Beacon Magazine - March 2011 by EyesOnBC Publishing

MARCH 2011 vol 6 issue 82

Community Living on Vancouver Island Fanny Bay to Nanoose

Anne & Eddie: Patrolling the Greens • 6 TrekOn! Burning Boot Country • 12

22 FEATURE Can`t See the Forest for the Trees

BUSINESS

5 Biz Banter: What’s up in local business 9 Dentistry in Mexico 14 Brave New World of Self-Publishing

STAY, PLAY, SHOP & DINE: THE LINE TO THE ‘BURBS!

12 Burning Boot Country

GREAT OUTDOORS 12 20 28 35 37

Trek On Through the Seasons Tide Table Brant Wildlife Festival Into the Garden

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

3 Kim Naylor - Breathing New Lfe Into Found Treasure 9 ECHO Players Theatre

Anne & Eddie Patrolling the Greens

COMMUNITY LIFE

10 Stay, Play, Shop & Dine 18 Raven Project - update 19 Inspired by Community 28 The Art of Conscious Living 30 It’s Happening in Area H 34 On the Agenda

8 KSS Honour Students 6 Annie & Eddie: Patrolling the Greens 16 Edith King: 105 & Still Living Life to the Fullest 26 Images & Voices – Dawn & Lawrence Setter

COMMUNITY PEOPLE

HEALTH

31 Health & Wellness Matters

Sea Lion with Lunch by Dianne Shuttleworth Dianne moved to Vancouver Island six years ago from Alberta, and has always had an avid interest in wildlife and photography, but these were usually independent pursuits. Recently her photography of wildlife in the Qualicum Beach area has become her passionate obsession. Dianne can be found along the beaches or sitting in the tide pools taking pictures of the herons or wandering the many trails and parks in the area …always with her camera in hand. Her cards have a unique educational component which hopefully will broaden people’s awareness and respect for the subjects of her photographs. 2

/ March 2011

THE REGULARS

38 40 41 4 2-43 44-46

Classifieds In the Stars Business Information Centre Community Events At Your Service Index & Businesses

Artist Kim Naylor Breathes New Life into Found Treasure By Lisa Verbicky

here is something haunting, something mystical about a piece of human culture alone, adrift at sea. An old piece of a painted dock, a tangled piece of a fishing net, an article of clothing. A curious if not worrisome reminder that someone was here, that something happened, something slipped from the hands of another on the other side of the pond. A story. A purpose lost. Or, in Kim Naylor’s case, a purpose found. The 50-year-old Errington artist, has been repurposing lost treasures for 16 years, crafting candle holders and vessels out of rare glass fishing floats, and jewelry from sand tumbled float glass, abalone, silver, crystals, and vintage spoons. “I have an obsession with found objects,” says Naylor. Who’s to say what is precious and what is not? she asks. “A found beach treasure can be as precious as a diamond. It depends on the story or cirumstance in which it was found,” says Naylor who grew up in Prince Rupert where all her grandfathers and her father were fishermen. Naylor’s story as an artist lies in a large, rose-coloured Japanese fishing float rumoured to be from the Emporer’s Fleet, handed down to her from her grandfather. In it is a history of glass floats blown and sealed for use by Japanese, US, and Korean fishermen until the 1940’s and 50’s. When her grandmother accidentally broke the precious float, Naylor, who had recently taken a stained glass course, put it back together using glass nuggets. It sits on her property today. Kim Naylor of Keeping Afloat · Lisa Verbicky photo

“It’s really wonderful because now I think about my grandparents everyday when I’m working.” Since then, she has been breaking floats given to her by her grandfather and other beachcombers or collectors, and putting them back together using stained glass techniques.

After being inspired by a friend from England who had a pair of earrings made from glass nuggets, the largely self-taught artist began making her own jewelry in 1995. Today, she spends anywhere from a halfhour to twelve hours in her studio, an old garden shed lovingly refurbished by her husband, which calls to her from her kitchen window. Her necklaces and earrings combine glass nuggets from broken floats that are then tumbled in seawater, with silver she bends and pounds using woodworking tools. Naylor’s black and silver jewelry series “Whole Lotta Love”, featuring “Solid Love” necklaces and earrings, was hand-crafted from black stones that were found while having a special day with her husband at the beach. She has also created a series called “Peelers”, made with a rough, ‘edgy’ design of layered, hand-pounded silver that is being snatched up by the younger crowd. “I love contrast,” she says. “There is some truth in the attraction of opposites. They serve to highlight each other.” Naylor began making her signature “Peapod” necklaces after her grandmother left her all her silverware. “I’m not the type to leave silverware in a box,” she says. Hand-crafted from “Granny’s Silver” these sought-after necklaces are made by bending the bowl of a spoon around freshwater pearls. The neck of the spoon is then used to create unique hair clips. “People really seem to be drawn to these pieces. I love to connect to people through my work. I’m very lucky to be able to do what I do. Sometimes I feel like it was meant to be...” Meant to be. Like finding something special on the beach. ~

Kim Naylor’s work can be found at the Salish Sea Market in Bowser, at Roxywallhanger in Parksville and in the “It’s magical when you come across one that Old Ivy Gift Cottage in Coombs. For more is really frosted, meaning that it has washed information visit www.keepingafloat.ca ashore many times,” says Naylor. / March 2011

March 2011 VOLUME 6 NO 82 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, Jane Burton

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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

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/ March 2011

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... from the Community

ostNet Parksville is now open at 1306 Alberni Highway next to U-Haul. PostNet is your local business centre offering, Graphic Design, Print, Copy, Shredding and Shipping with Canada’s top names in the industry: Purolator, FedEx and Canada Post. You’ll find a retail selection of packing supplies including boxes, Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap. Why not let their staff pack it for you! Store Manager, Jen Kennedy, is striving to offer a one-stopshop for all of your business design and printing needs. Logo design, business cards brochures, rack cards and more. Welcome! See ad on page 11.

ocal handyman Don Buchner, proprietor of Don’s Plumbing and Home Repair is almost giddy in announcing the expansion of his plumbing services with his subsidiary venture, Mid Island Drainage Doctor.While still your local 24 hour emergency plumber, Don now has brand new, state-of-the-art power augers that will drill their way through almost any stubborn septic, perimeter or eave trough entanglement. Whether it’s a chronic ongoing issue or a new concern, and for amazing results you will have to see to believe, give Don a call and experience the results for yourself! Congratulations Don on the expansion of your services! Please see Don’s ad on page 11.

here’s a new name to the Oceanside community – Tidal Front Media. We are continually hearing about Social Networking, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc and how effective these avenues can be in marketing your business. The company which was founded and is operated by local Oceanside residents Julie Chambers and Michael Van der Tol are both industry veterans in social media marketing and high-tech business solutions. Tidal Front Media can help you establish a presence, with very little IT investment and guide you into the world of Social Networking through information sessions and/or oneon-one consulting. This team knows the social media landscape and have been using the tools since their inception, and are here to help local business grow and tell the world what Vancouver Island has to offer. Oh and by the way, for the record Julie and Michael developed their business relationship through Twitter! If you’ve been considering the world of social networking and don’t know where to start, we encourage you to visit www.tidalfront.com for more information and allow this team to guide you into the new world of social media and

show you how to adopt an effective media strategy.

here’s a new kid in town offering honest, old-fashioned, general automotive repair service. Drop by and say hello to Kerry Manton who has recently purchased Parksville Safety and Auto Centre (formerly Parksville Safety Centre). He would be happy to share his knowledge about the scheduled preventative maintenance program available for all vehicles. Kerry’s buzz line is “The very best care for your car” and he means what he says – it’s all about safety, reliability and predictable costs. If you are looking to treat your car to a ‘Spring Spruce Up’ Kerry and his staff can deliver as well. Call today and take advantage of the complete automobile detailing service now being offered. Clip out Kerry’s ad and coupon on this page and bring it in for savings on your next visit!

t’s our pleasure to introduce Fay Carnahan – a certified, registered and insured Reflexologist – who has launched her new business, Heaven’s Way Reflexology, in the arena of holistic healing. Fay tells us, “After experiencing it myself and practicing on friends and loved ones, I fell in love with it! It had such a BizBanter continued on page 41

/ March 2011

Anne Murphy with Eddie the Bald Eagle · Laura Busheikin photo

Anne & Eddie

Patrolling the greens By Laura Busheikin

pair of Canada Geese, in the early stages of courtship, waddle contentedly along the shore, oblivious to the pair of eyes watching them from afar. The golf course, with its wide-open spaces, tender grass, and placid ponds, is a far more inviting habitat than anything available in the wild. But therein lies the problem: the geese congregate here in such numbers that they become pests: their feces pollute, their beaks destroy the grass, and their overfeeding throws things out of balance for other species. Which is why Anne Murphy, sitting on a golf cart 100 metres away, is staring intently at the geese. On her leather-gloved arm sits Eddie, an eight-pound Bald Eagle with one-inch talons, a razor-sharp, imposingly hooked beak and intense golden eyes. 6

/ March 2011

At a signal from Anne, Eddie spreads his powerful wings and, with an audible w-hoosh, w-hoosh, takes off, magnificent in the way eagles always are. Eddie heads for the geese and soars low over them. They run awkwardly a few steps, then, honking in protest, fly away. Eddie circles round and returns, landing with surprising grace on Anne’s arm, where he gets a hunk of raw meat as a reward. Murphy is a licensed commercial falconer – one of only a handful in British Columbia. This rare and yet ancient occupation – historians reckon falconry dates back five or six thousand years – is becoming increasingly useful as a contemporary, humane method of wild animal control. Trained birds of prey, guided by their human handlers, find work at landfills, farms and

orchards, airports, vineyards, golf courses and parks, scaring off birds and other pests such as rabbits. Murphy and Eddie patrol the Fairwinds Golf Course, in Nanoose Bay, three times a day. They’ve seen a huge drop in the number of geese since they began last year. “The wonderful thing about this is that it is both humane and effective,” says Murphy. Typical attempts at bird control include spraying the grass with foultasting chemicals, using explosives, noise deterrents, kites that mimic predator birds, and flashing lights. These can be expensive, destructive, aesthetically disturbing, and unreliable, says Murphy. While there is no continued on page 11

Seriously ...

