllic spots for storm ogling here are as varied as the landscape: curl up in front of a fireplace and watch the raging action from the toasty side of a picture window at the Pacific Sands Beach Resort, nosh on local fare in the fabulously scenic Great Room at the Long Beach Lodge Resort, or be lulled into bliss, courtesy of the pounding surf, during a luxurious hot stone massage at the Wickanninish Inn. After all, après activities are an integral part of winter and they’re as varied as the sports they follow – after a day on the trail, slip into a year round spa in one of BC’s many northern guest ranches like the Williston Lake Resort that shift gears from riding to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Or slide into a natural hot pool surrounded by the Kootenay wilderness at Radium Hot Springs, all fringed in snow and ice and steaming temptingly into the frosty winter sky. For more on British Columbia’s destinations and travel information, call 1-800 HELLO BC® (North America) or visit www.HelloBC.com

maybe yOu missed the live Coronation Street special in December, hosted by Debbie Travis. She travelled across Canada interviewing die hard “Corrie” fans. Coronation Street has been on the air for 50 years, making it the world’s longest-running soap opera. It’s popular in 40 countries, has a large fan base in BC, and in response to requests, Wells Gray Tours has designed a tour that includes special access to filming sites that have been used during the last 50 years, including a visit to Granada Studios where a majority of the show is filmed. The show is set in the fictional town, Weatherfield, a suburb of Manchester, England, and it remains one of the country’s most-watched programmes. “We feel very fortunate to be able to offer our clients this unique opportunity, which includes an expert guide on all things Corrie,” says Dawn Rueckl, Vice President of Wells Gray Tours. Rueckl is excited about the behind the scenes nature of the tour, including admission to those normally off limit attractions, such as Coronation Street. While the highlight of this tour for many will be Coronation Street, other attractions include London’s Windsor Castle and Kew Gardens, West End theatre performance, Chartwell, Winston Churchill’s home, King Henry VIII Hampton Court Place, Bath, Stonehenge and more. Want to see The Rovers Return, Roy’s Tolls or the Kabin, or where a certain Corrie character is on trial right now for murder … contact Wells Gray Tours.

wells gray tOurs Plans visit tO COrOnatiOn street

annual Carter ClassiC Fundraiser

February 5th 2011 Do you ski or snowboard? Can you turn left, right and stop? Then guess how long it took? Then this ski or board event is for you! Cruise a simple course or go (race) head to head, with persons who have disabilities in our dual-slalom FUNdraiser for Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports (SSASS).

Grab 2 buddies and enter your team today in our Carter Classic ‘Guesstimation’ Event. SSASS provides a teammate with a disability. Its a simple course for all ages and abilities! Just ‘Guess’ your time correctly and win! Free Lunch & Lotsa prizes, including fun Winter Carnival Costumes on course!

Proceeds benefit disabled skiers and snowboarders at Silver Star. Entry donation only $75.00 min. of collected donations per participant please. Register now at: ssass.bc.ca or call 250-558-9840. Arrive between 8 & 9:00 am on Saturday, February 5th 2011. Thank you. See you at the start gate!

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aPParently the traditiOn of making New Year’s resolutions dates back all the way to the time of ancient Rome. Yes, the same civilization that gave us democracy and the western alphabet also gave us the peculiar custom of choosing December 31st as the time to vow to finally read War and Peace, or call our sister more often.

At this time of year we also hear the expression “out with the old, in with the new”. My Mom taught

me this means a hearty round of housecleaning is in order, but it seems she was mistaken. Consulting the Internet has enlightened me – apparently it is an ancient Scottish expression, and means out with the old wife, and in with the new mistress. Not one to doubt the veracity of Internet information, I am packing my bags and freezing a few casseroles, as the new mistress likely won’t be skilled in the culinary arts. I hope she speaks Teenager.

Many think making a resolution is as pointless as signing a petition for a traffic light at McLeod Road (please, will the Ministry listen to us), but for some of us making a resolution does assist with sticking firmly to a new commitment. Resolutions can be profound (a friend has resolved to generously

give back to her community) or not (my husband has resolved to not smoke a single solitary cigarette in 2011, but hold your applause - he doesn’t smoke).

For many years I have not made any New Year’s resolutions, believing them to be as fanciful and fleeting as my conviction that the Bay City Rollers will reunite and release a prolific amount of wonderful new music. But this year, for some inexplicable reason, I feel a renewed sense of optimism in the effectiveness of resolutions, and have made two.

Recently I became breathless whilst bending over to tie my shoes, and it occurred to me that perhaps I had become a tad carried away with Yuletide exuberance. Accordingly, my first resolution for 2011 is to purchase shoes that do not require laces. No, seriously, it is my mission to drop the excess weight that I have allowed to take up cosy residence in my midriff region. I am no longer able to trot out that old chestnut that I have recently had a baby, as my youngest is approximately 5 inches taller than me.

I have upgraded from a cell phone the size of Manhattan to an Apple iPhone 4. This decision was largely made in an effort to impress my teenagers, but the result was merely that I amuse them with my inability to actually use it. Another reason for the iPhone purchase was that my oldest is going to Europe in March with 34 kids from P.V.S.S., and he has an iPhone. So, we should be able to “face time” with each other (Apple speak), because of course there is nothing a seventeen year old boy would rather do when on a trip to Europe than connect with his Mother. My second New Year’s resolution, therefore, is to learn how to use my iPhone to its full marvellous capacity, so that it does not make me feel like an iDiot.

It’s easy to make fun of resolutions, but I see nothing wrong with trying to rid oneself of an annoying habit, or seeking to improve oneself, or deciding to give back to your community in some way. Certainly there’s no concrete evidence that making resolutions results in a higher success rate of these types of goals, but why not increase the odds by stacking the deck? If you have also made some personal resolutions for 2011, be they huge or humble, I wish you the best of luck in achieving them!

