Hi everybody,
not much new today. There was eight of us today, four at the top and four at the bottom of the rescue trail. We probably dug another 100 metres from the top and maybe close to that from the bottom up. Some places are slow going, as there is so much underbrush. As well, the snow is starting to be more solid, which makes for harder digging. We also had to flood the creekbed to make an ice bridge.
The horses are doing well and seem to be in good spirits. It was another beautiful day up in the mountains and a lot warmer than yesterday!
Hope to see some of you on the mountain tomorrow!
Birgit
Click link to see photos

Last post made by: Birgit Stutz on Dec 22 2008, 12:25 AM

here's an update on the Renshaw horses, and at the same time I am trying to answer all the questions that people have asked me. If I forget anything, please forgive me. It's been a crazy week.
First of all, thank you to everybody who has phoned and emailed me with their concerns, advice and offers to help and spread the word around. It is greatly appreciated.
The vet and two SPCA constables were up there yesterday to assess the horses. The horses are a body score of two and the mare has most likely rainscald and frost bites (no lice), but they are eating and are very happy to hear snowmobiles coming everyday, knowing somebody cares and looks after them. They have also been blanketed with a winter blanket and a canvas blanket on top. I hadn't seen them since Thursday as the guys were taking in the vet and SPCA people so I couldn't get a ride, but I was happy to see how much better they already looked today. They are happily eating and we have been able to increase their feed according to the vet's feeding schedule.
The SPCA was at the parking lot this morning going over things with us. They will have an SPCA constable with a sled back on Monday.
The vet advised against airlifting them out, so we've kept shovelling. We still need a lot of help though, and so far it has been very poor. I realize that without a sled people can't get in, but if you know of somebody who owns one, please pass this message on and ask them if they can take another person with them as a passenger. Even if somebody can only shovel for an hour or so, anything helps. At this point, we ask people to start digging from the bottom up unless otherwise directed (the horses are in a trench in the trees just below the alpine, and therefore not that easy to get to). There are signs and flagging tape near the bottom of the hill just below the Renshaw cabin where the rescue trail will meet up with the logging road. The rescue trail is off to the left in the bush. The trail has been walked by people on snowshoes, so is clearly visible. Please park your snowmobile out of the way so nobody else runs into it. Vehicles are not allowed on the logging road as far as I know, so only sleds can get in. There is a warming hut just up the trail if people need to warm up. Please dress very warmly. It is a long, cold ride in (about 45 minutes), but you will warm up shovelling! Please bring food and something to drink for yourself. And shovels!
Since I am gone most of the day, it is best to call the local sled shop (SpinDrift) for more information at (250)-569-0070 or cell (250)-569-7213, or you can email me or call me in the evening or early morning.
I just learned that the media has been informed, and there is already an article in the PG Citizen:
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/2008122...ave-horses.html
As well, people can follow the thread on one of the popular sled forums:
www.snowandmud.com/forum/f3/horse-rescue-up-renshaw-10308.html
There are also pics posted on:
Snow and Mud.com - Sara Olofsson's Album: Renshaw Horse Rescue (you have to register with SnowAndMud to view them I believe).
Thanks and hope to see many of you on the mountain!
Birgit

Last post made by: Birgit Stutz on Dec 22 2008, 12:24 AM

The B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range (MFR) recently posted a map on its website that depicts areas where trees had been treated with a pesticide containing arsenic.
The pesticide, monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA), was used by forestry in B.C.’s northern and interior regions from the mid-1980s until 2004 to control both mountain pine and spruce beetles. About 2000-3000 litres (640-960 kg) of the product, which was sold under the trade name Glowon Liquid Tree Killer, was used annually in the province to create lethal trap trees to combat the bark beetle infestation. According to the Environment Canada website, it is estimated that between 1995 and 2004, over 5,000 kilograms of MSMA was applied to some 500,000 trees within the province.
Tim Ebata, a provincial forest health project specialist with the Forest Practices Branch in Victoria, confirmed that MSMA was used in the Robson Valley. “Our records show treatments occurred in the vicinity of Hugh Allan Creek, Bulldog Creek, Dore River, Raush River, Packsaddle Creek, Albreda, Eddy Creek, Small River, Horsey Creek, and the McKale Community Pasture,” he said.
Mapping of the trees will be completed soon, and the data for this area will be posted on the government’s website, http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/health/MSMA.htm, sometime in January. The map records that are currently available from other areas do not show any landmarks and are not accurate in terms of providing every known or suspected location. As well, some files may have been destroyed or lost. “We weren’t required to keep them,” said Ebata. “We only treated small patches of infestation, and the Ministry of Environment didn’t consider it to be a risk as there was no demonstrated risk to human health and the environment, and there still isn’t.”
He said the MFR has reported treatments in 1990, 1994, 1996 and 1997. “There may have been treatments in 1982 and 1988, but we have no documentation.” The estimate of the total trees treated in this area is about 2,700. Ebata said it is important to note that the treatments occurred in small patches of five to 100 trees spread over several drainages over several years predominantly in inoperable areas. “These are very small sites. The number of treated trees in this area is extremely rare. As well, they are not readily accessible.”
Ebata said the maps were released to the public out of precaution, and because there is a perception that because the trees have elevated levels of arsenic, that they may pose a health problem. Ebata said that despite such concerns, there is no evidence of any significant environmental or public risk associated with the use of MSMA.
However, the MFR is promoting not using and harvesting treated trees, Ebata said. “If members of the public do come across treated trees, they could record their specific location - preferably using a GPS - and the numbers of treated trees found and report them to the MFR district office so we can improve the quality of information in our database.” Ebata said there are several ways of identifying treated trees. While all of the treated trees have an axe frill, some may also be marked with orange dye, flagging tape, or a waterproof tag.
The pesticide was applied through the “hack and squirt” method (frill injection) by hacking a frill around the base of individual trees and squirting a measured amount of Glowon into the axe cut, which would then kill the beetles and the tree. Ebata said the application rate for the pesticide was 1 ml of the pesticide per 2.5 cm of tree bole circumference. “The amount used per tree is extremely small. (The pesticide) was never sprayed. It was always injected into the axe frill where it stayed for a very short period of time and was absorbed into the tree. Therefore exposure to the environment and to wildlife is minimal. The pesticide is pretty much locked up in the tree and is absorbed by foliage. There is also very limited offsite movement.”
Ebata said the treatment works. “We have various observations of 60-80% efficacies,” adding that the difficulty with Glowon is that it has to be applied within a two-week window after the tree has been attacked as open sap wood is needed to draw MSMA into the upper layers of the tree.
He said the pesticide proved a safe and cost-effective alternative to treat trees compared to other single tree treatments, such as felling and burning, provided the treatment can be done within the short window of opportunity.
Studies are currently being done to determine the levels of residue of arsenic in treated trees, and Ebata said the test results can be expected sometime in the spring of 2009. Sampling was done during the summer in two different ecosystems – a typical northern wet site and a typical southern dry site. No tests were done in surrounding waterways, but Ebata said while groundwater problems have been detected in the USA because of the use of MSMA, “this is not the case here because it was used in many small amounts.”
Burning of slash or mill waste or use of treated trees as firewood also does not represent a health threat, Ebata said, adding that studies have been done looking at potential risks. “The levels are way below the WCB limits for exposure to arsenic,” he said, adding that arsenic is a common element in the environment, and found in water, soil and wood.
A Forest Practices Board report in 2004, however, determined that workers and others were subject to an increased risk of exposure to MSMA because the treated trees were harvested and milled within a year of treatment. The board recommended, amongst other points, that in the future the MFR track MSMA-treated trees to ensure they are not harvested and milled. It was also required that the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection re-assess the risk that MSMA will do damage to humans as well as to the environment in the light of emerging new scientific information.
The B.C. government’s permit to use MSMA expired in 2005 and it is no longer used in the province.

