Sailing down Kootenay Lake, on a Sunday afternoon...

This past weekend's weather was simply spectacular, and illustrative of why we live in the North Kootenay Lakes area of BC. The weather was at its finest, and the SS Moyie/Visitor's Centre folks held a Family Day.

It was a thank you to the people of our village, the visitors, and the very special times generated aboard the Moyie once again through this winding down summer season. As it slowly ends, the Moyie statistics year-to-date, seem to defy some of the national travel trends, and confirm others.

Specifically on Sunday, 56 guests paid their admissions prior to 1pm. 112 were admitted free after 1, and as was said to me by the 'purser' of the day in an email (sorry, Pam, couldn't resist), “even though the garlic festival in New Denver had thousands in attendance, we had a very successful day”.

Pamela Griffin, senior staffer (purser during the event Sunday) says visits are about the same as last year, but the home locations of visitors have shifted. There are fewer Americans, “probably due to the passport thing”, Pam speculated to me, “but we're seeing more people from our own back yard...Creston, Nakusp, Rossland”. Curious too, are European visitor figures for June through now. June was a boom month, July and August dropped right away – maybe it was the value of the EURO, she theorizes – but now, European visits are “back up there. Revenue is generally in line with last year”, positive considering the economics of the last number of months. Final note: half of the people who seek information at the Visitor's Centre tour the Moyie. The majority of them stay at least one night in Kalso.

There are hundreds of comments in the visitor book, but none sums it up better than “a great restoration and a real ASSET to the town and Canada's history”.

In my simple view of things, we locals take this grand Kaslo icon far too much for granted. I've scribbled about the clean and green tourist industry before. I believe I've made my point and will continue to do so. In the meantime, more family fun is on the schedule this weekend.

Another Fall fair up the lake...

...happens this weekend in Argenta, known rather as the Autumnal Solstice Event (hmm, Fall fair is easier, I think).

Anyway, the bulk honey people will be there, as well as many other vendors and more are welcome, just show up; you'll find food and music, and rain or shine it runs from 'noon until night'. Been there and done that, it's a great family time. (See ad in Pennywise regarding fiction book culling from the Argenta library, also at the Argenta 'sort-of-a fall fair...nice, Gary, well said, smiled the old scribe.) Take Hwy. 31, then cross the bridge at Cooper Creek, and follow the signs to Argenta. Watch for the community hall/post office and a pile of cars. Speaking of autumnal things... Summer, Fall, then ice time!

Boy, you know the seasons are changing when the hard working minor hockey people pull out their ice schedule for another season. The Dads are beginning to size up the season potential in the coffee shops. Kaslo Minor Hockey is already starting to line up referees for the new season, and a ref's clinic is set for Oct. 18th.You have to register at BCHOCKEY.NET or talk to Ian at (250) 353-7720.

Of course, there are many other things for which minor hockey in Kaslo/Area 'D' needs volunteers. I haven't yet connected with DeeDee about various things they need done, but you can give her a ring at (250) 353-2947.

(Alarm clock rings...tired parent rolls out of the sack, drives to rink..)

Sidewalk Funny of the Week

I suppose it's one of those “you had to be there to appreciate the humor”, but this is worth sharing. I took Monday morning completely off because the weather was so fine, and went for a ride up the lake to Argenta with a certain personage who drives the Nelson-Kaslo-Cooper & Meadow Creeks-Howser-Argenta route on a regular basis. (He will be the local morning road reporter again this winter at the Treehouse Restaurant.)

As we entered Argenta, I remarked on the uniqueness of the “Turtle Crossing” sign, to which my compatriot remarked “Now if I was a turtle, I'd be on a log in THAT part of the swamp”, as he observed there were no turtles beside this particular stretch of the road. And I thought to myself, turtles probably don't drive anyway. It just struck me funny, because I can hardly imagine a TURTLE driving a delivery van into Argenta. But then, stranger things have happened in Argenta. It was a gorgeous trip, so take in the fair this weekend.

Interesting comment about the location of the turtles though, and I shall make a call or two to see if they've relocated to another area near the road. I know a certain lady who is plugged into the turtle scene.

