Podunk Below the Masthead (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)

Celebrating Homecoming 2010, the latest on the attack on a Skeena cab driver on Tuesday night and a look at the relocation of the Thursday market place for cruise season, which now is located on the court house lawn, some of the items of interest from the Wednesday news files.

Daily News, front page, headline story
A FRIENDLY WELCOME TO THE HOMECOMERS OF 2010-- As Homecoming weekend fast approaches, the Daily News begins extensive coverage of the events and personalities of this years event.

The daily paper examines that report from the Northern Real Estate Board highlighting Rupert's affordability at the moment, as we outlined on the blog a week ago, the statistics compiled by the NREB compared the affordability of housing across Northern BC as well as that of Vancouver, and when it comes to household income housing costs in Prince Rupert shape up rather affordable.

Another look at potential port development is featured in the Wednesday paper, and while George T. Baker didn't compare Don Krusel to a  Moses like figure this time around, the article does provide for a positive tone culled from some of the latest talking points from the Port.

The Wednesday edition also takes a look at the growing impact of Aboriginal business interests in the area and how that is changing the nature of the economic picture in the community.

The sports page featured a look at the homecoming of Lisa Walters, the golf legend of the Centennial golf course, Ms. Walters is returning to town this weekend as part of the Homecoming events around the city.

(Daily News Archives for Wednesday, May 10, 2010)

A Friendly welcome to the homecomers of 2010
It's a great time to buy a house
Making it work in Prince Rupert
So what's happening with the port?
Aboriginal business is booming

The Northern View
Taxi Driver taken to hospital after attack with bear spray -- A Skeena Taxi driver was taken to Prince Rupert Regional Hospital on Tuesday night, after one of a group of passengers in his cab sprayed him with bear spray, all three then took off onto the trails near the Haysvale Trailer park. (see story here)

CFTK TV 7 News
Martial Arts "Simulation" Worries Rupert Parents, RCMP -- A follow up story to the TV 7 News item of Tuesday on a local fight posted on the Youtube portal (see article here)

CFTK TV 7 News
Bell Says Chinese Eye Investment In Northwest Forest Industry -- The BC Forest Minister says that there is interest in the Northwest Forest sector from both Chinese and Swedish interests (see article here)

CFTK TV 7 News
Market move-- Prince Rupert's Thursday market has moved from the Third Avenue area and now calls the Prince Rupert court house lawn home for the cruise ship season (see TV 7 Report here)

CBC News British Columbia, Daybreak North 
Daybreak North is only posting selected items on their website now. 

The most recently posted items can be found on the archive page for Daybreak North click here

 Daily News, front page, headline story
A friendly welcome to the Homecomers of 2010
By George T. Baker
Staff Writer
Prince Rupert Daily News
Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Event planners have been dotting the ‘I’s and crossing the ‘T’s for one of Prince Rupert biggest events ever – and it all begins tomorrow.

Homecoming committee member Barb Gruber said organizers are thrilled about the way the weekend plans have come together.

“The Dinner and Dance Gala is going to be the highlight. We’ll have seven to eight grad reunions, and a lot of family reunions. There are people coming from England, Australia and even Dubai,” said Gruber.

 “We even have people who have lived here for six months that are coming home.

It’s going to be special.” It kicks off with a little hospitality at Chances Gaming Centre at noon. That’s where all the first day happenings are going down in the Hospitality Room. Visitors to this hive of activity and refreshments will be serenaded by the music of Cynthia Pyde and Ray Leonard. Tickets for all events will be in the package that must be picked up at the Hospitality Room when registered Homecomers arrive in Prince Rupert.

 Friday is when the real fun begins. The Museum of Northern BC will be the first big event of the weekend. Kicking off at 7 p.m., wine and cheese will be served, with art as a beautiful backdrop to catching up. Then at 8 p.m., for those who want to give ‘er a go, there will be a Pub Crawl. Buses will be provided, but alcohol will be up to the revelers.

Surviving Saturday morning will be key. And the Annunciation Parish will be hosting the pancake breakfast at 10 a.m. to help Homecomers to do just that. Until 1 p.m. maple syrup will be poured liberally over tasty concoctions of flour and eggs, with those in need for feed being sweetly taken care of.

Filled and ready to go, once more, the Wagon Rides will whisk locals through town to romance those re-tuning into the way things were, the way they are and possibly the way they could be.

 Not feeling the Wagon and wanting a boat? Head towards the Atlin Terminal where your ship awaits to transport you to THE community on Digby Island – simply known as Dodge Cove.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see what makes Dodge Cove such a unique community, with an Art Show that displays the talents of local artisans.

But you have to get back. Because beginning at 5 p.m. it’s the Gala Dinner and Dance at the Jim Ciccone Centre. Live music, plentiful drinks and a shuttle running from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. means partiers will have plenty of opportunity to break ice, stomp the dance floor and just talk.

You still want pancakes?

The Seniors Centre on Grenville Court and the Moose Hall will each be offering day two of delicious breakfast items starting at 10 a.m. and 8 a.m respectively. Then, for those wishing to compete, it’s over to the Prince Rupert Golf Course for the Golf Scramble, where teams alternate between shots.

 That afternoon, it’s the play that had the whole city talking in March, ‘The Dream Lives On’ starring the one and only Rudy Kelly.

He plays the Raven who takes the audience through a historic and often comical journey of Prince Rupert. Featuring the impressive talents of local writers and performers, the play begins at 2 p.m. at the Lester Centre.

 On Monday, it’s back to the Hospitality Room where all bid adieu, adios or see ya – until next time, that is.