Precautionary Boil Water Advisory

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Genome

Dr. Robin Coope will be exploring genomics at a free presentation on March 11 at College of the Rockies.

From the College of the Rockies media release:

Genome British Columbia is taking our community engagement program, “Bringing Genomics Home” on the road to Cranbrook for the fourth year in a row. “Engineering genomics” is a lively and engaging presentation about the interplay of technology and life sciences by Dr. Robin Coope with a special video introduction by Dr. Jennifer Gardy, a national figure in science communication. Community members are welcome to join him at College of the Rockies for a conversation about genomics and how we can use DNA sequencing to solve all sorts of mysteries – including how a disease outbreak happens.

Dr. Robin Coope is Instrumentation Group Leader at the BC Cancer Agency’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre and Co-Director of the Genome BC Technology Development Platform. Dr. Coope, with a diverse career in science TV, art installations, Lego robots and research innovation is well known in the life sciences community for his enthusiasm and diverse portfolio of projects, from laboratory automation to medical devices.

“We are delighted that Dr. Coope is able to bring his insight and knowledge to the people of Cranbrook”, says Dr. Alan Winter, President & CEO of Genome BC. “This young researcher is at the forefront of his field and he will bring a special combination of energy and passion to their presentation.”

This free public talk begins at 5:30pm on Tuesday, March 11^th at College of the Rockies’ Cranbrook Main Campus Lecture Theatre, Room 250. For more information and to register for this free event please visit:www.genomebc.ca/cranbrook.

Michael's Musings

Silence of the Harper government backbench on Veterans issues is deafening

By Michael J Morris

The Royal Canadian Legion is trying to ensure that Canada's veterans receive the treatment they deserve from this federal government

They were put in harm's way in their service to the country.

For example, according to the award winning Canadian journalist Michael Harris, the Harper government spent $128 million promoting the War of 1812, but for living soldiers this same government cut $35 million from Veterans Affairs and closed much needed veteran sites.

Gordon Moore, the Dominion president of the legion, said before appearing before a Parliamentary Committee that the "legion is concerned that the government has forgotten the moral obligation to look after veterans and their families who have been injured as a result of their service to Canada.

“The government put them in harm’s way, now the government has an obligation to look after them.”

A Canadian Press story highlights the fact that the Harper government has endured a barrage of criticism in recent months on its perceived treatment of veterans, and not only as a result of dissatisfaction with the charter.

It adds that a plan to shutter eight regional Veterans Affairs offices triggered widespread outrage, as did a heated – and televised – confrontation in January between Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino and a group of angry veterans.

And, this week,  Defence Minister Rob Nicholson issued a blunt apology in the House this week upon hearing that a Hamilton mother whose son killed himself after a seven-month stint in Afghanistan was issued a one-cent “release pay” cheque by the federal Public Works department, the Canadian Press reported.

Personally, among all the issues with which I disagree with the Harper government, its shabby treatment of our veterans ranks high on my list, Why, some of you may ask.

Well, for starters, my father Jim Morris was killed in the service of Canada while on active service in the RCAF during World War II. His father, my grandfather Harry Morris, served in World War I, and his brother was killed in action during that war,

Also, two of my grandmother Morris' brothers served in World War I.

And I come from a small community in Northern Ontario, Chapleau, where the veterans of World War ! and II respectively, worked tirelessly upon returning home to make it a better community for all of us -- "They served to death, why not we?'" and they did.

In Cranbrook, as many of you know I often visit the Wall of Honour in Rotary Park where the names of those men and women from Cranbrook and area are listed -- reminds me of home where ordinary folks accomplished extraordinary things.

I have lived in five provinces and it's been the same everywhere.

In a scathing article about the dismal failure of the Harperites to properly treat our veteran, silence in iPolitics, entitled "Baffling Silence of the Backbench", Mr. Harris writes,

"Who can explain the silence of the Cons?

