February 3, 2011

ARTSMore merengue, pleaseSee Page 16

Draft recovery first document in DFO process Jessica PetersTHE OBSERVER

There was "a lot of misunderstanding" at a recent meeting between the public and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, says a local biologist.

The meeting was to discuss a recovery strategy for the endangered Salish sucker, which lives primarily in drainage ditches in the District of Kent. DFO of cials held the meeting in Harrison Hot Springs two weeks ago, with about 60 people attending, including a large contingent from Kent council and staff.

Dr. Mike Pearson, who works closely with both the DFO and Agassiz area farmers, says that the confusion "stems from nobody doing this before."

A team of biologists created the document several years ago, and Pearson wrote the draft, independently from the DFO. They submitted the work in August of 2005, and it quickly got caught up in legal wrangling,

Pearson says. "It disappeared into the DFO

for a couple of years," he told The Observer. "In 2007, they came out the strategy, published it on their website, but changed it without talking to the

authors." Several maps

outlining another endangered species, the Nooksack Dace, had been removed.

"You don't just change people's work without talking to them," Pearson says.

In response, the DFO was taken to

court by a coalition of environmental groups, including the David Suzuki Foundation and Sierra Legal.

"While that lawsuit was in progress, they sat on (the recovery strategy)," Pearson explains.

But the lawsuit has now been settled, and the public is nally seeing the document with the maps. While the Nooksack Dace isn't a huge concern in Agassiz, the Salish sucker certainly is — and for good reason.

"This is the rst time in Canada that critical habitat has been identi ed on

Nellicia Klop read from her book about a boy surviving the Haitian earthquake, Dancing in the Rain, which won a prize from the summer writing contest held through the Storytime in the Park program. Anya Hu, in front, also won, with her book called Anya and the Magic Violin. The writers’ awards were part of a Family Literacy Day event, held last Thursday. For more information, and a list of winners from a second writing contest, see page 5.

Young authors celebrate literacy

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The ObserverT H U R S D AY, F E B R U A R Y 3 , 2 0 1 1

Agassiz Harr ison

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‘This is the first time in Canada that critical habitat

has been identified on private land’

Mike Pearson, biologist

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private land," Pearson says. And it's not been identi ed on just any

private land, but in strategically-built, purposeful drainage ditches.

DFO is the authority that decides how ditches are maintained, and as it stands, farmers are generally unhappy with the way that's being done. Deeming their land critical habitat threatens to add even more red tape and legality to the way they farm, they said at the recent meeting.

Pearson says this draft recovery plan, which had to be written to provide a "base line" for the needs of the Salish sucker,

is the rst document of two-document process.

"It's just a biological document, asking 'what does a sh need, what's threatening it,'" he says. "The next step is an action plan, 'what area we actually going to do?'"

Identifying the land as critical habitat does not mean larger legal riparian zones, he adds.

"We're not going to put 30 meters of buffer on every piece of land in the Valley," he says. They just needed to write an of cial document that sets out exactly how and why the Salish sucker is endangered, and have that listed with the

DFO on their "legal list." Any further action would come from

the draft action plan. "That document isn't written," Pearson

says. There is still time to provide feedback

to the DFO on how the draft recovery strategy plan affects your land or livability, positively or negatively.

To do that, email [email protected] or fax 604-666-0417 by February 11.

To see the draft recovery plan, visit the DFO website and search for Draft Recovery Strategy for the Salish Sucker.

[email protected]

CONTINUED – FROM FRONT

Second document not written

Singing Valentine’sWant to show your sweetie you

love her, or him? You could warble under a window late at night, or you could hire some professionals for the job.

The Chilliwack Harmony Chorus is once again offering singing Valentine's, for spouses and other

loved ones, either at their home or their work. They can even come out to the Agassiz Harrison area, singer Bernie Hops says.

The performance includes two songs, an orchid and a Valentine card, for $45. They are performing the services on February 11, 12, 13 and 14. For information, phone Lloyd at 604-701-8966.

AirCare almost fails at FVRDRobert FreemanBLACK PRESS

The AirCare program nearly failed inspection at the Fraser Valley Regional District last week despite the estimated $77 million in health bene ts the program brings by reducing vehicle emissions.

FVRD directors approved a motion to continue support for the $47-million program for another 10 years, but only after it was amended with a call to include "heavy polluters" currently exempt from inspection.

Chilliwack director Chuck Stam said he could not support

the program as long as it targeted only the "low-hanging fruit" of vehicle owners who can't afford new cars or the cost of repairs to pass AirCare inspections.

He wanted to see marine traf c inspected along with automobiles.

"Why are we not going after where the real problem lies?" he asked.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency called for a ban in 2009 to stop all large ocean-going vessels that did not meet emission standards from entering the waters around North American coasts, a move it said could save up to 8,300

lives each year in the U.S. and Canada.

Nearly 424,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases were pumped into the Fraser Valley airshed by ocean-going vessels in 2000, about half that amount by harbour vessels, and half that again by BC Ferries, for a total 717,000 tonnes, according to an inventory conducted by the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

In 2005, light-duty gasoline vehicles emitted about 271,000 tonnes of pollutants in B.C., according to BC Air Quality statistics, plus another 297,000 tonnes from light-duty gasoline

trucks for a total 568,000 tonnes.

AirCare estimates the 17,440 tonnes of pollutants it will eliminate each year at a cost of $47 million annually, shows the cost-effectiveness of the program, especially in light of the estimated $77 million it will also save each year in health care costs.

There's also the $35 million in revenue generated for the auto repair industry from vehicles that failed inspection, and the estimated $21 million in new car sales as owners take "beaters" off the road altogether.

Painters at Ranger Stn

The Monday Painters Group show opens this weekend at the Ranger Station in Harrison Hot Springs.

An artists' reception is being held on Sunday, February 6, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Ranger Station is located at 98 Rockwell Drive.

For hours and information, phone 604-796-2723.

2 Agassiz-Harrison Observer Thursday, February 3, 2011

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Thursday, February 3, 2011 Agassiz-Harrison Observer 3

OPEN HOUSEMEMORIAL HALL

Th ursday, February 3rd, 20111:00 pm until 5:30 pm

Th e Village of Harrison Hot Springs

would like to invite the public to join us in celebrating the grand re-opening of

Memorial Hall 290 Esplanade Ave

Harrison Hot Springs

Opening ceremony and ribbon cutting at 2:00 p.m.

Dignitaries and Guest Speakers will be in attendance.

Come join us for refreshments and cake!

The Harrison - Agassiz Chamber of Commerce would like to present their second annual Business Excellence Awards. These awards will

be presented to local businesses or their staff members that have proven to be outstanding in their fi eld of expertise.

PLEASE MARK THE AWARD CATEGORIES YOU ARE NOMINATING:

NOMINATIONS DUE BY: Friday Feb. 4, 2011 at 4:00pmAWARDS & BANQUET: Thursday Feb. 24, 2011 at 6:00 pm

Nominator: ________________________________Telephone: ________________________________

RETURN YOUR NOMINATION TO:Agassiz-Harrison Observer

7167 Pioneer Ave, or email [email protected]

OFFICIAL NOMINATION FORM

BusinessAWARDS

AGASSIZ-HARRISON

Excellence

Non-Profi t of the Year Business Nominee: _____________________________

Excellence in Agriculture Business Nominee: _____________________________

Excellence in TourismBusiness Nominee: _____________________________

Excellence in RetailBusiness Nominee: _____________________________

Excellence in Culinary ArtsBusiness Nominee: _____________________________ Excellence in Service - BusinessBusiness Nominee: _____________________________

New Business of the YearBusiness Nominee: _____________________________

People’s Choice Award Business Nominee: _____________________________

Chamber's Choice AwardBusiness Nominee: _____________________________

Kent Council Choice Award Business Nominee: _____________________________

Harrison Council Choice AwardBusiness Nominee: _____________________________

Green Excellence AwardBusiness Nominee: _____________________________

MEDIA SPONSOR: The ObserverAgassiz Harr ison

OBSERVERnews

Nominate businesses today for ExcellenceJessica PetersTHE OBSERVER

Nominations once again been coming in, and in massive numbers, for the Second Annual Harrison Agassiz Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, 2011.

But for those of you who haven't handed in nominations, time is running out.

The nomination deadline is Friday, Feb. 4. Nomination forms can be cut out from the paper (see right), picked up at the Observer of ce (in the yellow building next to Pioneer Park in Agassiz) or emailed to [email protected].

Anyone can nominate any business, organization or individual they would like to see recognized for their hard work.

Winners will be announced at the gala dinner on Thursday, February 24 at the Harrison Resort Hotel. This evening showcases local businesses and their staff that have proven to be outstanding in their elds of expertise.

The evening’s entertainment features Christopher Molineux, a world renowned c o m e d i a n / p u b l i c speaking coach.

Dinner Banquet tickets are $60 each and are available for purchase at Cookin Kim’s Cafe in Harrison Hot Springs or The Observer of ce in Agassiz. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the door.

Non-Pro t of the Year

Recognizing the organization making a signi cant difference in our local community in terms of public service, the arts, fund raising, collaboration & the number of local people they serve.

Excellence in Agriculture

This award focuses on quality, innovation & success in all aspects of agriculture. Celebrating farming, agronomy & food production; this award recognizes the signi cant impact quality agriculture has on everyday life.

Excellence in Tourism

Tourism is a cornerstone of the BC economy & this award recognizes the important contribution made by the tourism sector to the Harrison/Agassiz region. This award is given to a tourism based business that has shown excellence in all aspects of customer service providing visitors to our region with an experience beyond their expectations.

Excellence in RetailThis award celebrates

the professionalism, innovation & creativity within our retail sector. It recognizes outstanding performance at all levels: customer service, creativity, branding & marketing.

Excellence in Culinary Arts

Awarded to a dining establishment exhibiting consistency of quality, excellence in food, atmosphere & service.

Excellence in Service - Business

E x e m p l a r y customer service, customer retention & customer relationship management de ne the recipient of this award. This award honours a business that has been a leader in demonstrating

entrepreneurial spirit, quality workmanship & professional mannerisms.

New Business of the Year

This award a c k n o w l e d g e s outstanding new businesses (established less than 3 years). This business shows strength in creative marketing, welcoming local customers, high standards of customer service & innovative business practices.

People’s Choice Award

The 'People's Choice' Award is awarded to the business or organization that is recognized by the residents of Harrison Hot Springs & the District of Kent as attaining the highest level of business excellence in the region.

Chamber's Choice Award

This business will have contributed to the growth & development of the community through their products, services & customer service. Given to an organization that has a strong history in the business community, continued growth & innovative strategies.

Kent Council Choice Award

The Kent Council Award is given to the business that has played an important role in the District of Kent in terms of growth, leadership & community.

Harrison Council Choice Award

The Harrison Council Award is given to the business that has played an important role in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs in terms of growth, leadership & community.

Green Excellence Award

R e c o g n i z i n g e n v i r o n m e n t a l responsibility & leadership. Nominees will be judged on their stewardship or protection of e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y sensitive areas.

