Holiday Train 2011 with Valdy and Tracey Brown

She rolled into Cranbrook a little late but a warm crowd welcomed the Holiday Train and it was worth the wait for Valdy, Tracey Brown and the band soon had the crowd singing and swaying to the music.

As well as the  food donations from the public, a cheque for $4000.00 was presented to the Food Bank from CP Rail.

Forest Elves at Work

Hikers delight in their find

A delightful new Christmas tradition has been happening around Cranbrook in the last few years - that of decorating living trees in their natural environment. The surprise of rounding a corner on a well-loved trail and finding one of these lovingly decorated trees is a real treat. The unknown decorator (or decorators) is a mystery, the pleasure of finding one, simple but this thoughtful gesture highlights the true gift of the incredible environment we have around around us.

These beautiful trees glistening with a few strings of tinsel, set against all that the natural world gives us, really are all that is necessary to symbolise a season of appreciation.
 
We hope our readers find one of these trees soon but you will need to be quick because after Christmas the decorations magically disappear as suddenly as they appeared.

 

 

 

 

Thank You Elves

Councillor Goals/Priorities for the Upcoming Term

Many Thanks to Jason Beauchane of Audiotomic for recording the Inaugural meeting of this Council on December 5th 2011.  The complete meeting can now be viewed by clicking on the tab at the top of this page.  Mayor Stetski as part of his platform, stated that accountability to residents of Cranbrook was a high priority for him.  Following through, Mayor Stetski asked each Councillor at this inaugural meeting to talk about two or three of their goals for this upcoming term. Councillors and Mayor Stetski gave their inaugural speeches at the end of the meeting.

Two Places to Shop Locally, Trees and Gifts

Congratulations to Laurie Goodlad on the opening of her lovely new store at 17, Tenth Avenue South.  Named 'Muriel and Jane's,' after her two grandmothers, the shop sells unique furniture and home decor items as well as gourmet food items.  The recessed doorway of the shop and attractive window displays are a fabulous addition to this heart of the downtown.

Laurie unpacking a new shipment

Muriel and Jane's Interior

If you have not purchased you tree yet, the Tottens have a great selection of local trees on Little Van Horne St. South

Heather Totten will assist you in choosing your tree.

CP Holiday Train, Cranbrook Stop, Sunday Dec. 11, 2011 9:15pm

CP Holiday Train in Cranbrook

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train hit the rails again in November and will visit over 140 communities across the CP network.


Scheduled time of arrival for Cranbrook is 9:15pm at 1400 block of Theatre Road – opposite Kal Tire.  To confirm this time go to this link on the actual day.

http://www.cpr.ca/en/our-network-and-facilities/Pages/SpecialTrain.aspx?SpecialTrainType=Holiday+Train.



The train in Fernie

The entertainers this year are billed as Valdy and Tracey Brown.

The goal of the Holiday Train is to collect food and money for local food banks and to raise awareness in the fight against hunger. At each event, the Holiday Train provides a box car stage, a line up of great musical talents and a corporate contribution to the local food bank. The community, in turn, is encouraged to donate food and funds, all of which stays in the community.

Since the program's inception back in 1999, more than $5.6 million and over 2.45 million pounds of food has been collected in Canada and the United States.

If you have never been to see the Holiday Train, it is well worth the trip on a cold winter evening - wrap up warmly and be prepared to enjoy some great entertainment as well as the very pretty lit up train and stage. Don't forget your donations for the Food Bank.

City Committees

Advisory Planning Committee
Cranbrook in Motion Committee
Cranbrook Public Library Board
Economic Development Committee
Environment and Utilities Committee
Family and Community Services Committee
Wellness and Heritage Committee
Urban Deer Advisory Management Committee
Railway Museum Development Committee
Committee of the Whole
Cranbrook Archives, Museum and Landmark Committee
Cranbrook and District Community Foundation
Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce
Key City Theatre Society
Treaty Advisory Committee
Regional District of East Kootenay Board
Kootenay East Regional Hospital Board
East Kootenay Hospital District Board
Integrated Community Sustainability Plan Committee
Athletic Commission

As you can see from the list, Cranbrook has a great number of committees but how do they work and what do they do for us?
Committees are generally comprised of several volunteer citizens and several City Councillors. Councillors are appointed to committees by the Mayor. Mayor Stetski recently made Councillor committee appointments at the Dec. 5th Council Meeting.  Go here for a list of the appointments. https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=1839

In Cranbrook, committees are most frequently used by Council when a request comes from the public and it is referred to one of the committees for its recommendation. For example, the desire for a new handicapped parking spot will be referred to Cranbrook in Motion Committee who will make a recommendation to Council about its feasibility.  Council can then make a decision based on the recommendation although they do not have to follow it.  Committees can also provide ideas or suggestions to the City regarding policies such as the Urban Deer Advisory Committee which advised the City on solutions to the Urban Deer issue.

If you have a particular interest in one of the commitees or an expertise that would be useful to a  committee then why not think about volunteering.  Committee positions are posted frequently and applications are available at the City of Cranbrook website or at City Hall. Committees help shape the future of our city.

