TUESDAY
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DECEMBER 8, 2015
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Vol. 64, Issue 233
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BARRY COULTER PHOTO
Organizers of the Locals Coffeehouse series recently donated proceeds from the year to high school and middle school music programs, as well as Cranbrook Community Theatre, who are stewards of the Studio Stage Door building where the popular concert series is held. The music programs for Mount Baker Secondary School, Parkland Middle School, Laurie Middle School, and Cranbrook Community Theatre each received $500. Pictured in midst of the hubbub above are Lorraine Hagel, Mark Casey and Beth Crawley (representing Locals), Tanis Tomlin (CCT), Evan Bueckert (MBSS), David Pasivirta (LMS) and Stephanie Tischauer (PMS). See if you can pick them out! The next Locals Coffeehouse is set for February 6. Be there or be square.
TOP FLIGHT CURLING COMING?
Grand Slam decision expected in January International event will feature more than 60 professional teams, requiring use of both arenas TRE VOR CR AWLEY
Though nearly a year away, the planning process continues in the efforts to bring in a Grand Slam curling event to Cranbrook. The event, which will feature over 60 international professional curling teams in two separate tiers, will require the use of Western Financial Place and the Memorial Arena. An official with the Grand Slam of Curling tour will be in Cranbrook in January to gauge the ice plants in both facilities and a final decision will likely be announced at the end of that month, according to Todd Pellerin, who is the co-chair of the committee working to bring the event to Cranbrook. “If we’re not the city chosen, because whatever infrastructure is not in
place, then they’ll go to another town,” said Pellerin. “It’s ours to lose. We were guaranteed this a while back in a different format, but this is a much bigger format than what we were guaranteed, so if we don’t get this, then we’re probably not going to be in line for at least a couple years for something else.” The top tier of curlers will get underway at Western Financial Place, while the lower tier will use the Memorial Arena. “We’re not going to have a problem with Western Financial Place, what we’re worried about is the Memorial Arena, because the Tier 2 level is going to be potentially held in that facility,” Pellerin said.
See GRAND, Page 4
Family will need help after 12-year-old’s scoliosis surgery BARRY COULTER
The life of a young Cranbrook girl — a competitive gymnast — has changed dramatically since she was diagnosed with a severe case of Scoliosis. Merrit, 12, will be undergoing the first of two surgeries at the end of this month, and the intensive care required after this will put a great financial strain on the household. But the community can help! Scoliosis is a disorder that causes an abnormal curve in the spine. It can also cause curves to either side of the spine, which makes it twist like a corkscrew. Merrit’s mother Selena said that when Merrit was diagnosed, her spine was at 22 degrees, and went to 35 degrees in less than three months.
See MERRIT, Page 4
FOR THE TOWNSMAN
Merrit, 12, a competitive gymnast, has been stricken with Scoliosis and requires extensive surgery and months of bed rest.