Beacon Magazine Dec 2010 by EyesOnBC Publishing

December 2010 vol 6 issue 79

Community Living: Fanny Bay to Nanoose

Race Against Time • 22 TrekOn! in 2010 - a look back • 12

hand-crafted local

ECLECTIC

creative

west coast

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ... GIVE A GIFT FROM THE SALISH SEA 2

/ December 2010

4 EDITORIAL 22

FEATURE

Race Against Time

35 Nanaimo’s Around Town Tellers

22 Race Against Time Award-winning Qualicum Filmmaker works to preserve the past

BUSINESS & FINANCE

5 Biz Banter: What’s up in local business 18 Economic Summit Displays Optimism 13 LCBA Spotlight 27 Your Money

GREAT OUTDOORS

12 Trek On 28 Tide Table 20 Through the Seasons 37 Into the Garden

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

29th Annual Denman Island Christmas Craft Faire

“Balance” - watercolour by Dianne Bersea CSPWC AFCA. A selection of Dianne’s greeting cards are available at the Salish Sea Market.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas

6 Denman Island Christmas Faire 9 ECHO Players Theatre 10 Kastawayz: From Scrap to Sculpture 16 Blue Heron Studio 35 Nanaimo’s Around Town Tellers 38 Reel Reviews

COMMUNITY LIFE

8 Inspired by Community 28 The Art of Conscious Living 30 Its Happening in Area H 34 On the Agenda COMMUNITY PEOPLE

7 Out of the Nest: Jennifer Lane 26 Images & Voices – Deep Bay RV Park

HEALTH 31 Health & Wellness Matters

THE REGULARS

14 Stranger Than Fiction 39 Classifieds 40 In the Stars 41 Business Information Centre 42-43 Community Events 44-46 At Your Service Index & Businesses

Pictured left to right: Linda Tenney, Lauri Gwilt (Salish Sea Market), Santa Claus, Beth Cudmore, Sharon Waugh, Frank Hladik and Margaret Reid (Frank & Margaret were off helping the elves that day!) / December 2010

December 2010

VOLUME 6 NO 78 The Beacon is published monthly by EyesOnBC

Main Email: beacon@eyesonbc.com Phone/Fax: 250-757-9914 In Person EyesOnBC at Magnolia Court Box 182, #110-6996 W. Island Hwy. Bowser, British Columbia V0R 1G0 Mon - Fri 10-5 Journalists & Reporters Lisa Verbicky, Nancy Whelan, Rita Levitz, Georgia Nicols, Marilyn Dawson, David Morrison, JoAnne Sales, Harry Sumner & Miriam Shell, Carolyn Walton, Linda Tenney, Sharon Waugh, Shirley Culpin, Laura Busheikin, Dick Stubbs, Bob Tenney Volunteer - Cathy Balogh

Subscriptions

Canada - 1 yr: $30 incl HST United States - 1 yr: $55 (CDN Funds) Call 250-757-9914 to subscribe. VISA & MasterCard accepted Printed in Canada - ISSN 1712-0918 Articles and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and published for general information purposes only. Articles are not intended to provide specific advice - the publishers will assume no liability.

Articles and/or data may not be quoted or reproduced, in part or in whole, without permission from the publisher. Freelance Writers/Photographers: Queries can be directed to Linda Tenney or Sharon Waugh at beacon@eyesonbc.com

Linda Tenney co-Publisher tenney@eyesonbc.com

MOONLIGHT MADNESS

Thank You

by Sharon Waugh

very gracious thank you to the Lighthouse Community for participating in Moonlight Madness, and above all, for your outstanding generosity in this local fundraising event – $2,618.81 – has now been delivered on your behalf to the Christmas hamper project and to a fund for sending local children to summer camp next year! The Moonlight Madness Committee (Union Bay Credit Union, Bowser Video, Bowser Legion #211, Dawn and Lawrence Setter RE/MAX, Bowser Woodworking, Dress For Les (and Sophie), Bowser Library, Powerhouse Fitness, EyesOnBC, Salish Sea Market, Bowser Esso, the Bean Counter, Lighthouse Gift Shop, Kerry & Peter Mason, Kim Longmuir RDN, Bowser Builders, Things & Stuff, Georgia Park Store and Lighthouse Feed & Garden, would like to acknowledge the following contributors in the success of the evening: Bowser Legion #211 for the dance venue, Fred & Wilma Ryvers for the Moonlight Madness venue, Tomm’s for spectacular fireworks, Georgia Park & UBCU for providing the pyjama dance band, Island Timberlands & Vince of Burn Dry Wood for the b-i-g Christmas tree, Dawn & Lawrence

Sharon Waugh co-Publisher waugh@eyesonbc.com

Setter and Tomm’s for the dance munchies, Bow Horn Bay Fire Department for keeping us safe, to the contributors of the dance auction items (Pharmasave, Georgia Park, Tomm’s, EyesOnBC, Salish Sea Market, Peter & Kerry Mason, UBCU, Bowser Video, Lighthouse Feed, Things & Stuff, Bowser Builders, Powerhouse Fitness, Dress for Les and Bowser Esso), to the volunteers, Bill Chubb and Jim McLean, looking after Speed Watch and the RCMP who handed out eight speeding tickets, to the donators of the big raffle items: Garden Arbor - Bowser Woodworking Winner Audrey Campbell Cord of Firewood - Dale & Brenda Wilson Winner Tudy Ball Pallet of Sea Soil Winner Elaine Soucy Colouring contest winners (Liam, Julia, TC, Olivia, Sierra and Marena) and last, but not least, the 1st Annual Santa Parade! Flotilla drivers Doug Cannon and Terry Budden decked their vehicles in holiday splendor as Santa and his vivacious Christmas Elf wowed the crowds! No moonlit skies this year but always more than a little madness in the Bowser Village!

LOCALLY OWNED • COMMUNITY INSPIRED

Elizabeth Cudmore Customer Service cudmore@eyesonbc.com

Margaret Reid Contract Distribution margaret@eyesonbc.com

Frank Hladik Advertising 951-8824

By Sharon Waugh Island Scallops is pleased to announce the opening of its new Seafood Store. The store will now offer local seafood, mussels, oysters, clams and fish in season, in addition to the scallops that are currently available. You will also be able to pick-up locally made seafood sauces to accompany your seafood purchase. To avoid disappointment call or e-mail Sandra to place your order. Store hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 – 5 pm and open weekends as of December 1st. Island Scallops, 5552 West Island Hwy – Tel: 250 757 9811; E-mail: info@ islandscallops.com Please see their ad on page 44. Oceanside Home Maintenance, owned and operated by Jonathan Ehman, is offering complete home maintenance services. From small outside jobs like raking leaves or cleaning gutters, to inside projects such as building shelves or hanging pictures, to more advanced jobs like building sheds, decks, pagodas, cedar fences and home renovations and repairs. Jonathan has lived in the Lighthouse Community for over 10 years and with the support of grandfather, Don Smith, owner of Bowser Woodworking, he has access to a full service woodworking shop when needed. Servicing all the communities between Courtenay and Parksville, available seven days a week for emergency jobs, with free written quotes and

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fast, reliable service Jonathan will provide you with the services you need to keep your home looking its very best! Oceanside Home Maintenance is fully insured and WCB covered. With a reputation for hard work and customer satisfaction Jonathan’s goal is to provide reliable and professional services and ensure you have a hassle-free, positive experience every time. Please visit his website at OceansideHomeMaintenance. com for a complete list of services or give Jonathan a call at (250)702-0782. Please refer to Jonathan’s ad on page 21.

Services situated in Nanaimo, knows it’s never too early to start planning for your return. In fact, he wants to make this tax season easier for Lighthouse Country residents by offering (at no charge) a drop-off service at EyesOnBC, located in Bowser’s Magnolia Court. Starting in January, local residents are invited to utilize this confidential service. The star on this tree is that Neil will personally bring your return to your residence or choice of meeting place! Call Neil today at 250-754-2210 or email nwjones@shaw.ca

Pineridge Farm Market in Spider Lake will be opening up it’s doors this December to bring in the Christmas season. Owners Paul and Kris Christensen have partnered up with Robbins Wreaths of Spider Lake to sell the locally produced wreaths, garlands, swags, door arches and urn kits to name a few of the items available. They will also be selling cut trees and serving up hot chocolate and coffee on Saturdays and Sundays from 11-5pm during the month of December. You can also pre-order your Christmas needs at www.pineridgefarm.ca. Please see Paul and Kris’s ad on page 23.

Jim Lynch, owner of NR Insurance Services Ltd., tells us his business will be on the move December 27th to their new location at 102-670 Memorial Avenue in Qualicum Beach. “We’ll re-open the next day on the 28th – we’ve been waiting for a new location for quite some time, but decided to wait until the right location came along. We’ve been situated in the Nanaimo Realty/Royal LePage building for 22 years and are expanding from a cramp 650 sq ft to approximately 1,250 sq ft. Our services are not changing – we will still be offering competitive insurance policies on the following classes of business: Autoplan, Home, Business, Boats, Condominiums and Liability.” All the best of success to you and your team, Jim, in your new digs! Be sure – insure. Please refer to Jim’s ad on page 14.

Just barely into the Christmas Season and we are already talking about Tax Season?!? For the past 22 years, accountant Neil Young, franchise owner of Liberty Tax

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or by email at lesliegeddie@gmail.com / December 2010

29th Denman Island Christmas Craft Faire:

Wrapped in Rural Spirit By Laura Busheikin

y ten year-old daughter still hasn’t forgiven me for the one year we went out of town and missed the Denman Island Christmas Craft Faire.

remains a small, rural community, and the Faire’s warm, down-to-earth atmosphere reflects that. “A lot of the big high-end fairs get so professional it kind of kills the spirit

She’s not alone in her love for this event. Of the 3,000-odd people who visit the fair each year, many have been coming for decades. Denman Craft Faire Coordinator Leslie Dunsmore says she knows people who have been to every single Faire since it was launched 29 years ago – including herself. The biggest draw, of course, is the variety and quality of the wares: pottery, weaving, jewellery, toys, carvings, culinary items, clothing and more. People come to shop, but also to enjoy. Gathered into the 8,300 square feet of two community halls is an array of artistic output that equals several dozen gallery exhibits. There are homemade lunches for sale in both halls and a variety of tempting snacks (authentic poutine, steaming lattes made from locally roasted coffee, fresh-pressed apple juice) at the outdoor booths. There are twinkling lights and sprigs of holly and smiling faces, and there is beauty and colour everywhere you look. The day I call Dunsmore to ask about plans for this year, she’s just gotten off the phone with a journalist from Westworld Magazine, which is featuring the Faire on its list of the 20 best craft fairs in BC. “What makes the fair so successful?” I ask her. “I can only give you my theories,” she says as a disclaimer. But she’s well-placed to have an insight: the multi-talented Dunsmore has organized this event for 28 of its 29 years and participated as a vendor, as well as organizing the Denman Home & Garden Tour for many years. Dunsmore sums up the Denman Craft Faire’s secret of success in two words: quality and community. “Since the 1970s, Denman Island has become an enclave for artists of all sorts. They pride themselves on the high quality of their work,” says Dunsmore. At the same time, Denman 6

/ December 2010

shoppers, being able to buy something directly from the person who made it is both fun and meaningful. I ask Dunsmore to highlight a couple of artists. “Well, that’s hard, but there’s a wonderful woodworker, Bruce Matthews, who makes beautiful lathed bowls and hand-crafted wooden pens. How nice is it to pick up a pen and feel the warmth of wood in your hand?” she asks rhetorically. “We’re the only craft fair he does, so this is a rare opportunity. “And glass artist John Harned’s work is astounding. He has truly mastered his craft. He sells these exquisite small dishes for serving chocolates and snacks, for just $10 – I don’t know how he even buys material for that amount. And next to that you might see a highly complex sunflower image on a plate that has taken him five days to craft. It’s a plate but you can put it on the wall and call a painting.”

“Sea Mask” by Scott Beardsley • a Fireweed photo in the air. We have kept both – the homey feeling and the top quality of the work. “Also, the Faire is an outing, a great day or weekend trip. You come over on the ferry; it’s quaint and beautiful and feels like a community. You can feel the huge level of local support for the arts. Also you see the support for the non-profits who sell raffle tickets, food and other fundraisers. You really get the feel that this is a community in the old-fashioned sense of the word,” she says. As well, people appreciate the old-fashioned approach to shopping, says Dunsmore. “In typical gift shopping, you go out to a big centre and look for the best bargain. You generally have no idea where it was made or by who. At the Craft Faire, everything you buy has the added value of relationship,” says Dunsmore. Artisans at the Faire are required to staff their own tables; for

I ask my daughter about her favourites: “I like the woman who makes the felt animals [Christiane Brown] and last year I really liked Cathy Stoyko’s table [jewellery and funky/comfy clothes] and I always like to see what’s at the kids’ table…I just like all of it!” This year she is planning to attend on both days – perhaps to make up for that one lost year. The Denman Island Christmas Craft Faire takes place Saturday, December 4th, and Sunday, December 5th, from 10am to 4pm at the Denman Community Hall and the Seniors’ Hall. Visitors from Vancouver Island are encouraged to leave their cars at the Buckley Bay Ferry Terminal and walk onto the ferry. From the Denman terminal, it’s a short walk up the hill to the site, or take the Faire’s shuttle service which runs continually from the ferry to the Faire.

Shopping tip from Leslie Dunsmore, Faire Coordinator: If you’d like a less

crowded shopping experience, come on Sunday, which is consistently less busy. It’s not true that you have to arrive early to get the ‘best stuff’, she says. The exhibitors have generally been working for months to build up inventory for the holiday season and have plenty of merchandise on hand. ~

OUT OF THE NEST

Jennifer Lane

A Master of Stepping outside comfort Zones by Rita Levitz

“I

was always very shy. I remember people saying, ‘You’re going to burst out and be a wild person one day,’ and I believed it. But I’m not; I’m just a quiet person.” Jennifer Lane (Bowser Elementary School, Qualicum Beach Middle School, Kwalikum Secondary School ’96) never let that get in the way of the challenges and goals she set for herself.

Jennifer, Carlos and baby, Ana Sofia Rita Levitz photo

“Many of my colleagues have moved to the private sector, but I’ll stay in the public sector. It has to be about more than just the job, otherwise you don’t feel like you’re giving something back. Multi-national companies should pay their taxes – it helps to protect our social programs.”

“I like school, and I like studying. In high school I took a wide variety of courses. I was so scared of ‘closing doors’ and missing learning opportunities that I tried everything.” She followed that up with a double Major in International Relations and Economics from UBC. “I was interested in development, and drawn to Economics since it looked for solutions to real problems. I spent my summers back in Bowser, working at Georgia Park Store.” Much to her parents chagrin, however, upon graduating from university Jennifer went to Puerto Vallarta and got a job at a hotel working in customer relations. “It was a great experience – I just couldn’t be shy. My parents wondered what I was doing with my life, but when they visited, they realized how good it was for me.” Jennifer not only blossomed in her new environment, she also met her future husband Carlos. After two years in Mexico though, she realized she needed to return to school to improve her career options. “I

new scheme to see through. I get to travel, meet interesting people, and get to see lots of factories,” Jen laughs. “It’s interesting to see how things are made.”