Last post made by: Joshua Estabrooks on Dec 16 2008, 06:19 AM

McBride - Valemount Marketing Coordinator Riette Kenkel has been busy putting together presentations on the branding process, she and the Additional Hotel Room Tax Committee have been engaged in, for various groups. Tomorrow she will give a presentation to the public at the Info Center at 7:00 p.m. and hopes a large number of residents attend to share their ideas.
For Kenkel, the process to date has been successful. The committee has worked with a professional marketing firm to develop a new logo and tagline for the Village’s marketing purposes, but until she and the community figure out just what it is they are selling, the campaign can’t move forward. “The big question we have to answer is what is our promise? What are we offering visitors? When visitors come to Valemount what are they going to receive? And we, as the community, need to embrace the promise and stand behind it and help to create what it is.”
Kenkel likens the process so far as gathering the pieces to a puzzle. Some pieces have already been placed, but the puzzle is not complete until all the pieces are placed. “The fact that the logo is done and the tagline has been determined, that is something we would have had a professional marketing company do regardless of if we did it before or after. That piece of the puzzle is done, but right now we only have enough to put together a bumper sticker. What I need from the rest of the people is a feel for what the whole big picture will look like. They have to come up with it because they have to own it. Whether it’s a hotel, a grocery store, or a home based business, and even the people walking down the street, everyone has to believe it.”
Many resident’s opinions were collected by the marketing firm without them even knowing, said Kenkel, as representatives of the firm conversed with locals during their visits. “It wasn’t in a typical interview format, they just had conversations with people. They talked to people on the trails, at the post office, in the grocery store. They were like ghost shoppers coming through Valemount. That’s where they did a lot of their research, they also did a survey with CNC students and they also surveyed the AHRT committee.”
The meeting is for everyone who lives in the Valemount area, said Kenkel, and will be a place to brainstorm and discuss just what Valemount wants to be right now, and in the future, as it begins to market itself as a destination for visitors from all over the world. “Take Whistler for example. I know we aren’t Whistler and we don’t want to be Whistler, but as an example, when you go there, everyone who works there and lives there knows what Whistler stands for and can deliver that to their visitors. We don’t want to promise something that is unrealistic; we just have to choose what it is we want to focus on. Our history? Our culture? Our lifestyle? We really need to figure out what it is we are delivering. That’s what this piece is about. This meeting will give the residents the final word.”

Last post made by: Joshua Estabrooks on Dec 16 2008, 06:19 AM

McBride - As the snow accumulates on the mountains, and more and more sledders enter the Valley, local RCMP are reminding everyone not to keep their valuables in their vehicles. A recent series of break and enter reports from the Clemina snowmobile area might be enough of a reminder for the owners of the vehicles that were broken into, but the RCMP are sending the message out to everyone, said Constable James Boss. “The biggest thing that I would suggest is people should avoid leaving valuables in their vehicles. It seems silly to have to say that again and again but we have had reports of vehicles being broken into and wallets going missing. It’s inconvenient and it’s expensive.”
Boss said that many sledders disregard the precautions they usually use in the city, as the remoteness of the parking areas gives them a false sense of security. But the opposite is true of these areas, he said, as it is easy for highway travellers to pop in and out of these areas without being noticed. “Because these places are on the highway, we can guess who we think it might be but the truth of it is any person stopping to use the facilities in these areas is a potential suspect and in fact anyone driving by is as well. All you have to do is see the vehicles parked there, and when no one’s around it takes two minutes to break into a few vehicles.”
Auto thieves work fast, he said, and when you can hear a sled coming for miles, it gives them a good head start before anyone notices their stuff is missing. “It can really ruin your day when you come back from a day of sledding and find out you don’t have a drivers licence anymore and your credit cards are all tapped out or stolen. Your best bet is to carry your stuff under your snow pants or leave it at the hotel.”

