Saturday, September 26, 1992 @ ber 26, 1992 Graf will have to wait the big wedding I was mentally plan- ning wouldn't be happening any time Nine to FIVE Marrying Steffi with the dream I had of playing Castlegar tennis prodigy Wayne Stolz T’ve never been that interested in individual sports. I think it has a lot to do with blame. You see, when you look at sports like golf, tennis and tiddly winks, the onus is on the one person to win the game. Or, from a different perspective, avoid the loss. If you make a mistake, it’s human nature to turn around and look for someone else to yell at, blame them for the error and question why they were even put on earth. But, since the only person to blame is yourself, cursing out loud at some- one who isn’t there would look mighty foolish. That’s what I like about team sports. Sure, you can screw up, but if you know what you're doing it’s easy to shift the blame onto somebody else. For example: Pitcher (to catcher) “You moron. That’s three straight guys who have stolen second. You couldn't throw out the garbage.” Catcher (to pitcher) “It’s funny you should mention garbage, since that’s n throwing tonight. You make my mother look like Nolan Ryan.” ool it wasn’t the comeback to end all comebacks, but the catcher made his point. , : Before I go any further off topic, I think I should return to the topic, which is why I prefer team over indi- in a friendly match. ee Before I became so opposed to indi- vidual sports, I was quite a fan of ten- nis. Growing up in the 70s was great, because you had guys like Borg, Con- nors and McEnroe to emulate. Me, well my game was a little clos- er to someone else in the sport, Mlle Nastase, to those who remember him, was a rather intense invidual. He was always on the verge of big-name status, yet he never quite reached it. His most memorbale trait was the fact that he was rather fond of swear- ing and gesturing, something I copied rather well with the odd bit of racquet throwing thrown in for effect. Unfortunately, that was about allI could do right and threw in the prover- bial towel soon after. But when the chance to face off against Stolz came up, I had visions of becoming the tennis player I never was. I could see it as clear as day, how one victory could propel me into leav- ing sportswriting behind and joining the ranks of the tennis elite. With thoughts of meeting Steffi Graf dancing in my head, I grabbed my racquet and headed off wondering whether she would be known as Stef- fi Green-Graf (that has a cruel ring to it) or whether she would keep her maiden name like a lot of women in JonathanGREEN professional sports do after they get Arriving at the Community Com- plex I found Wayne and, hoping to scare him, coolly showed him my offi- cial ‘Boris Becker Fan Club’ card and bonus decoder ring. : He wasn’t phased so, with Ms. Graf waiting, it was time to get down to business. Being a nice guy, I thought I would take it easy in the early going. After all, I was throwing some of my best tantrums when Stolz was still in dia- rs. But being a nice guy didn't wash with my young opponent, who promptly made me look like I was us- ing a ping pong paddle in place ofa tennis racquet. It wasn’t long before I realized that _, this decade. The match would turn out to bea painful one, as I would run to the net time and time again only to end up with a stiff neck from watching the ball sail by or tennis ball-sized bruises from wearing a smash. Things did get a little better, as I picked up my initial point of the match in game three of the third set. : Realizing that my God-like physical abilities were nowhere to be found, I put my mental game into overdrive by using the old “Hey Wayne, your shoe's untied” line while serving and was re- warded with an ace. But that only served to fire up my foe, who promptly dispatched of his unworthy opponent in less time than it takes to drive to Genelle. After waking up, I decided it wasn't that humilaiting. . After all, I think the last time I picked up a tennis racquet was to drain some kind of garden vegetable that went well with beans on my most recent camping trip, circa 1985. Nope, life goes on for yours truly as I ponder whether to take the publish- er up on his offer for a match. Knowing full well that I can clean his clock, the competitve side of me wants to go out and Stolzify him. Mind you, the financial side of me has other ideas. Lose, big time. I need a raise. Your business is our business Nell Rachyski 365-7266 PROVINCE IS AA+ American credit rating agency Standard and Poor gave B.C. a rating of AA+. According to the Ministry of Finance, the agency states, “The financial centres of