ferrets north in cutbanks magazine

8/8/2019 Ferrets North in Cutbanks Magazine

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CutbanksThe weekly newsletter

#2n. 18 - 24 2010

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Prince George, B.C.tel: 250-614-1553

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>>> January 18

The Prince George Toastmastehost a Toastmasters Demonstratioing at 7:30 p.m. on the second floPrince George Civic Centre.

>>> January 20Auditions are to be held for the 2

duction ofThe Vagina Monologues

in room 6-348 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.The play is made up of a varying nmonologues, with each monologue srelated to the vagine, be it through srape, menstruation, mutilation, masbirth, orgasm, the variety of namevagine, or simply as a physical aspebody.

The prodution will have weekly rehFebruary and hit the stage in late Marebration of International Womens W

For more information, [email protected] or visit the wewww.vmpg.ca.

>>> January 22Dehli 2 Dublin are to perform wit

guests, Prince Georges Out of Albof the Coldsnap Music Festival. Tstarts at 8 p.m. at the Ramada Hoteare $26.

>>> January 22-24The 18th Annual Goldrush Trail D

Mail Run is to take place.Following the historic Cariboo

Road, dogs will run from North of QuCottonwood House, Troll Ski Resorttrail from Stanley past Van Winkle toadn Barkerville and then to Wells.

For more information go to wwwmailrun.ca.

>>> January 23Johnny Ferreira comes Back to T

Underground performing at The Legi7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for non-Blues Undmembers and $20 for members.

>>> January 23Theres to be a Robbie Burns D

the Carmel Banquet Room across thefrom the Treasure Cove Hotel at 7 more information, contact the Carme9618 or e-mail robbie.burns.night@l

>>> January 23PGs Got Talent, a talent show

place at the Prince George Playhousat 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are avBooks and Company on Third Aven

town.>>> January 23The Lee Boys are to perform wit

guests The Freedom Singers andWashington s part of the ColdsnaFestival, at the Ramada Hotel at 8 pets are $26.

>>> January 24Joel Plaskett and Hannah Georg

perform at the PG Playhouse at 7Tickets are sold out, but e-mail infsnapfestival.com for information abouwriting workshop the two will host dday.

>>> January 24The Rosette Guitar Duo are to p

Art Space, the venue above Books apany on Third Avenue downtown.

yler Clarke, editorrrets, local animal rights activist Shalina Edge

ts, should only be adopted or purchased fromores if the owner is 100 per cent certain its theanimal for them. Judging from the way Edgeserrets got into just about everything during theof her interview with Cutbanks, from a gift bag lining of the couch, they can be quite the per-

ble and difficult creatures.heyre like a kitten or puppy, because they neverup, Edge stated, adding that they typically re-at a high level of hyperactivity and inquisitive-throughout their lives. They get into everythingthe time Most of the time people get them ande, oh my God, I cant handle this They donte these arent like guinea pigs.

s the publics ignorance about what owning a fer-tually entails that has resulted in approximatelyr cent of ferrets purchased from pet stores beingaway or sold within only six months. With theirlt manageability and other factors, such as the

hat the SPCA has no standard of care for them,many ferrets become neglected or abused byowners. So was born Ferrets North, Edges fer-scue organization.ge first got a ferret as a kid, and instantly fell in

with the stage but cute cat-like creature. Now sheve of them, all of whom rescued from differentons.rrets North recently rescued a few ferrets from a

in 100 Mile House, all of which neglected andeated. One even had its face kicked in, resultingractured skull, broken teeth, and other medicalems. The owners, Edge said, werent chargednimal abuse.

he SPCA has no standard of care, they dont, anddo much, Edge stated sadly.ge even noticed a problem in ferrets withine George with the pet store Total Pet. At Totalheres no support whatsoever, and if someonessted in purchasing a ferret they simply sell them,

with no questions asked.Either the staff doesnt are or dont know anything

about them, Edge said.In order to combat the 50 per cent turnover rate in

ferrets, Petland, as a nice contrast, has people sitthrough an hour-long presentation on ferrets beforetheyre allowed to purchase one. They also have ayear-long agreement that if the owner decides the fer-ret isnt for them theyre allowed to return the ferret fora refund, which should prevent the ferret from be-coming neglected.

