I complained last column about a lack of comments left after my online columns, and behold, I got a critical response on March 11. I have to give this person my full attention. (I also got a comment of support from an acquaintance, but I will make my critic the point of departure for this column.) The critic’s main remark is...

By: Rob McLister, Canada Mortgage Trends On Friday, Manulife Bank posted its lowest rate ever on a 5-year fixed mortgage, 2.89%. It lasted for four days. When our big brothers at the Department of Finance (DoF) caught wind of it, they dialed up Manulife and swayed the bank into raising its rate back to 3.09%. “We don’t want...

Specialized rescue skills were required to help a motorist near Fruitvale this morning, according to Trail RCMP Sgt. Rob Hawton. “A driver was heading east-bound in an SUV on Hwy 3B just west of the connector to Castlegar, at about 10:30 a.m.” he said. “He hit some slush that pulled his tires and pulled him over the bank,...

Thoughtstream, a comprehensive online stakeholder engagement system, makes the Rocket Builders 11th annual Ready to Rocket list. The list names 25 private BC companies positioned for growth in the rapidly growing information and communications technology sector. The evolution of the online survey, Thoughtstream supports leaders...

We've all heard the stories about the faithful pooches who smell smoke and save their families from burning to death by waking everyone in time to get out. But what happens if good ol' Rover (or Fido or Spot) ends up suffering from smoke inhalation, or has a weak heart that can't bear up under the strain of emergency? The...

For the fifth consecutive year, FortisBC is encouraging individuals and communities to pledge to reduce electricity and natural gas use during Earth Hour from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 23. “FortisBC PowerSense encourages customers to turn every hour into an ‘Earth Hour’ by making impactful changes that can reduce energy use and...

The Mir Lecture Series and the Columbia Basin Trust present renowned anthropologist Wade Davis April 3 in Nelson. Davis leads us on a thrilling journey to celebrate the wisdom of the world's indigenous cultures.  Understanding the lessons of this journey will be our mission for the next century so we do not lose this vast...

“Seed is the source of life and the first link in the food chain.  Control over seed means a control over our lives, our food and our freedom.” Physicist and activist Vandana Shiva It’s time to dust off the gardening equipment and start planning your crops for this year! Rossland REAL Food’s annual Seedy Sunday and Interact...

From the outside Blueberry Creek Community School (BCCS) looks like any typical small older rural elementary school but BCCS is anything but typical. BCCS is a Ministry of Education designated Neighbourhood of Learning and a Ministry of Children and Family Development designated Community HUB. Both ministerial designations ...

After great success in the Grand Forks pilot project that's gone city-wide, but also spurred by a looming local landfill crisis and millions of dollars in imminent savings from recycling programs, the stars may finally have aligned for a regional composting service—a.k.a. "organics diversion"—said Alan Stanley, the Director...