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MARCH 5, 2010
SMARTCENTRES POTENTIAL TENANTS
I read in another paper that the revised plan for SmartCentres'' shopping centre west of Salmon Arm has a red square where Walmart was to go.
Well, I can think of some potential tenants that may settle in Walmart''s place: SAAN Store, Value Village, Salvation Army, Winners, and Army & Navy. Perhaps then the people opposed to the development would ease up on their stand, because I believe they oppose Walmart more than anything.
ASPERGER''S SYNDROME STUDY
Kaley York of Salmon Arm is a nurse who is studying for her Master''s at UBC-Okanagan. Her research thesis is exploring what parents experience in raising a child, 11-19 years, with Asperger''s Syndrome, a high functioning form of autism. She''s recruiting families in the Salmon Arm, Vernon, and Kelowna areas, and is in need of a few more families. If you are raising such a child, contact her at 250-826-2940 or kaley24@interchange.ubc.ca.
CARS RUN ON VEGETABLE OIL
Lawren Richards powers her summer car with vegetable oil. A recent article about her in this column said she produces 2 1/2 bags of garbage a year, and listed many ways she lives very simply off the electrical grid.
Some readers couldn''t believe a car can run on vegetable oil. Lawren says the Mercedes SD300 series between ''72 and ''91 is the only model that she knows that will run on straight vegetable oil. Most people who say they run their car on vegetable oil actually run it on homemade vegetable-oil-based diesel.
She has run her Mercedes on vegetable oil, used motor oil, kerosene, and gasoline as well as the usual diesel. Last summer she successfully drove it 8,000 miles along the perimeter of the U.S. She says her car is getting rather ancient.
INEXPENSIVE SOAPS, LOTIONS
Like Lawren Richards, I keep my garbage and recycling to a minimum.
I do not use laundry soap with fillers. I buy powdered soap from Samson Cleaning Supply. I use one that is phosphate free and needs only 1/4 cup per load. I take the original zip-top plastic bag to the store and have it refilled for an incredibly low price.
I buy shampoo, conditioner and hand lotion from Lady in the Tub bed & bath boutique. The store has containers of various sizes and scents that you can buy and then take back for a refill. You will be charged by weight of the product. My refills usually cost between $2 and $5.
Both Samson and Lady in the Tub are at 101 Hudson Ave NE, just across from the art gallery.
NO ICE-CREAM ON LILLOOET RANCH
By Karen Taylor
Growing up on a remote ranch is not as romantic as it may seem. Yes, there are horses to ride and beautiful sunsets on the mountain ranges to enjoy. However, work is the main theme of ranching.
As a precocious child, all I could dream about was the life of luxury my town friends enjoyed. No rock-picking, herding cows or freezing outhouse seats for them! I couldn''t even imagine the luxury of running hot water - a real bath - or turning up a thermostat. Yes, I was jealous.
Why was it that I was expected to pick raspberries for three hours on a hot summer''s day? I was sure my friends were at the beach or reading a good book. While I was helping with the canning in an overheated log cabin, I was certain my peers were basking in the sun... perhaps even enjoying an ice-cream cone. With no fridge and certainly no freezer, you can be sure ice-cream was but wishful thinking. Oh, the injustice of it all!
SIXTEEN WEDDINGS THIS YEAR
The Scales'' family will have at least 16 weddings this year. Well, not our whole family, just son-number-one who is a lay chaplain and does weddings and funerals. You can see him by googling Unitarian Congregation Victoria and clicking on ceremonies.
LOOPHOLES IN HST PETITION
If you planned to be a volunteer to oppose the harmonized sales tax, HST, you have to APPLY by March 8, which is Monday. First you need to confirm that you are on the voter''s list. According to www.elections.bc.ca, MLAs and registered political parties can request copies of the voter''s list at any time. Requests must be in writing and directed to the Director of Voter Registration and Boundaries. A fee is charged for the list to help recover the cost of producing it.
(I enquired through the website whether I am on the voter''s list. I filled all the information and it will take a few days to receive confirmation by e-mail.)