Globetrotting chef settles in Oceanside

BUSINESS PROFILE

by Shirley Culpin

fter almost half a century of world travel and running some very high-end restaurants, Gerhard Erler is taking life a little easier – if you can call starting work at 5 a.m. each day taking life easy. Gerhard is the owner of Serious Coffee in Parksville, and the only baking the certified pastry chef does these days is production of the muffins, brioche and scones that are scarfed down by his happy patrons. Gerhard’s circuitous route to the Oceanside area began in Austria at the age of 14 when he commenced his apprenticeship as a chef. Upon completion he was a certified chef and pastry chef. Wanderlust hit early – when he was eighteen, Gerhard launched his worldwide travels, working at first in various restaurants throughout Austria and Germany. In 1971, by this time married, Gerhard and his wife moved to South Africa where he worked in Pretoria, Cape Town and Ootshorn, a small town famous for its ostriches. “We went mostly for the adventure,” says the jovial coffee bar owner. “We wanted to see wildlife and something different.” The Erlers’ hopes were certainly granted in that respect – Gerhard recounts some hairraising tales of camping trips in the wilds of Africa. The couple also visited Mozambique, Rhodesia, Botswana and Namibia, along with trekking through the Kalahari Desert and taking a trip into the Okowambo swamps. “We had a lot of beautiful times when we were in Africa,” recalls Gerhard. “Of all the places I have been, those years were probably my favourite.” In 1978 the Erlers, with young son in tow, moved to the Fiji Islands, where Gerhard worked as the executive chef at a large hotel belonging to the Shangri La hotel group. He managed four dining rooms manned by a staff of sixty-five producing 1,800 to 2,000 meals each day. While there were certainly challenges in running such a large operation, Gerhard reveled in the opportunity to learn much of Fiji’s culture and of the Hindus and Muslims who comprised most of his workforce. The next stop for the Erlers was Victoria. Gerhard held the position of executive chef

Gerhard Erler - once a chef, always a chef - just not so much now  Shirley Culpin photo at both the Chateau Victoria and the Laurel Point Inn before being transferred to Calgary, where he was employed at the Delta Bow Valley. The family remained in Calgary until 1989, then headed for new adventures in Inuvik, NWT, where Gerhard realized the dream of most chefs – owning his own restaurant.

Gerhard dealt with it all for a decade before returning to Calgary to take up a teaching post at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Another five years in Inuvik ensued, then Gerhard left the north for good. He returned to Calgary where he ‘did nothing for two years’, which didn’t sit particularly well with him.

Huh. Inuvik. Land of the frozen north, limited accessibility and, one would assume, very limited opportunity for a chef of Gerhard’s background and ability. Not so, as it turned out – the booming oil and gas industry ensured that his restaurant was a success. Although the Erlers offered take-out Chinese food and pizza, there was also plenty of scope for fine dining.

A trip to Vancouver Island to attend their son’s wedding soon had the Erlers falling in love with the temperate climate and stunning scenery, not to mention the relaxed atmosphere. In 2008 the couple purchased a home in Qualicum Beach and Gerhard was on to his next project. A Serious Coffee franchise appealed to him for the change of pace.

Inuvik presented challenges, however. Staffing was always a problem, as was ordering supplies. Food orders had to be placed at least three weeks in advance; Christmas foodstuffs were ordered prior to Thanksgiving due to the lack of transportation accessibility during freeze-up.

“I can’t sit around,” he says with a shrug. He still works six days a week. But the complications of running a large kitchen operation have vanished. For Gerhard Erler, that’s a very happy thing. ~ SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 21 / March 2011

HONOUR STUDENTS OF KWALIKUM SECONDARY SCHOOL Over the next several months, we will introduce the Grade 12 Kwalikum Secondary students who are currently completing their achievement requirements for induction into the Qualicum Beach Honours Society. “The Directors of the Society believe that our community benefits when our youth strive for excellence.” To find out how you can support their endeavours, please contact KSS Principal, Jesse Witte at (250) 752-5651.

Vicky Hayward-Wrench I admire people who know that to be yourself is to be the best you can be. I am thankful for the experience of working at Mid-Isle Vet Hospital and being a part of the band program. They have taught me to have compassion, to work hard, and to have a laugh. With these mind, I hope to go to university next year and pursue a degree in biology.

Kevin Biro I plan to attend the University of British Columbia on a baseball scholarship after high school, where I wish to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Journalism) Degree. Thanks to both my Writing Twelve and English Twelve classes for inspiring me to pursue a writing career. My goal in life is to become a staff writer for Sports Illustrated.

“The roots of achievement lie in the will to become the best you can become.” ~ Harold Taylor.

Rosie Sollitt KSS has provided me with a wealth of experiences and knowledge to carry throughout my life. Sewing has been an influential part of high school that I hope to further pursue. Being a member of the Qualicum Beach Honour’s Society has given me a sense of pride in my accomplishments. My future is by no means set in stone, but I am excited for what’s in store!

Brett Saremba In my three and a half years at KSS my favourite class has been Chemistry 12. Although it was the hardest course I’ve ever taken it was by far the most interesting class. It forced me to work hard just to get an alright mark. The most valuable thing I took from it was a new perspective on how much work and studying lies ahead of me.

“Dr. Ian and Maggie Smith of Qualicum Beach congratulate the Honour Students and wish them well in their educational pursuits.”

/ March 2011

Dentistry In Mexico?

Canadian Dentist $17,000 – Mexican Dentist $5,000 To be honest, even after all my research, I encountered one, very bad Dentist. So listen carefully – they pay the locals to literally solicit you right off the street. Offering deals to lure you in for a free exam and offer to “better the other guys prices”…I was one of those “soft touches” and stepped outside my comfort zone, into a bad situation.

Submitted by Kelly Mullen

The Dentist was referred as an excellent Cosmetic Dentist. But after six hours in the chair of white knuckling, unsanitary conditions and tremendous pain, the end result was just as I had predicted – a waste of time and money. Frozen up to my eyebrows, I remembered an article I read about a client called TLC. As soon as I walked through their door, I immediately saw a considerable difference. The office was new and clean with dozens of American and Canadian tourists filling the waiting room. The owners were polite, professional and listened carefully to all my concerns. Most importantly, there was no language barrier.

ike a lot of us, I don’t have the luxury of a dental plan. Therefore each trip to my local Dentist is financially painful, as well as physically – so exploring new options for my dental work was highly inviting. I had heard of people going to Mexico for their dental work. But thoughts like “you get what you pay for” kept running through my head, along with “what are they thinking”. Going to the “un-known” was so wrong in my mind for so many reasons, especially hearing on the news “how unsafe” Mexico had become. But an opportunity had presented itself and I found myself making plans for a trip south. After much research, friends personal stories and reading the Trip Advisory, I took a leap of faith and made the pilgrimage to Mexico. Los Algodones is small Mexican border town just twenty minutes south of Yuma, Arizona. Once you cross this extremely busy border, you are immediately aware of the presence of the Border Patrol and the highly visible police patrolling the narrow streets. With a population of 3,000 dentistry makes up 350 of the local business, packed tightly within a four block radius with Optical shops and Pharmacies making up the remainder of the industry.

My Dentist was Dr. Maria Paola and my experience is that one can’t go wrong with this office. They have a root canal specialist and several others Dentist’s equally as trained and professional. Dr Paola was amazing; a perfectionist who was gentle and comforting. She backed-up all her recommendations with individual pictures of the teeth in question. She provided an estimate first and advised me of all my options. Be warned, there is a lot of waiting and very long days in the Dentist chair. They work on the assumption you are a tourist with not a lot of time. I suggest you take advantage

of the B&B they offer to their guests while waiting for your crowns or veneers. The Green House, as it’s known, was more than I had expected. Just five minutes from town, a brand new building surrounded by a large wall, much like living in a compound, it was clean, large and modern with a pool, laundry facilities, great showers, seven bedrooms and four bathrooms. Very comfortable and very safe. I always had a ride to and from the office whether it was for an appointment or just to take in the sights. This is a compact portion of my two trips to Los Algodones. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, and especially for the names of those I would not recommend. For more information contact: chezkelly@ shaw.ca Green House: David, Linda & Tom Email; tlc-dental@hotmail.com or www.affordabletlcdental.com Note: this article is offered for information only, it is the opinion of the author, and is not endorsed by the editors.

