submitted by Catherine White/Shannon Mulhall for Focus on Health

Every  month starting in October through to April,
Focus on Health invites local experts and professionals, to speak on health
topics that are important to our community.

On October 10^th,
Kim Young will be presenting Fall Prevention and Re-gaining Balance and Stability.  Kim is a Director with the East Shore
Kootenay Lake Community Health Society, a Precision Nutrition certified
Holistic Health and Wellness Coach, Functional Aging Specialist and Reiki
Master who lives in Kootenay Bay with her husband Jim and their dog Jax.

Recently, I had
the opportunity to speak with Kim about Functional Aging and its important role
in helping those that are 50+ maintain their independence and enhance their
quality of life using strength training and functional movement exercises.

As we age, it is
normal to lose bone mass and some muscle strength.  These two factors can contribute to falls and
potentially serious injury requiring hospitalization.  About one third of the senior population over
the age of 65 falls each year, but since many incidents go unreported by
seniors, and unrecognized by family members or caregivers – this estimate is
most likely quite low.

While many falls
do not result in injuries, 47% of non-injured seniors who fall cannot get up without
assistance.  For seniors who fall and are
unable to get up on their own, the period of time spent immobile often affects
their health outcomes.  Muscle cell
breakdown starts to occur within 30-60 minutes of compression due to
falling.  Dehydration, pressure sores,
hypothermia, and pneumonia are other complications that may result.

Falls with or without
injury, also carry a heavy quality of life impact.  A growing number of older adults fear falling
and as a result, limit their activities and social engagements.  This can result in further physical decline,
depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.  The most profound effect of falling is the
loss of independent living.

We’ve all heard
the saying, “use it or lose it.” 
Luckily, our bodies have the amazing ability to regain a majority of our
previous fitness level, thanks to muscle memory.  By practicing functional balance and
flexibility exercises, the body and mind are strengthened.  Day to day activities rely on our body and
mind to communicate and work as a team.

When faced with a
loss of balance, someone who has maintained a level of functional strength and
mobility, experiences a more intuitive response.  The body and mind work together in correcting
the imbalance and react appropriately to prevent the fall.  However, should a fall be unavoidable,
getting up independently afterward reduces the potential for serious injury and
extended medical attention.

Join Us! So grab your neighbour and join us on October 10^th at the Crawford Bay Hall.  Please wear comfortable clothing as this presentation includes practicing balance and stability exercises.  All mobility levels are welcome.!

Admission is $5 and includes soup served at 12 noon, followed by a presentation from 12:30 to 1:30.  For more information or to volunteer with soup making, please contact Cathy White at calywh@telus.net or (403)304-2622.  Complimentary blood pressure monitoring is provided by Sharon Webster, Community Paramedic Riondel.

Transportation is also available through Better at Home.  Please contact Rebecca Fuzzen at (250)505-6717 to book your ride.

On another health note: please be advised that there will be no lab hours at the East Shore Health Centre on Weds, Oct 9. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Kootenay Lake ferry issues are drawing community members together from all sides of the lake for a Unity Sailing highlighting Our Ferry Matters on Friday, October 4 starting at 3:00 pm at the Kootenay Lake Ferry Landing.

Plans call for a peaceful gathering to draw attention to the importance of the ferry to the Kootenay region.
SCHEDULE (Pending ferry availability)
3:00 pm: East Shore people meet at Kootenay Bay Ferry Landing
3:40 pm: Group rides the ferry with signs and songs
4:00 pm: West Shore people meet at Balfour Ferry Landing
4:30 pm: Group rides the ferry back to Kootenay Bay, joined by returning students and workers
5:20 pm: West Shore people return home on ferry

“We are coming together to take a stand for a safe, reliable, sustainable ferry service over the long-term,” says Megan Rokeby-Thomas of Kootenay Bay – one of the key organizers. “All our lake communities’ economies are linked and any disruption to our ferry affects small business and employment on both sides of Kootenay Lake. Lives, jobs and educations are at risk!”