There may also be some sponsorships opportunities. The cost to be an award sponsor is $550 and includes: two dinner banquet tickets, award sponsorship, award presentation, one full page advertisement in The Observer. Each sponsor's logo will be featured on all advertising regarding this event.

For information on sponsorship contact Chris at The Observer 604-796-4301.


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Development of a Pest Management PlanApplication Number: MOT – IP – PMP - 2011

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, South Coast Region7818 – Sixth Street, Burnaby, B.C., V3N 4N8

Attention: Amber SmithTelephone: 604-660-0339 Fax: 604-660-2181

Email: [email protected]

The purpose of the proposed Pest Management Plan (PMP) is to control invasive plants and/or noxious weeds on provincial Crown land in the South Coastal Mainland of B.C., including areas within or adjacent to high-risk sites (e.g. ecologically important natural areas), along transportation corridors, resource tenures, gravel pits and recreational sites. The PMP applies to areas located within the Metro Vancouver Regional District, the Fraser Valley Regional District, the Southwest half of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District inclusive of Squamish but not including Lillooet and the lower portion of the Sunshine Coast Regional District, in the vicinity of Sechelt.

The pest management methods proposed for use include manual/mechanical and cultural methods, biological control agents and the use of pesticides within the area to which the PMP applies. The common name and trade name of the pesticides proposed for use under this plan include: glyphosate (e.g. Vantage Plus Max), triclopyr (e.g. Garlon Ultra), aminopyralid (e.g. Milestone), acetic acid (e.g. Ecoclear) and chondrostereum purpureum (e.g. Chontrol Peat Paste). Selective application methods include: cut and paint or inject, backpack or ATV foliar spraying, wick-on, basal bark, squirt bottle and stem injection.

The proposed duration of the PMP is from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2016.

Copies of the proposed PMP and maps of the proposed treatment areas may be reviewed at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure South Coast Regional Offi ce, 7818 – Sixth Street, Burnaby, B.C., V3N 4N8 or online at http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/invasiveplant/.

A person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of the

Pest Management Plan, may send copies of the information to the applicant at the address above within 30 days of the

publication of this notice.

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February 9

OBSERVERnews

February 14 is the special day of the year when lovers celebrate and express their affection for each other.

February 14 is also the day selected to remind local citizens that they need to take better care of the heart-shaped physical organ within the body which beats about 100,000 times and pumps about 7200 litres of blood each day. Why bother? The statistics are troubling. There are an estimated 70,000 heart attacks each year in Canada; that’s about one every seven minutes. Additionally, there are over 50,000 strokes each year; that’s about one every ten minutes. When the numbers for the different types of cardiovascular diseases are totalled, they show that heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death in Canada.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common term used to describe several diseases of the circulatory system that include the heart and blood vessels and can affect the lungs, brain, kidneys or other parts of the body. Examples of cardiovascular disease are: heart disease, stroke, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease and congenital heart disease.

Heart disease is a general

term that describes many heart conditions. It is the most prevalent type of CVD in Canada and other industrialized countries around the world. Coronary artery disease is the most common of all the heart-related diseases. It results from problems with the circulation of blood to the heart muscle. If one or more of the coronary arteries that lead to the heart are partially blocked or narrowed, oxygen-rich blood is prevented from reaching the heart muscle. Chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath can be the result. A complete blockage of an artery causes damage to the heart tissues and a heart attack can occur.

Heart disease is also one of several risk factors for stroke. For example, a heart problem called atrial brillation makes the heart beat irregularly and may cause blood clots to form, which can travel to the brain, blocking the ow of blood. When the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, brain cells begin to die from lack of oxygen. If the blood supply is not restored, the affected part of the brain dies, causing a stroke and leading to disability and/or death.

Heart failure occurs when the pumping action of the heart

cannot provide enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body as required. It can happen, for example, from a heart attack, from damage to the heart muscle, from excessive consumption of alcohol or from a heart muscle disease.

Peripheral vascular disease affects circulation primarily in the legs. The typical result is pain in the calves of the legs during walking.

Finally, congenital heart disease is a heart problem arising from a birth defect. The anatomical defects of the heart can range from a small hole in one of the inside walls of the heart to complex structural problems which affect blood ows through the heart and lungs. Medication and/ or surgical intervention can correct some congenital defects.

In Canada, from 1960 to 2004, the rate of mortality from CVD decreased dramatically. A speci c reason has not been identi ed but the 2009 report, “Tracking Heart Disease and Stroke in Canada”, suggests a combination of factors such as lower rates of smoking, consumption of more fruits and vegetables, and better diagnosis, treatment and management of individuals with CVD.

Take health to heart

CONTINUED – ON PAGE 11

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Land Act: Notice of Intention to Applyfor Disposition of Crown Land

Take notice that Cloudworks Energy Inc. of #403 – 1168 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2S2, intends to make application to the Province of British Columbia, for:A) Borrow pits covering approximately 53.6 ha in the proximity of the Stave River,

approximately 35km upstream from its confl uence with Stave Lake situated on Provincial Crown land centered at 540692 E, 5496981 N.

B) Expansion of an existing borrow pit along the Stave River, approximately 13km upstream from its confl uence with Stave Lake. Cloudworks is requesting an additional 1.6 ha.

C) Amendment of General Area License No. 241271 in the proximity of the Stave River, approximately 25km upstream from its confl uence with Stave Lake situated on Provincial Crown land centered at 539153 E, 5497120 N.

The Land Act fi le numbers are A) 2410585; B) 2409935; C) 2408934.

Comments on this application may be submitted in two ways:1) Online via the

Applications and Reasons for Decision Database on the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) website at: w w w 2 . l w b c . b c . c a /A p p l i c a t i o n P o s t i n g /Index.jsp where details of this application, including maps can also be found

2) By mail to the Senior Land Offi cer at 200-10428 153rd Street, Surrey, BC V3R 1E1. Comments will be received by ILMB until March 5, 2011. Comments received after this date may not be considered.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be provided to the public upon request. For information, contact the FOI Advisor at the ILMB regional offi ce.

HEALTH CORNERHEALTH CORNERTo be featured in Health Corner, call Kerry 604.796.4300To be featured in Health Corner, call Kerry 604.796.4300

OBSERVERcommunity

Family Literacy Day was celebrated in Agassiz last Thursday at a special event held after school in the Kent Elementary gymnasium. The winners of the family writing contest were announced, and they received recognition and prizes. They were: Kaela Brandson and her dad Grant Brandson for Treasure Time (left) , Kayla and Kim Stanway for The Magic Pony (Kayla second from left), Jordan Sarah Baker for Maggie’s Christmas Gift (not seen) and Anya Hu for The TV Cure (centre).

Top seller’s list

New way to dial for party lines

50 Years Ago, 1961• Telephone subscribers

in the Agassiz, Cloverdale, White Rock and Yarrow exchanges would soon be able to call other parties on their party line “simply and conveniently” by dialing 18 plus their party’s complete number. Previously, calling someone on your party line required the caller to phone an operator to obtain the proper calling codes. New reverting call switches, as they were called, were to be put into service in May, 1961 and would make service uniform throughout these Fraser Valley exchanges.

• A cold snap hit the upper Fraser Valley. Slippery snow caused four accidents in 3 days on the Hot Springs Road. Ice formed on the

hydro cable which crossed the river at the Seabird Bluffs. The weight of the 1½ inch ice coating broke the cable in the middle and both ends fell into the river, cutting power from Yale to Deroche. Power was temporarily restored by rerouting power along another line. Repairs required the aid of a tugboat to take a new line across the river.

• The Barry Peterson herd took the Burgess Award in the January DHIA report prepared by tester R.N. Marriott. The Peterson herd won top honours with an average of 992 pounds of milk and 50 pounds of butterfat.

-Echoes From the Past is submitted weekly by the local historical society.

• ECHOES FROM THE PAST

Hot Springs Choir to host 2011 Seniors’ ChorFest

The Harrison Hot Springs Multicultural Choir will host the British Columbia Choral Federation’s 2011 Seniors’ Chorfest from April 13-16.

The event brings together singers from around the province, who register either as a choir or as independent singers.

Each registrant receives the music and a practice compact disc for the six songs that will be performed at the nal concert.

They are asked to learn the music and come to the Chorfest workshops ready to rehearse the songs as part of a choir of over 200 people.

The workshops are conducted by a professional vocal musician, who knows how to take the “work” out of workshop and make it a fun and educational experience. Well-known Vancouver music director, Bruce Pullan, will be the Clinician for this Chorfest.

The choral workshops will take place at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa on April 14 & 15, and a nal concert will be held on Friday evening, April

15, 7:30 p.m. at the Chilliwack First Avenue Christian Assembly Church.

The British Columbia Choral Federation, sponsor of this event, was founded in 1978 with a mandate to promote and encourage choral activity throughout B.C.

Sponsoring Chorfests around B.C. is one way they accomplish this. Their motto is “Choral Music, A Lifelong Joy.”

The Harrison Hot Springs Multicultural Choir would like to invite choirs as well as individual singers in the area to take part in this

rare opportunity. R e g i s t r a t i o n

information is available online at w w w. b c c h o r a l f e d .com/events/seniors_chorfest, or you can contact Deanna by phone at 604-491-6271 or by e-mail at [email protected].

JESSICA PETERS / OBSERVER


OBSERVERopinion

B.C. goes backwards on education

It’s been a year since the Olympic Flame passed through Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs and Seabird Island. Here, Brooke Bobb-Reid carries the flame past Seabird elders on stage in front of the Seabird band office.

A year to celebrate

Call for accountabilityIf nothing else, former solicitor general and MLA

Kash Heed deserves credit for drawing attention to the current negotiations between the provincial government and RCMP for a new 20-year contract.

Heed’s allegations that a police probe into his own conduct as MLA is an attempt at character assassination come at a crucial time in the RCMP’s history. Heed has been calling for more accountability for the RCMP and for that he may have made a few enemies on the force.

But it’s unlikely that the releasing of information in a warrant and charges related to alleged misuse of MLA funds to pay salaries of political operatives was merely an attempt to make Heed look bad and win public favour.

Heed has experience to back up his assertions that the RCMP needs to do a better job policing itself. But his voice is just one among many calling for greater accountability after the handling of the missing women’s case, which a recent report suggested was mishandled by Mounties (and Vancouver Police); the death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski; and recent stories of rogue police of cers misusing their power.

The plain truth of the matter is the RCMP needs to win back the public trust before arguing it does a better job than would a B.C. regional police force.

But it has many hurdles to clear. For one, the national police force appears to be at arm’s length from the communities it serves. Unlike municipal police forces, such as Abbotsford’s, there is no local board in place to set priorities.

Still, the RCMP has deep experience and resources to offer, and the success of the regional Integrated Gang Task Force and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team have proven the Mounties can work effectively with other police agencies.

As for Heed, he should continue to ask for more police accountability but remain silent when it comes to his own affairs. Black Press

B.C. VIEWSTom Fletcher

VICTORIA – Guess who said this last week: “We want to reward good teachers and stop making excuses for bad ones.”

No, it wasn’t B.C. Liberal leadership hopeful Kevin Falcon, who has gone quiet on education since he caused a stir with his proposal for merit pay for public school teachers.