Then those who are on the voter''s list can sign a petition opposing HST between April 6 and July 5. The petition can be signed at a grocery store or wherever you see a volunteer with a petition.
But get a load of this: HST takes effect on July 1!
WHAT IS THE HST?
On July 1, 2010, BC''s 7% PST and 5% GST will be eliminated. The two will be combined as a single harmonized value-added 12% tax and applied to those goods and services that are subject to GST. It will require the approval of the Legislature of British Columbia and the Parliament of Canada.
ELTON JOHN SAYS JESUS WAS GAY
Sir Elton John has claimed Jesus was a "super-intelligent gay man" in an interview with a U.S. magazine. He also told Parade that Jesus was compassionate, forgiving and understood human problems. The report is on his website.
A spokesman for the Church of England said: "Sir Elton''s reflection that Jesus calls us all to love and forgive is one shared by all Christians."
Elton John is an English singer-songwriter, composer and pianist. He has sold over 200 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of all time. He is gay and is married to a Canadian man.
CANADA IS EUROPE WITH TOILETS
Stephen Colbert has gold-medal star power. The political pundit who has a satirical TV program on NBC called The Colbert Report, was in Vancouver for the Winter Olympics for two days and taped a couple of programs that were aired February 22 and 23.
His appearance drew applause and attention that was almost as loud and as frantic as a Canadian men''s hockey game, according to the Vancouver Sun.
"We''re here in Canada, or as I call it, Europe with toilets," Colbert joked.
He ended the show holding a fake beaver and declaring to a chorus of cheers from his audience that it didn''t matter if they were Canadian, European or Asian; the one thing that was important is that "You''re not American."
NANAIMO BARS ARE OLYMPIC DESSERT
The Chicago Tribune ran a story about the Nanaimo bar and its origin in its food section recently with the headline "An Olympic Dessert."
Tourism promoters in Nanaimo said in the Victoria Times Colonist that they''re glad to see the extra exposure. The marketing co-ordinator with Destination Nanaimo said they started promoting the bar and city a year ago. Newspapers saved such stories until the Olympics and that''s when they started writing about it.
VIDEO ON CANADA/U.S. RELATIONS
NBC aired a video in which Tom Brokaw explains the relationship between Canada and The United States. The pre-recorded short film aired just before the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver on Feb. 12. You must see it! Go to www.youtube.com and search for Tom Brokaw Canada.
FREE CONDOMS AT THE GAMES
Free condoms, 100,000 of them, were made available to Olympic and Paralympic athletes and officials in Vancouver and Whistler. It has become a custom at the Games, dating back at least to the 1992 Games in Barcelona.
There was criticism of the practice by conservative Christians, but Vancouver''s organizers said it was their attempt to promote safety at the 2010 Games and control sexually transmitted diseases.
The condoms were provided by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control and were available at Vancouver and Whistler polyclinics staffed by doctors and nurses under the direction of the health authority. Information on the free condoms was inside every athlete''s kit.
A journalist wrote on NBC''s website that the Olympians use tremendous self-control during competition, and after the athletes are done competing, they are ready to party hard. He gave credit to the International Olympic Committee for "acting like a responsible parent" by providing the condoms to athletes for whom "flirting is as natural as breathing."
HAPPINESS BREEDS HEALTHY HEARTS
People who are naturally happy appear to have a lower risk of developing heart disease or dying from heart attacks according to a 10-year study in Nova Scotia. Researchers from the centre for behavioral cardiovascular health at Columbia University Medical Center in New York ranked the 1,739 volunteers on a five-point happiness scale. They measured joy, happiness, excitement, enthusiasm and contentment.
Dr. Karina Davidson, the director of the centre and lead author of the study, was interviewed for CBC Radio. She said while positive emotions have been tied to a stronger immune system, less diabetes and higher survival rates, this study examined whether it protects the heart. She said the 1995-2005 study showed that increased levels of positive emotions are linked to a 22 per cent lower risk of heart disease. The report was published in the European Heart Journal.