Jen wonders, however, what is next on the horizon for her. “I don’t like being in the same place for too long. I’ve been in Ottawa five years now, and besides, it’s cold.” Carlos no doubt concurs. “I’d like the sense of reward that comes from having a more directly positive effect on people’s lives.”

got my Masters in Economics and took a job with Canada Revenue in Ottawa, not expecting to really like it, but I do. I consult for Canada Revenue’s auditing of multinational corporations, researching markets for different products, determining prices so that the proper amount of taxes can be paid. There’s always a new challenge, always a

“My parents taught me that everyone has things to overcome, and that I shouldn’t let my shyness stop me from doing the things I really want to do. To be a better person and to make yourself happy, you have to get out of your comfort zone and push yourself further than you think you can go.” For now, however, Jen has an entirely new set of challenges and rewards in her life, as the mother of five-month old Ana Sofia. Nothing could be more perfect for someone who loves learning and wants to make a difference. ~

VINTURI

Essential Wine Aerator

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/ December 2010

Inspired by your community? Tell us how and your inspiration could appear here next month! beacon@eyesonbc.com

HELP US KEEP THE KEEPERS On THE LIGHTS

ur sincerest thanks to all of you, who wrote letters and to those of you who appeared before the Senate committee this last week. We have made some progress with the Senators and some of them are seeing it the right way thanks to your efforts. Staffed lighthouses make a difference. It is a small victory unfortunately. The Senate committee can only recommend to the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean what they think is right. The Minister has complete jurisdiction over beacons, buoys and lighthouses in Canada and can also follow recommendations from Coast Guard. The Conservative Government already has a policy in place from 2008 that says, “We support staffed lighthouses and their personnel.” Why in the world is the government doing this review ? AGAIN? Good question? PLEASE we need more letters. We appreciate your efforts so far, dust off the old one and change the date if you have to or just plain get angry that we are wasting tax dollars on

something that is against government policy, and that clearly the citizens of Canada don’t want. Thank you in advance for your newest letter, we appreciate your support. SEND TO: Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea Shea.G@parl.gc.ca Coast Guard Susan Steele Susan.Steele@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Members of Parliament: Kamp.R.@parl. gc.ca, Lunne.J@parl.gc.ca, bairdj@parl. gc.ca, PM@PM.gc.ca, LaytoJ@parl.gc.ca Ingnatieff.M@parl.gc.ca, cc to newdawn@ lincsat.com and to jimabram@xplornet.ca Regards, Roger and Leslie, Chrome Island Lighthouse

Discover a Prairie Christmas at Valhalla Oceanside Hospice Society (OHS) opens its doors to the public this holiday season at “Valhalla”, a 1911 Prairie-style home on a beautiful ocean view property. Beginning with the Rotary Christmas House Tour on November 27th, 210 Crescent Road West in Qualicum Beach will be festively

decorated and offering mulled apple cider to visitors who wish to tour the hospice centre. Those who wish to commemorate a loved one are encouraged to write a message on the tree ornaments which will be provided. Oceanside Hospice is a charitable service provider; community driven and community funded, providing compassionate and caring support for the ailing, their family members, caregivers and the bereaved. Services can be accessed for the communities in the area stretching from Nanoose to Deep Bay and referrals include, Coombs, Errington and Whiskey Creek. During a season which can present new challenges for those focused on end of life issues, OHS offers the following commemorative opportunities: Nov 27 to Dec 22 from 9 am to 4 pm the Memory Tree Campaign at Valhalla; December 5th at 2 pm the Candle Lighting Vigil at the Parksville Community Centre. Oceanside Hospice reminds the community: “It’s a path we will all walk someday…let’s share the journey.” For more information, please visit their website at www.oceansidehospice.org or call 250–752–6257. ~

George Marshall plays Flow in ECHO’s next production of Robinson Crusoe, December 16-31. Professor Plum’s Peerless Potion will either kill you or cure you...whichever comes first! • Mary Ann Kennedy photo

PANTOMANIA Submitted by Aileen Frabris

antomime derives its name from the pantomimes of ancient Rome in which a player represented in mime different characters in a short scene based on history or mythology. In its modern form however, pantomime is a British form of theatrical entertainment derived from the harlequinade, primarily for children and associated with Christmas. Based on the dramatization of a fairy tale, book or nursery story, the pantomine includes songs, topical jokes, buffoonery, slapstick and standard characters such as a pantomime dame played by a man, a principal boy played by a woman and a pantomime animal (ie. a horse, cat or goose) played by actors dressed in comic costume. Pantomimes remain a well-loved feature of the Christmas season for many families in Britain. In fact going to the pantomime at Christmas becomes a mania for many.

In Oceanside ECHO Players of the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach produce their own annual Christmas Pantomime. This year there’s high jinx on the high seas in the animated adventure of Robinson Crusoe. Crusoe sets off to find the treasure belonging to Gluebeard the Pirate. Crusoe’s crew includes his mum, Clara, brother Billy, his sweetheart, Polly Perkins, and her father the Mayor. Cunning Gluebeard stows away on the voyage, plots a mutiny and scuttles the ship. There has to be a happy ending, of course, so everyone is saved thanks to

Briny the Sea Sprite, but not before they find their island haven the haunt of bloodthirsty cannibals, rescue Girl Friday, find the treasure and put one particular pirate in his place! All this with audience participation, much laughter and dazzling costumes. The panto runs from December 16 to the 31st. New Years Eve is usually a sellout so get your tickets early by phone 250 7523522 or email info@echoplayers.ca. If you have never seen a pantomime before it’s not too late to start a new tradition. Better yet, continue a much-loved one. ~

/ December 2010

KASTAWAYZ ART: By Carolyn Walton

FROM SCRAP TO SCULPTURES

hat old chestnut ‘one man’s junk is another man’s treasure’, comes to life in the one-of-a-kind sculptures created by material artists, Amanda and Kerry Illerbrun, at Kastawayz Art in Courtenay’s aptlynamed Tin Town. Here, recycling is taken to the extreme by this artistic couple as they fashion marine creatures from metal, wood, tile and concrete into unique salmon, skates, sea horses, stingrays, starfish, marlin and crabs, bringing inspiration from the southern Pacific Ocean with the warm waters, one hundred beaches, pristine harbours, subtropical diving and abundant marine life of their former home in Whangarei, on the North Island of New Zealand, and now here, from the waters of the Salish Sea. “We’re influenced by the diverse cultural heritage we draw upon,” Terry explains, “which includes traditional and contemporary influences from Maori, Pacific Islanders and Europeans.” A visit to Kastawayz reveals an eclectic array of funky and fanciful creations: water trickles from a series of copper kettles forming a hypnotic waterfall, red-combed roosters strut across the floor, crabs climb the wall, schools of steel roofing salmon swim freeform, bright copper sun flowers bloom, crows perch on the windowsill, a lifelike driftwood salmon hangs suspended from the ceiling. On top of the showcase Amanda’s fanciful fridge magnet fork grasshoppers are displayed. Ready for pick-up and commandeering a large area of the room, is a huge, unusual cast iron wood stove, a skeletal fish embossed on the front, crabs and starfish adorning the top and sides, which has been fashioned to burn driftwood at a customer’s beach house. Kerry explains that “As a diver I’ve designed the stove it to make it appear as if it has been recovered from a sunken ship.” Although Kerry was born and raised in New Zealand, the Illerbrun family has deep roots in Western Canada. Kerry’s parents emigrated to New Zealand in the early 60’s where he was born. He visited Canada in the early 80’s for a year to work and spend time with his extended family. Back home,

/ December 2010

Kastawayz Art in Courtenay: an eclectic array of funky and fanciful creations by Amanda and Kerry Illerbrun • Carolyn Walton photo

Kerry met and married his New Zealand wife, Amanda in 1990 and they have three sons, Wyatt, James and Joshua. “As the boys neared their teens, we decided to move to Canada in order for them to explore and experience the Canadian culture and lifestyle as part of their heritage and to meet the many relatives they have across Canada.” So in mid 2008 they arrived and settled in the Comox Valley. Sculptures are fashioned from materials collected from local scrap yards, recycling depots and thrift stores. With the help of their three sons, Kerry and Amanda utilize everything from old oil drums to metal roofing and cutlery. The lines, holes, patchy colours, rust and unusual shapes of these materials contribute to the unique character and personality of each piece. “Instead of the familiar john dory fish, pukeko bird and weta insects of New Zealand, our current work has taken on the new shapes of Pacific salmon, herons and grasshoppers.” Kerry’s vocation as a shipbuilder Down Under is reflected in his furniture. A coffee table of recycled wood resembles a pier, authentic even to large dents in the leg

pilings from boat collisions. A tiny red crab crawls along one end of the table top. Creating sculptures from recyclables began as a hobby for Kerry and Amanda in New Zealand. “My whimsical imagination and twenty-five years in engineering and shipbuilding were complimented by Amanda’s flair for detail and creative presentation.” he said. “We created highly imaginative gifts for family and friends from found materials and they urged us to test the marketability of our artwork. Since the first sales in 1998, there has been no turning back! Amanda does the finishing, varnishing, painting and resin on the table.” Kerry said. Now their creations have been welcomed into galleries, homes, restaurants and art shows around the world. Last Christmas I discovered a weirdlywrapped parcel under the tree. Much to my surprise and delight it was a large Kastawayz salmon which joined a crab and large eagle with outspread wings, decorating our patio walls. Just imagine our delight when we discovered Kastawayz sculptures for sale in Bowser’s Salish Sea Market! ~ Kastawayz Art, 2351 Rosewall Crescent, Courtenay BC. Phone 250-218-7854

Holly Jolly Happy Holidays by Kim Longmuir, RDN Recreation Programmer

very year as the holiday season approaches, I convince myself that I will be really ready this year. But sigh, I am always scrambling just before Christmas to find one last special gift or drop off a plate of cookies and visit with a neighbour. I am now convinced I must thrive on this flurry of activity and look forward to it. I know I am not alone! The one thing that keeps me energized during the busy holiday season is to keep my exercise “non-negotiable”. I must admit sometimes it might be just hopping on the exercise bike for a short time, but most days it is an invigorating run or a chatty fast-paced walk with a good friend. Try staying active this busy season by exploring the magnificent scenery in the Lighthouse Country Regional and Big Qualicum River trails, both close to home. You can also check out Sharon Waugh’s Trek On in the monthly Beacon magazine, where this avid hiker outlines beautiful Island trails and parks for you to discover with your family and friends. Please drop by EyesOnBC/ Salish Sea Market to say hello and pick up a Beacon magazine and one of the RDN’s Regional Parks and Trail guides.

CLOSED December 24 to January 2

Reopening Monday, January 3, 2011 Winter Hours: Monday to Friday ~ 11am to 3pm Saturday & Sunday ~ 8am to 3pm

1077 Lee Road, French Creek Harbour

The New Year will bring with it some exciting RDN programs to help you stay active. Running coach, Heather Beatty will be starting her “Ready, Set, Run Some More” and “Run Stronger” programs on Monday, January 10th. Yoga instructor, Fiona Mackey will be offering three different times for her popular Hatha Yoga class and Sally Whibley will be at the Lighthouse Community Centre, Wednesday mornings, motivating people in her Focus on Fitness program. Your preschooler will love running, jumping and throwing at the Lighthouse Community Centre doing “Cool Moves” with Qualicum Bay Mom and instructor, Lori Chesley. Older children can join Kathleen Guest after school, for another fun-filled “Girls and Boys Just Want to have Fun” program, followed by a family volleyball evening. If you have eight friends and would like to try a fitness, scrapbooking or other type of program, please contact me and I will work hard to find an instructor at a time and reasonable cost that will suit your group. On a personal note, my temporary contract with the RDN ends in January. When I was hired, it was to have been for one year and now three years have flown by. I know you will extend the same warm welcome to Chrissie Finnie, the new RDN Lighthouse Recreation Programmer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for making me feel so welcome in the community. I leave with wonderful memories of motivating people to try new activities for the first time, wearing my pyjamas to Moonlight Madness and stuffing more Hallowe’en goodie bags than I could ever have imagined. Thank you all! I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and very happy holiday season. I hope our paths will cross again. ~ Kim Longmuir, RDN Recreation Programmer can be reached at EyesOnBC/Salish Sea Market, klongmuir@rdn.bc.ca (250) 7578118 or (250) 240-4911. All RDN programs must be pre-registered at 250-248-3252 or www.rdn.bc.ca to avoid the disappointment of a cancelled program.

Best Wishes & Happy New Year

Allan, Corinne, Brett, Ray, Colleen, Daniel

THE NAME YOU CAN TRUST FOR ALL YOUR AUTO REPAIRS 123 E 4th Ave, Qualicum Beach Phone:

250-752-5822

haired plant whisperer” author of Wild Medicine of Coastal British Columbia, at Rosewall Creek Provincial Park, north of Deep Bay. Identification of wild medicinal plant communities provided a platform for discussion of ethical wildcrafting of indigenous plant species.

Trails not only connect us with each other, they connect us with ourselves. Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted knew this, and designed his pathways for reverie: gentle, winding, and somehow private. Communities with no place to daydream are communities without imagination. ~ David Burtwell, President, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2001

The paths of 2010

July 2010 – All Aboard!: departing from the Alberni Pacific Railway Train Station, in Port Alberni, the 1929 No. 7 steam engine pulled our passenger car to the McLean Mill National Heritage Site thirty-five minutes down the track. A self-guided tour of the mill site awaits your exploration of camp life as experienced between 1926 - 1965. Extend your hike to the Log Train Trail – 22 kilometres to add to your pedometre! August 2010 – Back on the Saddle Again: follow the Saddle Route to gain access to Mt. Cokely and Mount Arrowsmith on a warm summer day for panoramic views of the Englishman and Cameron watersheds, the broad sweep of the Alberni Valley and a glimpse of the perpetual ice sheet of the Comox Glacier.

Backtracking By Sharon Waugh

s we approach the end of another year it’s a good time to reflect on where we have travelled together over the past eleven months. With the holiday season just around the corner there may be a few free days to take your visiting company out to enjoy the beauty of our local surrounds and refamiliarize yourself with old routes. In Lighthouse Country, new trails were pioneered in the Wilson Woodlot, Qualicum Bay, to include some fabulous and lengthy connector routes in the Nile Creek watershed. The Lighthouse Country Regional Trail, in the same neck of the woods, is currently under a major facelift, now sporting two new aluminum bridge spans and upgrades to the present meandering path. These changes to width and surface of the five kilometre south loop will open accessibility to include wheelchair users. Let’s backtrack on the paths of 2010:

January 2010 – Comox Valley Seal Haunt: If you are looking for a large local park to explore with 1,391 acres of woodland, ravines, swamps and ocean frontage, then the Seal Bay Nature Forest is an ideal choice just outside Courtenay and Comox. February 2010 – Day Trippin’ to Denman Island: Visit both Fillongley Provincial Park and Boyle Provincial Park with one short ferry ride to Denman Island. Spectacular 12

/ December 2010

views of Chrome Island Lighthouse, with surroud-sound choruses from migrant sealions adding to the background vistas of Hornby Island and the Beaufort Range of Vancouver Island. Trails lead to the historic 1800’s homestead of the George Beadnell family on the Fillongley Park grounds.