And it wasn’t the Fraser Institute, which is about to release its latest rankings based on foundation skills assessment (FSA) tests in B.C. schools.

It was U.S. President Barack Obama, in his state of the union address. He was talking about Race to the Top, a federal bonus program he called “the most meaningful reform of our public schools in a generation.”

“To all 50 states, we said, ‘If you show us the most innovative plans to improve teacher quality and student achievement, we’ll show you the money.’”

B.C., meanwhile, is going backwards. After years of B.C. Teachers’ Federation sabotage of skills testing, the essential mechanism for any improvement in education techniques, the B.C. Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association abruptly surrendered a couple of weeks ago.

The tests aren’t awed, association president Jameel Aziz admitted, but they have been “successfully undermined” by the BCTF.

Aziz listed three reasons for abandoning FSA tests. Two of them are factually wrong.

He claimed that after years of BCTF disruption tactics, participation has fallen below 50 per cent in some districts.

Ministry records show the lowest participation was 62 per cent, last year in the Vancouver school district. The provincial average was 83 per cent, despite letters sent home by teacher union locals telling parents the tests are bad and suggesting they nd some

excuse for their kids to skip them.Aziz also blamed the Fraser Institute for its “misuse” of FSA

data that “does not re ect the many unique challenges faced by individual schools, nor does it credit the many unique successes of individual schools.”

Wrong again, says Peter Cowley, the Fraser Institute’s director of school performance studies. He notes that the rankings track local factors such as parental income and the proportion of English as a second language or special needs.

“We’re hunting for schools that have shown that they are actually improving,” as well as those that are slipping, Cowley said.

Critics like to set up a straw man by comparing schools in rich urban areas with poor, remote schools. That’s “misuse,” designed to discredit the rankings and the tests.

Parents should start by looking at the performance of their own school over ve years. Is it getting better or worse? Rural parents can look at similar regions of B.C. and see if comparable schools are doing better. All parents can ask what extra help their children are getting to improve their individual areas of weakness.

Aziz claimed that “some in government” have suggested FSA tests be replaced. Well, rookie cabinet minister Moira Stilwell has. For a more informed view, here’s Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid in an open letter to parents:

“The push by the BCTF to end the FSAs is political. It’s about hiding information you, as parents, have a right to know about your child’s education and future.”

Leadership candidate George Abbott made vague noises about supplementing FSA tests. Here is one change he could consider.

The tests measure reading, writing and arithmetic skills at Grades 4 and 7. They track the individual student’s performance, as well as that of the team of teachers he or she has had to that point.

Additional measurements could give a clearer picture of the performance of each teacher. Then Falcon’s merit pay idea could be implemented.

Tom Fletcher is legislative reporter and columnist for Black Press and BCLocalnews.com.

t [email protected]

Published at Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Popkum/Bridal Falls, Rosedale and surrounding areas by the Black Press Group Ltd.Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #116572Copyright and/or property rights sub sist in all material appearing in this issue. Thepublisher shall not be liable for minor changes or er rors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The pub lish er’s liability for other errors or omis sions is limited to publication of the ad ver tise ment in a subsequent issue or refund of monies paid for the ad ver tise ment.BC Press Council: The Observer is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent within 45 days to :B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2.For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

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LOOKING BACK - FEBRUARY 2010

OBSERVER FILE PHOTO

OBSERVERmailbag Letters appearing on this page represent the opinions of the letter writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Agassiz-Harrison Observer or its employees.

1/09

_QO

W21uest ion of the week

Last Week’s Results:

“Should the DFO have the fi nal say in local ditch mainte-nance?”

YES: 27% NO: 72%

“Did Harrison council make a mistake by

dropping to one meeting a month?”

Go to www.ahobserver.com to answer this week's poll

Q

When will Harrison’s spending spree stop?Dear Editor, As a resident and taxpayer, I am

concerned how our tax dollars are being spent.

In 2010, a budget of $50,000 was allocated to re t one of the bays at the rehall, so that the ladder truck

would t. The latest budget for this is

now $200,000, as it will require a new bay. Why was this not taken into account before the truck was ordered, by the former re chief?

When is the spending spree going

to stop? — $18,500 for a Needs

Assessment study. — $31,000 for a Traf c Calming

study. — $17,500 extra for the

Memorial Hall.

The mayor's newsletter in November, stated that the hall was on budget and on time, and now the public is being shut out again, with only one council meeting a month.

I believe 2011 is election year. D. Hodges

Alcohol bylaw warrants sober second thoughtDear Editor:Another private liquor store

is about the last thing Agassiz-Harrison needs, but unless the community speaks up – and soon – that’s what we’ll get.

Last week Kent Council passed third reading of a bylaw to allow a liquor store next to the current Esso station at the crossroads of Highways 7 and 9. Far from a mere formality, the proposal is fraught with problems. Residents need to act quickly, before the nal vote is taken, to encourage council to just say ‘no’.

Why? Because our community doesn’t need a new private liquor store and the bene ts it would bring would be vastly outweighed by the

harm it would cause.It’s true that if the proposal went

ahead, the district would receive increased tax revenues and much-needed jobs. But this would come largely at the expense of existing alcohol outlets in the heart of both Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs – businesses that are already experiencing reduced sales. Other businesses could also suffer as more shoppers bypassed the downtown core.

It’s also true that another private liquor store would make alcohol cheaper and more convenient to buy. But cheaper, more accessible alcohol is a well-recognized hazard when the bene ciary is the driver of an oncoming car.

Many of us derive pleasure from drinking alcohol. But alcohol is no ordinary commodity and should never be sold like one. Alcohol is a drug that is linked to more than 60 different medical conditions and imposes a heavy burden on public health. In B.C., more private liquor outlets have been shown to increase alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm. A research paper published last month concluded that “the rapidly rising densities of private liquor stores in B.C. from 2003 to 2008 was associated with a signi cant local area increase in rates of alcohol-related death.” The researchers estimate that the expansion caused an additional 350 alcohol-related deaths.

Here in Agassiz-Harrison, we shouldn’t make decisions that would make local alcohol-related problems worse.

We tell our young people not to drink and drive. So we shouldn’t change our bylaws to allow private liquor sales at a gas station, especially when we know that private outlets have a well-recognized vested interest in selling more alcohol, including to youth and the already-intoxicated.

We complain about the costs of policing, crime and health care. We shouldn’t then encourage the establishment of a business at a site that will require additional provincial inspections, will increase policing costs, and will increase

costly social and health problems.Fortunately, we still have a choice

in Agassiz-Harrison. Even though the public hearing is over and the proposed bylaw has passed third reading, it has not been formally adopted. Residents and councilors can be excused for initially thinking the vote was a simple zoning change to rubber-stamp a provincial decision. But we now know that without council support, the proposal could not go ahead. As a community, we need to inform council how important it is to take a sober second look at this proposal, and to reject it. We owe it to each other, and especially to our youth, to act quickly.

Jim Grieshaber-Otto

‘Garbagegate’ lives online.

Read more letters at www.ahobserver.com


Rave Reviews...Rave Reviews...Monsters generate their city’s power by scaring children, but they are terribly afraid themselves of being contaminated by children, so when one enters Monstropolis, top scarer Sulley finds his world disrupted.

FUNclubFUNclub

The Observer, Petro’s Pizza, The Video Station, and The Adventure Park at Tugboat Junction are inviting kids up to the age of 12 years to join the Observer Fun Club. When your name appears in this section, come in to the Observer offi ce with this clipping and you will receive: • a free pizza from Pizza Plus • a free movie rental from the Video Station • a free activity pass from The Adventure Park at Tugboat Junction • a free book from the Agassiz Public Library upon presenting the birthday letter to them.

Serena Laur | Jonah Schlamp | Carter Lanting

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Sarah Balfour | Alexandra Balfour | Heidi Nelson

Dylan Murdy | Tianna van OortAgassiz ❖ Harr ison

Offi ce Hours9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Fridayclosed Thursdays

Deadlinesadvertising: 4:00 pm Fridayclassifi eds: 10:00 am Tuesday

Agassiz ❖ Harr ison

604.796.43007167 Pioneer Ave

In print every Thursday or see us online 24/7: ahobserver.com

ob·serv·er [uhb-zur-ver] noun.

1.someone or something that observes.

2.a delegate to an assembly or gathering, who is sent to observe and report but not to take part officially in its activities.

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OBSERVERcommunity

Laura Harris took this photo on Seabird Island this winter, and entered it into our recent Facebook Hot ‘N’ Cold Photo contest. She will warm up with a prize pack that includes a gift certificate from Oasis Coffee and Bistro in Agassiz and two Bruins tickets.

LAURA HARRIS PHOTO

Hot ‘N’ Cold contest a wrapJessica PetersTHE OBSERVER

Congratulations to Laura Harris, who snapped the above image of a lovely re ection on a cold winter day in Seabird Island.

By posting it on The Agassiz Observer's Facebook page, and telling her friends about it, she has won a $10 gift certi cate at Oasis Coffee and Bistro, a pair of Bruins tickets, and a few other items to keep her warm for the rest of this winter.

Thanks to everyone who entered this online contest, and keep watching our Facebook site for information on future photo contest, as this was the rst of many to come.

For those who entered and didn't win, there is still time for our Sweet Kisses contest. That contest is being judged by our very own Observer staff, but you can also post them online at Facebook. Email your submissions to kerry@bcclassi ed.com.For more information on the Sweet Kisses contest, see the advertisement on this page.


Make your step the one that ends multiple sclerosis.

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Bring in your photo to the Observer at 7167 Pioneer Ave., upload your photo to our facebook page and email it to Kerry!

To advertise in this feature contact Kerry!

Winners must provide photo by email in a high-resolution format suitable for publication.

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OBSERVERsports

Members of the Hemlock ski team met Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong at Mount Washington recently. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Two weekends ago, Hemlock Ski Team members racing at the K2 (13-14 years) and J (15-16 years) Giant Slalom (GS) races at Mount Washington were given an unexpected treat by meeting Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, aka the "Snow Leopard", who was the rst man from Ghana to ski race at an Olympic Games this past February in Whistler. Kwame was given the honour of forerunning the race course before the athletes started their timed runs.

Four members of the Hemlock ski team participated in the GS

races this past weekend, with Natasha Crick of Mission having the best nish for the team when she placed 17th out of 32 skiers in the rst girl’s race.

Accompanying Natasha on the ski team was Anders Liljedahl of Port Moody, Connor Liljedahl of Port Moody and Nicholas Mitro of Surrey. “I was impressed with Connor’s performance as this was his rst K2 race ever. He started last in the race wearing bib #42 and he nished 28th overall, even though the course was very hard and icy,” stated Coach Kelly Blair.

Valentines Dinner/DanceThe annual Hemlock Ski

Club's Valentine's Dinner and Dance will be held February 12 in the cafeteria at the Hemlock Resort Lodge. Doors open at 7 p.m., dinner is at 7:30, dancing starts at 9:30. There will be a silent auction with proceeds going to the Hemlock Ski Club. Tickets are $25 per person, if are purchased prior to February 6, and $30 afterward. Tickets can be purchased at the resort front counter, or at the door.

For more information, visit www.hemlockskiclub.com.

