Dinner, dessert, and a show at The Packing House
Singer, musician, and comedian Tim Brecht will be at The Packing House in Spences Bridge on Friday, April 20 with his unique brand of music that takes classic songs everyone knows, then changes the words to very funny ones. This versatile performer sings Johnny Cash songs as both Johnny and June Cash, then breaks into a serious Eagles song that showcases his spectacular guitar playing. It’s a talent like none you’ve seen before!
So reserve your tickets now for this Vegas-style entertainment in Spences Bridge. Book your tickets for dinner, dessert, and the show ($30 each; dinner is served at 5:30 p.m.) or just the show ($15 each; the show starts at 7:30) by calling (250) 458-2256 or stopping by The Packing House.
Ribbon-cutting at the HUB
Come down to the Ashcroft HUB at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 for the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the purchase of soundproofing for the gym and the purchase of new chairs and tables for the facility, made possible by Northern Development Initiative Trust and the donations of local residents and organizations. It will be followed by free admission to the movie Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures of Nelly & Simon at 4 p.m.
Motivation workshop
Bridging to Literacy is presenting a Motivation workshop from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25 at the WorkBC office on 4th Street in Ashcroft. The workshop will show participants how to be confident and job-ready with the key skills employers want.
Please register at the WorkBC office (250-453-9421). For more information about the workshop, call Jessica at (250) 457-7128. You can also download a free Motivation workbook at upskillsforwork.ca.
Spring Swing dance
There will be a TeenNight Dance at the Ashcroft HUB on Wednesday April 25 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event is for anyone aged 12 to 18, and dress can be what you want: either red carpet glamorous or everyday casual. There will be a concession with drinks, popcorn, candy bars, and more available for purchase.
For more information contact the HUB at (250) 453-9177 or email ashcrofthub@gmail.com.
Financial Wellness for Seniors workshop
There are still spaces available for the Financial Wellness for Seniors workshop sponsored by Interior Savings on Thursday, April 6. The free event takes place at the Ashcroft Library from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
The informative workshop will allow participants to learn what seniors financial abuse is; how to recognize if you or a loved one is being taken advantage of; what advanced planning tools can protect you and your loved ones; and much more. There will also be lots of opportunities to ask questions.
Pre-registration is necessary; please sign up at the Ashcroft Library, or email dporter@tnrd.ca.
Tourism symposium
Gold Country Communities Society will be hosting their third annual Tourism Symposium in Cache Creek on May 25 and 26. This is an excellent event for Gold Country stakeholders, and will include the award presentations for the businesses nominated through its Excellence in Gold Country program at the weekend’s networking evening.
The event is an opportunity to hear from destination marketing organizations and local politicians, and network with peers in the tourism industry. This year’s symposium includes a familiarization tour of Cache Creek and a networking evening (May 25) and a SuperHost workshop and a “Social Media for Business” presentation (May 26).
The event is being hosted by Gold Country with the support of the Village of Cache Creek and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. It is open to all stakeholders within Gold Country, but space and tickets are limited. Information and the registration form can be found at www.exploregoldcountry.com/symposium; anyone interested in attending should complete the registration form, noting the events they would like to attend, and they will be contacted regarding the details and availability.
Canada-wide EpiPen shortage
Following Health Canada’s previous communication (January 2018) regarding a shortage of EpiPen 0.3 mg auto-injectors, Pfizer Canada has advised Health Canada that EpiPen 0.3 mg (DIN 00509558) is currently in shortage, and that EpiPen Jr (0.15 mg; DIN 00578657) was expected to be in shortage, as of April 13, 2018.
A shortage does not necessarily mean that there is no supply available in pharmacies. At this time, the company has indicated that limited inventory of both products remains available and is being carefully managed nationally.
EpiPen and EpiPen Jr are used to deliver an emergency treatment of adrenaline (epinephrine) to patients who are at risk or have a history of life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). There are currently no alternative auto-injectors available on the market in Canada.
Pfizer is reporting that the current supply constraints are due to delays at the manufacturing facility.
Health Canada is reminding patients and caregivers that EpiPen products expire on the last day of the month indicated on the product packaging. For example, if the product is marked as expiring in April, it remains valid (not expired) until April 30.
Canadians are encouraged to visit drugshortagescanada.ca or contact Pfizer directly for up-to-date information about the shortage and estimated re-supply dates. Patients with questions or concerns about the shortage may also wish to speak to their health care professional.
The health and safety of Canadians is Health Canada’s top priority. They are working closely with the company, the provinces and territories, and stakeholders to coordinate information-sharing and to help minimize the impact of this shortage on Canadians.
Ensure dams operate safely
In anticipation of the upcoming spring freshet, dam owners throughout the province are being urged to safeguard their water supplies and ensure that their dams operate safely during this period of high flows.
With very wet conditions in the Interior, and as a result a higher risk of dam failures, it is important for dam owners to take precautions.
