PLAYER... Castlegor native Steve Bozek, who plays for Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League was honored by the City of Castlegar and the Castlegar Rebels at Saturday's all-star game. Castlegar mayor Audrey Moore presented Boz with plaque. Earl! Salekin of the presented Bozek with a trophy for being the first Rebel to make the NHL. Casttews Photo by Doug Hervey HARD-TO-TEACH SCHOOL Teacher loves kids By SYLVIA STROJEK ‘Canadian Press EDMONTON — Steve Ramsankar loves his children — all 125 of them. ‘There's hardly 2 moment when the principal of Alex Taylor Community School — a man widely recognized across Canada and the United States for his success with hard-to-teach children — isn't praising, encouraging or just plain hugging them. Ramsankar certainly doesn’t fit the bill as the tough-talking, iron-fisted head of what should be a rough, inner-city elementary school. . But then, Alex Tayor isn’t what one expects of a school on the wrong side of the city’s downtown. ‘There's no graffiti on the walls, no vandalism, no fighting, no truancy. ‘The red-brick schoolhouse is a welcome contrast to the boarded-up buildings, seedy taverns and rundown flop- houses common in the area. The students come from poor or immigrant families. Half are oriental, and many cannot speak English. Some have only one parent. Most are lost or seared in an alien culture. And that, says the man who plays surrogate father to dozens of kids, is why it’s so important to make school a nice place to be. “| want the atmosphere in the school to be a happy atmosphere,” he said in an interview “A lot of these kids come from backgrounds where they don't have a lot else going for them, so it's important to make life pleasant for them.” Ramsankar certainly gets an A for effort. Every morning he stands at the school’s entrance to personally greet his charges. Most have no inhibitions about bestowing a bear-hug on the man who accents the “pal” in principal. FEELINGS “Tve always tried to stress feelings for each otber,” said the 51-year-old family man with six children of his own “Through the sense of touch, one can transmit a great deal of feelings.” He attributes part of the school’s success to its emphasis on various cultures — as many as 34 ethnic backgrounds have been represented at one time within its 79-year-old walls. “This at first may seem to be a problem, but we're turned it into a virtue. By sharing one's cultural background, we can minimize discrimination.” Ramsankar, the school's eight teachers and countless volunteers agree that by creating an environment where both physical and psychological needs are met. they are helping the children develop self-esteem, positive attitudes and better learning skills. Alex Taylor kids have gone on to become doctors, lawyers and engineers. said the principal, but he added that if a former student “is married, raising family and being yom productive, that, I think, is the important thing.” All staff are quick to credit Ramsankar with bringing out the best in everyone. But he remains modest, although he has received the Order of Canada for his work. Teachers from both Canada and the United States are clamoring to have him speak at national conferences. He is making yet another presentation in Japan this summer and has been asked by the World Couneil for Curriculum and In- struction to be its North American representative. A Toronto-based magaine, Influence, recently listed him as one of Canada’s 50 most influential men. Born in Trinidad, Ramsankar came to Western Canada at 19 and worked as a railway porter to put himself through university Then he began teaching mentally retarded children and did so until he came to Alex Taylor 16 years ago. He has been offered plum teaching positions, pro- motions and raises, but he chooses to remain at Alex Taylor. MEET NEEDS His school doesn't negleet the three Rs, but modi- fications have been made in the curriculum to meet the special needs of the students. Those modifications have ulted in a true “com- munity” school where the doors are hardly ever closed. It is open even during summer holidays. Some of the extras include a nutrition program offering a daily snack, English classes for parents, a drop-in centre for seniors, free day-care service, a mini food and clothing bank, outdoor education and extended trips. Ramsankar has no qualms about asking the