The search is on for a Healthy Youth Role Model who will receive a special award sponsored by the CADAC Outpatient Center and the Community Youth Resource Center.  CADAC’s Tiffany Ealey explains they are looking for a youth between the ages of 15 and 19 who attends school in either Flin Flon, Creighton, Denare Beach or Cranberry Portage area.  She says they want them to be involved in extra-curricular activities both within the school and the community, a role model for others in that they are alcohol and drug free and somebody really positive.

Nomination forms are available at all the schools or contact the CADAC Center in Creighton.  The last day to get them in is tomorrow with the award presented during National Addictions Awareness Week November 17th to 23rd.

Northern Country Crafters will be holding their 19th annual Christmas Craft and Home Business Sale Saturday.  The groups Marlynn Fehr says they have over 60 tables with 32 vendors.  She says they have multiple types of baking including Christmas baking, pies, fudge and candy, a lot of hand knit goods, some leather crafts from the Friendship Center, the Quilt Guild will have their annual raffle, the Lutheran ladies with their baking table and they have several home businesses like Pampered Chef, Epicure, Tupper Ware, Sensi Candles, lots of good things for people to look at and purchase for Christmas giving.

Fehr adds there will be coffee and lunch for sale.  The sale runs from 10 to 4 Saturday at the Creighton Community Hall and will support the Northern Lights Manor and Personal Care Home.

Flin Flon School Division staff members are joining the Movember Campaign to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer.  Organizer Jordy Dumenko says the team includes the Superintendent, Principals, teachers and anybody else in the schools interested.  He says Movember in institutions really took off so every year he tries to throw together a team for the School Division.  He says you can go online and donate to Movember or you can just bring your donations to Ruth Betts School at any time.  

The he website to find out more about the campaign and making donations is www.movember.com. 

The program is called Partners in Safety and will be available to help children who are out trick or treating tomorrow evening.  Regional Manager for Emergency Services for the Northern Health Region Ken Gurba says when kids are out vehicles from Emergency Medical Services, RCMP and the Fire Department will be there.  He says they go out in their marked emergency vehicles and staff are wearing their uniforms.  He explains they make a physical, visible presence and if any child gets either lost or bullied or has any problems whatsoever they can flag down any one of these multiple vehicles that will be cruising the streets on Halloween evening.  

The partners in Safety Program will run from 4 to 7 tomorrow evening in Flin Flon, The Pas and OCN.

St. Ann’s Church is hosting the annual Fellowship of the Least Coin celebration on Friday.

The Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada explains Shanti Solomon began the world wide movement of prayer for peace, justice and reconciliation more that 50 years ago.  She was traveling with an ecumenical team in Asia in 1956 seeking reconciliation among women from war torn countries when she was denied entry into Korea.  Instead of returning home she waited and prayed for inspiration, a vision that took shape and changed the hearts and minds of many.

Everyone is invited to the Fellowship of the Least Coin taking place Friday night at 7 at St. Ann’s Church on Center Street.

The Flin Flon Fire Department has again formed a team to take part in Movember.  Team Captain Darren Romo says it’s to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer.  He says as a team they sign up on Movember dot com and throughout the month they grow moustaches.  He says it’s sort of like for breast cancer they wear ribbons but for this they grow moustaches and raise as much money as they can and they compete against other Fire Departments across Canada.

Their goal is to support the cause and be one of the top fund raisers in the country and win the Great Canadian Fire Department Challenge.  They finished eighth last year.  You can donate to the fire fighters in person or online at www.mobro.co/fffd.

Flin Flon Parks and Recreation will be hosting Boo at the Zoo tomorrow evening at the Joe Brain Children’s Petting Zoo on Green Street.  Recreation Programmer Aimee Deans says they have a fun time planned.  She says they’ve got the haunted house happening from 7 to 8:30 tomorrow evening at the zoo.  She adds it’s a great time for kids to walk through, have a little scare, get a treat and get ready for Halloween.

Deans says they have about 10 Hapnot Students volunteering to help out.  She adds the cost is two dollars with children four and under free.

The Flin Flon Arts Council is presenting the Yadong Guan Trio Sunday night.  The Council’s Crystal Kolt says the concert highlights an ancient Chinese instrument called the Pipa and features a variety of music by three world class performers.  She says they do a real cross section of music from the traditional Chinese, Irish music, modern classical works and even selections from the Quebec song repertoire.  She says it’s a real honor to have them in our community and people that come out for that are going to be treated to an amazing concert.

The performance takes place Sunday night at 7:30 at the Flin Flon Community Hall with tickets available at Northern Rainbows End on Main Street.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba is in need of volunteers for its annual door to door campaign during Heart Month in February.  Canvas Coordinator Amber Meszaros says they need canvassers across the province including Flin Flon.  She says what they ask their canvassers to do is go door to door on behalf of the Foundation in their neighborhood.  She adds this can be done anytime throughout the month of February and usually it takes volunteers about three to four hours to canvas about 25 to 25 homes on their route.

To volunteer for the February campaign you can visit their website at www.heartandstroke.mb.ca or call Amber at 204-571-4080.

