David Rooney, Editor and Publisher of The Revelstoke Current, was airlifted late Sunday from Salmon Arm to St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, where he remains in serious condition in the Critical Care Unit.

Staff at The Current ask you to join us in wishing David a rapid and complete recovery. Please send messages of good will to Leslie Savage at lsavage@telus.net and I will forward these to David each day.

In the meantime, please continue to send your notices as usual.

As well, we’ll be running a contest for Revelstoke Summertimes. Send your stories and reminiscences of summertime in the best little town in the west and we’ll run your stories in The Current. You can vote online for your favourite, and the winner will be the lucky recipient of a homemade fruit tart by Savage Delights.

Why not take Mom to a special concert on Sunday… a concert featuring the sweet, sweet sounds of former Revelstoke residents Darrel & Saskia. Darrel Delaronde and Saskia Overbeke are performing a special Mother's Day Concert at the Senior's Centre on Sunday, May 13, at 7:30 pm. Photo courtesy of Darrel & Saskia

Why not take Mom to a special concert on Sunday… a concert featuring the sweet, sweet sounds of former Revelstoke residents Darrel & Saskia.

The duo will be performing at the Seniors Centre this Sunday, May 13, at 7:30 pm with part of the proceeds going to the Community Connections Food Bank.

Their concert will feature music from their CD, Songbirds, so called because Darrel’s mom calls them the Songbirds.

True songbirds also migrate, and these two are no exceptions to that lifestyle. Endlessly wandering across the continent and northern Europe, they practice their trade like traditional vagabond minstrels, carrying their message to audiences everywhere they can.

Like their winged namesakes, they also return to their favorite places year after year, and Revelstoke is one of the many homes that Saskia & Darrel have enjoyed in their long careers.

Along with some favorite cover tunes by masters such as Simon & Garfunkel, Emmy-Lou Harris, and Van Morrison, they of course will be giving the audience special selections from their eight other CDs.

Songbirds was recorded at the prestigious Woodshop Studio in Duncan and mastered in Memphis, Tennessee. It is performed in a rolling Celtic style with master violinist Nolan Murray (Tillers Folly) and Los Angeles pop songster Diane Pancel on backing vocals; it is a masterful rendition of this timeless hit song, first recorded by Fleetwood Mac.

Rounding out the lush aural landscape of this CD are some of the best players on the west coast, such as 4X Juno Award winner Steve Dawson, Powder Blues’ drummer Bill Hicks, and their long-time friend and touring buddy Gary Fjellgaard.

On board are 11 new songs that reflect Darrel’s Canadian ancestry and Saskia’s European upbringing. Blending and crossing not just a few genres, these melodies have been carefully woven into a sonic tapestry that will fit anyone’s taste as long as they like well-written and performed music.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. They are available at Talisman Fibre & Trading Company
and at the door

John Devitt

Breaking box office records, Marvel’s The Avengers is gripping the world in superhero fever and fast becoming one of the most successful films of all time.  The Avengers come together to help a society that needs them.  What would superheroes in Revelstoke be like with the problems our society faces?  Higher Ground sought to answer that question.

The Va-poo-rizer:  With the ability to control fecal matter, the Va-poo-rizer eliminates dog poo left by inconsiderate dog owners on sidewalks and front lawns before you step in it.  More often than not, this superhero arrives just in the nick of time.  However, during the spring thaw when the snow reveals hundreds of piles of dog poo, he often comes just a little too late.  When this happens, the Va-poo-rizer is able to “vapoorize” the offensive-smelling turd from your shoe just as easily.

Captain Snowman:  Hailing from an icy, snow covered planet in a distant solar system, Captain Snowman has the power to control snowfall.  Whenever there has been less 30 centimetres in a day, Captain Snowman can “bring the powder”.  Not only can Captain Snowman bring snow to the ground, but he also has the power to move it from location to location.  When you are stuck spinning your wheels before leaving for RMR, Captain Snowman can whisk all that snow out from under your car and pile it nicely into a snow fort in your front lawn.  When first arriving to town, the City of Revelstoke attempted to control Captain Snowman and force him to work long hours for Public Works clearing roads.  However, Captain Snowman would not be swayed by “the man” and instead chose to use his powers for all!

Magic Business Man:  Simply by standing on any given sidewalk, Magic Business Man has the power to magically drive business to all shops and stores within a one-block radius and increase business by 150% as long as he is present.  Occasionally, Magic Business Man is accompanied by his sidekick, Better Marketing Lad.

The Price-inator:  The Price-inator can quickly and easily compute the exact cost of buying a product out of town.  Factoring in gas, vehicle wear, time and money spent, the Price-inator can give you an immediate determination if it’s worth your while to shop local or head out of town.