Ferrets can also be adopted as they become avail-able through Ferrets North for an adoption fee of $75 less than the between $175 and $250 to purchaseone from a pet store.

Ferrets North also accepts donations, and has a$20 membership fee for people interested in becom-ing a member and attending Annual General Meet-ings, and having a say in what the organization does.

For more on the organization and on caring for fer-rets, the organization has two websites, their blog athttp://blog.ferretsnorth.org and their official website,http://www.ferretsnorth.org.

aring for Northern BCs ferrets

Ferrets North head Shalina Edge with her

ferret Smudge.


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2 Cutbanks weekly newsletter #2, Jan 1

yler Clarke, editorr part-time Prince George man Dana Meise, hiking over 50 kilometrese day is a typical summers day. Coupled with a meeting with Canadasnor general Michaelle Jean and various other interesting meetings, itsfor a couple of really interesting summers of hiking the Trans-Canada

rom the Eastern-most coast of Newfoundland almost to Montreal.y brothers dream has always been this dream of walking acrossda, Meises sister Deanna Smith said during a presentation Januarythe Royal Canadian Legion downtown. My brothers a dreamer. He al-has been Hes my hero.lowing Smiths introduction, the January 16 presentation consisted of ashow by a very animated and enthusiastic Meise about his various ad-res while walking the Trans-Canada Trail during the last two summers.er dreaming about walking across Canada since he was a child, Meise,finally began his big adventure on May 6 2008 when after flying out to

oundland he started the walk from the Eastern-most bit of Canada Spear Newfoundland Westward. After being the first person in

da to see the sunrise, he set out West in what he envisioned as a walkhome, though having since relocated to New Brunswick he admittedhis idea has since changed.rprised to find an abundance of snow still on the ground, Meise beganke trudging through snow with his typical 80 pounds of gear strapped to

ack.wfoundland, Meise found, was quite the desolate province in parts, withtretch of 130 kilometres consisting of desolation, with nothing beyondreminding him of humanity. In the inhabited parts he met some mem-

e people, such as Alex Faulkner, famously known as the first New-lander to play in the NHL. He also got interviewed and featured on thepage of The Western Star newspaper in Cornerbrook, the second-st newspaper in Newfoundland. This placement ensured that he wasnized throughout the rest of his time in the province.ise was first introduced to Nova Scotia through Cape Breton, which he

soon recognized to be very different to its inhabitants than the mainlandprovince.

though Cape Breton is part of Nova Scotia, dont tell them that, he said laugh.

ntinuing on to Prince Edward Island, he found a certain stereotypethe province to be an accurate one.

here are potatoes everywhere. They countryside is very well groomedes no wilderness anywhere, he said.ar one of his cross-country walk ended with a humorous experience inBrunswick wherein he woke up to find 30 slugs attached to his tent, andeing invited to present speech on behalf of the Trans-Canada Trail in

wa.ar one, Meise concluded, was a good example of what hed intended theo consist of. While some simply walk or bike and dont actually experi-the country and its people, Meise decided from the get-go that he wouldwhat it means to be Canadian.s about getting out there and meeting people, Meise said, adding thatfirst and second years worth of hiking he managed to meet a lot of in-

ing people, some of whom he still keeps in touch with.er his first summer of hiking, Meise continued working in the forestrytry in order to save up for his second summer s hike. Having developednful foot problem named Plantar fasciitis after his first year of hiking,e had to start his second summers worth of walking later than expected.painful blisters and even a toe nail falling off, his second stretch of hik-st summer was a more difficult one. As physically difficult as it became,e still managed to rack up some positive experiences.Quebec, for example, Meise learned a thing or two about cultural dif-ces between the French and English.ancophones dont like Anglophones, Meise bluntly stated, adding thatceived a fair deal of rudeness from some, but far from all, residents ofec.e to his speech in Ottawa being so well received the summer previous,

e was invited to meet for a hike with the Prime Ministers wife Laureener, during which time Meise flew out some family members from Princege to share the experience, including his 82-year-old grandfather.