I heReBY resOlveBy Lise Simpson

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away fRoM hoMe39° 23’ N

the stars ARe Out and abOut IN

atlantiC City

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in may 1978, resOrts CasinO hOtel opened its doors and changed the face of Atlantic City forever. Limousines and crowds of people lined the streets waiting to get inside. Rows of people watched as Steve Lawrence threw the first set of dice at the craps table. And with that, the East Coast gambling craze put Atlantic City back on the map as an entertainment mecca.

Twenty-five years and 11 casinos later, Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa opened its doors in 2003. Its television advertisements featured young, urban, hip people riding Vespa scooters on their way to find their “happy place.” Its print ads were sexy. The message was clear. If you are young and hip, Atlantic City is the place to be.

Hollywood, in its infinite quest for youth and hipness, has come knocking. Actors Lukas Haas, Vincent Gallo, Rosario Dawson, and supermodels Maggie Rizer and Bridget Hall were all present at the opening of Borgata. The honor of throwing the first set of dice went to hot actor and rising star, Stephen Dorff (Blade, Cold Creek Manor), with David Arquette (Scream trilogy) and Jersey-born Joe Pantoliano (The Matrix, Bad Boys I & II) looking on.

In 1978, just over seven million people visited Atlantic City. Now that number has risen to approximately 33 million, many of them with movie star status.

Performers like Sting, Seal, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Elton John, LL Cool J, Beyonce, Shakira, Mariah Carey, The Goo Goo Dolls and many more have played in popular and cutting-edge venues like Boardwalk Hall or any one of the 11 casinos. Now when these popular entertainers come into town, they bring their actor, sports star and entertainment friends with them. Strolling through any casino, you might see the likes of award winning actress and comedienne, Whoopi Goldberg; Criss Angel of A&E’s Mindfreak; Danny Materson, formerly of That 70’s Show; actress and author Jenny McCarthy; basketball Hall of Famer Julius Irving and actor, rapper, comedian and writer, Nick Cannon of MTV’s Wild N Out and Short Circutz, just to name a few.

Major boxing events held at Boardwalk Hall can be considered one of the biggest draws in the city. These events have brought many stars to the ringside including Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Denzel Washington, NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt Jr., NBA legends Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing, singer Nick Lachey, actress Queen Latifah and film star Mark Wahlberg.

A new breed of celebrity has also come to Atlantic City: the celebrity chef. Now, not only can you enjoy the cuisine of Michael Mina, Stephen Starr, Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, Georges Perrier and Chris Scarduzio, among others, but you may also spot them while eating.

But while the “new” Atlantic City has sent star sightings into the stratosphere, actors in Atlantic City are not a new concept. Hollywood has been in bed with Atlantic City for a long time.

Actors and movie stars have paraded through Atlantic City ever since there was an Atlantic City. The list is long and includes: Roy Rogers, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jackie Gleason, Perry Como, Benny Goodman and more. Marilyn Monroe was the grand marshal at the 1952 Miss America Pageant. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis regularly attended the famed 500 Club on South Missouri Avenue. Atlantic City has also been a supporting character in many movies. Three Little Girls in Blue starring June Haver and George Montgomery was partially filmed in Atlantic City and featured the song “On the Boardwalk (in Atlantic City).” 1957’s The Burglar staring Jayne Mansfield was set in Atlantic City. Other movies Atlantic City has made an appearance in include: The King of Marvin Gardens (1972), Atlantic City (1980) starring Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon, Beaches (1988), Snake Eyes (1998), Ocean’s Eleven (2001) and Duane Hopwood (2004) starring David Schwimmer and Janeane Garofalo. Lesser known films include Tony Palma’s Shades of Paradise (2004), Cut Out (2005) and Frankie and Maddie (2006).

Filming of an Atlantic City segment for the movie Ocean’s Eleven took place at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, among other areas in and around Atlantic City. It initiated a frenzy of George Clooney sightings. He and co-star Bernie Mac visited White House Sub Shop on Arctic and Mississippi Avenues, probably southern New Jersey’s most famous sub shop and attraction of star power. Its walls are lined with photos of the famous faces that have visited including Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby, Roddy McDowall and Miss America (actually, many Miss Americas).

Besides the excitement generated by star sightings, what’s in it for Atlantic City? The filming of the Atlantic City segment for Ocean’s Eleven used 437 room nights and generated more than $729,000 in expenditures for the Atlantic City area. In March 2004, the independent film Duane Hopwood, finished filming in Atlantic City and the surrounding region. It’s just one of the many productions the Atlantic

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City Convention & Visitors Authority has helped since dedicating new efforts into film and television production in 2004. As a result, the production of the movie brought $160,000 in direct spending for area businesses.

Not just limited to motion film, Atlantic City has had its hand in small screen productions as well. Television projects filmed in Atlantic City include The Simple Life (2005), America Eats (2005), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2005), Sunday Project (Japan, 2006), The Sopranos (2006) and a Korean mini-series titled Angel (2007), which brought $259,000 in direct spending to the area.

“We made film marketing in Atlantic City a major goal for the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority,” said

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Jeffrey Vasser, executive director. “We’ve made great strides into that territory and will continue to do so. Our convenient location and multitude of settings - the city and the casinos, the beach and Boardwalk, suburbs and the pine barrens - all make the Atlantic City region an ideal location.”

In order to accomplish this directive, the ACCVA’s Film Office works in conjunction with the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission to lure film production to Atlantic City and the surrounding region.

As the popularity of Atlantic City increases and its audience gets younger, the star sightings will undoubtedly continue to rise. Is it too soon to consider Atlantic City the new Hollywood East?

Atlantic City Boardwalk. Photo contributed.

