BIG NORTH FREE PRESS ~ MAY 2012 BIG NORTH B1

FREE PRESSBig North B Section

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ............................ 890 Vancouver Street • 1-250.562-2454CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE .................................. 1100 Patricia Blvd • 1-250.561-7600TOURISM PRINCE GEORGE ...................................1300 1st Avenue • 1-250.562-3700INITIATIVES PRINCE GEORGE ..................... 201-1300 1st Avenue • 1-250.564-0282SERVICE BC ....................................................................................... • 1-250.565-4488HELLO BC (TOURISM BC) ............................................................... • 1-800.435-5622

CITY DIRECTORYwww.pgchamber.bc.ca

www.pgfreepress.com

www.tourismpg.com

www.getawaybc.com

www.afterhours.org

www.pgso.com

www.theatrenorthwest.com

www.pgtw.bc.ca

www.netbistro.com

www.ticketmaster.ca

www.princegeorge.ca

www.pgairport.ca

www.gopg.ca

INFO ON BRITISH COLUMBIAwww.nbctourism.com

www.hellobc.com

www.bclocalnews.com

New album keeps Bamford busyHis career just keeps getting

Better. Country singer-songwriter

Gord Bamford talked with the Free Press recently about his 24-date cross-Canada tour in support of his major label debut (Sony Music Entertain-ment Canada) with Is It Friday Yet?

Right now, Bamford, who hails from Lacombe, Alberta, is on the second leg of the tour which takes him from Winni-peg to Chilliwack.

He plays Prince George Play-house on May 16.

This year has meant kicking up his already successful career a few more notches.

“It’s definitely been elevated to the next level with this tour, that’s for sure, so that’s been good,” he said. The artist has played both small and large towns starting in New Glas-gow, Nova Scotia.

Besides being a hard-work-ing songwriter, live performer and recording artist, Bamford is well known as a philanthropist (he heads up the Gord Bamford Charitable Foundation) and a devoted family man.

How has having three chil-dren changed the way he thinks about life and how he views the world – and how has that affected his songwriting?

“Children change your life, children in general really because I’m a big fan of kids but obviously my own (chil-dren) have had an influence not just on me as a songwriter but me as a person.

“They make you see what’s important and that helps you to accomplish in life and it’s been great. But I also try to make sure with the songs I write and put on records, that I have enough versatility there to reach out to all sorts of different demographics. Make sure the

songs are connecting.”Such as Is It Friday Yet?“Yeah, for sure.” (He laughs.)

“That’s a good example.”Although he’s a tad road

weary, Bamford says the tour so far has been fun and exhilarat-ing (and also a little painful).

“It’s been great. It’s been a long run. It’s a long time on the bus but it’s part of promot-ing the record. Right across the country, it’s been a very good response... I had a few health issues at the beginning (with) my gall bladder... but I’m well now.”

What can local fans expect from the concert? “Well, it’s a lot smaller show than what we played in Prince George before and we’re looking forward to that, just for the fact of the inti-macy of the show and spend-ing time with fans. We’re really looking forward to it.”

No promises, but Bamford will likely perform most of his hits like Stayed ‘Til Two, Put Some Alcohol On It, Raise the Bar, Cheap Date, Better, Kids, In This Town, Blame it on the Red Dress and Heroes.

“We have a great live band and a great flow to the show. We’ve obviously been very for-tunate to have lots of hits, so it will be almost a whole night of songs that people have heard and can relate to. It’s a pretty high-energy show.”

Joining Bamford on his Cana-dian Tour will be special guests including 2011 CCMA Group of the Year Hey Romeo, a cool country trio with Stacie Roper on vocals, Rob Shapiro on key-boards and Darren Gusnowsky on guitar. The group is releas-ing their third studio album in June.

Gord Bamford plays the Prince George Playhouse on Wednesday, May 16. Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations. For more informa-tion about the artist, visit www.gordbamford.com.

TERESA MALLAMarts@pgfreepress.com

Photo submitted

Country singer-songwriter Gord Bamford plays Prince George May 16.