Last post made by: Joshua Estabrooks on Dec 16 2008, 06:18 AM

I know most of you don’t live in the Metro Vancouver region, and I’m one of you, but they have come out with a pre-Christmas Low Waste Holiday Shopping Campaign that I think is worth sharing with you all.
There is a sharp spike in paper and cardboard boxes thrown out in early January, most of which could be recycled. Avoid the use of shiny foil wrapping paper if you must use Christmas wrap at all, and only send greeting cards made of recycled paper and again, no shiny, glossy or gold foil coatings. Get your kids involved and wrap presents in the comic section of your local newspaper, use only re-useable ribbon and spread the cheer!
More great suggestions:
- Don’t buy gifts that are over-packaged or, if that is not an option with the gifts anxiously awaited by your kids, ask the store if you can leave the packaging behind.
- Make or buy cloth gift bags that can be re-used year after year. I buy Christmas tins at the post-Christmas sales to fill with cookies, spiced nuts and candies for presents the following year. I love it when they come back to me filled with goodies three years on.
- If possible, chose solar-powered products to avoid batteries, but if that’s unavoidable, invest in re-chargeables.
- Don’t leave your cloth shopping bags behind when you Christmas shop.
- Unwrap presents carefully and re-use the Christmas wrap next year.
- If you have the room on your property, buy a live Christmas tree – don’t forget to ask the grower for instructions on the best way to care for the tree in the house – and create a grove of Christmases past. Or, if you just don’t have the garden space donate the tree to a friend’s garden or buy an artificial tree you can use for many years.
- Give the gift of yourself. Create great promise cards on your computer which commits you to such welcome things as a free night of babysitting, a full meal delivered to a busy family, a promise to mow the lawn for an elderly neighbour, a picnic and a day at the beach for your nieces and nephews. I am sure you can come up with super ideas.
My family has had a rule in place regarding gift giving for many years: You are only in the gift pool from aunts and uncles if you are too young to have a job. Once a niece or nephew graduates they are out of luck. We started this after we realized it was taking hours for all the presents to be opened and the resulting pile of loot verged on the obscene.
Best idea of all? Gather your family around, decide to limit gifts to one each, and then donate to your local Christmas bureau enough money to help a family in need. What could be better?
Merry Christmas to you all from me and my tribe: Friskie, Angus, Harley, Toots and Luce.
maggiec@blackpress.ca

Last post made by: The Valley Sentinel on Dec 16 2008, 06:17 AM

With the snow falling fast this week, things are really starting to look a lot more like Christmas. Most people I know enjoy the holidays, but they all seem to take pleasure in different aspects of the season.
Some people enjoy all the gift giving and receiving, while others look forward to the family time the season allows. The weather brings some comfort, while the break from work allows others to take quality time for themselves.
This season is different then previous years, however, as the world around us seems to be crumbling beneath our feet. The world economy is stalled, the housing market is seeing huge declines, the environment is still dying, and our Federal Government representatives are at each other’s throats, or they were until the Governor General decided to send everyone home.
I won’t spend too much time commenting on the craziness that has gone on at the Federal level these past few weeks. Everyone has their own opinions on whether or not the government should have been put on hold, if the economic update was a cruel right wing jab at the opposition or not, or if the proposed coalition would be a good thing for the country or not.
One thing everyone can agree on is the fact that this has never happened before, and the decision to prorogue parliament is a precedent setting one, allowing any future government to ask for a time out any time they face a non-confidence vote in the House of Commons.
Add to this the fact that the potential leader of the coalition, Stephane Dion, is supposed to step down this week, and no one knows how the Liberal party will go about replacing him, and you have what some political analysts are calling simply a giant mess.
So where does that leave us, this holiday season? With no economic stability on the horizon, and no government to deal with the crisis, it seems more and more important to cling to what is most immediate in our lives.
As a good friend of mine wrote to me this week, it’s hard to be truly thankful for the good things in your life when everything is coming up roses, so this year people will find out what truly matters to them.
For me, that means friends, family, and neighbours will make the holidays special this year. What is it that you hold dear?