Hemlock skiers meet the Snow Leopard

Dance Harmonies returns to hallAre you are someone who used

to dance or who always wanted to learn to dance?

Dance Harmonies invites you to celebrate their rst dance class in the newly renovated Harrison Memorial Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Check out the biggest and the best dance

oor in town!Drawing on a range of styles

from ballroom to belly-dance, teacher Marion Bouchard’s inclusive choreography encourages dancers of all levels to come together in an enjoyable and comfortable atmosphere.

No dance experience or partner

is needed to participate in Dance Harmonies.

Classes run every Tuesday from February to June with a cost of $5 per class. Drop-ins welcome. Contact Marion Bouchard at 604 – 796 –0105 or email [email protected] for more information.

Get your pledges for Ski to End MSJessica PetersTHE OBSERVER

Ski to End MS will be held for the rst time ever at Hemlock Ski Resort, hosted by the MS Society of Canada’s Fraser Valley Chapter. And all you have to do to help, is pledge yourself to spend a day on the slopes.

“If you raise the minimum amount of pledges, you get a free lift ticket and rental,” said Deanna McIntyre, event organizer for the chapter.

The event is run much like the Walk for MS, in which you can go online and register and download pledge forms.

She’s hoping to see about 50 people sign up. At a minimum of $150 in order to ski free (for adults), that could add up to $7,500 for the society.

“Given the size of our chapter area here, it shouldn’t be hard,” she said. The Fraser Valley Chapter covers Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Chilliwack,

Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope, Boston Bar and every small community in between. She’s also hoping to draw in skiers and snowboarders from the Metro Vancouver area.

There are different levels of pledging depending on your age. Adults ages 19 to 64 are required to raise $150. Seniors 65 and older need $100. Youth ages 13 to 18 need to pledge $75. Children ages seven to 12 need to raise $50 and tots, ages six and under, pledge $25.

Those who meet the minimum pledge amounts also will receive a discounted lunch. Anyone who has a 2010-2011 Hemlock Resort Season’s Pass can reduce their pledge minimum by 25 per cent. There are prizes at the end of the day, and all participants will receive a toque.

For more information, call 604-746-9331 (toll free 1-877-746-9331) or email [email protected].


WE THINK: NATURAL GAS SMELLS LIKE MERCAPTAN, WHICH IS A NINE-LETTER WORD FOR “GET OUT!”

Natural gas smells bad to keep you safe. If you smell rotten eggs, get out fast. Don’t smoke, light matches, use a cell or home phone or operate anything electrical. Get out and leave a door or window open. When you’re safe, call us at 1-800-663-9911, 911 or the fire department emergency number.

Safety. We’ve got our best people on it.

Terasen Gas is the common name of Terasen Gas Inc., Terasen Gas (Vancouver Island) Inc., and Terasen Gas (Whistler) Inc. The companies are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Fortis Inc. Terasen Gas uses the Terasen Gas name and logo under license from Terasen Inc. terasengas.com

Visit our web site for more safety information.

Breakaway

© Tim Hortons, 2008

The first goal is having fun.

Every year, over 60,000 boys and girls play Timbits

Hockey, where they make new friends, and learn the

skills of their favourite game. Tim Hortons is proud

to support the over 3,500 boys and girls playing

Timbits Hockey in the Metro Vancouver and Fraser

Valley areas.

OBSERVERsports

Wednesday curler Marcie Lietz throws a rock during the recent curling bon-spiel, held at the Friendship House in Agassiz. Lietz’ team won fourth place during the two day match-up, which saw 26 teams compete.

JESSICA PETERS / OBSERVER

Fabritz and team top floor curling bonspiel Dick HopkinsFOR THE OBSERVER

The Friendship House hosted a two day local oor curling bonspiel on January 26 & 28. Twenty-six teams participated in the fun lled event.

Topping the list of four undefeated teams was Henry Fabritz’s team consisting of himself, Mary Burr, Pat Derksen and George York. Second place went to the team of Dick Hopkins, Mary-Anne Bickle, Barry Simmons and Malcolm Herdson. Third was Clair Zopf, Velda Gould, Josephine Sochocki and Adele Striker. Fourth place went to Peter Burr, Marie Lietz, Doreen Key and Joyce Wagner.

Rounding out the the top eight were the teams of Jim Scott, Henry Proteau, Gerry Ruble and Shirley Hopkins.

This is the second of three bonspiels held throughout the season, with the next one scheduled for the end of March.

Also annually, there is an open Cashpiel held in early April. Several out of town teams from centres such as Port Alberni, Chilliwack, Kamloops and Nanoose Bay join the local teams for a 16 team event.

Floor Curling is

carried out in two 13 team leagues on Wednesday and Friday from mid-September through to the end of March. Also, open curling is held on

Thursdays at 7 p.m. for those who want additional curling. Anyone else who have an interest in learning the sport is welcome to join in on these practice

nights. For more information

please contact Dick Hopkins at 604-796-9470 or by e-mail @ [email protected].

Despite the progress made, Canadians cannot be complacent. Heart disease and stroke remain Canada’s leading causes of death. In the future, there may be an actual increase in the number of deaths because the risk of CVD increases with age and Canada’s population is aging.

In addition, the rates of obesity and diabetes – two conditions that greatly increase the risk of CVD are increasing. It is important to understand how to prevent these serious illnesses that will impact

the lives of almost 70 per cent of Canadians in some way.

While factors such as age, family history, gender or ethnicity that lead to heart attack and stroke cannot be controlled, there are many other risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol that can be.

To help you and your family to prevent or to manage heart disease and stroke, Agassiz Community Health, together with its partners, will be hosting a public information day on Monday February, 14 from

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fitness/Activity Center located at 6660 Pioneer Avenue in Agassiz. You will be able to have your blood pressure tested, see CPR and exercise demonstrations, gather important information to take home and read, and have access to advice from health professionals. Love your heart enough to care for it. [Credits to The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Public health Agency of Canada]

Submitted by the Agassiz Community Health Centre (Fraser Health)

CONTINUED – FROM PAGE 4

Obesity, diabetes on the rise

Search is on for local teamThe Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Club’s Crusaders

are shaking off the snow and getting ready for a new season on the water.

The team is looking for strong and adventurous men and women interested in signing up. The Crusaders will start paddling on March 6, and continue each Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon, until September. For more information, call Manfred at

604-795-0550 or Kathy at 604-819-1676. They are hoping to build a team in the Agassiz Harrison area, made up completely of local paddlers. All levels of experience are welcome to join, and all ages.

Each team in the FVDBC races at several regattas through the year, around the province. Get more information on the club, and its individual teams, at www.fvdbc.com.

OBSERVERcommunity

Betty RajotteFOR THE OBSERVER

There now. I’ve nished breakfast,

brushed my teeth, had a drink of water, checked the e-mail inbox and now I am ready to start. Oh-oh, there’s the phone.

In a classic National Film Board cartoon called Getting Started the character sits down to practice at the piano, plays one chord, goes

for a drink, answers the phone, adjusts his bench, looks out the window, straightens a picture on the wall and gives in to one distraction after another. Of course, he never plays another note because he runs out of time. Now in our household, we just have to say “getting started” to realize how much we are like the procrastinating pianist.

P r o c r a s t i n a t i o n

is obviously not a new problem since it appeared in the English dictionary in the 16th century.

American president, Thomas Jefferson, (1743 – 1826), is given credit for having coined the annoying phrase, “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today”. If it is not caused by all the distractions of modern life perhaps dragging our feet is just human

nature, a genetic trait or an early life habit that has become ingrained. As parents we try to motivate our children to clean their rooms, do their homework or practice their lessons hoping that they will develop their own initiative. Some adults even refer to a “parental tape” still ringing in their ears. Most of us don’t like to be nagged but we often need some kind of

external prod or deadline to get us moving. We know we have to pay our bills on time and le our taxes. Now that we have retired from the pressure of jobs and kids we should have more time to devote to things we have always wanted to do but were putting off.

Two opposite possibilities arise. We have more free time so there is less urgency to get moving on things. There is always tomorrow. Remember the song Manana? Or conversely, older

people procrastinate less because they know their time is limited. Still the temptation is to choose the easiest options or the ones with immediate satisfactions rather than more important or dif cult things. Research seems to show that people respond to pressure. Deadlines motivate action. When the gap is reduced between effort and reward we are more likely to start acting. When we anticipate fewer good healthy years ahead we are prompted

to book that trip, nish that long postponed project, or contact that long lost friend.

When I was stalling before starting this article, I “Googled” procrastination.

The rst thing to pop up was this: Special Limited Time Offer, How to Stop Procrastinating only $37 with a 100 per cent Money Back Guarantee if you aren’t cured within 30 days.

I haven’t got around to ordering it yet.

Happenings in Harrison Ruth AltendorfFOR THE OBSERVER

February 7 will be the day when the HHS Multicultural Choir will be back at the Memorial Hall for practicing. I know that two questions are foremost on the minds of the choir members: How good are the acoustics after the renovation and how quiet is the furnace?

Well, I attended the Festival’s concert of Jan. 22 with some friends and we all agreed that the accoustic is just as good as before, if not better. As to the furnace, it was silently working away and the hall was warm and cozy. The choir is very busy these days practicing new songs for the upcoming Seniors’ Chorfest in April and to be back at the hall will be good. However, we are very grateful for the ongoing help we receive from the Kent Elementary School. I truly wonder what we would have done without them.

Last week I was hit with a severe cold which stopped me from almost anything but reading, watching T.V. and catching up with the news. Unfortunately, most of it was not very uplifting. I read an article in Maclean's, for instance, about a suggestion in England to close many of the smaller libraries. The reason, of course, is money, or rather the lack of it. But the closure of libraries should never be used to remedy that situation. There is an old saying, based on truth: “First go the libraries and soon the country will follow.” Hopefully, the authorities in England will change their minds!

So, soon enough, I went from happenings elsewhere to happenings

in Harrison Hot Springs, which were much more enjoyable.

Since I was asked to come to a meeting of organizers representing different recreational activity groups in our area, I took stock of what we have, and, as always, I was quite impressed, especially considering our small population! The group with the most seniority are, of course, the Harrison Hikers. At present, the group consists of ve teams. Each team has its own leader(s) and caters to different capability levels.The hiking group is around for 23 years now and still going strong.

Then, there is the Multicultural Choir, in its eleventh year and looking forward to hosting the Seniors’ Chorfest this spring. The third long-term group is the Social Club which meets every Thursday for card games, etc. They, too, will go back to the Memorial Hall soon, after meeting at the Harrison Gospel church during renovation time. The same goes for the Line Dancers, who also meet every Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Not to forget “Renate and Friends”, an offspring of the Multicultural Choir. For ve years now, this group goes at least twice a month to senior citizen “homes” to visit and sing with the residents. And, then, there is the “new kid on the block”, the Drum Circle. They started out last year at the hall but now meet every Sunday at Spirit Yoga and Wellness Center.

All these groups operate under the HHS Parks and Recreation Commission. If you have not joined any of them yet, you should seriously consider it!

