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to PDF version of complete Yellowknifer with article
Northern balladeer rediscovered Gas prices soar Regular fuel as high as $1.40 per litre Super Soccer warm-up in Yk r Northwestel Cable goes hi-def r Idling law back before council Volume 37 Issue 9 75 CENTS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008 Worms eat Yellowknifer Ecology North holds workshop breaking down composting by Herb Mathisen Northern News Services Groups of adults lined up eagerly for worms last Saturday. More than 50 interested residents packed into the Northern United Place auditorium for a backyard worm and composting workshop, put on by Ecology North as part of their Earth Week series of events. Shannon Ripley, a program co-ordinator with Ecology North, led the group through the basics of composting. To get started, she said, all one really needs is a handful or two of backyard soil. Apparently, there is enough living in that small hunk of earth to begin decomposing organic waste. She said to start out small and as the compost heap grows so can waste contributions. The conditions needed for a good compost are simple. "The micro-organisms and ourselves are not much different," said Ripley, adding that all they need to survive are a good dose of water and waste, warmth and air. She said you can start compost in just about anything by either buying a composter or poking some holes in a container, or starting a heap. Once underway, Ripley said you can be creative with your compost. She said a variety of carbon-rich "browns," such as dried leaves and wood chips, and nitrogen-rich "greens," such as fruit scraps and grass clip- pings, should be layered in the compost to keep a neutral balance. Newspapers too can be composted. Organic waste is reduced in size by one half once composted, said Ripley, and the product is usable soil, full of nutrients. The environmental benefits are that the organic waste can be reused, instead of sitting idly in a landfill. At the end of the presentation, worms were handed out to attendees. Barb McDonald was anxious to get her hands on some worms. "This is my first time with worms," she said. "I want to use them for winter production." The winter puts a pause to outdoor composting, as the organisms freeze solid and are unable to decompose organic waste. By worm composting indoors with a Rubbermaid container, Yellowknifers can compost year-round. Throughout the workshop, residents asked questions and shared tips. Apparently, if an abundance of annoying fruit flies comes out of worm composting, a glass of red wine can solve the problem. The flies are drawn to the drink and drown in it. Also, attendees learned about "compost tea." No, it is not some kind of secret super-organic elixir consumed by only the most eco-sensitive environmentalists, but rather a substance-rich water used to feed house plants. Compost is placed in water COFFEE Break QUOTE: “A path to nowhere.” Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo Leah Thomson, 6, works a worm off her finger into the hand of Shannon Ripley, project co-ordinator for Ecology North, at a backyard and worm composting workshop Saturday. and nutrients are steeped out, to be shared back with plants when watering them. Ripley said in the near future, the city may adopt a large centralized compost out at the city landfill, where restaurants and businesses, as well as residents, could bring their organic waste. This could provide a source for soil for a city that depends largely upon imports from down south. In large composts, temperatures within them get high, allowing for more potent decomposition. Pet waste and even meat can be broken down when the core temperature of the compost reaches 55 C, said Ripley. – Anne Lynagh on boardwalk through Willow Flats. See story, page 8. $1.00 outside Yellowknife Publication mail Contract #40012157 7 71605 00100 5 2 YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 2008 DODGE DGE RAM 3500 4X4 LARAMIE Diesel, sunroof, stk #131056 WAS $64,540 SAVE $12,000 NOW ONLY $52,540 2008 JEEP LIBERTY SPORT Loaded, stk #143414 WAS $30,645 SAVE $1,945 NOW ONLY $28,700 2008 DODGE AVENGER “Plus” Huge Discounts on almost all remaining 2008’s $ UP TO 12,000 IN DISCOUNTS ON NEW 2008’s 0 2008 JEEP COMPASS OMPA Stk #686503 WAS $22,470 SAVE $1,870 NOW ONLY $20,600 2007 DODGE CHARGER SRT-8 Stk #873746 425 hp % FINANCING Loaded , stk #234935 WAS $55,650 SAVE $9,660 NOW ONLY $45,990 2008 DODGE NITRO 4X4 Loaded, sunroof, Stk #142626 NO PAYMENTS FOR 1 FULL YEAR WAS $23,495 SAVE $2,295 WAS NOW ONLY F s ELL inOFRFEE WNEe stDarS PREFR-O Ga t or $500 a EE remot Get $0 DOWN DELIVERS VANS 2006 Pontiac Montana $19,995 OR 357/mth 2005 Pontiac Montana $17,995 OR $369/mth TRUCKS $32,740 $21,200 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel $39,995 OR $645/mth 5/mth 2007 Ford F150 Crew 4x4 $36,995 OR $579/mth 2007 Dodge Dakota Crew 4x4 $29,995 OR $475/mth 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab Laramie $34,995 OR $558/mth 2006 Dodge 3500 M/C Diesel $46,995 OR $849/mth 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Q/C 4x4 $24,995 OR $516/mth 2005 GMC Sierra E/C 4x4 $26,995 OR $559/mth 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Q/C 4x4 $19,995 OR $413/mth 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Q/C 4x4 $25,995 OR $536/mth 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 ST Q/C 4x4 $19,995 OR $413/mth 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 ST Q/C 4x4 $17,995 OR $372/mth 2003 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x2 $17,995 OR $372/mth 2003 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 $17,995 OR $375/mth 2000 GMC Sonoma 4X4 $9,995 SAVE $2,040 NOW ONLY $30,700 SUV’s 2007 Lincoln Navigator $74,995 OR $999/mth 2007Jeep Commander $34,995 OR $558/mth 2007 Jeep Wrangler 4X4 $24,995 OR $399/mth 2007 Ford Sportrac Ltd $29,995 OR $483/mth 2007 Chrysler Pacifica AWD Ltd 4X4 $34,995 OR $563/mth 2007 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4 $25,995 OR $415/mth 2007 Dodge Nitro 4x4 $24,995 OR $399/mth 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee $28,995 OR $465/mth 2005 Chev Trailblazer $22,995 OR $475/mth 2004 Ford Expedition $18,995 OR $395/mth 2003 Dodge Durango SLT $14,995 OR $312/mth 2003 Ford Explorer XLT L $17,995 OR $375/mth CARS 2007 Chrysler Sebring $18,995 OR $306/mth 2006 Ford Mustang $20,995 OR $375/mth 2005 Chrysler PT Turbo $14,995 OR $312/mth 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible $46,995 OR $969/mth 2004 Chrysler PT Touring $15,995 OR $330/mth 2004 Pontiac Grand AM GT $13,995 OR $289/mth 2003 Mercury Maurauder $19,995 OR $413/mth 2003 Ford Focus $9,995 OR $207/mth Yellowknife Chrysler TOLL FREE: 1-800-685-0369 Local or long distance 340 Old Airport Road Yellowknife, NT X1A 3T3 *Some programs may not be combined. All deals are O.A.C. All prices plus GST and admin. fees. Free remote start applies to 2002 vehicles or newer. See dealer for details. YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3 CORRECTION feature news An error appeared in an article in last Wednesday's Yellowknifer ("Scholarship renamed after Laserich," April 16). Only Adlair Aviation's contribution to the Aviation Career Development Program is being renamed in honour of Willie Laserich. Yellowknifer apologizes for any embarrassment or confusion caused by the error. NEWS Briefs Yellowknife elder honoured Yellowknifer Mable Collinson is one of four NWT residents who will be honoured for their volunteer service at a ceremony in Norman Wells next week. Collinson was named by Michael McLeod, minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, as this year's Outstanding Elder volunteer for the 2008 Outstanding Volunteer Awards. Collinson has been involved with many events over the years, including Canada Day, Senior's Day, and Canada Multicultural Day. – Mike W. Bryant Heritage guardians Are you passionate about Yellowknife's history and interested in preserving it? The city is looking for volunteers to serve on the City Heritage Committee. The committee, which meets once a month, was created to preserve historical Yellowknife sites and to celebrate the city's heritage. Interested residents can apply online at the city's website or send in a letter of interest to the city clerk by Friday, May 9. – Herb Mathisen New president The Yellowknife Community Foundation elected Daryl Dolynny as its president at an annual general meeting last week. The pharmacist has lived in Yellowknife since 1992 and is the owner of Shoppers Drug Mart. He is also a member of the Rotary Club and coach for the Yellowknife