Last post made by: Joshua Estabrooks on Dec 16 2008, 06:16 AM

Board positions are representative
Re: Viewpoint, THE SENTINEL, December 3, 2008
Dear Editor:
I am writing to provide some context to the current debate regarding representation on the McBride Community Forest Corporation’s board of directors.
The McBride Community Forest Corporation is wholly owned by the Village of McBride and was set up to hold and manage the community forest agreement, and to limit the liability to the Village and community at large. In order for the Village to create/own a corporation they needed to apply for approval to the Inspector of Municipalities under the Local Government Act. In applying for the corporation the Village had to show that it would be in control of the corporation and would limit liability to the municipality. In the application the Village proposed a 5 person board of directors, with 3 positions reserved for councillors and 2 positions appointed by the Village. The articles of incorporation reflected this 5 director structure and the interim board of directors was appointed, consisting of 3 council positions, the village administrator and the Regional District Area H Rep. Between October 2002 and May 2003 the interim board of directors met on numerous occasions to deal with a number of issues, one of which was determining a final board structure that was more inclusive of the area surrounding the village borders. In June 2003 a motion was made to recommend a 7 person board of directors, with 3 positions from the village council, the village administrator, and 3 members-at-large. This proposal was taken to the public at a public information meeting held on June 16, 2003 at the Roundhouse Theatre.
In the fall of 2003, ads were run to solicit applications for the member-at-large positions and on October 14, 2003 the first 7 member board of directors was appointed. Over the years, MCFC has had 7 different board of directors. Directors living outside the village boundaries have comprised anywhere from 2 to 5 members of the board, the average being 3-4. This includes council members who sit on the board as several of our councillors have come from areas outside the village boundaries. Directors have been appointed based on what skills and experience they bring to the board, not on the basis of where they reside. All directors must be legally eligible to act as directors and must act in the best interest of the corporation. Generally there have not been a whole lot of people who have put their names forward to be a director and we have often had a hard time recruiting directors.
The current debate appears to hinge on whether or not the people living within the footprint of the community forest but outside the village boundaries should be able to elect representatives to the board of directors. Over the past 6 months MCFC has been working on a mechanism whereby the 3 member-at-large positions are elected by the people of the footprint area. This would then balance the 3 director positions reserved for councillors who are elected by people within the village boundaries. The final position would still be the village administrator. It is our hope that such a system will allow the people in the footprint area to feel that they are duly represented on the board of directors and put this issue to rest.
Marc von der Gonna
GM of the McBride Community Forest

No one’s talking about the war

Dear Editor:
It seems the Liberals and NDP want a non confidence vote against Harper’s government and nobody is mentioning that war in Afghanistan except to mention the officers who were killed.
How about the men and women who enlisted because they couldn’t find any other job? How about the women and children and other non combatants who just happen to be in the way? What about all that oil that is polluting the land, air and water?
When are we going to wake up and find there are no daisies left to smell. History has repeated itself, it’s 1929 again and our money is worthless.
Margaret McKirdy
Valemount

Last post made by: The Valley Sentinel on Dec 16 2008, 06:16 AM

Calendars
If you’re looking to give a local gift for Christmas, this would be perfect - and easy to mail. The stunning ‘Date with Art’ calendar, featuring local scenes by local artists, is on sale for $17.50 at Pharmasave, Home Hardware and the Library. The package includes a calendar, three assorted notecards and a draw for a $100 gift certificate to the Caribou Grill. The calendars and the local CD from last winter season, ‘Winter Mountain Echoes’, will be on sale at the Lions Mini Craft Sale, Saturday, December 13 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Lions Hall.
Top Shelf Artspace
Our featured artist for December is Bonnie Marklund who will be displaying her watercolour and acrylic paintings at the Library. Bonnie presented a very successful ‘Discovering Watercolours’ course in November and will be offering another class in February. Watch for announcements about this Creative Discoveries class.
Workshops
VACS’ second Creative Discoveries workshop, ‘Paint like Van Gogh’ will be an introduction to acrylic painting by Carol Bustin. The two evening sessions will cover a little art history, modelling with palette knives and lots of acrylic painting, fun for everyone. Classes will be on Tues. Jan 13 and 20 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Anglican-United Church Hall. Cost: $35, all materials supplied. Please register early by calling Pam Cinnamon, 566-4674.
Theatre news
Thank you Valemount and area for your wonderful support of the fall theatre season. We hope you enjoyed the selections offered and are looking forward to an exciting spring concert season beginning with Canadian country star, Gord Bamford on January 23, 2009. Tickets will be available at Infinity.
New Logo
The new VACS logo accompanying this article was designed by local artist, Keith Heidorn.

Last post made by: Joshua Estabrooks on Dec 16 2008, 06:15 AM

MEXICAN LASAGNA
Stephen Harper, Prime Minister

INGREDIENTS
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium diced onion
1 clove garlic
1 jar of spaghetti or pasta sauce
1 container of cottage cheese
lasagna noodles (pre-cooked or no-cook variety)
jalapeno peppers (pickled)
1 cup monterey jack cheese
1 cup cheddar
3/4 cup salsa
METHOD
1. Cook ground beef, garlic and onions until brown, add salsa.
2. Layer 1
– In lasagna baking dish add a layer of noodles and add pasta sauce over top to lightly cover.
Add one-half of ground beef mixture.
Add jalapenos to taste.
Cover with 1/2 container of cottage cheese and 1/3 cup monterey jack cheese.
3. Layer 2
– Add layer of noodles and cover with pasta sauce.
– Add remaining ground beef mixture.
– Add jalapenos to taste.
– Cover with 1/2 container of cottage cheese and 1/3 cup cheddar cheese.
4.Topping
– Add layer of noodles and cover with pasta sauce.
– Cover with top or tin foil and cook at 375°F for 30 to 40 minutes. Five minutes before the lasagna is finished remove cover and add remaining cheddar and monterey jack cheese. Extra jalapenos can also be added for appearance. Cook 5 more minutes or until cheese melts.
COMMENTS
My wife and I love Mexican food so I just modified a standard lasagna recipe to make it more “Mexican”. I always use easy-to-prepare ingredients because my time is limited. Hot banana peppers, diced tomatoes, Mexican beans, chilies and other ingredients can easily be added to make this dish spicier.