community for donations and the children to do their part by organizing bake sales and bottle drives. The ebullient principal even took out a personal loan last year to help 17 children visit Trinidad. REACH OUT The teachers are an integral part of Ramsankar's tea ching-with-love approach. They must not only be tolerant of other backgrounds, but be willing to go what he calls the second mile “School doesn't end at 3:30 here.” Irish Zapach, who has taught at the school for the last six years, said each person, child or adult, has an integral part to play. CASTLEGAR HYUNDAI SALES 800-332-708 ®, * THE BIG ONE * THE BIG ONE * THE BIG ONE + NEVER PAY BANK PAYMENTS AGAIN BIG ONE * $228 mo. "86 AEROSTAR ‘86 T-BIRD 86 TAURUS vom cai st2B6 mo. ois ora | rms mo. sinse0 ‘CASED ON A MONTHS LEASE PLAN OAC *163 mo. 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Your Lotte necuteney Wy Provincial Lotto Express | Tickets Tickets Super Scra & Tickets e WIN ¢ WIN ° “In the Heart of Downtown Castlegar CLOSED THIS SUNDAY. WIN 365-7813 pt + ‘oom for » ALL-STAR GAME . . . Goaltender for Castlegar Rebels team tries to Saturday night's all-star game at the Community Complex. The NHL-WIHL protect puck from players on a team of NHL, WIHL ‘and local players in team was victorious over the locals. Astros shut out Pirates By The Canadian Press ‘The Pittsburgh bats had been silent for most of the night but that didn’t stop Houston manager Hal Lanier from heading to the mound for a talk with Astros starter Jim Deshaies. Deshaies, having yielded just four hits in 8 2-3 shutout innings, expected to hear words of advice. Instead, Lanier made a pitching change. Dave Smith got the last out of the combined four-hitter as the Astros shut out the Pirates 1-0 Tuesday. Kevin Bass hit his 18th home run in the second inning to win the game “I thought he was coming out to tell me that (Jim) Morrison was a good fastball hitter,” Deshaies said. It was the third time this season that Deshaies has come within one out of a complete game. “I know that Jim wanted to finish but I can’t go for sentiment,” Lanier said. “The game comes first “Morrison's a dead fastball hitter and Jim's a fastball pitcher. I've got a guy in the bullpen with 24 saves and I've got to make the move. In other games, it was: San Diego Padres 7, Montreal Expos Braves 7, Chicago Cubs 2; Cincinnati Reds 6, St. Louis Cardinals 1; New York Mets 6, Los Angeles Dodgers 4; and Philadelphia Phillies 6, San Fran ciseo Giants 5. Deshaies, 8-3, won for the seventh time in his last eight decisions, giving up four hits and striking out nine in 8 2-3 innings. PADRES 7 EXPOS 1 Kevin McReynolds drove in a career-high five runs with a three-run homer, a single and a sacrifice fly to lead the San Diego Padres past the visiting Montreal Expos METS 6 DODGERS 4 Ron Darling won for the fifth time in six decisions and scored the tie breaking run after doubling in the sixth inning as the visiting New York Mets defeated the Los Angeles Dod gers. REDS 6 CARDINALS 1 Nick Esasky ard Eric Davis both homered to help Tom Browning win for the first time in a month with a four-hitter, sending the Cincinnati Reds past over the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. 6GIANTS5 In San Francisco, pinch-hitter Jeff Stone hit a two-out, two-run homer in the eighth inning to break a 4-4 tie, and the Philadelphia Phillies held on to beat the Giants. CosNews Photo by Doug Harvey PCL ACTION Canadians edge Portland By The Canadian Press Hawaii's Bob Patterson threw a complete-game five-hitter Tuesday night to lead the Islanders to a 7-2 vietory over the Calgary Cannons in a Pacific Coast League game. In other PCL action Tuesday: Van couver Canadians 4, Portland Beavers 3; Edmonton Trappers 10, Tucson Toros 5; Tacoma Tigers 33, Al buquerque Dukes 2-4; Las Vegas Stars 4, Phoenix Firebirds 0. The two runs against Patterson came in the fourth. After a leadoff walk to Pat Casey, Patterson struck out the next two batters. Mario Diaz the doubled and scored with Casey on a single by Jerry Dybzinski The Islanders won it with two runs in each the fifth and sixth innings. The Cannons announced the team will continue as the Triple A affiliate of the American League's Seattle Mar. iners for the next three years. In the last two years 26 players have graduated to the Mariners. VANCOUVER 4 PORTLAND 3 In Portland, right fielder Dion James hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning. scoring Juan Castillo with the winning run as the Canadians took the victory Castillo finished with two hits in four trips to the plate. Vancouver starter Mark Ciardi give up three runs on three hits in the first inning, but settled in to pitch one-hit ball over the next six innings. EDMONTON 10 TUCSON 5 In Tucson, Urbano Lugo had a no-hitter through six innings and mark Ryal’s two-run double keyed a seven- run Edmonton second-inning ralley en route to the Trappers victory. TACOMA 3-3 ALBUQUERQUE 2-4 Tacoma Tigers edged Albuquerque Dukes 3-2 in the first game of a double- header. In the nightcap, the Dukes put together a three-run second inning. LAS VEGAS 4 PHOENIX 0 In Las vegas, left-hander Ed Vose- berg struck out nine en route to a one-hitter to lead the Stars victory. Tack Wilson hit a line drive to left field for a double on the second pitch of the game — the only hit Vosberg surrendered. At one stretch Vosberg, 7-7, retired 13 consecutive batters. By THE CANADIAN PRESS Equipped with a new hat, new spikes and a brand new glove, Seattle starter Mark Langston finally managed to look sharp. Langston, mired in a seven-week pitching slump, tried something new Tuesday night against the New York Yankees. And, despite yielding a three-run homer in the first inning, Langston got a new result. The Seattle pitcher threw a five-hitter and struck 14 as the Mariners beat the Yankees 7-3. It was Langston's first triumph since June 30, a span of 10 starts that included five losses. Langston, 10-10, walked two batters in the first inning and then gave up Dan Pasqua’s homer. But after that, the left-hander retired the next 15 batters, striking out 11.of them, and did not walk another batter in the game The 14 strikeouts were the most against the Yankees since Moose Haas struck out 14 on April 12, 1978. In other games, it was: Toronto Blue Jays 5, Chicago White Sox 1; California Angels 5, Detroit Tigers 2 and the Tigers 8, the Angels 3 in the nightcap; Milwaukee Brewers 5, Cleveland Indians 3; Oakland A's 4, Baltimore Orioles 1; Kansas City Royals 9, Texas Rangers 8 in 11 innings; and Minnesota Twins 5, Boston Red Sox 1 Like Langston, Kansas City’s Frank White and Detroit's Lou Whitaker eut imposing figures Tuesday night by driving in seven runs apiece in their respective outings. Langston, who turns 26 today, got the decision over Tommy John, who had been on a hot streak. John, 52, had pitehed 15° shutout innings since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 8, and had won twice. But Seattle touched him for seven hits and four runs in 4 2-3 innings, although the Mariners’ biggest blow came against reliever Brian Fisher. Danny Tartabull, the first batter to face Fisher after he relieved John, hit a three-run homer that capped a four-run fifth. Langston gets results Trailing 3-1, Bob Kearney opened the Seattle fifth with a double, took third on a sacrifice and scored on Rey Quinones's sacrifice fly. Mickey Brantley then beat out a bunt and John walked Phil Bradley before Fisher took over and yielded Tartabull's 425-foot shot to center field. Royals 9 Rangers 8 White led off the bottom of the 11th inning with his second home run of the game, driving in his seventh run of the night and giving the Kansas City Royals a win over the Texas Rangers Angels 5-3, Tigers 2-8 In Detroit, Whitaker hit a bases-loaded double and drove in five runs to help the Tigers earn a split in their doubleheader with California. In the first game, Bob Boone hit a two-run homer and run-scoring double and Doug DeCinces had a single, double and run-scoring triple as the Angels beat the Tigers. Whitaker hit a two-run homer Blue Jays 5 White Sox 1 In Toronto, Lloyd Moseby went 4-for-4 with two runs batted in and two runs scored while Dave Stieb and Tom Henke checked Chicago on five hits to lead the Blue Jays past the Chicago White Sox. Brewers 5 Indians 3 In Cleveland, Paul Molitor hit two home runs and two doubles and Ted Higuera won his 16th game as the Milwaukee Brewers snapped the Indians’ four-game winning streak A's 4 Orioles 1 In Baltimore, Dave Stewart scattered four hits over 7 23 innings and Mike Davis and Dave Kingman each singled in runs as Oakland handed the Orioles their fourth straight loss. Twins 5 Rex Sex 1 Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek hit