January (10.0 MB) - Senior Connector

Page 22 Senior Connector www.seniorconnector.comJanuary 2007Wildlights on at theBC Wildlife ParkBy Mike KeetchFor the ninth consecutive year the BC Wildlife Park willentertain about 25,000 people from Kamloops and the surroundingarea with its spectacular display of more than400,000 lights and 350 wildlife sculptures.The symphony of lights this year will be at the amphitheatreand will be synchronized by computer with music performedby a local and from Lee’s Music. The overall effectwill be like experiencing the Northern lights.As well as the usual attractions such as the miniature train,he maze, Uncle Chris the Clown, Frosty the Snowman andhe campfires, The Buck and Doe miniature village will ben display. The village, donated by Harvey and Dianne Minr,includes about 40 buildings built to scale.Santa will also be in attendance in the Discovery Centrevery night up to and including Christmas Eve.This annual display is the culmination of about 15,000ours of work by the staff and volunteers at the Wildlifeark.The park is open nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every dayxcept Christmas day until Jan. 7.Need to boost your Christmas spirit? A trip through thishristmas wonderland is sure to put you in a Christmasrame of mind.For more information, contact the Wildlife Park at 250-73-3242.Missagh ManshadiB.Sc. PharmPharmacist/OwnerAsk us about free deliveryVisit us at our new location477 St. Paul Street, Kamloops(Old General Paint Building)372-2223msh02_aprBe cyber-savvy this holiday seasonThe festive season hasarrived. Christmas lightsand holly have been strung,and Christmas music serenadesyou as you shop.Some consumers willavoid the busy shoppingmalls by shopping online,in the comfort and convenienceof their homes.Statistics Canada indicatesthat last year’s Internetcommerce sales in Canadatotaled more than $39.2billion with 56 per centof Internet users buyingonline.“Make your holiday seasonhassle-free when shoppingonline. Savvy onlineshoppers should look formerchants and Websitesthey trust, take steps toprotect their privacy andthe security of their financialtransactions, and heedtheir instincts,” said SheilaCharneski, Better BusinessBureau of Mainland BCpresident.Buying from reputablemerchants is particularlyimportant when you’re buyingfrom afar.To help shoppers findmerchants they can trust,the BBB offers a searchableonline database (www.bbb.org) with reliability reportson more than two millionretailers and businessesacross Canada and theUnited States. To help consumersenjoy a safe onlineshopping experience, theBBB offers a list of questionsto keep handy whenlooking for electronics, toys,apparel and other popularcategories of gifts this holidayseason.• Is your computer protected?Make sure yourcomputer is equipped withupdated spam filters, antivirusand anti-spyware software,and a secure firewall.Check for and install anynew security updates for theprograms on your computerand its operating system.• Are you in the rightframe of mind? You canshop with speed and easeon the Internet, but youstill need to shop smart. Ifyou’re tired or distracted,you may want to postponeyour online shopping expeditionuntil you can be fully“cyber-aware.”• Do you trust the merchant?To check on theseller’s reputation, look forfeedback comments fromother customers or conductweb searches. Check withthe Better Business Bureaufor a report about the retailer’smarketplace record.Look for a “trustmark” fromBBBOnLine or anotherreputable organization andclick on that seal to confirmthat it’s valid.• Do you have all thedetails? Don’t do businesswith any retailer that doesn’tprovide its physical addressand a contact telephonenumber for customers. Youshould know how much theproduct or service costs: ifthere are shipping and handlingcharges; the deliverytimeframe; if a warrantyor guarantee is offered; theseller’s privacy policy andthe retailer’s cancellationand return policy. Print outa copy of your confirmationpage in case you needit later.5) Will your online purchasebe secure? Look inthe address box for the “s”in https:// and in the lowerrightcorner for the “lock”symbol before paying. Don’tbe fooled by spoofed sitesthat feature convincing“security” measures. If youhave doubts about a site,right-click anywhere on thepage and select “Properties.”This will let you see the realURL (website address) andthe dialog box will reveal ifthe site is “not encrypted.”6) Will your personalinformation be protected?Read the site’s privacy policyto understand what personalinformation is beingrequested and how it will beused. If there isn’t one posted,consider that a warningthat your personal informationmay be sold to otherswithout your permission.7) Are your instincts tellingyou to beware? Listento your gut. If you’re dubiousabout a merchant; if thewebsite appears to be suspicious;if the offer seems“too good to be true,” trustyour instincts. Check withthe BBB.8) Is that e-mail legitimate?If someone e-mailsyou unexpectedly to askfor personal information,be very suspicious. Legitimatebusinesses don’t sende-mails claiming problemswith an order or an accountto lure the “buyer” intorevealing financial information.Call the contact numberon the website whereyou made the purchase toask if there was a problemwith your transaction.To learn more aboutshopping safely online contactthe local Better BusinessBureau at www.bbbvan.orgor visit www.bbbonline.org.Visit the BC Wildlife Park for Wildlights 2006!Over 400,000 lights (mostly LEDs) create 350 life-size wildlife sculptures. The Giant Maze, Wildlife Expressminiature train and crackling campfires help raise funds for the Society’s conservation program.The festival runs from December 15, 2006 to January 7, 2007 every day except Christmas Day.Shows are from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.The park is conveniently located along the Trans Canada Highway 15 minutes east of Kamloops city centre - exit 390/391Phone: 250-573-3242 or visit: www.BCzoo.org1- Early video game;5- Sea-going eagle;9- Religion of the Muslims; 14-Stead;15- Saturate;16- Goatlike antelope;17- Otherwise;18- Class;19- Assisted;20- Greek goddess of justice;22- Covered with prickers;24- Affairs of honor;26- Use, consume;27- Disfigure;30- Until now;35- Stadium used for sports ormusical events;36- Dictator;37- Slender missile;38- Tasteless items, junk;They say crosswords are good for your brain ...Across39- Tarries;42- Mouthpiece of a bridle;43- English public school; 45-Notable exploit, legal document;46- Babble;48- Society of women;50- Move unsteadily;51- Acknowledgment of debt;52- Merits;54- Inspiring awe;58- Dump;62- Intolerant person;63- Impressed;65- First-class;66- Hold responsible;67- Network of nerves;68- Small children;69- Summed;70- Prophet;71- Prepare for publication;Down1- This can be guilty or notguilty;2- Lubricates;3- Treehouse used by birds;4- Recompense;5- Respect;6- Pertaining to a sovereign;7- Doze;8- Supplements, with “out”; 9-Book of the Bible;10- Hallowed;11- Italian resort;12- Matures;13- Created;21- Pertaining to the ear; 23-Tire (out);25- Sleep;27- Palm fruits;28- Muse of lyric poetry;29- Stench;31- Chilled;32- Capital of Morocco;33- Hackneyed;34- Brown-furred aquaticcarnivorous mammal;36- Intake;40- Intense hatred;41- Used up;44- Noxious;47- Say again;49- Firmly implanted;50- Merchant;53- Mountain ridge;54- “Dancing Queen” quartet;55- Not tamed;56- Old-fashioned exclamationof surprise;57- Piercing places;59- Crucifix;60- Word that can precede war,biotic and climax;61- Nuisance;64- Very small;Answers on page 32