Super Fiscally Prudent Monkey:  It’s often said, even a monkey can balance a budget, this monkey proves the point.  Developed in a laboratory by a crack team of scientists, the Super Fiscally Prudent Monkey was designed to manipulate the stock market.  Rebelling against his programmers, Monkey vowed to use his newfound mathematics prowess for the forces of good.  Armed with a coupon book, a slide ruler and a typewriter this furry little guy can realize efficiencies for any municipal budget.   The monkey is also very adept at writing additional Twilight sequels.

Enviromaster:  The Enviromaster is capable of rectifying any non-environmentally sound practice occurring.  Left your vehicle idling?  The Enviromaster can transform this into an electric scooter.  Buying out of town produce?  The Enviromaster can quickly turn your driveway into a high yield organic garden.  The Enviromaster can also telepathically communicate information on how to conserve in everyday life and recycle seemingly useless garbage into decorative ornaments and wall hangings.

Condescending Parent Girl:  Whether or not you’ve been wondering if you’re feeding your new baby the right kind of organic infant paste, Condescending Parent Girl will be sure to tell you.  If you’re questioning whether your stroller is ergonomically supportive of your child’s growing bones, this super lady will swoop in and be sure to point out how the fabric is made in China with child labour and will have the unfortunate side effect of giving your child control issues later in life.  When raising your child whether you’ve been looking for parenting advice or not, Condescending Parent Girl will be sure to tell you the “right” way it should be done, ensuring all our young people grow up socially conscious.

The Caffeinator:  Little is known about the mysterious Caffeinator.  It is believed that the Caffeinator is actually affiliated with one of the many coffee oriented businesses in Revelstoke.  What is known is the Caffeinator’s extremely high tolerance for caffeine single handedly supports the wages of all coffee shop employees in Revelstoke.  Able to consume copious amounts of caffeine, the Caffeinator utilizes the tremendous energy buzz to quickly wave hello and bring everyone up to speed on all the news going on in Revelstoke that day.  Do you feel like you’ve missed a juicy rumour or tidbit of gossip?  Fear not for the Caffeinator will likely be speed walking down a street near you in no time to ensure that your day does not lack fast paced friendly conversation.

Any creative folks out there want to add to the list?  Post your own Revy Superhero in the comments!

Many of us may be completely oblivious, but hunger stalks the streets of Revelstoke. Don’t believe me? Then consider the fact that this year’s Hunger Count by the Community Connections Food Bank undertaken in March showed that 204 adults and 74 children — all of them local people — in 166 households used the Food Bank. Hunger is a growing issue for local families and the community at large. Bar graph courtesy of the Community Connections Food Bank

By David F. Rooney

Many of us may be completely oblivious, but hunger stalks the streets of Revelstoke.

Don’t believe me? Then consider the fact that this year’s Hunger Count by the Community Connections Food Bank undertaken in March showed that 204 adults and 74 children — all of them local people — in 166 households used the Food Bank.

That’s up from the same month last year when 175 adults and 69 kids relied on the agency. In 2010 there were 180 men and women and about 60 kids. And back in 2002 when the Food Bank was “celebrating” its second anniversary the number of weekly hampers jumped from 50 to 115.

No matter how you cut it, hunger borne of poverty is here to stay.

Here’s another depressing — and alarming! — statistic.

“The number of people who own their own homes and yet rely on the Food Bank has increased from six in 2011 to 21 in 2012,” says Patti Larson, Community Connections’ manager of Outreach Services. “These are people who are working, too.” (Please click here to see more statistics on the face f hunger in Revelstoke.)

To a certain extent we expect to see some seniors, disabled people, the unemployed and others collecting hampers from the Food Bank. And those people are represented on the Food Bank’s registry. But it’s the working poor — working couples with and without kids — that are perhaps most alarming.

Working couples and homeowners now using the Food Bank

“This is very significant,” Larson said.

Here’s another interesting datum: this year the Provincial Association of Food Banks shipped food here in March.

“That’s unusual,” Larson said.

Indeed it is. So far the general community has ensured that the Community Connections Food Bank manages to meet its all-important target of $100,000 every year so that no one goes hungry.

People are still generous, but that generosity does not appear to be keep pace with the rising tide of hunger.

“We did very well at Christmas,” Larson said. “But then, typically, donations slide off after that.”

One woman’s story

For every 100 people who use the Food Bank there are 100 different stories. Here, courtesy of Patti Larson, is one woman’s story:

“I have been a single parent for many years and this has given me the motivation to always try to help others. If I see someone in need I like to share what I have. Despite the loss of many of my family members and the hardships that I have had to endure, a positive attitude is what keeps me going.  Sometimes it can be so difficult to keep a positive attitude, everyone has their ups and downs but I try to stay up more than down!