The organizing group is collecting personal stories of hardship caused by the current unpredictability of ferry schedules.

They are calling for:
*People to participate on Friday as a show of unity and determination.

*Sharing of stories, writing letters, connecting on the Our Ferry Matters website.

*Action by the provincial government to end the uncertainty that the labour relations are causing.

“We expect a big crowd! This is about coming together in unity for the good of all our communities and our futures. This is not about terminal location debates or dredging — this is about advocating for a sustainable ferry service that we all need and want,” says Gauri Taylor-Topp of Yasodhara Ashram. “The lake is all about connections,” agrees Janet Wallace of Crawford Bay.

Please Help with this Important Issue
That Affects Us All!
ourferrymatters.ca

For more information contact:
Megan Rokeby-Thomas, Ladybug Coffee, Kootenay Bay
250-354-3753
Gauri Taylor-Topp, Yasodhara Ashram
250-505-9635 Toll free: 1-800-661-8711
Janet Wallace, Artisans of Crawford Bay
250-227-9655 Toll free: 1-866-931-8464
Supported by the Kootenay Lake Chamber of Commerce

submitted by Geri Gomola

COME ONE! COME ALL! 

WE ARE PROTESTING THE FERRY STRIKE AND SERVICE AND THE DISASTROUS DREDGING THAT WILL BE GOING ON IN KOOTENAY LAKE. LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD – LET EVERYONE KNOW!

SIGNS HAVE BEEN MADE (available for pick up at the Ladybug Cafe, Gray Creek Store, or Info Booth) BUT BRING YOUR OWN IF YOU CAN! 

SATURDAY, Sept 28th at 9 AM AT THE FERRY LANDING IN KOOTENAY BAY.

Job Action/Overtime Ban/Essential Sailings Priority Boarding Information

from the Mainstreet news desk

Sept 23/19 – East Shore Kootenay Lake: Readers can still go to ferries.bcgeu.ca for info about the current and next day’s sailing plan. Mainstreet also had a discussion with Bryan Coe, Marine Superintendent with Western Pacific Marine to talk about the priority boarding concerns during essential-sailing-only times (such as Tuesday, Sept 24/19, where there will only be sailing at 6:30am/8:10am and 4:30am from Balfour, with return trips from Kootenay Bay).

Coe says he has been and will be down at the landing during these restricted sailing times, sometimes along with the picket captain from the BCGEU, identifying travellers and answering questions. At this point, no one is being turned away when the boat is sailing, but Coe says that will likely come.

He stated, “People shouldn’t avoid travel right now for fear of not getting on… YET…” He said that it will happen later if true strike action comes back into play. Right now, with job action (the overtime ban) and essential sailings occurring, he encourages health professionals, teachers and students to carry their ID’s to be sure of travel, but it hasn’t been necessary to provide that information yet. He also stated that later, in a true strike situation with essential service runs going on, he might okay a traveller to board, but be overruled by the picket captain, so asks for people to carry whatever ID they can to prove their priority for travel.

In the meantime, Coe is happy to answer questions. You can email him at bryanklf@shawbiz.ca or call him at 250.354.7658 or the main office at 250.229.5650. Coe cautioned that we can likely expect to see this kind of scheduling for the rest of the week and beyond.

Click on the pdf above to look at the Essential Service Agreement Order for Kootenay Lake, submitted by Jocelyn Wagner, Communications Officer for the BCGEU.

by Ingrid Baetzel, Editor

Sept 21/19 – East Shore, Kootenay Lake: The “Overtime Ban” that is now effective for BCGEU employees on the Kootenay Lake Ferry was decided upon on September 16.

The first implementation of this ban is on Sept 21/19, resulting in the last ferry for the day leaving Kootenay Bay at 2pm and no further ferries sailing until the first ferry on Sunday, Sept 22/19. The union states on their Save Our Service website (ferries.bcgeu.ca), “due to staffing shortages, we are unable to meet safe sailing requirements” during this time and would be discontinuing service for the final six sailing of the day.