The Western Canada Lottery Corporation is advising lottery players of a scam taking place.  They warn if you’ve received an email, letter or phone call that claims to be from the Western Canada Lottery Corporation or any other organization and it states your name or email address was selected and you’ve won a lottery prize and asks you to pay to receive your prize disregard it.

They say there are several scams going on that attempt to use the names of legitimate organizations and indicate you can claim your prize by paying a tax or service charge.  They advise the lottery corporation will never ask you to pay money to claim a legitimate prize.

At their 60th annual Charter Night the Flin Flon Lions Club hosted their District Governor Lloyd McCabe from the Brandon Wheat City Lions Club. McCabe congratulated the Club on their anniversary calling it a legacy that will live on forever.  He spoke on the International President’s theme while praising clubs for the work they do.  He says whenever a Lions Club get together problems get smaller and communities get better because they help when help is needed in our communities and the world around us with unmatched integrity and energy.  He adds as their International President Barry Palmer says follow your dreams and they are here to serve.

McCabe says Lions Clubs need to attract younger members so they can continue to work individually and collectively into the future.  He presented the Governor’s Award pin to Roger and Rena Poirier, Andy Stewart and Monica Lone.  Membership pins were presented with the highest going to Andy Stewart for 43 years as a Lion.

The Flin Flon Creighton and Area SPCA is celebrating the first anniversary of their shelter on Saturday.  President Debbie Hiebert says they are inviting people to come out and see their shelter and they will have a hot dog sale, cake, cookies and drinks. She adds they will have a sale on the current dogs and cats that are in the shelter and they are full to the limit so they have a lot of choices if you are thinking of getting a new pet, including lots of cute dogs some of them small dogs.  Hiebert says they’re hoping to have a nice turnout and that some of these nice cats and dogs will get a home on Saturday.

The open house is from 1 to 4 tomorrow at the shelter at the corner of the Perimeter Highway and the Cliff Lake Road. 

They are also holding their tag day today and ask for your support.

The 7the annual Festival of Trees is being held in the Creighton School gym November 29th and 30th sponsored by the CADAC Center under the theme Christmas Past, Present and Future in honor of Flin Flon’s 80th anniversary.  The Center’s Laurel Mackie says they are now looking for people to enter the Festival.  She says they have sent out information on their entries into the festival events.  She adds they have trees, wreaths and center pieces and it is open to individuals, businesses and organizations that have a hankering for decorating.

You must register by November 13th.  Mackie adds you can also book space for their craft show, volunteer to help with the Festival or donate used Christmas decorations by calling the Center at 306-688-8291.

The Town of Creighton, Creighton Community School, the Creighton Community Center and Sask Lotteries have teamed up to hold a Halloween celebration tomorrow evening.  Recreation Director Channa Senyk says they have a fun evening planned for the family.  She says they have Wade Lowe coming from Amisk Sounds to play come hauntingly spooky music at a free family Halloween dance with great prizes for the most unique costumes so they hope to see everybody out for a spooktacular event.

The Halloween dance runs from 7 to 9 tomorrow evening in the Creighton Community Hall.

The search is on for a Healthy Youth Role Model who will receive a special award sponsored by the CADAC Outpatient Center and the Community Youth Resource Center.  CADAC’s Tiffany Ealey explains they are looking for a youth between the ages of 15 and 19 who attends school either in Flin Flon, Creighton, Denare Beach or Cranberry Portage areas.  She says they want them to be involved in extra-curricular activities both within the school and the community, a role model for others in that they are alcohol and drug free and somebody really positive.

Nomination forms are available at all schools or contact the CADAC Center in Creighton.  The deadline is November 1st with the award presented during National Addictions Awareness Week in November.

At their 22nd annual meeting the Lord’s Bounty Food Bank’s Food Distribution Chair Dennis Hydamaka reported a decline in food distribution during the past year.  The number of clients increased from 166 to 171 but with fewer family members.  They experienced a 13 percent decrease in hampers distributed and a 15 percent decrease in the number of people fed. Hydamaka said they were down ten thousand dollars in donations from last year.  He added the dynamics of the food bank continue to change being that the large food drives and the number of corporate sponsors has diminished considerably. He says through cash donations they are now purchasing 80 to 90 percent of their non-perishable food stuff.  He did add food donations have increased this past week with donations from the zombie walk as well as from Ruth Betts and Creighton Community Schools.

Hydmaka concluded they operate on faith that the food supplies, finances and volunteers will be adequate to meet the need going forward.

Just after 7:30 this morning Cranberry Portage RCMP as well as local emergency services were dispatched to the scene of a single vehicle accident that occurred on highway ten about 13 kilometers south of Cranberry Portage. Investigation revealed that a three ton truck was traveling north on highway ten, went out of control and rolled into the ditch.  The driver a 20 year old man from Winkler died in the accident.  His name will not be released.

The RCMP Traffic Collision Analyst assisted in the investigation.

The highway was re-opened around noon.

Just after 7:30 this morning Cranberry Portage RCMP as well as local emergency services were dispatched to the scene of a single vehicle accident that occurred on highway ten about 13 kilometers south of Cranberry Portage.  Initial investigation revealed that a three ton truck was traveling north on highway ten, went out of control and rolled into the ditch.