Polar Bear Swim Club. Dolynny is taking over the position from Tom Hall, who has been president since 2001. Founded in 1991, the Yellowknife Community Foundation gives away numerous grants and scholarships worth over $2 million. – Cara Loverock Immunization workshop The Department of Health and Social Services is holding a Practicalities of Immunization Workshop at the Baker Centre today in recognition of National Immunization Awareness Week, April 20 to 26. The all-day workshop will feature guest speakers, and nurse experts on immunization, Jean Pugnacco of Alberta and Karen Pilak of British Columbia. – Alix McNaught Have your say: Do you know anyone who has moved away because of Yellowknife's litter problem? Have your say at nnsl.com/yellowknifer. Poll results will be published in this Friday's Yellowknifer. Gold: $913.90 Last week: $929.20 Cara Loverock/ NNSL photo Marcel Sell takes his van to the pumps at the Co-op gas bar. He is one of many motorists in the city paying a steep price for gas. "What can you say? It's too high," said Sell of current gas prices. Gas spikes again Yellowknife drivers fume over steep price at the pumps Northern News Services Yellowknifers are feeling the pinch at the gas pump. Prices for gas have risen to as high as $1.40 per litre, compared to March 2007 when Yellowknifer reported the highest price as $1.20 per litre. "It costs too much," said Wes Mantla as he filled up his large pick-up truck at Yk Motors. "It's not fair." At the Co-op gas bar, Cori Kelso gasped at the $50 price for filling up her vehicle. "It's at 1.38. It's a crime," she said. "It wasn't even full." Stacy Ogilve was also filling up her car at the Co-op gas bar and complained of the steep price. "It's too high. I don't even look at the price any more," she said. "I have to fill up, so I just fill up. I don't want to know (the price)." Macerollo said in addition to the According to Tony Macerollo, price of crude oil the other reason vice-president of the Canfor the increase in gas adian Petroleum Products prices can be attributed Institute, the increase to supply and demand in price is not unique to in the North American Yellowknife. consuming market. "We're seeing He said this time of unprecedented prices year would generally in crude oil costs," said see an increase in price Macerollo. because with summer "The price for that on its way, there is an product is set in world increase in demand as markets regardless of people are driving and ARA where you are in the travelling more often. world, including Canada. In the case of OVEROCK Everybody in the counYellowknife, which has try right now is observing higher gas prices than REPORTING record high prices." most of Canada, the Crude oil prices are cost of transporting gas over US $116 a barrel, compared to to Yk is a factor in the higher price US $68 in March 2007. at the pump, Macerollo said. C L FACT: Retail fuel prices (regular gasoline) in Canada for April 15, 2008 according to Natural Resources Canada Calgary: 1.153 Edmonton: 1.120 Vancouver: 1.223 Winnipeg: 1.180 Saint John: 1.141 Ottawa: 1.154 Toronto: 1.152 Montreal: 1.227 Whitehorse: 1.259 Yellowknife: 1.376 Friday in Yellowknifer 'Do you ever see him out picking up trash?' City says garbage picker on the job seven days a week, but people wonder where 4 YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 news Homeowner left with cleanup Mobile home moved down the street to allow digging up of contaminated soil by Cara Loverock Northern News Services A fuel spill has forced a homeowner to move her house as well clean up 150 to 200 litres of fuel. The mobile home previously at 574 Catalina Dr. is sitting at the end of the street on steel beams, while a backhoe tears up the ground about 10 feet deep where it used to stand, removing contaminated soil. Even with a fuel spill this large, it is up to the homeowner to take care of the cleanup, according to Judy McLinton, communications officer with the GNWT department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR). "We don't do the cleanup on any spills. It's whoever is responsible. How that homeowner is dealing with it, I don't know," said McLinton. She said the spill occurred in February of this year, but cleanup was not possible until spring. She has no idea how much the cleanup would cost. "It was a homeowner that had a fuel leak in her line," she said. "She noticed about 150 to 200 litres of fuel ended up under her home. She had the leak fixed and right now they're cleaning up the contaminated soil," said McLinton. "There are regulations that if something happens with your fuel tank or fuel line, homeowners are responsible." She said the fire department notified ENR who then went to the site and assessed it, adding there was a significant amount of fuel leaked under the home. The depart- ment informed the owner that she would have to clean up the contamination, but McLinton said as long as it is cleaned up properly there is no major concern for the environment. "The soil is contaminated. That's a concern, that's why they have to clean it up," she said. The homeowner, who could not be reached for comment when calls were placed to the phone number listed for 574 Catalina Dr., will not be getting any assistance from the landowners either. "All we're concerned with is our water mains and sewer mains and any other property damage," said Mike Roi, manager of Yellowknife Condo Corporation No. 8, which owns Northland Trailer Park where the fuel spill is located. "The corporation is only concerned with their infrastructure." Roi said the corporation is not responsible for the cleanup and as far as he knows the resident is now residing in an apartment for the time being. A back-hoe sits in front of the lot where a mobile home once stood at 574 Catalina Dr. A leak in the fuel line spilled roughly 150 litres of fuel under the home. The homeowner is having the contaminated soil removed. Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 5 news Amendments to the vehicle idling bylaw will be going to city council for approval following a municipal services committee meeting Monday afternoon. Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo Councillors not idling on bylaw Vehicle idling bylaw amendment approved to go before council for 20 minutes when the temperature is above -20 C and Amendments to the idling where there is no limit on bylaw that would prohibit idling when the temperature drivers from idling their dips below that. vehicles for longer than three "There is no reason to idle minutes will be going to city a vehicle for longer than three council for approval. minutes if it's above -10 C," City council approved he said. recommendations made by "There is a collection of the community energy plan half-truths and truths that we implementation need to educate the pubadvisory (CEP) comlic about," he continued, mittee to amend the stating that Northerners bylaw, Monday afterneed to get over their noon. idling habits. The bylaw would Coun. David Wind prohibit residents said the recent spike Kevin from idling their in gas prices should be Kennedy vehicles for more enough of a deterrent to than three minutes in prevent residents from a 60-minute period, unless keeping their vehicles idling. the temperature fell below "I view this bylaw really -10 C. as an unnecessary intrusion When the temperature into the rights and privileges is less than -10 C, vehicles that we have as individuals would be permitted to idle for in this community to operate no longer than 15 minutes. our vehicles," said Wind. "I Coun. Kevin Kennedy will not be supporting it." said this is an improvement Coun. Paul Falvo said he over the current bylaw, where supports the bylaw but feels vehicles are permitted to idle more can be done. by Herb Mathisen Northern News Services "I view carcinogens, pollutants and toxins as an unnecessary intrusion into the body of my child," said Falvo. He said although it may cause resistance and unhappiness with the public, he has seen too many people have to walk through clouds of vehicle exhaust on downtown streets with their hands over their mouths. No real solution "I see it as a Band-Aid, but not a real solution," he said, adding the city should put their focus on more positive initiatives, such as public transit and bicycling promotion. Councillors were given the option to choose whether the 15-minute limit would kick in when the temperature dipped below -10 C or if it should be implemented from October to April. "One of the guiding principles of any bylaw is to make sure it is enforceable," said Coun. Bob Brooks, who had an issue with tying the