Culinary Delight

I had a 'foodie' conversation with Andy LeCouffe at the Kaslo Hotel Sunday. He tells me their gala gourmet reception/dinner on the 19th, sold out in short order (pardon the play on the words 'short order', get it?). Now, a second one is planned for October 24th, Teresa's Sandwiches downtown, 400 Front St., all outrageously good with home made bread, soups, sweets, ice cream, open early Mon-Sat. 'lit 5:30pm (catering is also available) (250) 353-2115 but is limited to eighteen couples, for whom the event is geared. Here's a small sample from the 10-course menu: prawn bisque, Thai crab salad wrapped in phillo pastry, broccoli wrapped in sole, with much much more to enjoy, all created by Chef Thomas.

Perhaps TSS might consider a guest 'foodie' column sometime...just as long as it includes hamburgers appropriately dressed with blue cheese dressing (thank you Pauline) or apple/cheddar muffins (thank you Teresa).

Oh dear, it's the Dog Catcher

I often run into the dog catcher, although I don't have one (a dog nor a catcher) myself. Joyce is of course, contracted by the village of Kaslo to do the dastardly deed of impounding errant dogs, of which I have observed, there ARE some in the village. (Oh?) She reminded me she is also an agent of the SPCA and whilst upon her rounds (translation: having coffee) the other day, offered a few thoughts.

First, if you have a dog issue, phone the village office at (250) 353-2311; or next, phone Joyce directly at 353-9654.

Couple of tips: a phone number on the back of the dog license/tag is most helpful, or on the inside of the animal's collar. “A collar”, says the catcher, “means the dog is owned, and not a transient”.

Dogs are nothing to chuckle about if they're a problem...but the thought of a 'transient dog' makes me L-O-L! I forgot to inquire about whether or not the dog van comes equipped with one of those old fashioned catcher net things. Now THAT would be a picture! I am still laughing out loud.

Thanks for the tips, catcherperson.

Irritations and Priviledge

Some months ago, the village circulated a simple computer-generated document to merchants, which referred to the two-hour parking limit in the downtown core. It also made reference to employees of downtown merchants as well as the merchants themselves, taking up valuable core parking spaces. Last weekend was the final Saturday Market. I observed then, it annoyed me then and annoys me now, a pickup belonging to one of the vendors, parked smack in front of the market, not for one or two hours, but many, as in the entire duration of the market.

So, the old fella with the hat mused, parking is at a premium downtown, is it? Folks come to town to shop, both at the market and at various local retail outlets. Most downtown merchants park well off Front Street. Hotel staff are parked on Water Street, as are some of the Coldwell Banker people, staff at Figment's, Dave and Teresa, and the good people at Kootenay Lake Computers, mentioning just a few public spirited business people on the north side of the street.

Heck, the mayor doesn't even park in front of Village Hall but rather, on the side street. What's THIS all about? Someone should know better.

Little thought from the man in the hat

I seem to have had a lot of feedback this past week on the content of The Sidewalk Superintendent, and how this little thing is evolving. I annoyed one or two with my comments about Jazz Fest which is fine, that's part of my mission, to make people think, not agree with me. On the other hand, I ran into several people (some of whom love my aging hat) who are plainly delighted with LOCAL coverage of things, even if it's subjective. I also had an email from an old radio man, who suggested I'd better lighten up a little, and not be so political.

Ah well, you can please all of the people some of the time, and some of the people...etc.

Dunno, what do YOU think? The email address is on the masthead. I'm open for comments.

One final Moyie memory

This last picture from the Moyie Sunday event, conjures up memories of another time on another ship, the SS Minto, sister ship to the Moyie, which plied the Arrow Lakes into the late 1950's from Nakusp to my boyhood hometown of Arrowhead.

Different times most certainly, there was card playing, smoking (see above) and sometimes little guys would get to see what Kootenay Lake looked like from the wheelhouse. Nonetheless for me, they are quite lovely memories of both the Moyie and the Minto, from a time when I was (ahem...) much younger.

