14 — The Prince George Citizen — Friday, December 8, 1989 WINNIPEG’S RIDD FAMILY They practise what they preach WINNIPEG (CP) — Freedom and justice are more than just words to the Ridd family. Their dedication to such principles has made them one of Winnipeg’s most noted clans and peace activist Karen Ridd is just the most celebrated example. The blonde former clown and star basketball player, who drew international attention when she was arrested in El Salvador last month, showed how much punch a Ridd can pack when she captured the hearts and minds of 150 Rotar-ians last week. She faced a crowd that had come to hear a city councillor talk about changes to the City of Winnipeg Act. Instead, they got a trip to a shantytown called Exodus, 28th of October, a refugee community in the capital of San Salvador where Ridd was arrested. It was named for the day it was established. “It’s a community of black plastic,’’ Ridd said to stunned silence. “A little bit of wood to make frames, a little bit of corrugated roofing to put on top.” An hour later, after receiving a stark account of abject poverty and civil war violence, the Rotarians gave Ridd a standing ovation. Last Thursday, External Affairs Minister Joe Clark flew Ridd to Ottawa for a round-table meeting on the trouble in Central America. She learned about the freedom she seeks for others at home, in the bosom of an unusual family. : Father Carl Ridd, a former Olympic basketball player who loves making bad puns, has spent a good deal of his life espousing freedom to his theology students at the University of Winnipeg. He realized long ago that he should practise at home what he preaches in school and he says he and and his wife Beverley improved as they went along, raising Laurel, 36, a lute teacher, Brian, 33, a worker with special-nccds children, and Karen, 28. “I think we did better wilh Karen than with Brian, and with Brian than with Laurel. Laurel got more hassle from us. We learned it in progress. “We were not rigid, and I thought theology made me less rig- Mediator eyes new rail talks VANCOUVER (CP) — Mediator Vince Ready will try to get contract talks going again in the strike against the Southern Railway of British Columbia, a union spokesman said Thursday. About 180 members of the Amalgamated Transit Union and the Office and Technical Employees Union have been on strike against the former B.C. Hydro rail division since Oct. 20. Paula Stromberg of the office employees union said Ready will meet with both sides Saturday afternoon, with the aim of trying to restart negotiations. Railway workers began picketing the B.C. Hydro building in downtown Vancouver today. They complained that Hydro is helping the railway prolong the strike by processing its computer tapes. Unionized Hydro employees refused to cross the picket lines. likely to fight with her brother than with Karen. The family is close and still manages to get together for Sunday dinners. Summers at their cottage on Lake of the Woods in northwestern Ontario also help. “It’s not a command performance,” Carl says of Sunday dinner. “If you can’t come, well, Bev is a good cook, so you’re the loser. We have a little rule: no coming out of guilt or obligation.” Such principles don’t come without cost. Carl Ridd said he had to accept the fact that his daughter Karen might die, as others have before her, when she went to work for Peace Brigades International in El Salvador. Peace Brigade volunteers shield human rights workers and others at risk of being murdered by right-wing death squads. She was arrested, interrogated and struck during her detention. Released the same day, she was never charged and left the country a few days later. “What else is life for but to serve your fellow human beings?” Carl Ridd says. “I realized that is what giving freedom meant.” FRASER-FORT GEORGE REGIONAL DISTRICT 987 Fourth Avenue, Prince George, B.C. V2L3H7 Phone 563-9225 - Fax 563-7520 1989 HOUSE NUMBERING PROGRAM The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George is pleased to announce that House Identification Numbers for the Greater Prince George area have now been mailed out. The areas covered by this issuance are as follows: - Pineview/Buckhorn area south as far as Patterson Road -Tabor Lake/Shelley/Ferndale north to and including Willow River - Blackwater Road south to and including West Lake - Beaverly, Mud River west as far as McBride Timber Road - Miworth - Chief Lake Road as far west as the Mossvale-Teardrop Forest Road - Ness Lake Road to and including Ness Lake - North Kelly/Hart Highway to and including Salmon Valley and are shaded on the map below. Social concerns keep this large family together: Karen Ridd surrounded by (clockwise from top) Brian holding Andrew, Dawn, Beverly, Carl, Laurel, David Taubner, Meagan Taubner, Karen, Sean Taubner. March is Kidney Month in Canada. Please give generously. The Kidney Foundation of Canada Improving the odds. On life. HOUSE NUMBERING If you live within this area and have not yet received a House Identification Number or have a question regarding your assigned number, please contact the Regional District at 563-9225. The Regional District office is located at 987 Fourth Avenue, Prince George, B.C. and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except statutory holidays. Gordon Simmons Planning Technician id. Our kids helped us to learn freedom.” Laurel recalls at least one difference in how the kids were raised. “By the time Karen came around my dad had given up spanking, so she never through that,” she said. “I was more rebellious, more inclined to do things as a child that would lead to a spanking,” Laurel admits, adding she was much more RSTARY AUCTION We re on our wav! State-of-the-art Cable will be yours in the 90’s with AGENDA: 11:00 a.m. Ronald McDonald Christmas Show (St. Mary’s Hall, 1088 Gillett St.) Everyone Welcome! No Charge! 12:10 -12:40 p.m. Ronald Is At Spruceland McDonald’s 12:50 -1:15 p.m. Join Ronald at a FREE FAMILY SWIM at the Four Seasons Pool 1:30 - 2:00 p.m Ronald is at the Massey Drive McDonald’s %ji iviW haw cable is proud to announce to our viewers the beginning of a massive upgrading programme which, when completed will offer residents of the Prince George area not only quality reception but also additional channel availability and top-of-the-line cable service. However, as is common with every worthwhile and complex project, minor inconveniences are inevitable. Short interruptions in cable service will occur as old equipment is replaced with the new. We will do our utmost to minimize this by keeping the time frame short and during low viewing periods only. Shaw cable will continue to strive to provide the highest standards in cable services. We thank you for your patience and we look forward to providing you with THE BEST cable services at the completion of this project. Tune to ShGVV GObls 10 for up-to-date information or simply contact our office with your inquiries. GOOD TIME. GREAT TASTE: wilviV# 5621345