North America know B.C. has outperformed the rest of the country in economic growth.” INTERAC- TIVE You know how your automated bank machine card has that little ‘Interac’ logo on it? Well, instead of just Neil Rachynski NEWS REPORTER schedule. Celgar’s modernization project is coming along nicely, thank you very much. Expansion project manager Rod Meares says construction is pretty much on “We were supposed to be 59 per cent complete by the end of August and the actual was 55 per cent,” Meares said. With the summer’s six-week pulp mill strike, Meares says only eight-and-one-half days were lost on construction. “The plan has been adjusted somewhat,” Meares said. sequencing of project contracts and a little bit of selected overtime on critical items. “We're on budget, on schedule and more than halfway towards completion. I can’t see any major disruption that would cause us to miss any milestones.” The first of those milestones was reached in July. The recausticizing project is up and running, albeit at a low rate. But the new is 1 the old. The recausticizing ] project is taking waste m replace “We’ve changed the operating in concert with chemicals from the mill’s old boiler and-converting it to a liquor that is used in the cooking process. “That’s the first major start-up, and it was very successful,” Meares said. “Effluent treatment starts in November, and that’s the second major start-up, along with the chlorine dioxide plant. (At that time) the mill can more of the | 4 (Patterson’s) main thrust is to mak people are accountable for their own actions.” Even still, Meares says there have been some “close misses.” “For instance people falling a few feet because they haven't been tied off. If he” falls three to four feet it’s a close miss because he could have fallen 100 feet.” Meares says to date more than $1 million has been spent on safety programs. “We’ve turned around the safety situation to where it’s very acceptable.” Along with high safety standards, Meares says Celgar will have no problem meeting new provincial guidelines that regulate effluent discharged from the mill. “There was no effluent treatment at all before — it went straight to the river.” Meares says the lagoons built for the effluent will change that. And as for Celgar’s signature aroma, just how much will remain when the new mill fires up in July? “That will be virtually eliminated.” A pleasant change for the olfactories of local residents. e sure | vidal sports, yet that almost changed Rebels whip Warriors for third consecutive win Vaughan Welychko shut the Warriors out for the first half ofthe game before giving way to Jacey Moore. Sauer said the defence in front of Moore wasn't as strong as it was in two weekend victories over Beaver Valley, but didn’t absolve Moore of all the blame. “We did have a weaker defence out there, but (Moore) didn't have his best game, for sure.” : With 24 goals through three games and only six allowed, the Rebels have shown they can put the puck in and keep it out of the net, and this hasn't gone unnoiticed. ; “[’'ve been impressed with what I've seen,” Sauer said. “Any- time you win three straight games, whether it’s exhibition or regular season, it’s got to be a bonus.” With back-to-back games against Spokane tonight at home and Sunday in Spokane, Sauer said he and assistant Gordie Walker should be close to selecting who will play for the Rebels this season after tomorrow’s game. “By Sunday, we'll pretty well have who we want to keep.” Game time tonight is 8 p.m. at the Complex. Bluetop Burger chlorine they use.” Right now there is about 1,400 construction workers on the sight. That number f peaked at 1,500 the first week of September during the mill’s shutdown. With that many people on sight, Meares says safety is of great concern — so much so that the company brought in project | safety officer Pat Patterson last year. “With this year compared to last the difference is like chalk and cheese,” Meares said. using it for various bank withdrawals, you can now use it for purchases. Over 2,300 retail outlets in the province have signed up to provide the service for shoppers. NEWS STAFF . Although the superstitious believe 13 to be an unlucky num- ber, there was nothing bad about it for the Castlegar Rebels Tuesday. Getting goals from eight different players, the Rebels waltzed to a 13-5 home win over the expansion Rossland War- riors in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League exhi- bition play. . “We did just fine as far as the scoreboard was concerned, Rebels coach Gary Sauer said Wednesday. ; Chris Greb, Kevin Dewar, Teddy Hunter, Bill Brewer and Mark Graff each had