An enjoyable afternoon upon the Moyie, and I thank you, Pamela, for the photo op. And by the way, the people I ran into aboard, just loved their visit. The last couple I spoke with came from Boston. They were in town for three nights. I rest my case.

Marketing to a captive audience – how to!

Some of the coffee shop folk I run into on a fairly regular basis will know that I too, am in the middle of a (committed) attempt to dump the dreaded weed (no, people, the legal variety) to which I have paid far too much attention for the last forty-plus years. Those who know the drill can appreciate and laugh like the dickens to this one.

The other day after making my way to the Kaslo Primary Health facility for some follow up discussions about smoking, blood pressure, heart issues, I was invited to stretch out upon the 'chaise lounge' adjoining the nurse's quarters, which I did, nearly in repose.

Tamara engaged an audio tape of very pleasant and soothing music, designed to return my raging blood pressure to a normal level. She departed. TSS gazed upon the ceiling, concentrating on relaxing, enjoying one of those infrequent fully quiet moments. Suddenly, my journalistic eyes rested upon a small post-it-note, stuck to the ceiling, extolling the virtues of 'cigarette cessation'.

Captive audience, I said to myself, and I add now, “slick marketing idea” during a restful time.

Message received, GH, and I thank you for the laugh.

PROGRAMMING NOTE AGAIN:

Kaslo cable TV channel 10, 4pm Fridays with several repeats, to view your local councilors in action.

COUNTDOWN TO KRAFT/TSN WEEKEND

We are within a few days of more celebration in Kaslo, this one marking Kaslo Logger Sports win over Williams Lake in the recent Kraft Community Celebration Contest. Here's the August 22^nd schedule, and I hope you'll take part on the waterfront at Kaslo Bay Park. A fun-zone, sports zone and Kraft bull's eye barbecue with hamburgers, hot dogs, cold drinks (totally free) all start at 1:30pm; (a celebrity dunk tank is included so take your shots at local celeb's!)

MC Bruce Freeman will make the official welcome at 2 on the main stage, and will I am assured by a reliable source (his wife), offer up some of his well-known wit; Kaslo Logger Sports will receive a $25,000.00 cheque at 2:45pm, money which will be used for refurbishing and improving the existing Logger Sports location; the TSN SportsCentre live broadcast will commence at 3, with TSN's Darren Dutchyshen and Jennifer Hedger, and the whole shebang winds up at 4, just in time for local business people to reopen their shops for the remainder of the day; as an old media guy, this is the kind of national and international exposure you just can't buy, and it's ALL Kaslo. The theme for the picnic is Sporting Events and Kraft Foods. A flyer emailed to me urges participants to wear sports jerseys, logger clothes, or even dress up as a box of Kraft Dinner (an interesting concept). So, dress up, get up, make signs showing TSN and Kraft, and you too might wind up on national television! Wouldn't it be fun if both Ronnie and Teresa, restauranteurs of note, wound up on national television together, soaking wet? Ha ha, I love it.

Bring your lawn chairs; no pets, no alcohol and no parking past the Cenotaph. REMEMBER, IT IS ALL FREE!

CHANGING OF THE FLOWERS

After more than ten years at flower arranging and murderous events like Mother's Day and Christmas, Fern Van Horn is putting away her pinking shears and going to tend her own garden. Fern's on Front Street has been sold... and I think it speaks volumes about new technology. Fern credits the sale to the online Pennywise edition of the weekly Kaslo publication. The new owners are Corry and Jesse Robinson of Rossland, who will take over September 9th. Corry has twenty years experience in the floral business.

As for Fern, she said “you can say I'm really happy, and I'll concentrate on my art and my garden. My garden is a fine example of weeds”. Congrats on the sale, Fern, and welcome to Corry and Jesse. This sale is a great reflection of confidence in the Kaslo economy, despite the current economic troubles across BC and Canada.

A PUZZLER FOR AN OLD FELLA

Just a funny one...but it begs the question: how is it that the Canadian flag will stand to attention in front of the former Provincial Building (Kemball Centre) and the BC flag is well, somewhat limp? Might it be harmonization of the GST and PST into the HST (as The Province newspaper headlined it a few days ago, the 'Hated Sales Tax')? Get on it, people, and flood government people with your opposition. This is the kind of stuff which potentially kills small business... which makes up most of Kaslo and the Kootenays.

