News Leader News for March 11, 2008
LITERACY GROUP CELEBRATES WITH MEETING
The Princeton Leaders for Literacy hosted a Celebration Party and planning session March 4th at Princeton Skills Centre.
Nadine McEwen, one of the Literacy Now Task Force members, said it best when she announced, "We're here to celebrate what we are doing with literacy and we're here to thank Rotary who is helping us as stewards of the program."
Following introductions of the Task Force members Leona Gadsby, 2010 Legacies Now Community Adult Literacy Director, described the program as providing an assessment of existing literacy levels and would also address literacy needs of the community.
A short video summed up literacy as once being all about the three R's (reading, writing and arithmetic) and now includes the three C's (cell phones, computers and cameras).
The Literacy Now program is designed to help BC communities with their literacy. As literacy and learning are linked together, the more we learn, the stronger our community becomes.
The timing of the program is closely connected to the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. As the Olympic Games are meant to leave behind a legacy, and using the Games as a catalyst, the Literacy Now program should continue to have an effect on communities after the Games as a legacy for British Columbians.
The unique part of the program is that each community will have a different literacy plan developed within the community with input for community leaders and residents.
Princeton is at Stage 2 of the process, the point where the Community Plan is prepared.
A total of $30,000 per year for three years has been allotted to Princeton and will be released to the local Task Force once their Literacy Plan has been prepared, submitted and accepted. Wendy Hyer, Assistant Superintendent for School District 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) explained the important of having the community involved in the development of the plan.
"If we can work together and move forward we have strengthened the relationship between our community and schools."
Hyer says that a school district-developed Literacy Plan would not properly reflect the needs of the community and that is why a variety of community members were invited to the meeting and asked to participate by offering input into the plan.
The following hour was spent split up into smaller groups and listing Princeton's literacy needs for age groups 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, 18-30, 30-55 and 55+.
The data collected will be reviewed and used in assisting the Task Force in developing their Literacy Plan.
HOW SHOULD OUR VALLEY GROW?
Town Council will help with funding a new study about people who move to the Similkameen Valley. During the past year, Similkameen Valley Planning Society (SVPS) funded a study to find out why people move to the valley.
On March 3, SVPS Economic Development Officer Michael McLaughlin asked Council to assist in funding a study to find out what local residents see as the best way to develop the valley in the the next 10 to 20 years.
Most of the $42,000 cost of the study will come from sources outside the Similkameen Valley, but up to $6,000 must come from local sources. McLaughlin asked Council for $2,500. Council agreed to spend up to that amount, proportionate to what other jurisdictions are paying.
The goal is to use information to plan for the future, to ensure planning stays ahead of development, and ensuring development stays within the capacity of local natural resources (such as water).
The information will advise planners as to what local residents see as best land uses, and will preserve agriculture, ranching, residential, employment lands and protected areas.
Economic development and social planning, including planning of health and education needs, will use the information as a foundation for planning.
Mayor Randy McLean said the first study had surprised him with the information that 60 percent of present business residents surveyed had moved to the valley after visiting as tourists. He believes the new survey will help Council attract businesses to the industrial park.
THE MUMMY 3 SHOOTS AT SIMILCO
"The Mummy III" starring Brendan Fraser and Jet Li shot Visual Effects shots at the Similco Mine on February 26. The effects shot required the set up of three large explosions within the mine, filmed by two cameras on the ground, and one Wescam Aerial Camera.
Due to the extensive set up needed for these Visual Effects shots, crew with the production were housed in Princeton for three days prior to February 26, and for two days afterwards for set up and take down of the elaborate set ups. Key members of the crew were flown in daily for the shoot.
The various shots will be seen in the film, but may be difficult to pick out, as the shots will be digitally enhanced to appear as though they are in China and Tibet where most of the production's principle photography was filmed.
"It is a unique experience to have the valley involved in one of these visual effects shoots that hasn't otherwise occurred in the past at this scale," says Film Commissioner Jon Summerland.
"This shoot is an example of our versatility as a film destination. There is incredible diversity across the entire Okanagan Boundary Similkameen region, and this production is testament to that available range in what we as a film sector have to offer."
Local Location Manager Robin Mounsey was with the production, and was incredibly appreciative of the locals both at Similco Mine and in the town of Princeton. The assistance of those at Similco Mine was extremely helpful during the prep, shoot, and wrap days and represented the area with courtesy and professionalism that the region is known for.
The Okanagan Film Commission wishes to thank all those that assisted with this production and their continued support of the film industry with the Okanagan Boundary Similkameen Region.
MAYOR SAYS WE NEED DAM
Mayor Randy McLean attended a conference sponsored by Fortis BC, where Fortis was predicting future electricity needs and exploring possible ways to generate power. Mayor McLean told Council on March 3 that he had looked at all of the ways of meeting future electricity needs, and saw a reservoir on the Similkameen River as the best solution for our area.
Mayor McLean said he had spoken out about the potential for meeting power needs through a dam, and Fortis BC is "looking at" this project.
"The day is coming when we must have a major hydroelectric project in this province," Mayor McLean stated.
In his opinion, a reservoir on the Similkameen River is going to be essential as more and more trees are killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle, and snow melt will be faster. Water conservation will be necessary to maintain river levels for agriculture and maintain ground water for municipal use.
TULAMEEN RAISES $25,000 IN A DAY
On February 16th, Tulameen, with a population of roughly 250, saw its streets transformed into an 18-hole "SNOW GOLF" course where 144 golfers enjoyed a mulligan or two! The event, hosted by The Sweater Kittens, was designed to be a fun community event that would benefit breast cancer research.
The BOOBIE BALL followed the 3rd annual Snow Golf event the same evening, where the adult golfers could dance the night away under the
'brassiere' streamers and bid on silent auction items. Both events surpassed the organizer's expectations and saw Sweater Kitten supporters generously open their wallets and raise $24,860 in just one day!
Tulameen's residents have proven for the third year in a row that they have huge hearts and generous spirits, but the big winner is cancer research.
The proceeds from these events will benefit the BC Cancer Foundation through The Weekend to End Breast Cancer.
On September 5-7, The Sweater Kittens, a group of 17 dedicated women including; Mardi Hassell, Emma Baggott, Jayne Baggott, Adrienne Bauder, Margo Boyer, Sandra Gunn, Stephanie Hassell, Barbara Jones, Kelsey Keglovic, Colleen Laferriere, Vickie Marr, Carrie Massullo, Tamara McInnis, Kasia Mikulski, Sarah Perrie, Szilvia Devereaux, and Leah Ward, will be walking 60 kilometers through the streets of Vancouver to support breast cancer research in BC.
The Sweater Kittens wish to thank all who have donated their time and/or goods and services to make this event such a huge success and thank you for supporting us on our 60 kilometre journey. But most of all, we want to thank Tulameen. We are so proud to be a part of your community!
You can find The Sweater Kittens at endcancer.ca under participants or sweaterkittens.ca.