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health MATTeRSwhen a PersOn deCides tO maKe a COmmitment to a healthier lifestyle, that decision is often accompanied by the decision to join a gym. Gyms can vary greatly. Some cater to specific activities, such as kick boxing or martial arts, while others are more general in scope, with weight training and cardiovascular equipment and access to personal trainers. Regardless of which type of facility an individual is hoping to join, certain external factors go a long

way to dictating whether or not joining the gym will be a success. When looking for an exercise facility, the following items should be taken into consideration before signing an agreement. * Location: Even the most ardent of gym rats would say it helps a great deal to find a gym that’s conveniently located. If the gym is too far away or getting there requires sitting in heavy traffic, then men and women are much less likely to visit the gym as they would be to visit a gym that’s right down the street or easy to get to. When looking for an exercise facility, find one that’s either close to home or close to the office (preferably both if you work close to home). For those who work far away from home, the gym’s location should ideally be closer to home to promote working out on weekends when you won’t be anywhere near the office. * Fellow members: Certain gyms might prove intimidating or uncomfortable because of their existing members. While the members themselves might be warm and friendly, those new to working out might be intimidated if everyone else in the building looks like a professional bodybuilder. In addition, women sometimes feel more comfortable working out at an all-female gym. * Cost: The cost of gym membership is arguably the foremost consideration for many people when choosing

a gym, especially since the economy remains largely unpredictable. When looking for an exercise facility, inquire about membership costs as well as any initiation fees you may incur or discounts you may be eligible for. Because of the struggling economy, many gyms have waived or are open to waiving sign-up or initiation costs, which can cost in the hundreds of dollars at some facilities. Also, when discussing cost with a facility employee, ask if there are family discounts or if memberships are reduced if fees are paid all at once instead of every month. For example, a gym might charge $600 annually ($50 per month), but give a 10 percent discount to any members who pay a year’s worth of dues at sign-up. When discussing membership costs, keep in mind many gyms are open to negotiation, but prospective members must initiate any such negotiations. * Membership rights: Many gyms boast different types of memberships. Some memberships are all-access and allow members to use the weight room, sauna, pool, etc. Other memberships might cost less but not offer as much access. For instance, a basic membership might offer access to the weight room and cardiovascular machines, but not to the pool or sauna. Choosing the right membership depends on the individual. For those who don’t swim and won’t enjoy a post-workout steam, then the basic membership can save money while still meeting all of the desired needs. For those who want all-access, the more expensive membership might be more up your alley. Whichever membership is the better fit, be sure the membership agreement lists your rights as a member before signing any paperwork. * Hours of operation: Some people prefer to workout before going to work, while others want to sleep in and exercise after a day at the office. Individuals should find a gym that fits their schedules and workout preferences. It’s also good to inquire about holiday hours of operation. A good gym won’t shut down entirely during a holiday, and instead stay open on at least a limited schedule. * Equipment: Even those new to working out should be able to tell if equipment is up-to-date or outdated. A gym with outdated equipment is best to avoid, as older equipment could increase risk of injury. A gym with the latest equipment is a gym that likely emphasizes giving its members the best possible environment in which to workout, and that’s important for all fitness enthusiasts, but especially those who are just beginning.

what tO lOOK FOr in an exerCise FaCility

Whatever their preference, individuals should be sure an exercise facility can meet their fitness needs before becoming a member.

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it’s yOur wOrldThe Core of the ProblemBy Bob harrington

we rarely thinK of environmental responsibility as individual responsibility. It is expedient for us to think of it as an obligation of society, thereby conveniently forgetting that society is made up of individuals – and that each of us is one of those individuals. When we drive vehicles or fly needlessly, we pollute everyone’s air. When we buy extravagantly, we utilize resources which belong to the whole world. When we discard items carelessly along the roads, we create an eyesore for thousands who follow in our path. We cheerfully live with a double standard. Whatever we do is permissible but what the other fellow does is suspect.

A striking thing about the great religious systems of the world is their common focus on what we know, and cheerfully disregard, as the Golden Rule.

Judaism says, “What is hurtful to yourself, do not to your fellow man. That is the whole law, and the remainder is but commentary.” Buddhism says, “Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.” Hinduism says, “Do naught unto others what you would not they should do unto you.” And Jesus said, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

A lot of people today figure that the whole environmental subject is overdone. They perhaps hope it is a fad that will go away, and convince themselves that technology will solve all our problems.

However there are numerous storm clouds on the horizon, many caused by the very technology that we look to for salvation. The world also teems with hatred, discontent, poverty, famine and war. We hear regularly about energy crises, and water shortages. There are increasing tensions in the Middle East, and North and South Korea. And Statistics Canada points out calmly that Canadian employees pilfer at the rate of a million dollars a day from their employers. Surely, as Hamlet pointed out, “Something is rotten in the State of Denmark” – except that we can enlarge it now and say something is rotten in the whole world. And what is it that’s rotten? You know as well as I do – it is all of us – individuals by the millions – who dodge personal responsibility.

In the final analysis, to solve the environmental and political crises that beset the age, will require strengthened resolve. Some look upon environmental problems as strictly technological and political, but in reality they are problems of individual conviction. When Christ said, “He that is not with me is against me,” He stated a simple truth – there are few neutral positions in life – individually we choose to be part of the problem or part of the answer.

Thoreau pointed out that it rarely matters what vote a man drops into a ballot box. What does matter is the sort of man or woman that drops from the bedroom into the street each morning. The philosophy and values of individual humans lie at the root of each and every crisis that has ever faced humanity.

Granted, it is a difficult thing to do – to pick oneself up by the shoelaces, change the pattern of our life, and set off onto a conservative, dedicated pathway. But it is probably the only solution. If all the irresistible forces that mankind has set in motion ultimately collide headlong with the truly fixed laws of nature, there will be an unspeakable catastrophe from which our species will not recover.

