Castlégar News December 20, 1989 BLUE TOP BURGER WEEKLY SPECIAL ., SEA BURGER NEW HOURS 10.4.M.-8 P.M. 1521 “Columbi ‘Ave. 365- 9368 CALL AMEAD, DRIVE THROU Caroling Cubs The 2nd Castlegar Cubs enjoyed the new snowfall and celebrated the Christmas season by caroling in North Castlegar last night. Residents were pleasantly entertained with Christmas songs and the Cubs had fun at their last meeting until January. -BAR- AIR CONDITIONED WESTAR & COMINCO VOUCHERS ACCEPTED Located 1 Mile South of Weigh Scale in Ootischenia —LICENCED DINING ROOM— DINING LOUNGE OPEN 4 P.M. TUES. THRU SUN. CLOSED MONDAY RESERVATIONS FOR PRIVATE PARTIES 365-3294 365-3294 SE PIT CHS CESS UE CHT CI HTS CASTLEGAR NEWS HOLIDAY HOURS Friday, December 22 8:30 a.m. to4p.m Saturday, December 23 News Department Opens at 8:30 a.m Sunday, December 24 CLOSED Monday, December 25 CLOSED Tuesday, December 26 CLOSED Wednesday, December 27 8:30a.m. to5 p.m Thursday, December 28 8:30a.m. to5 p.m Friday, December 29 8:30a.m.to5p.m Saturday, December 30 Ne Deparment Opens at 8:30 amr Sunday, December 31 CLOSED Monday, January 1 CLOSED Tuesday, January 2 8:30a.m. to5 p.m Castlegar News LivingWaters Faith Fellowship 2329-6th Avenue Phone 365-5818 Pre soching the Word fi GRACE PRESBYTERIAN 2605 Columbia Ave. Morning W Church Sct 30 0 365-2438 ___ CHURCH OF GOD 2404 Columbia Avenue Church School 9:45 a.m Morning Worship 11 a.m Pastor Ira Johnson * 365-6762 FULL GOSPEL FELLOWSHIP (A.C.0.P.) Below Castleaird Plaza Phone 365-6317 PASTOR: BARRY WERNER * 365-2374 SUNDAY SERVICES Adult Bit 235 9 30.0.1 Morning Worship 10.30..m i hAges 21! Evening Fellowship 6 30 p.m Wednesday Home Meetings 7 p.m Thursday Youth Bible Study 7 p.m HOME OF CASTLEGAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 365-7818 the Church of your choice! EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH 914 Columbia Avenue 11:00 A.M. FAMILY WORSHIP SERVICE SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45 a.m. Bible Study YouthM e Phone: 365-2605 UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA 2224-6th Avenue 12 Blocks South of Community Complex 10.a.m. Worship & Sunday School Christmas Eve: 7p r 9p m Communion Family Service Rev. Ted Bristow 365-8337 or 365-7305 ST. PETER LUTHERAN LUTHERAN CHURCH -CANADA | Ti3-4th Street Ofice 365-3664 PASTOR GLEN BACKUS Dec. 24 Service — 8:00 p.m SUNDAY tunbeny PROVIDED sunday School 10.15.a.m Listen to the Lutheran Hour Sunday @ m on Radio CKQR BUSINESS December 20. 1989 * Bruce Ramsey, editor of the Castlegar News in the late 1960s and early 1970s, recently visited Bethlehem and wrote the following first-person account of life in the birthplace of Jesus in the weeks before Christmas. Part 1 of By BRUCE RAMSEY Special to the Castlegar News BETHLEHEM — Being of a procrastinating nature, especially when it comes to Christmas shop: ping, I pledged unto myself that this year it would be different. No more mad rushing about, no last minute agonizing, no desperation, nothing like that at all. I would drift towards Christmas in the sure and certain knowledge that everyt ng had been accomplished long before the deadline With the spirit of true dedication I took a coach from Bethlehem with dreams floating through my mind f makin: and never before, the full the birth place of the Prince of Peace As I sat in the comfortable I tried to rid my mind of the that dominated this strife-torn land, but that was im » the cause, Nazareth to exotic purchase: capturing, spirit of Christmas at coach ‘difficulties’ possible. Everywhere there were young Israeli soldiers, too young I thought, weapons on their shoulderyggygo young to have such stern, “an smiling expressions on their tanned to be packing automatic faces Passing through the Arab Quar ter of Jerusalem, the bus was pelted with stones by equally young Palestinians. Fortunately, no damage was done to the coach, but that joyful song of the angels about peace on earth goodwill towards men, hardly fit the scene. Things would be different. in Bethlehem, | thought, and I let my mind dwell on the the birth of Jesus. Bethlehem is an Arab city, and Gospel stories of well patrolled by those young Irsaeli soldiers. We entered the city of Turmoil hard to ignore their youthful eyes seeming to take in the movements of every man, woman and child. | tried to recon cile this-in my mind with the thought that during Jesus’s time, Roman soldiers, the occupiers of the land of Israel, probably acted in the very same way towards the Jews who were pouring into the city to be taxed. Which were more spears and swords or terrifying, automatic weapons? It was perhaps, a strange Everywhere there were young Israeli soldiers, too young | thought, to be packing automatic weapons on their shoulders, too young to have such stern, ng expr on their tanned faces. — former CasNews editor Bruce Ramsey David through a roadblock man ned by more young men and more question to come to mind, but it is relevant as a means of putting the Before I hardly knew