bylaw to temperature. He said there could be discrepancies, citing different temperatures around the city at any given time. Manager of Municipal Enforcement Doug Gillard said there would be a bit of a buffer-zone, "so there would be no doubt the temperature was below a certain degree." Coun. Mark Heyck, who spoke on behalf of the CEP committee, said the public would have an easier time remembering what temperature the bylaw comes into effect as opposed to which months of the year. Coun. Shelagh Montgomery added, "if there is one thing the residents of Yellowknife know, it's the temperature outside." She added she would be in favour of giving out educational tickets to offenders for the first year of enforcement, in order to inform the public about the bylaw and to help them kick the habit. Other councillors were receptive to that suggestion. Idling offenders will be fined $40. Some nota- ble exceptions to the bylaw are emergency vehicles and vehicles containing equipment that requires it to be running. WHO'S THE MANLIEST OF THEM ALL? Does he golf the perfect game? Catch the biggest fish? Chop more wood than anyone else can? If you know any Yellowknifers you can consider especially manly, send us a photo and a story 300 words or less explaining why he is such a manly guy and we'll publish it in Yellowknifer. It can be a brother, a spouse, a son, a friend, no matter. Yellowknifer will be publishing your stories of Yellowknife's manliest men until, after which you will decide who is Yellowknife's manliest man through a readers' choice poll to be published Friday, June 13, the week before Father's Day. Go to www.nnsl.com and click on Yellowknifer (or go directly to www.nnsl.com/yellowknifer) for details. The winner will get $200 to take Yellowknife's Manliest Man to a restaurant of their choice and another $200 will go to a charity of their choice. 6 YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 POLICE Briefs with Cara Loverock Drunk driving charges FLYING NEMO Chelsey Himmelman, 4, out with her dad Mike, in the background, runs to get her Finding Nemo kite airborne Sunday afternoon. The three, who were out flying kites for just the second time this spring, had Back Bay entirely to themselves. "It's such a beautiful day," said Mike Himmelman, of their "ultimate backyard." Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo Two people are facing court dates for charges of getting behind the wheel while drunk last week. The first was a 31-year-old Yellowknife man pulled over by police early in the morning last Wednesday. "He was actually charged with refusing to provide a breath sample," said RCMP Const. Roxanne Dreilich. The second was a 71-year-old man from Whati. Police say the man was found drunk in the driver's seat of a parked vehicle. "This person will be charged, I believe it's for care and control of the vehicle," said Dreilich. "Which is, they weren't actually driving at the time, but they were in the driver's seat and had the means and the ability," said Dreilich. Assault reported at Hilltop A 21-year-old woman reported being assaulted by her 22-year-old boyfriend Saturday, receiving injuries to her face. RCMP answered the call at 6:10 a.m. at Hilltop Apartments. The woman received treatment from ambulance personnel. "I don't believe (her injuries) were serious," said RCMP Const. Roxanne Dreilich, adding the man was taken into custody without incident. False alarm A charge is pending against a 22-year-old Ndilo man after a fire alarm was pulled at Norseman Apartments Thursday. According to Dreilich, the man became angry after he was asked to leave the building around 2:30 a.m. The man left but didn't do so quietly. "He had been asked to leave the apartment building and was upset by that and pulled the fire alarm," said Dreilich. She said she wasn't sure if alcohol was a factor. The man faces a charge of causing a false alarm of fire. YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 7 opinions Yellowknifer is published by Northern News Services Limited, 5108 50th Street, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories • PUBLISHER: Jack (Sig) Sigvaldason • GENERAL MANAGER: Michael Scott • MANAGING EDITOR: Bruce Valpy STREET TALK with Alix McNaught "If you could have any superpower, what would it be?" Shannon Ripley "Snap my fingers and all the organic materials in the garbage would end up going in the compost pile." After standing guard outside the Stuart M. Hodgson building throughout the long winter months, a no parking sign takes a much-needed rest in the fast receding snow. Helena Tobie "To morph into something." Yk Views with Alix McNaught editorial Treatment centre long overdue Jasmine Sangris "I want to fly or read minds." SideDoor proposal of year-long program deserves support Jessica Young "Time travel – forwards and backwards." Curtis Beaulieu "Reverse time." Katherine Mackenzie "Be in two places at one time – spring is a pretty busy time." Archie Tsetta, a 35-year-old man jury, tasked with finding ways to with a chronic alcohol abuse prob- prevent such deaths in the future, lem, died in July 2002, a month issued a number of recommenafter falling unconscious in the dations, including re-establishing a long-term residential facility for RCMP drunk tank. His death was attributed to a medical and social detoxification in Yellowknife. head injury likely incurred The director of the before he was picked up THE ISSUE: Salvation Army testified by police – his long-term at the inquest that the excessive drinking had Addiction 28-day programs offered affected his balance and treatment at Hay River and in the made him prone to falls. south were not long Then chief coroner WE SAY: Long time enough to help addicts Percy Kinney criticized the establish a new pattern of "revolving door" experi- coming coping skills, and did not enced by addicts in the city. They would be picked up by the offer long-term support. The Yellowknife area had a longpolice for public intoxication, then kept in custody until they sobered er-term residential addictions treatup, then released, only to become ment centre – Somba K'e Healing Lodge in Dettah – but its doors were intoxicated again. "We're not doing anything about shut. Now SideDoor Youth Ministry is the core of the problem. We're doing something about being drunk proposing to establish a drug and on the street but we're not doing alcohol rehabilitation centre to proanything about why they are drunk vide a year-long residential program for teens and adults aged 16 and on the street," said Kinney. Tsetta's family said he had up. Overcoming addiction is not just once quit drinking for a month but relapsed due to peer pressure and a matter of deciding one day to stop drinking or doing drugs. lack of support. People need support during their The following year a coroner's detox phase, and then they need the time and the guidance to reconstruct themselves into people who can survive life's ups and downs without turning to chemical relief. The fact that SideDoor's proposed centre with Teen Challenge would be Christian faith-based may raise eyebrows, but Garry Hubert, SideDoor executive director, has said being Christian will not be a prerequisite for being admitted to the program. Faith of any kind helps people get through crises by meditation, reflection, finding purpose to life's trials and reasons to stay healthy. Hubert says Teen Challenge is willing to pay half the costs of building the centre, and SideDoor plans to fundraise the rest. But as we learned with Somba K'e Healing Lodge, building a centre is only half the battle. Like overcoming addiction, helping people overcome addiction is not just a matter of deciding one day to build a healing centre. Providing effective help requires a long-term commitment of financial and community support, and it shouldn't require another alcoholrelated death to get that. NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED 100% NORTHERN OWNED & OPERATED PUBLISHERS OF: DEH CHO DRUM - INUVIK DRUM - KIVALLIQ NEWS - NEWS/NORTH NWT NUNAVUT NEWS/NORTH - YELLOWKNIFER MEMBER: CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION - ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION MANITOBA COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION - ALBERTA COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION ONTARIO, MANITOBA AND ALBERTA PRESS COUNCILS - YELLOWKNIFE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONTENTS COPYRIGHT - PRINTED IN THE NORTH BY CANARCTIC GRAPHICS LIMITED 5108-50th Street, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R1 MORE LETTERS, COLUMNS AND OPINIONS PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS BY NORTHERN NEWS SERVICES LIMITED BOX 2820 YELLOWKNIFE, NT, X1A 2R1 PHONE (867) 873-4031 FAX (867) 873-8507 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEB SITE: www.nnsl.com PAGE 9 8 YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 news Boardwalk brouhaha CITY COUNCIL Briefs Residents of Lundquist Road in Old Town voiced concerns boardwalk, which will lead to a look-out point at the end of the with Herb Mathisen over the next phase of the Rotary Centennial Park boardwalk wetlands at the shoreline, should also lead to Lundquist Road expansion into the Willow Flats wetland area. to allow tourists to "continue the down through Old Town." "I'm concerned that the walkway does not take into conGilday said: "it would be a real enhancement for our comThe report also recommended the majority of bike racks go sideration water flow in and out of this area," said Anne munity." to schools in order to get more young people riding in the hopes Lynagh, referring to storm water run-off. As it is right now, Lynagh called it "a path to they will continue as they grow older. "We certainly don't want the wet lands to dry up. nowhere." "I don't think there is anything here that is prohibitively That's why it's a nature preserve," she said. Councillors were receptive to continuing the path to expensive or unsuitable," said Coun. Kevin Kennedy of the Grant White assured residents there would be sufOld Town. report, although he did recommend the city look at sharing ficient space between the boardwalk support beams to "I fully expect we will be able to tie it into Lundquist costs with schools and businesses on bike racks. allow water to flow between them. at some point," said Coun. Bob Brooks. "The city is waiting for final approval of the grant," said Lynagh voiced other worries: That the boardwalk The park is joint effort between the city and the Grant White, director of Community Services. Doug would lead to increased traffic and more litter in the Yellowknife Rotary Club. area, and the type of gravel used for the walking path Ritchie The city is buying all the materials for the boardwalk was too large and not compacted enough for easy and the Rotary Club is providing the labour and project walking. supervision. "The gravel is hilarious," said Lynagh. RCMP Sgt. Ken Cooper told city council Monday that "They have this nice path with the big gravel," she said, addregular weekend downtown foot patrols will be coming that people are forced to walk on lumber beams bordering mencing shortly. the trail or on the grass beside it. Coun. Bob Brooks was happy to hear that and Coun. Shelagh Montgomery echoed those concerns. Ecology North's Doug Ritchie made a presentation to asked Cooper whether bike patrols would be starting She said the gravel made it hard for people to get to the city council Monday afternoon, outlining what should be up as well. boardwalk for people in wheelchairs or walkers. done with a potential $100,000 grant from the Depart"I don't know about the bike patrols," said Cooper, "A park like this should never be developed if it's inaccess- ment of Municipal and Community Affairs to spend on adding there is a five-day course officers must go ible in the first place," she said. "If these inaccessibility issues bicycling initiatives in the city. Bob through to begin patrols. could be remedied, I'd be in support of this." The final report, carried out by Ecology North's trans- Brooks "I thought you never forgot how to ride a bike?" David Gilday, another Lundquist Road resident, said the portation issues committee, recommended the $100,000 asked Brooks. be divided into $55,000 for new bike racks, $30,000 to bike Cooper said that it takes five days to learn how to ride a bike route improvements and signs and $15,000 going toward bike the RCMP way. riding promotion. Const. Roxanne Dreilich added the bike patrol course is "There is a huge interest in cycling in Yellowknife," said quite extensive. "Officers are required to take the full course," Ritchie, who pointed out that bike theft was one of the main she said. "As far as the resources go, and time wise, it's quite deterrents keeping people from riding to work and school. The tight." $55,000 put forth for bike racks would bring in newer designs She said municipal enforcement also does patrols, which which would make theft more difficult. may include bylaw officers on bikes. Learning to bike the RCMP way Better bike racks would encourage riders Please keep Yellowknife’s streets clean … put garbage in its place. YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 9 opinions The best kept secret in Yellowknife As an energy advisor for Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA), I have been frequently surprised to discover how little known the EnerGuide for Houses (EGH) program is. This is truly an opportunDaniel Gillis is a civil engineer and enerity not to be missed! gy advisor with Arctic Energy Alliance In a nutshell, here's how the program works: you call AEA to make an appointment with one of our upgrades. And there's even better news: the qualified energy advisors. territorial government will match the federal On the appointed day, he or she will arrive grants, for a total of up to $10,000 for your at your home with a package of information home improvement costs. about home efficiency, and after answering Your advisor can tell you just how much any questions you may have, will proceed to money you'll be saving for each home do an energy efficiency assessment of your improvement you make. home. In most cases, your annual savings will be This will include taking some measurein the thousands of dollars. ments, assessing doors and windows, and conWouldn't it be great to start next winter ducting a blower door test. knowing that you'll be warmer and more comThis test determines how 'leaky' your home fortable, and spend less on heating than ever is, and how often the air in your home is before. exchanged with the outside air. To find out how to get this paid for by your Within a few weeks, you will receive a full friendly government, you can call Mike Stuhec report on the energy efficiency of your home, at the Arctic Energy Alliance. and best of all, a list of all the grants you will Mike's favourite saying is: receive from the federal government to pay for "You can never have too much insulation." GUEST Comment Disappointed with gun editorial From: Joe Lapka, Yellowknife, NWT Secondly, I am simply astounded that the author first stipulates that the boys faced no charges, meaning they did nothing legally wrong, yet some kind of ban seems to be in order. This most certainly is not a Northern attitude. It smacks of something bred in a big city such as Toronto. While the statement "M16s and handguns serve no other purpose than to kill people" barely deserves a response, I'm sure the police will be glad to know what the "editor" of the local paper thinks their sidearms are for. Up until now, I believe they thought they served a defensive purpose. To say I am a bit disappointed with the editorial "guns aren't toys" would be an understatement. First off, as a long time Yellowknifer myself, I know the editorial does not express the opinion of everybody at Northern News Services. This would make it the opinion of an individual, and as such, I wonder why they chose not to add their name and "editorial comment." I wonder if I can have my name put in the paper as "disappointed reader." READERS Write We welcome letters to the editor You can E-mail us: [email protected]; mail to Box 2820, Yellowknife X1A 2R1; or drop your letter off at our office at 5108-50th Street. All letters submitted must be signed with a return address and daytime telephone number so that we can confirm it came from you. Not all letters will necessarily be published. Preference is given to short letters of broad interest or concern. We particularly encourage TO CONTACT US - ALL DEPARTMENTS Phone: (867)873-4031 FAX: (867)873-8507 P.O. Box 2820 Yellowknife NT X1A 2R1 Office: 5108 50th Street, Yellowknife [email protected] new contributors as we attempt to publish a cross-section of public opinion. Letters of over 200 words, open letters and those published elsewhere are seldom used. We reserve the right to edit for length or taste and to eliminate inaccurate or libelous statements. We may also choose to use a letter as the basis for a story. MANAGING EDITOR: Bruce Valpy [email protected] [email protected] NEWSROOM: [email protected] Co-ordinating editor: Derek Neary Assignment editor: Mike W. Bryant Editorial production: Michele Taylor • Steve Hatch [email protected] Chris Puglia •Jennifer Geens [email protected] Judy Triffo • Florie Mariano Myra Bowerman • Mindy Frost Sports: Natalie Dunleavy Senior business editor: Jennifer Obleman Business reporter: Guy Quenneville Arts: Laura Power PUBLISHER: J.W. (Sig) Sigvaldason GENERAL MANAGER: Michael Scott ACCOUNTING: www.nnsl.com NEWS EDITORS SECTIONS GENERAL NEWS [email protected] Alix McNaught/NNSL photo Tyler Smith-Tsetta takes advantage of snow-free benches outside the Greenstone Building to get in some skateboarding. Smith-Tsetta has been skateboarding for four or five years and was trying to execute a nose slide off the cement ledge April 16. Reporters: Amanda Vaughan • Cara Loverock Alix McNaught • Herb Mathisen Editorial assistant: Marlena Guzowski Photo co-ordinator: George Lessard ADVERTISING DESIGN Co-ordinator: Laurie Lapka B.V. 