Most of us tend to be so busy “running behind the social machine” that we haven’t been in touch with ourselves in a long while. I am reminded of an individual I know who was badly wounded in war. After spending a year in a monastery, he re-entered society with a highly constructive worldview. He purchased a prie-dieu and spent an hour a day on his knees in deliberate reflection. His solution was unique but his recognition of the fact that he needed time to ponder life’s problems soberly was an answer to the haste and waste of a consumer society.

He recognized that mankind has broken from the harmony of nature, and is pursuing a dubious destiny with neurotic, meteoric flight. Truly, we have been writing our own laws with a pen that is running out of ink. Human intelligence is adequate to return us to the harmony by which we must live. But character can never be borrowed in a crisis – and that is the question – is there enough character to solve the ethical problem that lies beneath all the other problems?

Check out Bob’s latest book, The Soul Solution: The Need for a Theology of the Earth with a foreword by Dr. David Suzuki

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bKs r sO lst yr. lOl!

years agO, teenagers sPent hOurs yakking on the telephone. Now they’re burning up the airwaves with the written word—or something loosely resembling words, but with fewer consonants and a shocking scarcity of vowels. And it’s not just teens. Rational adults are going over to the dark side. Digits dancing over miniscule keyboards, they heed the siren’s call of the new shorthand. Speed is king, simplicity his queen. The basic rules of spelling and punctuation don’t make the cut.

It’s enough to make diehard grammarians weep. But is this callous disregard for the Queen’s English cause for despair, or a normal mutation of the language? What we consider correct today certainly doesn’t look like anything Chaucer

wrote. (Whan that the Knyght had thus his tale ytoold, In al the route ne was ther yong ne oold...Say what?)

Much has changed in the centuries since Guttenberg invented the printing press. Before then, spelling “rules” were variable and largely left to the discretion of a scribe. And initially, punctuation existed only to help those reading aloud: it merely indicated where to pause, and for how long. It wasn’t until the early 1600s that writers actually used punctuation to help clarify meaning. By the 1700s, we had too much of a good thing, with an abundance of commas, and other punctuation, becoming the norm, a trend that continued, well into the 1800s. (Recently, excessive use of the comma made an unfortunate comeback.)

In the early 1900s our punctuation lightened up. So did

Cu l8r nglshBy Dawn Renaud

northof50.com 39

our spelling. For starters we dropped some of those excess letters. In merrie olde England, birthplace of my own mother tongue, plenty of words were longer than they needed to be. When the Americans chose to simplify, we Canadians were at first determined to stick with the British. Well, in some cases. To complicate things, we did adopt some of our southern neighbours’ pared down spellings, and over the years we’ve adopted a few more. So today we favour anemia over anaemia and encyclopedia over encyclopaedia, although we’re still adamant that it’s neighbour and favour, not neighbor and favor.

But all that business about “Canadian, British or American” is small potatoes. When it comes to spelling, this is simply a ridiculous language. Say these words aloud: through, tough, though, cough, plough...it makes no sense. (Thank goodness “hiccough” has already given way to hiccup.) According to my dictionary, plow is now an acceptable alternative to plough; no sign of thru or tuff yet, but they’re sure to come. Coff still seems too big a stretch. Why doesn’t goes rhyme with does? Wait, it does if we mean two female deer.

Obviously, we’re used to compensating, translating, adjusting. So, do all those arcane rules of spelling even matter? In 2003, this paragraph of scrambled text hit the internet: Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

While it is interesting that most readers can decipher the misspelled words without difficulty. However, the piece is something of a hoax. It’s unlikely Cambridge was involved. Two of the words cannot be spelled correctly. And the premise that only the first and last letters of the word need to be in the right order is overly simplistic. For example, pegssaas taht inlduce a ptoriiiarefoln of lthegny or uailianfmr wrdos are mcuh lses rdlaeiy drpeieechd. (That is, passages that include proliferation of lengthy or unfamiliar words are much less readily deciphered.) Clearly, if we want to communicate quickly and efficiently spelling still matters. As I was typing the scrambled words above, my spell checker tried to correct most of the common “mistakes.” The brilliant Ode to a Spell Checker explains why I shouldn’t rely on it for everything. (The ode begins: Eye

halve a spelling check her; It came with my pea sea. You get the drift.) Widely circulated on the ’net, the poem was apparently written by Jerrold Zar way back in the distant ’90s and, if I can trust my Google results, it first appeared in (gasp!) a print magazine.

Print. That’s so last century. We have all kinds of electronic equipment to read from; we can store dozens of books in a reader smaller than a standard novel. Heck, some of these little marvels will even read stuff aloud, saving us the trouble. With all these handy gadgets at our fingertips, why would we bother with old fashioned paper and ink? Have printed novels gone—so to speak—with the wind?

Now that eBooks are catching on, that’s a question the publishing industry is trying to address. There’s still a whopping crowd of us folk who prefer something we can easily stuff a bookmark into, risk less than twenty bucks by reading in the bathtub or at the beach, and actually pass along when we’re done. But as more of us embrace the convenience of packing a dozen novels along on vacation in the space of one, publishing houses are guarding their bottom line by reducing the number of hardcover books they produce.

The current wisdom is that most titles will only come out as a library-edition hardcover and paperback—no more standard hardcovers, like the ones currently lining the shelves of our bookstores. (This means that in the future, those of us who love to settle in a patch of dappled sunshine with a hardcover from our own bookshelves may be reduced to duking it out at the local library’s dirty book sale, or shelling out a small fortune to get our hands on new volumes.)

Still no matter how technologically advanced we become, I predict we’ll always have books—and magazines!—in print. And will we recognize what’s printed on those pages?

