School earns special status

Haldane Elementary is a role model for other schools wanting to make an environmental difference.

The Chase school is the first school in Canada to achieve Earth III status with the SEEDS Foundation for completing 3,000 environmental projects.

The school has been involved in the Green Schools program since 1992. Teachers Brenda Melnychuk and Leona Hammerton help ensure students in the Green Kids Club stay environmentally and globally active.

Last year, the students raised over $2,000 for a Gardens of Hope project in Madagascar by making and selling recycled paper bead necklaces, bookmarks and home made bath salts.

They also raised funds for clean drinking water in India in the Help a Village effort to provide drilled wells and water systems in impoverished areas.

Each year, youngsters also take part in various Earth Day events and also organize a flea market.

2007 will mark the 17th annual Earth Day celebration for the school. Haldane is also a registered Eco Active School with Pitch In Canada and students take part in a community clean-up campaign each spring.

Students support local charity groups through recycling pop can pull tabs, postage stamps, soup labels, used eye glasses and cell phones. They are currently selling Wild Things calendars to help the burrowing owl program and the Peregrine Falcon project in this area.

Seeking support

The Chase and District Chamber of Commerce is at a critical juncture and community involvement is desperately needed if the chamber is to continue operating.

The chamber’s fate will be determined by the turn out and response at the annual general meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

It takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Art Holding Memorial Area.

For the past number of years, funding and manpower have been the main reasons the chamber has been struggling to keep operating, explains vice president Barbara Maher.

Last year, the chamber was able to assure its limited operation with the installation of a marketing tax, plus a restructuring of the business licence fees, which the chamber shares with the village.

This marketing tax was imposed on commercial properties. The combination provided new additional income of approximately $26,000.

In addition, the chamber made significant cuts to its overhead so the new funds would not be lost to operating costs.

The desired outcome was to help members of the chamber executive spend less time and effort trying to cover operational costs and more on increasing business and tourism in the area, says Maher.

But the issue of manpower and lack of members and citizens prepared to step forward remains unresolved. The current board is burning out trying to do everything on their own, plus some directors have already served the maximum allowable number of terms.?

Lack of time is seen as one of the key reasons people have not stepped forward to be a part of the chamber executive. As most members operate their own businesses, the thought of dealing with meetings and worrying about operational concerns of the chamber office, staffing and funding are intimidating. There are also projects that are necessary to promote increased business and tourism, plus planning and executing the major events that have become synonymous with the chamber.

As well, chamber oversees and sponsors the local employment centre.

But a big factor is the perception that owning and operating a business in the community is a prerequisite to being a member of the chamber.

This is definitely not the case, emphasizes Maher. All individuals interested in this community’s development are encouraged to join.

The current executive has come up with a number of ideas to help keep the chamber office operating. The chamber and info centre continue to be intertwined but the executive will only oversee some operational concerns.

Instead, teams will be formed to deal with specific areas such as business development, tourism, promotion, and community events. In that way, each team will have its own special focus and not be required to handle all areas.

People interested in this approach would be able to formulate a team of like minded individuals and create time schedules that work for that particular group.

This will be one of the ideas discussed at the AGM that is open to everyone.

For further details, area residents may contact chamber president John Wynn at 679-7666 or vice president Barbara Maher at 679-3580.

Guides busy

In 2006, the Chase Sparks, Brownies and Guides units all had enrolment and were busy working on their badges and taking part in various community events, including the annual poppy campaign.

Leaders made hand- sewn coasters that were given out in December to home support and adult day centre clients and Parkside Estate residents.

The girls are looking forward to an active 2007 and those interested in joining may call Sarah at 679-3094.

Victim Services

Chase and District RCMP Victim Services is seeking volunteer crisis intervention workers. These people are responsible for providing emotional and practical support to victims of crime and trauma in the Chase, north Shuswap, Sorrento and Pritchard areas.

Training is provided and volunteers are able to enhance their skills and experience. To find out more, call Tracy at 679-8638.

Business bits

Physiotherapy in the area of female urinary incontinence and pelvic pain is one that is relatively new and is becoming widely accepted and valued in the medical community, says Karen Garrett. She is at present the only physiotherapist in the Shuswap region who specializes in the area of female incontinence. The medical condition is both a hygienic and social problem for those affected including up to 35 per cent of all women, primarily as stress incontinence, and up to 52 per cent of women over the age of 70.

Garrett works out of the Little Shuswap Physiotherapy Clinic in Chase. But she is also able to see clients in their homes for those who are unable to travel. She would like to reach women across the entire Shuswap area, including Chase, North Shuswap, Sorrento, Tappen and Salmon Arm.

Clients may call her for further information or to arrange appointments at 675-3704 (business) or 320-3750 (cell).

Robin Anderson has opened her home-based business in Chase as a certified acutonics practitioner utilizing an integrated system of healing. She also provides relaxation massage services. Anderson can be contacted at 679-8520.

Call with news and notices: 679-3554, fax 679-7677, E-mail: shuswapnews@cablelan.net or stop by the Chase office at 637B Shuswap Avenue.

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