3 i SPORTS Lemieux named athlete of year By SCOTT WHITE Canadian Pre: Lod Mario Lemieux finally skated out of Wayne Gretzky's shadow in 1988 and that made him the overwhelming choice as The Canadian Press male athlete of the year. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ all-star centre, named the National Hockey League's most valuable player last season when his 70 goals and 168 points snapped Gretzky's seven-year streak as the NHL's scoring champion, beat out Olympic boxer Lennox Lewis and figure skater Brian Orser for the Lionel Conacher Award. Lemieux received 40 of 89 first-place votes and a total of 154 points in the annual poll of Canadian sportswriters and broadcasters conducted by CP and its affiliate Broadcast News. The winner of the Bobbie nfeld Award as the female athlete of the year will be oun next / Monday. “I think I proved to a lot of people I can be one of the best in the world,” Lemieux said in an interview. Reviewing his highlights of 1988, Lemieux listed the scoring championship, the MVP award and the NHL all-star game, where he had three goals — including the winner in overtime — and added three assists for a record six points. “The all-star game certainly helped me play a lot the Montreal native. “It gave me a lot of While Lemieux has been a star.since he entered the league in 1984, his place as one of the great players was established over the last year. The hulking six-foot-four, 210-pounder uses his size as an advantage. Unlike the smooth and slippery Gretzky, Lemieux is a favorite target — but isn't afraid to hit back. Few Canadians know much about the personal life of the quiet Lemieux. Becoming a celebrity is something he has had to get used to. “It's kind of hard to have privacy wherever I go because of all the publicity,” said Lemieux, who plans to live year round in Pittsburgh once his new home there is completed next spring. “Being a very private person, I find it tough going to a restaurant or going shopping in a mall.’ As Lemieux once again battles Gretzky for the current scoring race, the comparisons will continue between Nos. 66 and 99. “I think we both get tired of it,” Lemieux said. “Certainly we try to be ourselves, try to do the best things we can to help our hockey teams win some hockey games. I'm sure that's all he worries about.” Lewis of Kitchener, Ont., who won. the super heavyweight gold medal at the Summer Olympics, was second with 103 points in the CP survey, which gives three points for a first-place vote, two points for a second and one for third. Orser of Penetanguishene, Ont., who took the silver medal at the Calgaty Olympics, was third with 92 points. For the last two years the CP award has gone to Ben Johnson, the troubled Toronto sprinter who became the centre of attention at the Summer Olympics by first winning the 100 metres in a record time of 9.79 seconds and then testing positive for steroids. 18-POINT GAME Hawks dump Bulls By The Associated Press Glenn Rivers said the Atlanta Hawks won because of their defence. Michael Jordan said the Chicago Bulls lost because of their offence. Either way, Atlanta beat Chicago 106-88 Tuesday night “This was by far our best defensive effort of the season,” said Rivers, who had four steals and 16 points. “There was no support tonight,” said Jordan, who had 28 points. “Our guys didn't show up. “Atlanta exploited and crushed us. There was no effort there. We laid down and let them take it from us. We have to improve our passing and the post if we're going to win.” Atlanta led 31-21 early in the second quarter before the Bulls rallied for a 41-39 advantage. Dominique Wilkins and Rivers each got six points in a 14-4 spurt that put the Hawks ahead 53-45 at halftime. After Jordan scored the first basket of the third quarter, the Hawks went on their decisive streak, In other NBA games Tuesday, it was: Washington Bullets 115, Boston Celtics 105; Milwaukee Bucks 109, Philadelphia 76ers 91; LA Lakers 111, Cleveland Cavaliers 102; Indiana Pacers 115, Charlotte Hornets 104; New