Merchants put on notice THE CHRISTMAS business rush can also lead to another kind of rush — bad cheques and the use of lost or stolen credit cards, warns the head of the local credit bureau, Nancy Perry of the Credit Bureau of Terrace is warning merchants to take extra care when accepting cheques or credit cards. She said experienced bad che- que artists or those in possession of Jost or stolen credit cards can all too often take advantage of the Christmas shopping season. **There’s an increase in Decem- ber and in January of NSF (not sufficient fund) cheques returned by banks,”’ said Perry. **And since it can take 10 days for a bank to clear a cheque, somebody can visit a store three days in a row and be gone by the lime the store hears from the bank,” she said, Along with experienced bad cheque artists are those who pass bad cheques each Christmas peri- od. These scasonal bad cheque writers often lake advantage of a forgiving business community, Perry noted. “In smaller communities, when the economy can be good or bad at times, stores may accept bad cheques to kcep a customer,”’ she said, People who write bad cheques also use the system as an in- expensive way of borrowing moncy, Perry continued. “Tf it takes 10 days for a bank to clear a cheque and it comes back NSF there’s a $20 charge ta the person who wrote it. That means they have 10 days to make the cheque good and $20 for 10 days is probably the best interest rate anybody can get,’' she said. - One way to avoid taking: bad JUST THE FAX is the ward from Roger Smith of the Credit Bureau of Terrace. It fans out, via the fax machine, information on bad cheques to participating businesses. The Christmas shopping pe- riod is also a time of bad cheques being passed. cheques or lost or stolen credit cards is through the credit bureaw’s fax fan out system. For $30 a year, a business can be put on the bureau’s fan out list. - When a bad cheque is reported and once the bureau bas done a check, it faxcs out the relevant in- formation to participating businesses. The syslem was set up four chamber of commerce and with the RCMP. This same system is used when the RCMP report lost or stolen credit cards to the credit bureau. Experienced bad cheque arlists will purchase a good and then sell it to somebody else at a reduced rate for a quick cash infusion. Terrace RCMP Constable Kim Hall suggests merchants take ex- tra care When accepting cheques. ‘Ask for proper ID, particular- ly photo ID, and check the signa- tures for a match,’* she said. Bad cheque artists like to prey on new staff hired by stores for the Christmas rush and strike when there are large line ups, she noted. “They like to pick and choose. They’ll watch and they know when the store manager goes for lunch,’’ Hall said. NORTHWEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE employee Flip Cervo has been given an award by the Purchasing Management Associa- tion of Canada. The Award of Merit is issued by the association’s board to a person who has made an out- standing contribution to the asso- ciation, Cervo was recognized for his involved in the regional purchas- ing management association. He's also a director on the B.C, Institute Purchasing Management Association of Canada. kk kkk IWA-CANADA and Terrace Totem Ford Sales Ltd. have ne- gotiated a new three-year con- tract. It calls for an $800 signing bonus on Jan. 1, 1995, a 2.5 per cent wage increase on Jan. E, years ago in co-operation with the Out & About 1996 and a 2.5 per cent wage in- crease on Jan. 1, 1997. The new contract also improves a pension plan and dental plan. IWA-Canada Local 171 presi- dent Darrel Wong called the auto dealership a ‘‘progressive compa- ny.”’ . kk hk Make sure you fill up with all of the healthy food groups for lunch at the Terrace Inn Dee, 12, That’s when provincial health minister Paul Ramsey speaks to a combined Terrace Rotary Club and Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Ramsey’s in town that day to officially proclaim the new north- west regional health board, Call the chamber at 635-2063 to make a reservation. kk kkk So, how many people are " moving to Terrace? Quite a few, according to No- vember statistics from the cham- ber of commerce. Chamber manager Bobbie Phil- lips reports that 39 busincss and residential inquiries were received for city and area in- formation packages. That's a lot, says Phillips, when hf Now Playing in GiGi’s Pub Manila Boys Nov. 28- Dec. 10/94 ¥ a _SHAMES MOUNTAIN MASTERS Let’s go Skiing! Join our Masters Program. It’s