Western BBQ Ribs
Jay Hill, Member of Parliament & Leah Murray
This recipe started out as a Murray family secret, but as with all great things, the word spread, and it has now become a Hill family favourite!
4 racks baby-back pork ribs
6 lemons
1 bottle gourmet BBQ sauce
Pre-heat oven to 375. In a large roaster pan, slice rib backs into 3-4 rib portions. Slice lemons (5-6 slices per lemon) and lay on top and around rib pieces (if you have time, remove the lemon seeds before cooking).
Add about 2 inches of water in the roaster pan. If you have two rows of ribs, leave the top row exposed - don't submerse them. Cook at 375 for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Remove the ribs from the roaster pan and set aside (this is when you'll be glad you removed the lemon seeds).
Fire up the BBQ and cover the ribs with your favourite BBQ sauce. Cook until the sauce gets a little crunchy. The ribs will already be melt-in-your-mouth tender from the lemons - so you only have to cook them on the BBQ for about 10 minutes. The recipe easily doubles - or triples!!
Serves 6. Great with a salad and basmati rice.

Baked Chocolate Chip Pudding
Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament
1 sq. unsweetened chocolate (melted)
2 tbsp. melted butter
≤ c. sugar
π tsp. salt
∏ c. chopped walnuts
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. enriched flour
2 tsp. baking powder
∏ c. milk
Topping:
∏ c. granulated sugar
4 tbsp. cocoa
∏ c. brown sugar
Combine chocolate, butter, sugar, salt and vanilla in saucepan in which chocolate was melted. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with milk. Stir in walnuts. Pour into 8 inch round greased pan and top with topping ingredients mixed together. Pour over 1 cup water. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes. During baking this separates into cake on top of chocolate pudding sauce. Serve while warm with whipped cream or plain.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Gordon Campbell, Premier
2/3 cup melted butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tbsp hot water
1 tsp vanilla
Mix well and stir in:
2 2/3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
Stir in 1 pkg Hershey’s Chipits Milk Chocolate Chips
Drop onto ungreased baking sheet and bake at 375F for 8-10 mins.

BOND FAMILY BROCCOLI CASSEROLE
Shirley Bond, MLA

Steam or boil enough broccoli to fill approximately one 9X13 casserole dish. You should steam only until the broccoli turns a bright green.
Melt in a saucepan:
½ cup butter
Remove from heat and add:
4 tbsp. flour
1 ½ tbsp. chicken in a mug
Gradually add:
2 cups milk
Return to heat, stir constantly and cook until thickened
Pour over broccoli in the casserole dish.
Heat in a saucepan:
1 cup water
6 tbsp. margarine
Add 1 box of Stove Top Stuffing
Let the stuffing stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and then top the broccoli mixture with the stuffing.
Bake the broccoli casserole in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until stuffing is golden brown.
For a complete meal you can add diced chicken to the casserole and sprinkle the top with slivered almonds.

Brocolli Pieces Casserole
Bob Smith, Mayor of Valemount
Broccoli pieces
Carrots – either baby or cut
Cauliflower pieces
1 can of Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup – undiluted
½ cup of butter or margarine
1 cup of breadcrumbs
Shredded cheese
Use enough broccoli, cauliflower and carrots to fill your casserole dish to approximately ¾ full. Cover the top of the vegetables with the soup. If you are making a large amount you may want to use 2 cans of soup. In a frying pan melt your margarine or butter and add the breadcrumbs and shredded cheese. Stir to keep from burning. Once the cheese is blended with the breadcrumbs, spread the mixture over the soup. Bake covered at 325 F for about 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender.

Oyster Loaf
Ken Starchuk, Regional District Director
You need the following ingredients.
1. One dozen raw oysters (fresh or frozen will work fine)
2. Pound of bacon
3. half cup of Sour Cream
4. half cup of Mayonnaise
5.two teaspoons of Horseradish (more if you like hot)
6. two tomatoes sliced
7. two tablespoons of Lemon juice
8. Salt and Pepper
9. one french loave
10. Butter for pan frying the oysters and the french loaf
Take the oysters dry with paper towel and then roll in flour and pan fry in butter and cook them until they have a nice crispy coating. . Cook the bacon
until crispy. Hollow out the center of the french loave and give a light
wipe with butter. Fill the hollowed out loaf with a layer of slice tomatoes, slice up the cooked oysters and layer on top of the tomatoes and then take the cooked bacon and layer it on top of the oysters and tomatoes.
Springle with salt and pepper.
Fold the french loaf together and wrap with tin foil. Put in the oven at 325 degrees for 10 minutes to heat through. While heating up, mix the mayo,
sour cream, lemon juice and horseradish together in a bowel. Once the loaf has warmed, slice it up and top with a large spoonful or two of the mayo and sour cream mixture.
Enjoy

Last post made by: The Valley Sentinel on Dec 16 2008, 06:14 AM

When most people think of a gingerbread house, they don’t always visualize a perfectly constructed building, but for cake decorator Krista Skeels, the house she recently donated to Valemount Minor Hockey was just that, perfect.
Skeels has lived in Valemount since August, she said, and has been staying at home with her son. “My husband and I just loved the area. We got married at the Best Western and decided to move here. He is still working in Alberta, he is a journeyman carpenter, so hopefully one day he can get enough work here to start up a company, but for now he’s staying where the money’s good.”
Skeels has been a professional cake decorator for over a decade, she said, and has entered and won competitions in Edmonton with her tasty creations. The house she just completed was something she worked on when her son was asleep, she said, and once it was finished she didn’t know what to do with it, so she donated it to a local group. “I’d like to get my name out there as someone who can do this kind of thing, so I decided I’d make something for the town and see what happens.”
Construction of the house took over six weeks, she said, a couple of hours a day, for a total of over 72 hours of labour. “I build it out of cardboard first and mess around until I have something that works and then I just tape all the pieces together. Once that is done and built, I take it all apart and make gingerbread and cut out all of the pieces with the cardboard pattern and then put it all back together again.”
Skeels said she isn’t necessarily starting a business, but she is willing to make specialty cakes and gingerbread houses for anyone that wants one. “I am fairly cheap and if anyone is looking for anything and they don’t mind that I’m working from my home I’d love the work. It’s my passion, so it’s not necessarily for the money, I just really enjoy doing this.”
The possibilities are endless when it comes to gingerbread houses, she said. “I can build them to look like local businesses, or to suit whatever people want for themselves or for fundraising raffles. If anyone has any ideas just let me know.” Skeels can be reached at 250-566-4511.
The gingerbread house will be displayed at the Caribou Grill and raffle tickets can be purchased on site or from Minor Hockey representatives. The draw for the house will be December 21 at 5:00 p.m.