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/ March 2011

PRODUCED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

Medical tourism, also referred to as medical travel, health tourism or global healthcare, are terms describing the rapidly-growing practice of travelling across international borders to obtain ‘affordable’ health care. Qualicum Beach resident, Kelly Mullen, wrote to us to share her experience in Mexico. ~ Editors

STAY, PLAY, SHOP & DINE: THE LINE TO THE ’BURBS! By Carolyn Walton

f Johnny Cash could “Walk the Line” in 1956, why couldn’t I reduce my carbon footprint and enjoy a mini holiday by travelling Vancouver’s Translink to experience the historic and ethnic attractions in the ’burbs of Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster and Surrey! What great places to take the kids or grandkids for school break! Hop on the new Canada Line and take a side trip to “Asia” in Richmond’s Chinatown; grab a 402 bus from Brighouse Station Southbound and head down to the historic fishing village of Steveston. Back in Burnaby both you and the family will love Burnaby Village Museum with its 1920’s tram stop community. In New West’ explore the Quay, take the Native Paddle Wheeler tour on the Fraser River, visit the new River Market. In Surrey browse “Little India’s” Punjabi Market, one of western Canada’s largest Indian Markets, and watch the kite surfers at beautiful Crescent Beach. I booked three hotels; the grand Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport in Richmond, just a short walk from the Aberdeen Canada Line Station and handy to the Asian Aberdeen Centre; in Burnaby, the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, near the 450 stores of the Metropolis of Metrotown; in Surrey the luxury Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, just a short taxi ride from King George Station. The first night in Richmond I invited my daughter to join me for dinner at Jade Seafood Restaurant on Alexandra Road, Richmond’s “Food Street” which boasts over two hundred Asian restaurants within three city blocks! The vast dining room in the Jade reminded me of a typical Hong Kong eatery: bright, bright lights, round tables with food dishes on revolving centre trays, waiters scurrying around bearing great platters of food to a main table to be dished out onto plates or communal bowls, noisy tables of Asian families and friends. Chef Tony Luk who was just named Chinese Chef of the Year at the 2011 Chinese Restaurant Awards did not disappoint in our choice of the three-course specials. The historic fishing village of Steveston on the mighty Fraser River makes a great day trip. The entire family would enjoy a tour of 10

/ March 2011

Gulf of Georgia Cannery (Steveston, BC) · Carolyn Walton photo

the Gulf of Georgia Cannery built in 1894 and now a National Historic Site of Canada, with its hands-on displays and canning line recreating the process of fish from net to can. Who wouldn’t love to take a whirl on an historic 1912 CV Parker Carousel accompanied by music from a 1925 Wurlitzer Band Organ, visit an old-time Ice Cream Parlour or take a wooden trolley ride through the streets of the Burnaby Village Museum? For the kids there’s a Village Scavenger Hunt using detective skills to decipher the clues – the answers being hidden about the Village from March 21-27. Now for the main event: FOOD! The Favola Italian Bistro in Burnaby Heights is a cosy neighbourhood eatery that serves up great classic dishes, and the casual elegance of Hart House Restaurant on a lakeside estate in Burnaby’s Deer Lake Park is a special spot for lunch. I was delighted to see our very own Qualicum Bay scallops on the menu along with a salad of arugula “lettuce with an attitude”! Paul Minhas proved to

be a congenial host at the Heritage Grill in the heart of historic downtown New Westminster while my first taste of the popular Indian sweets, known as mithai, was in the Punjabi Market in Surrey. Many are made with sugar, milk, condensed milk and fried. But the pièce de résistance was found at Mink, A Chocolate Café in The Shops at Morgan Crossings in Surrey where friends joined me to indulge in some decadent chocolate fondues! Miniature fondue pots of hot dark and milk chocolate ganache were brought to the table, one with an assortment of fruit and cakes, the other accompanied by graham crackers, marshmallows and a personal hibachi to make S’mores a la campfire-style! NB: Surrey is such a vast area that a car is really needed to explore all regions of this ‘burb.

Gulf of Georgia Cannery: www.pc.gc.ca Tourism Richmond: www.tourismrichmond.com Tourism Burnaby: www.tourismburnaby.com Tourism NewWestminter: www.newwestcity.ca Tourism Surrey: www.tourismsurrey.com Follow Carolyn on her new travel blog: www.footloosebyseaandshore.blogspot.com

continued from page 6 magic fix for bird overpopulation, she says, using birds of prey is one of the best approaches, because it replicates something that occurs in nature. Murphy has been in this business for twelve years. Before moving to Vancouver Island in 2008, she lived in Ontario where she had a well-established operation with ten birds and a large roster of clients. Eddie was the only bird she brought with her when she moved west; strict regulations made it impossible to bring the others. Murphy was drawn to falconry in her late teens after adopting an owl for a summer. She apprenticed with an established falconer in Ontario and eventually, when she finally convinced him that her passion for falconry was more than a youthful phase, he hired her to work with his 100-plus birds, providing services to airports in Southern Ontario. Murphy was living her dream as a commercial falconer, but she still had much to explore. She kept hearing about problems with geese at golf courses, and got to wondering if falconry could help. No one was doing this, and her employer wasn’t interested, but that didn’t deter her. She spent months studying geese, got a good idea of how to deal with them, and eventually gathered up the courage to offer a demonstration to a local golf course owner. He was impressed and became the first of Murphy’s clients. Years of experience haven’t dulled the thrill of working with a trained bird of prey, says Murphy. “It’s a passion for me. I still feel the sense of awe that’s never left. I recognize the privilege of being with such a magnificent creature. He allows me to be part of his life; it’s not as if I own him – he’s not mine,” she says. Murphy feels a deep bond with Eddie, but she says it’s not an affectionate relationship like people have with their dogs. “He’s a predator. There’s no cuddling and petting. It’s a totally food-based relationship. All our training and communication is done through food and reward. You can’t discipline or yell at a raptor. That would end badly. You have to respect them and you have to allow them to fulfill their purpose.” There’s no doubt Eddie’s main purpose, like all eagles, is to fly and hunt, and he does this several hours a day. But he has another purpose unique to his situation: he is able to offer humans a rare connection to the wild – something that is deeply needed in our increasingly de-natured world.

Come enjoy the harbour with us! YES! We serve breakfast on weekends! Winter Hours: Monday to Friday ~ 11am to 3pm Saturday & Sunday ~ 8am to 3pm 1077 Lee Road, French Creek Harbour

Murphy sees this in her volunteer work visiting schools, hospices, camps for children with cancer, and other places where healing is needed. “It’s so powerful for people to be that close to this amazing bird. It provides a bridge between the animal world and the world of people.” The golfers at Fairwinds seem to sense this too. They love to see Anne and Eddie on the course and greet them warmly by name. This regal predator may be the bane of the geese, but clearly he’s well-loved by the humans. ~ For more information about Anne Murphy, Eddie and their business, Geese Control, go to www.geesecontrol.org, or call 250999-2450. / March 2011

Up for the Challenge?

burning boot country By Sharon Waugh

t’s late afternoon in early June, dark clouds are gathering strength on the horizon as I motor solo on the homestretch to Port McNeill. As the milage sign for Woss Lake appears on my right I clearly remember nodding and saying to myself, “ Cool, only four kilometres to Woss... wonder if I should pull in to phone home and let them know I’ll be home in an hour?” I don’t think that I had even put the finishing question mark on that thought when the back tire blew and over to the shoulder I veered. My next ‘thought’ was definately offered in full colour to the North Island forests...” &#$% ONLY four kilometres to Woss?? I don’t think that I am able to walk to the back of the car to start changing a tire...please don’t make me do this alone!” Sounds pretty wimpy doesn’t it? Well, I did have my Burning Boot trophy strapped into the passenger seat - solid proof that I crossed the finish line that day in Tahsis completing the longest distance that I had ever walked in one day...sixty-four kilometres of The Great Walk...and my feet were screaming in protest that they had done their due diliengence. Let’s leave my dilemma at the side of the road and build the picture for those of you who may be looking for a long distance trek with an option for raising some funds for your favourite charity. As legend has it, in 1978 Tahsis Mayor Bill Lore issued a challenge to Gold River Mayor Vic Welsh, “I will walk to Gold