Of course, the answer to the puzzler is, Mike Pearson's maple leaf is hung up in a tree, but I get a chuckle out of it every time I see it. Hope you will too, when you're next on the sidewalk. Any tree climbers around (as opposed to huggers) or flag-pole sitters looking for a volunteer project?

Seriously, get on the HST issue, with emails or snail mails, and let the government know this entire concept is a pile.

THIS WEEK'S BOOBS & POKES

I often refer to Kootenay Lake Computers, and twice now, I seem to have boobed with DUSTIN's name. He would be the younger of the bunch, and a great and helpful dude with the pony tail, and I thank him for his continuing help.

In the poke department, a few people in town have pretty thin skin. They've been poking at me for taking some jabs at certain village councilors. I reminded one person the other day, 'the last time I spoke with God, he told me he hadn't put me here to win popularity contests'. That prompts me to refer to recent and future elections. Politics as in life, is all about perception.

“You can't do that stuff in a small town”, this person said. “Really?”, I asked.

Read me, lady, just read me. By the way, MY skin is pretty thick.

ELOQUENCE – A RARE COMMODITY

I am wishing I had followed my original calling and studied law. Read the letter to the editor in the latest Valley Voice, from solicitor Tom Humphries. He addresses the falling and ultimate disposal of the tree which damaged their family home. We should all be so fortunate as to command the English language and the pen, with such finesse.

To clarify recent TSS ramblings: Tom and I did NOT discuss the tree issue at all. His position is clearly outlined in the letter to the editor I refer to.

SOCIAL STUFF – NO KASLO NIGHTLIFE??

By the Lord Harry, people complain a great deal about Kaslo's night life. I can't figure out why. Having traveled quite a bit of the world (after an early life in Arrowhead where it was quiet, I know of what I speak) here's what's ahead in our village this month.

On the 22^nd, after all the celebrating of Logger Sports, our Royal Canadian Legion branch 74 is offering Serge Plotnikoff and Vivian Kingdon, in a combo barbeque and performance. The music starts at 4 and the barbie burgers will be ready by 6. This is another fund raiser by the Ladies Auxiliary to put money together for a new commercial dishwasher for the Legion kitchen. You too can be a Legion member, just drop by and inquire about how to do it. We would welcome your membership... yes, I am a member and endorse the Legion's aims and goals.

THE JUMBO PROJECT

I have made no apologies for my position on this issue, and make none now. I support it. However, I do take issue with the way it wound up back in the hands of the province.

The RDEK turned the whole thing back to provincial hands, asking Victoria to decide whether or not to legislate it as a mountain resort municipality. The vote was 8-7.

This entire damned thing has been kicked around for twenty or so years, and now the regional reps send it back to Victoria. Is this a political dodge or what? It is pretty close to disgusting that LOCAL politicians didn't have the intestinal fortitude to make their own decision, but instead opted to kick the ball back to Victoria so come next election time, they'll be clear of responsibility for the predictable decision.

As much as I support the ultimate disposition of this matter, they (local directors) made it the wrong way. State your case clearly, locally, get on the record, and don't try to skate around it with such a blatantly obvious dodge.

By the way, how much money do you think this entirely insane procedure has cost the proponent AND the opponents? Just shameful.

But then, there IS election time and it's really not that far away.

Next, Glacier/Howser. How will the politicians deal with this one if they do at all, the sidewalk man asked? Once again, it's called intestinal fortitude, with an eye on the future, as opposed to NIMBY. Oops, guess I just stepped on a toe or ten.

PECULIAR FICKLE THING, THE FIRE SEASON

Years ago in the days of Arrowhead, Sidmouth ('Poke' Vigue, ferry operator), 12-mile (Emil Rockert, ferry operator), Galena Bay, Beaton, Wigwam (Clarence McLeod, sawmill operator of note) and other ghost and flooded towns, we had forest fires to beat the band. My Dad and Grandfather fought them and suffered the respiratory consequences. (Eric Wallmark, forestry lookout man up Sproat Mountain in those years...memory...son John lives in Kaslo.)

