Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 15, 1992 — Page B1 drive When it came to raising money, the SPCA’s canine canvassers could hardly be accused of ‘dogging it’’. In fact, organizers estimate they brought in nearly two-thirds of the donations the fledgling group received during ils re- -cent drive. The dogs went on patrol once. in’ November, three times in December (including _ after the Santa Claus parade) and made.their last foray the Jan 3-5 weekend. And their haul? Rase Higbie, -who with Lonna Fisher has led the drive to form a SPCA branch here, estimated they brought in $1,400 of the approximately $2,100 raised. ‘‘People just can’t resist them, especially children. The kids just run right up to them,’ she add- ed, The rest of the money came from raffle proceeds and sales of calendars, doggy Christmas stockings, homemade Christmas or- naments and SPCA pins, bumper stickers and buttons. Higbie said the local organization’s next big date is Tuesday, Jan. 21 when it will hold its inaugral annual general meeting and elect its first executive. That meeting is being heid in the public library meeting room beginning at 7 p.m. and anyone interested in joining is definitely welcome, Higbie added. Goals for this first year in- cluded starting a program in local schools to teach youngsters the correct care, housing and treatment of Animals, holding a SPCA pet show, continuing to help in- jured animals and respon- ding to calls regarding cruel- ty.or neglect, The long range goal is to one day build a SPCA, shelter in the Terrace area, If you like to join the SPCA or find out more about it, either write SPCA, 3836 Kirkaldy St., Terrace, V8G 3MB, or phone Lonna Fisher (635-3826) or Rose Higbie (6554566). TOP DOG. When it came to soliciting donations for the SPCA, canine canvassers like Cotsa, seen above with Can Bellamy, proved irresistible, In just a single day last month, they raised $500 and were instrumental in ensuring the campaign was a howling success. The highs and lows of forecasting Adrian Van de Mosselaer Soaring peaks and plunging valleys — they provide the nor- thwest with the scenic beauty prized by residents and tourists alike. But those same dramatic landscape contours are what makes the job of weather forecasting up here tougher than most places, says Adrian Van de Mosselaer, officer in charge at Environment Canada’s Terrace-Kitimat air- port weather office. **On the Prairies it’s a lot dif- ferent,”’ he explains, “because it’s wide open spaces and things move the way they should.’ Because weather systems maves west-to-east, forecasters in Winnipeg, for example, get ‘lots of warning of any system heading their way. Using information provided by satellite photos and reports from weather stations in Alber- ta and Saskatchewan, they can not only tell what: kind of weather is on the way, they can’ also tell just how fast it is mov- ing, Van de Mosselaer points out, “So, the guys in Winnipeg can say it’s going to rain. al about 2:30 tomorrow after- noon,..and it does,”’ Not. so in the northwest. ‘*Here, a lot of the theory goes oul the window because you’re dealing with the mountains and Weather Watch ENVIRONMENT CANADA Knformation line: 635-4192 Consultations: 635-3224 LAST Max. Min. Snow Rain Sun WEEK | Temp. Temp. (cm) (mm) (hrs) Jan, 4 1.5 -1.2 ‘1.0 0 0.5 Jan. 5 0.1 2,2 1.0 0 0 Jan. 6 -2.1- -5.2 0 0 0 Jan.7 | 4.3 60° 5.2 . O 0 Jan. 8 03 -5,1 9.8 12.4 0 Jan. 9 1.6 -0.6 Trace 14.6 'f) Jan. 10 3.5 0.3 0 1,6 0 LAST Max. Min. Snow Rain Sun YEAR | Temp. Temp. (cm) (mm) (hrs) Jan. 4 -17.0 -21.6 0 0 5.9 Jan. 5 -16.2 -19,4 0 0. 5,8 Jan.6 | -17.3 -21.5 Oo 0 5.8 Jan, 7 -18.5 “221 0 0 5.9 Jan.8 | -17.9 21.3 0 0 6.0. Jan.9-| -17.9 -22,1 0 0 6.0 Jan. i0 «15,8 “211 0 0. 07 ‘The frisid weather eased . Terrace-Kitimat airport dur- _ was 1962. ® Temperatures continue to be well above normal but sunshine -- 30 minutes this year to Friday, Jan, 10 — is way below normal, @ fn 1969 an incredible cold. wave hit. Edrnonton, Alberta, Temperatures sank to.