LOOKING BACK
AT THE PAPER''S 35-YEAR HISTORY
Is the paper for sale? In June, 1978 when Shoppers'' Guide was just three years old, I received a letter from Milner & Steer, barristers and solicitors in Edmonton. R.A. Lundrigan wrote, in part: "We have a client who recently was in Salmon Arm and saw several copies of your Shoppers Guide. Our client was impressed by the form and content of your publication and the scope of your operation and was further advised that your Guide was growing rapidly in volume.
"We have been asked to correspond with you to ascertain if you would be interested in selling this publication." Seven questions followed, one being if I would accept cash.
I replied that it was not for sale.
FEBRRARY 26, 2010
HERITAGE WEEK AT PICCADILLY
Last week Piccadilly had many heritage displays. An important heritage event this year is the Haney house turning 100. 1910-2010.
An entire heritage village has been built around the old house. Go to www.salmonarmmuseum.org to see all the buildings. Drag down Visit us, and go to Haney Village.
The Salmon Arm Model Railroad Association, which has a permanent display in Piccadilly that is open to the public every Saturday, put a track down in the mall on Friday and gave free train rides on Saturday.
Wayne Huffman gave a ride to Audrey Jack of Salmon Arm, age 2, Kiara Waters, 5, and her brother Dylan, 4, of Surrey who were visiting their grandparents Bob and Sharon Waters of Blind Bay.
SWAP SEEDS, BUY HEALTHY FOOD
It''''s a trade fare with a difference. The Shuswap Seed Savers Seed Swap & Sale will be held for the 16th year on March 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at A.L. Fortune Secondary School, 500 Bass Avenue, Enderby, B.C. Adults $3, kids free.
Over 35 vendors will have a variety of items for sale including garden seeds, wool products, grain, honey, garlic, worm castings, etc. For info call 250-832-2355 or 250-838-6581.
WORLD DOCUMENTARY FILM FEST
A traveling world community film festival will be in Kelowna March 12, 13 and 14. It will be B.C.''''s largest, showing 35 world-class films from 20 countries. Free admission. For a schedule at Okanagan College and UBCO, go to www.worldfilmfestkelowna.net.
KELOWNA COMMUNITY SEED SWAP
During the film festival in Kelowna, from 10 to 3 on Saturday, March 13 the fest will be joined by the Kelowna Community Seed Swap. Healthy food and refreshments and natural goods from local vendors.
SENIORS SHOULD LEARN COMPUTERS
By Charles
I bought a computer 20 years ago when I was 64 years of age, shortly after I sold my business. I wanted to do something useful that would give me a feeling of independence. Learning the basics of the internet gave me an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
The computer helps me communicate with relatives and friends and I use it in my consulting business and in the small importing and distribution business.
I''''m sure the computer improves my memory. I know it keeps me from getting bored and makes me feel younger. My mind is kept sharp as I explore all areas of the planet. I''''m having fun!
UPS HOLDS A CELEBRATION
Tim and Kari Wilton held a celebration last week and invited business people to a wine and cheese one Wednesday evening and a celebration for the public on Saturday.
The two have always been in the tourism and customer service business, always at the coast. Last year they sold their motel-campground business in Hope and decided to move to the Okanagan. They settled temporarily in Vernon and began looking.
The UPS store in Salmon Arm was available so they bought it on October 1, 2009. It was customer service, which they knew, but Kim had to learn how to operate all the copying and printing machines with the help of two employees, and Tim learned the mailbox end of the business. They are very happy to be in Salmon Arm.
MONASHEE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Two weeks ago I listed members of The Monashee Chamber Choir who will give a concert on March 6 and 7 in Salmon Arm. Also performing will be 14 members of the Monashee Chamber Orchestra. See how many you know: Susan Aylard, Anita Pothoven, Carmen Stoney, Naomi Wilson, Rina Schuurman, Sophia Stoney, Barb Ennis, Natalia Stoney, Daniel Casson, Sonja Heide, Andrew Stoney, Nathan Stoney, Tim Dunne and Jim Johnston.
For info call 250-836-2763 or write amgentles@cablelan.net.