Yet when my Mother heard from her sister Anna in Argenta, the absence of fires in this area was remarkable. Such is the case this year. Read Jan's article in the latest Valley Voice for a great summary of the fires burning in the Kootenay and Arrow Lakes areas.

Interesting to read of the 'accidental' evacuation of Halcyon Hot Springs Resort. It brought back a flood of memories of the day the original old resort burned to the ground. I was five at the time, and watched the entire thing from our front window in Arrowhead. A pity it is gone. I remember the visuals well.

Also brings to mind, my good old Dad and his friend Jack Tillen, who used to refer to Halfway River on Arrow Lake as Halfway CRIK, Henry and Big CRIKS east of Arrowhead, and Pinkston CRIK south of Arrowhead. Funny things, memories.

There was a reunion a few weeks ago in Revelstoke and part of it was a kind of sub-reunion of people from south of Revelstoke. I never got there but son of Jack, Bruce Tillen now of Cranbrook, remarked to me on the phone, “this might be the last Sidmouth-Arrowhead reunion...the old (timers) are all gone now, and WE are the old (timers)”. Good laugh from a funny man, perhaps the next mayor of Cranbrook.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REVITALIZATION

In a recent sidewalk conversation, I was told with some assurance, the Kaslo CofC was pretty much a dead body. Such is not the case.

I was encouraged after I had a yak with Andy LeCouffe CofC/VPat the Kaslo Hotel the other day whilst upon my paper route. Andy referred me to Maggie Winters, membership committee chairperson. Her report on new members over the last period of time shows we have an active business community in our village. I’ll have those figures next week, but Andy assures me they’ll be impressive.

A partnership between the village and the CofC is key, and I am hopeful one will be seriously forged in the next months. Chambers of commerce can be a viable force in communities such as ours, through the development of relationships with governments at all levels.

A STRETCHED THOUGHT ON THE INTERFACE ISSUE

It was put to me some weeks ago, that Councilor Susan Hewat was in a conflict of interest at council, each time the fire interface issue was raised. I thought it a bit of a stretch to conclude that because of her position with a firm doing the books for one of the interface contractors – she was in conflict. Good NIGHT! She has a right to work for a living, and if her employer happens to provide a service for a client which happens to be involved in the interface thing, well, go figure. She did her homework on this question, and so did I. As she stated at the last meeting of council, she is NOT in a conflict of interest. Susan is NOT employed by Sunshine Logging. Period. Clearly in this instance, there are no shadows in the dark, in my view.

JAZZ FEST WAS A SUCCESS

Here's a picture worth as it has been said, at least a thousand words!

This past weekend marked the third time since opening, the Kaslo Hotel had to hang out the enviable “No Vacancy” sign. What a success story, both for Jazz Fest AND the Kaslo Hotel. Similar success stories abound throughout small business in Kaslo, and I commend all of those who struggled through a huge amount of work to make locals and visitors alike WELCOME in our village. For those few who offered up grumpy service and negative comments, I can only hope your sales reconcili-ations at the end of this week reflect them. I did hear comments to that effect. Perhaps you might just shut the doors next year and have a happier weekend by yourselves.

On to the topic of Jazz Fest, here are a few of the notes from an interview I did just before this went to print, with Executive Director Jim Holland.

“The numbers were down, from 36-hundred paid tickets last year to about 33-hundred this year. That's a drop of about 18-thousand dollars. But I'm confident we'll break even”. Asked about a reported drop in the number of volunteers, Holland said “there were quite a few no-shows for the Monday tear-down”. In terms of the music though, Holland said the 2009 Jazz Fest was “a superb success”.

There was an 'all-ages' dance at the Legion Saturday, and the only thing I heard wasn't really a complaint...it was a comment from a neighbor, who reported to TSS “all we heard were people leaving”. (That says a LOT about all ages, said the old man, who congratulates everyone

who attended THAT venue as well!)

