TERRACE STANDARD —_ Bustngess REvIEw | Booming American market helps Skeen A VASTLY _ improved American lumber market has helped turn Skeena Sawmills from a money loser toward more of a con- wibutor to owner West Fraser, The mill -has alsa cut costs by logging closer to home, making the product more economical, says company lumber sales vice president | Ernie Thony. In doing so, the mill reduced to one shift but this meant everyihing it cut could be dried before sale, “The dry product has more. value than the green product has, so it was a good decision to-do it that way,”’ said Thony. As of late last week, Jum- ber was selling into the United States at (U.S.) $432 a thousand board feet, far above the 1998 close of (U.S.) $300, he said, . “In the last week to 10 days it has cooled off, but not in any major way,” Thony added of the Amer- ican market into which the . vast majority of the Skeena Sawmills product is sold, West Fraser last week reported second quarter earnings of $37 million on sales of $590 million com- pared to a Joss of $14.3 inil- lion on sales of $472 million for the same period in 1998, This has brought earnings to $51.2 million for the first half of 1999 compared fo a first half of 1998 loss of $13.2 million. “Skecena Sawmills has spent several years on West Fraser’s critical list because of declining prices and an uneconomical forest base. The mill here was closed temporarily and last year, brought workers back under a Sawmills here LUIGI MADDALENA staples a cover to anather lift of lumber as it is readied for placement on rail cars for shipment from West Fraser's Skeena Sawmills plant here. A healthy American market and a move to selling only dry lumber here has helped improve its financial state and that of its parent, West Fraser. a job sharing arrangement through Human Resources Development Canada. This arrangement, essen- tially iaving two shifts worth of workers share one shift’s worth of work and collect employment insur- ance for the rest of the time, ended this year. Just over 80 people were scheduled to lose their jobs but that was halved when the company made a deal with Skeena Cellulose to chip some of its wood, Park Report Marie-Josee Banville |= Lakelse Lake Provincial Park and riparian areas to breed, lay amphibian monitoring program at amphibians found ia the park. to lind because they like ta stay belly. The Spotted Frog spends the of amphibians, The amphiblans usa tha lake shore, pond, stream summer of 1997 Peter Crawford, BC Park Ranger, did an it was found that five tyoe of amphibians make their home at Lakelse Lake Provincial Park. These five species are the Western Toad, the North Western Salamander, the Long-Toed Salamander, the Rough-skinned New!, and lhe Spotted Frag. The Western Toad is the most common amphibian observed In the park. They can be observed during the day but the best tima is a night with the ald ofa flashlight. The Norlh Western Salamander is also a popular amphibian. It loves to lay its eggs in ponds found near the Twin Spruce Trall. The Lang-taed Salamander is difficult Rough-skinned Newts and Spotted frogs are occasionally spatted. The Rough-skinned Newt can be recangnized by its bright orange inthis conclusion, Peter Crawford mentions that road, trail and campsite development at Furlong Bay has contributed to a reduction and fragmentation of habital and probably resulted in deaths due to accidental trampling by people or vehicles. in addition, many park visitors (especially children) love going through (he ponds to capture frogs, As a rasult many frogs and salamanders die because of children handling the amphibians and their eggs, and removing them from the park, Conservation of amphibians is an important goal, To ensure the health of the amphibians at Lakelse Lake Provincial Park, it is important far all visitors to understand thal they may observe the amphibians in their natural habilat but please leave them alone. is home to many different types eggs and survive. During the Lakalse Lake to document the hidden undar rocks and logs. majority of its time in tha water. 