two goals for the winners while Rob Hill, Cory Ross and Rick Fauth added singles. : Sauer said the score wasn't a good indiaction of how the game really went, pointing to some questionable Rossland oaltending. ; . “J think their goaltending was fairly weak,” he said. “They let in some soft ones. “Tt could have been more like 8-5.” SHSS field hockey teams win and lose hysically a lot stronger,” she NEWS STAFF pe bie toe said. CANCER CAN BE BEATEN CANADIAN | S00 CANADIENNE Du CANCER OVERDUE LEVY if your income taxes are overdue or overpaid the interest rate charged is eight per cent. That will be in effect from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31. The interest applies to any refunds on overpayments, overdue taxes, penatties, insufficient installment payments and unpaid Unemployment Insurance ; ‘ News photos by Neil Rachynski Expansion project Manager Rod Meares examines a steam piping valve on the construction site. ATHLETE OF THE WEEK we ae Celgar’s expansion project is on schedule. B.C. Hydro has been given too much power Oh, happy day. te with the protection strategy the On Sunday, people from all over B.C. will be “splashing in, exploring under, paddling on, hiking beside, cleaning up or just admiring rivers on B.C. Pa council has come up with. Th These folks want to map out ¢. a plan that will manage the Outdoor Recreation Council of Bottom province’s rivers with proper British Columbia says. Line consideration given to On the Columbia River, a *, * e What’s more, we’re locked into the agreement for another 32 years. That’s why I was intrigued Me: “We’re tied into this treaty for another 32 years. Do) we just tough it out?” Thompson: “Long-term energy planning and recreation) can be taken into consideration.” Me: “But what can you do for us in the meantime?” Thompson: “Your system DOM DROUCKER DAM INN MATES Scored four touchdowns, intercepted a pass & recovered his own punt in a 44-30 T.F.F.L. win over Castlegar last Sunday. Rivers Day.” At least that’s what the eilRACHYNSKI cellent. . F “It’s just that with our in- - and senior girls field hockey teams started their seasons in similar fashion this week. Both teams were involved in shutouts but, unfortunate- ly for the seniors, they were shutout by Rossland Wednes- 48y ve lost 5-0 but we did experience, when we made mistakes they scored.” The juniors were solid all around Tuesday and beat Traflagar of Nelson 5-0. “T think there’s quite a bit of talent on this team,” coach Ann Clow said. Clow said her squad was bigger than the middle school, and used it to their ad- “The Castlegar girls were And by game’s end, they had used that strength to reg- ister a convincing win. “By the end of the gamne, you could see the team play- ing more as a team,” Clow said. “They played well.” | Next action for the juniors is Tuesday in Rossland, while the seniors return from a weekend tournament in the Okanagan to face Trail Thursday. 1621 Columbia Ave. Call Ahead Drive Through Service By CASTLEGAR SPORTS CENTRE Informed Competant Professional Service « Hockey Equipment * Skate Sharpening (FIGURE AND HOCKEY) * NHL Replica Jerseys *« Used Skates 365-8288 2177 Columbia Ave., Castlegar premiums. though, people above the Hugh Keenleyside Dam will be looking for and hoping to find decent water levels so they, too, can splash, explore and paddle. The council boasts of what a spectacular river heritage we Ihave. In fact, they’ve come up with a River Recreation Strategy. The council calls it “a recipe for protecting B.C.’s wild river heritage.” Well, we have _ water recreation up at Syringa. It’s on a river. And it needs protection. I’m sure the marina operators would like to see the Columbia River’ Treaty amended to include recreation considerations. Right now the treaty only allows water to be released or retained for power and flood control. That’s it. Nothing else counts. It’s an archaic mentality. recreation. The concept has been endorsed by the Ministry of Environment and various other recreational, commercial and tourism groups. But it won’t work. Unless B.C. Hydro signs up and recognizes there’s more to water use than power (political as well as electrical) the plan is doomed. I talked to Paul Thompson with the council and asked how their strategy would benefit us. already has quite a few dams on it. We’ll be focusing on) what’s left.” What's left? Is it so bad this’ group of 120,000 people feel ours is a lost cause? I can understand why. The province claims it’s hands are tied with the treaty and that it’s B.C. Hydro’s business. What’s needed is a change of mandate for B.C. Hydro. And that, friends and neighbors, the province can do.