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and greeting people from across Western Canada and the United States who to a person, raved about Kaslo, it's people and businesses...save and except of course for the one noted above. And as for Kelly Fawcett of Nelson at the hotel, where there was a 45-minute lineup to get in, the group was astounding. Period.

I hope there will be a repeat performance by this group in our village sometime soon.

From a policing perspective, an RCMP member locally commented “there were no files generated (from Jazz Fest) and all in all “it was excellent”. “Totally different from May Days weekend”, he said.

TWO MONTHS OF SIDEWALK SUPERINTENDENT- DISTURBING, AND I'M STILL HERE

Even a technologically challenged old guy like me can get it together (with a LOT of help from my cousin in Seattle, another YOUNT, who builds websites and other things I don't understand, at a studio called Clatter&Din, who is far more brilliant than I.)

Thank you singularly and collectively as a community, for allowing an old curmudgeon to express observations and opinions in this forum. My mission from the outset was to instigate thought and opinion based on those observations. The mission was and is based on the conclusion that Kaslo is seriously under reported, save and except for nice community stories and otherwise left-wing oriented news.

There is a serious misconception in the media, particularly the broadcast media, that people are stupid and can generally be lead around by the noses. Their thoughts, the mainstream electronic media and to a lesser degree the mainstream print media seem to think, can probably be manipulated by media 'experts'. Perhaps that is the case regionally and locally as well, but I sincerely hope not.

Personally, I think it's all a load of crap. A political mentor of mine once observed that an expert is “someone who is an 'ex' (former person) under pressure” as in 'spurt'. Profound and accurate, I conclude. As the mainstream media increasingly absorbs, implodes or at best perhaps tries to reproduce itself, the more the crying need for alternate voices.

My forum is completely subjective. (Pure journalism – print or broadcast – is completely objective. It hardly exists anymore.) I make no bones for my platform, and no apologies for it. What you are reading is subjective. This is just like television. Put it down or, turn it off if it rattles you.

Clearly, I have ruffled some feathers and rattled some nerves. Fluff your feathers friends, and do whatever it takes in the Koots (bud?) to get your nerves under control. More ruffles and rattling will follow. Suffice to say, my print numbers go up each week, as copies seem to fly away from TSS distribution points, which to me speaks volumes.

Criticism doesn't bother me and in fact it quite often amuses me, nearly to the point of tears.

Comment provokes thought and sometimes often as not, criticism. So far, about 350-words have probably made some nod in agreement or start to get annoyed. Think about it and have a RIGHT old time on whatever plain you happen to be and whatever trip you are taking (as one unhappy lady said to me a week ago), as you get annoyed or sagely agree.

Thank you again. Have a happy flight or trip or whatever you said we are on. Remember to smile, lady! Also, we have a two-hour limit on parking in the downtown core. Would that apply to you? Blue import cars are NOT exempt.

Email from Doug Pyper, freelance journalist and photo journalist (a good one, too) whose blog is www.dougpyper.blogspot.com. Obviously, I am space limited here, but he sent me a thoughtful series of comments resulting from the third edition of TSS, his email is titled GH 3-Ring Circus”. Doug disagrees with my ramblings about the Glacier/Howser public meeting in Kaslo, and I respect him for his thoughts. Go to his blogspot address and read his thoughts on TSS and other things.

Once again, I am in fundamental disagreement with the position he takes on IPP's, RoR's and more. But I value his comments. Go to his site.

I had an email from Tom Humphries, who offered some comments about my connecting the interface project with the tree crashing down

on their lovely home. The only point I wanted to make was and is, we need all the information we can digest. Tom writes “Georgie and I do

not see the fir tree and the interface project as being connected at all. A piece of a tree fell on the house. The tree had to come down. That's

all”.

Also and I am quite happy to point this out at Tom's request, I implied I had interviewed him, and in fact that is not the case...we simply had a

coffee shop conversation. I was side-walking. Thanks, Tom.

And in our boobs and pokes department, my apologies for misspelling the family Humphries name. Spellcheck doesn't always work.

IMPORTANT PROGRAMMING NOTE

It is appropriate to mention here, most members of village council continue to speak to me on the sidewalk, and they are congenial and forthright. I appreciate it. Good politics, it is called, and more important, good media/public relations.