Meise was also invited to Rideau Hall a unique place for one

only those who are invited are allowed to get in. Dressed scruffily ing attire, Meise wasnt optimistic as to whether or not governoMichaelle Jean would talk to him. This made it all the more surprisJean excused herself from talking to several other people in orderone on one conversation with him about his travels.

Shes a very classy person, Meise concluded.Although Meise had intended on walking all the way to Montre

to cheat and fly out due to his feet. Upon finishing a meal in a Meise found that he was unable to get up again.

I shouldnt have hiked, but I did anyway, he said.Once he arrived back home, he found himself in long-term disaI spent two months without the ability to walk at all, he said, a

now that his feet are fully healed hes ready to continue his hike thsummer, from exactly where he left off.

Although Meise currently lives in New Brunswick, he typically coto Prince George from time to time in order to work in the forestryusually in smaller and smaller roles. Upon arrival in Prince Georgearound he discovered that his contract has been cancelled and thework at all for him to do. As such, with all of this extra time on his decided to give a series of presentations in his home town. Hes dpresentations in schools, and has a few more ideas for the nethough hes not entirely clear on the details at this point. One ideafor 24 hours straight, if he meets a fundraising goal of raising the of 10 cents from everyone in Prince George, which should amou$7,000.

Then, its back to his years-long hike, which Meise will chroniwebsite, http://www.thegreathike.com.

Showing the January 16 audience a stack of notebooks hes

notes taken on his trip thus far, Meise said that he also plans onbook when hes completed the journey. His website should also pdates on this project down the road.

From Cape Spear to Rideau Ha

Local traveler Dana Meise with the stack of travel

hopes to develop into a book after his walk across

wraps up, during a presentation January 16 at th

Canadian Legion downtown.


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nks weekly newsletter #2, Jan 18-24 2010

Prince George Cultural MusingBy Tyler Clarke,

yler Clarke, editorer a few years of stagnation within their group, the UNBC Young Democratsbecome active again, as exemplified January 15 during a presentation onST.e want to chip away at youth apathy with regards to politics, the groups

dential co-chair Jonathan Van Barneveld said during the HST presentationBC. We want to get more of a voice on campus. Im sick of students say-ey didnt want to vote.me issues, Van Barneveld told the fittingly small audience (note the apathymentioned) are felt strongly about by the NDP and more specifically theC Young Democrats, which will be addressed on campus. The topic at handary 15 was HST, Van Barneveld explained, due to the fact that its to causein on life on all British Columbians, and because its to have an effect on the

onment. Whereas environmentally-friendly things in the past were PST freepast, theyre to be included in the HST in the future.

eliminates incentives to switch consumption to a more environmental way,plained.eena MLA Robin Austen came out East to attend the event, and share his

nal view on the proposed HST.hink taxes on a whole are a good thing, Austen clarified. Im not one toand lower taxes to the point where the government cant do anything.

at said, if in February the HST comes through parliament, this tax shift willase taxes for both low income and higher income residents to the same de-Whereas income taxes can be levied against higher-income people moreower income people, who can be exempt from taxation, consumption taxesas HST effect everyone, and is therefore a shift away from taxing the richthan the poor.

he little person is having to pay on a slew of things they didnt previouslyto, Austen concluded, in that HST conglomerates the GST and PST intoax, resulting in most things previously exempt from PST to now be chargedrovincial tax.e timing to announce the new tax, without public consultation, and just after

ection wherein it was never mentioned beforehand, is also dubious, Austens.hink where people are told that three weeks after an election this changeke place, it is not fair, he said. Were going to be stuck with this unlesss a big fuss.hough the tax shift has gone through the federal level, politicians still havee it in when parliament comes back into session in February. Therefore,s still time to convince politicians to vote against it, although Austen admitss unlikely Liberal politicians vote against it, considering it would cost themobs.s important for people to get engaged. If this is passed in the next sessionwith us for the rest of our lives We can change the percentage of the tax

e years, but we cant do more than that, Austen said.sten, and fellow NDP MLAs Gary Coons, Doug Donaldson and Bob Simp-

will join the UNBC Young Democrats Thursday January 21 for a wine andtasting at the Twisted Cork downtown on 5th Avenue from 6 p.m. until 8Tickets are $40 each. For more information, phone 962-2020 or 614-6425.

