THE LIGHTER SIDE Metro Quiz-Cross Ann _. Landers Syndicated Columnist EDNESDAY November 29, 1995 SNOW The Castiegar Sun =~ Dear Ann Landers: Several days ago, my carelessness could have cost me my life. I want to pass on a warning to your readers. On my way to my car, I grabbed the mail and Delivery or Pick up __365- 5304 by Bill Watterson lb. heef burger . 6, No. 2 Super Models Calvin ana Hobbes 1S IT TOO MUCH To ASK FoR AN OCCASIONAL TOKEN GESTURE OF SEE ?/ [ DONT MATTER TO ANYONE ! NOBODY CARES ABOUT ME ! EVERYONE TAKES ME OK, HOW ABOUT A BIG HUG ? FOR GRANTED’ NOBODY PAYS ANN ATTENTION TO MY NEEDS’ tossed it onto the passen- ger seat and then ran some errands. When I arrived home, there was a strange- looking man waiting for me in front of the garage. I decided to use the car phone to call the police. It seems the man had been in the parking lot of the grocery store where I had shopped earlier in the day. He said he “liked my looks” and proceeded to check out my car, which I had locked. He saw the mail addressed to me on the front seat and decided to come to my house. When*the police came, the man claimed he meant no harm and left. This incident ended peacefully, but I shudder to think what might have hap- pened. How simple it would have been to put the mail in my purse, out of view, but I just didn’t think about it. Please warn others. — Safe in the Suburbs Dear Safe: You did — and I thank you Dear Ann Landers: I thought you might get a kick out of this old invita- tion. Clarence was my uncle. — Shakopee, Minn. You are cordially invited to attend A Wedding Dance given in honor of Ilene K. and Clarence S. Tuesday Evening, July 11, ‘39 At 8 o’clock at the Zephyr Inn, Vine Hill On the back of the invi- tation, in the bride’s hand- writing, was this message: “Please do not bring a present. Just put some money in an envelope with your name on it and hand it to the bride.” Happy Birthday to Nov. 14th Happy Anniversary Michael & Theresa Heard, Love, Brian, Ginny, Mathew, Wendy, Graeme, Gary and Rhonda 14th Happy Birthday Pat Medge. Love, Ginny & _..Brian 17th Happy 14th Birthday to Robin. Love, the family 17th Happy 14th Birthday to Robin. Love, Brandy 18th Happy Birthday, Edvwine Muller- from The Cassidys' CLUES ACROSS 1. Baby beds Biblical giant . More competent Extremely cold . Ambiguous, murky 2. An Oscar, a Tony, or an Emmy To perform on stage . Heartfelt, truly Chocolate substitute Verse form __ the Lionhearted 2. “Remember the __ Texan battlecry . Syrup derived from grassy plant Pitchers SOLUTIONS ACROSS . Cribs Goliath Abler . Glacial Unclear Award 3. Act . Sincerely Carob . Sestina Richard 2. Alamo . Sorghum 1. Holiday greetings 2. Forbidden or unlawful 3. Slang for an NCO 4.“__ rule,” free speech 5. Reason to call a plumber 6. Japanese seaport 7. Christmas tradition restraint on 11. Indian queens 14. Day of rest 15. Arabic area of jurisdiction 17. Type of bicycle or car 19. Clichéd, trite 21. Barrier SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. Chanukah cards 2. Micit 3. Sarge 4. Gag 5. Leakage . Akita Holiday carols Ranis - Sabbath . Emirate Racer . Stale Vf. APPRECIATION ?/ ah \ by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott NO, THEY'FE DaDDY's SHOES, AND T Neep THem SOL CAN GO To WORK. Gl CHILD DISAPLINE Boors? THifp SHELF ON YOUR LEPC, Eee = SINCE WHEN CAN THEY SAY THAT ON TELEVISION? ? SHAMEFUL THAT'S Prive A ataapces | CASTLEGAR PLUMBING | & HEATING LTD. ! 4008 Columbia Ave., Castlegar \F T WANTED To HEAR THAT ¢] KINO OF LANGUAGE IN MY Do HOUSE, L'D Do MORE PLUMBING FEPAIRS MYSELF! Scale Nov. 22ndHappy 50th, Larry Webster from Brian & Ginny Noy. 25 Happy Birthday Poppa Love, Jordan, Jarred, Carlee, Kristen Happy Birthday Peter Vatkin, Love - Brian & Ginny Happy Birthday Uncle Clay, Love - Jordan, Jarred, Carlee, Kristen ,. 24 ~ Happy Birthday Maria Fehrenberg Love, Brian & Ginny Happy 30th Birthdy Happy Birthday Tyler Coleman. Love, Karen, Devon & Rodney Happy 3rd Birthday Kayla Miller. Love, Mom, Dad, Almanda Happy 3rd Birthday’ Kayla. Loye, Nanny & Pappy Happy 6th. Birthday Zack. From Almanda & Kayla Nov. 30th Happy Birthday Popeye Love; Olive Oyl, Wimpy & Sweet’ Pea FOR WHOM? FOR OUR POLITICAL LEADERS ? FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT? The Gxt dar Sun AS Excellence in Service Award This award will be presented every week to someone in Castlegar who shows extraordinary service to his/her customers or clients. The recipient will receive an award plaque to keep courtesy of Kats Trophys. We'd like everyone in Castlegar to know that service excellence exists in our community. This award recognizes a nominated business. FOR THE MEDIA? FOR THE MEDICAL PROFESSION ? Cisnecar Ye ae als Guatemala. In Style - Jody Handley, centre, Carson Handley, left, and Myra Peti model fash- ions during the Hand to Hand International Women's Co-operative Fashion Show in Robson Saturday. The event raised $2,700 to support development projects in ‘SUN STAFF PHOTO /Jeff Gabert Business area proposed Core hopes to further cash in