-17,8° for 26 consecutive days with the coldest recard- ed being -39.4°.on Jan, 30. three days later. @ The coldest temperature recorded ai the ing the month of January -25° in 1982. The warmes! was a balm iy 9.45 in _the valleys,’’ he says. Those features can effect the way a system behaves as it begins to move inland and also lead to sharp differences in weather conditions at locations relatively close to each other, For example, he notes the Onion Lake area gets alot more snow —~ roughly double — than either Kitimat or the airport because the sharp slope up from the Kitimat Valley creates what's known as an upflow con- dition. Nor is it unusual to see ‘significant variations’? in snowfall readings taken at En- vironment Canada's three measuring . locations between Terrace and Prince Rupert. So, while theory obviously plays its part in predicting what’s going to happen, Van de Mosselaer says the forecaster's experience of the area also counts, “You really have to learn what happens in each location and how weather pat- terns react.” Finally, for those who've wondered how it can snow down by the Skeena but raining up on the Bench, it’s all because of certain ‘‘outflow” condi- tions, Van de Mosselaer explains an outflow occurs.when there’s a low pressure system sitting on the coast but a high inland, Because of the pressure dif- ferences, cold air from that high . pushes down. towards the coast, If it’s just a shallow belt huga- ing the valley bottom, that sets up the right conditions for any precipitation. here .to be snow close to the river and only there. a time Do you want a break from your children? Do you want a few moments to relax, unwind and talk with other women/mothers of like mind? Then you might want to check out Mothers’ Time Off. Mother’s Time Off first began in 1973, the brainchild of the locat Anglican minister’s wife, says Mellany Harper of Terrace and District Communi- ty Services. While still in action today, Harper said it would welcome the addition of some more Mums. ‘‘We'd like to see five to 10 coming out everytime.” Mothers’ Time Off is held at the Knox United Church on Lazelle Avé. each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fri- day from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Child care is provided, there’s coffee for the mothers and snacks for the kids and door-to- door transportation is laid on for those living in Terrace. And all the above is free of charge! Harper pointed out par- ticipants will find the program offers a wide range of activities, Those included crafts (every Friday} and children’s clothing, recipe and coupon exchanges. Also exchanged are ideas on how to cope with the changing roles of women and mothers in lum can call out Mellany Harper today’s society — ‘‘it’s a shar- ing thing" — and there will be mini-workshops dealing with topics such as managing anger or dealing with stress, nutrition and diet, or “anything they want to talk about”. However, she emphasized, the main idea was those taking part enjoyed themselves because that, in thevend, is what would keep bring them back. For ‘more information on Mothers Time Off, phone Harper at the Knox United ‘Church (635-4147), 9 aim. to 11:30 a.m. on meeting days, At other times, she or colleague Bonnie Keeler can be contacted at 635-7087. Veritas shows it has the ‘Smarts’ When It comes to being Power Smart, Veritas school is tops in the north. B.C. Hydro has named the school as northern region winn- ner of its Power Smart Month contest for kindergarten to grade 7 schools, And that region, Hydro’s Power Smart representative Lorraine Crist pointed out, covers all B.C. north of 100 Mile House. Held during October, the contest saw students earn one point for each energy conserva tion measure they carried out at home. That inchided turning off the television, radio or stereo when they were not being watched or . listened to, buying drinks in recyclable containers and put- ting on a sweater rather than turning up the heat in the house. Top energy concersers in the school were the memibets of Aon Sullivan’s grade 3 class led by Elissa Vales and Christopher Walker. The trio accepted the victor’s plaque from Hydro ac- counts manager Susan Henyecz at last Thursday’ s school assembly, As one of four winners across the province, Veritas not only receives the plaque but will also soon be visited by Science World B.C,’s roadshow, well- known for its entertaining and educational performances, The contest was intended to promote the idea of energy effi- ciency among students who will one day become the province's energy consumers. At present, Canadians use more power per capita than any nation in the world and British Columbians are among the highest users in Canada. favourite eatery. Delicious donations KEEP AN EYE OUT at local restaurants and fast food outlets for Ihe poster shown above by Kathy Hicks of the Kinettes. It tells you that dining spot is taking part in this year's Kinsmen Mother's March Meals campaign. Each will have designated meals and donate $1 to the March for every one ordered by customers. Although most have set Jan. 25 and 26 as the campaign dates, Hicks says there are one or two which have chosen other dates. So be.sure to check: detalls at your