“About five years ago I was struggling to make ends meet, sharing food with family members and trying to help out financially took its toll and it became necessary for me to access the food bank.  The first time I walked through the doors I felt welcome and accepted for who I was. There was no shame and the staff and volunteers were very kind and helpful. I didn’t know what to expect and was very happy with the quality of food and the generous amount that I was given. This food allowed me to help some of my family who were also in dire need.  I was very surprised during my first few visits that there wasn’t any judgements made and I felt respected and valued.

“I have since had the opportunity to volunteer at the food bank and feel now is the time I am able to give back.  I enjoy working with the other volunteers and have made some good friends.  I am not judgemental and like all of the new people I have had the opportunity to meet and I am trying to make a difference.  I look forward to my time there every week and this has given me reason to get up in the morning and get out of the house. So if you ever feel down and out please try volunteering and see what a difference it makes in your life!”

If you’d like to help the Community Connections Food Bank there are several ways to do so:

Take Mom to a special Mother’s Day Concert featuring Darrel and Saskia

Why not take Mom to a special concert on Sunday… a concert featuring the sweet, sweet sounds of former Revelstoke residents Darrel & Saskia.

The duo will be performing at the Seniors Centre this Sunday, May 13, at 7:30 pm with part of the proceeds going to the Community Connections Food Bank. Tickets are $15 for adults $10 for students and seniors.

Donate your Coopers Save-On More Points

Did you know that you can donate your Coopers Save-on-More points to your local Food Bank?

• You can donate points in increments of 1,000 to Community Connections Food Bank
• For each 1000 points donated, Overwaitea Food Group will provide $1.00 plus a matching $1.00 so that is $2.00 for each 1000 points donated
• Your donations will allow the Food Bank to buy much needed items such as fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy products

Donate $2 when you buy your groceries at Coopers

These coupons can be used every time you shop. A simple toonie can be a big help to the Food Bank.

Food donation bins are located at Coopers and Southside.

Most-needed items:

Tuna, salmon and other meats            Pasta sauce and tomatoes

Chunky soups                                             Meal in a tin (stew)

Breakfast cereals                                        Fruit juice

Canned vegetables/fruit                           Peanut butter

Canned milk                                                Rice

Baby food and cereal                                 Diapers

Toothpaste, shampoo                                Laundry detergent

Cash donations or direct debit to your bank account – tax receipts issued for all donations.

If you would like to see more local video from The Revelstoke Current’s YouTube Playlist please go to The Current Editor’s Channel on YouTube to see the full list of Revelstoke Current video productions.

The Visual Arts Centre’s newest opening on Friday, May 11, will excite and delight local patrons of the arts.

There are three shows in this opening — Light and Beauty of Landscapes, Fragments and The Golden Girls — and each is, in its own right, worth coming out to see.

Light and Beauty of Landscapes fills the main gallery with a series of highly accomplished mountain landscapes by Bryn Stevenson (Please click here to visit his website). A native of the Kootenays he has spent his life among our mountains and his love of these sometimes overwhelming features is very apparent. I especially liked his image of Castle Mountain in Banff National Park and his phantasmagorical Blazing Aurora.

The Golden Girls brings us new works by Revelstoke’s group of senior watercolourists of the same name. Their work is bright, imaginative and quite fun — just like the Golden Girls themselves.

The third show, Fragments, by Sandra Flood has been months in the making. Sandra continues to explore the seductive power of Islamic- and ancient Western- themed ceramic tiles and vessels which she first unveiled in a 2009 show based on gardens (that’s another of Sandra’s great loves). Just looking at some of her pieces awakened a growing excitement within me that I know won’t be satisfied until I can purchase another one, two or three of her works.

All three shows open to the public on Friday, May 11, from 6 pm until 9 pm. They’ll be on exhibition at the Visual Arts Centre, located at 320 Wilson behind the Days Inn. The shows are on display until June 1. For more information call 250-814-0261 or send an e-mail to info@revelstokevisualarts.com.

Don’t believe me? Take a look at some of these images from the three shows:

Golden Cathedral — Yoho National Park by Bryn Stevenson, oil on canvas — 2011

Ebulliation — by Bryn Stevenson, oil on canvas — 2012

Blazing Aurora — by Bryn Stevenson, mixed media — 2011

Castle Mountain — Banff National Park by Bryn Stevenson, oil on canvas — 2012

Root Cellar — Cllinton, BC by Sherrin Davis — watercolour

Summertime by Muriel Rota — watercolour

A Gift For Janice by Del Peressini — watercolour

Sharon's Pansies by Linda McGee — watercolour

Antique Jars Series — Horses by Sandra Flood — ceramics

Buildings Series — Pavilions by Sandra Flood — ceramics

Ancient Map Series — Paradise Garden Map by Sandra Flood — ceramics

Fragments — Disintegration by Sandra Flood — ceramics

The Community Housing Society is preparing to apply for a major grant from the Columbia Basin Trust that could — if it can acquire the land for free or at an ultra-cheap price from the City — allow it to build seven new homes along Oscar Street. These relatively small and easy-to-build homes could grace Oscar Street, if the Community Housing Society is successful in its grant application. Photo illustration by Selkirk Design Works courtesy of the Revelstoke Community Housing Society

By David F. Rooney

The Community Housing Society is preparing to apply for a major grant from the Columbia Basin Trust that could — if it can acquire the land for free or at an ultra-cheap price from the City — allow it to build seven new homes along Oscar Street.