March 2010 – Look up...Look Way, Way Up!: The newest piece of Lighthouse Country trail links the existing network of recreation corridors in the 390 hectare Wilson Woodlot, in Qualicum Bay. Winding through the Old Growth Management Reserve above the reaches of Nile Creek the Lighthouse Trail Group has masterfully created another rustic access route for local woodland exploration. April 2010 – Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park & Morden Colliery Trail: This park is a four hectare site which includes the pithead and the only remaining coal tipple on the Island. Follow the historical coal railway route which once connected the mines of South Wellington, near Nanaimo, to the coal ships docked at Boat Harbour. May 2010 – Touring Northwest Bay by Paddle: kick off your hiking boots, don a little neopreme and slip into the cockpit of a kayak – we joined Jan Kretz, of Adventuress Sea Kayaking, for a paddling tour of the Bay to get upclose and personal with sealions basking on log booms. June 2010 – Walking With Root Woman: a local walkabout with educator and eco-herbalist, Kahlee Keane, the “silver-

September 2010 – A Blast from the Past: Ripple Rock Trail: north of Campbell River, near Menzies Bay, hike to the viewpoint of Seymour Narrows and the historic location of the former Ripple Rock – the notorious twin-peaked summit which lay only nine feet below the surface, claiming the life of more than 110 mariners and over 120 vessels before its demise in 1958 – at the time, the largest non-nuclear explosion in history. October 2010 – The Fisherman Trail: starting at Robertson Creek Hatchery, near Port Alberni, the trail winds along the Stamp and Ash Rivers to Great Central Lake and a return loop past Turtle Lake brings you back to the busy fall spawning and eggtake production at the hatchery. November 2010 – The Racy Waters of Nymph Falls: a glimpse of the power of the Puntledge River system in this 54 acre multi-user park near Courtenay. Fish ladders, the natural jacuzzi-like potholes of summer swims and culturally modified trees add to the mix of scenery via a network of walking and mountain bike trails. Be sure to visit the Beacon’s website at www.eyesonbc.com for the online collection of the 2010 Trek On. From snow to surf, we’ll launch you on a new set of trails to strengthen your roots of connection to our Island home. All the best in the New Year! ~

Things & Stuff Old and New

6881 West Island Highway, Bowser 250-757-8815 • Open 11am - 5pm Daily

ou may have seen the large loon greeting customers at Things & Stuff, the eclectic shopping destination along Highway 19A in Bowser. Well the loon is one of the many “finds” of Val and Alan whose shared love for collecting, recycling and seeing the beauty and function in a wide range of things (and stuff) has blossomed into this thriving retail business. As Val says, “We both love seeing people use stuff other people are done with and we both have always loved getting a great deal, so we pass it on.” Bowser wasn’t necessarily in their plans. Things & Stuff was in the works for over five years while Val lived in Victoria and she had thought Parksville would be the location for her store. After camping in the area , they fell in love with Bowser and the friendly small town feel. Luck and circumstances came together and they opened in 2007. Within a year they bought a home in Deep Bay and moved here, allowing them to run the business while enjoying a working retirement.

Bowser may not have been in Val and Alan’s original plans but here they are ... and loving every minute of it. stuff, literally daily.

The first year of business took on many different facets and over time their merchandise selections have grown tremendously, most recently with the addition of a separate building dedicated to furniture. A sampling of the types of things you will find are: jewelry, art, glassware, kitchen stuff, stained glass windows, tons of collectables, antiques, clothing, videos, books and on and on. New stock comes in weekly and old

“I like finding different ways of giving,” says Val who started volunteering as a candy striper at twelve years-old at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and in present day feeds the homeless in Victoria. Locally, Val and Alan donate the proceeds of the scrap metal drop-off bin to our community where needed. The first cheque went to the Legion’s Generator Fund and since then to the Fall Faire Pet Rescue, Bowser Elementary’s Hot Meals for lunch program, and soon, the speed zone speed monitor being purchased for Bowser. These are all things we need and Val and Alan are happy to share, helping our small community grow stronger by working together. There are lots of great items for Christmas shopping – come in and browse for ideas, enjoy the warm fireplace and have a chat with Val and Alan. Things & Stuff Old and New is a member of the Lighthouse Country Business Association

Space for this business spotlight is donated by EyesOnBC

www.longevitymedical.ca / December 2010

Stranger Than Fiction So ... much ado about nothing! by Bob Tenney

he Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the largest particle accelerator in the world, was built by CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research located near Geneva, Switzerland. Twenty-seven kilometers in circumference, it was built by over 10,000 scientists from over 100 countries, universities and laboratories. The goal is to push the limits of experimental physics to the extreme and to explore the beginning of the universe by recreating the conditions that existed at that time. First the LHC must be cooled down to near absolute zero. This is accomplished several stages, the first using liquid nitrogen. The final stage uses liquid helium to reduce the temperature to 3 deg. K. These low temperatures facilitate the functioning of the superconducting magnets used to produce the particle beams. The first particles used were protons, the nucleus of the hydrogen atom. The last particles used were lead ions, very big and heavy. The beams of particles are accelerated in opposite directions. Each beam is close to the speed of light, the theoretical maximum speed limit. Then at the appropriate time they are collided together, thus creating the conditions for high energy experiments. Temperatures of several trillion degrees centigrade, over one million times the temperature at the center of the sun will be generated. The LHC will attempt to prove the existence of the hypothetical Higgs boson particle as well as an array of other Standard Model elementary particles. The Higgs boson is the only Standard Model particle that has not been observed and is thought to be the mediator of mass. Experimental detection of the Higgs would help explain the origin of mass in the universe. In addition to elementary particles they expect the LHC to generate many mini black holes (BH). What will the mini BH do? How will they interact with their surroundings? Will they be stable in and of themselves and in relation to their environment? A black hole is defined as a region of space-time that has a very compact mass. It is so dense that its gravitational pull is very intense and compelling. Nothing, not even the photons of electromagnetic radiation (light), escapes from it. Because it is so dense anything and everything that it encounters is absorbed and becomes one with the hole. It is a one-way street, no escape and no exit. It just grows and grows and gets nothing but bigger. The bigger and heavier it gets the more powerful is its gravitational pull and the more it sucks in. The fear is that even starting with mini holes they would quickly get bigger through the absorption of more matter and grow out of control. This scenario is not possible because whatever the LHC will do, Nature has already done many times over during the lifetime of the Earth and other astronomical bodies. Black holes have always existed and are spread throughout the universe. It is thought that >90% of the mass of the universe is composed of this “dark matter”. We leave the final word on LHC safety to: “The world will not come to an end when the LHC turns on. The LHC is absolutely safe. Collisions releasing greater energy occur millions of times a day in the earth’s atmosphere and nothing terrible happens.” Prof. Steven Hawking, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, Cambridge University 14

/ December 2010

REAL ESTATE PROMOTION

Feeling the Spirit of the Holidays in Oceanside By Marc LaCouvée

s we head into the holiday season, I feel blessed to live in the Oceanside community. Most of us have a fridge full of food, the clothes we need and homes to live in. And this Parksville/Qualicum region is so rich in spirit – the young and the old shine in giving to others in many, many ways! With gifts of time and money, local residents rally support where support is needed. We also have fantastic charitable organizations that excel in serving the community every day. One of our key charities is the Society of Organized Services (SOS) in Parksville. Quietly operating for the most part below the radar, this organization delivers a host of compassionate services. Approximately 350 active volunteers devote themselves to enhancing the quality of life for children, youth, families and seniors through programs such as Family Night, After School Education Assistance, and Meals on Wheels. Another organization working to build our community is the Parksville Qualicum Community Foundation. Focused on providing long term resources to long term solutions, this philanthropic group seeks to make our local area a strong and resilient place to live, work and play. They have developed forward-thinking initiatives

Children’s Miracle Network. A summer golf like the Youth Action Committee which prioritizes a “youth friendly” community that tournament and agent donations throughout the year help this charity save and improve is a great place to grow up. the lives of 17 million children each year. As a parent who has personally benefited In BC, this happens largely with the BC from the valuable contributions of nonChildren’s Hospital Foundation, a member of profit medical organizations, my thoughts Children’s Miracle Network. fall on the selflessness of this type of charity as well. BC Transplant, for example, Entering the Christmas shopping season, consider gifts of charity for the special people approaches its mission to save lives and in your life. A unique gift for someone on offer hope with compassion, collaboration your list could be a donation to a charity in and innovation. The Kidney Foundation their name. Use the agencies listed above of Canada, another organization of special as a starting point. Chances are that you or importance to me, is a recognized leader someone you love has been helped by the amongst national health charities and is generosity of others – here’s a great way to dedicated to improving the health and give back! quality of life of people living with kidney disease. The list of those that help is endless From my family to yours, wishing you a very – BC Cancer Foundation, Heart & Stroke Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Foundation of BC & Yukon, and so many bright and prosperous 2011! ~ more! Marc LaCouvée was born and raised on Heavily supported by RE/MAX worldwide Vancouver Island. He is a REALTOR and and locally in both RE/MAX offices is a Dad. He has spent his lifetime exploring (Parksville and Qualicum Beach), Children’s this great paradise. Whether supporting Miracle Network is another force in fundOceanside Minor Hockey, other local raising in high profile in Oceanside. I’m organizations or attending PAC meetings, proud to be part of a “Miracle Office” at RE/ Marc is committed to community, his family MAX Anchor Realty. Miracle Office status is and the area that he and his children live in. awarded only to RE/MAX offices with 100% Marc works for RE/MAX Anchor Realty in of their sales associates pledging a portion Qualicum Beach. www.MarcLaCouvee.com of their personal income to benefit The Please refer to Marc’s ad on page 34.

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250-752-3011 Nelson Shaw at work in his studio (left) One of the spectacular garden gates that now welcomes visitors to a local residence. (right)

Nelson Shaw, Steel Artist Less $5 discount until January 31, 2011

WHITE COLLAR WORLD’S LOSS IS OCEANSIDE’S GAIN By Shirley Culpin

t’s a long way from the farm fields of central Alberta to the halls of academia in Missouri, and it’s a further stretch yet between The Show-Me State and a hole-in-thewall workshop/artist’s studio in Qualicum Beach. Nelson Shaw’s life has had some quirky twists and turns but he appears to have found his niche in Oceanside with his Blue Heron Steel Studio, where he turns out spectacular artwork crafted of steel, stone and mixed mediums. Born in Ontario and transplanted to a farm near Red Deer, Alberta as a toddler, Nelson joined the Navy at the age of 18. He was posted to Victoria and thus began his long-standing love affair with Vancouver Island. After leaving the armed forces he worked in the construction trades, married, and welcomed the first of his two sons while living in Nanaimo. At the age of 25 he returned to school, majoring in education at Malaspina College. He ended up switching to the fine arts program with the aim of becoming an art teacher, but in the mid-1980s the economy forced a move back to Alberta for the young Shaw family. Nelson continued his studies at Red Deer College then transferred to the University of Calgary where he completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He was subsequently accepted for graduate studies at Ohio State, where he majored in sculpture and drawing, and after completing his Masters degree in fine arts, moved on to teach design and life drawing at Southwest Missouri State University. “I did that for two years,” says Nelson, “but my wife and kids were still in Alberta and I was traveling back and continued next page

/ December 2010

continued from previous page forth. I ended up choosing to return to Canada where my family was.” Nelson landed a position as artistic director for a visual arts festival in Edmonton, where he remained until 1993, then took a sabbatical from the art world. He worked as a prosthetic technician trainee, but abandoned that career option and moved to Summerland, where he cared for his aging mother and opened a studio featuring his steel art. Following the passing of his mother Nelson returned to the Island, where he opened Blue Heron Steel Studio in 2003. Originally located in an unheated Quonset hut fronting the Old Island Highway in Parksville, the operation moved to Qualicum Beach in February of this year. “Here, I have heat, light and running water,” says Nelson with a grin. The studio is also centrally located within the village. Visitors are drawn in to the show room half a block off Memorial by the bright, delightful blue heron sculpture that perches next to Nelson’s sign on Fern Road when the studio is open. The stylized herons have become something of a trademark for Nelson, ranging in height from 18 inches to seven feet. He produces them in all states of flight and rest, according to the wishes of his clients; some purchasers are so taken by them that they order ‘families’ of two or three of the huge birds. Although the studio bears the name of Nelson’s best sellers, they are far from the only steel works of art that he has produced over the years. He has created a myriad of spectacular garden décor, small to large, along with furniture and a huge range of other home accents. The portfolios on display in the show room tell the story of this man’s massive design/build talent and his impressive creativity and artistic ability. “I don’t know that there isn’t much I haven’t made,” says Nelson. “The commission work pays the bills, and I seem to have found my niche here. People are looking for something for their homes or gardens that is unique to them.” Nelson also likes to work with more free-form art combining stone and steel.

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“I would like to have the luxury of enough time to develop bodies of work that are more conceptual than representational,” he says. “And one day I would like to be able to teach again, a beginners class in drawing.” Clearly, the white-collar world of universities and arts festivals has lost a vastly talented member from its ranks. Luckily for those of us on Vancouver Island the grubby-handed, coveralled guy in the little shop off Fern Road has let his passion and his ability take flight in other directions, much to the benefit of homes, gardens and art lovers around the world. The Blue Heron Steel Studio is hosting a grand opening on Saturday, December 4 from 9 am to 2 pm. The studio is located at Unit B, 127 East Fern Road in Qualicum Beach. Regular business hours are Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm and Saturday, 9am – 2pm. Nelson can by reached by telephone at 250-5941120, or via fax at 250-594-1121. ~

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Economic Summer Displays Optimism By Dick Stubbs

he Vancouver Island Economic Alliance hosted their 4th annual Summit in Nanaimo on October 25th and 26th. Aboriginal, business, government, education, and community leaders gathered with the purpose of reviewing our economic health and planning for a future in a changing world. Participants came from all areas of the Island and represented a diverse set of issues and ideas. A centerpiece of the gathering was the release of the LINK Report by coordinator Wendy Maurer. Information gathered from interviews with over 400 business and community leaders over the past year generated a list of issues, concerns, and visions in our many communities. The focus in the coming months and years will be to see that the many great ideas are translated into beneficial outcomes. (For the full report see http://www.viea/index.php?page=13.) A wide range of speakers spoke on many subjects; from bankers to administrators, from entrepreneurers to mayors, from educators to aboriginal leaders, the common theme was that we are still on the road to economic recovery but there are many opportunities if we work together. There was an energy, an optimism that the many challenges will be addressed and resolved. There was also a sense of the unknown, at what steps we will need to take as we strive to be greener, more sustainable, when we wrestle with energy, water and local food supply. A strong emphasis at the Summit was placed on the importance of collaboration between

/ December 2010

communities and the need to look at the possibilities of reinventing opportunities around our existing resource industries. We are all relatively small communities with respect to the global economy and we need to market together as Vancouver Island. We need to look at value-added ideas that build on our existing industries to provide jobs and business with a sustainable result. We must recognize that nature (our ecology) is our most valuable resource and will be part of any economic success. The retirement community is everywhere on Vancouver Island and it will continue to be so but we must remember that this sector also represents many opportunities; from providing services, to human energy, to vast experience. How do we maintain the quality of life, that we take for granted, and not exceed the carrying capacity of the world around us? We need a new framework to understand the forces of nature. Ecosystem services are not free or limitless and until we recognize their value there are no solutions. That said as residents of Vancouver Island, we are in an enviable position when it comes to tackling things like climate change, energy, and food supply but it will take a major effort by every one of us. We will see many new jobs generated from the need to address these types of issues. Water was presented as an important issue. It was recognized that we need a vision for water, to guide us into a future where we balance the needs of population, climate

change, floods/drought, sprawl, congestion, habitat, green space, and food security. We are seeing many new partnerships and alliances as many communities begin the necessary changes from the past total reliance on resources industries and move forward. Communities are no longer growing around the needs of an industry. The industry now tends to grow within the community. As innocuous as this may sound, this shift is fundamental to many local taxation issues. While the resource industry is not dead, it is very changed from what many of us remember only 25 years ago. We must adapt! How does this all translate for Oceanside and Lighthouse Country? We must be aware of the great things that are happening in our communities and the surrounding area. We need to be connected, to be communicating and to work together to address the problems and opportunities that are available. There needs to be ongoing proactive community discussion as we tackle the numerous issues we face. We must recognize that many of the old ways may be just that and grasp the new realities; that we have problems but they can be solved. We must look at things with an open mind. We must never forget that there are many good things happening; from the VIU Research facility at Deep Bay to a healthy aquaculture industry and many thriving small businesses. ~ For more information regarding the Economic Summit go to the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance website at www. viea.ca

A Review of Local Resources for Seniors Submitted by Eileen Beadle

ometimes we need reminders of the services that are available in our neighbourhood. Here are a few local resources that you may want to access or would want to pass on to a friend in need.