Probably. It’ll be different, but that’s okay. Our language has been evolving all along, usually moving toward clarity and simplicity. Texting and email shorthand can only hasten the process.

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January 28, RCA Presents SONGS ARE LIKE TATTOOS: A TRIBUTE TO JONI MITCHELL at the Mary Irwin Theatre, 7:30pm.

February 12, RCA Presents ROMANZA at the Mary Irwin Theatre, 7:30pm.

February 17, RCA Presents ALPHA YA YA DIALLO at the Mary Irwin Theatre, 7:30pm.

EXHIBITIONS VPAG vernonpublicartgallery.com

January 6 to March 10, R.B. Wainwright - DREAM SYMBOLS AND MY ART at the Topham Brown Gallery.

January 6 to March 10, DERMAGRAPHICS: THE ART OF TATTOO DESIGN at the Caroline Gailbraith & Up Front Galleries.

January 6 to March 10, UBCO Advanced Printmaking - PROOF POSITIVE at the Community Gallery.

KAGkelownaartgallery.com PERFORMANCES

CREEKSIDE THEATREcreeksidetheatre.com

VERNON PERFORMING ARTSticketseller.ca

Now to February 6, Ian Johnston - BAG SUITE IN 4/4 TIME. This installation relies on Johnston’s ability with the medium of ceramics, as he has created 432 slip-cast porcelain vessels, using plastic shopping bags as their originating forms. The repeated vessels are beautiful to behold as they are neatly stacked on the metal retail shelving that will line the gallery walls. Yet underneath this appealing installation is a warning inherent about the sustainability of our consumer culture, and the war now on in many parts of the planet on the ubiquitous plastic shopping bag!

Now to January 30, Doug Biden - VISCERAL ALLEGORIES.

Now to June 12, Jasmine Reimer - 1000 LBS. 3 DAYS.

January 19, ‘SWONDERFUL Like a technicolor movie musical, ‘Swonderful, paints a picture of nostalgia and entertainment while paying tribute to the incomparable musical work of two legendary brothers.

ROTARY CENTRE FOR THE ARTSrotayrtcentreforthearts.com

PENTICTON ART GALLERYpentictonartgallery.com

January 20, KITCHEN AND STOVE FILM: WASTE LAND at 4pm and 7pm. Directors: Lucy Walker and Karen Harley. Documentary with artist Vik Muniz. This is one of the most inspiring films of the year.

February 12, The Lost Fingers - LOST IN THE 80’S. The Lost Fingers debut album Lost In The 80’s has already achieved platinum+ status in Canada (over 100,000 units), and continues to charm and conquer territories beyond its borders.

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COming eVeNTS januarySaturday, January 8 The Met: Live in HD. Puccini’s “La Fanciulla del West,” 10am at Salmar Classic Theatre. Running time 3 hours, 50 minutes. Tickets $24 at the door or online at salmartheatre.com.

January 13 to 18. Anything Goes at the Kelowna Actors Studio. Cole Porter’s musical comedy, Anything Goes is a jubilant tale aboard the S.S. American with stowaways, nightclub sirens, shipboard romance, mistaken identity, a gangster and nonstop fun. The music includes, You’re the Top, I Get a Kick Out of You, Blow, Gabriel, Blow, It’s Delovely, and of course, the title song. Call 25.862.2867 for ticketing and/or registration info, or email: info@kelownaactorsstudio.com

January 15 to 23. For 10 days in January, Sun Peaks Resort and the Okanagan Wine Festival Society offer those who love wine and winter recreation; the most novel of wine festivals. Imagine skiing or snowboarding in the morning and being hosted to an amazing array of wine events in the afternoon and evening. From wine seminars in an executive kitchen to an amazing progressive wine tasting featuring the great wines of the Okanagan region, the Winter Festival of Wine is pure indulgence in wine, food and recreation at Sun Peaks Resort. Info at www.thewinefestivals.com

January 20. Kitchen Stove Film Series: Waste Land (USA) at the Penmar Cinema Centre, Penticton, 4 pm and 7 pm. Winner of the prestigious international documentary award at Sundance, Waste Land is a wonderfully resonant film that chronicles Brazilian artist Vik Muniz’s journey to Jardim Gramacho, the world’s largest landfill located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. Muniz collaborates with an eclectic band of catadores, or self-designated pickers of recyclable material and photographs them as they sift through society’s garbage. Resilient and innovative, the landfill’s inhabitants become the inspiration of Muniz’s art and the film offers stirring evidence of the dignity found in personal determination and the transformative power of art. This is one of the most inspiring films of the year. Series tickets available at the Penticton Art Gallery 250.493.2928 and The Book Shop 250.492.6661.

January 22, April Verch performs at Creekside Theatre. 7:30pm. April Verch is a dynamic Canadian fiddler, singer and stepdancer. With her band, she plays a traditional and original repertoire that is deeply rooted in the style she grew up with in the Ottawa valley region of Ontario. 10241 Bottom

Wood Lake Road, Lake Country. Reservations 250.766.9309

January 22. Kelowna Community Theatre. The UBC Opera Ensemble, with director Nancy Hermiston, joins the Okanagan Symphony in a show that celebrates melody and romance in works by Johann Strauss, Franz Lehar and friends at the Kelowna Community Theatre, 8 pm. 1375 Water Street. Ticketmaster.ca or phone 250.860.1470

January 23. Okanagan Symphony Orchestra: Viennese Waltz at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, 7:00pm. The UBC Opera Ensemble, with director Nancy Hermiston, joins the Okanagan Symphony in a show that celebrates melody and romance in works by Johann Strauss, Franz Lehar and friends. ticketseller.ca

