a _Casthégat News oncenbe: 23.190 WANT THE BEST CHICKEN IN TOWN? CALL US TODAY 365-5304 2816 COLUMBIA AVE. * SOUTH CASTLEGAR COMINCO & WESTAR VOUCHERS ACCEPTED. CO With This Coupon @ ae ae mee es ae GOING TO SPOKANE? | THE TRADE WiW$ MOTEL Help Celebrate Our 25th Year! One Bed $25 (U.S.) — Two Beds $30 (U.S.) DOWNTOWN ‘nt W. 907 Third Ave. warn] (809-838-2091 MUST PRESENT COUPON AT REGISTRATION. (NOT VALI WITH ANY OTHER PROMOTION OR DISCOUNT. Apetl 30, 1908. BE youR OWN BOSS *6000 Allows you to OWN & OPERATE your own business. Call cr write . . . JOHN MADSEN, CA President “@INTERCHANGE Box 82008, North * VEC SP2 (604) 420-8509 edmonton house “MORE THAN JUST A HOTEL ROOM” Edmonton * 340 spacious suites (1 and 2 bedroom) * Panoramic View WEEKEND RATE $47 DAILY RATE WEEKLY & MONTHLY $64.00 RATES AVAILABLE edmonton house 1 100 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 485 (403) 424-5555. or call toll free 1-800-661-6562 Council warns of water crisis TORONTO (CP) — The Science Council of Canada says the country faces an en- vironmental of monu- mental proportions if it fails to confront its water pollu- tion problems. Among other things, the council predicts water short- ages in parts of Ontario, Quebec and Western Canada will continue to grow and says people in heavily in- dustrialized Southern On- tario could be required to use bottled water for drinking, cooking and cleaning teeth if the problem continues to get worse. “The future is not bright,” says a 47-page draft report and discussion paper issued by the council as a mid-term report in its two-year study of the problem. “A looming environmental crisis indi- cates a scale and depth of disaster far exceeding any met by earlier generations.” Canada is caught up in a Shaw buys papers VANCOUVER (CP) — Shaw Cablesystems Ltd. of Edmonton announced Tues- day it has bought a 21-per- cent interest in Victoria- based Black Press Ltd. Black Press publishes 21 weekly newspapers in British Columbia, and has gross an- nual revenues of approxi- mately $18 million. Shaw Cable also agreed to participate in the financing of future acquisitions by Black Press, the company said. The two companies are currently acquiring a group of weekly newspapers on Whidbey Island, Wash. global water crisis and, in 12 years, half the world’s popu- lation will lack adequate water supplies, warns the mid-term report of a two- year study of water re- sources, “Continued growth in in- dustrial water needs assures that practically all the world's fresh water will be contaminated,” it says. CUTS SPENDING Yet Canada's ability to understand its water prob- lems is weakening, the coun- cil says. Some Canadians are world experts in aspects of water research, but the country “lacks a coherent science policy” and commit- ment to the resource. It says government offi- cials responsible for water issues engage in territorial conflicts instead of co-opera- tive efforts, while federal spending on water research is to be cut 25 per cent in the next four years. Two victims: — The Marine Ecology Laboratory, an internation- ally renowned research cen- tre at the Bedford Institute for Oceanography in Dart- mouth, N.S., disbanded this year by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to save money. — The university-based Sireer TALK and the new Fishwick won't be doing weather observations or be giving reports on local radio stations. KOOTENAY CATTLE Company in Trail is under s1ew ownership, Bud Cary of Creston and Shirley Jewel of Victoria have taken over the restaurant. Operations manager is Tim Sangha from Victoria. through the Arrow Lakes News, Nakusp's weekly community ewspaper, we came across this item from their files: “60 years ago — Thursday, December 9, 1987: Speed limits for all British Columbia Highways, towns and cities, as well as tests for auto drivers are provided for in the amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act in the legislature Tuesday. Speed limits are 80 miles an hour day or night in cities and villages, 40 miles an hour on highways in day time and 30 miles an hour on highways at night.” colleges and instit in B.C, Marks will generate credits having a dollar value. Up to $800 can be earned in Grades 9 through 12. The credit scales are: Grade 9 — $125; Grade 10 — $175; Grade 11 — $225; and Grade 12 — $275. FAMILY ALLOWANCE payments will increase in January. The monthly payment will jump from $31.98 in B.C. to $82.38. The increase is based on the change in the annual inflation rate above three per cent. This year's rate on inflation was 4.4 per