a great v way to get out, ENTRE SHAMES SKIER MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT P< ski, have some fun and improve your ski technique. _ DON'T LET THE KIDS HAVE ALL: THE FUN! The Mountain Masters Ski Racing Program meets every Saturday from 1:00 pm to 3 pm. The program consists of race training and ski improvement sessions directed by the needs of the participants. These sessions include training in all | disciplines and ski improvement clinics with video analysis and individual feedback. Throughout the seasons you will be able to participate in fun races to help gauge your improvement. This program is available to all levels of skiers 17 years of age and older. For those participants interested, training can be geared to prepare for the Master’s Series Races, Kermodie Tuck and The Shoosh Boomer Downhilll. , All coaching is provided by the Shames Mountain Skier Develapment Centre. lan Hamilton and Tim Foster are both experienced coaches certified by the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation. The cost of the program is $85 for the season, beginning December 17, 1994, and ending March 25, 1995. For information or to register call our office at 635-3773 and ask for Tim Foster. Skiing at its peak! compared to last November’s 15 inquiries. There were 41 inquiries in July and 61 in June, the traditional time when people think of pulling up Stakes, kkekkk It’s not even the new year yet and already there’s been a healthy demand for booths at next May's chamber of commerce trade show. Lelters sent out to last year’s participants have resulted in 34 booths being booked cut of 80 available, The chamber is now preparing for a general call for booth baok- ings. Trtheme for the May 5-7, 1995 trade show is small business and growth. kk kkk mi: Box 22, bass ee IMPROVING Terrace, B.C. - Major Credit Cards an ‘yeG4ag | _Aazapled__ oitiine| favs “aie rek eae “pesvrot | ¢} KILLER 638-1167 Your In Memoriam: gift ts a lasting tribute, Please send your donation to the address above, along with the name and address and the name and address of the next-of-kin, for an acknowledgement card. Learie WE’VE._MOVED! Dr. Peter Okimi and his staff Are in a new office located right across from the library. Looking forward to seeing you there. Mon. and Thurs. 12:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tues. and Wed., 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m, 200-4619 Park Avenue, V8G1V5 _— Phone: 60-7611 i) Help Put Terrace on the Map f t ne Yn a rt gw at and help put the |-~-. unemployed back to work. Terrace Employers in Tourism are invited : to take advantage of the. Tourism Workplace Training Program, Help a work ready candidate upgrade their skills, receive Practical training. You will be fully reimbursed for wages and benefits if you are willing to train tourism workers from January 9 to May 12, 1995, This program is sponsored by the Ministries of Small Business, Tourism and Culture & Skills, Training and Labour. Come to an information session 7:30 a.m. December 9 or 5:30 p.m. December 13 at Interconnect - Terrace’s Employment Preparation non profit agency. INTERCONNECT F 205-4650 Lazelle Ave,, Terrace, 6.C, VaG 188 % Telephone 635-7995 Fax 695-1516 ed SE 3 Contact Judith McLean,at 635-7995 for more Information. Ritchie Mallet Ted Hicks, Sales Manager, is pleased to. announce. that RITCHIE MALLET through his customer satisfaction and sales achievements, has been named SALESMAN OF THE MONTH FOR NOVEMBER. We know that Ritchie's many friends and loyal customers join us in extending congratulations. Well done Ritchie! NONdsinighile ¥ PONTIAC @ ov Both: Streouth ves LICK CHEVY IRUCKS OPE perence Geo Chevrolet Sales OUT GF TOWN CUSTOMERS PLEASE CALL COLLECT TERRACE 635-4941 KITIMAT 632-4941 OBALEH NO 5893 1-800-8MCEWAN* (1-800-862-3926) We Con Make It Happen At The Bright Spot Ou Highway 16 Wes? int Terrace McEwan & Leasi Terrace asing FASTER THAN A SPEEDING REINDEER. LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS, REJOICE! you. Send a Christmas package up to. 10 kgs. door-to- door to anywhere we fly in Canada for only $20.00. Envelopes just $9.99. And we guarantee delivery the next business day, or your money back. Express Overnight Door-to- Door. Not even Dasher can beat it. For. parcel pick-up or information call (604) 635-6822. . Canadi>n AirCargo. XMS deal expites December 31, 1994, Packages must be prepatdl, ‘ No dangerous goods, live animals ar perishables. Other restrictions apply. We have the perfect gift for