York Knicks 121, New Jersey Nets 100; Dallas 117, Golden State Warriors 111; Denver Nuggets 126, Houston Rockets 101; Seattle SuperSonics 126, Phoenix Suns 116; Portland Trail Blazers 113, LA Clippers 92; and Sacramento Kings 108, San&Antonio Spurs 89 NUGGETS 126 ROCKETS 101 Fat Lever scored 14 of his 23 points in a runaway first half when Denver's defence forced 15 turnovers Lic. No. 64789 left in the third All Paper Cash Arena Complex SAT., DEC. 17 Early Bird 6:00 p.m. Regular Bingo 7:00 p.m. Sandman Inn a close 9-8 victory over Woodland Park Shell in Castlegar Recreational Hockey League play Monday at the Community Complex It was Walker's second goal of the Ags game. Peter Tischler and Mike Cor. bet assisted on the game winner. Duane Weir also scored a pair for Sandman. Singles went to Tischler, Dave MacKinnon, Ian Stewart, Cor- bet and Randy Martin. BULLETS 115 CELTICS 105 Bernard King scored 10 of his 30 points in the final 10:23 as Washington snapped a seven-game losing streak BUCKS 109 76ERS 91 Jack Sikma scored a season-high 26 points and Ricky Pierce scored 19 as Milwaukee beat Philadelphia. LAKERS 111 CAVALIERS 102 Earvin Johnson scored 31 points and added 12 rebounds and 13 assists for his sixth “triple double” of the season and 101st of his career as Los Angeles won for the eighth time in nine games. PACERS 115 HORNETS 104 Reserve John Long scored a season-high 25 points and Vern Fleming had a triple-double with a career-high 13 rebounds as Indiana defeated Charlotte. KNICKS 121 NETS 100 Charles Oakley scored 18 points and Sidney Green grabbed 17 rebounds as New York won its four straight. The Knicks are 8-1 at home this season. MAVERICKS 117 WARRIORS 111 Derek Harper made consecutive three-point shots within a span of 44 seconds in the fourth quarter, sending the Dallas over Golden State. SUPERSONICS 126 SUNS 116 Dale Ellis scored 33 points and Sedale Threatt scored six points in a key fourth-quarter stretch as the Seattle Phoenix. KINGS 108 SPURS 89 Harold Pressley scored a season-high 26 points as Sacramento handed San Antonio its fourth straight loss. Sandman ices Shell By CasNews Staff van Walker scored with just 1:19 Other Sandman assists went to MacKinnon, Weir, Walker, Martin, Stewart and Jim Paietz. Shell scorers were Randy Carlson, Bruno Tassone and Wayne Kinakin with two goals each. Singles went to Kelly Keraiff and Murray Pearson. sts went to Wes MacPherson, Carlson, Chief Metcer, Martin San. ders, Kinakin, Keraiff, Brad Makor. toff, Pearson and Tassone. Hi Arrow Arms takes on Shell tonight at the Complex in the next CRHL matchup. period to give 60% PAYOUTS NO ADVANCE TICKETS PACKAGES AVAILABLE Next Bingo January 14 RUBBER STAMPS CASTLEGAR NEWS 197 Columbia Avenue Phone 365-7266 CATCH THE WINTER WAVE Snow City Snowboards 444 Baker Street, Nelson, Phone 352-3714 Why stage tiebreakers? By The Associated Press Just before the New Orleans-San Francisco game last Sunday, there was this suggestion: Why break ties for wild cards? Why not just let all the teams with that record in and let the extras play division champions with the poorest marks — like an 8-8 team from the AFC West — on the first weekend of the playoffs? Indeed, why not? As long as it doesn't get like the NBA and NHL, in which almost everyone makes it, it makes as much 3ense as the current system. Granted, there's some fun-in the present method. But what sense does it make when Houston, which would have clinched a wild-card berth had Cleveland beaten Miami on Monday night, now must beat the Browns on Sunday to be sure of getting it? What sense does it make that Philadelphia could beat Dallas and still be out of the playoffs when, right now, the Eagles hold the second NFL wild-card. spot? And what sense does it make when a team's playoff chances don't depend on winning the final game, as happened to the New York Giants in 1984? Thé‘Giants played like it didn't matter, lost to a bad New Orleans team on the final Saturday, then watched the chips fall right and made the playoffs anyway. SYSTEM BIZARRE The situation at San Francisco last weekend illustrates the bizarre na- ture of the system. It started last Friday, when Dick Maxwell, NFC director of communi- cations, determined that a 49ers vic: tory over the Saints would give San Francisco an NFC wild-card berth. That was duly relayed to Dave Rahn, public relations assistant with the 49ers, who told general manager John MeVay. “John asked, ‘Are you sure?’ ” Rahn said Sunday night. “We got Dick on the phone, went down all the possibilities, and it worked out.” Everyone was duly informegs@ind when San Francisco beat New Or. leans 30-17, the word went out over the wires, over the air and into newsprint. Then, about two hours after the game, the San Francisco Chronicle got a call from a Bay Area resident. Wrong, the reader said, the 49ers haven't clinched and word went to the press box — if San Francisco, Philadelphia and Minnesota finish 10-6, the Eagles and Vikings would make it on the fifth tiebreaker be- cause their point differential would be better than San Francisco's. Rahn and Rodney Knox, the 49ers’ publications co-ordinator, scratched their heads. Several calls went to the league office. Callers were told official word would have to come from Maxwell, who wouldn't be in until after 10 p.m. EST. So everyone hung around, advis. Bantams ories went out that the 49ers might not be in, and all waited for Maxwell. Nearly four hours after the San Francisco game ended, he called Knox to confirm the 49ers had made it. Why? Because if the 49ers, Eagles and Vikings tied for the two wild-card spots, Minnesota would go in via the first tie-breaker, point differential. The second spot would to to San Francisco via the fourth tie-breaker — a better record than Philadelphia against common opponents, 5-3 to the Eagles’ 5-4. lose and tie in Kelowna The Castlegar Bantam Reps were in Kelowna over the weekend, tying Saturday's game 6-6 before dropping a 13-3 loss Sunday. The Bantams did manage to beat Nelson 5-1 in league play last weekend. In Saturday's action against Kel owna, David Green exploded for four Castlegar goals. As well Green picked up two assists. Derek Lalone scored for Castlegar on a pass from Green in the corner. Kevan Rilcof rounded out the scoring for Castle- gar. Jason Batchelor and Johnny Strilaeff also picked up assists. In the early morning Sunday game, road-weary Castlegar could not keep up to the strong skating of Kelowna and suffered the 13-3 loss. Nino Dacosta, Shane Cutler and Green scored for Castlegar. Green, Dan Stelck and Derek Kazakoff picked up assists. Castlegar continues league play this weekend against Spokane and Nelson. Manitoba honors Donny Lalonde WINNIPEG (CP) — Boxer Donny Lalonde, last year’s winner, has been nominated again as Manitoba's male athlete of the year by the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters As- sociation. Punter Bob Cameron of the Win. nipeg Blue Bombers, figure skater Lyndon Johnston, blind swimmer Tim Maclsaac and Canadian juvenile golf champion Dale Goehring are the other nominees. For top female honors, the group has nominated speedskater Susan Auch, distance runner Angela Chal- mers, swimmer Kristen Topham, weightlifter Theresa Brick and ryth- mic gymnast Lisa Merritt. Competing for team honors are the 1988 Grey Cup champion Bombers, the University of Winnipeg Lady Wesmen volleyball squad, the Ban don Bobcats men's basketball team, the University of Manitoba Lady Bisons basketball team and Jeaff Stoughton’s mixed curling team. Big, Bold and Beautiful! Seven double chairlifts, including the new mile-long North Bowl chair, open up to 2400 vertical feet of fantastic skiing and over 40 runs carved across two natural bowls. Add to this a challenging blend of open and wooded terrain three long and gentle learn ing slopes steep and deep powder chutes . . a hotel, condos, restaurants and lounges... and spectacular views of Pend Oreille Lake and you'll have a big, bold and beautiful skiing experience on a mountain made for skiers Uncrowded facilities, Frequent Skier Discounts, easy access (only 75 miles from Spokane International Airport) and dependable snow conditions make us the economical choice To learn more, mail in the coupon or call today Schweitzer ta: Sandpoint, Idaho k mation write Schweitzer, Post Office Box 815, Dept. A, S for our Bolle Package Spec Wet a free pair ‘Of Bollé Sun, and ski ¢ more with us @ priced from $86).