Medical Transportation Support The Society of Organized Services’ Volunteer Drivers transport District 69 residents to non-emergency medical appointments within 75 kilometres. This is a door-to-door service provided when no other transportation is available. Folding walkers can be accommodated but sorry, no wheelchairs or oxygen. There is no charge for this service, however, donations are greatly appreciated. Call 250 248-2093 ext.222.

The Parksville & District Community Choir Conductor: Anne Barber

Bach’s Christmas Oratorio Soloists: Cathy Lauer, Carolyn Hately, David Brown, Paul Boughen Sunday, December 5th, 2:30 p.m Knox United Church, PV, 345 Pym St. Tickets $15 , Seniors/Students $12 Mulberry Bush Books & at the door

Wheels for Wellness For appointments more than 75 kilometres from your home. Wheels for Wellness is a non profit group provided by volunteers. The service will take patients from Lighthouse Country to and from any non-emergency medical appointment that is more than 75 kilometres from their home (including Vancouver). The service includes specialists, clinics and hospital appointments. A ride can be arranged in as little as 24 hours, however, two weeks notice is preferred. Call 250-338-0196 for more information or to arrange a ride. Transportation cost is by donation. We suggest a cheque or cash in an envelope with your name on the envelope. Receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more. Emergency Transportation to Hospital is available by dialing 911.

Prescription Drugs Drugs dispensed by the Qualicum Medicine Centre or the Memorial Compounding Medicine Centre can be delivered to the Lighthouse Gift Shop in Bowser without any additional charge. Delivery occurs once a week on Thursday provided they have received your prescription by noon that day. Due to confidential guidelines, prescriptions must be picked up while the representative from the pharmacy is present at the Lighthouse Gift Shop – between 4:30 and 5 pm on Thursdays. If you are unable to meet the representative during the time scheduled, please call the Lighthouse Gift Shop at 250 752 9911 to make other arrangements. Pharmasave in Qualicum will also be providing free delivery of prescription drugs to homes in Lighthouse Country on Wednesday afternoons.You will need to contact the Qualicum Beach store at 250 752-3421 to make arrangements.

Meals on Wheels (MOW) MOW supports independence by delivering hot, nutritious meals, three times a week at noontime. Meals are $7 each, are freshly prepared and come with soup and dessert. Clients of Veterans Affairs Canada are welcome. Call the Society of Organized Services at 250 248-2093 ext.225 for details. Editors Note: You’ll also find a fantastic online resource guide for seniors living on Vancouver Island at www.seniors101.ca. ~ LT / December 2010

Doing christmas naturally By Nancy Whelan “Wishing you a world of gentleness and love, where people give and care.”

~ Anonymous

know it won’t fit, exactly, but I’m going to try wearing Martha’s (Stewart, i.e.) hat while doing this month’s bit for the Beacon. It’s easy to wander through the stores and malls to pick up the decorations you want to give your home a festive touch at this time of year, but if you’re feeling more creative and want the appearance, the fragrance, and the satisfaction of ‘doing what comes naturally’, our gardens, woods, and beaches abound with materials to help you decorate with your own unique flair. It’s hard to know whether to start with what decor you want to create or with what is out there waiting to be used and offering inspiration. I believe it is easier to focus on the material gathering once you have an idea of just where and how you want to decorate. The centre of most holiday season decoration is often the tree itself and that offers multiple choices: a fir, a pine, a spruce; a purchased cut tree or a live potted one; one year I simply cut a little volunteer

/ December 2010

fir that was crowding things in my own front yard and you may want to do some ‘thinning’ on your own property. If you do choose a live tree, be sure to read up on its care – it will need some special TLC if it’s to survive in the house and live to grow another year – there are lots of tips on the web. When it comes to the tree, it’s not necessary to think along the lines of Rockefeller Centre or even the village’s modest fir. If

space is a determining factor, choose a tiny potted tree, a bouquet of evergreen branches in a heavy, weighted container, or even a handsome branch suspended from the wall by monofilament line and a picture hook or two. Add tiny lights, your chosen small decorations, and sing O Tannenbaum. The form which decorations may take is endless, so we’ll narrow this discussion to some of the more common, and your continued next page

imagination can take off from there. Wreaths, swags, baubles, and garlands; the mantel, doorways, walls, and railings; a little table, a special corner, a focal point in the yard – all of these present possibilities for brightening the darkest time of year. So what’s available out there? Get on your walking shoes and take a big sturdy bag. And when you get in gathering mode, remember to collect sparingly from any one living plant or tree, taking a bit from a number of them so each one’s livelihood is not endangered. Go to the garden to find dried seed pods, herbs that need cutting back, dried vines and branches to use as a framework for you’re your projects. A walk in the woods will furnish fungi, lichen, cones, moss, salal, Oregon grape, holly, winter berry, or rampaging ivy. A ramble on the beach will offer up empty shells, pebbles, dried seaweed, tiny kelp balls, and intriguing driftwood shapes. Back home, separate your findings, into like piles, and if necessary store some living items with water to keep them fresh, put others in a place where they’ll dry out, or press particular leaves to flatten them. Then start looking around the house for odds and ends you might never have imagined would serve as part of your holiday decorations. Seek out old family treasures to serve as the foundation for your creativity. These need not be spectacular or expensive items – think of old wooden spoons, a souvenir brass or wooden bowl, or one of clay made by your child in first grade; a glass or pottery pitcher; an old (even rusted) lantern, a Raggedy Ann doll or Teddy Bear, even small abandoned garden tools if they fit your lifestyle. Then imagine how these could be the focal point of a spray or collection of greenery, or a container for interesting pebbles or native shells interspersed with sprigs of greenery. If your celebration of the holiday includes a manger scene, think of making a west coast creche using different sizes and shapes of driftwood with bits of dried seaweed or beach grass for clothing, maybe a washedup, tiny dried starfish to serve as the ancient GPS overhead. If by now you’ve exhausted your collections of natural or living items, you may consider recycling as part of more natural holiday décor or for special gifts. Raid the bottom drawers or storage boxes in the garage for discarded but colourful clothing, fabric remnants, cards from the last century, or old photos. How to use the odds ‘n’ ends? Let’s see…pillow covers, aprons, personal tote/ shopping bags, wrapping ‘paper’, cut-out festive shapes to adorn the tree, hand-made greeting card…

Thanks to all for making 2010 a very successful year for me. I wish everyone the best of the holiday season.

Maybe this is the year to give up buying new stuff and use the great stuff right there under our noses! ~

/ December 2010

Race Against Time Award-Winning Qualicum FilmMaker Works to Preserve the Past by Lisa Verbicky

im Recalma-Clutesi is in a race against time. Huddled in her home under a grove of giant cedars on the Qualicum Indian Reserve, she and partners, Adam Dick, 81, and Daisy Sewid-Smith, in her 70’s, work tirelessly to piece together the remnants of coastal aboriginal knowledge and culture, before it is swallowed by the mist and left a secret memory. It is painstaking, heartbreaking, intense work to piece together the evidence of an intricate and sophisticated culture largely eradicated by colonization and early 20th century federal government policies. For twenty years she has worked with Clan Chief Dick, and Sewid-Smith, as well as university professors, and graduate students to recover lost traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and resource management practices to preserve them for future generations. It is also work that has recently garnered her the 2010 Eco-Trust Indigenous Leadership Award. “She is one of those people who accomplishes a tremendous amount, and truly makes things happen in a good way, but always quietly, without any fanfare or self-promotion,” says a colleague in a nomination letter for the award. “This award doesn’t just belong to me,” says Recalma-Clutesi, a documentary filmmaker, advocate and former elected Chief Councillor of the Qualicum First Nation from 2002 to 2006.

Kim Recalma-Clutesi and Adam Dick “This work is not about my story, it’s about the one’s who own the knowledge. My role is meager,” she says. Such humility is dumbfounding when I visit her on a grey, snowy Sunday afternoon, and am invited into a warm, red room regaled with photos of her epic accomplishments. Images of the 1994 Commonwealth Games, where she produced the Legend of Kwawadillikalla for the Opening

Ceremonies for the Queen, cover the wall behind me. A photo of herself in an embrace with her long-time friend, former Prime Minister, Paul Martin, is a testament to the breadth and depth of the political waters she has been navigating since she was a girl of twelve taking photos for the R.A.V.E.N. Society, an Aboriginal communications network formed by her late parents in the 1960’s. continued on page 32

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60 Years of Welcoming guests to deep bay’s waterfront paradise

deep bay rv park By Rita Levitz

t started as the Deep Bay Auto Court in 1950. By the 1960s, “And Fishing Camp” had been added to the name. As auto courts became a thing of the past, it became the Deep Bay Fishing Resort, and as the fishing became a thing of the past in the mid ‘90s, the Deep Bay RV Park. Although the names changed through the decades to reflect changes in vacationing styles and activities, two things remained the same: the stunning Deep Bay location, and the connection with the Webb family. This summer, Gordon and Denise Webb celebrated the resort’s sixtieth year in business, and the thirtieth year with them at the helm. “The property was originally bought by a family friend, Ed Lehman, in 1948,” Gordon explains. “My grandmother was a widow, and he was quite smitten with her. When she came to visit she looked out at the Lighthouse and said, ‘Oh, what a lovely place for an auto court.’ My family came the following year when I was just six years old. Ed was like a grandfather to us, and he always hoped my grandmother would relent and marry him, but she never did.” Two years later, Gordon’s father was killed in a hunting accident and four years afterwards, his mother married John

/ December 2010

Denise and Gordon Webb • Deep Bay RV Park ~ Ritz Levitz photo Cushing. “He really saw the potential and had the vision to get this place going. He called it “Heaven’s Waiting Room”. Deep Bay’s Gordon met Parksville’s Denise at Qualicum Beach Secondary School. She remembers “many a Social Studies class where we had to stand up for talking too much. We were friends, but not sweethearts then.” Eventually though, Gordon and Denise became sweethearts, and eventually they bought the family business. “It was never really the plan,” says Denise. “Gordon worked at the RDN in Nanaimo as a

planning tech. We had three young children, and a small farm in Nanaimo, but when John said the place was going on the market, we knew we were moving.” “It’s my roots,” explains Gordon. “I belong here, in a way, as much as a person belongs anywhere…” “I decided to take an active part in our new life,” says Denise. “I launched boats and repaired things. Women in the camp saw me taking the kids out fishing and they started being more actively involved too.” continued on page 29

PROMOTION

By David Nellist, CFP

The wind and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigator. - Edmund Gibbon

FINDING YOUR INVESTMENT COMFORT ZONE

he market this year has been variously described as “unpredictable”, “volatile” or simply, “going sideways”. No matter how you call it, it’s causing investors to look for different investment approaches that may give them a better comfort level while they stay invested in an unpredictable market. Here are three approaches to consider. Tactical Investing – A hands-on approach Tactical investing is a hands-on approach to investing in uncertain markets where global economic indicators, business activities and government policies often influence the market performance of the stocks, bonds and indexed funds in our portfolios. Tactical investors try to follow these events, trends and cycles and anticipate their impact on current holdings or to suggest future investing possibilities. For instance, if the investor believed that rates were about to rise, then an investment considered vulnerable to rising interest rates would be replaced by an investment more likely to profit from that rise. Should he believe that rates were to fall, he would invest in areas that would lock in current rates. Tactical investing can be used as a shortterm investment response to an emerging trend in the markets or as a way to diversify or change the asset allocation mix of a portfolio. But tactical investing is not to everyone’s taste. Traditional “buy & hold” value investors see market fluctuations as events to be weathered and not a reason to abandon or change their long-term investment strategy. Moreover, tactical investing can mean increased trades and commissions. But, for some investors, this hands-on approach can be a comfortable way to move forward even in a sideways market. The 90/10 Strategy – Finding a comfortable risk-reward level The 90/10 strategy is a conservative asset allocation strategy that might appeal to

investors whose overriding concern is the preservation of their capital and a personal need to manage the amount of risk in their portfolio at a comfortable level. One way the investor can do this is by putting a high percentage of the investment capital into safe, interest-paying investments – government bonds, cash, money market funds and GICs – and limiting a small portion of the portfolio to higher risk investments capable of generating a much higher rate of return. The investor sets a comfortable maximum dollar loss limit for the portfolio risk based on a percentage of its total value. That becomes the risk capital used to invest in risk investment opportunities that can potentially increase the overall portfolio’s average annual return. The actual ratio of low to high risk investments can vary with the individual investor, as can the types of high risk investments. What investors need to remember is the risk of investments in their portfolios will need to be carefully managed and traded. Using a 90/10 or similar percentage-based rewardto-risk ratio is a way for an investor to put investment risk in a proper and measureable perspective helping to establish an investor’s financial exposure to capital losses and stay comfortable active in the market. Income Investing – Get paid for waiting A third way for investors to bring some comfortable predictability to their portfolio’s performance is as an income investor – where investment selections are based on their interest or dividend yields and the actual income they can generate annually. Caution needs to be exercised. Fixed income investors venturing into corporate bonds and debentures need to know about the company’s credit rating to determine if the debt is investment quality and learn any details about the issue that might limit its liquidity. Equity investors need to focus on the sustainability of their investment’s annual

dividend or distribution payout. A track record of consistent or rising payouts and the underlying financial strength of the company are important considerations. How the income is paid out is important too. Common stocks and preferred shares pay dividends for which investors get a dividend tax credit. Income trusts can be more complex. Their payout can be a combination of interest and dividend income as well as a non-taxable return of capital. The different types of income can make investing complicated at tax time. Even so, an investment’s ability to produce a regular income stream can be a comfortable way of achieving an acceptable investment return while waiting for business and economic conditions to rekindle the value of the underlying security. In effect, investors get paid to wait for a market recovery. Finding your own way to stay invested There is no “one-size-fits-all” investment solution. But there are ways to make yourself more comfortable during volatile and uncertain markets. Please call our Qualicum Beach office if you wish to discuss the merits and drawbacks of these portfolio management methods to see if any one of them could bring more certainty, control and direction to your investments during these very uncertain times. ~ This material was prepared by Raymond James Ltd. for use by David Nellist, Financial Advisor of Raymond James Ltd. It is provided for informational purposes only. Statistics, factual data and other information are from sources Raymond James believes to be reliable but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Securities-related products and services are offered through Raymond James Ltd., member CIPF. Financial planning and insurance products and services are offered through Raymond James Financial Planning Ltd., which is not a member CIPF.

