A Spirit Square in Kaslo? PDF Print E-mail
Written by John Addison   
Thursday, 21 August 2008 16:55

A Community Initiative that needs your input and support!

Spirit Square

Over the past year, Kaslo has had an application for funding submitted to the B.C. Spirit Square Program and although the Kaslo Spirit Square (ad-hoc) Committee application has no response from this B.C. Government Initiative, other new Kaslo Initiatives may provide some renewed interest and prospects.

The following excerpt from the B.C. Spirit Squares website explains the concept:

“At the heart of every great community lies a site – a park, plaza, town square or open space - where citizens can gather for special occasions. These spaces help give towns and cities their identity and are recognized as “places to go” for community celebrations and commemorations. The B.C. Spirit Square Program has been launched to support the creation or improvement of such places in communities throughout B.C.

B.C. Spirit Squares is part of BC150; an initiative that is planning activities and events as part of British Columbia’s 150th anniversary as a Crown Colony. BC150 celebrates the adventures, struggles, people, events and achievements that have shaped our provincial identity.

The B.C. Spirit Squares program provides $20 million for capital projects to create or improve outdoor public meeting and celebration spaces such as traditional town squares or community commons; public gathering places that reflect each community’s unique character, heritage and cultural diversity.

B.C. Spirit Squares funding is based on a 50/50 (provincial/local government) cost-sharing basis with a maximum provincial contribution of $500,000.”

The Kaslo Spirit Square Project would like to improve the existing Saturday Market Square location (adjacent to the new Kaslo Hotel). Improvements such as an open stage/pavilion, public washrooms, fountain, gardens and pathways have been suggested. We have given some considerations to different themes and inspirations but we continue to wait for acceptance to Phase I for planning dollars.

Recently, several members of the Spirit Square Committee attended a meeting at the Village Hall, hosted by Major Holland and Village Councilors. Also attending was Val Koenig of the Kaslo Trailblazers with their new initiative for the completion of the Kaslo Waterfront Trail, which will extend from Kaslo Bay to the Kaslo River Bridge. Village Council called this meeting to see if the combined initiatives for the Spirit Square concept, the Trailblazer’s Beach Trail and the Village’s plans to make upgrades to Water Street (underground power lines, paving and making the street pedestrian friendly with sidewalks, benches & planters) could be amalgamated together under one funding initiative. 

After much discussion, due to the different kinds of programs that funding has been applied for, it is presumed that these worthwhile projects may still need to pursue funding from their own separate sources. Everyone could see the combined benefits, and members of the Spirit Square Committee are planning to tie in to these initiatives in the hopes that it may renew interest in their Spirit Square Application at the Provincial level. 

 

Like all community projects, community support, from all walks of life, goes a long way to their success.  If you can lend your support to any of these worthwhile initiatives, please let us know.

Village of Kaslo email:    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kaslo.org email:          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
Last Updated ( Thursday, 21 August 2008 17:23 )
 
Meadow Mountain the easy way! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Randy Morse   
Sunday, 10 August 2008 21:20
Sue & Merle on Meadow Mountain
The West Kootenay ranks as one of North America's premier alpine areas. Our backyard is blessed with hundreds of trails, taking hikers and climbers into spectacular mountain settings. But what if someone can't manage a tough hike? That's the dilemma that faced us recently when my sister Sue and her husband, Merle arrived in Kaslo for a visit from their home in Portland, Oregon. With a broken foot, Sue's determination to get into the mountains seemed in peril. At least until we turned to one of Canada's best hiking guides, Kathy and Craig Copeland's delightful Where locals hike in the West Kootenay, and discovered a way to get well above timberline using four wheels instead of two feet.
 
Destination: Meadow Mountain.
 
Here's what the guide has to say about the route: 
 
"If you've got a vehicle that can endure a beating, what you'll see through your windshield here is astonishing. At 2195 m (7200 ft), where meadows supersede trees, the road parallels an abyss. McKian Creek canyon plunges 1150 m (3772 ft). Across it, in plain view, is is glacier-laden, 3090 m (10,135 ft) Mt. Cooper - the most impressive mountain in the West Kootenay, a professional wrestler among pencil-necked geeks. The Purcells on the eastern horizon  complete the panorama. This is one of those rare vantage points where even the most jaded trekker might feel overawed."
 