* yyou stay “days or pason (Packages Name: — Address: — City: __ State: Zip: Telephone: ___ CO 1am interested in your Bole offer Please send ski package information and a free color brochui C Please send me Schweitzer Real Estate information. int, Idaho 83864 or call 208/263-9555 Jal, Foe reservations call (800) 831-8810 U.S. and (800) $44-4933 in Canada PAID IDAMO TRAVEL COUNSEL Mid-Week Wrap-up 6 0 302 5 10 0 235 x|clinched division title y klinched playolt berth BASKETBALL Grand torks Col. Volley Nicholls, LA ld Cape Breton Adiendch Newmarket FOOTBALL AMERICAN CONFERENCE fest NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE rt Wi ° Pacific Division 6 eogue ato pitcher Reb Murpny ond ewmnan Nick Esasky. Wo Helder Todd Chicago White Sox announce that pitching coach Don Rowe will not return next seaton, nome E Brinkman on American League scout i contrars of pitch hicoge Cube sch, Dave in Diego Podres — extend contract o! Tony Guynntrcogh 199i etter on WOcKEY oe, Nordiques Lopointe ) Ny... December 4.1988 CastlégarNews ss YEAR-END PARTY . . . bers of Cadet Squadron received ar vail te Castlegar 581 Royal Canadian Air ‘om Santa Claus at the squadron's mess dinner held Monday at Stanley Humphries secondary school. The dinner, a year-end wrap-up party, was a pot luck put on by the squadron's sponsoring body. Butlernamed manager; Kenneth R.J. Butler has been ap- pointed project manager of the emergency preservation program on the historic sternwheeler S.S. Moyie at Kaslo. The appointment was announced by Isabel Butler (no relation) vice president of the Kootenay Lake Historical Society, which operates the old Kootenay Lake passenger. cargo vessel as a museum on the shore of Kaslo Bay. Ken Butler, until now co-owner of Valhalla Construction Company in New Denver, has had experience with another sternwheeler from the Canadian Pacific Railway’s former Kootenay Lake fleet. In 1983 he built living quarters for a Nelson couple under the wheel. house and observation deck of the S.S. Nasookin, all that remains of the vessel. The structure, a few miles Rotering not in conflict, Hiring politically experienced staff will benefit Kootenay West-Revel stoke, says newly elected Member of Parliament Lyle Kristiansen. With Nelson Mayor Gerald Roter ing in the position of constituency assistant, individuals and municipal representatives alike can expect an informed response to inquiries, the MP said in a prepared news release “It can only work to our riding’s advantage to have people with Mr. Rotering’s experience and contacts working for me and thus for all of in Kootenay West — Revelstok Kristiansen said. “There is no conflict of favoritism in his appointment. He MP says will simply help me to better represent every city, town and village.” Rotering was elected Nelson ma yor in 1985 after serving as con stituency assistant to Kristiansen during his previous term in office, 1980-84. Rotering is also a former Nelson alderman. Since his appointment shortly after Kristiansen won election on Nov. 21, there has been some concern expressed over possible conflict be tween Rotering’s municipal role in Nelson and his duties on behalf of the MP. Kristiansen reassured consti: tuents in the prepared statement. Answer to brad Crossword Puzzle No. 343 >) OSES Slee) BOS sun) Saisie {OF T1S>0MOMDOZE< Pon DILIERIC|. [TIAISISIEREKIO! Answer to Sunday, Dec. mir iS) cri HCl Beaaie oO M70 O|x|— I} a) SO) Wessel IZIOIO} min >i [o [Z| emir rr 1 oo WHY POPULAR MERCHANT'S RAMBUNCTIOUS SON WON BICYCLE RACE: HE W. ‘AS GOOD AT PEDDLING. east of Nelson on Highway 3A, is a landmark seen by every visitor entering Nelson from the