The RCMP Traffic Collision Analyst is assisting with the investigation.

No further information is available at this time as police continue to investigate.

The highway was re-opened around noon.

The prairie region of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation says they appreciate the fact the city of Flin Flon has issued an official proclamation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  They say that by making the declaration Flin Flon is helping the Foundation build a more hopeful country, one where people look forward in anticipation of the next breakthrough, the next advancement, the next life saving treatment that changes the landscape of breast cancer care for the better.

Their Vice-President of Business Development Bonnie Megley says throughout October people from across Canada unite in their efforts to increase awareness on this important cause that will affect one in nine women in her lifetime.

Two recent events in Flin Flon raised awareness and supported breast cancer research with the CIBC Run for the Cure this month raising 1587 dollars and the Breast Cancer Pledge Ride North in August raising just over 20 thousand dollars.

Members of the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce have approved a buy local campaign that will include a membership directory that will be tied into a shop local campaign. 

President Kory Eastman says it would run annually at the start of the year to encourage members to renew their membership early to ensure they are included in the directory and in the shop local ads.  He says members can buy additional box ads in the directory as well as additional advertising packages on CFAR and the Reminder.  The directory will be distributed in the community to show people what is available locally to encourage people to shop at home.

The Chamber will hold their annual general meeting on Tuesday November 12th at noon at the Friendship Center.  A slate of officers for the next Chamber year will be presented as well as committee reports for the past year.

At yesterday’s Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce meeting members learned about the Individual Achievement Account Project at Creighton Community School.  Director of Education Bob Smith says the program started about 15 months ago and is a program designed to provide at risk students with some financial literacy skills and some transitional work skills to help to prepare them for the workplace.

Principal Stacy Lair and School Coordinator Carol Sutherland explained the program involves class work, work placement and matches students with meaningful employment which could involve chamber members as employers. Lair says a lot of students have successfully transitioned to paid employment and they’ve had a turn around in their school performance in the mornings as well because of going to afternoon work placements.  She adds its made a big difference in their academic performance, their confidence and planning for the future and planning for that transition out of school.

Any business interested in the program can contact the school for more information.

In his report last night to the Flin Flon School Board Superintendent Blaine Veitch spoke of the Tell Them From Me survey.  During the next few weeks students in grades four through twelve will complete an online survey anonymously.  This survey will allow students to express their thoughts on various topics.  Schools can then use the information to improve the students overall learning experience.  Veitch says he hopes for one hundred percent feedback from students.

In other news this is School Bus Safety Week with the theme at my stop-you stop which is a reminder for motorists to stop when the red lights are flashing and the stop arm extended.  There is a hefty fine for passing a school bus in either direction but the real cost could be an injury or death of a child.

The Division recently accepted a grant of twenty thousand dollars from skill build for an industrial arts equipment upgrade.  The money will go towards an upgrade for the welding exhaust system at McIsaac School.  Healthy Schools also contributed 71 hundred and 34 dollars towards school and community resources like Camp Whitney, the ski club and exercise equipment.

The city of Flin Flon has donated a vacant lot at 189 Steventon Boulevard to the Habitat 53° Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.  Chapter Chairperson Ted Elliott says plans to build their first home at 63 Green Street had to be changed.  He says they ran into a rather large rock which presented some problems as far as the build was concerned and challenges in removing it so the city was generous enough to donate a lot on Steventon Boulevard which allows them to go ahead with construction this year.

Elliott says work has started on the new lot.  He says right now the city is digging for sewer and water connections, the plumber will set elevations and the foundation crew should be on site this week.

Plans are to deal with the rock at 63 Green Street and use the lot for Habitat’s second home.

Anyone willing to help in building the home on Steventon Boulevard can call Kathy at 204-687-6582.

The Flin Flon Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation is conducting an oral history project this fall with a grant from the New Horizons for Seniors Program. The Corporation’s Laurence Gillespie says the idea is to supplement the existing historical record of Flin Flon. He says it was apparent to him when he first moved here there are all kinds of neat stories about Flin Flon and a lot of fascinating historical information that doesn’t seem to be in any of the history books he’s seen.  He adds the idea is to get a picture of the history of Flin Flon basically from its beginnings to the present day and hopefully give a sense of the colorful stuff that doesn’t always make the history books but is every bit as important to giving an idea of what the real history of Flin Flon was.

The Corporation has retained local historian Gerry Clark to act as chief interviewer for this project called Collecting Memories of Flin Flon.  Anyone willing to be interviewed or with ideas on who should be interviewed can call 204-687-6972.

The Learning Partnership is accepting nominations from across the country for the annual Canada’s Outstanding Principals Award.  Program Manager Jon Powell explains this is an award that recognizes the unique and crucial contributions of principals in publicly funded schools.  He says a nomination can be made by a parent, a colleague of the principal or by a member of the community who knows the principal in a particular school.

The deadline is October 28th with nomination forms on their website www.canadasoutstandingprincipals.ca.  Winners from across Canada are announced in mid January.