I had a great yak about this and that with Mayor Greg on the street Saturday morning, and as much as I have offered up a plateful of criticism – I consider the weekend conversation 'background' – it was insightful and useful to thee and me. More on both 'this' and 'that' in TSS issues to come. Thank you for the candid conversation, Mr. Mayor. (Cue to members of council: utilizing the term “Mr. Mayor”

or “Your Worship” and addressing the chair when offering up your profundities, would do at least some degree of good to the nearly non-existent decorum of your council performances.)

MEDIA PLUG: see the performance starting at 4:00pm Fridays, the same week as council meets, on Kaslo Cable Channel 10.

“Peace”, as my little friend Jordan reminds me all the time. The good Lord knows, the performance illustrates how much we need “Peace”.

HARMONIZING WHAT?

My politics are pretty clear.

However, you'd better get on the band wagon and try to stop this harmonization of the GST and PST. It's going to knock the hell out of small businesses in BC, and we (small business) are the backbone of the BC economy, say what you will.

Don't just be emailing or writing to your local NDP member of the legislature, direct your comments to the Minister of Finance. Or short of that, email Bill VanderZalm. Yeah I know, not a favorite guy in the Koots(bud) but still, a former (right-wing) premier, who is absolutely DEATH on this whole tax-grab thing by the Campbell government. Get online or snail mail, but do it. It's a load of you-know-what which for once, might be stopped by considered and thoughtful opinion. Better still, flood the Premier's office with your considered and thoughtful opposition to this tax grab.

I wonder why we can't have the Village of Kaslo budget enough money to cover the costs of street flushing/cleaning, by the Kaslo Volunteer Fire Department, with that bright shiny new fire truck, which according to Chief Larry Badry can pump all those gallons per minute? The truck can do it, the volunteer department could use the bucks for all the time it would take, and surely the village could shake a few dollars loose as part of all the taxes the downtown merchants pay annually. A thought, wrote TSS, after he swept the sidewalk and the street...

Guess this driver dropped a few dollars in our village...beauty, this Healy, a '61 I believe but I stand to be corrected!

Up the lake in ARGENTA, they came for the reunion of the Argenta Friends School. I never went there, but some of my family members did. Congrats to DEB BORSOS and all the others who put the reunion together. Hugh Elliot, Hugh Herbison, and a lot of other old timers were missing, but they were there in spirit. Bless both Hughs, for sure. (And my pal, Phyllis M, who I miss a great deal...and by the lord Harry, if Hugh H. had been around, he would have been dancing on the weekend!).

Oh yes, speaking of such mundane things as having fun and welcoming visitors to our village and enjoying the sunshine...

Apparently there is to be a dunk tank at the TSS/Kraft Foods/Logger Sports event. At least one restauranteur of note is planning to close the shop, to get cooled off. I hear it was a personal request from the organizers, that this person attend. The identity is withheld at the request of the next of kin.

KASLO JAZZ ETC. MUSIC FEST

The weekend of the year has finally arrived, the 18^th annual Kaslo Jazz Etc. Music Festival, in arguably one of the most beautiful venues in the world, Kaslo Bay. Richie Havens headlines this years Jazz Fest, along with a host of other well known names, and it all kicks off Friday at 6:30pm at the bay, AND downtown as well. The new Kaslo Hotel is featuring no-cover-charge performances of Kelly Fawcett of Nelson, in a blues 'jam' starting Friday, Saturday and Sundays at 9:00pm. And, even with its close proximity to the actual Jazz Fest itself, Beachcombers at Kaslo Bay Resort, also has live pub entertainment with 'A' Train Saturday and Sunday.

I am an unabashed supporter of Jazz Fest, and recognize it for what it truly is: a huge economic boost at a time when a village/area the size of ours, is being hammered by the economic downturn generally, and the woes of the BC forest industry in particular.

Those of us who understand and/or work in small business, quickly see what this event means to our community in terms of immediate cash flow/injection, and potentially, spin off jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Whether or not you are a visitor or one of the vast majority of Kaslo/North Kootenay residents who enjoy and support Jazz Fest, welcome and we thank you for your company. A note from Jim Yount, who would be the man in the hat.