The Plus Side of 60: The thief of time


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Thank you for the fl owers, cards, visits & phone calls during the recent loss of our son, brother & uncle Clinton Striker. It's during a time like this that we learn how much

our family & friends really mean to us.Your kindness & expression of sympathy you have shown our family at this time is more appreciated

than any words can ever express. A special thank you to Reverend Mary Duncan, the ladies & gentlemen of the United Church & Andrea McRae for all their help to ensure the service was a memorable one.

We will be for ever grateful. With Our Love, Stan & Jean Striker and Family

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

7 OBITUARIES

KLASSEN, Ruth T. (nee Rempel)

Nov. 27, 1933 – Jan. 21, 2011

Passed away peacefully at age 77 in the arms of her husband Frank and son Frank Jr. in Minoru Residence. Ruth was born in Yarrow, BC, the eldest daughter of Aron and Olga Rempel. Her childhood was not an easy one, caring for her eight siblings and helping on the raspberry farm. Her life was further complicated by excruciating migraines which she suffered daily from her mid-teens until a few years before her passing. Despite the chronic pain, her musical talents and remarkable intelligence were among the many gifts she demonstrated throughout her life. Ruth was an accomplished pianist and music teacher. She was also renowned for an astounding memory - remembering as many as 400 birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions a year to send out thousands of cards, letters and gifts to family, friends and even strangers to lift their spirits. Ruth was a devoted Christian - her favourite Bible chapter was John 14. She married Frank Klassen Sr. On Oct. 31, 1953 in Yarrow Mennonite Brethren Church. In the following years, Ruth became a loving mother to Frank, Cynthia, Lorne and Jeff, along with her subsequent daughter-in-laws Karen, Wendy/Rose & Kate; grandchildren Kaila (& Kevin), Kelsey, Philip (& Lian), Elise and Aaron; and great-grand-daughter Ava. During the family’s darkest times, Ruth appreciated the love and support of sisters Edith (& Bob) Simpson, Ollie (& Bob) Peters and Charlotte (& Art) Shier. Her body was donated to UBC for scientifi c research into migraines and Lewy Body Dementia in hopes of fi nding a cure for these brain disorders. The family would like to thank the dedicated caregivers at Minoru Residence, who made her fi nal months comfortable ones. A celebration of life will take place at the Richmond Bethel Church, 10200 No. 5 Road, Richmond on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 2 pm. A reception will follow. Memorial gifts can be made to the Gideons International in Canada or Alzheimer Society of BC.

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

7 OBITUARIES

McGillCharles Campbell

Charlie passed away peaceful-ly, surrounded by family, at the age of 84, on January 23, 2011 at Cheam Village in Agassiz BC. Born in Greenock, Scotland on November 15th, 1926. He spent his youth playing football (soccer) and passed on his love of the beautiful game to his children and grandchildren. He was a fan, player, coach, referee and Peace Arch Delta Soccer Association board member.Charlie served in the British Merchant Navy as an electrical engineer and had many ad-ventures traveling the globe. Including a year in Australia which found him riding a mo-torbike across the Outback with a rifl e strapped to his back to ward off Dingoes. After returning to Scotland, he mar-ried his sweetheart Mary Lo-raine and in the fall of 1955 they sailed on the T.S.S Nep-tunia to Canada. After a year of living in Niagara Falls, Onta-rio, they found the weather not to their liking and headed west to BC, eventually settling in White Rock, where they raised their family. His career as an electrician found him partici-pating in the construction of the George Massey Tunnel, BC Place, Bentall Centre, McBarge at Expo 86, Sears in Chilliwack, and many more prominent places around BC, including his own building, the Peace Portal Golf Driving Range. Charlie was an original board member of the Handy Dart program. Retiring in Se-chelt, BC, Charlie and May en-joyed the life of snowbirds. Winters in California and sum-mers on the Sunshine Coast was a retirement well-earned and enjoyed.Charlie is predeceased by his Mother Jane, Father Charles and Sisters Mary and Euphe-mia. He is survived by his brother Archibald of Hudders-fi eld, England, wife May, sons Charles and David (Mayumi) and daughters Fiona (Shaun) Delcourt and Moira (Perry) Wegner. Grandchildren, Kayla, Eric, Scott, Ryan, Ian, Davis, Rina, May and 1 great grand-child on the way. Charlie was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.The family would like to thank Dr. MacIntosh, the Nurses and Staff at Cheam Village for pro-viding compassionate care to Charlie over the last 2 years.

Henderson’s Funeral Homes& Crematorium Ltd.

45901 Victoria Ave, Chilliwack604-792-1344

Online condolences can be left at www.hendersonsfunerals.com

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

21 COMING EVENTS

February is ECZEMA AWARE-NESS MONTH. For more informa-tion about eczema and ways to manage your skin, visit the EASE program at www.eczemacanada.ca

33 INFORMATIONDENIED CANADA PENSION PLAN DISABILITY BENEFITS? The Disability Claims Advocacy Clinic can help. Call Allison Schmidt at 1-877-793-3222. www.dcac.ca.

041 PERSONALSDATING SERVICE. Long-Term/Short-Term Relationships, FREE CALLS. 1-877-297-9883. Ex-change voice messages, voice mailboxes. 1-888-534-6984. Live adult casual conversations-1on1, 1-866-311-9640, Meet on chat-lines. Local Single Ladies.1-877-804-5381. (18+).

TRAVEL

74 TIMESHARESELL/RENT YOUR TIMESHARE FOR CASH!!! Our Guaranteed Services will Sell/ Rent Your Unused Timeshare for CASH! Over $95 Million Dollars offered in 2010! www.sellatimeshare.com (800)640-6886

75 TRAVELCOSTA RICA 10 Days from $995. All inclusive Vacation Packages. Free Brochure: Call 1-800-CARA-VAN See all Tours Now: Visit www.Caravan.comSUNNY WINTER Specials. At Florida’s Best Beach-New Smyrna Beach. Stay a week or longer. Plan a beach wedding or family reunion. www.NSBFLA.com or 1-800-541-9621.

EMPLOYMENT/EDUCATION

108 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Direct reach to BC Sportsmen and women...Advertise in

the 2011 BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis, amazing circulation 400,000 copies, year long impact for your business!

Please call Annemarie at 1-800-661-6335 or email

fi [email protected]

HOMEWORKERS GET PAID DAI-LY! NOW ACCEPTING: Simple part time and full time Online Computer Work is available. No fees or charg-es to participate. Start Today, www.onwoc.comHYGIENITECH Mattress Cleaning & Upholstery Cleaning/Sanitizing Business. New “Green” Dry, Chemical-Free process removes bed bugs, dust mites, and harmful allergens. Big Profi ts/Small Invest-ment. 1-888-999-9030 www.Hygienitech.comMLM Prelaunch over 20 Countries. Build your Business FREE during prelaunch! www.freeVIPspot.com

10 CARDS OF THANKS


108 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

JEWELLERY SALES OPPORTU-NITY! NEW to Canada, trendy, af-fordable! Work from home, Earn GREAT money & vacations. Con-tact Curt for catalogue and busi-ness [email protected] 403.909.4302

109 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Purchasing Manager - Surrey, BC

Cabo Drilling (Pacifi c) Corp. Website: www.cabo.ca

Cabo Drilling Corporation one of Canada’s larger mineral drilling services companies is searching for a Purchasing Manager for its Surrey B.C. division. Reporting to the General Manager at this location, the Purchasing Manager is responsible for the develop-ment and management of purchasing accounts, and for the management of ordering, ware-housing & inventory management systems.Experience working w/ Microsoft Navision software would be considered an asset. Your ability to ensure purchases are of the best quality and price and that critical inventory is maintained to meet division needs is comple-mented by your purchasing back-ground in a mineral drilling, min-ing, mechanical, or equipment procurement environment.

This position offers a Competitive Base Salary, Bonus, Group Benefi ts &

Opportunity to be involved with the Company’s operations

across Canada.

Please send resume in confi dence:[email protected]

Thank you to all those who send in their resumés. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

QA MANAGERFast paced growing co. in the Fraser Valley requires a QA Manager immediately. Must have experience with; HACCP (a work-ing plan is in place), Food Safety (for multi-line production rooms), managing an active QA Dept., testing products, weekly micros, working w/ 110 employees on a daily basis, and SQF preferred (wiling to train the right person).

Only people w/ QA experience need apply, please send

resume w/ salary requirements to:

[email protected]

114 DRIVERS/COURIER/TRUCKING

770 ALBERTA HAULING need Class 1 drivers to haul logs in north-ern Alberta. Experience needed. Call 780-554-8511 for more infor-mation.

Class 1 Highway Drivers & Owner

Operators WantedRegular work, dedicated units, Benefi ts after 3mos. Minimum 2 years mountain experience req.Fax resume & N print abstract to 1-888-778-3563 or E-mail to

[email protected]

DRIVERS/OWNER Operators wanted - Truck Contractors need drivers with log haul experience & clean driver’s abstract. Owner op-erators needed with 6, 7, 8 axle log trailers. Visit www.alpac.ca or call 1-800-661-5210 (ext. 8173).

10 CARDS OF THANKSGro-Rite Supply Ltd.

General Nursery LabourerRequired to start Mar.2011

Position includes general nursery labour suchas weeding, pruning, and planting etc. Must be

hard working, physically fi t & able to do repetitivework. Must also be willing to work in the elements.

Hours of work are Mon. - Fri. 7:30 am - 5:00 pm.(Some Saturdays & overtime will be required). Job

is seasonal full time from about Mar. - Oct. 2011.Starting wage $9.28/hr.

Send resume to: [email protected]

1/11

F_R

G21

GREENHOUSE LABOURERSFOR CHILLIWACK AND ROSEDALE LOCATIONS!

Horticultural Work such as planting, spacing & shipping.Experience an asset!

Submit your applications in person to:43830 South Sumas Rd. Chilliwack, B.C. V2R 4LR

Phone 604-858-8100 Fax: 604-858-94389:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday • or email to: [email protected]


114 DRIVERS/COURIER/TRUCKING

Sutco Contracting Ltd. Now based in Chilliwack, has open-ings in our Chip Division for both Owner Operators and Company Drivers.As a well established family compa-ny, we look for drivers with proven work ethics, safety minded, and verifi able experience.We offer Satellite dispatch, directdeposit, extended benefi ts and stability.If you are interested in a long termsecure position, please contact us@ 1-888-357-2612, Fax 250-357-2009 or check us out online www.sutco.ca

115 EDUCATION

A PA RT M E N T / C O N D O M I N I U M MANAGERS (CRM) home study course. Many jobs registered with us across Canada! Thousands of grads working! Government certi-fi ed. 30 years of success! www.RMTI.ca or 1-800-665-8339, 604-681-5456.

BECOME AN EVENT PLANNER with the IEWP™ online course. Start your own successful business. You’ll receive full-colour texts, DVDs, assignments, and personal tutoring. FREE BROCHURE. 1-800-267-1829. www.qceventplan-ning.com.

DGS CANADA

2 DAYFORKLIFTWEEKENDCOURSE

Every Saturday at 8:30am #215, 19358-96 Ave. Surrey

NO reservations: 604-888-3008www.dgscanada.ca

Ask about our other Courses...*Stand up Reach *Fall Protection *Aerial Lift *RoughTerrain Forklift*Bobcat *WHMIS & much more.