Last post made by: Joshua Estabrooks on Dec 16 2008, 06:14 AM

2005 Ford Freestar Minivan 58,950 kms. V6 Auto A/C, Pwr windows, pwr locks, tilt, CD Player, pwr mirrors, excellent shape, Red, Grey interior. $13,500 obo. 250.566.0063, 250.566.9816 or cell 250.566.1105 (Nov12GTS)
1993 Chevrolet Lumina. Automatic 4D Sedan. 230,000km No rust $2,000. Also included - 4 new winter studded tires. $700 Value 250.569.2561 (July30GTS)
1993 Ford Escort Hatchback summer & winter tires, like new. 2dr, 4cyl, 5 speed. $2500. Call 250.566.4486 or 250.566.5023 (Oct22GTS)
1998 Dodge Caravan 4 doors, well maintained, great shape, 2 sets of new tires, winter and summer. $4600 obo 250.566.9004 (Nov19GTS)
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Mtn View Apartments 2 bdrm $650/mth, 1 bdrm $550/mth, Bachelor suite $450/month Call Paul 250.566.4538 (TFN)
3 bedroom mobile for rent on large fenced lot. With large workshop. Pets negotiable. Non smoking. Available Jan 1st. $800.00 403-936-0622 Anna or Gil
For $19.95 we guarantee to sell items or we’ll keep running your ad FREE. Call 250.566.4425
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2 bedroom trailer for rent in Valemount. Good condition, references required. 1.780.621.7171 (Dec10) For sale Square Bales, Excellent hay, no rain, in shed 250.569.8831 or 250.569.3201 TFN House for Sale 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, 1 including Spa Bath, 2 Kitchens, Unique tile work & Pond, Fireplace, Sunroom, Attached Garage, Workshop, Greenhouse, Shed. With back Suite. Potential B&B house or suitable for dual owners. $330,000 (250)566-8400 (Dec31)
2001 Polaris RMK 800, 151 track, 2254 miles, perfect condition, $3800.00 Call 1.250.682.4513 (Sep24GTS)
Motorhome 1977 good motor new tires, needs minor repairs. $4000 obo will take large Bore Rifle(s) in part trade. F.A.C. Required. 250.566.4771 (Oct8GTS)
2007 35ft 5th Wheel Grand Junction Winter Package Loaded For Sale. Used 1 month. Save $20,000 on new. $52,500 (OBO) 250-569-0057. View McBride. (Sept24GTS)
9 1/2’ Camper Hunters Special. F.S. for sale or trade for large bore Rifle F.A.C. required 250.566.4771 (Oct8GTS)
16’ tandem axle snowmobile utility $950 Call 250.566.9836 (Dec3GTS)
2004 Summit XREV 159 track. New motor $4500 obo call 250.566.8447 (Dec10
Utility Trailer 10’x7’ tilt deck with welded frame for Boat hauling needs minor work. 250.566.4771 (Oct8GTS)
8’ snowmobile deck turntable type drive on drive off $950 250.566.9836(Dec3)
For $19.95 we guarantee to sell items or we’ll keep running your ad FREE. Call 250.566.4425
Used Jotul #8 cast iron wood stove 50,000 BTU with glass $695 250.566.9794 dec10
Natural Red oak Engineered Tongue & Groove harwood flooring 5 boxes each box covers approximately 32.5 sq ft. Call 250.569.9805 Dec10GTS
For Sale young geese ready to eat. 12-14lbs $20 each. Call Warren at 250.569.2479 or 250.569.7469 Dec10
Couch & Love seat. Like new. Modern mocha brown colour with matching cushions. A steel at $500 plus New Sears O-Pedic double bed with Headboard and night table. Used only a few months $375 obo New sofa bed $300 250.566.1025 Dec10
7’ x 7’ aluminum shed suitable for tool storage, garden shed, well cover. View at Robson Valley Internet. $500 Ph. 566-4199 (Dec17)
2x8’ truck canopies $75 + $125 250.566.9836 (Dec3GTS)
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REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY Class 1 drivers for chip and log haul. Log haul will run until approximately March 31. Must be willing to operate with a cross shift as trucks work double shift. Successful applicants must come prepared for a full season. Accommodations are provided. Paying top wages. Must have minimum 2 years driving experience with on and off hiway hauling. Fax resume with current drivers abstract to Dan Bloomfield 780-523-5910 or Keith Branting 780-523-5422 at Buchanan Lumber in High Prairie, Alberta. Only successful applicants will be contacted.
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Last post made by: The Valley Sentinel on Dec 16 2008, 06:13 AM

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, you’re all fired up but looking for a way to vent your energy. Sagittarius can be your partner as you tear up the town. Wednesday you will come back to earth.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, you have a lot of important things to say. Now you just need to get others to listen. Wait until you have an audience and then make your announcement.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21
Gemini, every smile you fake will only sink you deeper into a situation you don’t feel comfortable with. Instead, be truthful and let others know your feelings.