CYRIL DOESN''''T STOP LEARNING
Cyril Sukare, the owner of Salmon Arm Security, doesn''''t want to stop learning. He applied to get his PhD in Applied Management and Marketing and was accepted by three universities in the U.S. At 49 years of age, this is quite a decision for him to make. He will take his time deciding which one to choose.
Cyril has a Bachelor of Pharmacy from India and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri.
He owns a second company, International Management Centre Inc., which is mostly focused for management training and marketing in European markets. He uses those skills here. On February 3 he spoke to the business students in Salmon Arm''''s Okanagan College on entrepreneurship and on February 10 he spoke to the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce lunch on customer services.
WINTER GAMES END THIS SUNDAY
Vancouver and Whistler residents didn''''t know what hit them when tens of thousands of people filled the streets every evening. Anything Olympic was purchased from stores. Canadian flags were snapped up while Olympic flags were left untouched.
Did you notice when you watched curling and hockey on TV, there were no advertising decals on players'''' outfits nor logos in the ice or around the perimeter?
OLYMPICS IN SALMON ARM
Canada vs USA men''''s hockey game was shown on the large screen at the Salmar Classic Theatre late Sunday afternoon and about 250 people enjoyed cheering together. The gold medal men''''s hockey game will be shown there on Sunday at 2:15 p.m. Admission is a suggested $2 to the Daybreak Rotary Club.
The hockey games at the Classic is a project of the Olympic Torch Committee, which partnered with the Salmar Theatre and Daybreak Rotary Club. The theatre holds 300. Let''''s fill it on Sunday!
I VISITED UKRAINE HOUSE
Many provinces, countries and businesses had a house at the Olympics, and Canada had a pavilion. Sponsors and some businesses had a house. There was Royal Mint House and Pride House for gay athletes who dared to visit.
I visited Ukraine House the first Wednesday, in the UK Hall at Ash and 16th. One large TV showed CTV''''s coverage and another showed coverage in Ukraine from a website. Press conferences with athletes for Ukraine TV were held there. The food was delicious!
SUPPORT GROUP FOR DIVORCING WOMEN
When Cindy was planning to divorce her husband, she joined a discussion group while she was still married. It was such a help, being able to talk about her feelings and getting advice on the next steps from recently-divorced women. She asked the leader how she could thank her and the group and was told to pass it on.
Cindy moved to Salmon Arm, is single again and she wants to help women who are contemplating divorce, are going through one, or have been divorced a long time but still carry some baggage. First she wants you to write to her at cindys.own.2010@gmail.com and give your phone number. She will call you and listen to your story. She may call a group of women together in her office.
GOLD SCAM, CREDIT CARD SCAM
If someone offers you cash for gold jewellery, do not sell it. You may never see the jewellery again, nor the cash. Take your gold rings, necklaces and bracelets to a jeweller close to you.
If someone phones offering a lower interest rate on your credit card, do not press #1 or #2. Just hang up. To get a lower rate, go in person and ask the financial institution that gave you the card.
LOOKING BACK AT THE PAPER''''S 35-YEAR HISTORY
In the early days when computers were used to produce newspapers, the employees at the paper I owned were doing similar work to the people at the Salmon Arm Observer, although mine did not have a certificate saying they were printers.
At a career expo that was held in the arena in 1980, I picked up a BC Ministry of Labour pamphlet on apprenticeship in the lithographing industry. It said apprenticeship and schooling were available through the Ministry of Labour.
I enquired and in April, 1981 a training counsellor from Kamloops came to Shoppers'''' Guide and met with us to discuss an apprenticeship. It would have to be approved by Mike Hardman, the supervisor at the Ministry of Labour, 4946 Canada Way in Burnaby.
Cheryl Waskowich, one of the employees, and I drove there and met with him. We learned that the International Typographical Union, ITU, supervises apprenticeships in newspaper and printing operations. Being a non-union shop, we did not qualify.
FEBRUARY 19, 2010
WINTER OLYMPICS ARE ON
The opening ceremony last Friday was superb, and showed the world our diverse country and our many cultures.
It''''''''s too bad the young man from Georgia died in a luge accident during his fifth training run of the day just a few hours before the ceremony. The luge track has been available for training for two years.
