The article states, “that the pulp mill's ability to sell "green" power to BC Hydro at premium rates is the subject of a $250 million arbitration claim that's been filed against the Government of Canada under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Vancouver-based Mercer International (NASDAQ:MERC), which owns the 439-employee Celgar pulp mill, claims BC Hydro and the province have discriminated against it by preventing the mill from selling its biomass-produced power into the grid as other mills throughout the province do.

Brian Merwin, Mercer's vice-president strategic initiatives, explained that in 2008 BC Hydro intervened to block an agreement between Celgar and FortisBC, the province's other utility, that would have allowed Celgar to buy cheap power through FortisBC and sell its green co-generation power to third parties such as BC Hydro at higher market rates.

Merwin said that decision, which was supported by the provincial government, has put Celgar at a competitive disadvantage when compared with other pulp mills in the province that generate power and sell it into BC Hydro's grid.”

Read the whole story at: http://bit.ly/J67t4Y

“I remember when, as a minister, I was helping to set the stage to allow this project to move forward,” said Bill Bennett, MLA Kootenay East. “It is very gratifying to see all the good family-supporting jobs in our region from this great project.”

“This four-and-a-half-year, $900 million project is bringing extensive benefits to the communities and regions represented by AKBLG convention participants,” said Audrey Repin, spokesperson for the Waneta Expansion Project. “It is important to us that elected officials have an opportunity to view the construction progress as well as ask questions about the project.”

Recently, the project reached major milestones with the completion of excavation of the powerhouse, intake and tunnels.

Project highlights:                                                                                                                       

• Currently over 250 people are working directly on the project.
• $84 million has been allocated to local businesses for the purchases of goods and services.
• Equity hiring provisions are in place for women, persons with disabilities and/or visible minorities.
• Major excavation for the powerhouse, power tunnels and intake structure was completed and hauled safely without damage to existing facilities and without major environmental incident.
• Upcoming work includes construction of the powerhouse, including carpentry and major concrete work, and the concrete lining of the two circular tunnels which will carry water to the turbines.
• The public can view construction from a viewing area and platform across Highway 22A.

The project has an independent contractor monitoring the social and economic impacts in the local area. The contractor works with the Community Impact Management Committee to ensure the reports are relevant to communities. To view the 2011 annual report please visit: www.columbiapower.org/SEM2011.

The Waneta Expansion Project is a partnership between Fortis Inc., Columbia Power Corporation, and Columbia Basin Trust. For more information please visit: www.columbiapower.org/wanetaexpansion.

Mark Zeabin was the beloved owner of a coffin manufacturing company for roughly 12 years, and after the loss of his long-term source of income he left Castlegar with his girlfriend, Elysia Samarodin, for the city of Vancouver. Samarodin planned to attend school for one year and Zeabin began searching for a new passion.

The coffin manufacturing company that he had previously owned focused on designing "coffin furniture"— essentially his products could be used as furniture and then as a coffin afterwards. The practicality of that business venture inspired him to segue into another unique project—growing gardens inside caskets.

“I went straight from death into life and I started this garden business,” said Zeabin. “The first one was supposed to be a combination coffin garden—that’s kind of where the idea started. You could use your furniture as the ultimate—basically grow sprouts, herbs and small, fresh vegetables all year round.”

Zeabin describes the coffin garden concept as the ultimate gag—people could eat healthy foods from a coffin garden or face their fate.

“It’s pretty cool,” said Zeabin. “But the coffin garden is more of a conversation item . . . So I took the coffin out of it and (also) started building regular indoor garden appliances.”

The benefits of inside gardening

Zeabin was initially inspired to start the business after living in a small Vancouver condo with Samarodin. He began to miss aspects of life in the Kootenays and realized that many people in the city also wanted to grow gardens but didn’t have the space to do it.

Zeabin believes that a lack of space outside shouldn’t prevent people from having gardens or leading healthy lifestyles. He noticed that many people experience problems growing seedlings on windowsills or in areas with a short growing climate because the plants can freeze and die. By contrast, growing a garden inside with the proper equipment has a number of advantages.

“It’s simply a unit where you can grow your own greens all year round and get good, healthy food,” said Zeabin. “It’s a really kind piece of furniture. I use reclaimed wood in a lot of (cases), or sustainable wood at the very least. I build them myself and they don’t use too much power—it’s only about $50 a year for the big unit. So it’s very energy efficient.”

The indoor garden units can be purchased with or without a coffin, and they are equipped with full-spectrum lights, an air-circulation system and an optional water system for irrigation. Zeabin compares the garden units to kitchen furniture—the sizes range from a fridge to a dishwasher, and they can be as small as a microwave.

For more information about Homesown, visit the Homesown website. 

ProCreative Design Lab is a stellar company in Castlegar, offering website design and development, hosting services, brand discovery and engineering, photography, content creation and editing. Wally Soukoroff started the business in 2009 with two other founding members.

"We’ve grown to five solid collaborators and we utilize other independent designers on projects for our clients," said Soukoroff. "We’re hoping to increase our brand recognition and our network of collaborators as we further develop our business model and extend our reach across the Kootenay/Boundary area of British Columbia and beyond."

One key addition to the team is April Cuffy, recently hired as the new director of communications and client relations. Her job is to expand the company's reach, and find the best ways to meet the needs of clients. She has a wealth of experience under her belt, having been editor at Visitor's Choice Publications and a long-time Kootenay resident.

Supply and demand

The main focus of ProCreative is to create a professional online presence for clients, and they cater to organizations of all sizes. The team boasts a concrete understanding of the local market, and customizes service to each individual client. They will also be delving into social media marketing in the near future.

The company takes a novel approach, far removed from more traditional business models.

"Everyone participating in our projects is relatively equal in roles and responsibilities and gets more than fairly compensated for their performance, participation and skills," said Soukoroff. "In our business model, if an individual has passion, talent and isn’t afraid to step outside their comfort zone and do the work, they will definitely be successful in working with us while fulfilling their career goals in this industry."

ProCreative Design Lab not only provides professional quality service, but it does so for a reasonable cost. Soukoroff and his colleagues also keep the doors open for new talent, and some of those seeking a career in media may be asked to join the company as collaborators.

Building on success

Soukoroff has learned a lot on his way to becoming the successful entrepreneur he is today. He described a supreme sense of satisfaction that he gains from creating websites and branding products that leave customers thoroughly impressed. He is pleased with his choice to become self-employed, and the freedom that comes with it.

"The proudest moment for me as an owner is not having a boss," he said, "making my own hours, working at my own pace and being able to call the things I love to do, work. Even though a lot of times it’s a struggle financially, having the freedom to do what I want and work how I like is pretty much priceless."

Soukoroff has discovered a very important lesson—that pursuing one's dreams and being open to new prospects is more integral to success than financial gain alone. He encourages other new entrepreneurs to balance their work and personal lives, and continually seek more education in their desired field.

"Entrepreneurs should always pick something they absolutely love to do, have tons of passion for and have definitive knowledge about," he said. "Don’t go into something only based on financial gain as there are many ways to define success that don’t have anything to do with money."

Social media and other Internet features are making more of an impression on the business world now than ever before. Marketing strategists are incorporating more online technology every day, and ProCreative is well equipped to accommodate its modern clients.

"Communicating your business to your clients and potential clients—in whatever genre of business you’re in—is best utilized through the Internet now, period," he said. "Get in touch with ProCreative Design Lab today and we can help you to put your best foot forward online."

Dr. Stephanie Cameron and Dr. Jane Grey, owners of Rossland & Castlegar Medical Aesthetics & Day Spas, opened their third branch on Cedar Avenue beneath The Doorway in November 2011, thus making their many esthetic and rejuvenation services more easily accessible to those who prefer not to venture up the Trail/Rossland hill.

This most recent addition was brought to completion with admirable speed by Dr. Cameron, Christa McLaughlin and Julie Tiendl, along with a team of dedicated assistants and efficient local trades, including Seib’s Contracting.

Most of the services for which they have become renowned are available in Trail and the doctors will be in session on a regular basis.

They welcome several new estheticians and receptionists to staff the three locations.