Mainstreet, in discussion with West Kootenay Area Office BCGEU representative, Mike Fenton, and lower mainland BCGEU Communications Officer, Jocelyn Wagner, learned that the website listed above will have the latest ferry status posted regularly and that they “aim to update this daily about the next day’s sailings and give as much notice as we can to the community.”

Regarding public confusion about the language in prior notices and posts, Fenton clarified as follows: “The overtime restriction is in place now and until further notice. We will only use overtime when it is necessary to perform those three mandatory sailings (from Balfour at 6:30am, 8:10am and 4:30pm). Anytime we can staff the vessel without overtime, it will be in full operation.” This seems to imply that the MV Osprey will run as usual, and, if overtime is necessary, where normally they simply wouldn’t run at all in an overtime ban, they are going to still operate three sailings daily as per the essential service order by the Labour Relations Board.

Mainstreet has asked for early and regular notices about those restricted service days and hopes that the union will deliver on getting the word out to assist East Shore residents in planning around travel.

UPDATE: As of 1pm on Saturday, Sept 21/10: PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO RETURN FERRY TO THE EAST SHORE AFTER THE 1:10 FERRY FROM BALFOUR SATURDAY AFTERNOON, AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

The 2pm ferry on both Saturday and Sunday, Sept 21/22, 2019 will be the final sailing from Kootenay Bay. Monday’s (Sept 23) service is yet unknown.

Please plan accordingly.

by Mary Donald

I am writing to inform you about an upcoming community meeting to meet our federal election Green candidate, Nelson’s Abra Brynne, who will be speaking at Crawford Bay Hall on Sun Sept 29, 12:30 – 3:00 PM.   . We are planning to serve snacks and beverages, so if anyone can contribute savory or sweet snacks, it would be much appreciated, and please let me know. Also, if anyone would like to have a lawn sign or volunteer in any way, please let me know.  Help is always very appreciated!

As well, if you would like to be kept informed of the campaign, please let me know, and also thus implying that you are giving consent to have your contact info shared with the Green Party of Canada.  If you would rather not share your contact info, please inform me.

This is a very exciting time for the Green Party in Canada, and Greens have never been stronger.  There are now 17 elected Greens from coast to coast.  We have nominated almost a full slate of candidates for the federal election.  Memberships are at an all-time high.

Greens are polling neck and neck with the NDP.  And many high profile politicians have left their parties for the Green Party.   Many are hearing staunch NDP’ers now saying they are voting Green.  So far, Greens have tripled their support in our riding compared to 2015.   Polling is showing 1/4 of votes from Liberals and NDP are going Green here so far, and some Conservatives too. Wayne Stetski won last time by only 185 votes.  Abra has a good shot at winning. There are now more young people in the eligible voting block than baby boomers, and many are voicing huge and anxious concern about the climate crisis.  We have a duty to protect their future.

Elizabeth May and the Green Party are getting much more exposure and press now, and this is no longer politics as usual – it is a different landscape than ever before.  This is the most important election in Canada’s history, as whomever forms government in Parliament will shape the future as to how we address the climate emergency or not.  The UN’s IPCC report of Oct 2018 showed how we have maybe until 2030 to turn it around or else face a devastating irreversible cascade of climate events that will change and endanger life on earth as we know it.

Editor’s Note: If you know of any candidates coming to the East Shore to represent their party at an open house, meeting or gathering, let us know and we’ll put the word out for you.

press release by the Kootenay Lake Ferry Service Improvements Team

The province will be conducting dredging activities in the West Arm of Kootenay Lake from September 24 to November 30, 2019, to ensure the long-term navigational safety of the Kootenay Lake Ferry service. During this time, dredging with heavy machinery will take place from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Saturday.

After-hours dredging may be required between October 21 and November 4, but will be avoided if at all possible. Local residents will be informed if such work is required.

Ferry Service: Dredging will not impact the operation of the Kootenay Lake Ferry service.We will continue to assess and monitor conditions as the operation progresses to ensure the safety of all ferry users, crew members, and contractors.