3:00 pm 7:00 pm visit the park, 3:00 pm Children's craft. 7:00 pm may gat wet, 3:00 pm 7:00 pm 3:00 pm Children activity, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm the trail. All programs will bo hald LAKELSE LAKE PROVINCIAL Parks J PARK VISITORS PROGRAMS THURSDAY JULY 29 Tweater Feacer. Every year millions of people discover the pleasures of attracting birds with bird faders. Childran's craft. Birda of Prey, Leam about the hunters that Foreat Critters, Learn about the animals that live in the park and make one to take home. Piuage Int Explore tha homes and habils of the aquatic bugs that live In BC Parks. You SATURDAY JULY 37 Jarry’s Ranger “Camouflage” Life is oftan an amazing display of how to stay aliva. Children activity. Dogged Detective. Greet Bug Hunt, What is the best way to learn about Insects? Collect and observe them in thelr natural environment, SUNDAY AVG 7 Jerry Ranger's “Green Team" Learn how you can save ou world. Garbage Gobbler, Bear Aware, Learn about the largast pradator living near this park-Bear MONDAY AUG 2 Flash From the Past. Learn about First Nation and early settler use of the forest while walking All ara walcome. Programs are FREE! unless ofherwise posted. In the Amphitheatre ~ Out & About Menus in Braille THE TERRACE and Kitimat Subways now have menus in Braille and in farge print. Owners Bob and Dianne Ramage said the move fol- lows them noticing some customers had trouble reading existing menu panels. They then contacted the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) to arrange for the purchase of the menus. A CNIB representative welcomed the move, saying it will give visually-impaired people more independence. ‘CANADIAN T Or Email us at www.cantire.terrace@osg.net SAFEWAY www.safeway.com TERRACE TERRACE PAT CHRYSEER] Wis] TOvoTA| www.terraceautomall.com Contact Us @ “om, “oon, TERRA TERRA eek &P terrace.automall@osg.net STANDARD Your website/email address could be here! Contact us at 638-7283 The Terrace Standard standard@kermode.net Youre never too young... . . ~ .: — . le Tojoin the batt ; against ihe desert Support USC land improvement programs in Mali Coll, 1-800-5656-USC With your pledge today! The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 28, 1999 - A9 W/o UF. ) R. VICTOR P. HAWES : OPTOMETRIST . i i to your say>" next appointment & receive 20% OFF an order of new glasses or 2 years of FREE contact lens insurance with a new contact lens order 638-8055 4748 Lakelse Ave. Terrace B.C. Expires Aug. 31/99 _1 Promotional Item Per Person # Deputy Leader, Reform Party of Canada will be in Terrace Wed. July 28, 1999 You are invited to a wine and cheese evening to hear this dynamic speaker for the Reform Party of Canada. 7:30 pm Skeena Room Best Western Terrace Inn 4553 Greig Ave. Terrace We service small engines. Everything from inboards, outboards, personal water craffs, A.T.V.’s & more. Qualified staff & competitive rates. See Us Today For All Your Small Engine Repairs. AUTOMOTIVE & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY _ AUTO PARTS & SERVICE CENTRE. 4641 Keith Avenue, Terrace, B.C. + 149B Cily Centre, Kitimat, B.C. + 635-6334 632-2224 ®Your choice of Hambur (comes with a toy) *Declicated Host {ess} eReserved party area Other is $7.50 Parents can bring their . Wo uld a ei *Quality gift for the birthday child *Goodie bags for party guests °Games, activities and Playplace access 55.95 pe if Ginitdl plus tax) Points of Interest: maximum 12 Kips! © Ideal for kids 3-12 yrs old * Available any day of the week 2 WKS NOTICE REQUIRED °Generally 1 1/2 hours long (upon this restaurant's discretion) | . *McDonald’s® Ice Cream Cakes are available for $1.4.00 plus tax just Vanilla cameras *Parents can bring extra treats for the goodie bags $20.00 DEPOSIT REQUIRED 1 WEEK BEFORE PARTY You Like to Book a P For more information on birthday partys call our party hotline 250-638-8830 at any time. We are a Birthday Party Restaurant! | Our Party Package Lncludes: ger, Cheeseburger, McNugget or Breakfast Happy Meal