INSIDE

COMMUNITY
EVENTS B2

- BY THE WAY.’.

DAWN McBRIDE

Learn to be a
good listener

ID YOU know that listening is

more than hearing spoken words?

Good listening is acknowledgment.

As a therapist, I found that many

couples appreciated learning that ‘‘active listen-

ing” is not saying it will all be better (reas-

surance), telling the person what to do (advice

giving/solutions) or remaining silent as to some

_ people, not saying anything may tell them you

are not interested or are not paying attention to
them.

The key to being a good listener, man or
woman, is to put yourself in the speakers shoes

“to see the world through their eyes.

When you can do this — and there are ways,
see the list below — you show the speaker that
you are interested in what they have to say and
that you care about them.

However, being a good listener can be very
challenging, particularly, if you grew up in a
home where you often did not feel heard or un-
derstood by your family. The good news is that
being a good listener is a skill or a habit that
you learn.

Two critical tips to becoming a good listener:
One, use your body — make eye contact with
the speaker and turn your body toward the
speaker.

Second, say something! Show the speaker
you are trying to step into their world.

What to say when you listen? There are at
least five ways you can show ‘‘active listening”’
and it-is important to realize that to use these

the speaker — instead you are telling the person
you are understanding their point of view.

*Restate — in your own words what you have
heard so far (c.g.) “Just so I am following you,
you are saying that....””

- Reflect — the speaker’s feelings what she or
he is saying (e.g.) ‘Sounds like you might be
feeling..."

*Accept — make statements of acceptance,
understanding andappreciation (e.g.) *‘It is im-
portant to me to Iet you know
that I still (acceptflove) you.”’

*Ask questions about the speaker’s feelings,
thoughts and intentions (e.g.) ‘‘What are your
feelings (or thoughts)about this?”

*Check things out — find out if you are being
the kind of listenerthey need you to be (e,g.) ‘Is
it ok if ask you a few questions about this?”

Remember, good listening is skill that takes
practice before it becomes a habit. To close,
here are some more tips to consider:

1, Carry a cheat sheet that summarizes what to
say when you listen until il becomes a habit

2, When you restate (summarized) what
people tell you - you’ll remember a lot more.
details a week later which really makes a good
impression!

3. To get out of the trap of not giving advice

- even when asked for advise, say,...°T don’l
know yet, what do you think?’’ or ‘‘that is a
good question, I wonder what your ideas are on
this?’

4, And finally, don’t use the counselling swear
word: ‘‘should,’’ Instead, use words that offer a
choice such as ‘‘might”’, ‘‘could”, ‘‘seems’’,

Dawn McBride is a visiting assistant profes-
sor with the University of Northern British
Calumbia teaching in the master degree educa-
tion counselling program in Terrace. ©

Women rejoice

THE TERRACE Women’s Resource Centre is
having an open house March 8 in recognition of
International Women's Day.

March 8, 1910 was declared International
Women's Day — a day of world-wide solidarity
and action among women — in commemoration
of a protest march March 8, 1908 by women
workers in New York who demanded an end to
sweatshop conditions after 128 women were
killed in a fire in a New York factory,

In Canada, March 8 is a day to celebrate
womens’ triumphs in bringing about changes in

' society and to renew the commitment to make
this society one where women are treated with
dignity and equality.

Locally on March 8, women's centre employ-
ces ask women to take the time to acknowledge
themselves and smile at the memories of things
past. Women are urged to do something special
for themsclves.— lake a walk, eat something

a movie — anything that they want to do,
Everyone (men and women) Is welcome to
celebrate and visit” the centre: March 8 from

: hoon watil 5. pam.’

TERRACE STANDARD

The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 3 1999 - Bl

New Books!

SECTION B
~ ALEX HAMILTON
638- 7283

LIBRARIANS HOLLY Nguyen and Ed Curell said the Terrace Public Library earned $14,992 in overdue book fines last year.

Public library, a hot spot

techniques: does not require you to agree with

THE PUBLIC library is one the hippest places
in Terrace, offering locals everything from pup-
pet shows to tie-dye workshops.

It’s also one of the busiest centres in the city.
More than half of Terrace’s population (65 per
cent) owns a library card and uses the facilities.

Head librarian Ed Curell said 2,500 people
take out books, videos or cassettes each month.

“We're circulating more than ever before,’
he said.

Last year, the library recorded the second
highest total circulation in its history. More than

238,800 books were loaned out in 1998.

Curcll said the library’s been a popular place
ever since he can remember. He’s worked at the
library for 20 years.

“T remember helping people when they were

just little kids, and now they bring: Atheir..own. -

familics here,’’? Curell said, ;
What’s kept people coming back, he said, is
the variety-of programs offered.

People flock through the library’s sliding
doors for free Internet sessions, classes on how
to make daisy chain necklaces, and the ever-
popular children’s literacy programs,

“T couldn't live without it,’ said Janet, who
didn’t want to give her lastname.

She said she comes in about three times a
month to take out books and videos.

“Te’s got everything 1 want,’’ she said, ‘‘And
when they don’t have a French book that 1 want,
they order it for me.”

Like any good hangout, the library has regular
customers who come in every day to browse
and chat.

“We know them by name,’’ said children’ § li.
brarian Holly Nguyen.

She said the library is more like a community

centre, not just a building full of books. She ex-,

plained the library’s board room is booked for
meetings most nights.
Nguyen said more people, teens especially,

are using the library because of the free Internet
access.