east. The Moyie, which entered service 90 years ago in December, served on Kootenay Lake until April 1957, when the CPR sold her to Kaslo for $1. The ship was moved to Kaslo at that time and the following year was hauled up on the shore. Since then she has been operated as a museum by the KLHS. In the past year, about $373,000 has been raised for preservation of the ship, which needs new cribwork to support her hull, installation of a fire protection system and consider. able remedial work. The fund-raising drive followed a pledge in 1987 by the Canadian Parks Service to donate $175,000 to the project if the KLHS could raise a matching amount. The fund was bolstered by a $100,000 donation from the B.C. Lottery Fund, which put the KLHS target of $175,000 over the top. Other donations have totalled nearly $98,000 to the end of November. A project office has been estab. lished at the Kaslo village hall. The village is the owner of the ship and leases it to the KLHS. The Songs of Christmas Christmas Song Sheets are available from the SS Castlegar News 197 Columbia Avenue Your special shop for little people 402 Baker St., Nelson 354-4410 We offer lots of great gift ideas for the littlest elf on your list. We can't name them alll in this ad, so please come in and see for yourself. 10% Off any purchase with the presentation of this ad through December 17 Recreation news Open letter to the residents of Castlegar from Santa Claus: Hi Castlegar! Have you heard the news? I'm coming to town on Saturday, Dee. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Complex. Mrs, Claus and I are very excited about visiting with all you children to find out what you want for Christ mas. And I'm really excited about the scrumptious brunch you have plan ned. I know Mrs. Claus is going to watch and make sure I don't eat too much but for only $1.50 for children and $3 for adults it is certainly a bargain. I also hear there is going to be a Christmas Penny Carnival with face painting, cake walk, pie throwing, dart throw, kids raffle, fish pond, bean bag toss, helium balloons and lots more. These booths are being supplied by the Parents Groups from the schools along with service clubs throughout Castlegar. All the money raised will be used by the Parents Groups or service clubs, with some of the groups donating their proceeds to the new Aquatic Centre. There is no cover charge to come out to the Penny Carnival, so mom, dad, kids, grandma and grandpa SS ? come on out to the Community Complex and visit Mrs. Claus and me, have brunch and join in the fun at the periny carnival on Saturday Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. I sure am looking forward to seeing all of you. Ho! Ho! Hol Love XXX000 Santa (P.S. Kids — You can save me a bite of brunch when Mrs. Claus isn't looking) Public Skating Public skating for this week will take place Tuesday and Thursday 2-4:30 p.m., Friday 2-3:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m., Saturday 3-4:45 p.m. and Sunday 2-3:45 p.m. 8 « Are you still looking for that very special and unique Christmas gift? How about purchasing a brick for $35. Your name or message will be inscribed on the brick which will be placed at random on the walls of the Aquatic Centre. Buy one for your children, grandchildren, parents, your friends, employees or yourself. The cost of $35 is tax deductable and makes a very special gift for that very special person(s). Castlégar News Holiday Publishing Schedule Saturday, December 24 Christmas Edition — Afternoon Paper Wednesday, December 28 No Paper Saturday, December 31 Last Paper of 1988 — Afternoon Paper Year in Review Edition 3 ks scape gina etc Make Castlegar’s Christmas Tree Light Up! Every time you donate Food and Toys this Christmas, another Light on the Christ- mas Tree near the Castleaird Plaza will come on. Take your donations to the Royal Canadian Legion, Downtown Castlegar, and watch the true spirit of Christmas Light your Tree. Sponsored by the Kootenay Broadcasting System and the City of Castlegor.