LITTLETIME OPPOSITION TO MY VIEWS

I have in my hand the copy of the third issue of The Sidewalk Superintendent. (This would now be the seventh, but I guess mail from Glacier Creek is slow.) It is impossible to read all of the scrawled comments all over the (trimmed) margins and there is no signature attached to it. The author is known to me, and I thank you for your comments which include “obnoxious little guy” and “King of Bu—shit”, where after that she goes on to rail about the Glacier/Howser demonstration at JVH recently…includes the funny fact that the dude waving around a bag of weed was actually waving around ‘tea’ (who was subsequently arrested to disturbing the peace)…and rambles on and on in silly handwriting around a copy of TSS3.

Madam, you made your fine point. You and I are at odds politically, environmentally, and probably every other damned thing in the world.

I have chosen not to respond to the rest of your diatribe, but will if you will sign your name to your heretical hard hard LEFT view of things.

Footnote to this: glad you were able to enjoy the benefits of Axor’s snow plowing over the winter. Peace.

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN I-P-P ISSUE

(Editor's note: this is quoted directly from cbc.ca/bc, just hours before this issue went to print. Please go to that website, read comments for and against. In relation to the Glacier/Howser project, watch next week's edition of TSS.)

“The B.C. Utilities Commission has pulled the plug on BC Hydro's controversial plan to buy electricity from dozens of run-of-river and wind-power projects.

The utilities commission has determined the long-term acquisition scheme is not practical and not in the public interest.

The commission has directed the utility instead to continue using the gas-fired Burrard thermal plant.

The NDP says the decision is a major setback for Hydro and the Liberal government of Premier Gordon Campbell.

“It's a slap in the face to the B.C. Liberal energy plan” said B.C. NDP energy critic John Horgan. “The regulator has said we don't need this high-priced independent power at this time”.

During the May provincial election campaign, environmental organizations were split on whether or not the small power projects were a good idea. And at least one environmentalist criticized the commission's decision.

Tzeporah Berman of Power Up Canada says it's a serious blow to clean energy and to climate leadership in B.C. Berman says it's absurd for the province to continue to rely on greenhouse gas-producing fossil fuels.

Run-of-river projects, for example are considered cleaner than conventional hydro power generation because they rely on natural river flows and elevation and require no dams, reservoirs or flooding.

The ruling has left some independent power producers pondering their next move as they watch their stocks plummet.

Plutonic Power Corp., a bidder for many of the province's smaller hydro projects, saw its price on the Toronto Stock Exchange drop nearly 25 percent Tuesday, to $3.08.” (from cbc.ca/bc)

TSS will have more reaction next week.

A TSS BOOB AND A POKE

Boob: last week, I neglected to include Justin as one of those I regularly rely on at Kootenay Lake Computers. A great little dude who is at the top of the 'H' list for helpfulness at KLC.

Poke: what kind of OLD reporter walks away without his notebook, then has to retrace his steps to find it? An OLD reporter, and I just termed him an OLD reporter (one who's having fun doing what he's doing). Did I say OLD? (It's fun.)

BIG PLANTS, BIG BUST UP THE LAKE

Kaslo RCMP and law enforcement officers from the Kootenay Boundary Regional Detachment General Investigation Section with the aid of a helicopter, carried out another North Kootenay marijuana bust Tuesday, this one on a large property in Meadow Creek. Three people were arrested, and police are recommending charges of cultivation and unsafe storage of a firearm. If charges are laid, it'll be about a month before the identities of the

accused are made public.

About 150 outdoor plants were seized, as well as several firearms found inside a residence on the property. Apparently the quality of the Kootenay bud was very good, compared to others RCMP have seen.

Cpl. Chris Backus, who heads the Kaslo detachment, says “the average marijuana plant we would find outdoors in late fall may be approximately three to four feet high, and yield 3 to 4 ounces of marijuana, however some of the plants we seized (Tuesday) were over eight feet high and could easily yield half a pound of marijuana, doubling the regular size and yield”.