Once the dredging is complete, spring low water levels will no longer result in service disruptions to ferry users. Together with other improvements, such as the procurement of a new right-sized electric-ready ferry and safety and amenity improvements to both the Balfour and Kootenay Bay terminals, ferry users will be able to enjoy a safer and more reliable ferry service.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we improve this vital service.

For updates or to find more information about the Kootenay Lake Ferry Service Improvements, please visit www.gov.bc.ca/kootenaylakeferryproject.

Crawford Bay School
welcomes Rod Giles as Principal for 2019-2020

Today is back to school for students around School District 8, which means familiar routines for those returning and for others new faces and new places. For Rod Giles, the new Principal at Crawford Bay Elementary-Secondary, it means a return to the Kootenay Lake School District since his retirement in 2014.

Rod originally started in the district in August 1997.  Many students and families will recognize him as the long-time principal at ARES (Adam Robertson Elementary, Creston) where he created a warm, engaging, inclusive and collaborative school community for 14 years. Rod also spent 4 years at Canyon Lister Elementary before retiring to travel across Canada and to New Zealand.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Rod completed his Masters of Education specializing in curriculum and instruction, earned his Bachelor of Education from the University of Victoria, Diploma of Physical Education from University of Otago New Zealand and a Diploma of Teaching from Christchurch Teachers College New Zealand.

Rod also held a recent admin position in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta (225 km north of Fort MacMurray) this past year, a completely different experience from visiting his family’s kiwi orchard in New Zealand to arriving in Fort Chipewyan mid-winter where it was -41 degrees C!

Rod has a passion for students, and is an engaging, relationship-building, caring and welcoming person. As an individual that provided support for Crawford Bay’s school when the community experienced the tragic and unexpected loss of one of its teachers, Rod’s presence in the school will be a warm and welcoming start to the new school year.

Derek Apple, Vice-Principal at CBESS is currently on leave.

For more information: Dr. Christine Perkins, Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer Christine.Perkins@sd8.bc.ca

About The Board of Education of School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake): The Board of Education of School District No. 8 provides educational services to numerous diverse communities in the East & West Kootenays, including Crawford Bay, Creston, Kaslo, Meadow Creek, Nelson, Salmo, Slocan, South Slocan, Winlaw, Wynndel and Yahk. Its dedicated team focuses on providing the best possible educational opportunities for over 5,400 students and their families. Its mission is to focus on excellence for all learners in a nurturing environment.

submitted by Megan Rokeby-Thomas

WE NEED OUR FERRY RALLY: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST AT THE KOOTENAY BAY FERRY LANDING!

Posted by Megan Rokeby-Thomas: Everyone affected by the ferry strike is invited for a “We Need Our Ferry” party. Games, guest speakers, music and much more starting at 5:30. All times are approximate and we are open to suggestions. Bring lawn chairs.

Also: Ferry Crew/BCGEU members are expected to put in a presence at the picket line at Kootenay Bay ferry landing tomorrow from around 11am to 3pm.

by Ingrid Baetzel, Editor

10:30pm, Aug 29/19 – East Shore, Kootenay Lake: Joey Lewis, Chief Mate on board the Kootenay Lake Ferry and Treasurer and Shop Steward of BCGEU local 2009, contacted Mainstreet to share information from the employee and union perspective.

He stated that the crew wanted to inform East Shore locals as to exactly what is going on and sent a copy of an information bulletin that has been circulated with further details included. It is below.

Lewis informed us that the strike at the Balfour ferry landing will begin at 3:30pm on Saturday August 31, 2019. “Both vessels will end service around the 1pm sailings to ensure that they are docked prior to 3:30. Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President, and other officials from the union will be in attendance from 1:30 to 3:30pm.” He asked for all who can to come out in the afternoon to show support.

Further to this, East Shore residents have expressed an interest in attending the Kootenay Bay Ferry Landing to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with what is going on. Some are calling for a rally/protest to have their voices heard. Watch for further details as to whether this gets organized.