The CBT has $10 million dollars it wants to use to support five major housing projects across the Basin.

“They’re looking for five projects,” said Society Chairman Mark McKee. “We should apply.”

He said he believed the CBT would like to back a well-considered housing project in Revelstoke.

The society is looking at seven new homes, most of them in the 700-900-square-foot range along Oscar Street near Humbert.

This is what the intersection of Oscar and Humbert could look like. Photo illustration by Selkirk Design Works courtesy of the Revelstoke Community Housing Society

The society has not built anything since it constructed a duplex on the City-owned Bridge Creek Properties two years ago.

Society members recognize that the open market has forced housing prices down since 2008 and don’t want to do anything that would interfere with the price of ownership properties.

However, they said rental accommodations continue to be very high-priced.

A report to the society by Social Development Coordinator Jill Zacharias during the AGM noted that rental rates have increased by between 52 and 150 per cent since 2006, depending upon what you are looking for. According to the 2006 and 2011 CMHC Rental Market Survey data foir Revelstoke, six years ago a bachelor apartment would have set you back about $364 a month; last year it cost $617, an increase of 69.5 per cent. A one bedroom that cost about $441 in 2006 last year cost $669, a 52 per cent increase. A two-bedroom apartment in 2006 would have cost about $529 but $867 in 2011. That’s a hike of 64 per cent. And a three-bedroom unit that cost $592 in 2006 cost between $1,000 and $1,500 in 2011, an increase of between 80 per cent and 150 per cent. Please click here to read Jill’s full report.

What’s more, a lot of working families in Revelstoke are increasingly hard-pressed to pay their rent, Zacharias said.

The BC Housing Rental Assistance Program currently assists eight households in Revelstoke, but she said there are more families than that who need serious assistance.

There is also a dearth of a social housing units in Revelstoke, the report said.

“I do believe we should proceed and ask the City to give us the land,” Councillor Tony Scarcella said at the society’s AGM on Monday.

Please click here to read the Housing Society’s proposed plans for Oscar Street.

“On May 7 at 7:55 pm a single male entered into the Days Inn… and robbed the clerk of funds from the cash register, then departed on bicycle,” Staff Sgt. Jacquie Olsen said in a statement released Thursday. “At approximately 9:40 pm this male returned to the Days Inn demanding further monies. There was a brief struggle as the manager and clerk attempted to hide in the office while calling 911. The subject then broke into the till and removed approximately $40 in change.”

A short time later police located and arrested a Revelstoke resident charging him with two counts of robbery, and mischief to property.  Lee Kincaid, 42, is currently in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

Neither the clerk or the manager were seriously hurt, none of the funds were recovered.

“Between 11 pm on May 7 and 07:30 am on May 8, someone attempted to start a fire in the gas tank of a red 2008 Dodge Ram while parked on the street on the 500 block Second St. W,” Staff Sgt Jacquie Olsen said in a statement released Thursday.

“The culprit stuffed a handkerchief/do-rag into the fuel filler nozzle of the fuel tank. The rag burned out prior to doing any significant damage to the vehicle.”

Pictures of the vehicle and the handkerchief/do-rag are attached and if anyone is able to identify who this handkerchief/do-rag may belong to or knows anything anout this offence, please contact Revelstoke RCMP at 250-837-5255 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Here are images of the target vehicle and the do-rag the culprit attempted to light:

Someone attempted to torch this vehicle on Second Street West two days ago. Photo courtesy of the Revelstoke RCMP

This is the handkerchief/do-rag that the firebug stuffed into the gas tank nozzle and lit, hoping it would act as a fuse. It petered out instead. Do you recognize this piece of evidence? If so the police would like to hear from you. If you know something please contact the Mounties at 250-837-5255 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Photo courtesy of the Revelstoke RCMP

The North Columbia Environmental Society recently sponsored an artistic Earth Day Art Contest in local schools.

The criteria were simple:

“Examples of what you could be doing for the planet (doesn’t have to be mind blowing, just the little things that others might not be doing)- hanging laundry to dry, walking to school instead of bugging your parents for a drive, unplugging electronics when not using them, carpooling to sports events, garbage free lunches, eating less meat, having your own garden.”