See Raymond James ad on page 30

/ December 2010

Our tide table measurements are taken from the Denman Island substation. For other tides, visit http://www. waterlevels.gc.ca/english/Canada.shtml on the Internet.

december 2010

Great Waves By Joanne Sales

hy do we believe certain things? Why do we do think what we think, and do what we do? We like to think that we make such decisions independently, but why do we like what we like? “Meme” is a new word in the English language. Malcolm Gladwell wrote, “A meme is an idea that behaves like a virus – that moves through a population, taking hold in each person it infects.” Memes refer to behaviours, beliefs, fashions, patterns and ideas. We catch a meme from a person, group, or inanimate source like the media. We adopt memes in very personal ways, and then spread them. More often than not, the process is totally unconscious. The word “meme” may be new but the process is ancient. Now that we have a word for it, it will be easier to watch memes spread, and observe when we catch one. What’s cool? What isn’t? What is desirable – or not? Would you prefer to get a tattoo or coffee and donuts? Wear high heels or flip flops? Memes can refer to controllable specifics like these, or to deeply unconscious, pervasive ideas, attitudes and world views, which are more like great waves. When we lived near a ghetto, I was swept up in a wave of paranoia and anger. When we moved 3,000 miles to a place where I felt safe, I was swept up by the friendliness and kindness of my neighbours. I changed waves, and the wave changed me. I moved my body and the memes changed. We may ride the wave our parents rode, or go off one morning to catch a fish and end up riding a wave in the opposite direction. Education, media, art, peers, location and travel all influence us. Most of us keep bouncing around on the surface waves, catching and dropping memes, changing our Preferences Menu day by day. It’s a choppy sea at the surface, and most of us are fickle. continued on next page

/ December 2010

continued from previous page

continued from page 26 Denise & Gordon Webb

But some Great Waves can last for generations or ages. We are seldom aware that we ride these massive waves, for they are too big to see. Santa Claus, lawns, progress, and financial independence are all memes. Democracy is a good meme; slavery is a dark one. Quakers have often been at the front crest of the wave of social awareness, but it took the Quakers 200 years to reach a consensus to condemn slavery. Why so long? In many parts of the world, women are still slaves. In the West, we find it hard not to feel fury for the propagators of this ongoing systemic abuse. But it is easy to identify dark waves of the past or another culture; we see them clearly. What is difficult to see is the nature of the waves we are riding right now. The recent elections in the US portent a dark time of division between the rich and the growing class of the poor (who used to be Middle Class). The band leaders of carefully orchestrated “blamegame” memes draw converts by getting them riled up emotionally on a wave of discontent, inspiring poor judgment and hatred. We too are not above riding dark waves. All it takes is a few charismatic “leaders” and a sleepy public. ▪▪▪ In this month of December, we celebrate Light, in the holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas and Winter Solstice. While religions of the world fight over conflicting memes, the essential teachings of the religions themselves are light, love, forgiveness, peace and compassion. What is the reality behind these “seasonal” words that have been practically smothered with memes? And why do they keep showing up on our holiday cards? We make the mistake of thinking these words are lightweights in the wrestling match for power in the world. The great deep sea-divers of humanity tell us is that the greatest Truth is not revealed in the darkness of combat but in the light of compassion. Even physicists now agree with the mystics, that light and unity are the most essential realities of this Ocean of Being. Our conflicts, disagreements, and blame-games are splashes in the baby pool compared to the power of these great sub-oceanic currents. We can let ourselves be tossed around like small paper cups, uncritically riding the emotional storms of our times, or we can seek reconnection to the currents of Light and Love and Compassion below the surface. But we have to dive deep beneath the memes of the moment to find the truth. How can we observe the waves of our times and not get swept up in them? In these, the darkest days of the year, there is a profound call to return to the quiet power of the Light, so that our hearts can be renewed, our judgment course corrected. Let all that is within be peaceful and still – so that we can see more clearly. So that we can choose with compassion which waves we will ride in the new year, and which we will abandon. Out of love for all children, we can and must reconnect to the deep wisdom of the Ocean of Being in which we live. ~ Joanne Sales is an organic blueberry farmer, writer and EFT Counselor living in Qualicum Beach. joanne@glasswing.com

“It was the early 1980’s – fishing was hot. It was so busy we had to learn to sleep with one eye open,” laughs Gordon. “You could spend three hours launching boats in the early morning hours. I called my perfume Eau de Exhaust,” laughs Denise. Denise and Gordon lobbied the government to reduce the allowable daily catch for coho. “We had signs here saying that we seriously enforced fishing regulations. We pushed conservation amidst the annual blueback slaughter.” They were also ahead of their time in outlawing herbicides and pesticides, oil and gas dumping, and even had the “audacity” to put a “No Smoking” sign in their office. “We lost two customers over that,” says Denise, shaking her head. But big changes were coming. “1994 was the year of the crash in coho,” says Gordon, “but no one thought they weren’t coming back. There had always been ebbs and flows, but now it was steadily downhill.” “The only reason we made it,” explains Denise, “was that we had worked so hard to bring people here for the beauty of the place, not just for the fishing. We always had lots of activities to build camaraderie in the camp – including a huge Canada Day celebration. There were people here from all over the world.” “It was also a fantastic place to raise our kids.” Christopher, Sarah and David all developed very active lifestyles and thrived in the cosmopolitan environment. They had an excellent work ethic instilled in them at an early age – they watched their parents working sixteen-hour days, and they worked here too.” “Child labour actually,” Gordon interjects. “I can’t count the times we fired and rehired them.” Even after Gordon and Denise’s marriage ended, they remained friends, business and working partners. “We always have been there for our families, and through any adversity,” says Denise. “And we’ve always worked well together,” Gordon adds, “but after thirty years, it’s a lifestyle we’re ready to give up and have a summer off!” With retirement hopefully on the horizon, Denise looks forward to more time for her garden, friends and family, “especially my two grandchildren!” Gordon looks forward to more cycling, swimming, and traveling. Anyone interested in buying a thriving business, seven acres of waterfront, and helping two senior citizens gracefully (and gratefully) retire? ~

/ December 2010

It’s happening in area H

From the Desk of Dave Bartram Email: dwbartram@shaw.ca PH: 757-9737 • FAX: 757-9705 By Dave Batram, RDN Area H Director Public Transit: BC Transit and the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) are investigating the feasibility of Public Transit in Electoral Area H. You will have received a RESIDENTIAL TRANSPORTATION SURVEY along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Please complete the survey as the information is critical to determining if public transportation is desired, affordable and what services should be considered.

dumping complaints, and followed up with 40 individuals in connection with the incidents. In addition to leaving garbage in natural areas and on public and private lands, illegal dumping disrupts wildlife and releases harmful chemicals into our watershed. I encourage anyone who sees illegal dumping or finds garbage illegally dumped to contact the RDN toll free at 1-877-607-4111. Help protect our drinking water, report illegal dumping.

Vandalism: There has been considerable vandalism over the past three years in the Dunsmuir Community Park. The vandalism ranges from damaged buildings, to destroying fencing to graffiti, and has cost Area H residents over $5,000 not including the associated cost of staff time to repair. As this has been reoccurring on a fairly frequent basis one can only assume that the perpetrators are local. I would encourage residents in the Dunsmuir area to report any unusual activity in this park to the RCMP and to RDN Parks and Recreation staff. This community park is in the Dunsmuir Village Centre area locally known as Dogpatch, and includes tennis courts, a basketball court, picnic table, and toilet.

District 69 Community Grants: The RDN Board approved $600 for the Qualicum Bay Lions Club for the purchase of garbage cans for the ball field.

Illegal Dumping: Illegal dumping in the watersheds that supply our drinking water is a serious and ongoing issue in rural areas and the RDN is asking residents for help. In 2009 the RDN responded to 106

/ December 2010

Development Permit Applications: The Electoral Area Planning Committee has approved the following Development Permit Applications in Electoral Area H: • to rezone a parcel at 1120 Keith Road for the purpose of creating a two lot subdivision. The proposed parcels will be 4.2 and 4 hectares in area and serviced by individual on-site septic disposal systems and wells. • for a setback variance from the interior side lot line from eight to five metres in order to legalize the siting of an existing dwelling unit at 475 Mackenzie Road. Small Water Systems Working Group: I have been appointed by the RDN Board of

Directors to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Small Water Systems Working Group. The Working Group is composed of representatives from the Ministry of Healthy Living & Sport, the Ministry of Community and Rural Development, the Ministry of the Environment, the Health Authority and four representatives from UBCM Rural Communities of which I am one. The Working Group will address local government small water systems issues through the identification of policy changes and/or changes to the Drinking Water Protection Act and associated Drinking Water Protection Regulation. Locally, I have solicited input from our three Water Districts and the RDN Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Advisory Group. The Working Group will develop an action plan over the next 12 months for presentation to the Provincial government. Area H Monthly Beacon Article: My monthly Beacon article is my attempt to let area residents know what is happening in their local government and add, if appropriate, my perspective. The article is not vetted by the RDN staff and I am not reimbursed by the RDN for my Beacon articles. If you have comments or suggestions on how I can improve on “getting the word out” please let me know.

Submitted by Lucy Churchill, RN

HOLIDAY STRESS

olidays can be a particularly stressful time for everyone. There is the cleaning and decorating to do, relatives and friends to invite, the menu to plan, the cookies and cakes to make, the gifts to buy and wrap, the children to get dressed. Under these conditions who wouldn’t feel stressed? There are also the people who are alone at the holiday time. This can cause stress when other people are constantly in a frenzy. It is totally normal to feel stressed but good to try to reduce the feeling! It is important to recognize when stress may become depression. Stress and depression can ruin your holidays and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression. Signs of depression may include feelings of sadness or irritability, a loss of interest in activities, change in sleep patterns, plus many more signs. If you think you may be depressed you should see your doctor. Here are some things you can do to try and decrease stress over the holiday period:

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• Take a good hard look at your expectations; are you trying to pack in too much? • Share your vision and delegate some of the tasks to family and friends i.e., if you are cooking the turkey get family or friends to bring everything else, that way everyone gets to have a break. • Stick to a budget. Discuss how much you want to spend with family members and stick to it.

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• Reach out to others if you think your situation is tough and compare notes with friends. You might discover that you are coping very well and may be able to offer suggestions. • Count your blessings and remember those less fortunate than you. • Take charge mentally; think of all the things that will go right and not all the catastrophes. • Do something nice for yourself like listening to soothing music, take a long walk or sit quietly, close your eyes and concentrate on breathing deeply. • Learn to say no, saying yes when you mean to say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Planning is the key to reducing your stress. Make a list of gifts and groceries you will need and do not forget to make sure you have enough medication to get you through the holiday period. Laugh a lot and have fun.~ / December 2010

continued from page 22 On her desk shelves sit an assortment of technology, from a multimedia station that would make a filmmaker wince with computerenvy, to hand-painted cedar bentboxes, steam-bent yew wood halibut fish-hooks and hand-drilled stone fishing lures, and stinging nettle rope. Equally sophisticated technologies created by humans for the purpose of the day. Now, one is used to capture and preserve the other. On the facing wall is a photo of Dick with a canoe. He convalesces in the back room in front of a hockey game, while I talk with Recalma-Clutesi. As Clan Chief, his position is traced back to his first ancestor in a direct unbroken line at the beginning of time. He is the last living link to the traditional ecological and cultural knowledge of the coastal peoples. Sewid-Smith, holds in her the knowledge of traditional language of her people and is sitting at a desk in her housecoat when I arrive, creating a glossary of traditional ecological terms for a graduate student’s thesis. Kim and Adam examining eelgrass from local waters. As a child, Dick was hidden from the residential school system to be trained in all aspects of stewardship and gathering practices for his entire traditional territory and the ways of the Potlatch. His story is beautifully documented in Recalma-Clutesi’s Smoke from His Fire, aired on APTN and the Knowledge Network and in select screenings across the country. In the film he is seen showing university students how to harvest eelgrass, root vegetables and clams. “There hasn’t been a scientist in a discipline yet that has been able to challenge Adam’s knowledge,” says Recalma-Clutesi. “It has shifted the idea of our Nations as semi-sedentary hunter-gatherers to the realization that it was an agricultural and aqua cultural society that used sophisticated resource management techniques.”

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The discovery of the “clam gardens” scattered along the BC coastline and featured in the National Geographic documentary Ancient Sea Gardens are an example of how misunderstood and yet valuable their knowledge is, she says. Coastal peoples built clam gardens by piling rocks at the low tide line to maximize the growth and harvesting of this valuable food source.

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When baffled scientists came to Adam to ask about these piles of rocks, says Recalma-Clutesi, he was able to tell them, not because he heard about it from someone else, but because he was there when these were still being used and traditionally built. continued next page

Recalma-Clutesi approaches her work with a strict sense of responsibility and respect for those who own the knowledge first-hand, she says. “Whether you’re working on a film or doing cultural work, we have to let those who know tell their story.” Although she prefers to contribute behind the scenes as a writer, photographer, and filmmaker, she has emerged as a facilitator, mentor, teacher, and leader in her own right. She was trained by her father from a young age to serve her community, she says, helping him and other leaders to navigate the political world. She attended BCIT School of Broadcast Communications in the 1970’s, and then in the late 1980‘s attended the University of Victoria. “I went back to school in part to learn what people were thinking of us and to gain certain practical skills,” says Recalma-Clutesi who took courses in history, anthropology, administration of aboriginal governments, and law. “I wanted to learn how to research, write, and think critically.” Reclaiming traditional culture plays an important part in breaking down barriers for young people who have only been around to see the end results of colonization, she says. “Aboriginal youth are lost,” she says. “Their back story is gone. They’re just imploding on themselves. They’re hungry for this

knowledge. We have to step back to remember who we are.” Recalma-Clutesi says her work is not simply about going back to the old way of doing things, but is about reconnecting to the past in a way that helps us move forward. “It is not something you spoon-feed to people. It is something you experience, something you live. It is meant to reengage.” Her stunning films simply melt in your mouth. Softly and poetically shot and narrated, they are infused with a haunting humanity that serves both to reconnect aboriginal people to their identity and to move the non-aboriginal community towards understanding. Recalma-Clutesi’s dream is to convert this traditional knowledge into platforms that will serve as templates for other cultures to reclaim their own. But, with her only link a much beloved, much respected man in his 80’s, she is racing the clock. “Every year, I realize how little I really know. It is hard not to get side-tracked with life, to stay focused.” With most of her work completed on a shoestring, the $25,000 Eco-Trust Award will go towards funding her new documentary, Singing Through the Seasons, a film about ancient TEK during a seasonal round. The Eco-Trust Indigenous Leadership Award, since 2001, recognizes leadership that improves the social, economic, political and/ or environmental conditions of aboriginal communities across the Salmon Nations of Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, Washington State, Oregon, California, and Montana. Kim Recalma-Clutesi is the fourth recipient from Canada. ~

Kim Recalma-Clutesi and Adam Dick ... saving traditions for the generations to come.