B2 BIG NORTH BIG NORTH FREE PRESS ~ MAY 2012

George Canyon can see how things have changed for diabetics in the past 30 years.

“I wanted to be a pilot,” the Canadian country singer says over the phone. “I was in Air Cadets. After I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and spent a week in the hospital, I went back, and got called into the com-mander’s office. I thought I was in trouble for missing a meeting.

“He told me, ‘You’ll never be a pilot. If you’d like, you can stay in Air Cadets, but you’ll never fly.’”

One of the guests on Canyon’s Diabetes Heroes Tour, which stops in Prince George on May 18, is Lindsey Carswell, 19. She’s a student at the University of Guelph, and she’s earning her recreational pilot’s license.

That day at Air Cadets, Canyon says, “I left the office with my head hanging so low, my jaw was probably in the dirt.

“In North America, we ignore the psychological side of diabe-tes, especially in kids.”

That’s one of the reasons Can-

yon’s co-stars on the tour are Car-swell, national-level para-snow-boarder Mike Fisher, and Jordan DePape of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers.

“They’re all on the tour with me again this year,” Canyon says. “I just step back and let them go. You can see the kids’ faces light up when they realize these are young people just like them, with Type 1 diabetes.”

This year’s tour starts in St. John’s, N.L. on May 14 and plays a different city each night, finish-ing in Prince George on May 18.

“Last year, we didn’t go coast-to-coast,” Canyon says. “It was the first year, so we were sort of working out the kinks.

“The Type 1 kids were just unbelievable. It’s so great getting to know the difference I can make in their life just by doing this.”

Canyon was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 14.

“My dad was the chief tech at a hospital in Nova Scotia, where I grew up. It was Christmastime, and he noticed I was showing the symptoms. I was moody, well, moodier than normal, going to the bathroom a lot.

“He didn’t want to spoil Christ-mas, but on Boxing Day, I went to

the hospital, got the diag-nosis, and spent a week in hospital, which was normal then.”

He says his dad, having a medical background, was probably more protective of him than he needed to be, especially when it came to the frequency of tests.

“It gave me the discipline and self-control I needed to deal with the disease.

“No Type 1 diabetic is fully controlled, no matter what they might think.”

The evening will start with a discussion of diabe-tes and family dynamics, followed by an interactive session with the Diabetes Heroes, and conclude with a performance by Canyon.

“We’re going to do a bit more of a show this year,” he says. “I’m bringing my drummer, pianist and bass player. A lot of it will be stuff people hopefully know, but I want to play a couple of songs off the children’s album I’m work-ing on.”

The show at the Prince George Playhouse is lim-

ited to individuals and families living with Type 1 diabetes.

The show runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on May 18. Individuals and families with Type 1 diabetes can get free tick-

ets by going to www.animas.ca/george2012. Seating is limited and will be assigned on a first-

come, first-served basis. There is a maximum of five seats per request.

■ HEROES TOUR MAY 18

Canyon and friends talking diabetesALLAN WISHARTallanw@pgfreepress.com

Free Press f i le photo

Canadian country star George Canyon will be playing for a select audience when he returns to Prince George May 18.

Stride & GlideS P O R T S

1655A 15th Ave. Prince George (Across from Parkwood Mall)www.strideandglide.ca • 1-866-612-4754 • 250-612-4754

PHONE ORDERS WELCOME

51 HT A EV

WGEPINNI

PARKWOODSHOPPINGCENTRE

VAIROTCI

RDOO

W DESEC URP

TKC ARA

MAUDNALP

VALUEVILLAGE

XSTRIDE & GLIDE SPORTS

VAIROTCI

17TH AVE

N

Cory WattsTuppy HoehnShayne Hoehn

R U N • S K I • S W I M • A P PA R E L

Hours:Mon-Wed, Fri & Sat 9:30am-6pm • Open Late Thurs 9:30am-7pm

Open Sunday 11am - 4pm

Check Out Our New Spring Arrivals!

5

About two months ago, the College of New Cale-donia was looking at a $2.3 million budget shortfall for next year.

At its April 27 board meeting, a budget was approved which sees a surplus of $24,690.