HST debate rages on> UNBC Young Democrats dust off cobwebs

going to keep this weeks column short in order to accommodate moretant articles that express other peoples opinions. The main message Ito get across in this short column is the simple idea that the articles Iare written in as opinion-neutral as possible.r example, although theres an anti-HST article on this page, Im on the

with regards to the matter. There are excellent points on both ends ofpectrum. That said, whats included in the article is what those at thentation said, taken at face value. I can say the same for the anti-Olympicsts coming up. Although Im also on the fence with regards to this mat-actually enjoy and always look forward to the Olympics), I left my own

opinion out of it.I wanted to make this clarification for the simple reason that I w

to realize that my intention for Cutbanks is to make it a reflectioPrince George means to its many citizens, and whats important treader. If there was a group of book-burners in town who burnt any

included any mention of evolution, I would write about them at faceas I do these other groups of people. Cutbanks isnt about me its

Speaking of which, I suggest you start submitting articles andlooks ridiculous to have my name on about every page.


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yler Clarke, editororried that this reporter was about to cause Joel Plasketts death, theScotian musician assured that he was using a hands-free cell phonedriving around his home province during a phone interview, earlier this

h.st coast will meet West later on this month, when Plaskett performs twos in BC the first a Vancouver show with Steve Earl at the Orpheumary 23, and then Prince Georges Coldsnap Music Festival the following

during a sold-out show at the Prince George Playhouse.y home is out East, but Im starting to do well out West. Its a place Iplay as frequently. Theres still a relatively uncharted territory, Plaskettwhile driving around, adding that hes never been to Prince George. Iorward to playing Prince George. To me, its uncharted waters.

askett, who is touring in support of his latest album Three, will be doingrince George performance without his usual backing band The Emer-y, though he did say that his father Bill will be joining him on a few songs.nding on Bills work schedule, hes taken to performing alongside hishis past year in support of Three, an album he also performed on.ke all different types of shows. Every show is different Plaskett said ofrming without his band. One benefit to playing without the band is his

to perform any song requested from his extensive catalogue, some-that is harder to do with a band. During solo shows, Plaskett said that

so enjoys taking time between songs to tell the audience stories aboutgs inspiration, or whatever else may pop into his head.ring the day of January 24, alongside Vancouver musician Hannahgas, Plaskett will be hosting a workshop on songwriting. When askedhe might share with local songwriters, Plaskett said that he wasnt sure,ould at least disclose his own songwriting preferences.ke songs with a lot of personality, he stated. Truth or a really well ex-d lie are the best songs.e words of a song are the most important part, Plaskett said.ost of the chords and melodies have been used, so its the words thate songs apart.ving found a melody and style that he likes, Plaskett said that at thishis songs are rather consistent, though he also likes to make every

d different. He does this by making the framework of the songs differente time that, and his ever-improving intelligent and often humorous

hough his latest album, Three, is more of a laid back listening experi-with a great deal of acoustic numbers, Plaskett said that he looks for-to turning up his guitar amp again, possibly with The Emergency.er goal is to also write lyrics that create an imprecise picture.

he way Neil Young writes a dream-like quality, Plaskett explained.s next project is going to be a cover album titled By All the Girls I Love,ein he will cover songs by female musicians he respects.hough hes written about 12 new songs in the past few months, Plasketthat he plans on playing mainly songs that people will already know, with

w song or two thrown in.ince George has never seen me play, so I should play some older

s, Plaskett said.hould be easy for Plaskett to find songs in his catalogue that people al-

know, as in recent years his popularity in the Canadian music sceneky rocketed. Although he has a manager in the United States who is in-ed in getting Plaskett to promote his music across the border, Plaskett

said that his ongoing goal is to maintain his fan base in Canadenough to keep him both busy and content. Why spread ones sewhen theres a great and supportive fan base back home, he argu

Its not only Plaskett that has become Canada-famous. Plaswhite cat White Fang has also gotten a decent-sized fan base, wfans on the East Coast sporting White Fang Fan Club t-shirts duri

White Fang has also made her way into Plasketts songwriting

musician singing Ohhh, my little White Fang/ Sleeping all day, snight, sleeping on the couch- making it white, during the song On &from the album Three. White Fang is also pictured in the albumsleeping in a drum kit.