Mt. Cooper
How could we resist?! We had a tough 4-wheel drive vehicle, so off we headed, north from Kaslo for the tiny community of Meadow Creek. From there the route took us up some spine-tingling (literally, thanks to the spartan shocks in Tenzing, our '88 BJ74 Toyota Landcruiser), narrow roads
(thankfully, we encountered not another vehicle on the whole trip) to a magnificent alpine area with numerous areas for picnics with views that make the von Trapp's meadow above Innsbruck look like an urban parking lot. The area is dotted with small alpine tarns, and this time of year the wildflowers are out in force - please tramp around with care, as it takes a long time for delicate high altitude flora to bounce back from a careless boot sole. 
Indian Paintbrush
For detailed directions on the trip to Meadow Mountain, march right into any shop in the region that sells outdoor books, and buy a copy of Where locals hike in the West Kootenay - you'll find it a hoot to read, as well as an invaluable guide to some of the most wonderful back country on the continent.
 
Grants benefit the community PDF Print E-mail
Written by Randy Morse   
Friday, 08 August 2008 11:03

COMMUNITY FUND OF NORTH KOOTENAY LAKE MAKES GRANTS OF $12,681.00

The  Community Fund of North Kootenay Lake,  operating under the wing of the Osprey Community Foundation, is pleased to announce  grant recipients for 2008.  Nine Kaslo and Area organizations received  $8190  from the general endowment fund.  An additional $4491 from the McKinnon Family Fund goes to the Kaslo Library, the Kaslo Victorian Hospital, and  a bursary to a JVH graduate for a total of $12,681 in benefits to the community.  The presentation of grant cheques took place at the CFNKLS AGM on May 30 at the Langham Theatre.

The 2007 grant recipients are:


Kootenay Lake Independent School Society – $1000 computer purchase
Langham Cultural Centre - $1000  fire alarm upgrade
OPTions for Sexual Health - $800  travel assistance and child care
North Kootenay Lake Community Services Society - $1250  Parners In Philanthropy project.
Kaslo & Area Hospice - $1000 Grief & trauma outreach team
RDCK Area D - $1290  sending area youth to summer camp
Kaslo Concert Society - $600 Jack McDowall Memorial Concert
Kaslo Trailblazers Society - $500  bear-proof garbage container
St. Mark's Church - $600 Labyrinth Project

CFNKLS has over $300,000  in endowments  which will generate about $14,000 in available grants for 2009. Included in these endowments are three Field of Interest Funds: The Seniors' Fund; the Child, Youth, and Family Fund; and the Environment Fund.  The interest  from our  permanent endowment funds generates the granting pool, and contributions are welcome at any time. 

For details about how  to contribute to these endowment funds please write to CFNKLS at P.O. Box 661, Kaslo BC, V0G 1M0 or  contact  president, David Stewart, at 250-366-4623 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  
 
Financial help for out-of-town medical treatments PDF Print E-mail
Written by Randy Morse   
Friday, 08 August 2008 11:56
Helping Hand Trust
 
The Helping Hand Trust gives a financial helping hand to adult residents of Kaslo and area D when they have to leave the area for medical testing or treatments.
 
Even though the cost of treatments is mostly covered by MSP, travel and accommodation costs may add up to be a financial burden for many.  This is where the Helping Hand Trust can lend a helping hand.
 
The aim is to cover costs related to medical treatments, but this may also include needs such as paying for ambulance costs, day care, or the cost of getting a housekeeper when a parent is away for medical tests or treatments. Chronic medication costs are not generally included, but any request for donations will be considered and discussed by the directors.
It is generally not possible to cover the total costs involved, and donations are given according to funds available in the Trust.
 
Please contact any of the directors, below, if you know of someone who needs our help.
 
Donations may be made at the Kaslo Credit Union or given to the treasurer, Elizabeth Scarlett.
 
Directors:  Elizabeth Scarlett, Larry Badry, Dave Boland, Jannemé Frouws, Ian Einer, Mary Johnson
 
 
Jazz Fest Vollies Show Their Style! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Randy Morse   
Wednesday, 06 August 2008 09:03

 

 

Kaslo Jazz Etc. works as well as it does thanks largely to hundreds of dedicated, hard-working - and stylish(!) - volunteers. These gals sport the exotic simulated buckskin look...

 
 
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