Solemn celebration  VIDEO / PHOTOS    – It's been said that freedom is never free and on Remembrance Day especially, this fact is undeniable. May the gratitude and respect shown on November 11 to the fallen and still standing continue throughout the year.

Tla'Amin team assists healing A traditional blessing ceremony celebrated members of a new Tla’Amin (Sliammon) First Nation team that has been trained to help individuals and families cope with tragedy.

Change holds opportunity   UPDATED    Most of the participants in a public consultation event about the community’s future expressed a positive approach in meeting challenges.

Chiefs discuss regionalizing fire services City of Powell River and rural fire chiefs are discussing sharing resources to offset declining auxiliary and volunteer numbers. The talks include a discussion about regionalizing fire services.

Christmas shoeboxes back in stores Last year Powell River residents generously sent 843 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items to children in developing countries.

School Board Briefs: November 18, 2009

Around Town: November 20, 2009 THIS WEEK

Obituaries: Week of November 15, 2009 Lillian May Clark Nahirny  October 10, 1917 - November 5, 2009

Editorial Cartoon: November 18, 2009 What are your thoughts on this week's cartoon?

Speak to the Peak: November 18, 2009 Read the local responses, then post your own comments.

VIEWPOINT: Teachers face challenges in classroom I was called to substitute teach at Brooks Secondary School the day after Remembrance Day. I was asked to teach an academic English class at the senior high school level. The lesson was about writing. As is the norm with a substitute teacher, they wanted to chat and argue and could not settle down to work at putting pen to paper. I later learned there were 11 students with special needs in that class of 29, including one fee-paying ESL (English as a second language) student from China.

Letters to the Editor: November 18, 2009 Stick with feds ~~ Nadja Hocking, Palm Beach Road

Roses and Raspberries: November 18, 2009 A dozen handmade roses to everyone who so quickly came to my mother's assistance when she fainted at a recent craft fair. She's doing fine.

EDITORIAL: Olympic spirit Powell River residents are displaying Olympic spirit and healthy living initiatives for a chance to win a $100,000 prize for the community.

EDITORIAL: Examining ferries BC’s comptroller general has nailed the problems arising from the provincial government’s revamping of BC Ferries. In a comprehensive audit, Cheryl Wenezenki-Yolland found, among other things, that the company is not accountable to the public.

Newlyweds train for Special Olympics meet Newlyweds Erika and Lance Barker, who became husband and wife on October 10, hope their first year of marriage goes swimmingly.

Mat Bodie wins silver Over the years there has been much discussion about whether someone can be born a leader. In fact, while many of us have probably used the phrase, “He’s a born leader,” famed National Football League coach Vince Lombardi insisted, “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made through hard work.”

Martial arts students place third at home Canadian Martial Arts held its annual Battle of the dojos competitions recently. Over 150 competitors attended: nine students from Powell River; 16 students from Chilliwack; more than 40 students from Mission and more than 90 students from Vernon.

Vantreights edge Villa Powell River Villa players finally got back into action on the weekend and found themselves a little rusty after their recent layoff. Cancellations and postponements have plagued Villa of late and the team’s struggled to maintain its edge.

Kings dogged by bad weather Powell River Kings team was scheduled to play two games over the weekend. One was lost to the Alberni Bulldogs 3-2 in overtime, and the other was postponed subsequent to the cancellation of a ferry due to high winds.

Regals coy about Allan Cup, until now Powell River Regals team has added the Allan Cup to its agenda for the 2009-10 season.

Front Page News: Willow Hollow Christmas Tree Farm Soon it'll begin to look a lot like Christmas. Families and friends will come together to prepare for and celebrate the holiday season, sharing traditions and creating memories. Much of this will occur around a central figure in many homes that is only present at this time of year: the Christmas tree.

A Family Portrait highlights families This year’s high school musical pictures family life.

End of Suburbia explores end of peak oil A new organization focused on raising awareness about climate change and the depletion of energy resources is screening a Canadian film about the end of cheap oil.