back-to-back homers in the third inning and Gary Gaetti added a two-run blast in the sixth as the Twins defeated visiting Boston. limelight at the world aquatic champ- ionships, the East German women were finally forced to settle for second best. 4 American Betsy Mitchell ended the East German winning streak with a German. East Germany has taken eight gold medals and five silvers to lead the overall medal i The United States has four gold, seven silver and four bronze. Canada has three gold and two bronze, while the Soviet Union has one gold, two silver and three bronze. Mitchell, who edged East Germany's Kathrin Zimmermann in the 100 back- stroke, said the U.S. team was not discouraged by the East German domination of the women’s events. “We may not be raking in the gold medals,” Mitchell said. “But we're having fun.” Mitchell's triumph apart, East Ger- many still made its mark. East German women set two world records as Kristin Otto cracked the women's 100-metre freestyle world record while leading the 4x100 sprint relay to a second world mark in the same race. Jr. Colonials to host English rugby team By CasNews Staff Trail Jr. Colonials rugby team will play host to a team from England this Saturday. According to Scott Blackman of Castlegar, one of the players on the team, the under 21 rep team from Yorkshire will play at Haley field in Warfield after playing in Alberta and before playing in Vancouver and Victoria. The Jr. Colonials are an under 21 team made up of four or five players from Castlegar, and the rest from the Trail-Rossland area. “We've been gearing up for this all year,” says Blackman, who is also in charge of fundraising and publicity for the team. He added that for the Jr. Colonials, the game is a substitute for the B.C. Summer Games. Rugby was banned from this year’s games. Blackman says the Jr. Colonials have been preparing for the big game by playing exhibition matches. The team played Kelowna Sunday and has also been playing teams from Kamloops. Although Blackman agrees that the Colonials will be up against some stiff competition, he still feels the local team has a chance. He notes that the players on the English side have been in the sport since they were five or six years old. “We are not as skillful,” Blackman admits. But he says the Canadians hit a lot harder and are good tacklers. In addition, the weather may be to the Trail team’s advantage. “If it's 100 degrees out there they (the opposition) might just wilt,” Blackman said, noting that the York shire team won't be used to playing in hot weather. The game begins at 1 p.m. Olympic squad to play OTTAWA (CP) — On the theory that if you've got an itch, you should scratch it, Olympic hockey coach Dave King is going right at the Soviet Union in building his club for the 1988 Calgary Olympics. The team, training in Calgary, leaves Thursday for an 1l-game, 22-day European tour that ineludes the Sovetzky Sport Tournament in Kiev against teams like Sokol Kiev, Khimik. A s Soviets ‘The key thing is to come back with the players aware they have to improve. Our main concern will be replacing the offence we've lost.” He was referring to Cliff Ronning and Mike Millar, his two top scorers last season, who have joined the St Louis Blues and the Hartford Whalers, respectively, of the National Hockey League. But he has eight veterans to build on, jlist and the na tional team Sept 146 Before the tournament, the Olympic squad will’play four games in Finland Aug. 24-28. After the tournament, the Canadians will go to West Germany for games against Duesseldorf, Oserlohn and Mannheim Sept. 8-11 “The players came into camp in excellent shape,” King told the Ottawa Citizen in a telephone interview Monday. “The toughness of the schedule is important. We won about three of 16 games against the Soviets last year You take your lumps. in 1g Don McLaren, who turned down an offer from the NHL Van couver Canucks to stay with the Olympic program, where he was the team's third highest scorer last year. Other forwards back with the squad are winger Vaughn Karpan and centre Fabian Joseph, with centre Gord Shevren returning after a year with the Minnesota North Stars and the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL and the Nova Scotia Voyageurs of the Ameri. can Hockey League, along with centre Brian McKinnon, who spent last year with the Rochester Americans of the AHL.