Two of the Valley’s local artists are being recognized for their songwriting talents.
    The Fire Coulee Bandits and Joe Vickers are finalists in the Calgary Folk Festival’s songwriting competition. The Bandits for their song Old Willie and Vickers for Into the Darkness.
    Into the Darkness is the first track in Vickers' newest album, “Valley Home” made for the mining centennial. The song was inspired by Vickers' great grandfather and many of the miners who came to the Valley and tells the story of an immigrant who arrives in Canada, makes his way out west to work in the coal mines.
    Vickers is quite excited the song was selected, especially considering he had poured so much into making the album.
    This will be the first solo appearance by Vickers in the competition, he had been in it twice before as part of Audio Rocketry.
    Vickers has also been selected to participate in a prestigious songwriting workshop run by Bill Henderson, of Chilliwack fame, and Roy Forbes.
    For the Bandits, this will be their first original song submitted to any competition.
    “Now that we’ve started to record our original material, we thought it would be nice to enter some of it into competition,” said Mike Dooley, who plays acoustic guitar. “To have a song chosen and our work recognized as a finalist is a huge honour.”
    Old Willie was written by lead vocalist and guitar Layne Syvertsen several years ago. The song is about a man who lives on the road and is going through some hardship. It was also influenced by the Bandits' trip to Fernie, B.C., to play a St. Patricks Day show several years ago.
    When developing their original material, the Bandits wanted the song on their first album.
    “It was something that we were playing around with and we knew we wanted to adapt it for the whole band,” said Dooley. “The whole point of the song is that he’s going to keep going no matter what.”
    The Bandits started their career rocking the classic tunes, but have been increasing their repetoire of originals songs  to the point where they are working on their first album.
    The Bandits have also been attracting greater attention from out of town.
    “We’re starting to get a lot of attention outside of Drumheller, which is cool,” said Dooley. “We enjoy going out and playing for new crowds, but we love our Drumheller fans who come out and support us. We really appreciate that.”
    Both Vickers and the Fire Coulee Bandits will be playing their respective songs at the Ship and Anchor in Calgary on Saturday, May 5. Fans are more than welcome to come explained Dooley.
    “Come out and support us on May 5 and listen to some great music.”

In just over a week, residents of Drumheller are encouraged to come out and show their civic pride by helping make Drumheller a cleaner place.
    On April 23, the day after Earth Day, Communities in Bloom, Encana, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum are sponsoring this year’s Valley Trash Challenge, where volunteers lend a hand and pick up the litter that plagues the town.
    All day, until 4 p.m., residents and businesses are asked to take some time, grab a garbage bag, and collect some litter that has been accumulating in the valley. Afterwards, between 4 and 6 p.m. the Heartwood Inn is hosting a barbecue with food and drinks provided by Encana.
    “It’s a chance for people to help the town,” said Trish Parker, president of Communities in Bloom. “I think if tourists don’t see all the trash, they’ll be more likely to stay or come back.”
    Across the street from the Heartwood Inn, in the area next to the recycling bins, a garbage dumpster will be provided for the bags residents fill.
    The Valley Trash Challenge was spawned originally from the efforts of Encana volunteers five years ago, explained Luigi Vescarelli, Community Relations Officer with Encana.
    “In the spirit of our volunteer program, we looked at an event that we, and our families, could do together,” said Vescarelli. “I got in touch with the Town of Drumheller and asked if they would be receptive to us going out and cleaning up some of the garbage.”
    Afterwards, other organizations began similar initiatives independently.
    “The Museum takes pride in keeping our trails and green spaces clean and free of garbage. Earth Day is the perfect day for us to concentrate on making a difference,” said Mike Dooley, public relations and new media coordinator of the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
    Everyone joined forces and the Valley Trash Challenge was born.
    Parker hopes the day will help encourage people to not litter and for residents to help keep the town litter free year round, for example cleaning up litter when walking a dog.
    “That’s one thing to be commended,” said Parker.
    Everyone is encouraged to come out, help, and enjoy the free barbecue afterwards.
    “It’s great to see the town  supports the initiative to make our town green and as beautiful as possible,” said Dooley.
    “There’s that sense of pride when you look at the town and it’s cleaner,” said Vescarelli.