What's Happening?

Friday January 21st
Dave Prinn and Friends at Ali Baba’s
Finnegan’s Wake Pub


Saturday January 22nd
Robbie Burns Night
Prestige Inn
Tickets $30 adults, $20 children 12 and under, $5 children 5 and under
From Lotus Books if any available
More information
250-919-4432


Sunday January 23rd
Snowshoe at Elizabeth Lake
With Rocky mountain Naturalists
1:00pm Tourist Booth
250-489-2566

Monday, January 24
GoGo Granny's - Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers
Noon at the College of the Rockies Room 206
Contract Ingrid at 250-489-3240


Wednesday January 26th
Friends of the Library
Polar Bears of Churchill
COR Lecture Theatre 7:00pm
with Jeff Cooper

January 11th - February 5th
Artrageous Gallery
Warm Up Winter Exhibit

Get Tickets (Lotus Books) now for;
Sunrise Rotary Film Series
Blue Valentine
7:00 PM Thursday February 3 - Columbia Theatre. ..............................trailer below:
"Fully embracing its title, Blue Valentine opens with a lost dog before moving on to the lost marriage. En route, along life's bumpy road, a dissatisfied woman vies with her contented man, love eroded duels with love sustained, happier moments in the past contend with suffocating hours in the present, and two superb actors etch an unflinching portrait of a young marriage doomed never to grow old." Rated 18A
Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYgr_iGATB4



Get tickets now for;
Key City Theatre Box Office
Stephen Harper! The Musical February 5, 2011

Second City brings you Stephen Harper: The Musical by award-winning playwrights The Shehori Brothers. After taking a beating in the polls following the latest parliamentary scandal, the PM and his advisors need to find a way to turn things around before the looming election. Against Harper's better judgment, his team devises a winning strategy: create a musical about the Canadian Prime Minister's life. But not for Canadian audiences, rather for Broadway. The theory is simple; Cnadians get behind Canadians that Americans get behind. Just ask Nickelback.
Show time 7:30 pm.
http://www.secondcity.com/


Wild About the Arts Gala
A fundraiser for the Future Youth Arts Centre
in honour of Rod Osiowy
Feb 9th, 7-10pm
Mt Baker Scool
For info. or an item or art to donate to silent auction contact
karn.kattenacker@sd5.bc.ca or 250-426-5241

Register now for:
February workshop on Permaculture
by donation
250-429-3929

Kale, cast iron vegetable for mid-winter local production

I’m betting you are sceptical when I say I picked fresh kale from the garden yesterday. Indeed I did and what a treat it was. My purple kale planted in the summer of 2010 is now at its best. It has been through freezing temperatures of –26C, being buried under deep snow (and not) but it was not wilted at all unlike some kale you buy at this time of year in the supermarket. It's leaves were crisp, curly, unblemished and ready to prepare.  I have enough of a supply to have several meals before winter is over.

Seed catalogues are arriving and if you are serious about trying to eat locally and from your own garden as much as possible, I recommend ordering some green or purple kale to enjoy next winter. You only have to ‘Google’ kale to find out about all of its wonderful nutrient values and how good for you it is. It is one of the easiest vegetables to grow and recipes abound on the internet if you can’t find one to your liking in your cookbooks. It's delicious steamed and served with a little butter or in a sausage, lentil and kale soup.

One of my favourite kale meals is a one pot half-hour dinner. In a large saucepan of water place enough peeled potatoes for your family. When semi-boiled add as many smokies sausages as required. During the last ten minutes place as much kale as will be eaten on the top and simmer until kale is tender. Scoop out kale and sausages. Mash potatoes in some of the kale, sausage water. Serve all with mustard of choice.

before picking in garden, January 17, 2011

washed and ready to use

Bicycle City

This blog has hi-lighted ideas around Smart Growth, growing and supporting local food producers, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building, and sustainable development. In South Carolina they are building an entire planned community around these principles.  It is being planned as a village that has car free zones, LEED certified and mixed use housing, community gardens and a vibrant city centre which supports arts and culture. The city hopes to deal with some of the problems created by car centric urban planning.   It got me thinking about how these principals could  successfully be transferred to Cranbrook. With a vision and buy in from our development community, local citizens, and political will we could make Cranbrook a model  city of the future.   What sort of families or industries could we draw if our city was able to create these type of life style options? Isn't it about time that Cranbrook started to become the most progressive city in the Kootenays.
To learn more about this development please go to http://www.bicyclecity.com/

Vernon's Waste Water Management Program

We have often been told Cranbrook's Waste Water Management program is comparable to other leading edge systems.  In Mayor Manjak's letter to the Townsman on January 12, 2011 he stated, "We are and will be the green example of sustainable wastewater management."

However, Vernon's system for example already has several distinct and important differences such as the final product has either received ultra-violet treatment or chlorination before any is discharged back into the environment. The public have been involved in their upgrade process and newsletter updates are released to the public.  Vernon has a system that is much newer than Cranbrook's - nevertheless they are in the process of upgrades which they appear eager to do.