CFAR and Eddies Family Foods presented the second annual zombie walk Saturday afternoon.  Those in and out of zombie costumes gathered at the Eddies parking lot with bags of non-perishable food items for the food bank.  For every bag turned in participants received a chance to win two tickets to a Winnipeg Jets hockey game.  They then walked Pioneer Square for the draw and a barbeque.

The winner of the Jets tickets was Maddox Dominey.                .

Eddies Assistant Manager Kerry Wood says it was a great afternoon. She says there was a really good turnout, lots of good costumes and lots of good donations, 47 bags of groceries to go to the food bank so she thanks Flin Flon for the really good job.

The bags of groceries were turned over to the food bank’s Food Distribution Chair Dennis Hydamaka who said it was their biggest donation in months.

Norma Barr recently received a Saskatchewan Celebrating Seniors Volunteer Award at a ceremony held in Regina.  Barr says the award was in the Heritage and Culture category and was mainly for her work at the museum in Denare Beach. She says when you look at the Northern Gateway Museum culture and heritage are there and she’s been involved with the museum for 22 years.  She says they’re fortunate in the fact they have a lot of seniors in Denare Beach but they also have a great part of the First Nation there and their museum consists of two areas, one building is really for the First Nations and the other part is for the seniors.

Barr adds she is really pleased with the award and adds she had the privilege of sitting beside the guest speaker Lloyd Robertson during the awards banquet.

The Flin Flon Junior Bombers will join the staff at the Flin Flon Public Library Wednesday afternoon for a Halloween party.  Administrator Cindy McLean says the Bombers will be there having games with the children, they’re going to have free hot dogs, drinks, spooky snacks, they’ll be playing minute to win it games, decorating pumpkins, playing some mini sticks and lots of ghoulish games so they hope the children will come out and join the Bombers for a really fun time.

The party is from 4 to 5:30 Wednesday at the public library.

On September 13th Flin Flon RCMP entered into an investigation of an unreported assault of an adult male after video evidence was turned over to police.  The investigation led to the arrest of a 16 year old female youth who has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault.  An adult female who was identified as having recorded the events was arrested and charged on October 11th with aggravated assault.

Both females are to appear in Flin Flon Provincial Court on November 7th.

Their names will not be released to protect the identity of the youth charged.

RCMP officers were all over Manitoba roadways through the Thanksgiving long weekend as part of the four day Operation Impact campaign.  Several charges were laid including 20 criminal code impaired driving charges including one impaired by drugs, 34 charges for failing to wear seatbelts, 5 charges for using a handheld electronic device while driving, 467 other traffic related charges including speeding and intersection violations and 19 criminal code traffic offences including driving while prohibited.

The RCMP remind you to buckle up, stay sober and stay focused on the road while driving.

Author C.M. Klyne will visit the Flin Flon Public Library Tuesday afternoon.  Administrator Cindy McLean says Klyne will be discussing his book The Silent March, a book that takes place in Winnipeg in 1919 and is a work of fiction but it is heavily laden with history.  She says it talks about the famous committee of one thousand, the bloody Saturday, the Winnipeg general strike and the Spanish influenza in a really interesting book.  She says he is a very interesting gentleman so they invite the general public to come out.

Klyne will be at the library from 3:30 to 5 Tuesday afternoon for a reading and question and answer session.  Cake and coffee will be available.

The Norva Center in Flin Flon is holding their annual meeting Monday.  The Center’s Karen Clark says they want to hear from everyone interested in the community and the arts. She says people can give feedback to the board and to artists that run the cooperative about what’s gone well and what hasn’t been as popular and what kinds of things they might want to think of trying in the future.  She says it’s a really feel good sort of meeting because they’re looking towards what they can do to bring more art to Flin Flon in the way of  exhibitions, workshops and classes.

The meeting starts at 4:15 Monday afternoon at the Norva Center on Green Street.

Flu shot clinics are opening in our area and Immunize Canada reminds you it’s important to get a flu shot.  Their Chairperson Dr. Susan Bowles says the shot is your best protection against influenza every year. She explained the virus is a tricky thing so it changes slightly from year to year and sometimes it changes dramatically in a year so it is important to get your flu shot every year so you have the protection against the strain of virus that is going to be circulating in your community.

Dr. Bowles says everyone should get the flu shot but there are some who are at high risk for complications from influenza including those with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, children six month to five years old, aboriginal people, residents of long term care facilities and people over 65 years of age.

Flin Flon’s Adult Learning Center is holding an open house tomorrow.  Coordinator Barry Hanrahan invites everyone to attend. He says it’s an excellent opportunity for the public to learn about the programs they have to offer and also to become familiar with the Center’s ongoing intake process.  He adds it’s also a great way to meet the Center’s board members, staff and learners so they encourage the public to come out and they will have refreshments and dainties as well.

The open house runs from 11:30 to 1:30 at the Adult Learning Center on the lower level of the Co-op store.