/ March 2011

River if you (Vic) will walk to Tahsis.” The challenge was accepted, the first walk raised more than $5,000 towards a community centre and for thirty-three years, during the first weekend in June,the Tahsis Lions Club have sponsored ‘North America’s Toughtest Pledge Walk’ - a course that follows 63.5 kilometres of logging road between Gold River and Tahsis, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Walk it, or run it...whatever will move you along from the dark 4am start that officially ends sixteen hours later at 8pm in the coastal village of Tahsis. It is optional to use your ‘commitment of endurance’ to raise funds for a recognized charity or organization of choice that day, over $1,000,000 has been raised in pledges to date or just walk it for the challenge. The walk is also sanctioned by the Canadian Volkssport Federation providing credits towards their achievement awards program. If you haven’t explored this area of the Island doing it by foot is one way to really soak up the scenery (‘cause it does provide some distraction from the blisters on blisters) as the road climbs to a peak elevation of 500 metres before descending

into Nootka Sound. You’ll pass the approach to Upana Caves at the 15 kilometre point, an underground playground with nearly 1,500 feet of passages to explore on a self-guided tour that you may want to include in a future visit. Over hill and dale, rivers, forests and mountain views offer an uplifting visual smorgasborg...rain or shine. Oh, yes, remember to pack all-weather gear, including some footwear changes. What were some of the highlights of my experience you ask? Sleeping in the back of my car near the start line, joining 300+ walker/runners at 3:30am for a warm-up, the comraderie of completing the course with six friends with over-fatigued rounds of “Val-deri,Val-dera,Val-deri,Val-deraha-ha-ha-ha-ha”, lying prone on the side of the road stretching hamstrings and having the paramedics kindly offer you a ride to the finish, spotting a herd of elk, eating and drinking at every one of the twelve checkpoints receiving encouraging accolades from the volunteers, crossing the finish line accompanied by a firetruck and bagpipers... revelling in a personal ten and quarter hour finish time... experiencing total awe of the eighty year - old man who finished ahead of me. Yes, I highly recommend adding the Great Walk to the list of your conquests with sufficient training and some research into what clothing is best to take with you for the variety of weather you may encounter. And if this turns your crank, then you will be ready to take on the Great Lake Walk at Lake Cowichan this September! And the flat tire? I did manage to open my car door, have time to painfully straighten up my frame just as a guardian angel pulled up and graciously offered to change my tire for me...it was welcome relief for my “sole(s)”! Up for the challenge? Visit www.greatwalk. com to register for the June 4th, 2011 Great Walk.

promotion

Accessing Your Home’s Equity By Carol Plaisier

any of you may have heard the saying ‘house rich, cash poor’. This simply means that the majority of one’s assets are tied up in home equity instead of investments and other income generating assets, such as a rental property. It is often a goal for some to be mortgage-free at some point in their life, before or at retirement. This may be a ‘feel good’ strategy, but it is not necessarily always the best option. There are a number of reasons that you may wish to access some of your home equity and there are a number of ways to access the equity in your home. Some of the top reasons and methods are listed below: 1. You have a number of credit cards that you are not paying off in full monthly. An equity take out to consolidate your debt into one payment at a lower rate than you are currently paying makes good sense. It will simplify your life, ease your worries and save you money! 2. You decide that home improvements or renovations will increase the value of your property as well as increase your enjoyment of your home. 3. You may have an unexpected expense such as your car breaking down or you may decide that you wish to help out your children or contribute to your grandchild’s college fund. 4. You might have more month left after your monthly cash flow is gone. Leveraging your home equity into income generating investments is one way of increasing your monthly income. The interest paid on funds borrowed for this purpose is also tax deductible.

For further information, please contact Carol Plaisier, Invis mortgage broker, at (250) 248-2399, carolplaisier@invis.ca, www. carolplaisier.com. Carol Plaisier, CFP®, FMA, AMP (Accredited Mortgage Professional) is an Investment Advisor with Dundee Securities Corporation, a DundeeWealth Inc. Company. This is not an official publication of Dundee Securities Corporation and the author is not a Dundee Securities analyst. The views (including any recommendations) expressed in this article are those of the author alone, and they have not been approved by, and are not necessarily those of Dundee Securities Corporation. Dundee Securities Corporation, Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund, is a DundeeWealth Inc. Company.

5. One of the most popular and cost effective ways to access the equity in your home is by way of a line of credit. A line of credit has a variable rate and is completely open. Minimum monthly payments are as low as interest only. Others may prefer a fixed mortgage term where payments and interest rate are set for a certain number of years. 6. If you are 60 or over, another option is a Canadian home income plan mortgage. You can access up to 40% of the current market value of your home (maximum $500,000) and there are no income or health qualifications. You are able to use the funds for any purpose and you do not have to make any interest or principal payments as long as you remain in the home. ~

/ March 2011

The Brave New World of Self-Publishing by Crystal J. Stranaghan

evices like e-readers, smartphones, iPads and Kindles are changing the way we read books. While these rapid changes are shaking the foundations of the traditional publishing industry, they are creating fantastic opportunities for people like you and me. The accessibility of e-books and e-readers, and the availability of print-on-demand technologies, means that it’s never been easier to get your work published. We’re not talking about six figure publishing deals, but we are talking about readers, with YOUR books in their hands, enjoying the stories you have so carefully crafted. In my own travels as a writer and publisher, I’ve never met anyone who didn’t have an idea for a book. Many of those ideas are fantastic, but not suited to mass production through a commercial publishing house. It doesn’t mean the stories aren’t worth telling–just that you may need to explore alternatives to the traditional methods to get your project into print. Whether it’s a novel, a how-to book or your own life story, how does it get from an idea to a finished product you can share with others?

Attention Business Professionals

he “Business Event of the Year” promises to help make 2011 your most Profitable Year Ever! Attend for free! Keep reading to find out how... Internationally recognized Business Coach, Shane Morgan and Ricia Adair, Founder of Zenith Training International,

/ March 2011

a local business training company, have joined forces to help make 2011 your most profitable year ever by offering you a full day of training, networking, mastermind sessions and more! And the best part is it’s absolutely free to attend, as long as you bring a guest and nonperishable donations for the food bank. It’s not often an event like this comes along, let alone to Vancouver Island, but after spending the last five years presenting and participating in events like these in major

A good idea. I’m confident you’ve got at least one. Information. You need to know exactly what the steps are and how to take them. Support. It’s more fun with a community of people who share your dream and can help you along the way. Courage. You have the guts to get up off that couch and grab on tight to your dream. You’ve waited long enough. I’d love to help you turn your dream into a reality and get that idea out of your head and into a book. I will be at Serious Coffee in Parksville (in the private meeting room) with co-author Jared Hunt for two days of Live Your Dream workshops. Saturday, March 12 is all about Publishing Options (how to make your content into a book), and Sunday, March 13 will focus on how to promote your books online using websites, blogging, Facebook and Twitter. $125 for a single day or $200 for the full weekend (includes snacks, coffee, lunch & a resource book!). Preregistration is required as spaces are limited. To register, or for more information, visit us online at www.liveyourdreamworkshops. com or call toll free #1-888-803-4861. Crystal J. Stranaghan is the author of over a dozen books for children and adults including Live Your Dream: Self Publishing For Profit, and Live Your Dream: Book Marketing Mixology.

cities across Canada, Shane wants to give back to the communities he calls home. Shane says: “The secret to building the business of your dreams is to spend less time working “in” your business and more time working “on” your business.” As Ricia agrees, “Most business owners spend up to 99% of their time just managing the day to day. This prevents them from focusing the majority of their time, energy continued on page 16

8 WAYS CLIENTS BENEFIT FROM QR CODE TECHNOLOGY IN PARKSVILLEQUALICUM REAL ESTATE

PROMOTION

By Marc LaCouvée

n the last couple of months, I have had numerous people ask me what these little square puzzle or maze-like squares are – like the one at the top right of this page. Have you seen one of these before? Have you wondered what it is? It’s a QR (“Quick Response”) code. And I’m using it to offer new benefits to my clients – both sellers and buyers! A QR code is like a bar code and it can be “read” with almost any smart phone! When you scan one of my QR codes, you’ll be taken to a website with more information. Depending on the code I’ve used, it could be more information about me, my listings, the market, our community – the possibilities are endless! Have a smart phone and want to give it a try? It’s very easy! First, use your smart phone to visit my website and download a FREE QR code reader – http:// qr.lacouveehomes.com. Now you’ll be able to scan the code above and see where it takes you! There are so many advantages that I can offer to my clients by using these codes to market property in the Parksville Qualicum region. For sellers, my aim is to sell your home quickly and efficiently. Here are the ways that QR codes help me do that: 1. QR code on your lawn sign and on your print ads (newspaper, newsletter, etc.) instantly provides detailed information about

your home to drive-by home shoppers and print ad readers on their mobile phone.

regarding the home you’re looking at through Facebook, Twitter and SMS (text message)!

2. Because home-shoppers have such easy access to listing details, a unique QR code for your property eliminates unnecessary showings to buyers who are not a good fit for your home.

3. Bookmark the listing in your web browser so you can come back to it again easily! This can be particularly helpful when you’re looking at a number of different properties at one time.

3. When buyers access your property’s full details online, they become engaged with your home and your property is differentiated from other listings that are being marketed more traditionally.