I talk about her a lot. Shes pretty inspirational little cat, PlaShes the epitome of walking in the door when I get home.

Plaskett first met White Fang on September 11, 2001. Although day for many, it was for Plaskett, who found the elderly white cat outside his home. Now a hobbling and arthritic cat, Plaskett isnt suWhite Fang is, though she must be fairly old.

To learn more about White Fang, and to see one of Canadasongwriters and a newer one, Joel Plaskett is performing Sunda24 at the Prince George Playhouse with Vancouver singer-songwnah Georgas. Although the show is sold out, there may still be ro

songwriting workshop with Plaskett and Georgas. The workshopplace during the day at a venue that has yet to be determined. [email protected] for more information on the workshop.

4 Cutbanks weekly newsletter #2, Jan 1

oel Plaskett - the Cutbanks intervie

Something Old&Something New

Antiques & ImporOpen Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.361 George Street, Downtown Prince Georg

welve! she railed, and shook her fist at her disembod-

ancestors. Twelve babies Ive given you! Go bless an-

er descendant! (Righteous Anger/Page 241)

he Courtesan Prince QuizWhy did Ranar get into Gelackology in the first place?

HehadacrushonAmeron(p.17)Google Okal Rel


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nks weekly newsletter #2, Jan 18-24 2010

yler Clarke, editoreping true to UNBC president George Iwamas recent promise for

C to hold public events within the community, the universitys Anthro-y program held the first of a series of lectures, January 12, at Art Space,enue above Books and Company on Third Avenue downtown. Hostingell-attended event was Dr. Marilyn Iwama, a local scholar, who is alsoesidents wife.e talk, titled Bannock, Borscht and Sushi: Do These Genes Make MeWhite?, explored the multicultural and intercultural nature of food inda. In a land where its common for one to eat sushi and pizza in theday, or even meal, its safe for one to say that Canadians incorporate

us ethnic influences in planning meals.rilyn Iwama highlighted several of her points with both humour and ex-

es, making her lecture easy for those not in the Anthropology programderstand and enjoy.e first memorable moment of the evening was Iwamas introduction ofHaggis Fat Choy, a Chinese Robbie Burns day celebration wherein

ouver man Todd Wong has mixed the Scottish haggis meal with tradi-Chinese foods, blending the two cultures into a unique celebration.

ood is in important way we talk and think about the world, Iwama said,g that as Canadians weve incorporated many cultures in our dietaryes. Adapting foods to different cultures have changed them, separatingfrom their country of origin to some degree while creating a unique

gamation of cultures on ones dinner plate.e still draw these lines with food. We go for Chinese or Japanese,a said. Theres also an oriental food section in stores, and a foreignsection something strange, she said, seeing as most everything indian food stores is foreign in origin.ama included a slide show highlighting her three childrens introductiond, from the cannibalization of the mother, to drinking breast milk tofood. What made their introduction to food unique was the fact that Mar-of Cree, Saulteaux, Metis and Mennonite descent, while George is ofwan and Japanese descent. Growing up, the couples kids experienced

culturalism on the dinner table in a way that is quickly becoming the newin Canada.

ama provided a formula for whats going on with Canadian immigrantsheir traditional foods;

HF (Old home food) + NHF (New home food) OH (Old home) = NHF2home food 2).

s not just we who have changed, but the food of the new country asIwama concluded. We bring food here and we make food home.

Iwama, who in addition to holding a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Stworking as a registered nurse, lay minister, insurance underwritesearcher, is also an established poet. The scholarly poet read a fepoems, as well as those by others, in order to help clarify several pothroughout the evening. Also highlighting point made about the innature of food in Canada was a table of food Iwama put together sented several cultures. Iwama ended her presentation by encouraple to mix and match the various cultures on their plates, and multicultural collage of foods that results.

The next public Anthropological lecture is to take place Februaryby UNBC student Sue Mitchell, who is currently earning her PhD inthe focus of discussion is to be Markings on Stone Messages aing.

ntercultural meals a Canadian nor

Marilyn Iwama gives a presentation on foods and

January 12 at Art Space, the venue above Books a

pany on Third Avenue downtown.


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