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Saturday 28 August, 2010
 
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NEWS ROUNDUP

 

 

 

 

1)      New West, Volunteer Opportunity For Immigrants Interested In Mentoring

 

For established immigrants interested in volunteering time (as a mentor) with newcomers in Family Services of Greater Vancouver’s Immigrant Mentorship Program.

As a mentor, you will be matched (on a one-to-one) with newcomers for a 6 month period and volunteer approximately 4 hrs/month, starting October, 2010 and ending April, 2011. Training will be provided, as well as opportunities to connect with other mentors within a supportive environment.  Please call 604.525.9144, ext. 3636 for further information.

With your support and connections we can continue to build an informed and organized and participative immigrant community in New Westminster.

If you think you can help and participate in this program or know of someone that would like to participate, please contact me or Sheila Resels, at 604-525-9144;  

 

2)      21 Infrasture Projects to be funded in B.C

 

Twenty-one additional infrastructure projects will get underway in B.C. this construction season thanks to over $42 million in funding from Canada and the Province, announced Stockwell Day, President of the

Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway on behalf of Canada's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Chuck Strahl, and B.C. Minister of

State for Intergovernmental Relations Naomi Yamamoto. "The Government of Canada is committed to creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and ensuring the safety and well-being of Canadians," said Minister Day. "We are pleased to partner with British Columbia on these highway improvement projects, which will lead to safer roads for residents and visitors across the province."

 

"Our government continues to work with our federal partners to invest in important infrastructure that will create hundreds of new jobs in every region of the province," said Minister Yamamoto. "These additional projects have been made possible due to our competitive bid process, which ensures we get the best

value for British Columbians' tax dollars."

The funding for these 21 projects is available as the result of savings achieved through competitive bids on previously announced provincial Infrastructure Stimulus Fund highway projects. It is estimated these new projects will create more than 270 direct jobs. Of the $42 million invested, $38 million is eligible under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund - split equally between Canada and B.C.

Of the 21 projects announced last week, 18 are improvements to highway and road infrastructure throughout the province. The remaining three projects are improvements to BC Ferries facilities in Campbell River, Langdale and Horseshoe Bay. All projects must be completed by March 31, 2011.

The federal contribution to these projects comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure projects. Since March 2009, over 400 projects have received a total federal investment of over $500 million

under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund across British Columbia.

 

 

3)      Back To School Tips For Healthy, Active Students

All Students:

* Insist that your children eat breakfast every day, as it provides fuel

for the brain to learn and helps them maintain a healthy weight.

* Keep nutritious foods, like cut-up vegetables and fruit, cheese sticks,

low-fat yogurt and butter-free popcorn on hand to make healthy snacking

easy.

* If your child has anaphylaxis, coordinate with the school principal on

an updated emergency plan that best meets your child's needs.

* Schedule regular dental and any necessary medical checkups.

* Encourage your children to choose milk or water at meals instead of

sugary drinks, energy drinks with excessive caffeine or pop.

* Get children active through sports, or go for nightly family walks or

bike rides.

* Develop good hand-washing habits as frequent hand-washing reduces the

spread of bacterial, cold and flu viruses.

Primary Students:

* Include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your children's snacks and

lunches every day.

* Include your child when packing lunches so they can learn to make

healthy choices early on.

* Help your children learn about and understand Canada's Food Guide which

encourages a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

* Take family walks with your children and, if possible, walk them to

school.

* Join or co-ordinate a Walking School Bus or Bicycle Train to help your

children get to school safely with adult supervision:

http://www.dashbc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=80

* Set up a regular teeth-brushing routine and ensure your children are

brushing and flossing correctly.

* Introduce your children to active games they can play on their own, like

hopscotch or jumping rope. When more children are around, introduce tag,

soccer or baseball.

Intermediate/Middle Students:

* Whenever possible, encourage your children to walk, ride, rollerblade or

skateboard to school instead of driving them.

* Suggest that your children take the dog for a walk before and after

school.

* Limit your children's screen time. Explain to your children that it's

important to sit less and move more in order to stay at a healthy weight.