Where is winter when we need it? Vancouver is having a mild winter with rain instead of snow for the winter sports.
THE WORLD SEES THE MUSICAL RIDE
The RCMP Musical Ride is performing at the Surrey Celebration Site throughout the Olympics from February 13 to 28. Tickets are free but limited to 1700 per show. www.surrey2010.com/RCMP.
Show times are daily except Monday and Tuesday, with two shows on Saturday and Sunday. Each is about 30 minutes.
There isn''''''''t a better way to show the world how proud we are of our police force than with the Musical Ride.
THOUSANDS OF COPS AT OLYMPICS
Canada''''''''s security budget for the Olympics is $900 million. We are paying 6,000 law enforcement officers, of which 4,300 are Mounties and 1,700 officers are from 118 other police agencies across the country.
Another 4,800 private security people were hired to screen folks as they enter the venues. Over 4,000 Canadian Forces personnel are providing security for the Games.
EASTERN STATES HAVE BLIZZARDS
Americans better not blame Canada for sending snowstorms and blizzards their way. While Vancouver was basking in spring weather during the Winter Olympics and eyes from around the world are on western Canada, last week Washington, New York and many eastern states were deep in snowdrifts. Television news broadcasts showed pictures of accidents, blizzards, a collapsed arena, schools and businesses closed, and shelves in grocery stores empty as people stocked up to stay home.
ALAN CHRISTIE WAS NOT A PRINCIPAL
I would like to correct an error in the February 5 column, where I quoted Alan Christie''''''''s letter in the correct usage of licence and license. I said he was principal of A.L. Fortune Secondary School. Alan wrote that the principal in that school in 1978 was a fine gentleman named Len Gamble - not him.
I checked the original letter. (Talk about a packrat!) It was written on the school''''''''s printed stationary which included: "From the office of the Principal." No position was given under Alan''''''''s signature so I assumed he was the principal.
Alan was the business education teacher at A.L. Fortune in Enderby at the time, and a fine one indeed. I recall that he could match a student to an employer at graduation and it was always successful.
SEE A FARCE IN TWO ACTS
The Grindrod Players present Don''''''''t Tell Mother, a farce in two acts, from Thursday, February 25 to Saturday, February 27 at Grindrod Elementary School. The play starts at 7:30. Adults $7, Seniors $6, students $5. Proceeds go to the A.L. Fortune Secondary School scholarship fund and Grindrod Elementary School. For more info, call 250-838-6643.
BEWARE CANADA REVENUE REFUND SCAM
Ignore this e-mail: "After the last annual calculation of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 386. Please submit the tax refund and allow us 3-9 days in order to process it. A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline. To access the form for your tax refund, please click here."
MEDICALIZATION OF THE ELDERLY
"Our neighbour Sam handled all the gardening and physical labour around his daughter''''''''s house well into his 80s. One of his party tricks was to race around the garden with his small grandson in a large wheelbarrow. When he became a bit forgetful, his doctor prescribed powerful antipsychotics. In short order, he completely lost his memory, became paranoid and difficult, landed in a nursing home, refused his food and, finally, just gave up and died." (From www.wddty.com)
Are you a senior who is taking more than two or three prescriptions? Ask your doctor to cancel some.
APPEAR IN FRONT OF THE DRAGONS
Do you have a good business idea and you need some cash to take it to the next level? Why not take it in front of the five dragons at CBC-TV''''''''s Dragon Den?
Auditions will start March 2. Producers will be visiting 40 places in Canada seeking creative ideas and money-making savy to make the case for cash. They will be in Kelowna on March 15 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Apply at www.cbc.ca/dragonsden. Click on Apply.
LOOKING FOR BUDDING WRITERS
Have you always wanted to see your work in print? Here''''''''s your chance.
I''''''''m looking for short items for this column, written by people who read this column regularly. Write about yourself and your experiences. The item will end with your initials, or name, or a pseudonym.
Send it to sallys1@telus.net, deliver it to Lakeshore News, or mail it to Sally Scales, Box 1270, Salmon Arm, V1E 4P4. If I make any changes to your submission, I will ask your permission.