For more information:

http://www.vernon.ca/services/utilities/reclamation/index.html

http://www.vernon.ca/services/operations/liquid_waste.html

South Star Recreation Trails

January 16, 2011
It is unfortunate the fabulous ski conditions that existed a week ago are not quite what they were but snowshoeing is a great alternative.  If you are a little nervous about tramping off into unknown territory the snowshoe or walking trails at Southstar are a great alternative.

Located at the base of Cranbrook Mountain south of Cranbrook there are the designated trails of South Star Recreation Area for those who wish to snowshoe, cross country ski or walk their dog.  Each trail is clearly marked and the cross-country ski trails are extensive. From Highway 3 travel south on Victoria Avenue which turns into Gold Creek Road.  Turn right off Gold Creek Road onto 38th Avenue.  The parking area is at the very end of 38th Avenue.

The cross country ski trails are tracked/set and require maintenance.  Trails are clearly marked as to to their designated activity.  All visitors are therefore expected to respect trail courtesy and etiquette by using the designated trails for their chosen activity.  It is very frustrating to ski on an unnecessarily spoiled groomed trails and can be dangerous too.  Kootenay Nordic Outdoor Club has been instrumental in the development and maintenance of these trails and members volunteer their time.  Planning and design is a joint effort between the Forest Service and Kootenay Nordic.

Information, membership and suggested donation box is positioned at the entrance to the trails.  Anyone may use the trails but donations towards upkeep are always welcome.

Snowshoe trail, Cranbrook Mountain in the distance



walkers carefully avoiding the ski tracks

Las Vegas - It's Greener than you think

CityCenter - Las Vegas

During a recent holiday in Las Vegas I was surprised to discover that the new City Center development, located on the strip, which includes hotels, casinos, condos, shopping and restaurants has been awarded a Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Design) Certification .
How, in the land of excess, could this uber large development, covering some 67 acres possibly be Green? First of all, the hotel that was torn down to build this massive development was 80% recycled. It produces its own power using a natural gas powered plant.  All of its limos use natural gas. Slot machines have air conditioning units which keep colder air at ground level.  They used  green building techniques and organized massive recycling programs.  Intensive water conservation projects were prioritized.  Radiant floor cooling uses less energy. All wood was Forest Stewardship Council certified. Excess food is composted or taken to farms to feed animals along with numerous other innovative ideas.   If they are building LEED in Las Vegas then this standard of building has gone mainstream.  Last fall we heard from Calgary architect Jeremy Sturgess about building LEED certified buildings and how the City of Calgary is now requiring all of its civic buildings to have LEED certification. If the developers of Cranbrook and our City Council are serious about being "Green" then isn't it about time to start building LEED certified buildings here?

CityCenter - Las Vegas GOLD LEED Certified

Our Condolences

Wendy Wood, City Planner, died yesterday and our sincere and heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family. Our thoughts are with Carson and the girls.

What's Happening?

Friday, January 14
Potluck Steve and Friends 
will be performing in Ali Baba's Lounge
at Finnigan's Wake. Support Live Music in Cranbrook!

Saturday January 15th
Billy Jive and the Funktastiks
Ditch those January blahs with this tribute to your favourtie disco/funk tunes of the 1970's. Dig out your platforms and old bell bottoms for an evening you won't want to miss, with the return of local sensations, Billy Jive and the Funktastics.
Tickets $20 at the Key City Theatre Box Office

Sunday January 16th
Sleigh Rides
Fort Steele
11am -3:00pm
$2.25 per person
Rink Open everyday
Refreshments available in entrance building


Tuesday January 18th
Introduction to E books
Manual Taining Building
Friends of the Cranbrook Public Library
4:00pm

Tuesday January 18th
Toopy and Binoo & the Marshmallow Moon
Ages 2 - 6 years
Shows at 3:30 and 6:30
Tickets $29.00
Key CityCity

Tuesday January 18th
Healing with the Heart workshop
6:30-9:30pm
Room 206 COR
For more information contact
phillyall@gmail.com

Radha Yoga Winter Classes
Studio Stage Door
Every Tuesday 10:30am- 11:45am
Until March 8th
Register at Lotus Books $64
250-489-4412 or 250-426-6120

Sunday, January 23
Rocky Mountian Naturalists Snowshoe Elizabeth Lake
Meet at 1pm at the Tourist Information Parking Lot at Elizabeth Lake
Phone Greg or Sue for more information at 250-489-2566

Monday, January 24
GoGo Granny's - Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers
Noon at the College of the Rockies Room 206
Contract Ingrid at 250-489-3240

Saturday & Sunday and everyday
SouthStar Recreation Trails - Cross Country Skiing
Trails are open and groomed.. Conditions are excellent
Get out and enjoy winter!
http://www.southstartrails.blogspot.com/

January 11th - February 5th
Artrageous Gallery
Warm Up Winter Exhibit

Don't forget to get your tickets for
Robbie Burns Night Saturday Jan 22nd
Lotus Books