4. Like what you see and you’re eager to take a look inside? The QR code brings you to my website where you can quickly contact me by email or phone – no need to look for a pen to write down a phone number or email address!

Buyers, I want to match you to your dream home by offering you the details you need to know to make a well-informed choice. Here’s how QR codes help:

A further benefit of the QR code technology is that it helps save resources. Easy access to extensive information online means we can avoid excessive printing, saving paper and ink. When we live in a beautiful place like this, it’s always good to know that there are even small things we can do to help preserve it!

1. The lawn sign at one of my listings will have a QR code on it – scan it with your smart phone for IMMEDIATE access to extensive details about that home! Before you drive on, you will be able to explore extensive interior photographs, information on square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms and more! QR codes on my print ads offer the same quick access to property details. 2. Many FREE QR code readers, including the one available at my website, will let you quickly share the information you’ve found with your friends and family. You can get fast feedback from your social network

I’m really excited about the ways this technology is benefiting my clients! If you’d like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to contact me by phone at 250-752-2466 or TF 1-800-668-3622. Or you can email me at marc@realestatequalicum.com. Marc LaCouvee was born and raised on Vancouver Island. He is a REALTOR® and is a Dad. He has spent his lifetime exploring this great paradise. Whether supporting Oceanside Minor Hockey, other local organizations or attending PAC meetings, Marc is committed to community, his family and the area that he and his children live in. Marc works for RE/MAX Anchor Realty in Qualicum Beach. www. MarcLaCouvee.com

/ March 2011

EDITH KING 105 and still living life to the fullest By Shirley Culpin

mazing is the only word that even comes close to describing Edith King. The sprightly centenarian-plus – she turns 105 on April 18 – has no magical advice for living well past the century mark. In fact, she is very modest about the accomplishment.

Edith King · Tai Chi: a new adventure at 101 submitted photo

‘Just plain Edith’, as she calls herself, is far from just plain. She lives independently in a friendly seniors complex of garden flats. She cooks all her own meals, does most of her own laundry and generally looks after the day-to-day tasks involved in maintaining her cosy suite. Every couple of weeks she goes to the library. She plays cards, attends Tai Chi classes on a regular basis, frequently goes out for coffee with friends, and nurtures stunning floral displays on her tiny back patio and in her garden every spring and summer. She produces ‘oodles’ of afghan blankets, and still makes her own soup. Her memory is extraordinary, better than many people half her age.

The seventh arrival in a farming family of 12 youngsters, Edith was born in Surrey, England. By the time she was 14 years of age she was in the work force, employed as a domestic. “That’s all there was for girls at that time” Edith recalls. “My first job I looked after two children for the local preacher. I was paid five shillings a month (~ $2.50 Cdn.).” When Edith was just shy of twenty-one her family, less the three eldest sisters, emigrated to Canada. They homesteaded on a quarter section sixteen miles on the Saskatchewan side of Lloydminster, eventually expanding their mixed farming operation to a half section (320 acres). Edith carried on with her employment as a domestic until she married Basil King in 1931. He was also farming in the area so Edith’s life was re-focused on the family farm and raising four children. continued on next page

continued from page 14 and money on what is most important to every business: GROWTH!” Shane continues with, “I believe this is the number one reason why so many businesses fail and why so many business owners burn out.” Fortunately for you, the solution is just around the corner. Introducing the all new Zenith Affinity Program (ZAP) Mastermind Groups. This program is all about YOUR success, accelerated profits and YOUR time freedom. Come out to our upcoming event to learn new ways of increasing your sales and profits, make profitable new contacts through unparalleled networking opportunities and experience the power of mastermind sessions - all for free. With the help of our qualified instructors and feedback from your fellow peers, you will quickly learn how to refocus your priorities on what is truly most important, get solutions to business problems you wouldn’t have been able to think of on your own, and get the much needed support to get things done. This is THE Networking Business Event of the year for PARKSVILLE/ QUALICUM, March 18th. Come for free by bringing a guest, people who are also interested in growing their business, as well as non-perishable donations for the Food Bank. Space is limited ,so you’ll want to register right away. To register or for more information call: 1-888-773-6636 or visit their website at: www.ZenithTrainingInternational.com 16

/ March 2011

continued from previous page Over the years Edith became well-known in the area for her spectacular cosmos flowers and her other gardening endeavours. Her horticultural efforts earned her many competition prizes, along with a lifetime membership in the Lloydminster Horticultural Society. She was also very active in a local ladies club (which conferred another lifetime membership), as a volunteer at the library, and with the Anglican church ladies’ group. Her farming activities kept her busy too. She raised chickens and sold eggs, amongst other things. After Basil succumbed to leukemia in 1971 Edith sold the farm to her son Ronald and moved to Lloydminster, spending a total of eighteen years living ‘in town’. In 1990 she moved to Parksville to be near her daughter, Jean Cotter. Asked about the secret to her long and vibrant life, Edith has no solid answer. “I never smoked, and I never drank,” she says. “Never drove a car. I don’t swear,

either,” she adds with a laugh. There is a thoughtful pause, and then she goes on. “My parents were quite strict with us as a family, as I suppose they had to be with so many children. But you know, we were all happy enough. We always had enough to eat, and we always had clothes on our backs, even if they were often hand-me-downs. We never thought of being envious of anybody. We were content and happy with our lives, and maybe that is the secret.” A good foundation, to be sure, followed up over Edith’s many years by sensible eating, exercise, and taking a continuing interest in life through her various activities. She didn’t take up Tai Chi until she was 101. “When they started having classes in the hall here, I just thought to myself, I can do this,” says Edith. “It’s not hard to learn, and I can make it through an entire one-hour session without having to sit down.” Her life isn’t perfect. Edith’s hearing is failing her, and she admits with a twinkle

to having to borrow large print books from the library now. She is the last of the twelve siblings still alive, but has strong and active family ties with her four children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The old family farm just out of Lloydminster is now in its fourth generation of King ownership, which is also obviously a comfort to her. Asked if she misses the farm, Edith says she misses it the way it was during the forty happy years that she and Basil lived there. But, the holdings have expanded to a full section of land now, scattered not only with livestock and crops, but oil rigs. “It was a lovely place when we lived there,” recalls Edith, “and I have many fond memories of it. But it’s not the same any more.” Nonetheless, it is clear that Edith continues to be content with her life which, as she surmises, may be the secret to her longevity. Simply amazing…

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/ March 2011

Raven Project Detailed Analysis Will Be Soon, Maybe By Jane Burton

year ago it was believed that the details of the Raven Underground Coal Mine would soon be released in the form of the Draft Application Information Requirements (AIR). This would trigger a public comment period through the BC Environmental Assessment Office (BC EAO). Today, the community is still in the same place, waiting to see and to comment on the detailed mine proposal. The environmental review process, the proposal and the participants have changed significantly over this time. Last July the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) launched their review of the Raven Project. The federal review provided the first opportunity for the public to comment on the general idea of the mine. CEAA received 1,900 submissions from groups and individuals. The Raven Project will, from this point forward be analyzed through a joint federal/provincial process under the terms of the 2004 Canada-BC Agreement on Environmental Assessment Cooperation. That means that the next stage of the federal review, the Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines (EIS) will be merged with the BC draft AIR to become the AIR/ EIS Guidelines. The process will be led by the BC EAO. Rachel Shaw, BC Assessment Manager for the Raven Project explained: “It’s our best attempt, instead of having two documents that have a lot of duplication but some areas that are a little different, is to have one document. So we go out with one document, the public looks at just one document and even though the name is confusing, hopefully it will reduce the amount of confusion on what people are supposed to be looking at, what studies will be required and what information will be required for this coordinated environmental assessment process.”

/ March 2011

Ms. Shaw says the current draft is twohundred pages long and is back in the hands of the technical working group who are reviewing the company’s latest revisions. If everyone is happy it will be released to the public for a forty-five day comment period. If there are more changes needed, then it will go back and forth some more. “Our major intent is that we have a document that is pretty solid before it goes to the public,” stated Shaw. As the CEO of Compliance Energy Corporation, the company behind the Raven Project, John Tapics is responsible for preparing the application and proving the viability of the mine. Mr. Tapics believes the $15 to $20 million invested in the mine to date will pay off as analysts are predicting a strong coal market extending through the mine’s life span. This is despite the fact that the company’s coal deposit estimates have been lowered in the last year thus reducing the mine’s life span from 20 to 17 years. Tapics is optimistic that the AIR/EIS Guidelines are ready to go public. However, he has lengthened his timeline for the review and now predicts it will take another year and half at least. CEAA’s Maxine Leger-Heskell confirmed that “consideration of Baynes Sound” falls under the scope of the federal environmental review. Concern for the impact of the mine on the Baynes Sound shellfish industry was raised in hundreds of the submissions to the CEAA last fall. Mr. Tapics believes that the freshwater aquatic guidelines related to Cowie Creek will be sufficient to ensure that Baynes Sound is not harmed. However, he said that they have revised their application by adding new monitoring to respond to specific concerns about metals such as cadmium leaching into the water. Mr. Tapics explained: “We will have a series

of sampling points that take into account the issues that were being made relative to sediments in Baynes Sound and the shellfish’s ability to bioaccumulate if there are metals present.” CoalWatch Comox Valley has been extremely busy keeping people informed about the mine. They continue to lobby for an environmental process utilizing an independent expert review panel with full public hearings and independent aquifer mapping of the entire Raven coal tenure. They have applied for federal participant funding because they anticipate it will cost $25,000 just to respond to the draft AIR/EIS Guidelines. Outreach Coordinator Campbell Connor explained their challenge: “It is very frustrating for a group like us, a watchdog group, that we are not privy to what goes on. We have to scramble and fight for every bit of information that we get.” President John Snyder summarized the task as they see it: “It seems like we have to prove that the mine is a bad idea rather than they prove that it’s a good idea.” CoalWatch is working with a growing list of groups including Sierra Club, Wilderness Committee, University of Victoria Environmental Law Club, Denman Opposes Coal, Coal Free Alberni, Alberni Environmental Coalition, and the people responsible for the lawn signs, “no coal mine.net”. Everyone believes we are once again at the point of seeing the detailed plans and beginning the debate about the mine in earnest. Could be, but, don’t hold your breath. ~ Jane E. Burton is a freelance writer who operates her company Memorable Lines from her home in Fanny Bay.