January 27 to 30. February 4 to 6, 11 to 13, 18 to 19. Opening Night Comedy by Norman Forster at Cannery Stage Theatre. Evenings at 8pm, Matinee at 3pm. This hilarious backstage comedy, which features a ‘show within

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annOunCes the list OF mOvies

FOr January - marCh 2011

(Festival Feb 25 - March 5, 2011 Program

will be announced in early January)

Jan. 5 - InsIde Job

Jan. 8 - AnImAl KIngdom

Jan. 15 - mAde In dAgenhAm

Jan. 22/23 - Th

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Jan. 29 - bArney’s Ver

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Feb. 5 - somewhere

Feb. 12 - The co

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mar. 12 - AnoTher y

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mar. 19 - The Illu

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mar. 26 - bIuTIFul

JAnuAry - mArch 2011

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Your tax-deductible gift to Vernon Jubilee Hospital

Foundation will support health care needs for residents living

in the North Okanagan, Columbia/Shuswap.

For more information call (250) 558-1362 or visit

www.vjhfoundation.org

Fortune Creek KennelsOpen 7 Days a Week for Dog & Cat Care

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a show,’ will be directed by Jane Saunders...Saunders dons her Director’s hat for the first time on the Many Hats Stage having starred in previous Many Hats hits “Something to Hide” and “Sylvia.” Opening Night runs until February 19. Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Sunday Matinees at 3pm. Tickets available at Penticton Visitors Centre, 553 Railway Street, the building with the grape mural on it. Ticket info at 250.490.6568 or www.manyhatstheatre.com

January 28. Songs Are Like Tattoos: A Tribute to Joni Mitchell at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, 7:30 pm. In 2008, singer/songwriter Mia Sheard launched what’s become the annual Joni Mitchell night at Toronto’s Hugh’s Room. Mia rounded up some of her favorite singers and musicians to perform this music, not easy to play, therefore not often performed by other artists. The line-up features critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Mia Sheard and an all-star backing band. Joining Mia on stage will be Toronto’s Lori Cullen, Kevin Fox and David Matheson (Moxy Früvous). Ticket info. 250.717.5304 or www.selectyourtickets.comFebruary 5. Snowed In Comedy Tour at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, 8:30pm. What happens when 4 comedians join forces to go snowboarding during the day and do comedy shows at night? The Snowed In Comedy tour brings together some of the top international comedians in the world.

February 5 to 13. The Vernon Winter Carnival celebrates its 51st year . Participate in the multitude of events that take place during these very busy 10 days of Carnival. There’s something for everyone so mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate winter the Vernon way!

February 19. CHOREALIS Vocal ensemble presents “Warm Music for a Winter Evening.” Please join us for a cheerful evening of music. We are performing an interesting variety of a cappella choral works by composers ranging from the 15th to 21st Century. You’re sure to enjoy our guest instrumental ensemble of flute and strings. Feb 19, 7:30 pm at Trinity United Church in Vernon. Tickets $10 at the door, from members, or call 250-545-3731 (www.chorealis.ca).

February 26. Country superstar Toby Keith is making a stop at the South Okanagan Events Centre Saturday, with Canadian Country star George Canyon and 2010 CCMA Rising Star winners, One More Girl. Tickets available at SOEC Box Office, Wine Country Visitor Centre, Charge by phone at 1.877.763.2849 or order online at www.ValleyFirstTix.com

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January ACTIVITIeS

BABYBEGINCAPCARIBBEANCELEBRATECHAMPAGNECLOCKCOCOACOUNTCRUSTCRYSTALSDIETEATFIREPLACEFITFLAKESGETHATICICLESJANUARY

KISSMEXICOMITTENSMOUNTAINSNEWYEARSNOISEONEORGANIZEPARKAPARTYPATHPROJECTSRENOVATIONSRESOLUTIONSSHEETSHOVELSKATINGSKIINGSLEEPSLEET

CrOssWoRD ACROSS1 What dogs sit on5 Animal foot8 Sell for money12 Opera solo13 Fire remains14 Eastern Continent15 List of meals16 Omelet cookers18 Root beer brand (3 wds.)20 Last day of the wk.21 Expression of surprise22 ______ Troops, high flying25 American Football Conference (abbr.)27 Serving of corn28 Search in the dark32 Grand Turk34 Crease35 Was in a position of prayer36 Kimono sash

37 “To the right!”38 appeal41 North northeast44 European sea eagle45 Old World herb48 Recede51 Grainery52 Melancholy53 Dined54 Russian ruler55 Net strung across a stream56 Behold57 Southeast by east

DOWN1 Dalai __2 Realm3 Summit4 Saudi Arabian citizen5 Pop (plr.)6 Demand (2 wds.)7 Whizz8 Crony

9 not ashore10 Together11 Space administration17 Language specialist19 encircled23 Censor24 Goof25 Inquire26 Merriment29 put in order30 “Raven” author31 Female sheep33 What a nurse gives34 National police36 Embellished39 a tapestry weave40 Ship’s sail holders41 Northwest by west42 African river43 Decorative needle case46 Slice47 Past49 That woman50 Teensy

SNOWSTARTSUPERBOWLTOASTTOBOGGANWEIGHTWINTER

haPPy new year

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ARMSTRONGKnitting Circle. A relaxing evening of sharing, learning & meeting new friends. Bring a project, needles & yarn or just yourself. Beginners always welcome. Now accepting yarn donations for local charitable projects. Judy at 250.546.9475 or Marlene at 250.546.6325. www.knittingcircle.ca

Armstrong Toastmasters. All ages welcome! The best communication & leadership training you can get in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Every Tuesday, 7:20pm to 9:30pm. Coffee, tea & snacks. Armstrong Spall Chamber of Commerce, 3550 Bridge Street. 250.546.3276 or 250.558.8110 or visit www.freewebs.com/armstrongtoastmasters/

ENDERBYThe Good Food Box - Must be paid by the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Baron Insurance or Century 21. Pick-up on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 12-3:45pm at the Anglican Hall on Knight Street. For info call 250.838.6298.