“Preferred by Employers

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION is rat-ed #2 for at-home jobs. Train from home with the only industry ap-proved school in Canada. Contact CanScribe today! 1-800-466-1535. www.canscribe.com.

[email protected].

STUDY ADVENTURE TOURISM! Train to be an adventure guide in just 9 months. Outdoor Recreation & Ecotourism Certifi cate. College of New Caledonia, Valemount, BC.1-888-690-4422.

www.cnc.bc.ca/valemount

130 HELP WANTED

WE’RE ON THE WEBwww.bcclassified.com


115 EDUCATION

118 EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES/RESUMES

130 HELP WANTEDABLE TO TRAVEL National Com-pany Hiring Sharp People. Able toStart Today. Transportation & Lodg-ing Furnished. NO EXPERIENCENecessary. Paid Training. Over 18+ 888-853-8411CLEANING PERSON REQUIREDFOR house keeping duties, p/t- f/t Apply in person, between 4-5pm daily, Black Forest Restaurant, Harrison Hot Springs.

Phone: 604.796.4300Fax: 604.796.2081Email: [email protected]

After-Hours Call Centre:toll free: 1.866.575.5777Open Early. Open Late.

Monday to Friday: 8:30am-5:00pmSaturday: 9:00am-3:00pm

YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR CLASSIFIEDS.

bcclassified.com

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bbc lclas isififi ded com

bcclassified.com

INDEX IN BRIEF

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Advertise across thelower mainland inthe 17 best-read

communitynewspapers.

ON THE WEB:

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS . . . . . . . . . 1-8

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS . . . . 9-57

TRAVEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61-76

CHILDREN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80-98

EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102-198

BUSINESS SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . 203-387

PETS & LIVESTOCK . . . . . . . . . . . 453-483

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE . . . . . . 503-587

REAL ESTATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 603-696

RENTALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703-757

AUTOMOTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 804-862

MARINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903-920

Advertise across theLower Mainland inthe 18 best-read

communitynewspapers and

5 dailies.



130 HELP WANTED

AUTOMOTIVE - Riverside Nissan, Courtenay is currently seeking a General Manager, Sales Consultant, Service Ad-visor and a Mechanic to join us in our new facility. Please email your resume to [email protected] Dance & Drama School Inc. are looking for a Dance Instructor for Brazilian Contemporary & Mod-ern, F/T, ASAP, $26.00 p/h must have a talent and ability, must have 2 yrs exp. Main duties, Teach dance techniques & artistic interpre-tation to Brazilian Contemporary and Modern, teach the techniques, cultural origins of Brazilian Dance. Send Resume: [email protected]

FLAGGERS NEEDEDIf not certifi ed, training available for

a fee. Call 604-575-3944

HEAVY DUTY Mechanics required for busy Coastal logging company on Northern Vancouver Island. Must have extensive mechanical experience, certifi cation an asset. Above industry average (wages), plus excellent benefi t program. Fax or email resume to: 250-956-4888 or offi [email protected].

Position: Merchandiser: Chilliwack Area The Guyan Group is a retail service company that has been established for over 40 years and we pride ourselves on excellent quality of work and a team based atmosphere, “When we grow you grow”. We can offer a fast paced environment, opportunity to learn new skills, career advancement along with per-sonal & professional growth across both retail and service industries. We are currently seeking skilled Merchandisers to work days in the Chilliwack area. You must be available to start February 14th, for ap-proximately 5-7 weeks. Re-quirements: Minimum of 1 yr retail in-store experience. Pre-vious experience with mer-chandising, display, signage and store fi xture set up. Previ-ous merchandising related ex-perience. Previous experience working with plan-o-grams. Di-rect front line customer ser-vice. Strong attention to detail. Available to work Monday to Friday, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm. Ca-pable of performing physical work and standing for extend-ed periods of time.Responsibilities:- Following instructions,

layouts, elevation drawings, fi xture specs and plan-o-grams. - Ability to work in a team environment. - Ability to follow and take direction. - Deliver exceptional customer service. - Friendly, respectfuland reliable. - Ability to lift up to 50lbs. - Comfortable being in a physical, busy, moving work environment. - Follow all safety standards.

The Guyan Group wants to have professional and motivat-ed individuals join our team who are interested in achiev-ing the highest level of suc-cess and enjoy it with us as we grow. Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume and quote reference code BCM-Chilli-wack in your submission to FAX 905.845.3221or via email to: [email protected].

We wish to thank all those interested for applying howev-er only successful candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.SECRET SHOPPERS needed ASAP, Good wages & VERY convenient working hours. Interested candidates should be above 18yrs old & should be computer literate. Send applications to: [email protected]

Star Fleet Trucking HIRING! DRIV-ERS, FARMERS, RANCHERS & RETIREES needed with 3/4 Ton or 1-Ton pickup trucks to deliver new travel trailers & fi fth wheels from US manufacturers to dealers through-out Canada. Free IRP plate for your truck and low insurance rates! Pref. commercial Lic. or 3 yrs towing exp. Top Pay! Call Craig 1-877-890-4523 www.starfl eettrucking.com

139 MEDICAL/DENTAL

DENTAL RECEPTIONIST, full time, experienced, for well established dental offi ce in Chilliwack. Please apply with resume by fax to: 604-792-0191

160 TRADES, TECHNICAL

ENSIGN ENERGY SERVICE INC. is looking for experienced Drilling Rig, & Coring personnel for all po-sition levels. Drillers, Coring Drillers $35. - $40.20.; Derrickhands $34., Motorhands $28.50; Floorhands, Core Hands, Helpers $24. - $26.40. Plus incentives for winter coring! Telephone 1-888-ENSIGN-0 (1-888-367-4460). Fax 780-955-6160.

Email: [email protected]


160 TRADES, TECHNICAL

FABRICATORS

Medium-size CWB manufac-turing plant in Surrey, BC, Local 712 Ironworkers, requires qualifi ed fabricators with experience in structural sheet and plate work.Experience with aluminum fabrication an asset.

Please apply in writing to:Wellons Canada Corp,

19087 - 96th Ave.,Surrey, BC V4N 3P2. Fax: 604-888-2959

Attn: Manufacturing Manager

FLAT ROOFERS WANTED - Expe-rienced roofers. PVC, EPDM, T&G & other fl at roof products. Valid driver’s licence. Skill based pay. Year round full-time. Phone 403-261-6822. Fax 403-261RUSKIN CONSTRUCTION LTD. Pile driving and bridge construction; www.ruskinconstruction.com cur-rently looking for: Professional En-gineers; Engineers in Training; Project Managers; Site Superinten-dents; Site Administrators; Jour-neymen/Apprentice Welders; Crane & Equipment Operators; Bridge-men; Pile Drivers; Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics. Permanent and seasonal work. Competi-tive/Union wages. Fax resume 250-563-6788. Email:

[email protected].

PERSONAL SERVICES

173E HEALTH PRODUCTSATTENTION DIABETICS with Medicare. Get a FREE Talking Me-ter and diabetic supplies at NO COST, plus FREE home delivery! Best of all, this meter eliminates painful fi nger pricking! Call 888-449-1321

180 EDUCATION/TUTORINGAIRLINES ARE HIRING- Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualifi ed - Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (877)818-0783

182 FINANCIAL SERVICESDEBT CONSOLIDATION

PROGRAM Helping Canadians repay debts, reduce or eliminate interest, regardless of your credit. Steady Income? You may qualify

for instant help. Considering Bankruptcy? Call 1-877-220-3328 FREE Consultation Government

Approved, BBB Member

$500$ LOAN SERVICE, by phone, no credit refused, quick and easy, payable over 6 or 12 installments. Toll Free: 1-877-776-1660 www.moneyprovider.com.AVOID BANKRUPTCY - SAVE UP TO 70% Of Your Debt. One af-fordable monthly payment, interest free. For debt restructuring on YOUR terms, not your creditors. Call 1-866-690-3328 or see web site: www.4pillars.caGET BACK ON TRACK! Bad cred-it? Bills? Unemployed? Need Mon-ey? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Accep-tance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420.

www.pioneerwest.com

If you own a home or real estate, ALPINE CREDITS will lend you money: It’s That Simple. Your Cred-it / Age / Income is NOT an issue. 1.800.587.2161.

NEED A LOAN - BAD CREDIT?Has your credit prevented you from getting a loan? Buying a home or having your own busi-ness? We can help you get up to 1 million business or mortgage loan and up to 200K personal loan with interest rates starting at 2.9% APR. Bad credit ok.Apply now at:

www.oncreditloans.comor call 1-877-500-4030

NEED Mortgage Money?Get Mortgage Money!

quick, easy, confi dentialno credit or income required

1st, 2nd, 3rd mortgagesCall 604-328-6409

Origin Home Financial PartnersMatt Sadler - www.mattsadler.ca

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

221 CARPENTRYThe Renovator: experienced local carpenter specializing in decks, laminate fl oors, framing, fi nishing, metal roofs, vinyl siding, concrete, additions & painting. Commercial & Residential. Kelly 604-819-1936

236 CLEANING SERVICESMAGIC WAND Will Clean Your

House/Offi ce to “Sparkle” Equipped supplied, bonded. (not Sardis)

Pager 1-604-680-1535

260 ELECTRICAL#1167 LIC’D, BONDED. BBB Lge & small jobs. Expert trouble shooter, WCB. Low rates 24/7 604-617-1774J.H. ELECTRICAL. Licence #7474. New installations, repairs, service. No job too small. Jim 604-798-5742YOUR ELECTRICIAN $29 Service Call Lic #89402 Same day guarn’td We love small jobs! 604-568-1899

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

283A HANDYPERSONSA HELPFUL HANDYMAN Ltd.

778-808-7442. What can we do for you? Bonded and Insured!

www.ahelpfulhandyman.com

287 HOME IMPROVEMENTSHIGH CALIBER CONSTRUCTION

Repair, Replace, Remodel. • Room Additions • Kitchen & Bath

Remodels • Drywall • Paint • Texture • Finishing • Floors

Since 1972 Dan 778-837-0771

RENO GONE WRONG! ...Do you have a reno that has gone wrong? We specialize in providing SOLUTIONS for the DIY or Remodeling Project that has become a disaster. We are the insurance companies choice as a PROBLEM LOSS CO-ORDINATOR, so for all your Residential, Commercial, OR Agriculture projects call us at: 778-239-6308, or email us at [email protected] and tell us your story. We can help.

INTEGRAL CONSULTANTS

300 LANDSCAPINGknoke trucking

317 MISC SERVICESGET RESULTS! Post a classifi ed in a few easy clicks. Choose your province or all across Canada. Best value. Pay a fraction of the cost compared to booking individual are-as. www.communityclassifi eds.ca or 1-866-669-9222.

