A grab bag of local news briefs

Premier Christy Clark is coming to our region on Wednesday, April 1, and will be hosted at a luncheon in Salmon Arm by that city’s Chamber of Commerce at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort.
Tickets are $25 each and seating is limited so if you want to attend this event please call 250-832-6247.
In another nearby out-of-town appearance, Official Opposition Transportation Critis Claire Trevena will be speaking to the Sicamous Chamber of Commerce about transportation issues and infrastructure in the Sicamous area including safety, maintenance and upgrades to the Trans-Canada Highway.
This event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, at the Sicamous Chamber, located at 1121 Eagle Pass Way, from 9:30 am until 10:30 am. If you are interested in hearing what she has to say you’ll need to RSVP to the Sicamous Chamber by March 30. You can contact them by e-mail at info@sicamouschamber.bc.ca

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If you are interested in the invasive species issue you may want to take in a special webinar on April 20 at 10 am PDT.
This event features a presentation by Juliet Craig of Silverwing Ecological Consulting on the proposed Columbia Basin Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Management Strategy.
All too aware that zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species pose a serious threat to the health of the waters in the Columbia Basin a collaborative partnership was developed between the Columbia Basin Trust and the four regional invasive plant committees within the Basin: Central Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee, East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council, Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society and the North West Invasive Plant Council.
Juliet will use the webinar to present the proposed AIS Program Framework. All comments and feedback will be welcome.
Please click here to register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5399441384830086914
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Click here to view System Requirements

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Here’s an interesting merger of technology and business savvy: A partnership between Revelstoke Mountain Resort and HitchPlanet to create a dedicated rideshare platform. “For a cost contribution, people in need of rides will be able to join drivers, making the trip easier on the pocket, more fun and greener,” said a Wednesday, March 25, news release about this concept .
“Revelstoke Mountain Resort is excited to form a partnership with HitchPlanet to offer outdoor enthusiasts a reliable, green and cost-effective way to visit our mountain,” RMR General Manager Rob Elliott said in the statement. The easy-to-use site will be a welcome addition to the existing options for getting here and we expect it to benefit, in particular, our many visitors from the Coast.”
The statement noted that Revelstoke’s location at the mid-point on the Trans-Canada Highway between Calgary and Vancouver “makes it an ideal stop for rideshare trips from both cities.”
HitchPlanet Founder Flo Devellennes said another partnership is also in the works with the Revelstoke Economic Development Commission to provide an action plan to include ridesharing as an official means of transportation in the region, further increasing tourism and reducing carbon emissions.
Initially launched as HitchWhistler in 2010 by two mountain enthusiasts, the website quickly grew through word of mouth. To address the increased demand for ridesharing, it was renamed HitchPlanet and expanded to over 70 locations in BC, Alberta and Washington State. The company’s objectives are to fill cars, reduce costs and create friendships.
Please click here for more information.

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City Council has appointed Councillor Aaron Orlando to chair its High Technology Task Force.
Orlando, who is the proprietor of the Revelstoke Mountaineer, was selected during Council’s Tuesday, March 24, meeting.
He is to lead the eight local citizens — Chris Tipper, Dennis Grey, Kevin Dorrius, Tracey Buckley, Uri Naprstek, John Simms, Jean-Marc La Flamme and James Bacon — to provide advice and suggestions to City Council with respect to promoting the development of the High Tech sector in the community.
The Task Force is expected to craft a five-year strategy Revelstoke can use to attract and build a high-technology sector. That strategy is due by March 31, 2016. It may also be called upon to provide Council with advice on specific technology issues.
Community Economic Development Director Alan Mason will be the staff liaison for the Task
News of the appointments comes just a couple of weeks after TELUS announced that it would bring high-speed Internet service to Revelstoke. Lack of a high-speed connection has long been identified as a major impediment to the development of a high-technology sector in our community. It should also facilitate the expansion of Web-based commerce.
Please click here to view the terms of reference for the task force.

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Council has approved $95,000 in Tourism Infrastructure cash for four local groups.
$10,000 goes to the Revelstoke ATV Club to assist with development of the trail to Sproat Mountain.
$20,000 is going to the the Revy Riders Dirt Bike Club for further development of trails at the Dirt Bike facility off Westside Road.
$25,000 is being given to the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre to assist with the development of its lobby foyer, signage and to help cover the costs of artists fees.
$20,000 is being awarded to the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre for landscaping improvements between The Centre and Victoria.
Please click here to view the Resort Municipality Infrastructure Committee’s recommendations.

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45 of the 50 groups that sought a piece of Columbia Basin Trust’s Affected Areas and Community Initiatives program pie of $339,519 have received at least some of what they wanted.
Five organizations did not receive anything.
Please click here to see who got what.

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Council also had some good news for groups seeking grants in aid:

2015 Grant-in-aid applications Budget$ 25,000.00 
     
NameRequested Purpose Granted Type
Canadian Cancer Society – Revelstoke  $     600.00Room, kitchen, equipment rental $     600.00credit
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy       795.00Room rental, swim passes, leisure795.00credit
Community Connections Revelstoke    6,531.00Room rental – summer day camps2,000.00credit
Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce555.75All candidates rental costs555.75credit
Revelstoke Community Band2,000.00Music scores1,000.00cash
Revelstoke Community Child Care Society1,750.00Room rental, swim passes, leisure1,500.00credit
Revelstoke Community Response Network(CRN)230.00Street banners (2)230.00credit
Revelstoke Early Childhood Development795.00Room rental, swim passes, leisure795.00Credit
Revelstoke Figure Skating Club2,000.00Ice rental fees2,000.00Credit
Revelstoke Golf Course 3,000.00Bobcat repairs2,000.00Credit
Revelstoke Minor Ball Assoc1,360.00Field user fees1,360.00Credit
Revelstoke Multicultural Society2,500.00Carousel of Nations2,000.00Credit
Revelstoke Theatre Company2,000.00Renovation costs2,000.00Cash
Revelstoke Youth Soccer 1,800.00Field user fees1,800.00Credit
Screen Smart Committee 894.00Swim passes ($719), leisure guide894.00Credit
Stoke Youth Network300.00Leisure guide ads (3)300.00credit
 $ 27,110.75 $ 19,829.75

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The City issued 13 new business licenses in the past month.
Licenses were issued to Revelstoke Bed & Breakfast, Denny’s Leggings & More, Carrie Can! House Painting, One Love Dog Grooming and Day Kennel, Venture Mechanical Systems, Ent-Tech Systems Ltd., Laura Stovel, You Moments, Weston Construction Management, Relativ Perspective Marketing & Design, Mountain Gate Lodge, Revy Personal Training, and Driven Construction Ltd.
This brings the number of business licenses in town to 954, up from 944 at the end of January and up from 898 a year ago.

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The Canadian Cancer Society is holding its Daffodil Tea at the Community Centre on Saturday, March 28, from 1 pm until 3 pm.
Admission to this fundraiser is $5. Cancer Society members will also be selling daffodils at Coopers and Southside on Friday and Saturday.
For more information please click here to view the poster.