Columbia Ridge Country Estates

Dear Columbia Ridge Community Association Members,

Please note the following:

Columbia Ridge Community Association
2013 Annual General Meeting
10 am Saturday May 18, 2013
Columbia Ridge Rec Centre

You were sent an email with the following documents. They are also be available for download in the Association section of the website. Please login to view: Notice + Link to Documents

Proxy voting will be available if you cannot attend in person, as explained in the documents.

Please print and bring the documents to the meeting.

Included:
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Agenda
Proxy
Survey
2013 Proposed Budget
2012 AGM Minutes
2012 Balance Sheet & Income Statement

Thank you.

Columbia Ridge Board Members

The Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments held its
convention at the Copper Point Resort in Invermere on Friday, April 19th.

"The association voted in favour of a special resolution seeking to have the
provincial government provide the same emergency services and disaster
assistance to second home owners and temporary residents as it does to
permanent residents.

The resolution stems from last summer's mudslide in Fairmont Hot Springs and
deals with providing temporary food, shelter and other services in the first
72 hours following a disaster, said Wendy Booth, director of Regional
District of the East Kootenay Area F.

'These individuals can be affected just as much as permanent residents,'
said Ms. Booth."

The Valley Echo, Wednesday, April 24, 2013 (page A2)

Please note the following excerpt from the RCMP report published in the
Columbia Valley Pioneer on April 5, 2013 (page 4).

"With the good weather now upon us, the detachment is receiving
more complaints of dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles being driven on
the road, in many cases, with no insurance and no helmets. The
detachment will be concentrating some effort this summer to conduct
patrols to deal with these types of complaints. Due to the nature of
these types of complaints, some outside-the-box enforcement tactics
will have to be employed. Charges will be laid, vehicles will be seized.”

The Crocuses are in full bloom in the crown land to the south of the neighbourhood. Head on out along the trails to spot the lovely purple, furry flowers. I also noticed that the shooting stars are coming out. They are a bit harder to find due to their small stature but are beautiful none the less.

The Draft of the CRA Minutes are now available on the Board of Directors Page.

Please Login to view minutes
Click on Association then BOD Minutes.

The Draft of the CRA Minutes are now available on the Board of Directors Page.

Please Login to view minutes
Click on Association then BOD Minutes.

For those that ventured out to Columbia Lake this weekend it was a weekend more like summer than early spring. Clear skies and temperatures in the mid to high teens had everyone enjoying the great outdoors.

Tons of kids showed up for the annual easter egg hunt that was co-ordinated by Yi-Nei and Wendy. They spent the better part of two hours circling the neighbourhood following clues to the whereabouts of the assorted goodies.

I got more of a kick watching all the parents huddle around taking pictures.

With mirror like water all weekend, those brave enough to risk getting wet were out lapping up the sunshine. Only one boat was heard but if you had a good wetsuit, wakeboarding and waterskiing would have been pretty epic.

Dave, one of many paddleboarders out this weekend.

Kathy taking her scull out for a spin.

Columbia Lake has been ice free for the past week and a half. The wonderful green colour that is distinctly Columbia Lake was brilliant this Sunday.

The lower valley is essentially snow free now and the ground is beginning to lose its super saturated soil state and drying up.

The ice has been actively grinding away at the shoreline this year. In some spots, it has been spreading the gravel evenly across the ground, and in others, driving docks underneath the existing walkways. There is going to be a bit of work this spring to bring it all back up to snuff.

The shot below shows how much warping is occurring in the dock that is just two years old. Cavitation of the ground below is causing it to collapse while in other sections, it is being pushed up.

This dock, that is generally free floating in front of the deck has been driven underneath the deck, wiping out the supports. A lot of the large rocks below the stairs have also been thrown up onto the shoreline by the ice.

The gravel walkway down to the docks has also seen more erosion and is getting narrow and dangerous.

Well here it is, bright and early on the first day in January of 2013. It never fails that no matter what time I go to bed, I will be up at the latest by 6:00 AM the following morning. I sometimes wish I could make a New Year's resolution to sleep in but you can't fight your biological clock can you.

So instead, I type away and scan through pictures for posting here.

The New Year's Eve skating party seemed to be a success. After having a nap (one of the benefits of getting up really early) I wandered down to check out the activities on the lake. Three, pretty smooth rinks were cleared earlier in the week and there were a lot of people enjoying the winter wonderland.

It was a nice way to say goodbye to 2012 and usher in 2013. May everyone have a great year that finds you working less and playing way, way more.

PUBLIC HEARING - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27 AT 4:00 PM - COMMUNITY CENTRE

Bylaw 2423
Bylaw Amendment ­ Columbia Lake
The Regional district of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors is
considering an amendment to the Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw.
Bylaw No. 2423 cited as ³Regional District of East Kootenay ­ Upper Columbia
Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 1992 ­ Amendment Bylaw No. 278, 2012 (Columbia
Lake / RDEK)² will amend the surface water zones for Columbia Lake.
A public hearing will be held at:
Columbia Ridge Community Centre
6890 Columbia Lake Road
Fairmont Hot Springs, BC
Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 4:00 pm
The Board has delegated the holding of this hearing to the Directors for
Electoral Area F, Electoral Area G and the Village of Canal Flats.
For more information, contact Karen Mac Leod, Planner at 250-489-0313 or toll
free at 1-888-478-7335.
Or contact our Area F director, Wendy Booth at: wndbooth@gmail.com
Website: www.rdek.bc.ca <http://www.rdek.bc.ca>

Don’t miss out on these two events which are happening out your front door.

Last day of the Christmas Craft Fair

This Saturday is the last Christmas Market day at the Columbia Ridge community hall from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Pick up a few last minute items for the holidays from interesting local preserves like “From Scratch” Banana Jam to homemade Strawberry Jam from the local Saunders Farm to huckleberry jam. The Hoodoo Quilters have two tables of quilted and knitted items. Lots of delicious baking! Seasonings for popcorn and dips for veggies made with organic spices! Lovely artwork and don’t miss the painting on the mantle! Check out the “attention-grabbing” 50 cent Christmas packages for the stocking! Beautiful hand painted ornaments (a must see and a great keepsake!). Tasty sauces made from sour cherries with a variety of uses. A Christmas tree! Beer Bread to serve with chili or soup! Fresh flower bouquets and arrangements for the Christmas table and much more!

Local Story Telling

At noon on Saturday, around a fire at the community hall, Colin Cartwright will be telling stories. Colin has written a book about events that have happened on the Whiteswan Road (the road that leads to Whiteswan Lake just south of Canal Flats). He has also written a whole book on his bear encounters! Bring your children, your inquisitive mind and questions. Take this opportunity to learn about some fascinating “times gone by” about the area!

Changing out your wardrobe? Have your kids outgrown theirs? If so, why not give your family's old coats to other families in need.

You can drop off your clean coats before December 20, 2012 at the following locations around the valley.

Fairmont - At the Hot Springs Studio
Invermere - CIBC
Invermere - - The Monkey's Uncle
Invermere - 443 4th Avenue Athlmere (near Rona)

The coats will be distributed on Dec 22 at the Edgewater Hall, Dec 23 at the Invermere Legion and on Dec 27 at The Hots Springs Studio in Fairmont.

If you would like further information, please contact Kristine at 250-342-2033.
- 443 Fourth Avenue (near Rona)

There may be an opportunity to have yoga sessions at the community hall if there is enough interest. The instructor requires a minimum of four participants and the program would run as a four week program, every Tuesday from 6:30-7:45pm at a cost of $60.

If you are interested, please contact Jody by phone at 250-270-0377 or email at jody@puremassagepanorama.com.

Our first annual New Year’s Eve Skating Party will be held on December 31st
from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. As the winter season sets in and the snow starts to
fly, it’s time to think about the holidays and the fun we can have on the
ice! We think it would be a great idea to hold an informal skating party
down by the beach on New Year’s Eve afternoon.

We’ll get a fire going and have the skating area shovelled. (Let’s hope the
ice conditions will be favourable!) Everyone is welcome to come down for a
fun skate and a visit with friends, family and neighbours. In order to keep
things simple and easy for all involved, “Bring Your Own…Everything” is the
theme. You may wish to bring a couple of lawn chairs and your own thermos
with a hot beverage. The “Pack it in and pack it out” rule will apply. No
RSVP is necessary, but please come down to the lake on the 31st and
encourage other members of our community to do so as well.

One quick reminder: vehicle travel on the path to the beach is prohibited in
winter. Signs will be posted if travel by ATV is deemed unsafe.

See you on the 31st!

CRCA AGM Meeting Minutes
Nov 5, 2012

Please login to the website to view. Then click on the Association tab.

Hello everyone,

In July, I submitted an application for the Western Economic Diversification Canada Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund for our new playground and it was approved for $14,722. I want to send a HUGE thank you to Donna and Dave Rae for sending me the email that brought awareness to the opportunity across my desk in the first place and to Chris Rae for doing such a great job on the project! Member of Parliament David Wilks came to Columbia Ridge on Friday, November 16 to make the formal announcement of the grant from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund. Various members of the community turned out in support.

Wendy Coombs

Just an impromptu get together to be held on December 8 at 6:30 pm at the Rec Centre. Bring your favourite appetizer and beverage of choice. Coffee and tea will also be served. Mark your calendar. Hope to see you there.

A grizzly sow and possbily three of her cubs were spotted across the highway just west of Columbia Ridge.

Authorities have been notified, but please take the necessary precautions while in the area.

.

We are looking for vendors for the 2nd annual Christmas Craft Fair to be held on the 8th, 15th and 22nd of December.

If you are an artisan, crafter or love baking please contact Donna at 250-345-6673 or donna at columbiaridge dot com for more information.

It is a good opportunity to show your wares.

A rather large cougar was spotted on Thursday meandering through the neighbourhood between the houses and the railway tracks. Keep your close eye on your children and small pets if you happen to be around on the weekend.