“There will be no suspensions or cancellations of existing services or programs,” President John Bow-man said in a press release. “The impact on students and the community will be very minimal.”

The shortfall was addressed by reallocating unused budget amounts in several areas; including additional and deferred revenues; bringing in a two per cent tuition increase; reducing spending on equipment; and not replacing vacant full-time administrative, fac-ulty and staff positions.

As well, some faculty and staff took early retirement or voluntary severance packages.

“Unfortunately,” Bowman said, “it has been neces-sary to issue four layoff notices to faculty members, two of which have options for a reduced workload. All four could also be rescinded before they come into effect on July 31.”

EXECUTIVE RETURNSAll three executive members of the CNC board were

re-acclaimed to their positions at the April 27 meeting. Robert Murray was re-acclaimed as chair for the sec-ond straight year. Keith Playfair was re-acclaimed as vice-chair for regional campuses. Linda Smerychynski was re-acclaimed vice-chair for P.G.

CNC sees small surplus

750 - 3RD AVE, PRINCE GEORGE, BCTOLL FREE 1-888-564-9888

250-564-9888www.auroralighting.ca

AURORA LIGHTINGAURORA LIGHTING& SALES& SALES

COMPLETE HYDROPONIC SUPPLIES

• Metal halide & high pressure sodium lights• Digital ballasts • Sunblaster lights• Timers & controls • CO2 • Carbon fi lters• Growing medium & pots • Nutrients & testers• Digital scales

Nutrients for indoor gardening. Full line of products available.

FAST SHIPPING

16

BIG NORTH FREE PRESS ~ MAY 2012 BIG NORTH B3

BUS TOURS AND GROUPS WELCOME

Tel: 250-563-7174 Email: info@gramasinn.com www.gramasinn.com

901 Central St, Prince George, BC Canada V2M 3C8

5th Ave

N

Hwy

97N

Cent

ral S

treet

Hwy 9

7S

10th Ave

15th Ave 1-877-563-7174*

Grama’s Inn is the place to stay

!

An

y way you look at it…

Grama’s Inn offers you clean, comfortable rooms, reasonable rates, homestyle cooking from Grama’s kitchen. Free wireless

internet, kitchen suites, executive suites available.

Ask About Our…

PREFERREDGUEST CARD*

(Stay 10 Nights, Get 1 FREE!)Call for details.

*Not to be combined with any otheroffer or promotion

DESIGNATED PET FRIENDLY ROOMS

Welcome to

BEST SPORTS TEAM RATESStarting at $78(not to be combined with any other offeror promotion. Call for details)

10FINANCING *

AVAILABLE

12

TERESA MALLAMartrs@pgfreepress.com

Three talented Prince George photographers returned from a major awards ceremony in Hali-fax with happy memories – and national recognition in their cho-sen field.

Debbie Malm, Tina Cyr and Ute Wilder were presented with Craftsman of Photographic Arts awards at the Professional Pho-tographers of Canada annual awards banquet held April 24 in Halifax.

British Columbia as a province – and for sure Prince George – was well represented in the pho-tographers’ winners’ circle.

“B.C. really rocked it,” said Cyr, who had four of her images accepted and exhibited in the BC Image Salon in March, while Malm was awarded a Best in Class trophy for her Portrait of a Child class image: Hat On, Hat Off and had two of her images accepted in the B.C. Image Salon. And Wilder, featured in an Oct. 20, 2011 Free Press story with a picture of her “haul” of rib-bons and trophy, was also recog-nized for several of her outdoor images.

All three women belong to the Prince George Photographic Society and, naturally, they share a passion for photography.

But now they’ve shared an experience that very few profes-sional photographers will have in their lifetime. And they agree the next step is to achieve their Masters, a Professional Photog-raphers of Canada (PPOC) desig-nation that truly sets them apart as having produced a body of stunningly beautiful images.

For now though, they are proud of being able to add CPA after their names.

While in Halifax picking up their new “titles,” the trio did get in a little sightseeing, shopping and dining on fresh lobster.