Thank you from the Oceanside Minor Hockey Association

ceanside Minor Hockey Association (OHMA), a local volunteer run community hockey organization for children ages 5 to 18, hosted a very successful Hockey Jamboree January 22nd and 23rd to celebrate our sponsors, our community and love for the game of hockey. It was a fun filled weekend with over 1,000 participants and spectators who enjoyed pizza or sub sandwiches, give-aways, poster contest, skills and drills competition, bands and lots of hockey! OHMA would like to thank all of the volunteers who loaned their talents and time

to make this weekend a resounding success including the Organizing Committee, Parents, Coaches, Referees, DJ, Choir, Bands, Students and Concessions. A special thank you to the over 50 Community MVP & Digger Sponsors who generously embraced the community spirit and who we honour for their support. ~ Cindy Hutchison â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Special Events Coordinator

New Residents Association?

eep Bay Homeowner and Residents Association - Some homeowners in Deep Bay are seeking feedback as to whether a Residents Association could be useful in presenting a community voice to Government as issues arise. A flyer has been distributed to 250 homes outlining

current issues that could be addressed by an association. If you did not receive the flyer, and you would like to receive the information and/or express your opinion about establishing a Residents Association - please email homeowner Ian McDonell dbhra@shaw.ca.

Donations of Yarn Appreciated

n behalf of the Seniors Complex we would like to thank all those who donated yarn to our drop-off at the Georgia Park Store last month. Many thanks to Skip and Lo and their staff at Georgia Park for taking care of the collection. It was a great success! Thank you, Donna Gladstone

HOW SWEET IT IS! By Nancy Whelan

ts leaf is not the model for the Canadian flag; that honour went to the Eastern sugar or ‘hard’ maple (Acer saccharum), but our west coast big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) has the leaf closest in shape to the flag and is fast making a name for itself, even nudging its way into The 100 Mile. The big leaf maple, as its name implies, is big; biggest of our maples (up to 80-100 feet), with leaves 6-10 inches across – the largest leaves of any maple. But it’s what’s inside our big leaf maple that is putting it in the kitchen. It’s the tree’s sap or ‘maple water’, long thought to be useless as a food, that has been dripping into the culinary scene over the last ten years. The sugar content of big leaf sap is a little lower than that of its eastern cousin, but many tasters agree that the flavour of the resulting syrup is superior. A group of Vancouver Islanders known as the “Sapsuckers” have been researching, experimenting, and succeeding in the making of maple syrup from big leaf maple sap while creating an alternative use for local woodlots, a small cottage industry, and a niche market for their precious product.

/ March 2011

Though big leaf syrup makes up only a tiny fraction of Canada’s maple syrup production, the product and its often nostalgic processing methods are responsible for upstart annual events like the third annual Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival in Duncan

Tapping demonstration on a Milner Gardens broadleaf maple  Nancy Whelan photo Though big leaf syrup makes up only a tiny fraction of Canada’s maple syrup production, the product and its often nostalgic processing methods are responsible for upstart annual events like the third annual Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival in Duncan at the BC Forest Discovery Centre, a Ladysmith workshop sponsored by The Land Conservancy – Wildwood, and a demonstration of maple tapping and evaporation at Milner Gardens & Woodland in Qualicum Beach. Unfortunately, by the

time you read this, all those events will be over…but make a note for next year’s sweet tooth excursions. Collecting the equipment, tapping the maples, and collecting the sap are but a small part of actual syrup making. Think of needing about forty-five litres of sap to end up with one litre of syrup. A lot of that sap’s liquid is just plain water, and it must be evaporated over a hot fire (remember the wood chopping) with careful attention, stoking, and stirring continued next page

HOW SWEET IT IS! - CONTINUED for many hours. Syrup-making is for those with a love of the outdoors and the forests, some inventiveness, determination, and a huge dollop of “stick-to-itiveness”. Sapsucker Harold Macy interested the BC Agroforestry programme in setting up the Islands’ first evaporator at what was UBC’s Oyster River research farm near Campbell River. This project helped other Sapsuckers up and over the learning curve of syrup and sugar production. Another of the group, Bram Lucieer (one of the Milner presenters), put in many hours helping to set up the UBC ‘sugar shack’, being a co-presenter at workshops, and pioneering the tapping of coppices (new growth sprouting from a maple stump). Lawrence Lampson, Louis Lapi, and Jay Rastogi (manager of the Merv Wilkinson’s Wildwood Forest) help others with workshops and tours of their own projects. If you have the trees, but no sugar shack, and you don’t want gallons of boiled-off steam flooding your kitchen, there are a few other benefits of the big leaf maple. For extra flavour and nourishment try putting maple sap in your homemade bread instead of water; use it in stews, soups, rice-cooking, tea, and gravy. Do remember that fresh sap will last, refrigerated, for only 2 – 3 days, so freeze any extra for later use. And here’s an idea for former President Bush who hates broccoli: the pendulous flowers or racemes that so beautifully decorate the big leaf maples in the spring, can be steamed and eaten just like broccoli! And then there’s ‘maple flower quiche’ – another Sapsucker recommendation.

CALL FOR

GRANT PROPOSALS The Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation is accepting proposals from Community groups that are Registered Charities in District 69. Grants are made once a year for initiatives that: Promote volunteer participation; Enhance community self-sufficiency; Are innovative; Build on community strengths; Promote co-operation between Groups.

Proposal Deadline: March 19, 2011 Grant decisions will be made April 21, 2011

Proposal Applications are available by calling 250-752-7502

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Could we take a little liberty with the words of that old patriotic tune…“The big leaf maple, our emblem dear, who gives us sap for _____” (choose one: tapping, syruping, cooking) … Our eastern First Nations people apparently did their evaporating by putting red hot rocks into the liquid sap. Now that’s labour intensive! ~ More info: Google:‘bigleaf maple syrup’ and find the book “Bigleaf Sugaring” by Gary/Kathleen Backlund.

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Can’t See the Trees for the Forest?

UN International Year of the Forest Raises New Questions About Humans and the Environment. by Lisa Verbicky

admit it, I’m a bit of a part-time treehugger. I cringe when I see a lot cleared to make way for an RV or a two-car garage full of quads, motor boats, and ready-ride’em mowers. (I do also admit that I like the look of that mower.) Last spring, I completely dismantled and moved my rather large vegetable garden to avoid cutting down the giant maples that grew to shade it. I have kept every last giant fir tree that came with my property. My family of four moves to the ‘sturdy’ part of the house to sleep when it gets too windy. I also happen to drive one to two hours a day to accommodate work, sports, and an independent school for the kids. I just hope the trees I have kept standing will suck up the carbon that spits out the back end of my fuel-efficient vehicle. It’s a pretty weak effort, I agree, and yes, some of this is about choices. But, it’s also about affordable housing and taxes, and accessing amenities,

about real-life. It is not the perfect situation. It is a complex one. How do we keep the ‘green’ without going into the ‘red’ economically and socially? If we focus on conservation for conservation sake, where will humans live, work, play? Where will we move our gardens? Are we seeing only the forest and not the trees when it comes to the big picture of sustainability? According to the UN, forests account for 31% of the earth’s total land area, and are home to 300 million people and 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. It’s a symbiotic relationship where 1.6 billion people rely on forest-systems of all kinds for their livelihoods, trading US $327 billion (2004) in forest products.

Saturday, April 2, 2011 2:00 to 4:00pm Union Bay Community Hall

Special Guest Speaker Helmut Pastrick Chief Economist, Central 1 Credit Union Refreshments to Follow Door Prizes

Everyone Welcome!