"I don’t mean the cabinet snake-oil parodies on the nightly news — the ones who would sell their mothers, not to mention Canada’s veterans, down the river for a chauffeur and a fat paycheque.

"I am talking about the ones who let Julian Fantino and Stephen Harper turn their names to mud back home with the people who sent them to Ottawa.

"Does anyone seriously believe that Conservative MPs are getting fan-mail over the atrocious disrespect the Harper government has shown to soldiers, ex-soldiers and their families? After all, the PM once said these soldiers were the best of Canadians. Is it likely these silent MPs will be greeted with brass bands when they return to their ridings?"

Here is link to complete article by Michael Harris:  http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/02/06/the-baffling-silence-of-the-backbench/

Like Mr. Harris, I simply don't get it. Surely the Conservative MPS  Canadians  sent to Ottawa have more backbone than they show. If not, best we dump the lot of them in 2015 .. or sooner if that is possible!

MPs are starting a two week break now, so how about asking your member to take a stand. End the baffling silence of the Harper government backbench.
My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Full disclosure: I am not now and never have been a member of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society; however, I did conduct a workshop for its members for which I was paid.

Floodwatch

Stewart Wilson photo

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Stewart Wilson photo

What's Happening.......

Thursday March 6th

Opening Reception for Cranbrook and District Arts Council
'Slapshot' Exhibit
Photography by Chris Pullen
Acrylics by Richard Hessler
Paintings by Paula Cravens
Display from Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History
Meet Kootenay Ice Players, Colouring Competition, 'Decorate the Net' interactive activity
Exhibit runs to month end
Reception tonight 7-9:00pm

Opening Night for Sunrise Rotary Rockies Film Festival
Key City Theatre
Reception 6:15pm
"Crash at 7:00pm
"Gabrielle" at 9:00pm

Friday March 7th and Saturday March 8th
Rockies Film Festival continues at the Columbia Theatre
Details http://rockiesfilmfest.com/


Saturday March 8th

Advanced Zentangle
Cranbrook and District Arts Council
135 Tenth Av. S.
to register phone 250-426-4223
$35 per person, all supplies included

Steph MacPherson and Joshua Hyslop
Key City Theatre
7:30Tickets $25

Art in Sport - Family Friendly Reception tonight March 6th

Creating a bridge between Cranbrook’s Art scene and Sport scene, The Cranbrook and District Arts Council is holding an Art Exhibition for the month of March titled “Slapshot – Sport in Art”.

                             

Paula Cravens 'Marjorie's Team'

Local artists submitted their “Sport Themed” work to the Gallery to be on display from Tuesday March 4^th to Friday March 28th.  Although the main focus of the exhibit was on Hockey, artists were encouraged to submit pieces of any medium with a Sport theme to it.

The Cranbrook and District Arts Council also worked with Executive Director Derryll White from the Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History to create a “Kootenay Area – Hockey History Exhibit” to run alongside the artwork for the month of March.

Part of the display from The Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History

Included in the Exhibit are interesting historical photos like: “The Fernie Swastikas all Women’s Team” formed in 1922, Cranbrook’s “Rosebud women’s Hockey Team”, “The Kimberley Dynamiters” playing in Davos, Switzerland in 1937 and more.  

CDAC also welcomes the public to stop by the Gallery and contribute to an ongoing interactive installation for the month of March. They can come into the Gallery and add their favorite Hockey Jersey(s) to “The Hockey Pride Wall” and, if they choose, put up a ‘Post-it’ with a comment about how Hockey or Sports have impacted their lives. All Jerseys can be dropped off at the Gallery Tuesdays – Fridays from 11am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. The jersey(s) must come with the name of person who is submitting and contact information to ensure the safe return of jersey(s) (contact information will not be shared).

The Opening Night Reception for “Slapshot - Sport in Art” will be held on Thursday March 6^th from 7pm – 9pm and is a Fun, Family-friendly event where the public can attend a "Meet and Greet" with Kootenay Ice Players and the Artists of the exhibition. 