Cranbrook's Elementary School Christmas Mass Choir Concert

Last evening the Elementary Mass Choir performed once again at the College of the Rockies.  This beautiful start to the Christmas season has been happening for over thirty years since the late Roy Barnett introduced the tradition.  As always Elsie Barnett, Roy's wife was at the door collecting donations for the Salvation Army and several retired teachers come out to help with the organisation.  Cranbrook's music teachers take turns in conducting the children from all Elementary Schools in Cranbrook. 

This extremely popular event always overflows with children, their parents , friends and grandparents.  It is a major feat of organisation for all the choirs learn their parts individually and only come together for a single rehearsal.

Thank you to all those who continue to coordinate and volunteer for this Cranbrook tradition.

What's Happening...

Friday, December 9

Christmas Open House
Cranbrook Public Library
10:00am - 6:00pm
carols, readings, refreshments

Little Munsch on the Prairie
Fort Steele Heritage Town - Wildhorse Theatre
Today, Tomorrow, and Sunday
Between 1 - 7pm
Tickets are Adults $15
Srs. and Youth $12
Children 3-12 years $10

Saturday, December 10

Social Dance at the Seniors Centre
Live music provided by Country Roundup and guest artists
7pm-11pm
Please call Flo for more information 250-489-2720

Sunday, December 11

Jazz Vespers
The Jazz Council will be performing jazz interpretations of
Advent Hymns
7pm Christ Anglican Church
Admission by donation

Sleigh rides and Christmas Crafts at Fort Steele
From 10am - 4pm
If there is not enough snow sleigh rides will be
substituted.
Also enjoy skating and cross country skiing

CP Holiday Train
8:15pm Opposite Kal Tire
Valdy and Tracey Brown
Donations please for the Food Bank

Monday, December 12

Friends of the Cranbrook Public Library
Present a travelogue on The Everest Trail
Gerry Warner will show slides and talk about his
Katmandu and Everest Trip
Admission by donation

Wednesday, December 14

Mount Baker High School presents
its Winter Concert
Key City Theatre

Books for Christmas Hampers
Please donate new and gently used books
for children and teens for inclusion in the
Salvation Army hampers.
Drop off books at the Cranbrook Public Library, Key City Theatre,
Christ Church Anglican.
Please contact Katherine Hough, Cranbrook Literacy Coordinator
for more information 250-417-2896

Slaterville Neighbouhood Plan
Open House
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Manual Training Building, Cranbrook Library

Naheed Nenshi Speaking about the Challenges of Growth

We are not as big but we can still learn from Calgary:

An Exciting Beginning to a New Three Years of Local Government

The Alexandra Hall, Canadian Museum of Rail Travel December 5, 2011

It was exciting (and amusing) that Mayor Stetski had to interrupt the applause to tell Gerry Warner ‘not to be so popular’ while he (Gerry Warner)gave his inaugural speech about goals he wishes to accomplish while on council! Last night’s first meeting for the newly elected Mayor Stetski and Councillors was both a serious and uplifting occasion. The extra work that must have been involved in setting up the splendid Alexandra Hall at the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel was well worth the effort for the two hundred seats set out for the occasion were all but filled. Mayor Stetski’s idea to invite the public to this location for this first meeting for this new council was definitely a hit and there were many comments afterwards about how this should happen more often.

The final part of any council meeting consists of Councillors giving their individual reports and Mayor Stetski had asked Councillors to speak about two or three of their goals for the upcoming term during this special first meeting.

Councillor Cross spoke of her main focus being a region wide marketing strategy in the spirit of both the Economic Development Strategy and the Cranbrook Connected Document, secondly forging a stronger link with our social service agencies and thirdly a review of City Committees and their terms of reference.

Councillor Davis said he would stray from that request and thanked the people who supported him and elected him.

Councillor Pallesen listed the comments and questions that the public had brought to her during the lead up to the election.

Councillor Scott spoke of attaining Monday openings for the library, continuing relationship building with the Ktunaxa and thirdly economic development.

Councillor Warner drew loud applause when he stated that the Spray Irrigation Program was a priority for him and that he would really like to solve the issue of leaking lagoons as well as prevent the disposal of effluent into the Kootenay River. His second priority is to accomplish the building of an overpass to the west side of our city. Councillor Warner also wishes to see the engagement of the community continue to increase so that the percentage of voters increases substantially at the next election.

Councillor Whetham listed his priorities as procedural, including a review of the Alternative Approval Process, better use of committees allowing for citizen input and getting Trans Canada Trail status for the North Star Trail as a continuing goal for a project that he and Al Skucas conceived several years ago.

Mayor Stetski’s speech can be listened to by clicking on this link. The file may take a few minutes to download.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/39034343/Mayor%20Stetski%20Inaugural%20Speech%20Dec%202011.mp3

or a written copy can be read at:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/39034343/Mayor%20Stetski%20Inaugural%20Speech%201.doc