Enderby Cliff Quilters meet at Enderby Evangelical Chapel, 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month, 1pm to 5pm. Call Bonnie at 250.838.7024 or June at 250.838.5565.

Enderby Inn 707 Cliff Ave - Karaoke with Jeff every Friday and Saturday at 8:30pm.

KELOWNAThe Kelowna Newcomers Club meetings 7pm, 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Seniors’ Centre on Water Street. Interesting and informative speakers. Many activities available. Coffee & goodies served 250.764.9686.

Dance with live music every Saturday night at the Rutland Activity Centre. 7:30 pm. For those 50+. $4 members, $6 non-members.

Seniors Skate (Kelowna Recreation & Cultural Services) every Tuesday at Rutland Arena, 9 to 10 a.m. and every Thursday at downtown Memorial Arena, 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. $2.25 per sesson. (Begins Oct. 5).

Dancing (Ballroom/Latin) every Sunday night 7:30 - 10:30pm at the Water Street Senior Centre - 1360 Water St. Dress code: dressy casual. Cost $5. Tea, coffee and cookies included. Phone 250.868.2786.

Raging Grannies; a group of concerned ladies who express their concerns with satirical songs & other activities. Meet 2nd & 4th Mondays, 11 am, Kelowna Legion, 1380 Bertam. 250.860.1576.

Interior Alzheimer’s Support Society holds a support group for people in the early stage of Alzheimer Disease & related dementia

on Tuesday mornings at 865 Bernard Ave. 250.860.0305 or mwasylyshen@alzheimerbc.org. Also a support group for caregivers of people with Alzheimer Disease & related dementia on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the evenings.

The Rug Hooking Circle meets every Wednesday at 12:30pm in Studio 204, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna. Practice a traditional Canadian art form in a group setting. Angela 250.767.0206 www.rughookingteacher.ca

Westside Jam. Open mike jam every 1st and 3rd Friday, 6:30 to 9pm. C & W, blues, bluegrass; old-time, gospel, etc. Meets at Westside Seniors Hall in Westbank. Carl 250.707.1030 or Gerry 250.768.4421

Panic and Anxiety Recovery Group meets every Thursday at Martin Avenue Community Centre, Classroom C. 6:30 pm to deal with issues surrounding anxiety, panic attacks, ocds, and depression. Newcomers welcomed and encouraged. Based on proven cognitive behavior therapy. You owe it to yourself to take the leap and contact us. Questions? You can reach Dennis or Debra at (250)212-0652 or at info@panicandanxietyrecoverygroup.com

LUMBYLumby Legion. Thursday, darts, Friday, pool, Saturday meat draws. 250.547.2338.

PENTICTONThe Penticton Seniors Computer Club drop-in days at the Leisure Centre, 439 Winnipeg Street, are: Monday 1 to 3pm, Wednesday 1 to 2pm, Friday 1 to 3pm. Mac Computer Support Monday 10 am to 11 am. Members and visitors welcome. 250.492.7373.

Penticton Toastmasters meet in the Penticton Public Library auditorium at 785 Main Street, Tuesdays at 7 pm. Please come out as a welcome guest. The first 3 meetings are free! For more details email pentictontoastmasters@shaw.ca

The Penticton Concert Band rehearses under the leadership of Gerald Nadeau on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30pm at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Hall in preparation for upcoming concerts. Intermediate to advanced players www.pentictonconcertband.ca or 250.809.2087

Royal Canadian Legion. Monday Night is Miser Monday with chicken wings & baron/beef $3 each, bar specials. Entertainment 5 to 9:00pm every Monday. Friday is membership appreciation night. 5:30 to 6:30pm full course meal & entertainment, 6:30 to 10:30pm. Wednesday is Bingo Day, 1:00pm & 6:30 pm Bingo. Meat Draw every Saturday & Sunday; 250.493.0870

Community events

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The Franco 50+ group meets Thursdays to socialize in French, from 1:30 to 3:30pm. Lina at 250.492.2549

Peachcity Toastmasters meet Thursdays from 12-1pm. This is a great way to enhance speaking and leadership skills in a fun, supportive setting. Membership is open to anyone ages 18 and up. Guests are always welcome and allowed up to 3 free meetings. Call 250.492.2362 for more info.

SALMON ARMSalmon Arm Duplicate Bridge club meets at 6:45pm every Tuesday at the downtown Activity Centre & every Sunday at 12:45 pm at Branch 109. 250.832.7454 or 250.832.7323.

Fletcher Park Seniors Resource Centre 320A 2nd Ave., N.E. Meals on Wheels, Lunch With Friends, Monday Morning Market, Shop & Drop, Income Tax Service, Advocacy, Foot Care, Volunteer Drivers for medically related appointments, up. 250.832.7000.

SICAMOUSSenior Citizen’s Meals (Wheels to Meals) at the Eagle Valley Haven in the C o m m o n R o o m . Phone ahead, 250.836.2437 or 250.836.4718 or 250.836.4302 or 250.836.2031.