For Wilder, the event always offers an opportunity to mingle with other professional photog-raphers, trade stories and share a few tips on technique.

“You learn a lot when you go to these things – of course it’s wonderful to get awards but you also get ideas from other photog-raphers.

“Everybody is very creative of course and they are able to put their ideas together.”

The Craftsman of Photo-

graphic Arts award is given to PPOC members whose images accepted into the annual PPOC

Image Salon over a number of years are consistently of a high quality. The award is given in

recognition of contributions made by them to the association and to photography in Canada.

Photographers snap up awards

Teresa MALLAM/Free Press

Debbie Malm, left, Tina L. Cyr and Ute Wilder with their prestigious Craftsman of Photographic Arts awards from the Professional Photographers of Canada. The awards were presented at the association’s annual awards banquet held April 24 in Halifax.

B4 BIG NORTH BIG NORTH FREE PRESS ~ MAY 2012 BIG NORTH FREE PRESS ~ MAY 2012 BIG NORTH B5

www.WoodWheaton.comwww.WoodWheaton.com

3

B4 BIG NORTH BIG NORTH FREE PRESS ~ MAY 2012 BIG NORTH FREE PRESS ~ MAY 2012 BIG NORTH B5

www.WoodWheaton.comwww.WoodWheaton.com

3

B6 BIG NORTH BIG NORTH FREE PRESS ~ MAY 2012

Answers topuzzle NO. 344

Answers topuzzle NO. 576

X CROSSWORD

www.footpain.ca

15

Teresa MALLAM/Free Press

McDonald’s employee Darleen Barton is running out of room May 3 to put up red shoes which represent customer donations from McHappy Day(May 2) with proceeds going towards Ronald McDonald House. Sales proceeds from McHappy Day aprons go to the Child Developmen Centre.

MCHAPPY DAY

Hosted by Richard deMontigny, Reimagine CBC comes to Prince George. Reimagine CBC.ca gatherings bring supporters together in their communities to learn about the budget cuts, talk about the best ideas from the online forum and share your thoughts about the future of the CBC. This event will help create a powerful citizens’ report that will be delivered to decision makers.

Come out to ArtSpace Thursday, May 10 starting at 7 p.m. and share your ideas with our national broadcaster.

Reimagine CBClooks at budget cuts

The Prince George Symphony Orchestra will enter its 43rd season with a new music director.

Dr. Kevin Zakresky has been selected to lead British Columbia’s premiere northern orchestra. He succeeds Leslie Dala, PGSO’s conductor for eight seasons, who is now chorus director and associate conductor with the Vancouver Opera and music director of the prestigious Bach Choir.

Hailed by Vancouver critic David Gordon

Duke as “one of North America’s rising star con-ductors,” Zakresky returns to his home city with an extensive and impressive list of performing and academic credentials.

“The PGSO was the orchestra I heard growing up and the thought of returning to be its con-ductor is an amazing honour and a wonderful opportunity,” he said. “I have so many plans and so much enthusiasm for this organization and I can’t wait to get to work.”

There is lots of room to expand and explore, Zakresky says.

“Prince George is a young, vibrant com-munity. All the arts here are on a fast-track for further develop-ment and growth. I’m excited to have been invited to take charge of the orchestra at this exciting moment in its history.”

Zakresky will be officially welcomed by the PGSO to the community at their Mother’s Day Tea on May 13 at 3 p.m.

Earlier this year, he completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting at Yale University, graduat-ing at the top of his class and winning the Aiden Cavanagh Award. Zakresky is well known to north-ern British Columbia audiences as a con-ductor, singer and pianist and made his debut with the orches-tra playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto K.

He’s sung in opera, operetta, and musicals and conducted last sea-son’s record-breaking run of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. He’s taught conducting for students in the School of Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser Uni-versity.

New director at PGSO

1790 Hwy 97 South, Prince George, B.C.

1-800-325-3535fourpointsprincegeorge.com

We will make your stay one of the best hotel experiences ever.

comfort isn’t complicated

Our in-house services include the Blackwater Restaurant and

Lounge, Room Service, The Willow Room for meetings and

gatherings for up to 60 persons, catering and much more.

