Some campfire bans rescinded
Rain and cooler temperatures have reduced the wildfire risk in most parts of the province, so the BC Wildfire Service has rescinded campfire bans in specific regions—including the Kamloops Fire Centre and the Cariboo Fire Centre—effective Friday, September 7, 2018. The open burning ban in Cache Creek has also been rescinded.
The following activities remain prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre: Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, as defined in the Wildfire Regulation; the use of tiki torches; the use of sky lanterns; the use of fireworks, including firecrackers; the use of burn barrels or burning cages of any size or description; and the use of binary exploding targets (e.g., for target practice). These activities—with the addition of stubble or grass burning of any size; the use of chimineas; and the use of air curtain burners (forced-air burning systems)—are also prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre.
For maps showing the affected areas, go to http://ow.ly/jvE730lJeLi (Cariboo) and http://ow.ly/xKx130lIvC5 (Kamloops).
The BC Wildfire Service thanks the public for continued support, vigilance, and co-operation during this challenging fire season.
State of emergency cancelled
Thanks to cooler weather and progress in containing wildfires, the Government of British Columbia has decided to cancel the provincial state of emergency that covered the entire province.
The state of emergency was declared on August 15, 2018 and extended once. Last week there was a significant reduction in the number of properties under evacuation order, and many residents have now returned home. As such, the Province has decided that the powers granted under a provincial state of emergency are no longer required.
The provincial state of emergency was an extraordinary measure taken to ensure public safety and the co-ordinated response to this summer’s wildfire season, which has seen more than 1.3 million hectares burned to date. While the extraordinary powers of the provincial state of emergency are no longer required, the wildfire situation is not over. It is vital that the public remains prepared and follows the continued direction of local governments.
The Province will continue to take every action necessary to respond to the ongoing wildfire situation and support the recovery of affected communities.
New categories for recycling
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has finished completing the changes related to the disposal of recyclables at all its solid waste facilities.
Recyclable materials will now have to be separated into six different categories at all solid waste facilities in the TNRD, including the transfer station at the Cache Creek landfill site. Residents visiting these sites will be asked to separate their recyclables and dispose of them in appropriate bins. The six categories are:
1. Paper and cardboard
2. Containers (plastic, metal, and paper)
3. Plastic bags and overwrap
4. White foam packaging
5. Coloured foam packaging
6. Glass bottles and jars
The changes are a result of the agreement the TNRD has entered into with Recycle BC, the provincial stewardship program. To conform to Recycle BC’s standards, all TNRD solid waste facilities must move to source separated recycling.
For more information visit www.tnrd.ca, or follow the TNRD on Facebook (Thompson-Nicola Regional District) for helpful recycling tips.
Community barbecue
The Equality Project will be hosting a Community Resiliency Barbecue at its clubhouse on Stage Road in Cache Creek from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 22. The community bus will be available to pick up residents in Clinton and Ashcroft, and on the Bonaparte and Ashcroft Reserves (call 250-457-6485 to arrange transportation).
There will be a 50/50 draw, door prizes, carnival games, a thrift store, and speakers. For more details, check the Project’s Facebook page (The Equality Project).
HVC Community Survey
Highland Valley Copper is conducting a survey to gather feedback from residents on their relationship with HVC, and how they feel HVC is managing its mining activities, including the benefits and impacts of the operation. HVC will use the feedback as one of the several ways to assess its performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Area residents are invited to share their thoughts by taking the survey, and can choose to be entered in a prize draw, with a total of 10 prizes awarded through a random draw. Winners will each receive a $200 gift card.
The deadline for completing the survey has been extended through September 25, 2018, and it can be accessed by visiting http://bit.ly/2wSJ6e8.
Computer sessions available
You are not alone when it comes to learning about new technology, and the Ashcroft Library is offering free One-on-One tech training sessions. These 30–60 minute coaching sessions will help you with your technology needs.
There are still three slots available for the session on Saturday, September 29 starting at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is necessary; please drop by the library or call (250) 453-9042 to register (and please tell library staff what you would like to learn more about when you register).
Christmas card workshop
Stampin’ Up will be holding a Christmas card workshop at the Ashcroft HUB from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 21.
The cost is $30, with all materials, plus coffee/tea and snacks, provided.
Participants will learn how to create 10 handmade Christmas cards. Pre-registration is required; call (250) 457-7439 or (250) 453-9177 for details or to register.
Piano/theory lessons
Pianist Dimiter Terziev—who is well-known to local communities for his concerts and his longstanding work with the Sage Sound Singers—has several openings for piano (performance and accompaniment) and/or theory lessons in the Ashcroft/Cache Creek area on Mondays.
Terziev has been teaching piano since 1991, and says of teaching that “Each piano student is unique, and the teacher’s flexibility is vital. One student wants to have fun playing ‘Looney Tunes’ or ‘Amazing Grace’, and another aspires to study a Beethoven sonata or a Chopin ballade. There is enough room for both in the world of music.”
To learn more about Terziev, or contact him about lessons, visit his website at https://kamloopspiano.weebly.com/.
Filmmaking workshop for youth and young adults
A free three-day filmmaking workshop for those aged 16 to 24 will be held in Kamloops from October 19–21.
Participants will learn the basics of lighting, sound, and editing and create and direct their own film.
The films created will be screened at the end of the workshop.
The workshops will be held on Friday, October 19 (6 to 9 p.m.) and on Saturday/Sunday, October 20–21 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). No previous experience is required, and lunches and snacks will be provided. Participants must attend all three sessions.
The workshop will be held at Mastermind Studios, 954 Laval Crescent, Kamloops, and only 12 spots are available. The application deadline is October 5. For more information, visit the Facebook page at http://bit.ly/2M7AGUU. For the application form, go to http://bit.ly/2CzD2wb.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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