/ March 2011

Forests also account for 40% of the world’s oxygen and a quarter of all modern medicines worth an estimated US $108 billion, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the body the UN depends upon for understanding the state of natural systems around the globe. We humans harvest both the practical and the intrinsic from our forests. According to an information sheet on the International Year of the Forest (IYOF), “Trees are the pillars of life in the forest.” If we live among them, that means us too. In 2006, the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution to dedicate this year to raising awareness of both the human connection and continued on page 32

IS GREEN & A ALWAYS A S HAS AS BEEN

IT’S GUY'S MONTH

Spring is in the air! TRAINS • PLANES & AUTOMOBILES! BEER ANYONE? QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “A man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin” 114 MIDDLETON AVE PARKSVILLE

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/ March 2011

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/ March 2011

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Bakery

EUROPEAN DELI

Homemade Sau Sauerkraut, uerkraut Spaetzle & Red d Cabbage Cabbage. Patés Patés, Schmaltz Schmaltz, large selection of Liver Sausages, European Wieners, Blood & Tongue Sausage, Mettwurst, Homestyle Headcheese, plus so much more!

Cozy Tudor-Style Restaurant Lunch Wed to Sat 11 am to 2 pm

All made with NO MSG, llers, by-products Or gluten in any deli meats or sausages PRODUCED WITH ONLY LOCAL BC MEATS, N B O F EE & NATURALLY N U LLY FED F ANTIBIOTIC-FREE

BEST FISH & CHIPS Seafood, Steak, Chicken, Salads, Soups, Desserts

Lunch Special

Lunch Specials Daily!

All you can eat Cod & Chips

Supper Specials

Soups, sandwiches, hot meals and so much more!

Baby Back Ribs Guiness Beef Stew (homemade) Glazed Pork Chops

Evening Hours Tuesday - Sunday

. 4 pm - 9 pm

STORE HOURS:

Gift

CERT IFIC AVAIL ATES ABLE

We will continue with our wide variety of pastries, Monday to Friday cakes c & breads in addition to all the other changes. 6am to 5pm Come join us & see what we have to offer! Saturday 9am to 2pm

130 13 0 West W t2 2nd d Ave., A Qualicum

(250)

Open 8am weekends • 9am weekdays

SEAFOOD

THURSDAY

STEAK & PRAWNS

PASTA OPEN FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER

BABY BACK RIBS

Thursday March 17th 2 pm

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

WEDNESDAY

SATURDAY PRIME RIB

MONDAY

MARCH 19, 2011

HELEN’S MEATLOAF

Free Coffee & Strawberry Shortcake All Day!

752-6143

YORKSHIRE PUDDING

LIVE MUSIC FRI. & SAT. 5:30pm TO 8pm FEATURING LOCAL ARTISTS ON DISPLAY

Sandbar Café

& Art Gallery Qualicum Bay 7 778 778-424-4478 78 4 424 24 2 44 44 4478 478

Open Daily 7am to o 8pm www.deezbarandgrill.com

6087 West Is. Hwy

/ March 2011

Lawrence & Dawn Setter  Rita Levitz photo

Lawrence & Dawn Setter

contrast in balance By Rita Levitz

he story of how Lawrence and Dawn Setter arrived on the Island in 1993 is not an unusual one. Echoes of it can be heard from women from the 1940s onward, women who enjoyed city life, and “no-way no-how” were they going to like living in a rural Island community. “My husband had this crazy idea to move to a small town, and this was it!” Dawn explains. “I was a very successful realtor on the mainland; it was hard to give that up and make the change.” Fortunately, for many of the women (and their husbands!) they not only got used to their new lives, but thrived, and the 26

/ March 2011

word “community” took on new meanings and possibilities. During his first few years here, Lawrence commuted to Vancouver to work. Finally, the stress of travel became too much. “My friend Lee Sharpen and I were sitting around wondering what this community needed when we came up with Bowser’s Animal House. Everyone we knew or saw had multiple pets.” When they set up in the brick building that had previously been a seaweed bread bakery, where Lighthouse Feed and Garden is now, “downtown” Bowser was just beginning to take on its current look.

“Tomm’s had just opened and in 1997, Fred Ryvers, showing incredible vision for the community, built Magnolia Court. People took bets as to how long we would stay in business. It took a year before we were taken seriously, and then business exploded.” Shortly afterwards, Lawrence became the sole owner of Bowser’s Animal House. The new Island Highway brought new challenges. “With numbers starting to drop, you can’t just blame the highway or the government. You have to become proactive. I put out flyers, offered free delivery, sponsored SPCA dog washes and promoted all the way to Fanny Bay.” continued next page

Lawrence was known for his easy-going, accommodating nature and willingness to be creative. “People started asking for more things and one thing just led to another — people with pets did gardening, so we stocked gardening supplies. They also fed the birds, so we needed to stock bird feed, then farm feed, and then rats came into the picture.” Meanwhile, Dawn was making her own adjustments to Island life. “I continued what I’d been doing on the mainland, but it didn’t work because I was ‘from away’. The answer was to become more involved in the community, something that fit with who I am and what I believe anyway. Personal connections are so important here. A handshake is still a handshake — your word is your word.” One of the reasons Dawn became a realtor was because she was “always enamored with beautiful homes, and this was a way to get into them. Also, in our family the elderly stayed at home and us grandkids helped look after them, so I think that is where some of my caring about people and what they need and want comes from.” Dawn is grateful to people who helped her get established here, especially Bob Nichols, and Chris and Ben Mellin. “We became very good friends with Chris and Ben. Although we worked for different companies, we looked after each other’s clients when one of us was away. It’s all about living in a small place and the things people do for each other.” “When we first came here, people were fundraising so that Helen Stone, the lady who painted Happy Stones, could afford the community waterline. I remember thinking — ‘Who does that?’ The sense of community here was like nothing I’d ever seen before.” Dawn and Lawrence soon became part of that same dynamic. Among other things, they help sponsor Bowser’s Moonlight Madness, the Lighthouse Country Fall Fair, the Polar Bear swim, and the Bowser Legion Indy. “We can’t always give our time, but we can give monetary support — our work helps us do that,” says Dawn. In the last few years, there have been important changes in their lives. Lawrence sold Bowser Animal House and got his real estate license, thus forming Setter and Associates. They bought Bowser Bill’s, which is now their home and office. Dawn’s unflagging energy is entwined with her belief in personal development and her conviction that thoughts become things, “so we need to choose the good ones. The challenge is bringing all that is important — community, health, family, finances, and the spiritual — into balance.” Part of that balance is the contrast between their two personalities. “A good friend of ours said he could never envision us together until he saw us dance. We work, live, love, and play together. It’s not always perfect, but at the end of the day, it works out really well.” ~

Morning Glory School Pre-school to Class 8

Parent & Child Program Join us for stories, songs, shared activities and conversation. Thursdays: March 3 - April 7 • 1-2:30pm $25 for 6 weeks or $5 drop-in fee

As an Independent School, MGS will continue to offer the traditional half-day Kindergarten class. For more information or to arrange a classroom visit, call or email mgs@shawcable.com

250-752-2722

rbc dominion securities

Enjoy your retirement with financial peace of mind Join our free lunch seminar to learn how to achieve guaranteed income for life

Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 12:00 noon Crown Mansion Boutique Hotel & Villas RSVP to host Jamie Gauthier, Investment Advisor, RBC Dominion Securities at 250-752-8137. This event is sponsored by Manulife Investments. Professional Wealth Management Since 1901 RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Insurance products are offered through RBC DS Financial Services Inc., a subsidiary of RBC Dominion Securities Inc. When providing life insurance products, Investment Advisors are acting as Insurance Representatives of RBC DS Financial Services Inc. RBC DS Financial Services Inc. is licensed as a financial services firm in the province of Quebec. ®Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. RBC Dominion Securities is a registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.

TIDE TABLES

ier

March-mars

ure pieds mètres

Day Time

Feet Metres

jour heure pieds mètres

15.1 11.2 14.8 2.3

4.6 1 3.4 4.5 TU 0.7 MA

0429 1014 1448 2148

15.1 10.5 12.8 4.6

4.6 16 0339 3.2 0913 3.9 WE 1416 1.4 ME 2114

14.8 10.2 13.8 3.9

4.5 3.1 4.2 1.2

535 102 616 314

15.4 9.8 15.1 2.6

4.7 2 0503 1054 3.0 4.6 WE 1545 0.8 ME 2231

15.1 9.8 13.1 4.9

4.6 3.0 4.0 1.5

0409 0958 TH 1522 JE 2203

14.8 8.9 14.1 3.9

4.5 2.7 4.3 1.2

603 148 714 356

15.7 8.9 15.1 3.3

4.8 2.7 4.6 1.0

0530 1128 TH 1634 JE 2307

15.1 9.2 13.1 5.2

4.6 2.8 4.0 1.6

0439 1043 FR 1624 VE 2249

15.1 7.5 14.8 4.6

4.6 2.3 4.5 1.4

632 234 814

16.1 7.5 15.1

4.9 2.3 4.6

4 0551 1159 FR 1720 VE 2339

14.8 8.2 13.1 5.9

4.5 2.5 4.0 1.8

19 0508 1127 SA 1724 SA 2334

15.4 5.9 15.1 5.6

4.7 1.8 4.6 1.7

037 701 321 916

4.3 16.4 6.2 14.8

1.3 5.0 1.9 4.5

14.8 7.5 13.5

4.5 2.3 4.1

0540 1211 SU 1825 DI

15.7 4.6 15.1

4.8 1.4 4.6

120 733 409 021

5.9 16.4 4.9 14.4

1.8 5.0 1.5 4.4

0007 0628 SU 1256 DI 1846

6.6 14.8 6.9 13.5

2.0 21 0019 4.5 0613 2.1 MO 1256 4.1 LU 1925

6.6 15.7 3.3 15.4

2.0 4.8 1.0 4.7

It was just a snippet of a thought, a thought fragment. But it caught my attention. I don’t know about God, but what about us? Are we big enough to accept imperfect gifts?