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As a non-judicial, non-government review board, the Press Council considers complaints from the public about the conduct and performances of weekly and daily newspapers in Alberta and the NWT. The press council encourages the highest ethical and professional standards of journalism. It serves to preserve the freedom of the press and provide a forum for greater understanding. Complaints should go to: Alberta Press Council, P.O. Box 21067, Edmonton, AB., T6R 2V4 or E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 1-780-435-0441. www.albertapresscouncil.ca 10 YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 news 'Lazy' dog owner drives over pet NWT SPCA seek bylaw against walking dogs by driving alongside them by Cara Loverock Northern News Services A dog that had been rescued and found a home in Yellowknife was killed recently when its owner walked it by driving alongside it on the highway near Fiddler's Lagoon. The dog was killed when the vehicle ran over it. The not-uncommon practice of running a dog and driving with it beside the car has the NWT SPCA concerned for the safety of dogs. "It does happen all the time," said Robin Weber, vice-president of the NWT SPCA. "At least once a year I hear about it. Usually at the sand pits it happens, Vee Lake Road, on the ice road. This is the first time I've heard of it happening on the highway. "How do you watch the road and your dog at the same time? There's no way." The NWT SPCA has launched a campaign against the practice. There are posters available for download from the NWT SPCA website with the phrase "Do not run dogs beside vehicles." "It's a totally preventable tragedy," said Weber. "There's no excuse for doing this. People are just too lazy to get out of their vehicles and walk their dogs." Weber said as far as she knows the dog owner wasn't charged and there are no bylaws in place prohibiting people from running dogs beside vehicles. She said the SPCA would like to see people who do this charged and is looking into whether or not a bylaw could be introduced. "Hopefully we can educate other people and have this not happen again," said Weber. image courtesy of the NWT SPCA The NWT SPCA has created this poster to warn people of the danger of driving while their dog is walked beside their vehicle. YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 11 news Cooking for dogs Students donate bake sale proceeds to animal shelter by Alix McNaught Northern News Services Students at St. Joseph school donated $700 to Great Slave Animal Hospital last Thursday. Grade 5/6 teacher Steve MacFadyen's English class raised the money through a one-day bake sale at the school, as part of a community support project. According to the class, their $700 set a new school record. "The rest of St. Joe's bought a lot of baked goods," said MacFadyen. Made by students and parents, the peanut-free brownies, haystacks, cookies, muffins and Rice Krispies squares were snapped up quickly. Class representatives polled students to determine which community program to support and decided upon the Great Slave Animal Hospital's shelter. "We decided to raise money for them, because we all like to help animals, and it would be a good choice," said student Sarah Mailman. Good for the community "They wanted to do something good for the community, and they decided they would like to donate to the animal shelter," said MacFadyen, adding that students are familiar with the problem of people buying and then returning animals. According to student Joseph Russell, they picked the animal shelter "because there's a lot of animals that we wanted to help because they might have felt hurt because they were alone." "We came up with the idea and then we made posters all over the school," said student Victoria Rankin. Roxanne Gravel, the administrative supervisor at Great Slave Animal Hospital, came to MacFadyen's classroom to receive the money students had raised. Alix McNaught/NNSL photo Grade 6 student Dylan Van Wyck presents Roxanne Gravel, administrative supervisor at Great Slave Animal Hospital, with the money his class raised. After student Dylan Van Wyck presented her with the basket of money, the rest of the class surrounded her, asking a barrage of questions about her favourite animals, breeds and whether she had any pets of her own. "I had no idea that a classroom would be raising money for our pound animals," said Gravel. "That's awesome, it will be put to good use, down to the very last penny," MacFadyen had been in communication with the shelter and heard about animals in need of operations. "The students are quite happy to know it can be used in that regard," he said. "There were a lot of animals that needed surgery and it was too expensive," said Russell. "I think it's gonna be used for the dog that might need surgery." "It would go to every single pound animal that we have right now," Gravel said. "Hay River is doing its own moneyraising for a dog that they sent up, Hope, the one that's been in the newspaper with the skin condition. So we'll just use this for surgery and treatment to any other pound dog that we have. We only have one pound cat right now, so it's all going to go towards the dogs." 12 YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 in-depth What happened to Ted Wesley? Northern balladeer sold 70,000 records during the 1970s and then quietly disappeared by Mike W. Bryant Northern News Services Thirty years ago, a man named Ted Wesley was the North's favourite singing son. The Long, Dusty Road, a song from his third album titled North of Canada, was for weeks a hit on national radio. In 1977, Murray MacLaughlin barely edged him out for a Juno award for Country Male Vocalist of the Year. All told he had sold some 70,000 records. Not bad for a guy who's usual gig was at the Hoist Room in downtown Yellowknife, renamed several times since and now called Surly Bob's. Another feather in Wesley's toque came when he dreamed up the Folk on the Rocks music festival, now in its 28th year. His impact on the North's music scene was profound. Few here have risen as high as he did but after one final performance at Folk on the Rocks in 1982 he quietly disappeared. He hasn't played in Yellowknife since. "He really did seem to drop out of the public eye," says fan Bob Stewart, who last November launched a website, www. peace.ca/tedwesley.htm, begging the question: Whatever happened to Ted Wesley? Stewart never saw Wesley perform but he does own his three albums, purchased after his arrival in Yellowknife in 1982. Those records – the last two recorded for the now defunct Boot Records, which released many of Stompin' Tom Connors earlier records – exist only on vinyl and have been out of print for years. Stewart compares Wesley to Gordon Lightfoot and maritime legend Stan Rogers. "This music is too good to let disappear from memory," says Stewart. "When I started the website I didn't even know NNSL file photo Born in Zambia to Polish parents and off to Canada at age nine, Wesley moved North in 1961. His first album, Straight North, was released in 1972. if Ted was still alive or not," says Stewart. "There's still some people out there wondering what happened to him." In fact, Wesley is very much alive and well. Yellowknifer found Wesley living peacefully with his wife of 47 years, Leslie, in Fort McMurray, Alta. They share a house with their daughter Nahanni – who besides the river, shares her name with a song on Wesley's second album Blackflies and Mosquitoes – her husband and their two children. Wesley still plays music albeit in a more low key manner than he once did. For the past few years the 63-year-old has been operating a giant excavator in the tar patch outside of town. 