it, I was back on the street, ready to plunge into Christmas shopping It was then I realized the spirit of Christmas I had been so long used to was eluding me. How can you get that familiar spirit when the temperature was in the high 70s Fahrenheit? Where bright, cheerful decorations? Where was Santa Claus? Where were the brightly lit toyland, the Christmas candies? The sound of Christmas carols, where were they? All I heard was the Islamic call to prayer, booming out from the minaret of a mosque across the street from the Church of the Nativity Oh, yes, were the stores, there was another chant. It came from street hawkers giving me the hard sell on postcar ds, religious items and the to-be- expected items that can be found around the world, with the name “‘Bethlehem"’ stamped on them The stores offered nothing to en Deal could net Westar $92m VANCOUVER (CP) — Westar Group, struggling under heavy debts and a shortage of cash, announced a common share rights offering Tuesday that could net the resource conglomerate as much as $92 million. The agreement may also give the Vancouver-based Belzberg family, through First City Capital Markets (Canada) Ltd., control of Westar “*L think they'll be well positioned to have a controlling vote,"’ said Stephen Semeniuk, vice-president of research for LOM Western Securities. Westar, formerly known as B.C Resources Investment Corp. or more commonly Brick, was once a showcase for former premier Bill Bennett's un wavering belief in free enterprise. Today it owes $450 million to five banks. It was set up in 1979 to privatize Crown corporations. At the time, the Social Credit government issued five free shares to every eligible British Columbian. The shares, initially worth $6, closed Tuesday at 88 cents on volume of just over 53,000 shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange “The big issue of this company is it’s cash-poot, debt-heavy and it has to change that if it’s going to make significant inroads into profitability in the future,"” Westar president Jack Smith said in explaining the agreement Smith said the deal, subject to signing of a final agreement before Dec. 29, should raise between $82 million and $92 million. FAMILY EMPIRE First City Capital Markets is the merchant banking division of First City Trustco Inc., a financial services UtiliCorp expects gain in net income UtiliCorp United has announced it expects to achieve a 17-per-cent gain in net income, a seven-per-cent gain in operating revenues and a two-per-cent increase in earnings per common share in 1989. All current-year results would be company records In addition, UtiliCorp announced that its PSI subsidiary has entered into an agreement to sell some of its in- terests| in oil and gas reserves. Upon closing, the transaction would result in an after-tax gain of $6.6 million US in the 1990 first quarter, the company said in a news release. The net effect on first quarter results would be $5 million after adjusting for the income lost from the properties that would be sold Proceeds from the sale will be rein- vested in other gas reserves, the com- pany said. The company estimates that 1989 Tories won't rush to sell PetroCan OTTAWA (CP) — The federal government is in no rush to privatize Petro-Canada, the Crown oil com- pany, Energy Minister Jack Epp said “While privatization remains a distinct possibility, there are no reasons compelling an immediate sale,’ Epp told the Senate energy committee, which has been studying the future of the largest Canadian- owned oil company Epp said that while the government is continuing to study when and how to. sell Petro-Canada, along with other federal companies, no final decisions has been made “Because of its size and importance to the Canadian energy sector, any privatization would have to be carefully planned and implemented,” Epp told the committee Petro-Canada has been a privatization target since 1985. That's when the Conservatives brought in a new, less-intérventionist energy policy, stripped the corporation of most public policy roles and ordered it to pay more attention to profits Epp said it's clear Petro-Canada, set up bya former Liberal government asa window into the oil business in 1975 following the Arab oil embargo, still has a place in Canadian hearts — but not Tory policy net income will be $47.8 million on operating revenues of $721 million, compared with 1988 net income of $40.9 million and’ revenues of $673 million. Earnings per share for the year are estimated at $2.02, versus $1.98 ia 1988 In the fourth quarter ending Dec 31, the company estimates net income of $13.5 million and revenues of $226 million compared to net income of $10.7 million and revenues of $187 million in 1988. Primary earnings per common share are expected to be 54 cents versus 49 cents in last year’s quar- ter Average common shares -outstan- ding have increase to 20.9 million for this year from .19.4 million in 1988 Additionally, dividends on the conver- tible preference stock issued -in