329 PAINTING & DECORATINGMILANO PAINTING. Int./Ext. Prof. Painters. Free Est. Written Guar. Bonded & Insured. 604-551-6510

332 PAVING/SEAL COATINGALLAN Const. & Asphalt. Brick, conc, drainage, found. & membrane repair. 604-618-2304; 820-2187.

338 PLUMBING10% OFF if you Mention this AD!

*Plumbing *Heating *Reno’s *More Lic.gas fi tter. Aman: 778-895-2005

353 ROOFING & SKYLIGHTSROYAL CASTLE Roofi ng - New & Re-roofi ng, Work Guaranteed, 15%Senior. Disc. Jazz 604-725-9963

356 RUBBISH REMOVAL

RECYCLE-IT!#1 EARTH FRIENDLY

JUNK REMOVAL

604.587.5865www.recycle-it-now.com

PETS

477 PETSAMERICAN PITT BULL puppies. 1 fem 4 male 1st shots, vet chckd. Born Dec. 16. $495. 604-729-8549BERNESE Mountain Dog Pups. Unique blood lines. 99% house trained. Call 604-740-0832 or 604-740-2986.

www.bernerbay.weebly.comBERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG X Border Collie pups, 1st shots & worming. $500. 604-857-5212.BERNESE Mountain X Great Py-renees pups, gorgeous, excellent markings, parents to view, health guar’d, $850. Call (604) 607- 5051BLACK LAB PUPS. 3 males, exc lines, 1st shots, dewormed, ready now, $450. 778-867-6758CAIRN TERRIER 3.5 mo little cutie, beauty & brains, use to cats/dogs $650. 604-930-8551CATS GALORE, TLC has for adoption spayed & neutered adult cats. 604-309-5388 / 856-4866ENGLISH BULLDOG puppies, Eu-ropean bloodline 6wks, mircochiped dewormed Vet check, health guar’d Call Andrea 604-970-3807GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPS. 1 male & 2 female. $800. 1st shots & dewormed. Call 778-863-6332.GERMAN SHEPHERD Reg’d pup-pies, quality German & Czech bloodlines. Guar. 604-856-8161NEED A GOOD HOME for a good dog or a good dog for a good home? We adopt dogs! Call 604-856-3647 or www.856-dogs.comYELLOW LAB, 7mo M., very loving & beautiful family dog, all shots mi-crochipped. $550. (604)272-1516

WE’RE ON THE WEBw w w.bcclassified.com

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

545 FUELBEST FIREWOOD

32nd Season & 37,000 Cust Deliv. Fully Seas. Maple, Birch, Alder

604-582-7095

559 MEDICAL SUPPLIESCAN’T GET UP YOUR Stairs? Acorn Stairlifts can help. Call Acorn Stairlifts now! Mention this ad and get 10% off your new Stairlift. Call 1-866-981-6591.

560 MISC. FOR SALE100% Guaranteed Omaha Steaks - SAVE 64% on the Family Value Collection. NOW ONLY $49.99 Plus 3 FREE GIFTS & right-to-the-door delivery in a reusable cooler, ORDER Today. 1-888-702-4489 mention code 45069SVD or www.OmahaSteaks.com/family23CAN’T Get Up Your Stairs? Acorn Stairlifts can help. Call Acorn Stair-lifts now! Mention this ad and get 10% off your new Stairlift! Call 1-866-981-5991.HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available. 1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.comSEND FLOWERS to your Valen-tine! Starting at just $19.99. Go to www.profl owers.com/Cherish to receive an extra 20% off your order or Call 1-888-587-0771.WINE OF the Month Club. Send the gift of wine all year long! 2 Bottles each month from award-winning wineries around the world. Call 888-751-6215 and get FREE SHIPPING!

566 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTSTWO pianos; 1927 Heintzman up-right & a Henry Herbert upright, original ivories with no cracks or chips. Pianos have been viewed by a licensed tuner and is available for verifi cation. Buyer will be respon-sible for moving & retuning. $800 each. 604-853-2089.

581 SOUND/DVD/TVA FREE TELEPHONE SERVICE - Get Your First Month Free. Bad Credit, Don’t Sweat It. No Deposits. No Credit Checks. Call Freedom Phone Lines Today Toll-Free 1-866-884-7464.

REAL ESTATE

603 ACREAGEOWN 20 Acres Only $129/mo. $13,900. Near Growing El Paso, Texas (safest city in America!) Low down, no credit checks, owner fi -nancing. Free Map/Pictures. 866-254-7755 www.sunsetranches.com.

612 BUSINESSES FOR SALERestaurant sale/lease. Owner mov-ing out of country, established clien-tele, 20yrs business. Call eve after 7pm, (604)793-8735, chilliwack.

615 COMMERCIAL PROPERTYBUILDING SALE... “FINAL WEEK!” 25x30 $6200. 30x40 $9850. 32x60 $15,600. 32x80 $19,600. 35x60 $17,500. 40x70 $18,890. 40x100 $26,800. 46x140 $46,800. OTH-ERS. Doors optional. Pioneer MANUFACTURERS DIRECT 1-800-668-5422.STEEL BUILDINGS PRICED TO CLEAR - Holding 2010 steel prices on many models/sizes. Ask about FREE DELIVERY! CALL FOR QUICK SALE QUOTE and FREE BROCHURE - 1-800-668-5111

625 FOR SALE BY OWNER

For Sale By Owner

SOUTH SURREY

Adult oriented, immaculate 2 bdrm Rancher Town-home in gated community. Close to beach & shop-ping. 2 full baths, vaulted ceilings, fi replace, upgrad-ed appliances. hardwood throughout, ceramic tile in kitchen & baths, granite counters, crown mouldings, garage, private yard. Plus many more extras.

No Agents Please$450,000.

Phone 604-719-7016

626 HOUSES FOR SALE

Waterfront Property Home & Lot Harr. Mills BC, $223 KuSELLaHOME.com ID # 5115 Make an offer (604)435.9877

627 HOMES WANTED

WE BUY HOUSESOlder Home? Damaged Home?

Need Repairs? Behind on Payments? Quick CASH!

Call Us First! 604.657.9422

REAL ESTATE

630 LOTS

ARIZONA BUILDING LOTS. FULL ACRES AND MORE!Guaranteed Owner Financing. No Credit check. $0 down - 0 interest.Starting @ just $99/mo. USD. Close to Tucson’s Intl. Airport. Hear free recording at 800-631-8164 Code 4001 or visit www.sunsiteslandrush.com.

633 MOBILE HOMES & PARKS

2011 CANADIAN Dream Home 3 bed/2 bath, 1512 sqft, CSA-Z240 $109,950 includes delivery and set up in lower BC, 877-976-3737 or 509-481-9830 http://www.hbmodu lar.com/images/email_jan2.jpg

636 MORTGAGES

660 LANGLEY/ALDERGROVE

HOMES FOR SALE-SUPER BUYS

www.dannyevans.caHomelife Benchmark Realty Corp. Langley

RENTALS

706 APARTMENT/CONDO

AGASSIZ- 1bdrm apartment close to downtown. Available now. Util incl. $550/m. Call 604-796-2939

AGASSIZ- 2 BDRM apartment for rent. Newly renovated. $750 per month. dd / ref req. (604)796-0083

AGASSIZ, 2 BDRM apt, beautiful view, 1 car garage, lg yard, avail. now. Call (604)613-2800

AGASSIZ. Very lg, bright, fully furn. studio ste, avail. March 1st. newer clean building. $500/m. + util. DD, RR, N/P, N/S Pioneer Ave. 1(604)860-3700

HARRISON - Studio Apartment, Nice quiet & safe building, suitable for single person. Newly renovat-ed,$550/month includes utilities. Call 604-794-7132

736 HOMES FOR RENT

HARRISON HOT SPRINGS 2800 sqft 4BR house for rent. Large fenced backyard with fruit trees. Garage Remote included. 1 block from the beach. All appliances in-cluded. $1250 per month. Call 604-803-8311 email: [email protected]

TRANSPORTATION

810 AUTO FINANCING

$0 DOWN & we make your 1st pay-ment at auto credit fast. Need a ve-hicle? Good or Bad credit call Stephanie 1-877-792-0599. www.autocreditfast.ca. DLN 30309.

TRANSPORTATION

810 AUTO FINANCINGWANT A VEHICLE BUT STRESSED ABOUT YOUR CRED-IT? Last week 12 out of 15 applica-tions approved! We fund your future not your past. Any Credit. $500 Christmas cash extended. www.coastlineautocredit.com or 1-888-252-8235.

818 CARS - DOMESTIC1998 FORD CONTOUR 4 dr., auto, fully loaded, Air Cared, $950 obo 604-615-74082000 BUICK Century, white 198K. Pwr str/wind, dl. Keyless entry, a/c. New trans $3500obo 604-807-76622001 Buick Centruy, loaded, V6, new tires/brakes. Imm. cond. in/out, priv. $3,900 obo. 604-593-50722001 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, white, 75 Km, nat gas, good cond., $3,500 obo. Phone 778-709-6462

2001 PONTIAC BONIVILLE 4 dr., fully loaded, Air Cared, 146K, really nice car. $2100 obo 604-504-09322005 CHEV IMPALA, 126K exc shape, runs great, loaded, must sell - unemployed $6500. 604-859-53252005 Ford Escape Hybrid, 4wd, Frnt/sd airbags, alarm, leather, pwr options, 6cd, a/c,cc, no accid, 151,700k, $12,500 (604)858-54772008 DODGE Caliber SXT, auto, loaded, htch bk, 50,900 km, exc cond $9,800 (604)793-5520 DL5961

821 CARS - SPORTS & IMPORTS1990 HONDA CIVIC DX h/back, 5 spd, runs great, no rust, $1200/obo.Call 604-836-1280 (Maple Ridge)2001 VW Beetle, 2L, auto, white,134000 km. Very good condi-tion, lady driven. $7500 OBO. 604-794 -7352 or 604-793-55062004 Honda Civic, auto, 4door, 1 owner, 75,000 kms. keyless entry, very clean. $8350 778-242-11162006 BMW 325i blue, clean int 9.5, exterior 8.5, V6, tiptronic, runs well, CD, $22,000 obo (778)245-48692006 HONDA CIVIC 4DR SDN auto a/c pwr, CD, 80K this week $12,500 ST#53 DL#31038 (604)855-06662006 MINI COOPER, red, mint, loaded, 68K, lowest price in BC. $12,580. Must sell. 604-943-04442006 NISSAN ALTIMA 4dr auto sunroof, lthr, v.clean, blck, $10,900 St#55 DL#31038 (604)855-06662007 HONDA CIVIC 4dr sdn, auto a/c, pwr, v.clean local 95K s/rf t#52 $12,900 DL#31038 (604)855-06662007 TOYOTA 4 door hatchback, one driver, 5200km. $6000. Call (604)792-81682009 HONDA CIVIC DX. 4 dr, 5 spd manual, options, 14K, blue. $8800 fi rm. 604-538-48832011 TOYOTA Camry LE, 7000 kms. auto, factory warranty. No ac-cidents. $22,500. 604-836-5931

838 RECREATIONAL/SALE1999 SLUMBER Queen MH 24 ft. 119,000kms. 2 air, awnings, TV ant no leaks, exc. shape. $16,500. obo 604-870-35562000 FORD RANGER -Red 2 whl. drive w/ 7 ft. 6 Okanagan Camper, $4500 obo (604)575-2676 LV. msg2006 25’ travel trlr, Copper Canyon, exc cond., 1 slide, n/s, great fl r plan, $20,500 obo. (604)793-0495

2010 ADVENTURER 90 FWS

Front bath, thermopane windows, 7 ft. rear awning, much more.