A variety of fl oor plans and features to choose from such as:• One and two bedroom suites• Hospitality suites

• Beautiful hardwood fl oors

• Deep soaker Jacuzzi tubs

• Free high speed internet

• Balconies

• 32” LCD/HDTV

• Vaulted ceilings

• Gas fi replaces

• Exclusive “Comfort Bed”

• State-of-the-art Fitness Centre

• Ergonomic desk and chairs

• Hot Tub

• Pool

9

BIG NORTH FREE PRESS ~ MAY 2012 BIG NORTH B7

OUT OF TOWN BUYERS STAY FOR FREE!

DL#30757

DISCLAIMER: All prices and payments plus taxes and fees ON APPROVED CREDIT. Lowest cash prices shown above using all dealership incentives. BiWeekly payments are based on $1,500 down over 84 months at 5.99% OAC. Prices above include $589 Administrative Fee which is mandatory on purchase of Used vehicles. All Vehicles available at time of Printing. Cash down payment may be required up to 90% of

vehicle purchase price depending on credit history. Vehicles may not be exactly as shown. See Dealer for details.

NISSAN SELLS USED CARS!

1-866-920-4058

#1#1December 2011

Selling Import Dealer!Selling Import Dealer!P E R F O R M E R S E V E N T

R

$18,8882011 SENTRA

Stk# 11SE5012

TOTALPRICE:

DecDececemembembembberererer 2222

in Northern BCin Northern BC

NISSAN SELLS USED CARS!

$137Weekly@ 5.99%-84 months

$$$Weekly@ 5.99%-@ 5.99%-84 months84 month

$34,8882012 NISSAN NV

Stk# MN102331

TOTALPRICE:$29,888

2011 JUKE AWD

Stk# 11JK7830

TOTALPRICE:

$118Weekly@ 5.99%-84 months

$76Weekly

@ 5.99%-84 months

2012 ALTIMA

$22,888STARTINGAT:

Stk# 12AS4872

$51Weekly

@ 0%-84 months

2012 VERSA

$15,588STARTINGAT:

Stk# 12VH6097

2012 TITAN0%

Available

up toup to OFFOFF$10,500$10,500

10 tochoose

from

1998 RAM Q/CAB 1500

$4,788Stk# 11JK802710

TOTALPRICE:

1998 RAM Q/CAB 15555550555 098 RAM Q/CAB 11111111155555552009 VERSA

$8,988Stk# NC28870710

TOTALPRICE:

2007 NISSAN SENTRA

$7,988Stk# IW22236310

TOTALPRICE:

2005 DODGE CARAVAN

$5,988Stk# NH04846610

TOTALPRICE:

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN T

$78Weekly

@ 0%-84 months

2012 ROGUE AWD

$22,888STARTINGAT:

Stk# 12RO2661

20200001010122001220010122002022202222000000000000 111

$79Weekly

@ 0%-84 months

S

2012 TITAN

c

2006 JEEP COMMANDER

$12,888Stk# 11TC525310

TOTALPRICE:

2008 NISSAN TITAN

$17,888Stk# 12TC883610

TOTALPRICE:

2010 NISSAN CUBE

$14,888Stk# 10CU0144

TOTALPRICE:

2007 DODGE RAM 1500

$14,888Stk# IW545691

TOTALPRICE:

2649 Queensway, Prince George, BC

FUEL ECONOMY

FUEL ECONOMY

FUEL ECONOMY

OR

www.northlandnissan.comwww.northlandnissan.com

6

B8 BIG NORTH BIG NORTH FREE PRESS ~ MAY 2012

2021 Hwy 16 Entrance to the Gateway

DOUBLE SAVINGS0%84FINANCING FOR UP TO MONTHSFIN

RIGHTNOWGET

EVENT

S

PRINTED BY DEBBIE-LEE ADVERTISING INC. (250) 614-3751

1-866-564-6663DISCLAIMER: All prices and payments plus taxes and fees ON APPROVED CREDIT. Lowest cash prices and payments using all dealership incentives. All Vehicles available at time of Printing. Vehicles may not be exactly as shown. File photos used on some vehicles when required. EXAMPLES: 1) 2012 Sonata stk# CS438502: $25,864 $0 down, $131 bi-weekly, or $284 month x 96 months @ 0.96%. Cost of borrowing: $1023, total obligation: $27,186 before taxes 2) 2012 Tuscon stk# CT475272 24,659 $0 down, $141 bi-weekly, or $306 month x 84 months @ 0.9%. Cost of borrowing: $796, total obligation; $25,644 before taxes. 3) 2012 Elantra stk# CE135959 $20,794 $0 down, $124 bi-weekly, or $269 month x 84 months @ 1.99%. Cost of borrowing: $1521, total obligation; $22,605 before taxes. 4) 2012 Accent Stk# CA014484 $16,294 $0 down, $98 bi-weekly, or $211 month x 84 months @ 1.99%. Cost of borrowing: $1196, total obligation; $17,780 before taxes. Factory order may be required for some makes and models. All trademarks owned by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. The Hyundai names, logos, product names, feature names, images and slogans are trademarks owned by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., and are used under licence. See Dealer for details.

BOOK YOUR TEST DRIVE!

2012 Tucson

$24,659TOTAL PRICE:

Stk# 12TU0574

$

BI-WEEKLY PAYMENT

141FINANCING FOR

84

MONTHS

%0.9DOWN

PAYMENT

$0AND

30SAVE

UNTIL 2013

2012 Accent

$16,294TOTAL PRICE:

Stk# 12AC7047

$

BI-WEEKLY PAYMENT

98FINANCING FOR

84 MONTHS

%1.99DOWN

PAYMENT

$0AND

20SAVE

UNTIL 2013

2012 Elantra Touring

$19,990TOTAL PRICE:

Stk# 12EL0047

BI-WEEKLY PAYMENT

$114FINANCING FOR 84 MONTHS

%3.15DOWN

PAYMENT

$0AND

2012 Sante Fe

Stk# 12SF8971

$28,259TOTAL PRICE:

FINANCING FOR 84 MONTHS

0%

DOWNPAYMENT

$0AND

30SAVE

UNTIL 2013

$

BI-WEEKLY PAYMENT

156

2012 Sonata

$25,864TOTAL PRICE:

Stk# 12SO7172

BI-WEEKLY PAYMENT

$131FINANCING FOR

84 MONTHS

0%

DOWNPAYMENT

$0AND

25SAVE

UNTIL 2013

TOTAL PRICE:

2012 Genesis Sedan

$44,759TOTAL PRICE:

Stk# 12GE4629

$

BI-WEEKLY PAYMENT

259FINANCING FOR

84 MONTHS

%0.90DOWN

PAYMENT

$0AND

SAVE40

UNTIL 2013’/LC

VE0

2013’/LCCC0% 0$

FINANCING FOR84 MONTHS

DOWNPAYMENT

AND0% 0$120,000 KM

7 YEARBONUS

2012Veracruz

$37,259TOTAL PRICE:

Stk# 12VC1656

BI-WEEKLY PAYMENT

$188 $28,464TOTAL PRICE:

Stk# 12GC6747

BI-WEEKLY

$

PAYMENT

168FINANCING FOR

84 MONTHS

%1.29DOWN

PAYMENT

$0AND

2012 Genesis Coupe

2012 Elantra GL Auto

$20,794TOTAL PRICE:

Stk# 12EL7879

BI-WEEKLY PAYMENT

$124

CAR OF THE YEARELANTRA SEDAN

2012 CANADIAN AND NORTH AMERICAN

FINANCING FOR 84 MONTHS

%1.9DOWN

PAYMENT

$0AND

20SAVE

UNTIL 2013

2012 HYUNDAI ELANTRABEST NEW SMALL CAR

(OVER $21K)

LOYALTY CREDIT!$1,000 LOYALTY CREDIT!$1,000

120,000 KM

7 YEARBONUS

www.nwww.noorthland-hyundai.carthland-hyundai.ca

7