CFAR and Eddies Family Foods are holding Flin Flon’s second annual zombie walk on Saturday afternoon.  CFAR’s Brandy Johnson says by taking part you can win prizes while helping fill the shelves at the Lord’s Bounty Food Bank.  She says you dress in your zombie best and gather at Eddies Family Foods parking lot at 2 and bring in a grocery bag full of non-perishable food items for the Food Bank.  She says the more bags you have the more chances you have to win two Winnipeg Jets tickets.  She adds if you are not in a zombie costume but a spectator you can also be entered to win if you bring a bag or bags of non-perishable food items.

You can bring your bags to Eddies Family Foods parking lot Saturday afternoon at 2 and then walk to Pioneer Square for the draw and a barbeque.

At their meeting Tuesday Flin Flon City Council approved on final reading changes to their traffic bylaw.  The taxi stand on Main Street will be changed to a five minute parking zone making it a drop off and pick up spot only.  It will expand the no stopping zone before and after the cross walk on Main Street in front of the Royal Bank and will also allow for a new crosswalk 12 meters south of Balsam Avenue near the petting zoo.

In other business residents of the Flin Flon trailer park presented a 51 signature petition to Council expressing their disappointment in the city’s decision to stop delivery of limestone and black dirt at no cost to the rented lots. They noted the trailer court is built on swamp and landscaping is necessary for proper drainage and as the landlord the city should continue to provide this material as they have for years which the residents spread themselves.  Council will look at the budget to see what the service cost and why it was cut and discuss it further.

The Habitat 53° Chapter of Habitat for Humanity has kicked off a campaign to raise funds to build Habitat homes in Flin Flon.  Treasurer Kathy McCormick says they hope to build three homes over a five year period and have set a goal of raising 300 thousand dollars.  They are asking organizations and businesses for a single donation this year or preferably a commitment to a donation each year for five years to help them plan for the future.

Letters are being sent to local businesses and organizations asking for their support for the campaign.  For more information you can call Kathy at 204-687-6582 or Chairperson Ted Elliott at 306-688-0052.

Creighton Community School is inviting all Creighton and Denare Beach seniors to join them for their annual senior’s lunch tomorrow.  School Coordinator Carol Sutherland says it celebrates Seniors Week and they will be providing them with a lunch as well as some top notch entertainment by their school choir.  Students from their grades 3 and 5 music program will be performing as well.  Sutherland says it’s a good afternoon of socializing adding if seniors could RSVP to 306-688-2204 that would be great.

The senior’s lunch is being held tomorrow at noon at the Creighton School gym.  If you need a ride you can also call Carol at 306-688-2204.

At their meeting last night Flin Flon City Council approved on final reading a bylaw that will bring in a special services fee plan for fire and police services for next year.  A per parcel rate of $550.40 will be levied on all rateable property and removed from the general tax rolls to spread the cost of these services evenly among users in the community. 

The bylaw had been the subject of a Municipal Board hearing in August where several residents spoke for and against the proposal.  Mayor George Fontaine had told the Board the city is losing population, has aging infrastructure as well as having a heavy debt load due to provincially mandated sewer and water treatment plants.  He said the plan will allow for a mill rate increase next year without adversely affecting only the top 30 percent of tax payers who already pay 50 percent of total taxes.

Based on what they heard the Board approved the proposal and Council passed the bylaw on final reading last night.  Although it is for next year only Council does have the option of applying to have it extended.

You can help the Flin Flon Rotary Club help out the community with their 12^th annual Rotary Dream Trip draws coming up Saturday November the 9^th at the FF Community hall. The Rotary Club’s Dave  Kendall tells us that  you can take part by picking up your tickets at Kleen All, Pharmasave and Kendall & Pandya. You can also contact any Rotarian. This is a major fundraiser for the Rotary Club and all the proceeds will stay right here in our community. There will be 10 draws and people are eligible for all 10.

Besides the dream draws there will be entertainment, food and cocktails and there will be two early bird draws of $100.00 each October the 24^th and 31^st.

Volunteers from Flin Flon and area were recognized last night at the Flin Flon Community Hall. Community Futures  Greenstone and the Flin Flon District Chamber Of Commerce presented the Celebrating Communities Gala.     

Volunteer Awards for Creighton were presented to Diana Boulet, Dela Chilson and Harland Garinger, for Denare Beach Maureen McBratney and Ann Schiltroth, for Flin Flon  Katy Anderson, Dean Grove, Mark Kolt and Wayne Wallaker, for Snow Lake Betty and Chester Rudd.

Businesses recognized for awards were Creative Style Hair and Portrait Studio, Flin Flon Credit Union, Gardwine North and Nasselquist Jewellers.

A Community Award was presented to the Flin Flon and District Environment Council.

The NRHA and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada will be presenting a Telehealth session next week at the FF General Hospital in regards to cholesterol. Robi Lynn Cooper Roberts explains who should be there:

“I encourage anybody over 40 with cardiovascular issues, anyone with diabetes, high cholesterol and anyone who feels they may be over weight. This is a great way to see how cholesterol affects your health.”

There will be two sessions next Wednesday Oct the 16th at noon and 1:30 on the 4th floor of the hospital. This session is open to everybody and  is absolutely free. For more  information contact Robi-Lynn at 204-687-1350.