Sicamous Family Market at the Seniors Activity Centre, Saturdays 8:30am to 2pm. 250.836.2587.

summerlandCome one, come all - Summerland NeighbourLink sponsors a Lunch Social on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. It is held between 12:00pm - 1:30pm at the Summerland Senior’s Drop-In Centre at 9710 Brown Street in Summerland. The Lunch Social is a time to connect with neighbours, enjoy a free lunch, and listen to some local talent in a relaxed atmosphere. No need to book ahead unless you require transportation.For a ride, please call 24 hours in advance 250.404.4673

The Summerland Social Dance Club are hosting a New Years Eve Dance at the St. Stephens Church Hall. Doors open at 8.30pm Dance with live Music from 9.00pm to 2.00am. A buffet turkey supper and Dessert with be served at 12.15am. During the evening, tea, coffee and soft drinks are complimentary. We are licenced so please bring your own alcoholic beverages. Admission is $65.00 per couple. For tickets and info, please call Trevor or Anne Ling at 250 494 7168 or twlael@telus.net

taPPenCarlin Hall, Bluegrass/Slowpitch Jam. Tuesday nights 7 to 9pm. Bluegrass instruments only. 250.835.2322.

VERNONThe Vernon Seniors Choir under the direction of Lyn Taron rehearses each Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:30 pm at the Halina Complex in the Vernon Rec Centre. Our motto is “ Music is our contribution.” 250.545.3119 or 250.542.2264

Friday night supper at the Elks Lodge, 3103 - 30th Street, 6 pm.

A homemade meal includes soup or salad, buns, dessert and coffee all for $7.50. Everyone welcome, including children. A Mini Meat Draw and 50/50 follow dinner. All funds raised go to charities and children in Vernon. www.vernonelks.com

Elks Mega Meat Draw - Third Sunday of each month at Elks Hall - 3103 - 30th Street. Doors open at 1:00 pm Mega Meat Draw - Meat Basket - 50/50 draw and concessions available. Bar open at 1:00 pm Draws start at 2:00 pm . Everyone welcome.All monies raised go to children and charities in Vernon.

Oil Painting. Drop-in Fridays 1 to 4 pm at the Vernon Community Arts Centre. Fee is $3 for members, $4 for non-members.

First Tuesday of every month the Vernon Placer Miner Club (gold panning club) meets at 7 pm, bsmt of Peace Lutheran Church at 1204-30 Ave. Guests welcome. Memberships for family, $20/yr. Donna Smith 250.545.3832 or mrspumpkin36@hotmail.com or Jerry Stainer 250.549.4395.

Second Wind Community Band. Our band always welcomes new players so bring your instrument (or rent one) and have fun with us! Practises are every Wednesday from 7 to 9 pm at Vernon Secondary School. We play everything: Jazz Broadway Musicals, Marches, Light Rock and Classical. For more info call band leader Toni at 250.549.2414.

WINFIELDCribbage Tournament at the Seniors Activity Center 9832-Bottomwood Lake Rd. Each 3rd Sunday of the month. Entree fee $12. Excellent lunch included. Games start at 10am. Play partners & meet new friends. John 250.766.3026

list your community event by calling toll free 1-877-667-8450 or email details to info@northof50.com.

wordsearch solution: For Auld Lang Syne My Dear

Crossword solution:

northof50.com46

Classified & Directory

Doug Braun, R.D.Erika Braun, R.D.

DENTURISTS

Braun Denture Clinic

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OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCENew Dentures - Partials-Relines - Repairs

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Armstrong Wine and Brew

Box 339, 2545 Patterson Ave.Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0, 250-546-6954www.armstrongwineandbrew.com

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Valley MonumentsMemorials of Distinction

Keith or Evelyn Franklin

4316 29th Street, Vernon, BC V1T 5B8Phone/Fax: 250.542.6411 Toll Free: 1.877.511.8585

Free Classified Ad Policy We’ll place your ad, up to 25 words FREE, as long as the value of the item you are selling is under $1000. This offer is available to individuals only and is not available to businesses or commercial enterprises. One ad per household, space permitting. The rate for business / commercial ads or for items valued over $1,000 is $14 plus tax up to 25 words then 25 cents for each additional word. Email your ad details, along with your phone number and address to: classifieds@northof50.com or fax to: 250.546.8914

1990 Ford F250, 7.3 diesel, 4x4, extended cab, 235,000 kms, recent tune-up, 1 extra set of winter tires on rims, $4000. 1994 Ford Tempo, 200,000 kms, extra set of winter tires on rims, $1000. 1999 Ford Taurus, GL, 160,000 kms, extra set of winter tires, $2700. 250.546.6208.

Mens Russian fur Hat, $60. Ladies Russian Fur lined Coat, $250. 6” Swivel Base Vice, $25. 360 Gym Weight Bench with weights, $150. Framing Square, $5. Phone 250.558.1456.

Assisted Living available for elderly female to live in my private home. Dignity and respect for needs are honored by qualified female former L.P.N. First Aid and CPR Certified. Call for interview 250.804.2707.

Parts and 3 new springs for an Antique R.C.A. Gramophone, $50 each o.b.o. Springs are 1” wide and about 8’ long, fits in a 12” diameter R.C.A. Springcontainer. Phone 250.495.7372.

Cash Paid for Silver Coins. Paying 10 x Face Value. Buy Old Postcards, Guns,Bottles, Tins, Signs, Traps, Antiques. Estates, collections, 250-545-7140 sumas@shaw.ca.

For Sale: Sixty-four Zane Grey hard cover books, dated: 1905 through to 1963, asking $1000. Phone 250.545.0289 evenings.

Telex Active noise reduction aviation headset, brand new, never used. Includes carrying case and portable push-to-talk switch, $250. Phone 250.837.3741 Revelstoke.

Nightvision monocular, brand new, $200. Phone 250.837.3741 Revelstoke.

Mens Russian fur Hat, $60. Ladies Russian Fur lined Coat, $250. 6” Swivel Base Vice, $25. 360 Gym Weight Bench with weights, $150. Framing Square, $5. Phone 250.558.1456.

FOr saleMITA DC-3060 Photocopier. 30 copies per minute, three on-line paper sources, 500 copy management account code usage, reduction, enlargement & zoom magnification. $500. Phone 250.546.8910.

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