Ross Thompson and the naming of 'Ross'-land: Small imagination or big ego?
If you know anything about the history of Rossland, the origin of our town's name came from is not likely a huge mystery. Likewise, if you know, live, or grew up on Thompson Avenue, as I did, it’s a no-brainer where that name came from, too. I’m talking about Ross Thompson. I like calling a spade a spade, so let’s not make...
Jake's Gift ends up in Rossland's hands...
Have you ever taken a trip that has touched you so deeply that it literally changed the course of your life? For Julia Mackey, just such a trip to Normandy France for the 60th anniversary of D-Day launched her into a series of events that would lead to Jake's Gift, a one woman play that has just entered its 5th year of shows...
Get yer garters, girls! Boomtown dance troupe recruiting
They count amongst their number a doctor, several teachers, and a well-known local artist. But these lovely Rossland ladies have something rather less serious in common. They've got legs (and swirling skirts) and know how to use 'em. Do you? The Boomtown Garter Girls, the Golden City's long-lived cancan troupe, is currently...
Wine, chocolate and chamber music aim to crack the code of the BMO safe
The next round of the Rouge Music series is gearing up for a Valentine’s Day love-in at the Rouge Gallery and this time the organizers have a mission: to crack into the old bank vault in the back of the former bank. Starting on Monday through the Rouge Music’s season end performance in May, the folks at the gallery will be ...
CONTEST: Win tickets for two to an evening of comedy and music
Kirk Orr of Spokane, a 30 year veteran of the entertainment industry peddling his unique blend of music and comedy will be making his first return to Rossland in 15 years this Saturday night at The Red Room. Having got his big break playing the Mike Douglas show years ago, Orr has since played stages around the world opening...
Support sought for big, bronze Olaus statue
If the Spirit of Red society has its way, the hill-bound hitchhikers milling about by the Bank of Montreal building might soon be spending their mornings in the big, bronzed company of Olaus Jeldness, the patron saint of Rossland ski culture. The society has now raised $6,000 toward the statue of the historical figure, expected...
COMMENT: Congrats on a wonderful winter carnival, Rossland
Saturday. I knew I was in trouble within the first few minutes of the remarkable Ski Bum musical, when everyone around me began roaring with recognition at each bum-based joke and I caught myself identifying sheepishly with the awkward anthropologist. In brief, the trouble is this: I love my toque, but I still take it off...
War of words underway at MacLean Elementary as MacLean Reads kicks off
There’s a battle of the books going on over at MacLean elementary school these days as a group of fourth and fifth grade readers duke it with fists of fiction over whose chosen book is best. Sparked by an idea that was sparked by an idea, the genesis of MacLean Reads lies in CBC’s Canada Reads competition. Canada Reads sees...
Salmo’s Songbird: Introducing Kyla Hanna
I often lament that there simply is not enough heavy metal music in the Kootenays, yet I certainly don’t want anyone thinking there is no quality music around here, or any talent of equal calibre as some of the Finnish power metal I enjoy so much. Joe Hill Coffee House on January 16 might not have had any metal in it, but it...
Remembering the Old MacLean School, Part One
On February 5, 1981, the lives of 300 MacLean Elementary School students changed forever when a fire tore through the building and completely razed it. I remember this incident very well because I was a student at MacLean at the time, and I can say for certain that this fire, even though I was only six at the time, really did...