Some pointers: Let me give it a bold heading. It must draw the reader''''''''s eye into the first paragraph. The first line must tell the reader what you are writing about so do not hide it two or three lines down.
WE''''''''LL HAVE A HOMELESS SHELTER
The Salvation Army is no longer waiting for a grant from the federal government towards converting the old drill hall into a homeless shelter. It has obtained sufficient funding to replace the boiler heating, re-wire the old building, and make all other changes necessary to bring it up to code. Some plans are being put on hold. Completion is expected by summer.
This winter the homeless shelter was held in the United Church''''''''s hall for the first half and the Salvation Army''''''''s hall for the second. About 125 volunteers are keeping the shelter going until mid March.
GET A PASSPORT FORM KELOWNA
Beginning March 1, Kelowna will have a passport office. Members of Parliament have worked hard for 10 years to get passports available in the growing city and southern interior of the province.
It will be in the Capri Centre Mall.
SWINE FLU SCARE WAS A MEDICAL SCANDAL
The swine flu was engineered to increase profits of the drug companies, according to the health chief of the European Council. The pandemic scare was one of the greatest medical scandals of the century said Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, an epidemiologist and former health director in Germany who is now the EU''''''''s health chief.
In Britain, 65,000 deaths were predicted and megabucks were spent for swine flu vaccine. Only 251 people died from the virus. Dr. Wodarg claims that governments have sealed contracts with drug companies that are triggered when a virus is classified as pandemic by the World Health Organization.
PETS REFELCT YOUR PERSONALITY
Pay attention to your pet because he or she reflects your personality and behaviour. If you are unhappy, your pet will be unhappy. Your pet is your mirror.
Never give your dog a treat unless it is for something the dog did.
Dogs are working animals. They must take you for a walk. It is their job.
SELF-EMPLOYED NOW EI ELIGIBLE
If you own a business, you can apply to receive SPECIAL employment insurance benefits. They include maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits.
Self-employed Canadians began voluntarily opting into the EI program on February 1. Those who register before April 1, 2010 will be able to collect benefits as early as January 2, 2011.
Those eligible include small business owners, farmers, construction workers, professionals, those who own a home business, and many more.
To get an application form, google "EI for self-employed."
SARAH PALIN SPEAKING IN CALGARY
On March 6, the former governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin will speak in the Palomino Room at the Calgary Stampede. The evening will be moderated by Senator Pamela Wallin. Sarah charged $100,000 to speak at the Tea Party political convention in the U.S. I wonder how much she will charge for a meeting that is headed "Walton, investing on solid ground."
I checked www.ticketmaster.ca and found the tickets are between $180 and $220.
SALMON ARM WOMAN GETS TICKET
For texting while driving a vehicle in Kelowna, a 20-year-old Salmon Arm woman was given a $167 fine and three penalty points. She was the first person to be ticketed in that city since February 1 when tickets started being issued.
The Daily Courier had this front-page headline on February 3: Salmon Arm woman earns dubious first. CHBC-News said the same woman was issued a speeding ticket in Kelowna the previous week.
LOOKING BACK AT THE PAPER''''''''S 35-YEAR HISTORY
I had been a registered nurse in 1975 when I started this paper, then called Shoppers'''''''' Guide. To learn and keep improving, several times I asked a consultant from the Federal Business Development Bank''''''''s program to help new businesses. Three times FBDB sent men who know the newspaper or printing business and they were very helpful.
In 1978, C.A.S.E. counsellor Fred Ford wrote in his covering letter that I needed very little counseling in the product which appears weekly. "Who else, for instance, after making the decision not to run news, as such, in the weekly guide, places under the main heading: The Un-Newspaper." ........ "Accounts receivable are in line with yearly business and the astute lady publisher has a built-in safety factor in that her husband (in the next office) has bank management training and is a financial advisor." He wrote that advertisers used the paper extensively.
"In four hours of interesting debate we did cover much ground but there was little your counsellor could contribute to this well established and well run business." Then he included six pages of suggestions.
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