May 1989 have reduced earnings per com- mon share for the year UtiliCorp chairman and president Richard C. Green, Jr., said that financial gains were achieved again this year despite milder than normal weather in many service territories Construction spending also ac- celerated during the year, he added. “We are maintaining our financial momentum,”’ Green said. ‘Effective management of operations, strong in- dustrial sales, rate relief and increasing contributions from non-regulated businesses have helped us achieve a very solid performance this year."” UtiliCorp expects to spend $96 million this year and $124 million in 1990 on various construction projects holding company. The Belzberg brothers, Sam, Bill and Hyman, foun ded the First City group 26 years ago. “The basic attraction was we saw a company with solid quality assets with what we judged: excellent long-term potential and good operating management,’’. John Bradlow, president of First City Capital Markets, said of Westar That potential, however, had been constrained by lack of capital, he ad. ded Under the agreement, Westar shareholders will be entitled to buy as many new shares as they currently hold. The price will range between 90 cents and $1 depending on market price at the time. There are currently 96.4 million shares outstanding. First City will pick up any shares left over and will be entitled to have as many as four people on Westar’s board of directors depending on how many shares it controls. There now are eight board members but Smith said that could grow to 12. Semeniuk said no-more than 25-per cent of the shareholders have voted at Westar’s annual meeting. First City could match that if half the shareholders decline to exercise the rights offering. Bradlow, however, rejected the notion that First City would effectively gain control of Westar “We certainly would have a voice but there are at least two parties who own almost that amount of stock,” he said The announcement comes less than a month after an abortive deal with a New York investment banking firm Whitman, Heffernan Rhein and Co. had agreed to pay $96.5 million to one of Westar’s creditors in return for 91.9 million shares. That would have given Whitman the -biggest chunk of the 142.8 million new shares Westar was offering to shareholders at $1.05 each It also would have made Whitman Westar's largest shareholder with a 30- per-cent stake. In return, Westar would have been able to slice $150 million offits debt. CHRISTMAS STORE HOURS Open: Mon.-Fri. 9:30-9:00 Saturday J 9:30-5:30 ‘til Dec. 23/'89 DOWNTOWN TRAIL CHRISTMAS TREES At Slocan Park Tree Farm 2 Acres of Cultured, Bushy Colorado Spruce! You Chooset We Cut! Any tree or size +20... ge WE WILL BE CLOSING ON SAT., bec. 23 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! erValu Your satisfaction is our main concern fresh young turkeys frozesyousg young lll Meat Department Specials Ss .86 "4 18 brussel sprouts + B.C. grown * he. Produce Department Specials — a0 - AD) 89 automatic weapons than Lhad seen in many a Middle East airport security zone Inside the city, the walls of stores were covered with Arabic graffiti, which were warnings from the terrorists that if they were not good boys and didn’t follow orders, their places of business would be put to the torch and among the crowded little there gaping testimony enough to a young Israeli explained shops were holes, show the terrorists meant business I stepped off the greeted by more security guards in front of the Church of the Nativity coach to be present out of mind and to dwell upon the past, one of the raisons d'etre for my being here Over the Chufch of the Nativity fluttered the ancient banner of the Crusaders who-built the original church that now stood before me. A throng of pilgrims, carrying lighted candles, were jostling for position to descend the narrow, steep set of stairs that led to the star beneath an altar that marked the traditional site of Jesus's birth There was no time for reflection on the meaning of that sacred spot, for a bearded Greek Orthodox priest kept the line moving along ticethe sheckels f mumyawallet — Over a cup of strong, sweet and delightful Turkish coffee, I pon dered my with dismay, Not a check mark, nor a crossing out, had been made and yet, here in Bethlehem, except for the hawkers (and were they any dif from the hard-sell_ store. at home and on the television ads?) it was more of a spiritual Christmas than I could have possibly, imagined at home. I abandoned Christmas shopping and did it in that crass-commercial zone called the duty-free shops of Heathrow Airport Christmas list VICTORIA (CP) — The 150 mines in British Columbia will pay taxes under a new system that goes into effect Jan. 1 Energy and Mines Minister Jack Davis said the new streamlined and up-dated mining tax laws will mean simpler administration, with mines filing taxes once a year instead of every month Davis said the new system offers some needed short-term tax relief for the province’s