Dam owners are urged to conduct regular surveillance and monitoring; clear the spillway of any blockages (including temporary flashboards); ensure the low-level outlet is maintained and operational; review and exercise your Dam Emergency Plan; ensure any inflow diversion structures are maintained and operational; and ensure that the required signs for dams located on Crown land are in place and in good repair.
Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to lower the reservoir to provide additional storage, in order to reduce downstream flooding.
It’s important to note that dam owners are responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of their dams, and they are liable for any damages that are caused by them. For further information and resources on dam safety, visit http://bit.ly/2IRAgRl. For seasonal run-off forecasts in the latest snow survey, water supply bulletin, and any flood advisories applicable to their areas, dam owners can also refer to the River Forecast Centre’s website at http://bit.ly/2IRAtUD. Dam emergencies should be reported to Emergency Management BC at 1-800-663-3456.
Dry Grad success
BC Liquor Stores customers have helped about 52,000 British Columbia Grade 12 students enjoy safe, alcohol-free graduation celebrations as part of the annual Support Dry Grad campaign. This year’s campaign, which ran from March 4 to 31, raised $278,158, bringing the grand total of funds raised since the campaign’s start in 2001 to more than $6.77 million.
“We are thrilled by the level of support BC Liquor Stores’ customers have shown for this year’s Support Dry Grad campaign,” says Liquor Distribution Branch general manager and CEO Blain Lawson. “The response clearly demonstrates the level of commitment from our customers and employees to keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors, and encouraging them to participate in safe, fun and memorable graduation celebrations.”
All donations raised by BC Liquor Stores (BCLS) go to the school district in which the BC Liquor Store is located, and are distributed to public high schools and participating independent schools that are planning alcohol-free graduation activities.
Organized by students, parents, and schools, dry grad events allow students to celebrate graduation in a fun, alcohol-free environment. This year’s campaign supports dry grad committees at more than 270 high schools throughout the province.
Golf Savings Book
The BC Lung Association is encouraging golf lovers province-wide to pick up a Golf Savings Book. For $35, this fundraising book offers great deals and discounts on golf courses across B.C. and Washington State, all while supporting the BC Lung Association and the British Columbians living with lung disease.
“The sun is out and flowers are blooming, so it’s a great time to start thinking about golf and our Golf Savings Book,” says Carolyn Chorneychuk, BC Lung Association Volunteer Director for Ashcroft. “For less than the cost of one round of golf, our Golf Savings Book will give you access to hundreds of dollars of savings that you can use throughout the year.
“Most of us know someone with a breathing problem. The fact is one-in-five British Columbians live with a mild to severe respiratory condition. Buying this book is a great way to support them and the work the BC Lung Association does, all while enjoying great savings on your golf game!”
The Golf Savings Book is an annual BC Lung Association fundraiser and supports ground-breaking lung research, advocacy, and education. For more information on the courses and discounts, or to purchase a book, please visit golfandsave.ca or call the BC Lung Association at 1-800-665-LUNG (5864).
Aid for caribou habitats
The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation has been granted $2 million to aid in caribou habitat restoration, Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Minister Doug Donaldson announced during his address at the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s annual conference.
“There were about 40,000 caribou in B.C. in the early 1900s. Today, there are only about 19,000 caribou left,” said Donaldson. “We need to do whatever we can to help enhance and recover caribou habitat to rebuild the numbers of this iconic species.”
The Province is creating a comprehensive caribou recovery program that includes engagement with Indigenous communities, industry, recreationalists, and the public. The program is intended to conserve and recover populations of the 54 caribou herds in British Columbia. Caribou habitat restoration is a key component of recovery efforts.
Roads, trails, rights-of-way, and seismic lines have changed the landscape where caribou live. This makes them vulnerable to predators, such as wolves, bears, and cougars. The Caribou Habitat Restoration Fund will help to disrupt these lines of sight and travel—through reforestation, fencing, fertilization, and other measures—to restore the caribou’s habitat and to decrease predatory attacks.
The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and the Province are working to finalize program details. Since its inception in 1981, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation has invested over $170 million in grant money to more than 2,500 conservation projects in B.C., with the goal to restore, maintain, or enhance native fish and wildlife populations and habitats. For more information about the Foundation, visit http://hctf.ca/.
Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura (www.atlasobscura.com) is a website that bills itself as showcasing “Curious and Wondrous Travel Destinations” from around the world. Now and then one of the sites is within striking distance of our region, so travellers might want to check them out next time they visit.
An unremarkable-looking sandstone column lying on its side in Vanier Park behind the Vancouver Maritime Museum tells a tragic story of what might have been.
The column is one of a pair created in 1872 at a sandstone quarry on Newcastle Island near Nanaimo, and both were destined to join six others in supporting the entrance of the San Francisco Mint.
Sadly, the ship carrying both columns, the Zepher, crashed during a storm, with the loss of two lives. Her cargo was sent to the bottom, and the two columns, which weigh 42 tons each, were not found until the wreck was discovered in 1976. In 1987 the columns were retrieved. One is at the site of the original quarry on Newcastle Island and the other is at Vanier Park.
To learn more and see pictures of both columns, go to http://bit.ly/2GYCDoT.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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