Lifestyles

The Wheelin’ Warriors of the North are getting ready to roll, but first they have to eat. The local cycling team, which will take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer in August, is hosting its annual Free Wheelin’ dinner and dance tomorrow, May 2 at the Treasure Cove. “It’s been a hectic week,” team captain Karen Piche says. “The tickets for the dinner are pretty well sold out.” The dinner features a silent auction, with items such as a family...

Children at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. will find their stay there a little easier, thanks to some students from the University of Northern B.C. Students in the latest Masters Certificate in Project Management group were required to plan and execute a project as part of the course, and the latest cohort decided to do something that would benefit the community. “We had the opportunity to take on a real project,” says Fiona MacPherson, one of the students involved. “We raised...

Her fingers glide gracefully across the keys, her movements are fluid, like water. Sadie Bialuski is only 12 but she has the calm and peaceful presence of an “old soul” as she plays On The Lake for her music instructor, Lori Elder. The piece she was practising on Wednesday is the one she will perform Saturday at the Piano Music for Earth Day Concert and Sale at St. Andrew’s United Church. “The song reminds me of when I go fishing on the lake and I’m casting out,” said Bialuski, a...

With spring cleaning on the way, health professionals are once again being asked to donate their gently used uniforms, which will then be sold, with proceeds funding CNC’s Making a Difference Bursary. Since 2011, sales from the scrub drive have funded bursaries of $250 each, which are given out annually to five CNC health sciences students in financial need. The scrub drive is organized by CNC nursing instructor Nancy Esopenko. “Over the last few years, the scrub sale has helped make...

Decades ago, for many people the word autism conjured up images of a child, rocking slowly from side to side, in the corner of a room, never speaking or interacting but living in his or her own silent world. Times have changed, and thanks to advancements in medicine and psychology, we know more about autism and its different forms in children, youths and adults, says Corey Walker. Walker is the coordinator of the Prince George branch of the Autism Society of B.C. He is 36 years old, has a...

Several Prince George artists are joining their talents to help out at a CD release concert on April 18. The CD is of piano pieces all related to nature, says piano teacher Lori Elder who came up with the idea of having the album’s release date coincide with worldwide Earth Day celebrations. Karma Vance, an artist for the Winter Games, Ruth Poell a Haiku poet and two photographers, Jeff Elder and Andrew Furmanczyk, are among the local artists who will be helping to sell the new CD after...

A crafts project that got fumbled, led Rose-Marie Prokopchuk into a new venture. On Saturday, her unique Easter eggs found favour with visitors to Saturday’s annual Easter bazaar at St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. Along with traditionally decorated Ukrainian Easter eggs (Pysanky) the senior included her latest venture into creativity – eggs decorated to look like soccer balls, footballs and baseballs. Inspired by her six grandchildren who all take part in sports, Prokopchuk said...

When you reach rock bottom you still have farther to fall. Just ask Dr. Eric Weissman. What once was his worst nightmare turned into his greatest asset, he said. The humbling experience of being a destitute, drug addict who eventually became homeless gave him the knowledge, courage and determination needed to help others find a better path in life. He’s interviewed and filmed dozens of people for documentaries about people’s struggles on the streets. Today the 54-year-old professor of...

We may be moving towards an increasingly paperless society in which – at this time of year – e-filing tax returns is commonplace. However, on Wednesday at the Salvation Army location, Paul Raines is happy to be amid piles of paper, helping seniors and others with low earnings – and lots of questions – fill out their income tax returns. Raines is one of 16,000 volunteers in Canada who annually support the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). “When I retired from teaching 10 years...