There will be a Coloring Competition for kids, Face Painting, a “Jersey” Decorating Station, Drinks and 'Game Night' Snacks!  

 “We wanted to bring together two seemingly different worlds and create a form of sport/art blending… and seeing as how The Kootenay Ice are such an important part of Cranbrook’s ‘Hockey Identity’ we wanted to bring their presence into this event too.” – Marisa Phillips

Upcoming March Workshops with CDAC:

On Saturday March 8^th there will be a second of Cindy Hagen’s well-attended Zentangle workshops. The Advanced Zentangle workshop will require the participants to have some experience with Zentangle (like Cindy’s Feb 1^st workshop). This workshop has been fully registered in the past so we encourage anyone interested to phone the gallery as soon as possible. All supplies are included in the $25 registration fee and the workshop will run from 10 a.m. to noon.

On Saturday March 15^th CDAC will be holding a “Beginners Belly Dance” workshop with Kossene Foster of ‘Anadil’ and ‘Shimmy Sistas’ belly dance groups. In this fun-filled and energetic workshop, Kossene will take you through the basics of Belly Dance. 
The beginning of the class will start off with a few gentle stretches to loosen you up, then follow with a fun and energetic series of Belly Dance movements and then a cool down to finish off the workshop. Bring water, a coin belt (if you have one and if you don't that's okay a few flowing scarves will work too), a yoga mat and your enthusiasm! No Previous experience required. 
Workshop will run from 10 a.m. to noon and is $25/ Person. There will be a limit of 8 spaces so sign up as soon as you can!

To register for a Workshop or for more information Contact:

Marisa Phillips, Administrator at The Cranbrook and District Arts Council: email cdac@shaw.ca; phone 250-426-4223; or check out the CDAC’s website at www.cranbrookanddistrictartscouncil.com

Spring may not be here but it is there....in Victoria

  A taste....

Catkins

Chaenomoles japonica

Azkhabi Garden

Hellebore

Hellebore

Hellebores and Snowdrops

Azkhabi garden

Crocus and Cyclamen

                           

Forsythia

Council Notes Monday March 3rd 2014.

We apologise to those who like to read our Council notes.  No one was available this week to take them.
You might like to watch the video at:
http://cranbrook.ca/our-city/mayor-and-council/city-council-meeting

Get Set for Seedy Saturday

Get Seedy, Kimberley!

Coming up Saturday March 8 at the Kimberley Public Library – Kimberley’s first annual Seedy Saturday! This is a great chance to connect with fellow gardeners and start planning for an inspiring spring. As the daylight increases each day, we’re getting closer to getting our hands in the dirt and planting our wish lists into reality.

If you have excess and/or saved seed, bring it anytime between 10-2 to swap. Even if you don’t have any seeds to offer, come and stock up. There will be an informal seed saving workshop from 1-2pm. The goal of this day is to start a community-widetradition of seed saving & sharing. It’s a great opportunity for people to learn more about the how’s and why’s of saving seed, accessing locally grown varieties, as well as sharing personal experience and knowledge.

From 2-3pm there will be an information session about the Seed Lending Library – Kimberley’s newest garden resource. Starting March 8, a library of locally saved seeds will be available for loan by anyone in the community. Located in and open whenever the Kimberley Public Library is open, people can ‘borrow’ seeds for free. When you plant the seeds, let some go to seed, then return some of these next generation seeds for others to borrow. Once open, new varieties will be welcomed at any time.

This fun event is open to everyone, young and old, experienced and novice. Information on other community garden and foodresources will also be available.

Kimberley gardeners are getting together – in partnership with the Kimberley Public Library - take a break from the snow and get seedy!

Saturday, March 8

Kimberley Public Library

10am-2pm: Seed Swap

1-2pm: Seed Saving Workshop

2-3pm: Info Session - Seed Lending Library

More information: shannon@wildsight.ca or (250)427-7981

Blast from the Past

September 12 1946 Cranbrook Courier