“What does not kill us makes us ___”   Nietzsche      Happiness is a warm gun.  Lennon Everybody knows how to complete the epigraph quoted at the top: “Stronger”. Poor Nietzsche, so many profound things to say, and remembered by masses of slightly-educated people for this one slogan alone. What makes us more contented, or...

As part of its annual general meeting, the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative held the last of its public consultations on the creation of a Department of Peace. The meeting which took place at St. Paul University in Ottawa featured a panel of five commissioners and interventions from the public.  (It was especially...

In anticipation of heavy volumes at area Emergency Departments over the holiday season, Interior Health is reminding the public to take a few simple steps to avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital. For non-urgent care during office hours, call your family doctor or the doctor on call for the practice or clinic. Consider going...

Starting Jan. 1, 2013, FortisBC residential electricity customers will see a 4.2 per cent increase on their electricity bills from the recent BC Utilities Commission revenue requirements decision, along with a 2.3 per cent increase from rate rebalancing. The cumulative rate adjustment for residential customers will mean an increase of 6.6 per cent. For the […]

The story of the 2012 US presidential election we should pay attention to in Canada is not the performance of the candidates; it is a story of mathematics. The star in this regard is Nate Silver who predicted the outcome of the election with uncanny accuracy. Most pollsters held that the election was too close to call. Silver,...

It was the end of times. On moving to Trail from Castlegar we kept our rent down by agreeing to take down some of the trees that were rooting far too close to foundations and roof lines for either comfort or the good of the house. All told, I created stumps from an evergreen, two deciduous, and an ancient birch. The remains...

The West Kootenays Francophone Association (AFKO) will hold its annual Christmas dinner. This year the event will take place on December 8th at 5pm at Tarry’s Hall in Thrums. Members of the association, as well as locals are invited to attend this fun and yummy event. Special guest Santa Claus and his helpers will be […]

A few months into the new blended learning model at Rossland Secondary School and we are able to take some time to reflect on the successes, as well as discuss the adjustments we need to make. We know it takes time to implement change and for the students and teachers to adjust to the new system and realize that the program...

Imagine the year is 2050. Gigantic, funny-shaped towers surround your view, a hovercraft zips by and of course, your robot butler hands you your drink. While we may still be far from this sort of scenario, one of the most important questions then (as now) is: “How will we use less energy?” KAST- GLOWS (Growing, Learning...

Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West presented Queen’s Jubilee medals to four deserving constituents during November. As a Member of the BC Legislature, Katrine was allowed to nominate four people for the Queen’s Jubilee Medal which is being given out for outstanding community service. She had a committee that made sure that...