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22
Idle chatter has got you feeling self-conscious, Cancer. But deep down you know you’re above all the gossip. Does it really matter what they say? A change of perception is good.

LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, start socializing to feel better this week. You can head to a party. Or simply hanging around a crowded place will fit the bill and your quota of activity.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22
Virgo, your leadership skills are coveted so much this week you may want to think of taking the reins more often. You are most effective leading by example.
LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23
Make up your mind, Libra. Spending too much time this week making decisions won’t benefit your situation. You tend to overanalyze your options, which is the heart of the problem.

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22
Is there any way you can avoid money this week, Scorpio? Your judgement regarding the green is clouded, so it’s best if you put off big purchases or anything having to do with finances.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21
Sagittarius, your relationship elevator will reach the top floor in no time. Now it’s time to step up the romance and really ensure this is a long-term commitment.

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20
This is a great week to be health-conscious, Capricorn. You’re more likely to focus on your physical and mental well-being. Expect some extra cash to pop up later in the week.

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18
Romance is a definite possibility this week, Aquarius. What do you need to improve your chances? Not much because he or she will take the lead.

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20
Pisces, simplicity is key to having the most satisfying week you’ve had in a while. Nothing can get you down.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
DECEMBER 7
Tino Martinez, Athlete (41)

DECEMBER 8
Teri Hatcher, Actress (44)

DECEMBER 9
Tre Cool, Drummer (36)

DECEMBER 10
Kenneth Branagh, Actor (48)

DECEMBER 11
Jermaine Jackson, Singer (54)

DECEMBER 12
Jennifer Connelly, Actress (38)

DECEMBER 13
Taylor Swift, Singer (19) HS08C200

Last post made by: The Valley Sentinel on Dec 16 2008, 06:12 AM

China - A local realtor recently got back from a trade mission to China involving his real estate business.
Rodger Peterson, the owner and broker of McBride Realty Center Ltd., said he received a personal invitation from Chinese clients who have purchased property over the past three years through McBride Realty Center Ltd. to travel to Beijing, China, Oct. 14 to Oct. 20, 2008. “The purpose of the trip was to meet with people who are interested in investing in British Columbia but did not know how or who to contact for this information,” Peterson said, adding the trip was a resounding success. “As anticipated, the interest in British Columbia property and businesses was very strong. It is very apparent purchases and investments from Chinese clients in British Columbia will increase in the coming years. Business people were very open to information and investment opportunities.”
He said while potential clients were definitely interested in larger ranches, they are also looking at revenue producing properties as investment opportunities, from commercial businesses to apartment buildings. “The large ranches were the catalyst that led to the introduction of the people that are investing from Beijing,” Peterson said, adding that Trophy Properties currently marketed with McBride Realty Center Ltd. were presented for review.
Peterson found the largest handicap was not the difference in language or culture but the lack of time to dedicate to specific individuals who wanted detailed information on specific properties. Due to the success of the trip and the demand for B.C. properties, Peterson is already planning a second trip to Beijing. While no specific date has been set, he said it is his intention to take four of his staff on his second trip to assist him.
During his recent trip, Peterson also had a chance to do some sightseeing and visited a number of temples, amongst them the famous Forbidden Temple, as well as other attractions, such as the Great Wall of China and the Beijing Zoo and Aquarium. “I pretty well had the full experience,” he said, adding that one of his most memorable experiences was the fact that Beijing is such a modern city. “To me it was startling. There is a wild combination of ultra-modern and super efficient, and there is a portion of it that was the old China.”
He also noticed a clash between old and new traditions, and a culture that is changing fairly rapidly. Peterson said he was amazed by the large number of high rises and the huge amount of traffic, as well as the Chinese people’s driving habits. “I never saw one driver get mad,” he said. “I think a person needs to be raised there to be able to drive there. It was phenomenal. There’s lots of horn honking, but they use it as a warning, not because they are frustrated.”
He also noticed that two out of 10 cars were taxis, and he said he never saw any beat-up jalopies as the Chinese government has very strict rules about vehicle safety. “The other thing that struck me was the people in general,” he said. “They were very polite and friendly. Everyone has preconceived ideas about areas they go to. Most of my information was wrong. I had no idea the Chinese are as modern as they were and that the people were so nice.”
Peterson said the hospitality provided to him in Beijing was unsurpassed and the experiences he made were once in a lifetime. He also sampled and enjoyed a variety of foods during his trip, from duck to scorpions, the latter of which are sold by street vendors. “For the visitor that has a squeamish stomach, they have McDonalds. For the ones that want to explore China as it is, the adventure is there.”
Peterson encourages people to book a trip to China, but advised anyone interested in visiting Beijing to take a tour or go with a guide. “To go by yourself would be a real challenge,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to going back.
Peterson welcomes people to drop by and visit him or contact him by calling 1-877-569-2735 to learn more about his adventure in Beijing.