'Really big sand box' That's what I like to do," says Wesley. "I play with these massive toys in a really big sand box." Wesley was a miner before he became a singer. In 1961, at age 16, he ventured North from Edmonton to work at Discovery Mine. He lied about his age to get the job, and lied again when he took another job working underground at Giant Mine and to play hockey for the mine's team, the Giant Grizzlies. One had to be 21-years old to work underground in those days, and hockey was an entry point for many young workers in Yellowknife if they could show that they could handle a puck and compete in the city's ultra-competitive hockey league. While Wesley had talent on ice, his musical skills were still in their infancy. "My brother bought a guitar just before I came to Yellowknife and I ended up stealing it from him," Wesley recalls. "I grabbed it on my way out the door. I don't think he knew it was gone." It wasn't long before Wesley met Leslie working the ticket booth at an Elk's Hall dance, herself the daughter of a Giant miner. The couple were married and began singing duets together and competing in talent contests. Please see Canada's, page 13 YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 13 in-depth Canada's songs What, from page 13 After meeting Andy Steen, a young man from Inuvik residing at Akaitcho Hall, they formed a group, calling themselves the Tundra Folk. "We tried to be different," says Wesley. "Instead of doing the same thing everybody else was doing, we started doing a bunch of research. We wanted to do Canadian songs. There was a shortage of them, short of singing East Coast type songs." In 1967, the Tundra Folk were invited to take part in a series of concerts up the Mackenzie Valley and into the High Arctic to mark Canada's centennial. It wasn't long before Wesley became acquainted with Bob Ruzicka, known as "The Singing Dentist," who, true to his moniker, practised dentistry by day in Inuvik and other North- 1. 2. 3. TED WESLEY DISCOGRAPHY: Pic 1. Straight North Damon Records, 1972 Pic 2. Blackflies and Mosquitoes Boot Records, 1973 Pic 3. North of Canada Boot Records, 1976 ern towns and sang his songs on a CBC radio by night. Ruzicka is a Canadian music legend in his own right. His first album, What the World's All About, produced two top-10 hits in 1972. He went on to record several major label albums, and wrote songs for such Canadian singing stars as Valdy and Anne Murray. Ruzicka was given credit for most of the songs on Wesley's first album, 1972's Straight North, which included fan favourite The Ballad of Muk Tuk Annie. The song was later re-recorded by Stompin' Tom Connors for his album Stompin' Tom Meets Muk Tuk Annie. "He wrote that song while I was in the studio (in Edmonton)," says Wesley. "He went to the can and wrote it down on some toilet paper. It was a huge success." Wesley and others say Ruzicka settled in B.C. but Yellowknifer couldn't find him. The album release party for Straight North was held in the Hoist Room and featured a slide show of photographs taken by author and Catholic missionary Rene Fumoleau. The guest list included a who's who of Northern bigwigs and politicians. For the next album, 1973's Blackflies and Mosquitoes, Wesley borrowed more songs from Ruzicka and included another songwriter in the mix, Wilf Bean. Wesley says he got in touch with Bean after his songs were recommended to him by Nellie Cournoyea, who would go on to become premier of the Northwest Territories. Bean was an employee of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs living in Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay before taking work with the Indian Brotherhood. It was during the lead up to the Berger Inquiry and the Dene were beginning to assert their rights to the land. Protest songs All the songs Wesley recorded dealt with Northern people and places but some also harboured a vein of protest, including Ruzicka's James Bay Hydro-Electric Power Play and Bean's Pipeline Promises. "That decade in the North was an incredibly transformative experience," says Bean, who now resides in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. "It was a time to be writing. I was lucky to be there at the right time, and I think with Ted's music, people were looking for some expression and artistic commentary from the North." Though Bean penned four songs for the Blackflies album and almost all the songs on North of Canada, he says he only met Wesley a handful of times. Wesley wrote songs as well but recorded only a couple co- written with friend and backup player Doug Leonard. "I didn't need them," says Wesley. In 1976, he released his third and biggest album yet, North of Canada. Musicians for the album, recorded in Toronto, included Lightfoot's guitar player Red Shea. A Yellowknife favourite was the Ballad of Chuck McAvoy. Written by Wesley's bandmate Frank Ferguson, the song retells the story of the famed lost bush pilot, who by then had been missing for more than 20 years. The Long, Dusty Road, written by Bean, meanwhile, started getting a lot of airplay. "We were on a trip to B.C. and the song came on the radio," recalls Leslie, who spent many a late night packing LPs to meet the demand from listeners requesting her husband's records. "The DJ said this is a great song, we play it a lot and have a lot a calls about it. We'd sure like to talk to Ted Wesley sometime,” she says. "So we hopped the ferry and went our way across to Victoria, walked into the radio station and asked for the DJ. Ted said, 'How do you do? I'm Ted Wesley. I heard you wanted to talk to me." His musical success continued to grow. He was invited to perform his songs on several TV shows, and hit the stage at the Pacific Colosseum in Vancouver. He quit his job at Giant and started a small taxi company in Yellowknife. He was touring lots, playing as far away as Alert and Charlottetown, P.E.I. Folk on the Rocks takes shape After performing a festival in Faro, Yukon, Wesley thought Yellowknife could use a similar event. With Leslie and his sisterin-law and manager Heather Pritchard – who organized the first Arctic Winter Games in 1970 – plans for a Yellowknife summer music festival started to take shape. It was 1979 and CBC wanted to celebrate the July 1 festivities by showcasing events from across the country. Yellowknife, with its midnight sun, would be shown last. Frame Lake's McNiven Beach was chosen for the event. "We wanted to call it Stage on the Rocks but we couldn't house too many people (at McNiven Beach) so that's when we actually moved it to Long Lake," says Wesley. "That was basically the formation of Folk on the Rocks." Wesley went on to perform at the first three Folk on the Rocks festivals, which officially launched under that name in 1980. But Wesley's Yellowknife playing days were coming to an end. In 1981, he left the city and took a job at Polaris Mine photo courtesy of Ted Wesley Ted Wesley still plays music in his new home of Fort McMurray. The 63-year-old is contemplating a re-release of his albums plus some new songs as well. Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo Bob Stewart has been a fan of Ted Wesley's music for over 20 years. He launched a website seeking information on the recording artist last November. on Little Cornwallis Island, Nunavut. Leslie and the kids went to B.C. He came back to Yellowknife in 1982 to play Folk on the Rocks, bringing with him a group, the Little Walrus Band, that he had formed up at the mine. But though he passed through Yellowknife many times over the years on his way to and from the mine, his playing days in the city were over. "I think a big transition for me was that I quit smoking and a lot of my gigs were in the Hoist Room, and playing in bars where everybody else smoked," says Wesley. "I had to quit because of my health. I was smoking almost two packs a day. I just couldn't take it any more so I ended up quitting and getting a regular job." Wesley worked at the mine in weeks-longs shifts in relative isolation for 22 years until it closed in 2003. He still continues to play music. One of the guys he jams with used to play in BachmanTurner Overdrive, says Wesley. He says he would love to play in Yellowknife again, perhaps for next year's Folk on the Rocks. As for re-releasing the old albums, something is in the works. "We've been talking about that the last couple years but life keeps getting in the way," says Wesley. "When this thing with Bob Stewart came up, we were like, 'holy moly, we got to do something about it now.'" To hear Wesley's songs go to www.peace.ca/tedwesley. htm. 14 YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 one PLEASURE “I