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“The process of reclamation is about creating an evidence chain based on an unbroken chain of knowledge that has been passed down from the beginning of time,” she says.

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Qualicum Beach Town Hall • Linda Tenney photo

By Marilyn Dawson, Reporter

fter all the drama of the past few months, the November regular Council meeting seemed, well, downright dull. Even a public hearing on a re-zoning application on a Sunningdale property failed to elicit much excitement. The residents, who turned out to speak on the application, did so with a degree of reserve. They weren’t so much against the project as they were hoping for improvement in the area at the same time, notably the end of the hydro pole that stands on the lot line and the lane. (Sunningdale runs off Memorial just above where once stood Public Eyesore #1, aka the Qualicum Resort Hotel. The owners have finally razed the building, giving nearby residents an early Christmas present. No more blue tarps flapping in the wind.) After some discussion, Council decided to give third reading to the bylaw, but asked Town staff to see what could be done about that pesky power pole and other neighbourhood issues. The Sunningdale project itself seems to have caught the imagination of council and staff. Councillor Barry Avis described it as a tremendous project, the first of its kind in Qualicum Beach. Plans call for a single family

/ December 2010

dwelling with two suite; there is already a duplex on the property. In all, when complete there will be five dwellings, which is in compliance with the Official Community Plan (OCP) for that area. What makes this project stand out is the proposed method of construction – an updated form of rammed earth – by Sirewall of Saltspring Island. According to the company’s web site, the walls used in this process are constructed with local soils, strengthened with rebar and a little cement around a core of insulation. The project is also environmentally-friendly with high indoor air quality, energy efficiency and rainwater collection for landscape use. The OCP was very much on the minds of Town staff; the first public meeting mid-month marked the beginning of the review process, which will culminate with the final vote next May. Although the schedule includes several sessions in the months ahead, Councillor Mary Brouilette cast doubt on whether enough time had been allotted. ”Are we rigid on this date?” she asked. “Can we show flexibility if we need to add a couple of extra dates?”

Chief administrative officer Mark Brown said that decision would be up to Council. Mayor Teunis Westbroek said it would be reasonable to look at the progress made in January (next sessions are Dec. 7 and Jan. 17 at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre) and that’s what Council decided. Although it’s been in the works for some time, the bylaw banning non-essential pesticides was finally adopted. As of July 1, 2011, homeowners, who usually spray with chemical-based pesticides, will have to re-consider or face serious fines. The bylaw follows similar legislation in many areas in British Columbia, although there is not a provincial ban. Only Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec have provincewide bans. There are exceptions in this bylaw. The town lists acceptable weed and pest controls; items such as vinegar, insecticidal soaps, sticky traps and horticultural oils. The ban is aimed chiefly at residences; agriculture and industry are exempt. The bylaw doesn’t sit well with Councillor Jack Wilson, who spoke out against the “nanny state” legislation, later bringing a rebuke from a resident in the gallery who spoke out against careless pesticide use. ~

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[ABOVE] STORYTELLERS RACHEL, CLARK & NOEL

Come Gather ‘Round friends and I’ll tell you a tale...

nanaimo’s around town tellers By David Morrison

ne general recollection of my childhood is an obsession with a television show called Jackanory. Broadcast from 1965 to 1996 it became a beloved British institution, yet Jackanory is possibly the cheapest show the BBC has ever produced. Looking right at the viewer, an actor sat in an armchair, reading a story. Apart from the occasional supporting illustration appearing onscreen, this is all there was to it. Genius in its unadorned simplicity, the obvious key to Jackanory’s enduring appeal lay firmly in the power of storytelling. Millions of kids just like me religiously watched the show down those three decades, hanging on every word. In my case, however, it seems plausible that Jackanory hit the bullseye of its intended educational target by stimulating interest in language and narrative early, pointing the way to how I now make my living. Jackanory, I owe you one!

As the brilliant American creative writing instructor Robert McKee said, “Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.” An eloquently expressed sentiment, I feel – one with which Margaret Murphy of Nanaimo’s Around Town Tellers (ATT) would wholeheartedly agree. For the sheer joy of it, she and a dedicated group of fellow storytelling enthusiasts, or ‘tellers’, gather at the city’s Unitarian Fellowship Hall (595 Townsite Rd.) to tell stories to a rapt audience that love hearing them. It is a situation where the currency to which McKee refers serves to purchase a lot of fun and learning, memories and esprit de corps for everyone present. Murphy has been a teller for many years, coming to it at the Storytellers School of Toronto (now called Storytelling Toronto).

When moving to Vancouver Island from Vancouver in 2004, she looked to continue pursuing her passion in Nanaimo, soon finding a group of likeminded individuals. “There was an existing storytelling group then,” she recalls. “They met at Bastion Books, but when the bookstore was sold the energy in the group also dissipated. I called a couple of the people that were involved, but they were very busy at the time. This was in the fall of 2006. So, Laurie Peck – who contacted me to say she was interested in looking at and developing story – and I decided to see if we could get something off the ground. Soon another woman named Janet Sexsmith came onboard and the three of us looked at possible venues and talked to a variety of people about getting storytelling going again. And we did! We continued on page 36 / December 2010

continued from page 35 started at Coyote’s Café in January 2007, expecting a crowd of about fifty on our first night, but it was standing room only, so that was wonderful! It was really exciting and from there we started to gather a regular following.” From this promising beginning ATT became an increasingly hot ticket, demand for their evenings meaning the group had to begrudgingly leave Coyote’s, a venue they loved, for the Unitarian Fellowship Hall in September 2009. As for what to expect at these events, Murphy tells me that a typical ATT evening begins with welcoming audience members, then at around 7:30 the signal for the telling to begin is musically announced. “We use a gathering song,” she explains. “One of our tellers is Gerry Guiden, who is originally from Ireland, and he had an African gathering song that we loved so much we now use it as the opening. He would then introduce the hosts – we usually have two. The stories can be a mix of ghost

Qualicum Beach

tales, tall tales, personal tales, travel tales and stories of the prairies, where some will sing or recite and share these incredible stories.” People kindly tell me that I’m a good, conversational writer, and also that I can spin a good yarn in social situations. Maybe so – thanks, folks – but as someone with acute stage fright, could I become a teller in front of a paying audience? In truth I don’t really think I could pull it off, but whether they can or not Murphy is keen to meet anyone with an interest in story. “If you said you’d like to join Around Town Tellers we’d welcome you because you’d be expressing an interest in, first of all, storytelling,” she says. “If you were interested in exploring a particular area, we would encourage that. Whether you would try to share a story, ready to tell at the venue, or in one of our meetings, or in someone’s home like a house concert, we would welcome that. We would love to have more tellers come forward! We really do encourage new voices, so there’s a sign-up sheet at our ticket table every month. People may think it’s an established group so there’s no room there, but there is and we welcome new people! The only requirement is that there is no reading!”

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Full European Deli with all the favourites we all know & love.

We will offer ne quality deli cold cuts & cheese along with Homemade Bavarian Meatloaf, Homemade Sauerkraut, Homemade Spaetzle & a wide variety of salads etc. In addition we now carry a wide variety of Import items also. We will continue with our wide variety of pastries, cakes & breads in addition to all the other changes. Come join us & see what we have to offer!!!

130 West 2nd Ave., Qualicum Beach, BC

(250) 36

/ December 2010

752-6143

On December 10 at the usual venue ATT are staging their annual festive event: Stories of the Season: A Christmas Carol. Featuring Murphy and her husband, Noel Lewis-Watts, alongside tellers Peck, Guiden, Clark Clark and Sandy Cole, it promises to be very special. One particular reason is that the evening will feature full audience participation.

“We’re very excited about it,” enthuses Murphy. “The six tellers will share five stories within the carol. It’s the traditional carol; we’re using Dickens’ traditional version, and we’re adapting it for storytelling purposes. There will be a narrator who will help smooth both the stories and the audience participation. The audience will help with the sound effects! So as the chimes ring, or the chains clang, or the bells ring out or the footsteps come up the stairs, the audience will be cued by our beloved narrator, Noel, and he will hold up the signs to tell them what to do. It is very much an interactive piece!” With the first decade of the 21st century wrapped up in this lovely manner, ATT moves into the second with an impressive programme of events confirmed through to the end of their season in June. January 14 brings Tough Being a God/Goddess, featuring a noted visiting teller that Murphy cannot say enough good things about. “We are bringing in Jean Pierre Makosso, a beautiful teller who is originally from the Congo,” she reveals. “He’s an amazing storyteller, musician and singer, so this will be a wonderful celebration.” In 2001 Channel 4 in the UK conducted a poll of the Top 100 Greatest Kid’s TV Shows, subsequently unveiling the results in a marathon TV special. While the admittedly classic but decidedly adult show, The Simpsons, unsurprisingly made # 1, and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe – essentially a two-year run of animated commercials for the toys on which the show was based – hit # 10, thirty years of Jackanory could only elevate the show to a depressing # 63. But at the end of the day the power of good storytelling will always win out, because in 2006 Jackanory returned to British TV screens, format intact. Still airing today, it is inspiring a new generation and may well produce some future tellers, but that’s a story that will be told another day. ~ For further information about Around Town Tellers, including details of their Christmas special and future presentations, please visit www.aroundtowntellers.com. Margaret Murphy can be contacted at (250) 729-9994 or storyshare@telus.net.

Gifts for the Gardener Q: Garden signs and ornaments can be fun, but I’m looking for some seasonal gift ideas that an avid gardener would find useful.

trees and boughs. They coat the stomata or breathing pores which stops water loss. However, they also smother living plants.

A: I am happy to give you a range of very useful gift ideas I consider essential for the modern gardener. If you love your gardener a lot, make sure they have a pair of Felco® secateurs (pruners), simply the best pruners made. The most popular size/style is #2, but also good choices are #6 for small hands and #9 for ‘lefties’. Next, I suggest a pH meter for testing soil acidity, which is a must for any knowledgeable gardener. He/she must know the condition and acidity of the soil to plant accordingly or make adjustments to it. Another meter worth having is a soil moisture metre. It makes a handy gift, especially for patio, balcony, or container gardening. This tool helps the gardener avoid over or under watering by showing how wet a plant is just by pushing the spike into the soil. A good pair of garden gloves or knee pads will also usually be appreciated as will a good gardening book or even a subscription to a gardening magazine. Just make sure the book or magazine you choose focuses on gardening in our area, Zone 8 and Pacific Northwest. If you happen to know your gift recipient’s favourite plants or you just want to be brave, choose a few packs of seeds for a project-oriented gift. Lastly, you can’t go wrong with a gift certificate to spend at one of our local garden centres. Every hobby has its associated costs so any help is appreciated and besides, most gardeners love to browse and buy in garden outlets.

Q: I have a vine in my sheltered courtyard that is flowering now! Isn’t this unusual? Please suggest other plants that flower in winter.

Q: Last year we were given a live tree to use as our Christmas tree, but it did not do well. What about a product that will stop the wilting so we could try again? A: The idea of giving a living tree to be used indoors at Christmas is actually not recommended. Moving a tree indoors is very hard on it. I would recommend the following: keep it indoors no more than four days in the coolest spot in the room. Maintain root moisture but do not sit it in water, and mist the foliage daily. Anti-wilt products or antidessicants are available but are best used only on cut

A: You have a Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum). This rambling shrub likes to bloom in late fall and through the winter. It survives in our soil conditions quite well. Just keep the old wood pruned out and keep it trained. One of nature’s gifts to the gardener is to offer the experience of beautiful, even fragrant, flowers in winter. It’s a great thing to consider during winter months as you plan new plantings for next season. There are a number of shrubs, perennials, and bulbs that prefer to flower at that time. Two of my favourite fragrant, flowering shrubs are Sarcococca ruscifolia and S. humilus. They are perfect for shady areas, especially by paths or doorways since they fill the air with their strong fragrance from white flowers that bloom mid-winter. Another good choice is Pieris japonica or Skimmia japonica which both form their buds in winter, then blossom from late winter to early spring, just after the Sarcococca has finished. Pieris gives bright red, pink, or white blossoms without fragrance while the Skimmia produces lightly fragrant, white flowers. The flowers of both plants stand out well against their bright green foliage. A few other good choices are as follows: Hamamelis spp. (Witch Hazel) – available in large and small varieties producing yellow pipe cleaner-like flowers with no foliage in late fall and winter; Helleborus – popular winter perennial preferring shade with dark evergreen foliage and winter flowers; Chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow) – bulb that naturalizes, producing bright starlike blue, pink, and white flowers in late winter; and finally, of course, Heathers of many varieties bloom all winter in white, pink, mauve, and red. “Best wishes to all!” Harry Sumner is a certified arborist & garden coach. Gardening questions are welcome at 250-248-4512 or shellms@telus. net.

British tradition, tried and true. Authentic English groceries and sweets, imported direct from Britain. Available exclusively in our welcoming little shop by the sea. Find all your Christmas favourites....Thornton’s chocolates, truffle bars, fudge and toffees...Marks & Spencer Christmas Puddings & cakes...shortbread...Mr. Kipling mince pies...Waitrose Mince Pies... Christmas Puddings...rich fruit Christmas Cake...tinned biscuits...pickled walnuts... fruit jellies, and essential baking needs, including marzipan and mincemeat. Over 1500 different items throughout the year. Mmmmm! Happy Christmas!

Brit Foods

166 W Island Highway, Parksville 250.248.0097

Have you been inspired by someone or something in your community? Let us know and your story could appear in The Beacon. Email, phone or drop in to see us in Bowser! beacon@eyesonbc.com 250-757-9914

BOWSER VIDEO SHOWC ASE

LEXANDER BY JORGIE A

GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE IN STORE NOW Do I need to say more? If you’ve watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo you must watch this one too… Mikael Blomkvist, publisher of Millennium magazine, has made his living exposing the crooked and corrupt practices of establishment Swedish figures. When a young journalist approaches him with a meticulously researched thesis about sex trafficking in Sweden and those in high office who abuse underage girls, Blomkvist immediately throws himself into the investigation.