A local author Alex McGilvery is in the process of releasing his second book. He explains how you can help make this happen through an Indiegogo campaign , which is a fundraising platform  that allows artists and other people to get funding from people all over the world. Alex is looking for money to help pay for the book including the publishing, the cover and the first one in print.

People who contribute can get everything from a electronic copy of the book to a hard copy, and if you contribute $1000.00 or more , Alex will write you a book that will be your personal book to put on your book shelf, giving you the only copy in the world.

If you would like more information you can contact Alex at celticfrog@live.com and he will send you a link for the web-site. This campaign will wrap up October the 24th, and the book will be released December the 15th just in time for Christmas.

The Flin Flon Trout Festival AGM took place last night at City Hall Chambers, and President Tim Babcock reported that despite some challenges , this was one of the most successful and profitable festivals in recent memory. “ The 2013 Trout Festival was my 4th as President and it was the best festival that we put on, with great attendance at all the events and we were able to put some money in the bank which will hopefully allow us to put on a better festival for 2014.”

The festival brought in about $30,000.00 with a big chunk coming from the Fish Fry that brought in around $20,000 and another $8,800.00 from the Wings Over Kissising who donated half their proceeds from their helicopter rides. Some of the other highlights included changing the month long fishing derby to a 48 hour format and a very successful main street days.

The executive will stay the same with Tim Babcock as President, JC Souter - Vice, Vanessa Unrau- Secretary and Lori Rogan  Treasurer.  The Trout Festival is in dire need of volunteers and if you would like to help out contact Tim at: 204-271-3836 or go to www.flinflontroutfestival.com

Port In The Storm  which is a program that has been put together for  people in rural Manitoba, is based in ST. Boniface and has officially opened up the doors.

Bunny Burke explains there are suites available now. They are available for $47.00 a night and there is a requirement of a minimum of 3 days in order to stay there. You will need to call ahead to make use of the facilities. There are 16 suites in place now and they do plan to expand to 40.

For more information on Port In The Storm, you can visit the Flin Flon General Hospital or call Bunny at: 204-687-6967.

Tim Babcock the Trout Festival President says they are hoping for a good turn out tomorrow night, stating that this meeting always sets the tone for the entire festival. They will be looking for ideas, suggestions and overall feedback on how they can make the festival better.

The meeting will start at 7 and the agenda will include a financial statement, President’s report, open discussion and will conclude with elections.
 

Kory Eastman the Chamber President says they have lots of different events and goals they will be focusing on like the AGM coming up Nov the 12th . They need to fill a few spots on the executive with community minded business people who want to make a difference. They are also looking forward to the new President Tom Therien taking over in the new year where he will be able to bring in some new ideas and a fresh perspective.

The Chamber is also looking forward to the Communities gala which is coming up this Thursday at the FF Community Hall.. Over 100 tickets have been sold  and it will kick off  with cocktails beginning at 6. Preparations are also being made for the Xmas tree lighting which will be November the 14th and the Santa Clause Parade November the 23rd.
 

Shirley Debler who purchased a $100 MILLION EXTRAVAGANZA ticket at the Gateway, scratched the $10.00 instant ticket and realized that she had uncovered three $10,000 prize amounts in the game 2 play area.

Shirley wins $10,000.00 and plans to use her winnings for upcoming renos on her home.

“I was happy she recalled, because we are in the middle of renovations. This came at a really good time. It’s nice to feel like what it’s like to win. I wish everyone could feel this.”

Patti Korchinski says they are looking for parents to come and meet the teachers and ask questions in a very relaxed atmosphere, and are looking forward to getting families in the school.

Besides touring the school and meeting the staff, they will also be barbecueing burgers and smokies and invite all parents and families to attend. You can get more info by calling the school at: 687-6354 or by going to their website at : manyfaceseducation.com
 

The annual Chamber Radio Auction took place this past weekend on CFAR-590. The Chamber president Kory Eastman deemed it another great success this year, saying they raised $8,700.00  and thanked all their volunteers, people who called in and different business’s for their donations. Eastman also mentioned that donations were slightly up this year and the proceeds will go to different Chamber activities.

The Flin Flon Chamber want to thank Flin Flon and area for their continued support over the years, and remind you there are still tickets left for this year’s Celebrating Communities Gala this Thursday at the Community Hall. Tickets can be purchased at Greenstone.
 

Lieutenant Governor Vaughan Solomen Schofield presented  the “ Lieutenant Governor’s award of Excellence” to grade 12 student Daniel Ratt. Daniel is an excellent student with a 80 % average and a 97% for attendance. Daniel is also involved in many forms of physical activity, the drama program and the Gold Eagle Program that targets aboriginal youth between 16 and 25 who are interested in a career in the military.

Principal Stacy Lair says” This is a great honor for the school, and it is great to see their students get recognized for all their hard work. She also says it gives their school great pride having these dignitaries visit and honor these students in Northern Saskatchewan. It really means a lot to celebrate these great accomplishments.”

The Northen Student Achievement Awards were presented to: Magann Sutherland, Jeremy Tait, Brady Farkus and Aline Naselquist for grade 7. Bradley Fox grade 8, Alyshia Soshycki , Tyler Williamson grade 9 and Marley Williamson for grade 12.

