Town of Peace River News Releases: Fire ban/Misery Mountain evacuation centre

Two news releases yesterday from the Town of Peace River:

TOTAL FIRE BAN
Due to windy conditions and high wildfire risks, the Town of Peace River is implementing a total fire ban effective immediately, and until further notice.

The fire ban prohibits the use of all wood and briquette fires, including those contained in designated fire facilities and portable fire pits. Gas and propane stoves and/or barbeques, when approved for cooking, are permitted.

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Neil Tkach
Deputy Chief of Operations
Town of Peace River Fire Department
Phone: 780-624-0927
Cell: 780-618-8597

EVACUATION CENTRE AT MISERY MOUNTAIN SKI CHALET/SLAVE LAKE DONATIONS

The Town of Peace River would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to all individuals, community groups, and businesses for their incredible support and contributions during this time of hosting the evacuees of Loon River, Red Earth Creek, and Little Buffalo.

The Misery Mountain Reception Centre registered 335 evacuees and continues to provide food services to approximately 250 individuals per meal.

Due to the generous donations received to-date, the Reception Centre does not require any further donations at this time.

If you would like to volunteer your time, please call the Misery Mountain Ski Hill at 780-624-4881 to register. Volunteers will be contacted when there is a need, as each day changes.

The Town would encourage all citizens to please provide privacy to the evacuees by not coming to the Reception Centre and we would ask that you please take extra care while driving as the evacuations have brought many additional children to our community.

For donations to the Slave Lake fire please go to the Red Cross Website at www.redcross.ca.

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Renate Bensch
Public Information Officer
Town of Peace River
780-624-2574

Pick Up the Peace: September 15, 2010

The Town of Peace River Community Services and Tim Horton's are organizing a clean-up campaign on September 15.  I usually participate in the clean-ups, but will be away for this one. I hope there is a great turnout.

Residents can register at Tim Horton's between Noon and 8:00, where they'll get their garbage bags and gloves and be dispatched to an area of town that needs attention.

All volunteers will be treated to a complimentary bowl of soup or chili and a beverage after their contribution. Many thanks to Tim Horton's continuing support of these initiatives.

If you need more information, call Community Services at 780-624-1000.

Pick Up the Peace

This is the week (April 27-May 1) designated by the Town of Peace River when residents who want to help clean up the town are encouraged to get out and pick up garbage that has accumulated over the winter. The Town and Tim Horton's are the sponsors of the event--thank you!

I'm a little late on this, but I'm going out tonight to pick up garbage (meet at the East side of the Mall at 6:45 if you want to join me) and decided I should also advertise the event.

Here's the information from Community Services:

At your convenience, drop by one of the three dispatch points between noon and 8:00 PM (Tim Horton's, the pool, and the Rec Centre). There you will be provided garbage bags, gloves and a participant T Shirt. Choose an area you think needs a bit of cleaning, pick garbage to your heart’s content, then return the filled garbage bag to the dispatch point. Filled bags can be left near the on-site dumpster for pick up by Town staff the following morning.

A thank you wind up Barbeque for all the volunteers will be held at the Public Works yard (off River Road just north of the bridge) on May 9 from 11-3 PM. This BBQ is also intended to raise awareness about E-Waste Recycling.

Big Peace Country Events Coming Up

February 12-15 will keep residents in the Peace River-St. Isidore-Grimshaw area (and beyond) busy and with lots of choices for entertainment.

Our part of the province will be hosting two huge events, both of which rely on legions of volunteers, donors, financial and in-kind contributions, and lots of collaborative effort--hallmarks of the Peace Country.

The oldest of the two is the 27th annual St. Isidore Carnaval, one of the largest francophone parties in Alberta. There is snow sculpting, hay rides, poutine and pattes de lynx, maple snow taffy, log sawing, and snow volleyball to mention just a few of the activities and food offerings. And of course, lots of francophone music and dance, including local and "imported"talent.

This year I'm finally going to attend and my bilingual and unilingual friends assure me that language is no barrier to having a great time!

Alberta Pond Hockey at Lac Cardinal is in its 3rd year and just gets bigger and better, with 80 teams (including one made up of Edmonton Oilers) registered this year. Check out the 2008 photo gallery to get an idea of what pond hockey looks like.

This year there will be around 400 players playing over 300 games of hockey on 19 natural ice rinks that are now being built by what the Pond Hockey website calls an "army of volunteers."

I'll be taking in the Gala on Saturday night as well as the Sunday pancake breakfast at the Lac Cardinal Regional Pioneer Village Museum (click on the museum link for a 360 view), great entertainment and of course, some hockey games.

See you there!