think everyone should go to college and get a degree and then spend six months as a bartender and six months as a cabdriver. Then they would really be educated.” – Al McGuire with Amanda Vaughan Stirred, not shaken 1. Bartenders bring the party in Yellowknife O ne thousand years ago, no one spent eight hours a day at a computer, nobody wrote consultant, administrative assistant, electrician or snow plow driver in the occupation box of government forms, or even filled out government forms for that matter. But at the turn of the first millennium, someone was tending the bar. Down at the Monkey Tree, Brian Couvrette (pic 1) hasn't been tending bar for a millennium, in fact he's only been doing it for about six months. He said he likes the extra money he can make in only a couple weekend nights, and he finds the Range Lake Road pub a good place to work. "It isn't a rough crowd that we get here," he said. But really, that's all about perspective. Toni Enns (pic 2) has been slinging drinks at The Raven Pub for eight years, and the pub's prominent standing in a notorious patch of town doesn't really make the place that crazy in her opinion. "About 80 per cent of our crowd is regulars, so it's pretty routine here," she said. Though she did say that after eight years of working in a bar, nothing surprises you. "Well, this surprises me," she laughed, referring to her interview with Pleasure Zone. Enns can't imagine being anywhere other than behind the bar, where she said the fast pace makes time fly, and the parade of faces never stops. 2. "I am such a people person," she said. Meanwhile, Le Frolic was alive with the smooth music of Rick Poltaruk and the Relics (Mike Hilchey, Howard McKay and Gary Tees). It turns out that the regular barman is a little too shy for his 15 seconds of fame, so instead it was sometimes-bartender Isabelle Levis, also a server, who talked bar with me. While she likes both jobs, she loves the customer relationships you develop behind the bar. "At a table, it's harder to have a real conversation with a customer," she said. The upscale restaurant doesn't tend to attract the overly-intoxicated, however she said one gentleman surprised the bar by ringing the brass bell by the door. "I don't think he realized he had to buy Please see Workin', page 15 YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 15 pleasure zone 3. Workin' at the club Stirred, from page 14 everyone a round when he did that," she laughed. An expert in relaxation, Stuart York (pic 4) was "holding down" the bar at the Black Knight, where everyone knows your name (or at least York does, after seven years in the biz and four at the Black Knight.) The pub gets all kinds of customers, which is fine with him, as he said one of the fascinating parts of his job is being able to watch all the people. "You get really good at reading people. You can tell when they walk in if they are there scanning for tail or to meet friends and things like that," he said. And those looking for that "special someone" in the pub will frequently try their hand at the bar. York said he's met his fair share of ladies in the job. "This job makes you automatically 35 per cent hotter than anyone else in the bar," he said, to the amusement of nearby patrons. The job seems to have also scored him his fiancee, the always-smiling BK server, Ashley Zwicker. Also loving the parade of interesting people is Lana Ford (pic 3), right, with fellow bartender Shawna Martel) of The Prestige. Ford has been in the biz for 13 years, and said she likes helping people unwind. "You see people from all different backgrounds. It's fun to see people relax their inhibitions. Alcohol makes everyone a bit sillier, and I don't look at them differently for it," she said. Her patrons include teachers, doctors, politicians and the like and she said she isn't there to judge folks for cutting loose a bit. She's worked a few bars in Yellowknife, but likes the Franklin Avenue club's atmosphere. "It's got a big city night club feel," she said. 4. 16 YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 pleasure zone Kung fu movie rule #23: Don't eat out FILM REVIEW with Amanda Vaughan Michael Angarano stars as Jason Tripitikas, an American teen obsessed with kung fu who ends up in an alternate universe on an adventure with the likes of Jet Li and Jackie Chan. Forbidden Kingdom brings kung fu cliches with style and humour F orbidden Kingdom is ... well, it's a kung fu movie. That might seem vague, but given the tendency for the genre to adhere to some basic tenets, it's a pretty telling thing. It is through and through, to the last letter, the greatest form of kung fu movie, the kind with sorcerous plotlines, delightful wire work, shiny costumes, and a montage where a student learns the secrets of the martial arts from a master (or two, in this case.) The story is, well, more than a little ridiculous, but I would have been daft to expect anything else from a flick with Jackie Chan in it. Basically, a kung fu movie-obsessed kid from Boston gets sucked into an alternate universe where he has to free the imprisoned Monkey King with a fighting staff he finds in a pawn shop in Boston's Chinatown. See? I told you it was ridiculous. It doesn't stop there. The immortal Monkey King was turned to stone by the also immortal Jade Warlord of the Jade Army. Those marauders have been raping and pillaging harmless townspeople in this alternate universe for 500 years, as its citizens wait for someone to bring back the Monkey King's staff so he can wallop the Jade Warlord. Enter Mr. Chan as the drunken kung fu master, Jet Li as the silent monk and Yifei Liu as the orphaned Golden Sparrow, and what you have is a team of colourful kung fu heroes intent on helping poor Jason from Boston (Michael Angarano) return the Monkey King's staff. There are certain things one expects from this kind of movie: expertly choreographed fighting, and a healthy dose of silliness. Forbidden Kingdom delivers those key points, and supplements them with some really nice bonuses such as lush, beautiful sets and costumes and a sense of humour that pokes a little fun at itself. The fight scenes are beautiful to behold, like smooth, murderous dancing with lots of flowing outfits, sneaky weapons and even a deadly white wig. Chan and Li are nothing less than the pros we expect, two guys who have dedicated their lives to making audiences go home from photo courtesy of Lionsgate Entertainment theatres dreaming of flying jump kicks. If you aren't in the mood for kung fu, you might not appreciate the over-the-top plot or the formulaic pattern this movie follows, but then I don't think the people who made this film were aiming to change anyone's life. If you are in the mood for kung fu, then you want to know what my favorite part was? In a martial arts movie, one of the gravest mistakes you can make is eating in a restaurant. Especially one with lofted upper levels, multiple staircases and plenty of windows, because it's only a matter of time before at least 150 identically-dressed bad guys pour through windows, over railings and let me tell you, they aren't coming for your hot pot. Sure enough, I giggled with child-like glee as Jackie Chan kicked, punched and whacked away the tide of Jade Army peons after eating his dinner. He sent them flying down the stairs, through the walls and into support beams, and when it looked like he'd downed the last one, in true kung fu movie style, there was a moment's pause before 30 more showed up at the door, eager for a butt-kicking. If that makes you laugh, then by all means, check this one out. Reel deal Hollywood Video lists the top 10 DVD rentals 1. Juno 2. Alien vs. Predator: Requiem 3. In The Name Of The King 4. There Will Be Blood 5. Before The Devils 6. Lars And The Real Girl 7. Lions For Lambs 8. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story 9. Water Horse 10. Kite Runner Top tracks Top 10 CDs from CD Plus 1. Various Artists – Juno Soundtrack 2. Leona Lewis – Spirit 3. Theory of a Deadman – Scars and Souvenirs 4. City and Colour – Bring Me Your Love 5. Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad 6. Chris Brown – Exclusive 7. Various Artists – Much Dance 2008 8. Thrice – Alchemy Index Volumes 3 and 4 9. John Fogerty – Revival 10. Jack Johnson – Sleep Through The Static YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 17 More than just answering the phone A receptionist’s eye view Alix McNaught/NNSL photo “It’s a bit of learning. Once you understand it, “You know, a job grows on you and when ADMINISTRATIVE DAY then it’s not bad,” she said. “Back home I didn’t you’re at it so long, it’s a part of your life. I Margaret Kendall has been a receptionist for have a computer system, so for me it was like, would recommend it for anybody that’d want to 6x215 most of her working life, and it’s not as simple a wow, but I learned it.” do it,” she said. job as some people may assume. Kendall came to the job with a lot of dental What she would not recommend, however, is “Being a receptionist is not just answering knowledge. She knowsCOLOR all of the codes used by putting plastic into dental sterilizer. FULL the phone,” she said. “It is a lot of work. It is a dentists to indicate areas of the mouth, parts of Kendall once put one of the small mirrors By Alix McNaught Northern News Services lot of challenges. It is a lot of paperwork, and you’re dealing with the public all day long, and that’s exactly what it’s all about. For me it is, anyways.” Kendall has worked at the Great Slave Dental Clinic for the past nine months; before that, she was a receptionist with the Dental Association in Newfoundland for 23 years. “My mom worked with a dentist for 25 years, and actually, at one point in time when she got sick, they asked me would I go in,” she recalled. “I went there to pull charts, to file charts, to call in patients, and I ended up training and they kept me full time, so that’s how I started. “Being a receptionist, you are the face of the clinic to all clients or patients that come in, so your job is to be an outstanding receptionist to your patients and be able to help them the best way you can.” In addition to handling appointments and confirmations, Kendall also deals with patients’ insurance claims and paperwork. Everything is entered into computer systems now, which Kendall says has made her job much easier than when she used to do everything manually. She did, however, have to learn to use the computers first. Michelle Huxley You are wonderful to work with! You are one of the best! the tooth and conditions. “You’ve got to know the quadrants of your mouth, you’ve got to know where each quadrant is,” said Kendall, indicating on her face where each of the four quadrants are located. Kendall has assisted dentists in the past, but is now a full-time receptionist. “It’s nice when you meet a lot of nice people and being able just to help that person. You get people calling and they’re in pain and you’re able to get them in. You know, it’s all for your patients, right?” Coming from a town with a population of 1,500, she was used to knowing everyone and found it difficult not knowing patients’ names when she began at Great Slave Dental Clinic. “I was very excited the first day that somebody came in and I actually knew them. It felt good,” she said. “The worst thing is the days when you’re stressed, even when it’s just paperwork, or sometimes you get a client that’s not happy and you have to deal with that, but you’ve always got to remember, your patient is always right. You always let them have their say.” In spite of the tougher moments, Kendall is happy where she is. In recognition of Yellowknife Catholic Schools Central Services Support Staff who go above and beyond. May you continue to let your spirit shine! From the YCS Senior Leadership Team dentists use to look inside people’s mouths inside the sterilizer. Unlike most mirrors, which have metal backings and handles, this one was plastic. She came back from lunch that day to a bit of a surprise. “The mirror was still there, but the handle just went bzzt,” she said, indicating that the plastic had shrunk to half its size. Kendall has kept the shrivelled mirror as a souvenir to this day. Above: Margaret Kendall provides receptionist services at Great Slave Dental Clinic, and says the job entails a great deal of paperwork. Sally Hammer Our appreciation for all your hard work, day in and day out thank you! Colleen Ingram You are wonderful to work with! You are one of the best! Thank you! Thank you! Kim Poulter Stacy Ogilvie For all you do for us and our customers, Thank you 18 yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Yellowknifer, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 19 ADMINISTRATIVE DAY 6x215 FULL COLOR ADMINISTRATIVE DAY 6x215 FULL COLOR 20 YELLOWKNIFER, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 photo stories Grade 12 Samuel Hearne secondary school student Matthew Dyck of Inuvik competes in the graphic design segment of the competition, where he created a magazine cover, logo and inside spread for a tattooing magazine. Skills in practice Northern News Services T he 10th annual territorial Skills Canada Competition took place in Yellowknife last week. Students from across the territory competed in everything from carpentry and aesthetics to workplace safety and graphic design. In the hairstyling category, heads with wigs were set up on tripods for competitors to work with. In the morning, they cut and styled the hair into their own creations, and in the afternoon, created fancy hairdo's. Workplace safety competitors wrote a test, gave an oral presentation and then provided safety assessments of office and construction worksites, focusing on hazards and the likelihood of their occurring. An open obstacle course was set up for students to try their hands at electrical work, hairstyling, automotive and plumbing skills. Department of Education, Culture and Employment volunteers Mary Panegyuk-Coady and Annie Esteban amused themselves by taking a turn at the electrical component of the obstacle course. Esteban St. Pat's student Peter Boggis focuses on his workplace safety evaluation during the Skills Canada Competition. Boggis, a Grade 12 student who has won the gold medal in this category before, was identifying potential hazards, their severity and probability. defeated Panegyuk-Coady, who suspected Esteban had been practising. In addition to the Skills Canada events, job fair booths were also set up. Students not competing in the events had the opportunity to speak with representatives from the RCMP, CBC, NorthwesTel and De Beers, among others. St. Patrick student Elena Blechert, left, gives student Brittany Myles a "basic manicure" and waits for Myles's nail polish to dry. Massage beds, the next station, lay waiting to girls' left. Grade 9 St. Pat's student Max Pilling demonstrates his expertise at changing a tire as part of an un-judged obstacle course. STUDENT Feature by Alix McNaught WINNERS: 2008 Skills Canada NWT winners: Bronze – Greg Crews (Yellowknife) Aesthetics - Secondary Gold – Tiffany Gerstel (Yellowknife) Silver – Elana Blechert (Yellowknife) Bronze – Alanna Menard (Yellowknife) Electrical Wiring – Post-secondary Gold – Steve Charlo (Yellowknife) Silver – Nick Davis (Hay River) Bronze – Jesse Maillou (Yellowknife) Auto Service - Secondary Gold – Keenan Miller (Yellowknife) Graphic Design - Secondary Gold - Tyler Heal (Yellowknife) Silver – Kyra Tanche (Fort Simpson) Bronze – Charlene Gargan (Fort Simpson) Auto Service - Post-secondary Gold - Richard Kent (Yellowknife) Silver – Ben Nason (Hay River) Baking - Secondary Gold – Michaelis Hurst (Yellowknife) Silver – Emily Stang (Yellowknife) Bronze – Stephen Allison (Fort Smith) Carpentry - Secondary Gold - Brett Properzi (Yellowknife) Carpentry - Post-secondary Gold – Rick Davis (Hay River) Silver – Mike McCloskey (Yellowknife) Bronze – Colter Freund (Fort Smith) Cooking - Secondary Gold – Jeffrey Lindaya (Yellowknife) Silver – Katrina Heimbach (Yellowknife) Hairstyling - Secondary Gold – Victoria Williams (Yellowknife) Silver – Tiara Bernhardt (Inuvik) Bronze – Ashley Blake (Inuvik) Heavy Equipment - Post-secondary Gold – Kevin McLeod (Yellowknife) Silver – Eugene Duval (Hay River) Bronze – Tommy Tinqui (Behchoko) Plumbing - Post-secondary (Northwest Territories) Gold – Adam McIvor (Yellowknife) Silver – Joseph Putulik-Paulette (Fort Smith) (Nunavut) Gold – Travis Mannik Small Powered Equipment - Secondary Gold – Patrick Sampson-Morin (Yellowknife) Silver – Tyler Pond (Yellowknife) Bronze – Dustin Maring-Blake (Inuvik) TV and Video Production - Secondary Gold - Chris Aitken and Ian MacDougall (Yellowknife) Silver – Cordel Corothers and Anika Sparling (Yellowknife) Bronze – Natasha Petten and Julie Hintz (Yellowknife) Welding - Secondary Gold – Steven Oliver (Yellowknife) Silver – Chris Mailloux-Schreder (Yellowknife) Bronze – Terrance Campbell (Fort Smith) Welding - Post-secondary Gold – Adrian Gherghe (Yellowknife) Silver – David Briltz (Fort Smith) Workplace Safety - Junior Gold – Narek Khachatryan (Yellowknife) Workplace Safety - Secondary Gold - Peter Boggis (Yellowknife) Grade 8 Weledeh student, Da-Nerek Khachatryan, inspects scaffolding for safety hazards.