COMMUNITY EVENTS B2 NSIDE JUST A: THOUGHT KATHY FLORITTO My computer is my best friend N chased my first computer and nerv- ously went online, I was told that fewer than 200 thousand home com- I don't know what the number is taday, but I'd guess it's well beyond a couple of million. At that time, cyberspace was a more peaceful plained about the unsolicited junk mail that landed in my mailbox.” Apparently, whining about something only won't say anything about the overload of Spam or even the trashy ads attached to an ever in- creasing number of websites. being without a computer, The only envelopes that are delivered by Canada Post these days are bills — friends and family use e-mail. far from a major centre, I visit shops across Canada, the US, the UK and wherever else links take me, then stop off at Ebay to see early a decade ago, when I pur- puters were being used in Canada. place than today, although even then I com- gets you more of what you don't want, so I Despite the annoyances, I can't imagine Being an antique enthusiast and living so what's happening there. “Despite the annoyances, I can't ima» gine being without a computer. The only envelopes that are delivered by Canada Post these days are bills ~ friends and fa- mily use e-mail.” Garage sales are great fun, but getling a close look al a one-of-a-kind Lalique vase isn't likely to happen on any Saturday here at home. Of course, if you're planning to put a piece of Lalique on the sale table, do give me a call.,.we'll talk. Yep, the computer is definitely here to stay and at least one of them will be staying at my house for the foreseeable future, Even when I'm in my ‘declining years', as long as I can click a mouse and press a button, there'll be a computer at my side. While I may not be checking out the finer details of a 16th century tapestry, I'll be Spending a good portion of my days doing what there was little time for when I could afford it and too little cash for when able to afford the time. Perhaps you can relate. Have you ever been to Eritrea? How about Kazakhstan or the Canary Islands or, closer to home, San Francisco? If you haven't yet mel- ted under a Mediterranean sun or shivered — under 39 blankets at least one night in Irkutsk,: maybe it's time to treat yourself to a virtual ° round-the-world holiday... * Got a computer? Ok, ok, do your “kids” have a computer? If you don't have one in your house (computer, not kids), you probably know where there's a keyboard you can use. The ride's not bumpy, so grab a cup of coffee, set- tle yourself in front of the monitor, turn on the | machine and click yourself online. There are many was to fast-track your cy- ber-trip, but here's a site that offers so many ports of call, [ don't think you'll be disappoin- ted. In the location line, type the following: hitp:/www.twics.com/~takakawa/search/search - tml and hit 'enter'. This site has well over 100 countries listed with over 1000 links. Take the tour, go shopping, check out real estate offerings, visit art galleries and listen to’ music reflecting the culture of your destina- lion. If you want to learn even more about the. region and its people, enter one of the chat areas and talk to the folks who live there or read one of their newspapers onliné, It's more than an education — it's a darned good time. I hope you give yourself a trip real saon - in February, every Terracite deserves a vacation.- Bon voyage! ——————e - Thank You WE WOULD like to thank the kind-hearted lady in the green pickup who gave us her three ‘tickets to the multicultural supper Feb. 19, We would have been unable to atlend otherwise. Your generosity was a real blessing ‘to us. Our family very much enjoyed the even- ing of delicious ethnic food and colourful en- terlainment. We would also like to extend our ‘thanks to all the organizers, entertainers and helpers, especially the Katimavik crew. It was A great eventing. . Kaeleen Foote SECTION B LEX HAMILTON, 638-7283 New cancer centre open to all A NEW Cancer Resource centre opened last week in Terrace, offering local re- sidents everything from breast “cancer to tips on how to :quit smoking, The centre, localed on the third floor of the Tilli- cum Twin Theatres build- ing, will be the hub for all cancer related activities. It will be a place for local volunteers to meet and discuss fundraising strate- gies and a centre for the _public to visit ta learn “more about every type of cancer, “We're trying to pro- vide more services to locals,” said Canadian Cancer Socicty volunteer Melanie Olson, She added the centre welcomes any volunteers or helpers. Also welcomed are wigs (for women who have lost their hair during chemotherapy), a tape re- corder, TV, photocopy ma- chine, pamphiet racks and a phone/fax. A number of programs will be operated out of the centre. They are: Living with Cancer Groups: These groups provide support and practi- cal information. This free service is organized and delivered by trained volun- teers to people living with cancer, their families and friends. For more informa- tion, call Rose Marie Fleming at 635-6985 or Craig Simpson at 635- 0049. Breast Cancer Visitor Program: Trained lécal volunteers who are breast cancer survivors provide one-tc-one emctional sup- port and practical informa- tion to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. For more info cali Melanie Olson at 798-9555 or Barb Yawrenko at 635-9765. | Breast Health presen- tations: Volunteers with information on. Is HELPERS: Mary Ann Skill, Lavern Kelln, Kerrie Reay, Melanie Olson and Rosanna Bloomquist are Volun- teers at the new Cancer Resource Centre. Local residents are encouraged to visit the centre for pamph- lets, videos and information. the Canadian Cancer Soc- iety, who are nurses, do breast health presentations to teach women the skills needed to detect any changes in their own breasts through breast self- examination in a monthly basis. Women are encoutr- aged to be responsible for their Gwn breast health. For more info call Lavern Kellan. Emergency Aid: People with cancer may receive limited financial assistance with expenses such as transportation and Canadian Cancer Society Lodge accommodation. This program assists pa- Terrace students clean up at skills competition FOUR CALEDONIA students carried home gold medals Feb. 17 after winning their categories in a regional Skills Canada Competition held at Northwest Community Col- lege. Mike Hendricks was first in the automotive service competition, Norman Muller won the achitectural com- puter assisted drafting (CAD) division, Chad Buhr placed first in the carpentry competition and Antonio Trogi won the mechanical CAD, ’ The purpose of the skills competition, which attracts competitors from across the northwest, is to identify the area’s top trades and technology students. The competition also gives students the opportunity to - . use and test the skills required to be successful in tech- nology and trade occupations. Northwest community college instructar Dick Coxford” said Terrace students have a history of excelling at Skills Competitions. Last year, Grade 11 Caledonia student Chad Buhr placed first in the provincial and national carpentry _ competitions and college student James Lambert won ~ the provincial and national welding competition. ; “Bath scheols do well because instructors spend the extra time with students who want to compete to make sure they are qualified,” Coxford said. The four gold medal winners will go onto represent the northwest at the 6th annual provincial contest held in Vancouver April 14. Results: AUTOMOTIVE 1. Mike Hendricks - Caledonia 2. Jeff North - Caledonia 3. Brandan Van Genne - Caledonia. 4, Chad Sutherland - Caledonia ARCHITECTURAL CAD 1, Norman Muiler - Caledonia CARPENTRY 1, Chad Buhr - Caledonia 2, Brad L’Heureux - Caledonia 3. Kyle Farqharson - Hazelton’ - 4. Kevin Fargharson - Hazelton MECHANICAL CAD 1. Antonia Trogi - Caledonia 2, Jeremy Tintishch - Caledonia WELDING . 1; Josh Fendick- Smithers 2, Karl Tabert - Smithers tients who are experien- cing financial hardship and ‘who have: no other im- mediate options. Appli- cants are interviewed by trained Emergency Aid vo- . lunteers who conduct con- fidential needs assess- ments For more info call Carrie Reay at 635-5555. Fresh Start Quit Smoking Program: This is a community-based smoking cessation pro- gram. The 16-hour course is run by trained volunteers and is designed to help smokers make the decision to quit and to-stay quit by teaching coping skiils, re- laxation techniques and “tics, offering per support. Cor- porate and workplace Fresh Start Quit Smoking Programs are also avail- able, Cancer Information Services (C.1.S.}: Trained information specialists provide confidential, cur- rent and accurate cancer information about treat- ments,’ unconventional therapies, cancer statis- emotional support groups, and community re- ferrals. This toll-free tele- phone service is available across Canada, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m in English and -French. Service in Chinese is available on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. C.1S. may also be acces- sed via internet: http: //www.be.cancer.ca/ec s/ or via e-mail: cancer ._info@telus.ca. Call a-888- 939-3333, Cancer Society volun- teers will be selling daffo- dils next month. April is Cancer Awareness month. Flowers will be delivered by Friday, March 31, 2000. Payment is due on deliy- ‘ery. To order call 635-' 0669. ae ~. ae Tae m@ Art on display Art Gallery coordinator Erin Griffiths stands beside a self-portrait by artist Peter Wallin. Wallin's drawings, paintin at the Terrace Art Gallery until March 12. gs and sculptures will be on display 1: at Around Town Grief support group THE TERRACE Hospice Society is offer- ing a grief support group for individuals ‘and families who are struggling with loss, When you are grieving it can be a lanely time, however, it does nol have to be, In .. Joining with others wha are grieving, you ‘can find strength, comfort and support. You are not alone in your sadness. Please ..réach out. People do care. [f you are in- -_ terested in attending this program call the Hospice office at 635-4811. - Attention grads of 1977 TO ANY of the 1977 grads of Caledonia. -Some of us “displaced-but-loving-it” grads here in Smithers are having a BBQ this summer to shoot the breeze. If you want to know where and when please e- mail: who@mail.buikley.net or e-mail ‘ granteharris@hotmail.com. Film maker coming FILM MAKER Jacqueline Levitin will be in Terrace to speak at the International Women's Day celebration March 8, 2000. Levitin produces, writes and directs films. She is also a film theorist and a professor at Simon Fraser University. Her topic for the evening is "Does Popular TY Respond to our desires?" She'll be using examples from Ally Mc- Beal and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Women and girls aged 10 and up are in- vited to this evening. For more information, call the Terrace Women's Centre at 638-0228, ua March 9 will provide another o - ity to hear Levitin speak. She'll be at Northwest Community College, showing her film “Bad Thoughts - Ironica part . one” a film about eroticism and irony (an ironic film about eroticism?) and speak- ing about the film as well, The lecture is open to the public but seating is limited so register, call 635-6511 to pre-