People go on-line for more current ‘informa-
lion, to use e-mail or to participate in chat lines.

“The Internet has become an integral part of
any library,”’ Curell said,

He said libraries are one to the major ways
Canadians connect lo the world wide web.

The library fitst introduced the Internet in
1994,

It was so popular, that the library had to add
two new computer terminals 18 months later.

Cureil said they are going to have to add more
terminals soon since cach computer is booked
nearly 100 per cent of the time.

He said it’s almost impossible to get drop-in
time since users are reserving times two days in
advance,

Curell said the library wouldn’t be as success-
ful as it is today without ihe continuous support
from city council and local businesses.

decadent, soak in a hot bath, read a book, go to

Country star arriving

THE TERRACE Lillle
Theatre wants to wrangle up
local country music fans for
Duane Steele’s debut con-
cert March 14 at the R.E.M.
Lee Theatre.

Steele’s first album ‘‘P.O.
Box 423”’, was a winner,
and the first single Stuck on
Your Love was a number
two national country — hit.
Subsequent singles Anita
Got Married, The Trouble
with Love, She’s Tough and
Two Names on An Overpass
were also radio and chart
favourites.

Steele said his music is
compictely original.

“Pm net consciously
irying to emulate any other
sound bul my own,’’ he
said. ‘‘] just want to come
across as mysclf,’’

Stecle said he loves taking

his music to the stage and he

tevels in his role as a live
entertainer, having -head-
lined at major fairs, festi-
vals, theatres and arenas
across Canada.

He has worked various
country starts including,
Trisha Yearwood, - Lorrie
Morgan, David Lee Mur-
phy, Sammy — Kershaw,
Liltle Texas, Terri Clark and

COUNTRY recording artist

Duane Steele will be per-
forming March 13 at the R.E.M. Lee Theatre,

Shania Twain,

Steele co-wrote 10 of the
songs on his current album,
“This is the life,.’”’

The concert begins at 8
pan. and will feature local
entertainer Susan ‘Bishop as

the opening act.

Tickets for the concert are |

available at Uniglobe
Courtesy Travel, Reserved
seating is in effect for this
concert,

Old Age Pensioners report

by HUGH POWER

THE B.C. GOLD Age Pensioner’s regular
monthly meeting was held Feb. 18 with
president Mary Anne Dilley presiding.
There were 52 members present to hear
Florence Sheppard, a dietitian with North
West Community Health Service Socicly,
speak about how to keep well in body and

mind.

Sheppard said March is nutrition month
and this year’s theme is based on “Older

Adults,”

She talked to members regarding: nutri-
tion, healthy cating habits and promoted
Canada Food Guide recommendations for

sextiors,

May McFarland, secretary, noted that in
1998 there were: 293 members and 21 life
memibers’ of the BC. O.A.P.O, Branch #73

Terrace,

Current dues: are now due and it members

defense course

ious holds,

fall if numbers
There were
February.

Carolyn Wrigh

Day.
‘J hope | lo see

haven't renewed, they may do so at the
Happy Gang Centre.
Marge Drahorad reported on the sell-

that 14 women members at-

tended. Women learned how to fight back’
when attacked and how to escape from var-

She said the R.A.D. (Rape Aggression
Self-Defense) course may be offered in the

warrant,

22 birthday celebrations in .

Three new members attended the meel-
ing: Joyce Murphy, Delores Holleufer and

t. Welcome. |

The next mecting will be held Thursday,
March 11 at 2'p.m, The next members’ din-
ner is a potluck March 17 on St, Patrick’s

all members there. a

Around Town

Spring courses offered

NORTHWEST COMMUNITY College offers the
following spring courses at the Terrace campus:

* WCB Falling and Bucking: New WCB regulations
require that ali fallers must be cerlified. The law will be
enforced by April 1999,

* Spanish Level I, Level II

* Picture Framing-Basic

To inquire about courses or crealing a new course,
contact Joan Daniels at 638-5408.

Calling all Guiders!

COME TO the Nifty Fifties Weekend in Kitimat
March 26-28 (deadline March 5), You could also have
an enchanting escape with a non-guiding friend at the |
Magic of Guiding in Prince George April 9-11 (dead-’
line March 8). Act now and enjoy the sisterhood.

Fashion show planned

WANT TO promote your First Nations’ fashions de-
signs? The First Nations Council Women is planning a
fashion show in Terrace Thursday, April 22. A $25
registration fee is required. For more information, call
Mae at 638-5421,

Accounting classes

available

LOOKING TO upgrade your accounting skills or
Tetrain in a wew career? Northwest Community College
offers the Certified Management Accountant Associate
Accounting Technologist program, the only para-
professional accounting designation offered in Canada.
The AAT program is made up of 10 courses that are of-
fered by lecture and correspondence. ‘The deadline for
spring enrollment is March 5. For more ‘Information
contact 604- 687-5891,

kak kkk

Thank you

THE TERRACE Figure Skating Club. and. the
Bantam B Hockey Team leld Feb. 14 a skate-a-thon
with a total of 42 skaters plus all four coaches partici-
pating.. The evening proved to be a huge success and a
Jot of fun with a grand total of 5624 laps being skated.
On behalf of both teams we would like that thank the
support all those who pledges a skater (or more!) and:
to the businesses who gave so generously with prizes.
Because of all the amazing support of many of. you,
over $3800 was raised between the two groups, It is
great ta see the community siving | to our youth s SO gei-
erously,

Thank you, Lisa Stella