Cranbrook’s Spray Irrigation Upgrades, Economy, Ethics and Food Security

The second of the City’s five articles concerning it’s wastewater management system infers it is award winning. It is common knowledge that when Ted Tatum and others pioneered this system for Cranbrook in 1977 it received well-deserved accolades. However the Environmental Appeal Board Hearing held in the winter of 2008 -2009 over a period of several months involving well qualified and knowledgeable external personnel left no doubt that Cranbrook had better clean up its waste water management and it was ordered to do so once again just as it was thirty years ago. This occurred despite constant denials from city officials that there were both capacity and environmental issues. We have never been told the financial cost of the EAB Hearing. Environmental and health costs of non-compliance are unfortunately not quickly or easily measured. As reports have become available, the information within them is not reassuring. Questions from the public about Cranbrook’s wastewater management have not always been met with respect. In fact in the past those asking questions have been publicly ridiculed on more than one occasion. The public has empathy for those trying to deal with these issues. However it is hard to regain trust and patience when much important information continues to be skirted around.

Despite five lengthy articles in the Townsman and a partial report to Council there are several unanswered and important issues surrounding the Spray Irrigation Upgrade.

· Will The 15 million dollars designated to this project be sufficient to complete the improvements already contracted?

· Which of the original planned upgrades are not going to take place due to lack of funds?

· If more work is required to complete the necessary upgrades, what will be the estimated shortfall?

· What procedures are in place to reassure the residents surrounding the spray site and leaking ponds numbers one and two that well water in the area is safe?

· It was proven in the test results for 2009 that runoff provided to the cattle for drinking water exceeded contamination guidelines by a substantial amount. Have cattle as yet been provided with a clean, fresh drinking water source?

· Does ultimate responsibility for management of the spray site not rest with the City Farm? If so why are cattle as of August 2010 still permitted to graze when active spraying is taking place? This contravenes government regulations.

· What has been the total cost to taxpayers for ten years worth of legal dispute with CPR culminating in an extensive and likely very expensive Environmental Hearing?


There is absolutely no doubt as to the economic benefit of ranching. That does not need justification. The Farmers Market of the past year proves many people crave a healthy local food supply. Many people would like nothing better than to know where their meat is grown, how it is grown and what it is fed. That information is impossible to know unless you buy directly from a local farmer.  The hamburger sitting on local supermarket shelves could be a mix of several animals from several different ranches and feed lots. The public is at the mercy of an industrial food supply which supplies food at the lowest cost it can.

Isn’t it only right therefore, that at minimum the public can be reassured and be able to trust that regulations and guidelines are adhered to at the City Farm? Isn’t it only right that taxpayers know the full extent of what still needs to be accomplished and at what cost before our waste disposal system is promulgated as ‘state of the art’?

Post notes from the Council Meeting of January 10th 2011

Delegations

Caitlin Eatherington from the Community Social Planning Society gave a very interesting and informative presentation on The Living Wage Initiative. Caitlin gave a synopsis of the information available at:

http://livingwageforfamilies.ca/

The Living Wage is not the same as minimum wage. Its calculation is dependent on living costs for different locations. For example a living wage for a single parent living in Vancouver is calculated to be $18.17 but in Cranbrook it was calculated at $14.16. Part of the calculated wage may be an in kind payment such as travel costs or rent subsidy should the employer be able to provide accommodation. The initiative will encourage employers to become Living Wage Employers and help on how to do this is on the website.

New Westminster passed a resolution to establish a Living Wage Policy in April of 2010. Their information can be found at:

http://www.newwestcity.ca/2010/05/13/living_wage_policy.php


Administrative Update


No further information was added to the report which is available on the City’s website


Correspondence

Councillor Whetham volunteered to represent council on the Key City Theatre Society Volunteer Fundraising Committee.


Committee Recommendations

Council agreed to review the standard of pedestrian crossings. Some crossings including the Gordon Terrace School zebra crossing will be repainted.

New Business

Council accepted the report recommendation from Mr Pearce regarding an Off Leash Dog Park. A portion of dog licensing fees will be put towards the park as well as education on dog handling etiquette. The recommendation at this time is for the future off-leash park to be located where the original Moir Park existed. It has for many years been a source of gravel and the area will have to be reclaimed.

Although the support for project is applauded, it is unfortunate a more central location for seniors and apartment dwellers could not be located. This is not within walkable distance for many of the people and dogs who would benefit and use this kind of facility.

Council also accepted the report recommendation concerning a new recreational building proposal from Mr Hockley. It appears the proposed building would include courts for racquet sports and may include an indoor climbing wall. The location was specified as 1824 Industrial Road and would be known as Oasis Centre.

Other business included accepting several recommendations regarding deadline extensions for federal infrastructure grants.

Bylaws

Wood First Bylaw 3716 was adopted.  Wood will be the material of choice for city buildings.

An amendment to Cranbrook Public Library Establishment Bylaw 3717 was made to enable two more Library Board Directors to be appointed, one from Area C and one from the city.


Further information on A Living Wage may be obtained at these sites: