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News Briefs: Friday, July 29, 2011
Call-in appointments for walk-ins
A new phone-in, same-day appointment system is now available for the walk-in clinics at the Yellowknife Primary Care Centre and Frame Lake Community Health Clinic.
Effective July 18, Yellowknifers can see nurse practitioners, nurses or physicians the same day they call and book appointments. Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority CEO Les Harrison said an estimated 24 to 30 appointments will be available each weekday the clinics are in operation, and about 12 on Saturdays.
- Tim Edwards
Phone service hike proposed
Northwestel customers can expect a $2 phone-bill increase in the near future.
A notice was recently sent out to Yellowknife customers advising them of the increase, and Northwestel spokesperson Emily Younker explained, "there have been no changes to Northwestel's residential phone service rates for five years."
Before the increase is implemented, however, there will be a review by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, including a public hearing in Yellowknife on Oct. 4.
- Sarah Ferguson
Lightning fire blamed for smoke
Smoky conditions in Yellowknife yesterday were the result of a fire burning east-southeast of
Lutsel K'e, according to Judy McLinton, spokesperson for Environment and Natural Resources. The fire was caused by a lightning strike.
"This week, six fire starts were recorded, and all of them were caused by lightning," McLinton said. She added that two more fire - one located 25 km west of Yellowknife and another one 30 km to the southwest - were reported this week, but both were put out by Thursday.
- Sarah Ferguson
Yellowknifers enjoy long weekend
Most Yellowknifers will be off and much of the city closed Monday for the August Civic Holiday.
Almost all municipal, territorial and federal government employees will have the day off, and most businesses will be closed. But Ruth Inch Memorial Pool will operate as usual and Yellowknife Public Library will be open from 1 to 5 p.m.
- Tim Edwards
News Briefs: Thursday, July 28, 2011
Forest fires start near Jean Marie River
Two forest fires near Jean Marie River have brought the Deh Cho region's total forest fire count to 27.
The two fires were reported on July 25. The closest fire to Jean Marie River, located 30 kilometres southwest, was being fought on Tuesday. The second fire, located 45 km south of the community, covered two hectares and was being monitored, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resource's website.
As of July 26, there were 11 active fires in the region. The Deh Cho has surpassed the Sahtu by two fires to become the region with the third highest number of fires.
The South Slave region, which includes Fort Providence and Kakisa, has had 50 fires. Five fires ranging in size from two to eight hectares were reported approximately 75 km north and northeast of Kakisa between July 25 and 26.
Nahendeh Classic marks decade
The Nahendeh Classic Golf Tournament is celebrating its 10th year.
The 10th installment of the tournament will be held at the Seven Spruce Golf Course in Fort Simpson on Aug. 1. The tournament will follow a four-person best ball format.
Registration for the event will begin at 11 a.m. and tee off will be at noon. A dinner and prizes will follow after 18 holes.
Five Fish Lakes study
A study is being conducted of three of the lakes in the Five Fish Lakes candidate protected area near Jean Marie River.
Three members of the Protected Areas working group for Five Fish Lakes started the study on July 26 at Ekali Lake. They will also be visiting Gargan and Sanguez lakes.
Elder Douglas Norwegian, guide Billy Norwegian and student Ariel Sanguez are accompanying the group. The results of the study are expected to be presented to community members at Ekali Lake in August.
Literacy for newborns
The NWT Literacy Council is starting a new initiative designed to help families support newborn babies in literacy development.
Beginning in the fall, the council will be distributing a copy of Richard Van Camp's new book Nighty Night: A Bedtime Song for Babies to each NWT family with a newborn baby. The council also recorded Van Camp singing the lullaby and will be sending a CD along with the book.
Distribution of the book is being made possible through a partnership between Van Camp, his publisher McKellar & Martin, the Yellowknife Book Cellar and the council, which receives funding from the territorial government.
Stanley Cup winner to teach golf
Two-time Stanley Cup winner Jaime Leach will visit Inuvik on July 29 and 30 to teach not hockey, but golf.
The Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT is bringing Leach, who won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992, to the community to provide golf lessons. The lessons will take place July 29 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and July 30 from 9 a.m. to noon, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Road's End Golf Course.
Sewing class
Looking to gain a new hobby before winter sets in?
The Inuvik Quilting Guild will host beginner sewing lessons on Aug. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the greenhouse. The workshop will have beginner sewers creating applique tea towels.
Participants will need to bring a sewing machine, extension cord, scissors and a pencil or pen, but will receive all the supplies required to make the towel. They will learn basic instruction for fusible web applique techniques.
Safety council wants Canadians to bike safely
The Canadian Safety Council urges both bicyclists and motorists to take care on the roads this summer.
While cycling can contribute to a healthy lifestyle and greener environment, the council says riders should make sure to be aware of their surroundings at all times and take as many safety precautions as possible.
It suggests wearing a helmet, avoiding distractions such as cell phones or music players, riding in a predictable manner, coming to complete stops at stops signs and carrying emergency equipment.
Motorists can help improve bicycle safety by respecting cyclists on the road, checking over shoulders and blind spots, yielding to pedestrians and cyclists at crosswalks, signalling all turns in advance and passing cyclists only when it's safe.
Books for babies to improve development
To help encourage development of early literacy skills, the NWT Literacy Council will distribute a book to each newborn baby in the territory.
Starting in the fall, parents of newborns will receive a free copy of NWT author Richard Van Camp's new book Nighty Night: A bedtime song for babies. The book will come with a CD which has a lullaby sung by Van Camp on it.
This is the newest initiative that builds on the baby book bags already distributed by the literacy council.
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News desk 