$24,995 (stk.29814)www.fraserwayrv.com

1-800-806-1976 DL #30644

2010 Winnebago Aspect 28B

U-shaped dinette, 4,000 Kw gen. set, rear view monitor.$94,995 (stk.28465)

www.fraserwayrv.com 1-800-806-1976 DL #30644

NEW STARCRAFT 3614

Dinette slideout, lots of storage, outside grill and more. $11,983 (stk.27314)

www.fraserwayrv.com 1-800-806-1976 DL #30644

845 SCRAP CAR REMOVALAAA SCRAP CAR REMOVAL

Minimum $150 cash for full size vehicles, any cond. 604-518-3673

WE’RE ON THE WEBwww.bcclassified.com

TRANSPORTATION

845 SCRAP CAR REMOVAL

The Scrapper

847 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES

1996 Explorer XLT, V6 auto, 4wd, loaded, Michelins on fac. mags,247,kms. $2295. (604)798-9228

2006 LAND ROVER LR3 SE, dark blue, 40K MLS/64K KMS, no accid,lady driven, new tires, batt & brakesimmac @ $27,900. 604-943-0210.

851 TRUCKS & VANS

1992 VOYAGER $500. Aircared to2012. Good running, a must see. 604-626-0638.

1994 CHEVY 1500, 4x4 short box,V8 5.7 l engine. 50 kms on rebuilteng. $2100 obo. (604)703-8702

1997 Chevy S10, 260,000 km, 1 owner, air cared, new battery, inclsnow tires $2350 (604)795-3139

1998 GMC Safari AWD, 135,00 km,1 owner, exc cond., loaded, 4 win-ter tires incl., $3500 (604)847-9291

2000 CHEVY VENTURE Ext, 7pass, auto, new tires, rblt tranny, $2000 obo. (604)820-0626

2000 FORD F150 extended cab,4WD. $4,000. Call 604-832-3441.

2001 FORD F350 Lariat 4X4, duellyauto 7.3 pwr strk dsl, a/c, 135K$17,900 st#42 DL#31038(604)855-0666

2004 FORD F350 c/cab Lariat 4X4auto, lthr, diesel, s/box, prw, St#43 $15,900 DL#31038 (604)855-0666

2005 CHEV UPLANDER 7 passvan auto a/c pwr, DVD, runs goodthis week $4900 St#37 DL#31038 (604)855-0666

2005 DODGE RAM3500 c/cab 4X4,auto, lthr, diesel, a/c, clean, St#49 $16,900 DL#31038 (604)855-0666

2006 FORD F350 Crew cab XLT4X4 auto, diesel, a/c L/box, lowKms, tow package $17,900 St#40 DL#31038 (604)855-0666

2006 FORD F350 Qdcab XLT 4X4auto, dsl, l/box, v.clean pwr $15,900St#25 DL#31038 (604)855-0666

2010 Ford Ranger sport, 4x2 su-percab, 4.0 V6, 5sp, auto, silver, cruise, tilt, a/c, tonneau cover, only 6045k. Sell due to health reason. $17,000. (604)796-3188

MARINE

CRIMINAL RECORD? GuaranteedRecord Removal since 1989. Confi -dential, Fast, Affordable. Our A+BBB Rating assures EMPLOY-MENT \TRAVEL & FREEDOM. Callfor your FREE INFORMATIONBOOKLET. 1-8-NOW-PARDON(1 866 972 7366).www.PardonServicesCanada.com.


Meet the ProsFe b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

Y O U R S O U R C E F O R Q U A L I T Y L O C A L P R O F E S S I O N A L S

PLUMBING SERVICES

KENT PLUMBING & HEATING LTD.

For all your Service, Repair

& Installation Needs“One call does it all”

604-796-270524 HOUR

LICENSED SERVICE

R.C.E.APPLIANCEREPAIR

604-796-2834Service to all makes of

washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers & refrigerators BOBCAT SERVICES

Mark Baboth604-796-2486

Baboth Bobcat &Backhoe Service

The RENOVATOR

Commercial & Commercial & ResidentialResidential Fibreglass & Wood Decking

Laminate Flooring | Framing Finishing | Metal Roofs Vinyl Siding | Concrete

Additions | Painting

Kelly

@ 6

04

-81

9-1

93

6K

elly @

60

4-8

19

-19

36

Daniel Kurts604•798•2252 604•491•6265

[email protected]

• New construction/renovations • Concrete/foundations • Backhoe services Call now for a free estimate

SOFT TOUCH PAWS DOG GROOMING

Professional GroomerDrop in nail trim

All breeds welcomeRelaxing, friendly service

Call Marilyn @ 604.796.09603770 Wildwood Dr. Agassiz

FINBACK CUSTOM WOODWORKS

604.796.1196 | cell. 604.857.3375

› New Custom Cabinetry› Quality Cabinet Refacing › Countertops

V I S I T O U R S H O W R O O M6390 P ioneer Ave. , Agass i z

POWER WASHING

• Siding• Concrete• Gutters

• Houses• Patios

• Heavy Equipment

For FREE estimate call Phil

604-796-0189 • 604-703-3319 (cell)

Residential • Commercial • Agricultural

Hot & Cold Pressure Washing & Interior/Exterior Painting

PAINTINGPLUMBING & HEATING

SERVICES

P: 604-796-0770 Serving the Upper Fraser Valley

P: 604-796-0770

Licensed Bonded Insured

HEATING & GAS

D R I S C O L L

• Furnaces • Boilers• Water Heaters• Patio Heaters

• Sheet Metal Installations• Pool Heaters

• Plumbing

MIG, TIG, ALUMINUM & STEEL

Roy Grypuikemail: [email protected]

Ph: 604-796-3995 Cell: 604-798-8830

Glass & Window ReplacementInstallation of Custom Made:• Window Screens• Patio Screen Doors• Storm Doors• Retractable Door Screens

7663 Industrial Way, Agassiz, BC • 604-796-2025

TELSTAR WINDOW SERVICE LTD.TELSTAR WINDOW SERVICE LTD.


Harrison-Agassiz CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.harrison.ca

Greeting from the Harrison Agassiz Chamber of Commerce. In last month’s Chamber page I somehow forgot to list one name from our current year’s slate of Directors. Seems to be an annual habit as last year I forgot to list Tony Nootebos. Forgetting to mention a civic minded volunteer is a terrible oversight at any time but when the Director you forget is your wife, well that’s a mistake that carries consequences. So in hopes of moving from the doghouse back to the blissful matrimonial home I would like to take this opportunity to mention that Sonja Reyerse is also a Director with the Chamber.

2011 is well underway and hopefully it will be a good year for the local business community. The global economy seems to be picking up steam and BC is picking up as well. In a connected world these are positive trends that can only help the local economy. The strong Canadian dollar on the other hand is a real danger to

the local tourist economy. Not only does it discourage our American visitors but many Canadians that might otherwise come out our way are heading to the States and other destinations. While these trends may balance each other out it will remain a year where local businesses will have to work and market hard.

Today the of cial grand opening of Memorial Hall takes place after more than 3 months of renovations. The Hall, a historic landmark in Harrison, was built by volunteers and opened in 1951. In 1955 the building was renamed “Memorial Hall” in memory of those who sacri ced their lives for their country in the previous world wars. The Hall has been the prime venue for the Harrison Festival Society for more than 30 years with entertainers from Murray McLauchlan to BC’s own Barney Bentall performing at the Hall and praising its unique acoustic qualities. Now with the renovation completed the end result is a building that will better serve the needs of the community and the Festival Society. To celebrate this happy event the Village of Harrison Hot Springs is having an open house at the Hall tonight, Thursday February 3rd, from 6:30 to 8:30. The Harrison Agassiz Chamber and Tourism Harrison will co-host the grand opening for the local business community. Come out, network with your business colleagues over a glass of wine and check out the new improved Hall.

The Harrison Agassiz Chamber of Commerce together with the Agassiz Harrison Observer is co-hosting the second annual Business Excellence Awards Banquet at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa on Thursday February 24th. This evening showcases local businesses and their staff that have proven to be outstanding in their eld. This year entertainment will feature Christopher Molineux, a world renowned comedian/public speaking coach. Tickets are $60 each and are available for purchase at Cookin Kims Cafe in Harrison Hot Springs or The Observer of ce in Agassiz. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the door. A table of 8 can be purchased for a reduced rate of $420.

Sponsorships are still available for $550 and include: 2 banquet tickets, award sponsorship, award presentation, full page advertisement in the Observer & sponsors logo will be featured on all advertising regarding this event. For information on how to sponsor an award please contact Chris Blank at the Observer 604-796-4301. We are looking for 50 donations (with a minimum value of $20 each to help raise funds to offset the cost of entertainment. To date we have received 21 donations. If you are able to donate a prize please contact: [email protected].

The next Chamber meeting takes place at Rowena’s River’s Edge Restaurant on Tuesday February 8th at 8am. This is a breakfast networking event and will feature a short talk/discussion on a proposal for the Harrison Agassiz Chamber to bring back a scaled down version of the Sand castle event to Harrison as well as a short update on the 2011 outlook for Tourism in our area. Come out and start your day off with some bacon, eggs and networking.

Lastly The Harrison Agassiz Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome our newest member Saran Cedar Limited a lumber remanufacturing company based in Agassiz.

Robert Reyerse, Chamber President

OBSERVERarts

Joaquin Diaz is the next performer slated to play the newly renovated Memorial Hall, Feb. 12.

If you missed the soulful performance of Russell Jackson at Memorial Hall, there's still a few days to get tickets to see Joaquin Diaz and his band on Saturday, February 12 at 8 p.m., in the same venue.

Diaz is one of the best of a new breed of traditional merengue artist, says Ed Stenson of the Harrison Festival Society, who is presenting the show.

Diaz is originally from the Dominican Republic and is now based in Canada. His repertoire is a mixture of

traditional and original tunes that is characterized by its exhilarating syncopated rhythms, the diatonic accordion and his infectious vocals.

Forced to earn a living at the age of nine, he became a musician playing on the streets in Santo Domingo.

Still in his teens he performed at the PanAmerican Games in Puerto Rico that led him to play at the presidential home for the then President Joaquin Balaguer.

So what's merengue? The

sound is synonymous with the Dominican Republic; you can hear it from every apartment, car and boom box and from the backwoods bars to the trendiest urban dance clubs.

In 1990, Diaz brought Dominican magic and his accordion wizardry with him in Canada. Now residing in Montreal, he has matured into a consummate artist delighting audiences wherever he goes. Diaz and his band have become involved in a pretty impressive trajectory.

Their participation at various venues and festivals allowed them to share their tropical energy touring Canada, United States and Europe.

A grant was awarded to Diaz by the Canada Council for the Arts to study conjunto music in the city of San Antonio Texas, crossroad of the accordion.

Tickets for this high energy show are $22 and are available by phone at 604-796-3664, online at www.harrisonfestival.com or in person at Agassiz Shoppers Drug Mart.

Merengue comes to town

February 3, 2011

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