* Continue to encourage healthy eating habits. Use Canada's Food Guide to

plan healthy meals and snacks, as they have different nutritional needs

from children and adults.

* Teach your children to avoid less-nutritious foods - foods high in

sugar, fat and sodium, and help them learn to replace these foods with

more nutritious snacks instead.

Secondary Students:

* Encourage your teenagers to get involved in intramural or after-school

sports.

* Suggest your teenagers take a class at the local community centre or

encourage them to participate in a walking or hiking group.

* Place your older children in charge of some of the family's meals and

grocery shopping so they learn how to buy, prepare and enjoy healthy meals

using Canada's Food Guide.

* Encourage your teens to get plenty of rest to ensure they are alert and

ready to learn at school.

 

4)      Drought conditions  in B,C

 

 

Due to dry weather in July and record-low river levels in the

northern half of British Columbia, Environment Minister Barry Penner

announced today that the Peace region has been reclassified to Drought

Level 4 (extremely dry conditions).

A high-pressure ridge over the province brought dry, above-average, and in

some cases record-setting temperatures for most areas of British Columbia

during the past week. River levels in the North continue to fall and in

many cases are at or near historic lows. Given the continuation of dry

conditions and record-low river levels in the North, Penner is asking

British Columbians to conserve water to protect water sources and help

manage water demands.

Streamflow Conditions:

In northern B.C., river levels are well below normal. In the Peace region,

most tributaries are near or at record minimum low flows for this time of

year. The Moberly, Pine, Kiskatinaw, Halfway, Finlay, Ospika, Omineca,

Mesilinka and Osilinka, and Nation rivers are extremely dry (near or below

previously recorded low for the date). In the far Northeast, the Liard

River has now also fallen to historic low flows. On the North Coast, the

Skeena and Stikine rivers are below a 20-year return period low flow.

Flows along the mainstem of the Fraser River downstream of the confluence

of the McGregor River are at 10-year return period low flows. In the

Central Interior, the Cariboo region is also dry with the Quesnel and

Horsefly rivers between 10- to 20-year return period low flows. In

contrast, streams in the Chilcotin region are generally between median and

five-year return period low flows.

In the Thompson River area, water levels on most streams are between median

and five- year low flows, although the upper Salmon River at Falkland is

now below normal. Similar conditions are present in the Similkameen and

Okanagan region, with most streams between median and five-year return

period low flows. Exceptions are Vaseux, Coldstream, and Mission creeks

which are approaching 10-year return period low flows.

In the Kootenay and Columbia areas, streamflow conditions are generally

slightly below normal for this time of year.

On Vancouver Island, most river levels on the north island are above

average, and streams on the south island are normal for this time of year.

On the South Coast mainland, river levels are at or above average for this

time of year.

Drought Level and Water Supply Conditions:

Given the continuation of dry conditions and record-low river levels in the

north, the Peace region is now classified at Drought Level 4 (extremely dry

conditions). The Skeena and Nass region will be maintained at Drought Level

3 (very dry conditions). These conditions are expected to persist

throughout the summer unless above normal rainfall occurs.

Potential for serious effects on fish and aquatic organisms due to low

stream flows, and water supply shortages (including groundwater aquifers)

are highly probable. Monitoring of stream flows and fish populations is

ongoing. Given the current level of voluntary water conservation in the

Peace, regulatory action is not anticipated at this time, but remains a

possibility if water supplies and fish populations are threatened.

While many local governments have already implemented water restrictions,

Penner is asking people to continue with water conservation measures. As

drought conditions vary in the Peace, and some regions may be more affected

than others, local governments are encouraged to assess local conditions

and determine appropriate drought management actions.

The upper Fraser and middle Fraser River areas, as well as the mid-coastal

areas have been classified as Drought Level 2 (dry conditions). These

conditions are expected to persist throughout the summer unless above-

normal rainfall occurs. Voluntary conservation, as well as planning at the

local level using tools such as drought management plans, should be

considered.

All other areas of B.C. are now classified as Drought Level 1, or normal

 

 

 

 


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