Our Bear Friends

GRIZZLY BEARS ACTIVE IN WELLS AND AREA

The Wells RCMP would like to remind the public that there have been numerous Grizzly Bear sightings in and around the Wells Municipal area.

One Grizzly in particular has been frequenting the Lowhee Drive area from Gardner St. to the Wayside Mining Site and along the foot path towards Legion Drive.

The RCMP recommend taking bear spray and exercising extreme caution when walking along the road and path in the earlier morning 6:00 am to 8:00 am and early evening 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm as this seems to be the time the Grizzly Bear eats the dandelions along side the road.

BC Conservation Service will be looking into relocating the Grizzly Bear if it has not moved on to higher ground by July 10th.

If you see the Grizzly in an area that is used by the general public please call the Wells RCMP at 994-3314 so it can be moved away with non lethal force. Thank-you for your co-operation.

Cst. Douglas J Erickson

Cst Wells RCMP

Story by Cst. Douglas J Erickson Comments Top

Gallery Re-opens in "Good Eats"

POOLEY ST. ART DISTRICT CONTINUES TO GROW

Chris Harris, Claire Kujundzic & Bill Horne are joining forces this summer to open a gallery in the former Good Eats building at Pooley and Blair beside the Sunset Theatre in July and August.

On display will be photography of the Bowron Lakes, Wells and Barkerville, and original artwork, cards, magnets, books, shirts and more. They are also planning to sell cappuccino. Chris operated a gallery in this space for three summers, but for the last few years has concentrated on his straw bale house and gallery in 105 Mile.

The recent publication of his Bowron Lakes guidebook and new coffee table book of Bowron photography have provided the incentive to reopen the gallery in Wells. Having Claire and Bill take part in the joint venture makes it all the more fun.

For Claire, the Good Eats Gallery offers a chance to continue work on a new series of paintings in her studio at Amazing Space. For those interested in larger hand-made prints and paintings Amazing Space will remain open from 2-6 daily, but most of her and Bill’s work will be located at the Good Eats.

Jessie Demers, who worked at Island Mountain Arts from April to December 2006, is returning to her apartment above the gallery to help staff it. She recently completed the SEARCH program at the Alliance for Arts and Culture in Vancouver and is looking forward to a break from the big city.

Good Eats Gallery Hours: July 1 to September 3, open noon-7:30 pm daily.

Links: www.chrisharris.com and www.claireart.ca

Story by Bill Horne Comments Top

Sunset Theatre Opens for the Season

SECOND SEASON UNDERWAY FOR DESTINATION THEATRE

In only a few days the Sunset Theatre is set to open its second season, with the goal of becoming a destination theatre offering seven professional theatre productions from Vancouver, Victoria and Calgary as well as producing Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

This is the Sunset Theatre’s second summer season. Opening in 2006 after seven years of renovations, the Sunset Theatre is an historic theatre originally built in 1934. It offers live theatre, film, a music series and acts as a rental venue for community groups.

With one season already under its belt, the Sunset Theatre hopes to build on the success of its inaugural season from last year. “We wanted to sell 1000 tickets and we sold 1181. There is already a lot of anticipation and excitement over this year’s line-up.”

Opening the theatre on July 7th at 8:00 pm is Ross Douglas, musician, showman and all-round entertainer. This is followed by The Fred Wells Story, an original play written by the award winning Histrionics Theatre Company from Victoria. Vancouver Opera’s Heather Pawsey guides us through a musical journey about Eve and the songs that define her. Accompanied by Prince George Symphony’s Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa: Eve…olution: Symbol? Saint? or Slut? running, July 20, 21 & 22. A journey, a celebration and a memoir all wrapped up in Ken Cameron’s one man show My Morocco from Calgary, playing July 27, 28 & 29.

Want something completely different? Over the Arts Wells Weekend August 3, 4 & 5 join Nicole Zylstra from Calgary for her quirky and intelligent rant: EFFable. Not sure what it means – just watch her put it into words, (strong language and content - not suitable for children.) Power, lust, greed: the much anticipated production of Macbeth is playing August 10, 11 & 12, the exemplary cast, made up of the actors from Barkerville, under the award-winning direction of Tim Sutherland.

The hysterically funny Dough! The Politics of Martha Stewart is the brainchild of acclaimed actress and playwright Lindsay Burns. Dough! explores the fascination with the Queen of “Good Things” and runs August 17, 18 & 19. Straight off a year of critically acclaimed performances, Julia Mackey returns with her extraordinary play of remembrance Jake’s Gift. This play is a tribute to the veterans celebrating D-Day. This final show of the season runs August 23, 24, 25 & 26.

Of course the eclectic Sunset Cabaret is back in full force every Tuesday evening. There’s also a Monday Night Movie Series, a Saturday Afternoon Movie Series for youngsters. In addition to professional live theatre, the Sunset is also offering a line-up of musicians: Yael Wand July 18th, Ben Rose promoting his CD The Cost August 1, the return of Ross Douglas August 22nd and don’t miss the Rembetika Hipsters on closing night August 26 following the final performance of Jake’s Gift. This Greek infusion band is fun for the whole family and sure to leave you dancing into the moonlight. Book early and enjoy a Greek meal at the Bear’s Paw Café in Wells before the show.

Despite several set-backs including the recent disappearance of 30 historical chairs, a fund-raiser playing Rocky Horror Picture Show will play August 10 pm. All tickets for this event are $13. Tickets for all performances can be purchased at the door, the Wells Visitor Centre, Frog on the Bog, or Art Rush Gallery. Reservations only (no payment required) can be made online or by calling (250) 994-2320. Most tickets are $12 and under with a few exceptions. Join us for a summer of fantastic theatre.

The Sunset Theatre is determined to entice and entertain the visitors of Wells and the surrounding area! For more information please visit: www.sunset-theatre.com or call: Artistic Director, Karen Jeffery (250) 994-2320.

Story by Karen Jeffery Comments Top

Moose Island Bridge

WEST FRASER DONATES NEW BRIDGE

Thanks to a combined $20,000 donation from West Fraser Mills Ltd and the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts, the community of Wells now has a brand new aluminum bridge to replace the defunct and dangerous Moose Island Bridge in the meadow.

On Thursday, June 28 Desi Cheverie, District Recreation Officer from the Recreation, Sites and Trails Branch - Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts, along with a co-op student and employees from the District of Wells placed the new bridge in the meadow.

The bridge, which had been delivered earlier in the spring, was placed in position by helicopter, before being secured to the bank.

The new bridge forms an integral part of the existing meadows trail system, and will ensure year-round access across Williams Creek.

Posted by Sundance Topham Comments Top

Random Wells

IMAGES FROM WELLS AND AREA

As the town of Wells grows, entrepreneurial and enthusiastic people continue to make their way to the community.

A perfect example of the new energy and ideas that are being brought to Wells is the new display at the Wells General Store.

Harking back to the hardrock history of the area, the display is an entertaining facade that is guaranteed to draw the interest of both visitors and locals alike.

If you come across any innovative or interesting pictures in the Wells, Barkerville, Bowron Lakes area be sure to send them to us for posting on the Wells Newsletter at wells@goldcity.net.

Posted by Sundance Topham Comments Top

ddddd