on Revite ENT BANCARZ in Editor Grafoni added it's also important to communicate a Oe er ee jow that revitalization is over, downtown mer- chants are hoping to form a business improvement area to enhance trade in Castlegar’s core. The p was di d during a Dy futures to avoid overlap pa duiicaion: “You can get similar organizations falling all over ponaeinsrale peri. va wang vaya cagtingcitgd Busi A meeting last W di “We have to take advantage,” said Jack Parkin, the DBA’s past president. “We spent a lot of money on revitalization and now it's time to promote down- town as a major shopping area.” The proposed BIA also marks the rebirth of the DBA. Parkin said the organization “has been dor- mant during the past six or seven years.” “Revitalization consumed everybody's time and we decided to get that over with before starting up again,” he explained. Roughly 30 BIAs exist in B.C. towns and cities. Ed Grafoni, a consultant from Urban Systems, said you can be most effec- prempear.rnps 0tort cnt In addition to marketing, BIAs can also act as new business recruiters and bring needed products and services to a community. “Often, people don’t ver to -bring in competitors, pach isnasbay ge nreln id add to the mix of said Grafoni. “A greater uae of businesses benefit everybody because it brings customers to the area.” Grafoni also said any events or promotions a BIA puts on must be of high quality or people won't come back. “Keep the quality up. Forget the bargain basement d sales.” the BIA’s date is to develop for the target area and get businesses together for joint promotions and events. Grafoni said it’s vital a solid organizational struc- ture and plan be in place in order to get the most out of @ BIA. “A lot of BIAs fail because they have no plan or structure in place,” he said. “Even if you spent a lot of time and money on revitalization, you will not get the full benefit from it without some marketing plans. You can’t expect things to automatically come to‘downtown. “The Or atmacioag structure will make or break Chon said.a BIA.should have at least-ohe paid staff member, whether part-time or fulltime. He said leaving qverything to volunteers hasn't worked well in other ities with BIAs. “You find volunteers get burned out and the initia- tive falls by the wayside,” he explained. “It's also important to pick the right person for the position. You need who is well and hope- fully has some i running an There are three ways to fund a BIA, explained city administrator Jim Gustafson. One is a flat tax on all businesses in the target area, a second is a rate based on frontage and third is a rate based on assess- ment. The proposed BIA would use the third option. To put it in place, city council will start on a bylaw. Unless 50 per cent plus one of the businesses affected petition against the bylaw, the bylaw will be passed. The city released fee estimates for a BLA budget of $25,000. However, most at the meeting agreed at least $50,000 was required to get the BIA up and Heather McDonald, owner of Bonnett’s Mens Wear, said she supports the idea. “When we get together-as a group to do things, it’s cheaper and more eters... she said. The D i also picked a new executive at the meeting. Mickey Tarasoff is president, McDonald is vice-president, Ruby Streloff is secretary and Shawn Biln is treasurer. The DBA will hold another meeting Dec. 6 to fur- ther discuss the BIA. The meeting starts at noon upstairs at city hall. Proposed pub a step closer Pag a A proposed neighborhood pub is one step closer becoming reality. At its meeting last Tuesday, Castlegar City Coun- cil unanimously adopted a bylaw to change zoning which paves the way for the pub. Gardeli’s restaurant owner Pat Rilkoff is propos- Sn fo Shee See eaenoe 7's a Leeide Nie restaurant in the Columbia Plaza. However, it’s not a done deal yet. Council must still forward a resolution to the provincial liquor control board Stating the com- to Kew, Rilkoff’s lawyer, replied the pub is” designed for people within walking distance “And this will be a quiet, relaxed pub,” added Kew. “It’s not for the rowdy, noisy crowd.” Rilkoff also said he wants the pub to be a quiet, respectable place. “I can't afford to have something which will hurt ty restaurant business,” he said. “I’m catering to families here.” ‘Two other area residents said they support the pub and “it sounds like a good idea.” Fireside Inn owner Ernie Turta and Val Bann, the hotel’s ni the new watering munity as a whole is not overtly opposed to the develop- ment. The liquor board ‘This will be a quiet, relaxed pub. It's not for the rowdy, noisy crowd.’ hole. Bond says enough bars cur- rently exist in the city and allowing another with — MICHAEL KEW force one of them Gardeli's lawyer into then d whether to grant the final licence. A public meeting was held last Tuesday in council chambers to gauge public support or opposition to the project. At the meeting, city clerk Dianne Hunter said most letters the city received have been in favor of ithe pub. She added other C< ia Plaza bankruptcy. “It will cause porate pars pron. hey tyslhdirnemp tal Turta a Bann’s statements and said he doubt's Rilkoff will be able to control the noise. Kew replied both Turta and Bann have “obvious gave the pub the thumbs up while a 236-name peti- lion was sent in also supporting the development. he city did receive a 141-name petition opposing the zoning change, but not the development itself. Gerry Rust, a Columbia Avenue resident, said the ity has enough liquor outlets and doesn't need other one. He said a lot of seniors live in the vicin- lity of Columbia Plaza “and don’t need any more hoise or spinning of tires near their residences.” “We don't need additional liquor outlets in the at stake”, but added the Gardeli's pub won't affect Banjo’s. “We're not trying to drive others out of business,” he said. “We're offering'people another alternative.” Kew added the proposed pub and Banjo's likely serve different clientele and wouldn't be “true com- petitors.”” Council will make a decision on its resolution to the liquor board Dec. 12. If the pub goes ahead, it would have 65 seats, of which 20 are non-smoking, and would inclue Sun Staff Despite adverse speculation, the 110-unit Holi- day Inn in south Castlegar is still a go. City hosts youth forum KAREN KERKHOFF Sun Staft ae for the Castlegar forum is $3,000. Castlegar Youthspeak has been selected to host one of only three regional youth forums being held next year. ‘Youthspeak volunteer Lynnene Lewis said the announcement is a coup for the group and the com- munity and is an acknowledge- ment of Youthspeak's strong community focus. “I think it speaks for itself, being granted the task of hosting the Regional Youth Forum. We feel our hard work and commit- ment-as a group has won us this honor,” said Lewis. The forum, initiated by the Ministry Responsible for Recre- ation, will take a close looking at the recreational needs of the region's youths. will be to foneaae youth- -led, it will also host a Regional Youth Forum. Youthspeak, a local volunteer ised of area and regionally-based strategies for meeting the needs of youth in general and under-served youth particular. It will identify barriers to youth recreation pig. waa identify “best Practices” of youth recreation services; share results with the rest of the province; and identify opportunities for contin- uing the momentum developed youths was formed last year to the group has performed count- less hours of volunteer communi- ty service which included Christmas caroling at local extended care . There are plans for other Youthspeak activi- ties as well. “This year, the city has by a local steering “committee of and others. After the forums, steering committees will prepare and sub- mit reports and recommendations to the Smithers and Prince George pp the C Avenue bridge painting project. Volun- teers. will be painting The group also plans om Christmas caroling again and — hosting Circus, Circus, a penny carnival for kids. Holiday Inn goes ahead KAREN KERKHOFF denies in Castlegar for Borge Larsen, manager of Metro Industrial B.C. Corporation and fran- tion to the city through national advertising.” Larsen there’s any validity whatsoever to local hotel owners’ claims. “Our studies don’t tell us that [there is no room another hotel]_or we -wouldn't-be. there. We feel there’s a market chisee of the proposed hotel, said although financing isn’t in place yet, he expects construction of the Holiday Inn to begin this The hotel, which will be opposite to Canadian Tire on Columbia Avenue, has been source of ‘lengthy and heated discussion between city council and local hotel owners who tourist trade in the Kootenays.' — T. BORGE LARSEN claim its addition will result in market saturation. Developer spokesman There's been a tremendous increase in tourist trade in the Kootenays.” He also said the presence of a Holiday Inn in Castlegar will force present hotel owners to improve themselves. “We'll improve the others — theyll upgrade. Competition improves.” Besides the hotel, Larsen said “4 Brought to you by ” The Castlegar Sun, The weekly newspaper with a daily commitment. 465 Columbia Ave. Castlegar, BC VIN 1G8 To Clay Love, Stacie there also will be a “well- known” restaurant chain fran- chise on the property. Completion is planned for the fall of 1996. ‘ity because we have enough problems already,” he id. “I'm also worried this new pub will attract a lumber of undesireable people. I have some reserva- about these kinds of things.” numerous television sets, a pool table and dart boards. The pub would also feature non-alcoholic drinks and have live entertainment only six times per year on special occassions. Moonlight Madness hits the streets Dec. 1! But Larsen said he believes the Holiday Inn will have precisely the opposite effect “They should be happy. We'll draw a lot of atten- if you know of someone that offers "Excellence in Service," call me, t Marilyn Strong at 365-5266, or N a drop a letter at the Castlegar Sun with your suggestion. i Ue The Casticgs Cae dar Sun