cent. JIM FISHWICK . » » Off to Island A ONETIME columnist for the Castlegar News, who had a column appearing across Canada, died recently in Midland, Ontario. Bill Smiley, one of Canada's best-known weekly newspaper columnists, died at the age of 67 after a brief illness. Smiley's easy-reading column was a staple for many rural Canadian residents during the nearly 33 years it was published. The column appeared in the Castlegar News backeig, the 1960s and 60s. Born in Ottawa and raised in Perth, Smiley's weekly newspaper career began in Wiarton when he was asked to run the Echo following the death of his brother-in-law. While he had only planned to stay at the paper until someone else could be found, he remained there for 11 years, falling in love with the business. His column was named Sugar and Spice and was witty and wise, packed with personal anecdotes, whimsy, subtle humor and occasional preaching. At its peak, the column appeared in 140 weekly papers from coast to coast. Failing health forced the cancellation of the column just over a year ago. Water Program, cancelled last year by Environment Canada. Environment Minister Tom McMillan has acknow- ledged lack of co-ordination on pollution in the Great Lakes, particularly between the Environment and Health Departments. “There is a paucity of re- search ... an area of neglect by governments and by the academic community,” said McMillan. LOAN-OUT BY ONTARIO SPOKESMAN CAMERA The Castlegar News has two simple- to-operate loan-out cameras (complete with film) which it is pleased to allow groups to use for taking pictures for use by the Castlegar News. Arrangements for the use of these cameras should be made through our News Department at 365-3517. Ru Le Castlegar News TORONTO (CP) — A report that labels Ontario's forest products industry as “outdated, inefficient and under- exploited” has drawn the wrong conclusions, a spokesman for the province's forest industry said Tuesday. The report for the Ministry of Natural Resources failed to study fundamental differences in labor and energy costs in its comparison of the Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia forest industries, said Ian Bird, presi of the Forestry firmsdefended company spokesman Frantz Tollefsen said Tuesday. “We rebuilt the kraft mill and we installed a new fine paper facility, replacing the old system,” he said. In April the company announced a $390-million program toadd a second fine paper machine and a newsprint machine in Thunder Bay. “I think that our recent announcements demonstrate we Ontario Forest Industries Association. The report tabled Monday in the legislature said the industry bas missed chances to meet market demand and use new technology. The report was commissioned in December 1986 and prepared by Woodbridge, Reed and Associates. The demand has shifted from raw commodities to higher value, higher quality products, the study said, with printing and writing products the fastest growing segment of the market. But Bird said the industry has seized on opportunities to go to higher value quality products and raw-material mills and it has invested in parts of Ontario where it can make money. WIDE SPREAD The companies in Ontario's forest industry are the same ones operating in B.C., Quebec and the United States, said Bird, whose inti pI 25 forest ie He said the report didn’t mention that hydro electricity is cheaper for companies operating in other parts of Canada, i Quebec. It also didn’t address restrictive labor For Your Convenience We're OPEN MONDAY Provincial . Dec. ‘ claim. Find your name below and CASTLEGAR AUTOMO! (CASTLE Time (1977) LT. " es. CASTLEGAR: 365-7145 365-2155 365-3666 365-3311 sammie 365-2175 365-7252 EASTGATE GARDENS DEPARTMENT STOR: Peibe ber sree eee a 0h Ave 365-3255 365-7782 SHOES TRIOS SHOE SALON, 465 197 Columbio Ave 365-2955“ 623 Columbio Ave, RESTAURANTS 982 Columbo Ave TICKETS otfice Tuesday or Wed- inesday, Dec. 30, to ‘G18sON 2317 6th Ave A. Koochin, 706 - 2nd $1 Columbo Ave Econo Spots You can save up to 80% on the cost of this ad! 365-5210 laws in Ontario that add cost to the labor-intensive forest industry, he added. The provincial government should “talk and listen” to forest companies, he said, “instead of hiring private consultants from outside of the province, from British Columbia, by the way.” Bird said it would be “pretty tough” to find cheaper energy in Ontario, but the government should intervene less in labor matters. Great Lakes Forest Products Ltd. also found fault with the report's findings that the industry is