coal mines, but NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY 602-7th Street © 365-5212 BE A PART OF OUR CARING, FRIENDLY GROWING FAMILY SUNDAY SERVICES 745 AClass for all ages ning W. horch & Mus WEDNESDAY’ Bible Stu “SATURDAY - Youth E OUR DESIRE IS TO SERVE YOUR NEEDS: [met] «. ~ ROBSON COMMUNITY MEMORIAL CHURCH Ist Sunday 7:00 p.m 3rd, & 4th Sundays 11.a.m No Service 5th Sunday SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 1471 Columbie Ave., Trail 364-0117 Regular Saturday Services Pastor Slawomir Malarek 365-7759 2nd CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH Home Growth Scovpe Bible Study & Proyer) Various Week Nights Youth Nights Friday & Sunday WELCOME ROBERT C. LIVELY, PASTOR ~ Airlines and Air Airline OTTAWA (CP) on all flights by C ‘anadian airlines will take effect Dec. 29, the federal government announced Canada is the first country to adopt such aban, which will affect more than 99 per cent of all flights, including most charters. 7 Existing smoking only on domestic flights of A smoking ban domestic and international regulations prevent although the coun Canadian ban two hours or less, try’s two largest carriers, Canada, smoking on all domestic flights. now smoking to end Transport Minister —_ Benoit Bouchard said the ban will protect the health of passengers and flight crews. “Those individuals on longer flights deserve as much protection as those on shorter flights,"’ he said The ban is one of the major regulations in the Non-Smokers’ Health Act, which will make all federally regulated workplaces smoke free after it is proclaimed Dec. 29. The act provides for a $100 fine for individuals caught smoking. And if an airline doesn’t enforce the law, it could be liable for a fine of up to $10,000. After smoking was banned on most domestic flights, installed highly sS@Bitive smoke detectors in jet washrooms to catch anyone trying to get away with an_ illegal and dangerous — puff airlines. The regulations will also prohibit smoking on all buses that run between Canadian cities and on trains with fewer than three cars. Smoking will be third car on larger trains, provided the number of smoking seats does not ex ceed 30 per cent of all seats allowed on every RS Castlegar News Holiday Publishing Schedule Saturday, December 23 Christmas, Edition — Afternoon Paper ’'Wednesday, December 27 No paper Saturday, December 30 Last Paper of 1989 — Afternoon Paper “Year in Review Edition" 4 ly . | New tax laws simpter next year’s expected rise in coal prices will improve industry revenues and give the province higher returns The new tax is a two-tier system, with the minimum tax based on a mine's current operating cash-flow and a profits tax levied on its overall net revenues Tax revenues from mines next year should bring the government about $75 million — nearly the same amount raised in mine taxes this year. FOR ONLY NO SUBSTITUTES x 1 NO SUBSTITUTES te----=— OFFER EXPIRES DEC Not valid with any other coupon or offer ' FOR ONLY = OFFER EXPIRES DEC Not valid with any other coupon or offer Family to Trail’s Best Pizzas and Subs THE YELLOW SUBMARINE. \ PRESENT THIS COUPON FOR LARGE nn LOADED 449° 29, 1989 | THE YELLOW SUBMARINE. PRESENT THIS COUPON FOR MEDIUM PEPPERONI & MUSHROOM PIZZA’S 29, 1989 for franchise information CALL GARY AT 364-2111 “YOU BAKE” From 1990 to 1994, capital spending is expected to be $700 million Financial highlights for the year in cluded increased year-to-year financial results at West Kootenay Power due to a $3.8 million rate increase granted in January 1989 and continued vitality of the forest products and mining in dustries and heavy residential con: struction, the company said Additionally, the subsidiary recen- tly received approval for an interim electric rate increase of $4.3 million, or 6.9 per cent, effective Jan. 1, 1990. The interim increase was granted on a refundable basis. Hearings are scheduled for April faa Xt. PIZZAS 10” PIZZA .. 4.50 12” PIZZA 1. *5.50 Consists of zesty tomato sauce and mozzarella ADDITIONAL TOPPINGS 10” PIZZA ... °65¢ 12” PIZZA . 90* SUBMARINES HAM TURKEY PEPPERONI SALAMI CORN BEEF PIZZA ROAST BEEF VEGETARIAN CLUB ASSORTED LOADED SUB MINI SUB . “FOR GOODNESS SAKE” 1694 Second Ave., East Trail — 364-2111 Bokery Special _.69 39 cranberry sauce n Spray 119 + doren whipping cream oo ietiones + 300 mi 39 orange juice per Family purchase tomato .99 18 potato chips & chip dip clamato juice = Mons 88 1.88 |: onsen # 11 plus deposit 89 2.68 Foremost 99 re) Christmas Hours THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. FRIDAY , DECEMBER 22 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. © SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23 9:30 a.m. to 6p.m. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. regular store hours ° Co ° foXe) CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY AND BOXING DAY Wednesday, December 27 back to Prices Effectice Dec. 20 to Dec. 23 PLAZA SUPER-VALU OPEN SUNDAY 9.A.M.-5:30 P.M. %