This is walk to school week.  Flin Flon School Superintendent Blaine Veitch says it’s an international initiative that encourages students, staff and parents to find a more active way to get to school.

He says around the world cars are becoming the main way of transporting children to and from school so the walk to school initiative is about increasing daily activity, improving our safety, enhancing the environment, promoting social interaction and reducing traffic congestion, pollution and traffic speeds around our schools.  He adds it’s a great initiative and hopefully once people walk for a week they’ll get into the habit and that will be their way to get to school every day.

The week also has a walk to school day which is Wednesday.

This is Fire Prevention Week and Flin Flon Fire Chief Jim Petrie explains this year’s theme is prevent kitchen fires.  He says kitchen fires are a leading cause of fires in the home.  He says often when they are called to a fire that started in the kitchen the residents tell them they only left the kitchen for a couple of minutes and that’s all it takes.  He advises stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling , boiling and if you have to leave the room turn everything off because it happens so fast and it moves so quickly within a couple of minutes your whole house can be involved in smoke or flames.

Petrie reminds families to develop and practice a family escape plan including agreeing on a place to meet outside once you escape the home.

The Flin Flon Elks Lodge is holding their annual Home Business and Craft Sale on Saturday November 16th.  Exalted Ruler Gord Evans says people can book tables to sell anything to do with home businesses or any kinds of crafts.  He says they are going to run it a little later this year because a lot of crafters wanted to know if they could do a Christmas one.  He says they are always doing renovations on their hall so that’s what they use the money for when they do their craft sale.

To book a table for 25 dollars you can call Gord at 204-687-5276, Linda at 687-6321 or the Elks Hall at 687-3741.

VMS Ventures reports they continue to move forward on the Reed Copper Project near Snow Lake.  Their joint venture partner and operator Hudbay has received the Environment Act Licence for the Project from the Manitoba government and has started initial production.  The licence permits the operation of the Reed Mine as a 13 hundred tonnes per day underground copper mine and its supporting infrastructure.

VMS COO Neil Richards says the receipt of the licence and the successful extraction of a bulk sample are both significant milestones for the project. He says the licence confirms the care and diligence taken by Hudbay in moving the project forward within mandated guidelines while the extraction of the bulk sample project is the first step in full production at Reed which remains on schedule to start in the first half of next year.

The Flin Flon Creighton and Area SPCA has applied for funding from the Aviva Community Fund.  Manager Carmen Hiebert says they need the money to make their cat accommodation more comfortable and healthier.  She says they would like to put an addition on the side of their building in the form of a year round cat gazebo and it would be fully enclosed in glass with windows that open.  She adds they are also looking for funding for one year to educate and promote the benefits of spaying and neutering and expanding their spay and neutering subsidy program.

You can support the SPCA’s plan by going to www.avivacommunityfund.org, enter Flin Flon in the search box and the project called Cat-astrophe will come up.  Click on it and you can vote once a day until October 14th when the first round of voting comes to an end.

The annual Celebrating Communities Gala is being held Thursday sponsored by Community Futures Greenstone, the Chamber of Commerce and the communities of Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach.  Greenstone Manager Bunny Burke says the evening includes a meal and awards.  She says it’s an opportunity to recognize volunteers in the three communities and in addition to that they also recognize several businesses in the community and one from Snow Lake for their contributions to our community and for their growth.  She says the have a seven course meal with filet this year and a wine bar.

Tickets are available at the Greenstone and Chamber offices.

The Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual radio auction tomorrow at the Friendship Center broadcast on CFAR 590. The Chamber’s Bunny Burke says they have a great variety of items including their air fare from Flin Flon to Winnipeg which is always a big hit with people, they have advertising packages, a lot of smaller items that are perfect for gift giving, a stove top barbeque and a heater, a who lot of items.

Burke adds all bids have to be phoned in between 9 am and 1 pm tomorrow.  There will be a viewing of items tonight starting at 7 at the Friendship Center above Pharmasave.

Flin Flon Parks and Recreation is presenting a Red Cross babysitting course next weekend.  Recreation Programmer Aimee Deans says the course is for ages 11 and up.  She says the award winning course teaches the skills necessary to care for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers and mainly emphasizes safety, dealing with emergencies and basic first aid.

The course will run next Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4 in the Green Room at the Community Hall at a cost of 30 dollars.  You can register at the Flin Flon Aqua Center.

The annual CIBC Run for the Cure takes place in Flin Flon Sunday afternoon to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research.  CIBC Manager Allison Rogers invites you to join them on the boardwalk at one o’clock.  She says they are going to have some really great draws and prizes and you can only enter if you come to the walk.  She adds they are also giving away something for everybody and there’s no donation required and no registration fee which is important for people to know.  Rogers says it’s for a great cause so they hope they can get a really good turnout this year.

Pledge forms for the Run for the Cure are available at CIBC on Main Street.

Premier Greg Selinger was in Snow Lake Tuesday to present a certificate to the community to recognize their bravery and courage following a plane crash last November that took the life of pilot Mark Gogal and injured seven others.  Selinger says when he read the background on this people were out there trying to open up the bush to get people in, people were using ATVs, they were using snowmobiles, they all just put down their regular activities and they all came together as a community to try to save and preserve life and they deserve credit for that. He says it’s a good example of how communities can step up and make a difference for their own citizens.