CHARLIE ST. CLOUD IN STORE NOW I really enjoyed this movie. I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. Zac Efron stars as Charlie St. Cloud, a small-town hero and an accomplished sailor who has it all: the adoration of his mother and younger brother, and a Stanford scholarship. His bright future is

It’s a path we’ll all walk someday, let’s share the journey.

PLEASE SEND A GIFT:

210 Crescent Road West, Qualicum Beach, B.C. V9K 1J9 TTelephone: 250-752-6227 Fax: 250-752-6257 Te www.oceansidehospice.org CCharitable Number: BN 13960 4458 RR0001

/ December 2010

cut short when tragedy strikes, taking his dreams away. Now Charlie is torn between honouring a promise he made years ago and pursuing his newfound love with a former high-school classmate. Based on the acclaimed best-seller, comes a story of hope, second chances and the transformative power of love. Also starring Ray Liotta and Academy Award winner Kim Basinger.

SONS OF ANARCHY

SEASON 1 & 2 • IN STORE NOW I am totally addicted to this series, but I didn’t get hooked right away. Customers told me it was a fabulous series, so I took it home. Frankly, I wondered what everyone was raving about? A few months later, I tried again, and now I’m officially hooked. I can’t wait for the next episode. From the executive producer of The Shield, comes a gripping drama that takes you into the ruthless underworld of outlaw bikers. The Sons of Anarchy live, ride and die for brotherhood. But as the clubs leader (Ron Perlman) and his wife (Katey Sagal) steer them in an increasingly lawless direction,

her son Jax (Charlie Hunnam) is torn between loyalty and the legacy in this adrenaline-charged series New releases for the family Toy Story 3, Grown Ups starring Adam Sandler, Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice with Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel and don’t forget to get A Christmas Carole with Jim Carrey. For you action lovers don’t forget to get The Expendables with Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Mickey Rourke (just to name a few) and for the drama lovers Eat Pray Love starring Julia Roberts; Flipped with Madeline Carroll, Callan McAuliffe and Rebecca De Mornay and Going the Distance with Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. See you at the store!

DECEMBER NEW RELEASES

for you Twilight fans comes Twilight Eclipse; some family nights with Shrek Final Chapter; Despicable Me; Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole; and don’t forget to get A-Team; Inception; Other Guys and Salt just to name a few. ~

WILDWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH 113 McColl Road, Bowser

2 BEDROOM BOWSER COTTAGE FOR RENT January 1 - Single garage, covered deck, storage area. Private yard on 3.5 acre oceanfront compound. $800, plus utilities. F/S/W/D. Long term preferred. References Required 403236-4987 or boykiwd@telus.net. PET SITTING SERVICE – Dogs and/ or cats will also help with farm chores, stall mucking, live stock feeding and yard maintenance. Reasonable rates, experienced, reliable and good references. Please call 250-927-1680. SUITE AVAILABLE – North Qualicum, 1 bdrm with woodstove on working hobby farm. $650/month includes Hydro and Satellite TV. NS, NP and references are required. Please call 250-752-1774. SECOND FLOOR FULLY FURNISHED SUITE FOR RENT in Qualicum Bay/ Bowser. Backs onto Nile Creek forest trails. Deck and 3 rooms. N/S. Shaw cable/wireless internet. Hydro and QBHL water included. $650/mo. slym2ca@ yahoo.ca 250 757-8272 SORT IT! Simplify your life. Need help getting your errands done? Delivery, appointments. De-clutter your home or wardrobe. Organization, consultations, seasonal updates. Help is at hand. 250240-3508 CLEANING LADY HAS SPACES AVAILABLE – Household cleaning, errands, doctors apt. etc. 22 years experience, honest, hard working and reliable. Minimum 2 hours. Please call 250-752-1774. PAINTING CLASS – Wed. afternoons, 1-4 at the Fanny Bay OAP Hall. It is a ‘paint what you like’ format with friendly guidance, demos and advice. All levels. Oil or acrylics. $125 for 8 weeks, or $20 drop-in. Register anytime. Call instructor Teresa Knight to register. 250-335-3234. www.teresaknight.com

BOWSER BOTANICAL FARMS – Yardwork, fall clean-up. Pruning and trimming. Perennials for sale. Call John & Louise 250-757-9901 BAREFOOT HOOF TRIMMING A correct barefoot trim can improve your horses overall health and well being. Certified trimmer now accepting new clients. Reasonable rates and discounts offered. FMI Call 250-752-8380. PICK-UP AND DELIVERY – Tune-ups and repairs to riding lawnmowers, all small engines and related equipment. Call Ron 250-240-1971 e-mail: ronmorrison100@gmail.com

TRALIN EXCAVATING & LANDSCAPE * Snow Plowing * call Marv LinstroM Phone 250-757-8110 or 250-937-8888 WANTED – 2 entrepreneur-minded individuals to work with expanding established business. 250-954-0074 FIREWOOD – Legally obtained, dried firewood. Custom cut. Discount for local seniors. Call 250-757-8006 or 778-4242276 COAL CREEK FARM on MacArtney Drive in Fanny Bay has naturally fed, free range duck, chicken, turkey and goose meat available various times of the year. *Don’t forget to order your CHRISTMAS Turkey.* Please call for availability – ask for Paul or Christine (250) 335-1322.

LOOKING FOR A HOUSEKEEPER? I am hard working, honest, punctual and reliable with good references. I provide my own cleaning supplies. Call Louise at 250-757-9901.

THERAPEUTIC FOOT REFLEXOLOGY – Sessions $40 for 75 mins my home or yours. Release your body’s self-healing ability through deep relaxation. Please call Marie at (250) 335-0850.

RELOCATING TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL AREA! Looking for land to build a quality home & shop. Minimum size of one usable acre in Qualicum Bay or Bowser. Call Duane @ 250-701-3454

THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF QUESTERS – No meeting in December. Next meeting will be on January 31, 2011. FMI call Chris at 250-752-1419.

Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 am 757-8136 WRITING SERVICES – Get help for all your business writing needs such as brochures, ads, newsletters, product descriptions, press releases, reports & websites. Or, tell your story with a print, audio or video memoir. Call Jane 250335-1157 www.memorablelines.com AD-SAFE – reliable transportation to appointments, shopping, errands, outings. Ferry and airport service as well. Call Marilee at 250-757-9967 or 250-954-9925 YOU CALL…I HAUL – small loads, garden waste, construction debris, unwanted misc. junk, small moves, prompt service. Call Ron 250-757-2094 or cell 250-228-1320

Happy New Year! from Penny Penny’s ShearStyling & ‘meat-loaf-maker’. I wanted to say something about gratitude – I’m so thankful for all of you being in my life and an important part of my life. It allowed me to raise my daughter, Taylor, who I think is the neatest person I have ever met. So from my heart, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Have yourselves a styling life! Peace & Love, Penny Bernard Please call Linda for your hairstyling at 250 757-8955. FOOTCARE – HYGIENE Soaking feet, cutting nails, filing callouses, treating dry skin – fingernails too. Reflexology – 1 hour sessions. Home visits. Please call Vikki @ 250-757-9244 DON’S HOME REPAIR – plumbing repairs and installations, complete renovations, no job too small. Call Don @ 250-757-8757 or cell 250- 951-8757 STAMP COLLECTIONS/ ACCUMULATIONS WANTED – Mint or used, will take all, cash or consignment, top prices paid. Call Russ at 1-250-3141021 or email at ingruss@telus.net

/ December 2010

Aries (March 21-April 19) You’re checking bargain flights and wondering how to blow town. Don’t worry, this is totally appropriate. But hey – it’s exciting! You want to push the sides of the envelope. You want thrills, chills, adventure, more knowledge, and pots of money so you can live with derring-do! (Which is really your style.) Go after your dreams. Visit places you’ve never been to before. Talk to people from different cultures. Do what you can to make your life more vibrant, dynamic, and exciting! You will never, never again be as young as you are today.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Tra-la, tra-la, it is to laugh. It’s an incredibly playful month! Romance and love affairs, plus wonderful social diversions with parties, the theatre, sports, and all that fun stuff top your list this month. Get out and enjoy yourself! Buy something sexy to wear to give yourself a lift. Maybe literally! (Remember Dick Cavett’s introduction “And here they are, Jayne Mansfield!”) The month ahead is a fabulous time to enjoy express your creative talents. Don’t worry about who’s watching – it’s the process that counts. You’re not a noun, you’re a verb.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You’re focused on shared property, inheritances, insurance matters, and anything you own jointly with others. This includes taxes, debt and red tape stuff. Boring, yes. But necessary to plow through, yes. (It was ever thus.) The upside is this month you feel hot, sexy and passionate! Make sure you do something about this. Women might want to purchase sexy lingerie (and guys too, if you like cross-dressing). You’re a tactile sign who loves silk and cashmere and that wonderful “rough to the touch” feel of hundred dollar bills.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) The month puts a strong emphasis on home and family activities. Your entire focus will be on domestic matters, which includes real- estate deals or real-estate speculation. Discussions with a parent could be significant. Increased activity and chaos at home might be the result of residential moves, renovations, or visiting guests. It might also lead to domestic tension. (The challenging part.) Old friends and relatives you haven’t seen for ages might be camped on your doorstep. Stock the fridge. Prepare for the inevitable onslaught.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) The Sun is directly opposite your sign. This means you’re focused on partners and close friends more than usual. Retrograde Mercury brings contact with ex-partners and old friends as well. However, this is a wonderful opportunity to observe, study, and get a better understanding of your personal style of relating to others. It’s your chance to learn a lot! Since partnerships are important to you (you’re always seeking your soul mate) this is your chance to figure out why you want to Vulcan mind-meld with someone.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Short trips, mucho errands, visits, increased interaction with siblings and relatives, plus a super-active schedule of reading and writing all combine to accelerate your daily tempo. You’re flying! You’re also unusually assertive in all your communications. Hands on hips, you’re telling it like it is. One caveat: retrograde Mercury in December will cause delays to transportation and mail and create confused communications. “Let’s play bureaucracy! Everyone stands in a circle. The first person to do anything loses.”

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Suddenly, you want to be organized at work, and at home. You want all your stuff in neat little piles where you can just put your hand out and grab something at a moment’s notice. (What luxury!) Of course, you will start by de-cluttering and getting rid of what you no longer need. (I know this is tough for you. You hang on to everything.) Fiery Mars will help you delegate duties and tasks to others. However, retrograde Mercury will cause delays. Ouch! Wouldn’t you know it? No worries – you can move mountains!

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Money, money, money! You’re focused on your cash flow; specifically, your earnings, and possibly getting another job, or how to make money on the side. (I’ve always thought it curious we “make money on the side. Why not upfront? Or even behind?) Not only are you working hard to earn money in the next six weeks, you’re equally active spending it! Take note: retrograde Mercury will bring you opportunities to earn money in old ways, or with prior contacts. However, retrograde Mercury will also cause delays to your earnings. Grrr.

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/ December 2010

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) The Sun in your sign boosts your energy and attracts opportunities and important people. It’s your turn to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year! Fiery Mars is also in your sign, making this an unusually energetic time! You’ll stand up for your beliefs and fight for your rights. You’re out there flying your colours! Ex-partners and old friends plus old circumstances will be back in your lap. (Well, maybe not that close.) Get lots of physical exercise because you have energy building up within you, and it’s gotta go somewhere! Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) This is the time of year when you want to work alone or behind the scenes and keep a low profile. Why? Because you’re preparing to jump up and take centre-stage about a month from now. Until then, use this month to strategize what you want your new year (birthday to birthday) to be. All of you are entering your time of harvest, which is a three-year window ahead. For most, this time of harvest is a time of success, kudos, graduation, and promotions. A few, however, will see what is not working. If so, cut your losses and move on. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Popular you! Clubs, small groups or large conferences are on the menu. Some of these groups will be physically oriented (sports or gym classes). It looks like competition is in the picture. In fact, this competition could escalate to conflict. Be cool. Take the high road. Old friends are also back in the picture. You’ll enjoy this because you are a networker par excellence. Give serious thought to your dreams and hopes. Share them with others. (“I’ve always wanted to drill those tiny holes in toothbrushes.”) Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Others to notice you this month, especially bosses, parents, teachers, VIPs, and the police. If you drink, don’t drive. Take the bus, walk, or grab a cab. Keep in mind that you are high viz this month, even if you aren’t aware of it. The good news is that this high visibility makes you look extremely attractive to others. They think you’re hot stuff! That’s why this is the perfect time to ask for a promotion, get a raise, or do anything where you need to impress people. You’ve got what it takes and it shows! ~

BUSINESS INFORMATION CENTRE We encourage you to “shop local” whenever possible. Below is a list of local businesses that offer a variety of services and products for your personal and professional needs. Tell them you saw their listing or ad in The Beacon. And, if you use and can recommend a local business or service, we ask you to share the news with your neighbours, friends and family. Your positive referrals will ensure a strong economy in your community. And that’s important! The advertisers listed here also have their business cards and brochures racked with us at EyesOnBC in our Community Information Centre. If you require further information about any of the businesses noted above, please feel free to call or stop by our office. We support local business and firmly believe in the power of networking.