Last post made by: Birgit Stutz on Dec 16 2008, 06:11 AM

Shirley Sander, President of the proposed Saas Fee development on the old high school property in Valemount, was all set to begin construction on her project when the unthinkable happened, she said. “The project has been delayed because of my daughter’s horrible car crash.”
On October 29, at approximately 11:40 p.m. Sander’s daughter, Natasha, was in a vehicle that lost control, she said, ejecting her from the vehicle. “She was ejected 50 feet from the vehicle and landed on the guardrail. The car rolled six times. The driver is being charged with three counts of dangerous driving.”
Natasha broke her neck and spine in ten places, and is currently in critical condition at the intensive care unit in Edmonton, said Sander. “It’s a miracle that she is alive, and there is no brain damage. Her spinal chord is intact.” Natasha is still not breathing on her own, and her whole family has been at her side since the unfortunate event. “Her father, her mother, her siblings, the village of Valemount, everybody believes that she will make a full recovery. I want to thank residents of Valemount very much for their thoughts and their prayers and their well wishing and we’ll keep everybody posted on her progress.”
Sander said that because she has spent so much time by her daughter’s side, however, the project will have to be delayed until spring. “The plan was to start it as soon as possible, and we are still working towards that, but without my active direction and 100% of my focus right now it has been delayed. Priorities get rearranged when something like this happens, and right now my daughter’s life is more important.”
The project was slated to be constructed through the winter, said Sander, but right now all she is thinking about is her daughter. “I want to stop all the rumours going around that it is never going to happen. So what if it was going to cost me a little more money to build in the winter. The timing was more important.”

Last post made by: Joshua Estabrooks on Dec 16 2008, 06:10 AM

Valemount - Just when it looked like Valemount was coming together full of the holiday spirit, some individuals decided to try their best to dismantle what the community had built. Over the past two weeks, local business owners and residents have been continually encouraged to put up their Christmas decoration early in an attempt to put on as good a show as possible for the national Winterlights judges who were in town on Friday.
Most businesses on 5th Avenue went ahead and decorated their storefronts with wonderful light displays, but right before the judges arrived, a number of these displays were destroyed and stolen. The village Christmas tree also had its lights damaged, and some of them stolen.
Shona Thorn, of Kiwa Coffeehouse, said that the star she had hanging on the wall of her store went missing on Wednesday, as well as some lights. She said she also discovered two shopping carts and a chair inside the store’s large coffee cup, and wonders who would do such senseless acts of vandalism at this time of year. “Someone has been on a rampage. We’re all trying to make the place pretty for this Winterlights thing and it is discouraging when this happens. Someone is undoing it faster then we can get it up. I put new lights up on the coffee shop, but sometimes it makes you think why bother.” Thorn also had her flower baskets stolen in the summer, and wonders if the same people could be responsible.
Janet Kunka, of Valemount Sporting and Clothing, also had lights stolen and damaged, and said it is just one more thing busy store owners have to worry about now. They stole two strings of lights that we had up higher on the building and we had four bulbs underneath the eves that were coloured and they were all taken. Plus, we had two other lights on our sign that were just smashed. It just makes you lose all esteem for anything after that. It’s an expense, and it takes time to put them up.”
Valemount Home Hardware, as well as one other private residence were vandalized during the week too, acts that have the police shaking their heads. “We had no knowledge of this until you phoned. We will investigate, but the businesses should call us so we can get more information. Often we hear about who did it and we’ll go after it from that angle.” Burstrom said that whoever is responsible for this is doing a disservice to the whole town, as the contest is in full swing and sledders are beginning to visit Valemount for the buys winter season. “This is a disgrace. It’s a slam on the whole spirit of the season. It just sends a bad message to any outsider.”

Last post made by: Joshua Estabrooks on Dec 16 2008, 06:09 AM

I had a huge response to my column about litter. It seems I am not alone in my disgust with the folks who throw tons of fast food wrappers to the wind. Do you think if we start a movement back to the days when we ate together as a family around the dining room table, we could get them to join us?
I am willing to do my part, so I climbed the ladder in my pantry, blew the dust off my large crock pot, and started digging around for great slow cook recipes. Even though I work out of my home office and could easily take the time to cook dinner every day, there is something about the aroma of dinner slowly seeping through the house that warms the cockles of my heart.
What could be better than throwing another log on the fire, dishing out homemade stew along with hunks of great bread, and catching up on the day with the family?
Judith Finlayson wrote a great cookbook called ‘The 150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes.’ Who can resist her Roast Chicken in Tarragon-Cream Sauce, or Shepherd’s Pie with Creamy Corn Filling, all served up when the wind is howling and the temperature drops?
Years ago, I was given a cookbook called ‘Fat Free, Flavor Full’ by Dr. Gabe Mirkin and Diana Rich. You can tell how often I use the book by the battered and splattered pages. I make gallons of One-Step Split Pea Soup, Primo Minestrone and Carrot and Chick Pea Soup, ladle into containers and freeze for the days that run long and all you want is a hot bath, flannel pajamas and a steaming bowl of soup.
I have requested, from my local library, two interesting books, ‘Fix, Freeze, Feast’ by Kati Nevi, and ‘Once a Month Cooking’ by Mimi Wilson & Mary Beth Lagerborg. I know I am not alone in researching fabulous home cooking because there is a long waiting list for each book.
One of my favourite cook book authors is Australia’s Donna Hay. All Donna’s recipes are simple and fabulous. My current passion is her ‘Off the Shelf, Cooking from the Pantry.’ No exotic ingredients here – all simple and at hand. In each of her cookbooks there are sections called ‘tricks and tips’ which are shortcuts and ‘short order’ her instructions for such things as balsamic-roasted red onions or garlic roast asparagus. Simple recipes that lift the ordinary to the extraordinary.
Remember it is very important to buy as many local foods as possible so we cut back on trucking fruits and vegetables across the country. Our new mantra is to buy local!
I am writing this on Sunday morning and all this chat about food has created a ravenous appetit ... mmm, should I make Hearty Ribs with Rigatoni or Great Goulash with Potato Dumplings for dinner?
maggiec@blackpress.ca <