outdated. The pulp and paper company spent more than $430 million from 1980-84 to modernize its Dryden, Ont., mill, are itely shifting our emphasis to higher value added products,” he said. More than 70,000 people in Ontario are employed directly by the forest products industry, the report said..The industry accounts for 2.3 per cent of the gross provincial product and provides about $3.2 billion in export earnings. Ontario's wood products operations — third in Canada behind British Columbia and Quebec as an employer and exporter — are old, small-scale and inefficient, the report said. Natural Resources Minister Vince Kerrio said his staff is iting with industry representatives and he expects to outline a plan in 1988. Injured tot out of coma RENO, Nev. (AP) — A ical condition, sedated and on CHRISTMAS CONCERT A choir of angels lent song and glow to the gathering af the manger as they joined with choirs of shepherds and choirs of wise men in the Woodland Park elementary school Christ- mas concert. In three separate performances, the en- tire school read and sang The Christmas Story. Experts say OK to bend truth q FFE. i REEE HE rl g vile Fiif fir gs HE'S NO ‘RIPOFF’ Dowie changes Santa By RON SUDLOW Press VANCOUVER — Fran Dowie, a chubby 66-year-old ire, has an extr the role of the department-store Santa. “In the first place,” says the former trainer of shopping- mall Santas, “I think it’s been a ripoff. “You're charged $4.50 for a 30-cent instant picture. Parents take their kids kicking and squirming after waiting in line and thrust them at Santa. Well, naturally, the kids are going to wee their drawers. Usually the picture comes out with the kid screaming and Santa trying to look happy.” What's the alternative? Do what Dowie does. Instead of a pen of smelly reindeer or a fantasyland of fake snow, Dowie has created a workshop setting at an upseale children's toy store. The padded red suit has been replaced by an apron and green eyeshade: The workshop contains a lathe — Dowie turns out toys while the kids watch — a wood stove and an old roll-top desk where he dips a quill pen into a inkwell and records their names in a big book. He says there were more than 6,000 names in the book last year. “Not one of them asked for presents, I don't.e it. If] find the conversation going that way, I just say, ‘You'll get what you deserve.’ ” PARENTS CAN WATCH It’s magic without plastic. There are no war toys or robots. Parents are kept outside but can watch through a soundproof glass partition. About 20 children at a time are admitted to the workshop for a 15-minute visit, a chat and some gingerbread cookies. There's no charge and no photographer, although Santa will autograph an antique-looking, sepia-toned picture. Dowie, who was seven when he teamed with his father as half of the Frank and Fran comedy team, got out of the Santa Claus school business because “I had more orders than I could fill so I cut it all out.” But two years ago he got his chance to call his own shots when the toy store contacted him after an unpleasant experience with reindeer the year before. “They not only stunk the place out but they were vicious things that bit a couple of kids on the hands.” Dowie, who uses a fake yak-hair beard to accent his natural shoulder-length white hair, twinkling blue eyes and waxed white moustache, says the children feel comfortable when the cookies are served. CHILDREN RELAX “They relax and the that go on are fantastic.” A mother saw her four-year-old daughter talking animatedly with Santa and wanted to know what she asked for and what was said. “Oh, mommy,” the wide-eyed child replied, “it was all personal stuff. You wouldn't understand.” A couple from Portland, Ore. — 600 kilometres south of Vancouver — took their kids to see Dowie two years ago. They were back again last Christmas. “They said their kids won't go the local mall to see Santa Claus. The real Santa is in Vancouver.” Dowie, who has shed 85 Ib. since he began swimming early-morning lengths at a municipal pool, looks and talks like a larger version of Mickey Rooney. The former Second World War entertainer — “I was practically born in’a trunk” — slips easily into the roles ‘of Santa, children and their parents during an interview. LENDS AN EAR Dowie, who has 10 grandchildren, says the most important gift he can give children is someone to listen to thing on it. Wishing, she says, is a positive experience. “The person who invented house,” . says. Psychologist Antoon Leenaars “I think you're putting a little bit of of society. “Myths have always been