Our Advertisers.............................Contact....................................................... Category................. Ad Page EyesOnBC........................................................... 757-9914..................................................................... The Beacon Magazine / Business Centre.. 23 Arrowsmith Automotive........................................ 752-1662..................................................................... Automotive Services....................................17 Qualicum Auto & Marine Supply Ltd.................... 250-752-5621............................................................. Auto & Marine Supplies...............................45 Career Centre...................................................... 248-3205..................................................................... Business & Education..................................45 Jennifer Hubbard, Solicitor, Notary Public........... 752-6951..................................................................... Business & Financial Services.....................40 NR Insurance Services........................................ 752-3086..................................................................... Business & Financial Services.....................14 Wisdom is Within Coaching................................. 757-9794..................................................................... Business & Personal Coaching....................20 Handy Sandy Services........................................ 250-240-3122............................................................. Maintenance Services.................................44 Ethereal Splendor Healing................................... 250-947-5231............................................................. Health Services............................................46 Medicine Centre.................................................. Fern Rd 752-9911....Memorial Ave 752-9976............. Health Services............................................31 Jonathan Martin CCST, CRRP............................ 250-586-3316............................................................. Health Services............................................20 Nurse Next Door, Peter Coulter........................... 250-752-2597............................................................. Health Services............................................38 Tracy Hebert R.M.T............................................. cell 927-1471.............................................................. Health Services............................................46 Bowser Roofing................................................... 757-9827.........................248-1633............................. Home & Garden Services............................14 Camelot Electric..........................................................................................250-752-7999...................... Home & Garden Services.........................9,22 Camelot Excavating.....................................................................................250-752-7909...................... Home & Garden Servies..........................9, 21 Camelot Homes...........................................................................................250-752-7909...................... Home & Garden Service..............................17 Gemini Technical Services (Appliances)............. 752-6871..................................................................... Home & Garden Services............................46 Horne Lake Electric............................................. 250-240-7778............................................................. Home & Garden Services............................45 Lighthouse Trucking Ltd...................................... 757-2047.........................cell 927-7577....................... Home & Garden Services............................45 Northpacific Window............................................ 752-5312..................................................................... Home & Garden Services............................18 Qualicum Bay Custom Carpentry........................ 250-757-8996.................cell 250-954-7700............... Home & Garden Services............................46 Witte Construction............................................... 757-9713.........................927-2157............................. Home & Garden Services............................45 EyesOnBC (in Bowser)........................................ 757-9914..................................................................... Copy / Fax / Office Services........................47 Re/Max First Reatly - Setter & Associates........... 951-4078.........................1-877-752-6089................... Real Estate..................................................26 Re/Max First Realty - Tom Whitfield.................... 248-1071.........................1-888-243-1071................... Real Estate..................................................21 Peter Mason Land Surveyor................................ 757-8788.........................1-800-350-5394................... Surveying & Land Information......................45

SERVICE DIRECTORY LISTING A-Company Military Surplus

& Adventure Clothing........................ 44 Advanced Hypnosis.......................... 44 All in One Bobcat.............................. 44 Arrowsmith Heating.......................... 45 Biscotti di Notte................................. 46 Blue Star Trucking............................ 45 Bondy and Sons Heating & Cooling.45 Bowser Video Showcase.................. 45 Browns Plumbing & Gas................... 46 C.F. McLean Pellet Sales................. 44 Camelot Electric............................... 46

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Camelot Excavating.......................... 46 Career Centre................................... 45 DIY Helper & Handyman Services... 44 Deja~Vu Decor................................. 45 Dog gone Beautiful Grooming.......... 45 “Do” or “Dye” Hair Salon................... 46 Eagle Stove & Sweep....................... 46 Dynamic Drywall............................... 45 Ed & Willems - House Painting......... 45 Evelyn’s Barber Shop....................... 46 Gemini Appliance Repair.................. 46 Handy Sandy Services..................... 44

Horne Lake Electric.......................... 45 Island Scallops................................. 44 Kerry’s Sewing Basket...................... 44 Level 6 Drywall Contracting.............. 44 Lighthouse Trucking......................... 45 Master Lawn Maintenance............... 46 Oceanside Yoga............................... 46 PC Plumbing & Gas.......................... 44 Peter Mason Land Surveyor............. 45 Powerwise Electric........................... 44 Qualicum Auto & Marine................... 45 Qualicum Bay Custom Carpentry..... 46

Qualicum Bay Plumbing................... 45 Shaklee - Sharon Waugh................. 46 Tracy Hebert, Massage Therapist.... 46 Wilson Exteriors................................ 44 Witte Construction Ltd...................... 45 NEW THIS MONTH! Ethereal Splendor Healing................ 46 Jim’s Mowing - Corporate................. 44 The Shorewater Resort.................... 44

/ December 2010

Community Events LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTRE (LCC) Qualicum Bay - INFO: LOIS NELSON: 757-9938

All the very best to you and yours for the Holiday Season! from the Directors, Management and Staff of your Credit Union

Pancake Breakfast, Flea Market, Live Music, Veggies, Poultry & Small Animal Swap, Master Gardeners: – Sunday Dec. 12th, 8am-noon. The Qualicum Bay Lions will be cooking up breakfast this morning. Lighthouse Seniors #152 – Mon. Dec. 6th – Turkey Dinner at The Bowser Legion at 12 noon. Tickets are $12. FMI call Lois 250-757-9938 or Joan 250-757-9536. Lighthouse Floor Curlers – Curling every Mon. & Fri. at 1 pm at the Lions Rec Hall in Qualicum Bay. New members welcome. FMI call Dennis Leach 250757-8218 or Tillie Murray 250-757-9218. Carpet Bowling at LCC: Oct – April 12:45 to 3:15pm. Tues. and Thurs. Everyone welcome, exercise and fun, come out and meet your neighbours. FMI Call Layne 250-757-8217. AA Lightkeepers: every Fri. 8pm. Info: 240-757-8347 Bridge at LCC Nordin Room – 1 - 4pm Friday afternoons. Call Ann: 250-757-8194 Taoist Tai Chi Society Classes at LCC and Fanny Bay OAP Hall. FMI Susan @ 757-2097 Lighthouse Trails Group needs your help. Val Weismiller: 757-9667 LIGHTHOUSE RECREATION INFO PATTY: 757-8366 shipshore@shaw.ca Men’s Drop in Floor Hockey – Tues. evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Bowser School. FMI Call Kevin Bull @ 757-8423 Adult and Teen Badminton (13+) – Bowser school gym Thur evenings, 7-9 pm. Drop-in fee: adult $3, students $1 racquets available, beginners welcome. Info: 250-757-8307, steelehunt@shaw.ca

RDN PROGRAMS PRESCHOOL Holly Jolly Jingle Bell Party 18mos-5yrs Thurs. 9:30-11:00am Dec 16 Lighthouse Community Centre $10.50/1 Cool Moves 18mos-5yrs Thursdays, 9:30-10:30am Jan 20-Feb 24 CHILDREN Girls and Boys Just Want to Have Fun 6-11yrs Wednesdays, 3:00-4:30pm Jan 19-Mar 9 Bowser School $52/8 42

/ December 2010

YOUTH & ADULT Family Night Volleyball 13yrs+ Wednesdays 6:308:00pm Jan 19-Mar 9 Bowser School $39/8 and HST Run Some More 16yrs+ Mondays 10:30-11:30am Jan 10-Mar 7 $46/9 and HST Run Stronger 16yrs+ Mondays 8:45-10:15am Jan 10-Mar 7 $59.50/9 Bowser Tennis Court Parking Lot Hatha Yoga 16yrs+ Mondays 6:00-7:15pm Jan 17-Mar 7 (BES); Tuesdays 9:15-10:30am Jan 18-Mar 8 (LCC); Thursdays 6:00-7:15pm Jan 20-Mar 10 (BES) $68.70/8 and HST Focus on Fitness 16yrs+ Wednesdays 10:3011:30am Jan 19-Mar 9 Lighthouse Community Centre $48/6 and HST If you have eight friends and would like to try a fitness, scrapbooking or other type of program, please contact me and I will work hard to find an instructor at a time and reasonable cost that will suit your group. Please contact Area H RDN programmer, Kim Longmuir at 250-757-8118 or klongmuir@rdn.bc.ca for detailed program and registration information. All programs must be pre-registered to avoid the disappointment of being cancelled.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS & CLUBS The Qualicum Beach Family History Society opens their New Year with a special event. Ivan Sayers, a well known Fashion Historian, will present a slide show of his expanding clothing collection, discussing eras of change in design. We will hold this months meeting at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, in the East Hall 19th Jan. 2011 at 7pm. in conjuntion with the Qualicum Beach Museum and Historical Society. Everyone welcome. The Parksville & District Community Choir will present “Bach’s Christmas Oratorio” on Sunday, Dec. 5th at 2:30 pm at Knox United Church, 345 Pym St. PV. Soloists Cathy Lauer, Carolyn Hately, David Brown and Paul Boughen. Tickets: $ 15, Seniors/Students $12 at Mulberry Bush Books and Door. BLAST!!! Join us for a special Christmas celebration on December 1st from 2:55 to 4 pm in the gym at Bowser Elementary School. Children K to grade 5 welcome – no charge. FMI contact Lynda at (250) 757-9596 or lyndahearn@shaw.ca Mark this on Calendar! Lifering Weekly – Alcohol/drug discussion meetings. Thursdays at

December 2010 7:30pm – upstairs at the SOS Centre, 245 W Hirst Ave, Parksville. No charge, non religious. FMI call 250-752-1058 or 250-951-7675.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DECEMBER!

Panto in the Jungle – Family Theatre Bailey Studio, 2373 Rosstown Road, Nanaimo, Dec 18-31, 1:30 and 7:30 pm $15 www. nanaimotheatregroup.com 250-758-7224 Enjoy the musical spirit of Christmas! The Oceanside Concert Band and the Oceanside Grandmothers to Grandmotherspresent an afternoon of CHRISTMAS music for the whole family. The Concert will take place from 2:304 pm at Knox United Church 345 Pym St, Parksville Sat Dec 18th and will feature soloist Maureen O’Hearn. Admission is by donation( for adults) and an unwrapped food item or toy( for children). All proceeds for this event will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers Campaign and the local Salvation Army Food Bank. Join us to hear some of your seasonal favourites –and maybe enjoy a chance to sing along! Doors open at 2 pm. FMI call Cathryn @ 250-752-1962 Fanny Bay Parents & Tots Play Group runs every Monday from 10:1511:45 at the Fanny Bay Hall. For children 0-5 years old and a caregiver. Join us for songs, stories, early literacy activities, games, gym time, parent resources and a snack. This is a free event, supported by the Comox Valley Family Services Association and the Fanny Bay Community Association. FMI contact Evelyn 250-335-9022 Lighthouse Spinners – Every Tues. 10:30-2:30pm in the Community Centre Board Room. New members are welcome. FMI contact Jo 250-7578402 Dance To Timberline Band – Free, live old-time Country & Rock’n Roll music. Every Wed. 7:30 –10:30 pm Parksville Legion, 146 West Hirst St., Parksville. All welcome.

• LA Meeting.........................................2: 00 to 4:00 pm • Final day for Food Hamper applications Contact Evelyn Foot @ 250-757-9778 Dec 21 • Executive Meeting .............................7:00 pm Dec 24 • Open 1-5pm - No Meat Draws Dec 24, 25, 31 & Jan 1

Dec 2 Dec 6

Closed December 25 - "Merry Christmas Everyone" CLOSED SUNDAYS

Hall Rentals 250-757-9222 • Mon to Fri 9:00 am - 12 noon Dec 4 • Dec 5 • Dec 6 • Dec 12 • Dec 15 • Dec 31 • Jan 1 •

Giant Meat Draw (Turkeys) ..........................................4:30 pm LA Pot Luck OAP Seniors Lunch..................................................12:00 pm Breakfast with Santa ................................................9:00 am Ladies Pool Christmas Party Bar open 1-5pm - New Year’s Eve Dance, Doors Open ... 8 pm Levee Day

Belly Dancing Ladies Pool Crib Texas Hold’em Darts

Monday.............................................. 7:00 pm Wednesday - Dec 1, 8 & 15 only ....... 5:00 pm Wednesday - Dec 1, 8 & 15 only ....... 7:00 pm Thursday - Dec 2, 9, & 16 only .......... 7:30 pm Friday - Dec 3, 10 & 17 only .............. 7:30 pm

Beta Sigma Phi – an International Women’s Group promoting Life, Learning & Friendship. In the Oceanside area there are 7 chapters holding bi-monthly, day or evening meetings. Inquiries can be made to: Margie Healey, 250-7579125 “Living with Cancer Support Group” – 1st Thurs of the month at the Gardens at Qualicum Beach from 1:30 to 3:30pm. This group is not only open to cancer patients but also to their care giver. FMI Call contact Rosemary at 250-951-2167.

Dec 2

• LA General Meeting.......................................... 1:30 pm

Cokely Manor Christmas Bazaar – Dec 6th Mon 1-3pm 266a Moilliet St. Parksville Parksville & District Community Choir Christmas Concert – Conductor, Ann Barber leads the choir and guest soloists, Soprano, Cathy Lauer of Nanaimo, Alto, Carolyn Hately of Qualicum, Tenor, David Brown of Yellow Point , and Bass, Paul Braughen of Victoria in another of the world great choral works. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio was written in 1734. The oratorio is a massive work composed of six separate Cantatas originally intended for six weeks of Sunday service. The 40 voice Community Choir and soloists will perform the first three parts to tell the story of the Nativity. Only Handel’s Messiah rivals the Oratorio’s brilliant choruses and arias in grandeur. Several of the choruses are very familiar hymn tunes. The concert takes place on Sunday, December 5th, 2:30 pm at Knox United Church in Parksville. Tickets are available at Mulberry Bush Book stores and at the door.

Dec 17 • Pasta Night (after the Meat Draw) $6/pp...........7:30 pm Dec 31 • New Year’s Eve (Dinner/Dance) ..........................6:00 pm

$25/pp

Crib Monday.................................................. 7:00 pm Ladies Pool Monday...................................... 1:00 to 4:00 pm Texas Hold’em Tuesday................................................. 7:00 pm Birthday Celebration 2nd Wednesday..................................... 4:00 pm Mexican Train Thursday ............................................... 1:30 pm Meat Draw Fri & Sat ................................................ 4:00 pm No Meat Draws Dec 24, 25, 31, and Jan 1

/ December 2010

Sand & Gravel Topsoil Septic Systems Bark Mulch Driveway Chips Water Lines

Culverts Drain Problems

Accommodation

Septic Installation

For alphabetical service listing, see page 41

Certified Septic System Specialist

Call Lauren & Save

/ December 2010

Plumbing & Gas Services

Military Surplus Pellet Fuel Sales

Drywall

Sewing Services Home Repairs

Handyman Services

Yard Services

Hypnotherapy

Electrical Services

Local Seafood

Home Improvement

(250) 757-8156 or (250) 954-8716

Your Local Entertainment Centre

. New Releases . Great Library Selection . New & previously viewed movies for sale . Machine Rentals - N64, PSX & XBox . Game Rentals - N64, PSX, PS2

Heating

Movie & Game Rental

Auto & Marine

BOWSER

XBox & GameCube

Ask our Staff for your hard-to-find titles Reservations Accepted

757-8353

Excavating

Land Surveying

Interior Decorating

#3 - 6996 West Island Hwy, Bowser

2003 Kobelco SK160Lc Excavator for Hire

DEJA~VU DECOR CUSTOM DECOR & WINDOW COVERINGS

Call

250-752-8772

Convenient In Home Appointments

ph. 757-9713 c. 927-2157 e. shaun.witte@gmail.com

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL ALTERNATE ENERGY

T.J. Farrell

250 • 240 • 7778

Plumbing Sand - Gravel - Topsoil

Heating & Cooling

Taping House Painting

tjfarrell@shaw.ca

105 Islewood Dr. Bowser, BC V0R 1G0

Career Counselling

WCB & Insured Shaun Witte Owner/Journeyman

Electrician

Construction

LTD

Dog Grooming

Witte Construction

/ December 2010

Healing

INSTALLATION SERVICE & REPAIRS

Philip Brown

250-240-4902 • 250-757-8077 EVENINGS

Advertising

Plumbing Gas Heating Barber Services

Fitness Classes Enviro Products

.. Biodegradable Free .. Solvent Concentrated Phosphate Free

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YOUR NEXT CLIENT IS LOOKING FOR YOU IN OUR SERVICE DIRECTORY INCLUDE YOUR AD NEXT MONTH

#2-1343 Port Alberni Hwy 250.586.2266 Pine Tree Centre 46

/ December 2010

Construction

Lawn Services

Locally Made Cookies!

Electrical Services Appliance Repair

STYLIST

Excavating Services

Hair Styling

Chimney Cleaning

Healthcare

250-757-9914

BUSINESS SERVICES FAX • COPY PRINT • DESIGN

Essential business services conveniently located in Bowser 250-757-9914

#110-6996 W. ISLAND HWY, BOWSER, BC

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/ December 2010

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146 W. 2nd Ave., Qualicum Beach (250) 752-8780 Open: Mon to Sat 9:30 - 5 Sun 12 - 4

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