Selinger says he hopes the certificate will serve as a lasting reminder of the appreciation we all have for those who jumped into action to help.

At Tuesday night’s city council meeting Mayor George Fontaine reported Council met with Premier Greg Selinger earlier in the day and says he appreciates the number of times the Premier has visited the community and his willingness to discuss issues including crown lands the city is trying to get from the province including the park area on Kingsway Boulevard where residential lots could be developed and the Armories site.  He says it would be nice to be able to have a business come in and develop the armories property. The Premier said they had also discussed the possibility the city would annex the cottage areas outside of Flin Flon and said it is up to the city to decide whether or not to start the annexation process.

In other news Council took under advisement a suggestion by Blair Sapergia that they purchase their own backhoe to save money on renting one for the many projects done over the summer.  Mayor Fontaine said they have considered the idea.  Sapergia also expressed concerns about coyotes around town. Mayor Fontaine said anyone with concerns about coyotes or other wildlife should contact the Conservation office.

Council passed on final reading the bylaw to impose a tax on accommodations of short duration such as hotel rooms in order to support community enhancement projects and destination marketing.  The bylaw had been sent to the province and they suggested some minor changes.

There are some changes proposed for the traffic bylaw.  The taxi stand on Main Street would be changed to a five minute parking only zone making it a drop off and pick up spot only.  It would expand the no stopping zone before and after the crosswalk on Main Street in front of the Royal Bank to be in line with provincial crosswalk standards.  It would also allow for a new crosswalk 12 meters south of Balsam Avenue near the animal park following concerns brought to their attention about traffic in that area.  The bylaw changes require two more readings by Council before passing.

Council also accepted the Fire Chiefs report for September indicating five calls during the month.

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger announced in Flin Flon yesterday the province will be making phased improvements over several years to a 21 kilometer stretch of highway ten between Bakers Narrows and Flin Flon.  He says it will start in the 2014 construction season with intersection improvements and grade realignments to improve the safety of the road which is priority number one and then it will be followed by a large grading project and improved paving.  He says this is a project that will probably end up north of 20 million dollars and will make a big difference here.

MLA Clarence Pettersen says these upgrades are about safety especially with the improved intersections at both the south and north ends of Big Island Lake noting the number of trucks that will be coming into Flin Flon from Lalor and Reed mines near Snow Lake.

Selinger adds the province is also cost sharing projects with the City of Flin Flon for improvements and paving on Oak Avenue, Elm Avenue and Hemlock Drive, Hart Avenue, Windsor Avenue and Balsam Avenue.

A new state of the art emergency medical services station officially opened here yesterday.  Premier Greg Selinger says the new 1.2 million dollar facility will mean families living in Flin Flon and surrounding areas will have faster access to care when they need it most.  He says the purpose of a good station like this is to be able to reduce response times and when you do that you save lives and you save damage to people when they’re in crisis and that’s what good health care is all about, it’s timely, it’s there when you need it and it makes a difference in people’s lives and quality of life.

Northern Health Region CEO Helga Bryant says in addition to featuring efficient ventilated space for all the ambulances, it includes training and storage space, office space and overall represents a significant improvement from the previous garage only station.

Premier Selinger also stated that’s not all for Flin Flon as planning has begun on a major multi-million dollar project to expand and redevelop the General Hospital’s emergency room and admitting area.

The President of the Manitoba Federation of Labor Kevin Rebeck says with Manitoba’s minimum wage going up by 20 cents an hour today new data shows minimum wage earners are not the stereotypical teenagers working for small businesses.  He says it’s typically an adult and typically they work for a large company with over a hundred employees.  He adds all too often we’re told its kids who are living at home with their parents and this is just extra pocket money for them but for many it’s the main income that they’re bringing in for their household.

Rebeck says no one working full time should have to live in poverty.  The Federation defines a living wage as 60 percent of the average wage in Manitoba or twelve forty-four an hour which is a dollar ninety-nine more than the province’s new minimum wage.

The Flin Flon Kinsmen Club is bringing a magic show to Flin Flon on Thursday night.  Member Dustin Boucher says the magician is well known across Canada.  He says Neil Croswell has had years of experience and was the 2000 Canadian magician of the year and in 2011 he won second in the world in Las Vegas for magicians.  Boucher adds he has a lot of background, he has a really good act and was on Canada Has Talent as well.

The show starts at 7 Thursday night in the Flin Flon Community Hall.  Tickets are 23 dollars and are available at the door.

The Flin Flon Arts Council is presenting Rosie and the Riveters Saturday.  The Council’s Crystal Kolt says the show has a bit of everything.  She says this is a group of four gals that do amazing harmonies and it’s a little bit like the post world war two kind of harmonies.  She says they do everything from honky tonk to popular, jazz the whole gammit, they’re a really fun group and we are really privileged to have them come to our community.

Rosie and the Riveters will be performing Saturday night at 7:30 in the Flin Flon Community Hall.  Tickets are available at Northern Rainbows End.