a very valuable way of under- standing the human exper- ience,” McMullin says. “They are a way of kids with the larger culture.” Koote: cs “Boy Scouts- - 2ND ANNUAL 12TH NIGHT BURN January 6 Columbia District res 20-month-old boy trapped in acar under water for 20 to 25 minutes came out of a coma and was fussing and crying Tuesday, hospital spokesmen said. “It’s really surprising how he is coming around,” Was- hoe Medical Centre spokes- man Jack Bulavsky said in describing the responses of Stephen Edmonds. The boy remained in crit- items and Open 24 Hours a Day For Your C OPEN CHRISTMAS & Convenience Store OPENING 24 HR Drop In and See Our New Facilities with Hundreds of Convenience Effective Monday cemmn ws Dec. 21 Starting Monday YOU CAN WIN... ONE OF 6 TRIPS TO RENO / OR a ventilator to assist his breathing. Bulavsky said it will take longer to determine whether the child suffered brain dam- age from lack of oxygen after his mother's four-wheel-drive wagon skidded down an em- bankment, turned over and sank, wheels up, in a frozen canel. The mother managed to excape through a broken window, but could not find her son. The boy was flown to the hospital by helicopter follow- ing the accident early Mon- day in Gardnerville, 60 kilo- metres south of Reno. The mother, Deborah Ed monds, 21, who was treated for minor injuries, has seen her son “and was very ex- cited,” Bulavsky said. Another hospital spokes- man, Tim Robinson, said the mother “said she saw him mouth the word ‘momma’ when she was visiting him.” Robinson added: “He's cry- ing and fussing. He's re- Giant turkeys? WEST LAFAYETTE Ind. (AP) — For those who hate Christmas leftovers, beware of the mega-turkey. In an experiment to de- termine meat-to-bone yield, chefs at Purdue University are roasting 100 turkeys that tip the scales at 20 kilograms each. “I could serve 100 people with just one of these birds,” ALCON said chef Hubert Schmieder. “In fact, 'd probably have some left over.” The giant birds, which cost twice as much as normal- sized counterparts, have drumsticks the size of large beef roasts. The results of- the study are to be published in an American food sciences journal. them. Recisteren ETIREMENT NCOME re) Competitive Rates i F UND Convenient Terms CASTLEGAR SAVINGS CREDIT UNION For All Your Financial & insurance Needs CASTLEGAR SLOCAN PARK 01-18th St., 365-7232 Hwy. 6, Slocen Park Insurence 365-3368 Complex at 6 p.m. Christmas Tree Pick-up Sunday, Jon. 3 1:00 p.m. pened leave your tree oh side of road or bring your tree to Complex Mon.-Wed. EVERYONE IS WELCOME Free Coffee & Hot Chocolate HAY RIDES Feacrar Castlegar . Safeway Store Will be closed at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24 We will remain CLOSED Christmas Day and Boxing Day to Allow our Employees and Their Families to Enjoy the Christmas Season. BUY ONE To Castlegar and Area Resid Holiday Garbage Pickups There Will Be No Pickups Dec. 25 & Dec. 26 Friday, Dec. 25 Pickup Will Be Picked Up Monday, Dec. 28 New Year's Day, Jan. 1 Pickup Will Be Made Port O’Call Inn - se abe abe Just 59 Qi. ad Special price until, May 31st, 1988 acations are great at the Port Ngo 1 TOOMS, § quipped w « bars and jacuzzis: In-room movies, health, Nd steam rooms, hanya indoor pool. Scoreboard Tavern, Branders lounge and dining nom, Many Ports restaurant. * Convenient location five minutes from Inter- national Airport, Village Square Leisure Centre, major shopping malls. * Heated parking airport limousine, park-and-fly ogram availa © Banquet and meeting rooms, executive suites. sk about our honeymoon packages. \ CLIP THIS AD, SHOW IT TO YOUR FAVORITE PERSON, AND BOOK NOW FOR A GREAT GETAWAY, 1035 McKnight Blvd. N.E. Calgary T2E 6V'4 TOLL-FREE RESERVATIONS: 1-800-661-1161 INFORMATION: (403), 291-4600 BOXING DAY WIDE PAINTING & DECORATING FOURTH AVENUE 365-7813 ONE OF 6 VCRs/OR sponding normally.” 2 LITRE BOTTLES OF COKE 100 OR MORE AVAILABLE BOXES OF OLD DUTCH CHIPS LABLE Open Sunday, Dec. 27 10.a.m. to 5 p.m. WoopwoRkine 365-7250 OOM osnege NELSON DAY 8 a.m.-8 p.m. 1249 3rd 81. 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Extra wide slip over $ 79 ea, CASTLEGAR 8 Wa eet 365 3563 ¥ _ Gary Fleming Dianna Kootnikoft ADVERTISING SALES C. CASTLEGAR News OFFICE 265-6210 We would also like to take this time to wish you and your ~ family a safe and happy holiday! MEJAMM BAM MH BAMEMY CEMEMCTBY BE3OIACHOM" M BECEMWA MPASIHMK. REGULAR PRICE and Get ANY OTHER ITEM U to the Same Value FOR....... OFFER EXCLUDES: * Returned items © Gift Certificates * Items on Layaway Gunette's 65-