205 806 458 132

7.5 16.4 4.3 14.1

2.3 7 0036 0646 5.0 1.3 MO 1324 4.3 LU 1931

7.5 14.8 6.2 13.5

2.3 22 4.5 1.9 TU 4.1 MA

0106 0648 1341 2027

7.9 15.7 2.6 15.4

2.4 4.8 0.8 4.7

255 842 550 251

9.2 15.7 3.9 14.1

2.8 8 4.8 1.2 TU 4.3 MA

0105 0705 1355 2019

8.5 14.8 5.9 13.5

2.6 23 0157 4.5 0725 1.8 WE 1427 4.1 ME 2130

9.2 15.4 2.6 15.4

2.8 4.7 0.8 4.7

Recently I went to a lecture. 99% of what the person said was awesome, but one line offended me. Hours later, I found myself mid-air, taking off on a mental tirade. Then I realized that his lecture was a gift – albeit an imperfect gift – and I was an imperfect recipient. I thought of my imperfect candle offering, and my criticism went up in smoke. It also made me wonder – do we ever offer anything except imperfect gifts?

354 922 645

10.5 15.1 3.6

3.2 9 4.6 1.1 WE ME

0138 0726 1429 2113

9.5 14.4 5.6 13.5

2.9 4.4 1.7 4.1

0253 0805 TH 1515 JE 2235

10.2 14.8 2.6 15.1

3.1 4.5 0.8 4.6

016 508 007 746

14.1 11.5 14.4 3.9

4.3 3.5 4.4 1.2

0215 0749 TH 1509 JE 2221

10.5 14.1 5.2 13.5

3.2 4.3 1.6 4.1

0359 0850 FR 1608 VE 2345

10.8 14.1 3.3 15.1

3.3 4.3 1.0 4.6

139 638 105 851

14.4 11.8 13.8 4.3

4.4 3.6 4.2 1.3

0303 0818 FR 1559 VE 2345

11.2 13.8 5.2 13.5

3.4 4.2 1.6 4.1

0522 0944 SA 1707 SA

11.2 13.1 4.3

3.4 4.0 1.3

250 809 222 957

14.8 11.8 13.1 4.3

4.5 3.6 4.0 1.3

0411 0856 SA 1701 SA

12.1 13.5 4.9

3.7 4.1 1.5

0056 0653 SU 1058 DI 1812

14.8 10.8 12.1 4.9

4.5 3.3 3.7 1.5

346 921 341 057

15.1 11.2 12.8 4.6

4.6 3.4 3.9 1.4

0110 0552 SU 0956 DI 1811

13.8 12.1 13.1 4.9

4.2 28 0201 3.7 0816 4.0 MO 1229 1.5 LU 1920

14.8 10.2 11.8 5.6

4.5 3.1 3.6 1.7

0216 0723 MO 1126 LU 1919

14.1 11.8 13.1 4.3

4.3 29 3.6 4.0 TU 1.3 MA

0254 0917 1354 2023

14.8 9.5 11.8 5.9

4.5 2.9 3.6 1.8

14.4 11.2 13.1 3.9

4.4 30 0335 3.4 1001 4.0 WE 1504 1.2 ME 2117

14.8 8.5 11.8 6.6

4.5 2.6 3.6 2.0

14.4 7.9 12.5 6.9

4.4 2.4 3.8 2.1

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

LOCAL TIDE

506 017 517 232

0610 1228 SA 1803 SA

0303 0824 TU 1259 MA 2020

0407 1035 TH 1601 JE 2202

/ March 2011

Incomplete Thoughts and Imperfect Gifts By Joanne Sales

n the morning when I wake up, I light a candle for a while. It’s an offering, a remembrance, a time for reaching up, before the inevitable tumbling down into the lake of responsibilities, mini-desires, mind rants and busyness of the day. This morning when I lit my candle, I realized that it had matches and snippets of burned candlewick cluttering the base. It looked kind of crappy. Some kind of an offering, I realized. Then I heard myself say, “But we’re bigger than that, aren’t we God?”

My older brother came to visit me and we talked about our common past. The more I talk to my older siblings, the more I realize that my childhood was an independent film, made with little commitment to align itself with “the facts.” Whole scenes were fabricated in the film studio of my mind. I learned a lot about our imperfect family tree. My grandmother was carrying the weight of abuse by an uncle around 1900, which made life miserable for my grandfather, who took it out on my brother, who went to war and got himself killed. The list of casualties continued in the next generation. Finally we arrive to today, and we’re still making imperfect offerings at the altar of those we love, just like my grandmother. Maybe your family has similar stories. Our imperfect gifts are seldom intentional. continued on next page

continued from previous page Once, across from a small corner store, I noticed a small wooden trailer that had been left by the side of the road. It stayed there for days. It was the perfect “incomplete thought form”. Somebody thought to do something, loaded up a trailer, and then on the way to somewhere, the trailer got left behind. Neither the trailer nor its chaotic contents reached its destination. The process didn’t get finished. The trailer on the road became a perfect symbol for me of good intentions that didn’t manifest. No doubt my grandmother was full of good intentions! She was very generous with her imperfect gifts. Sometimes our intentions are better than our manifestations. We like to think that we’re on our way to somewhere. There’s some better form of me that I’ve been meaning to get around to being. Some people believe that they will be that “better me” when they leave this earth; other’s have plans to be that person tomorrow. It seems to be a common theme. “I can do better than this, and I’m going to get around to it one of these days, after I graduate, finish my taxes or dinner dishes, quit drinking or retire.” But one thing leads to another; we’re busy, and we end up leaving trailers on the side of the road. You see, I was only temporarily putting the hot matches at the base of the candle. Usually I place those things in a small bowl, but the bowl had been “dropped off by the side of the road”. Every morning I would remind myself to clean up the mess, but the next morning would come, and believe it or not, the mess would still be there. What really happened in our imperfect pasts? What trailers did we dump, and imperfect gifts did we give or receive? The details hardly matter. We’re imperfect offerings, and our candle holders reflect our imperfections. But the flame is perfect, regardless. It actually would be a good idea for me to clear away the clutter from the base of the candle, and I have full intentions to do that before tomorrow morning! But I might not. And my guess is that it is still better to light a flame in an imperfect candleholder than to light no flame at all. And as far as our imperfect offerings to each other? “Well, we’re bigger than that, aren’t we?” ~ For more articles by Joanne Sales, visit www.joannesales.com. Joanne Sales is an organic blueberry farmer, writer and EFT Counselor living in Qualicum Beach. joanne@glasswing.com

Spring is here

Get out and Get Active! by Chrissie Finnie, RDN Recreation Co-ordinator

pring is almost here, and so is the incentive to get outside and get active! After the months of short days and evenings spent indoors, it is refreshing to see the sun, and not be driving to and from work in the dark. Being new to the Bowser area, I’m really enjoying seeing the beautiful beaches and parks on my way into work. My personal goal for this spring is to get out and walk or run on my lunch hours – not only will I get activity in for the day, but it will also give me a chance to explore the area. The longer days and warmer evenings also mean that I can get out after dinner and go for a bike ride or to a park with my family. This is not only my favourite time of day, but can also be a great time to get active. As anyone with small children may know, running after a 3 year old on his bike or helping with those first tries at the monkey bars doesn’t allow for tiredness or lollygagging! Your whole family can get out in your own backyards, beaches and playgrounds to get active and enjoy this kind of quality time together. It’s easy and a great incentive to get away from the TV! Spring also means the new RDN Active Living Guide arrives. The Guide will cover March through to September and will feature Spring and Summer programs in all areas of the district from Nanoose to Bowser. New and favourite programs will be featured along with Summer Camps for children and spring/ summer swim and skate schedules. New to the Lighthouse area this season will be more children’s programs with Kathleen – Survivor: Bowser School Island and Crazy for Games – and Bowser Breeze Camp in a new format. Favourites, including Lighthouse Tot Soccer and Hatha Yoga for adults, will also be returning. The Active Living Guide will be in arriving in mailboxes and available for pick up at EyesOnBC March 10th. Get yours and register early – programs can fill up fast! If you have any questions about programs, ideas for new programs, or would like to just stop by and say “Hi” please visit me in my office, located in EyesOnBC, or call me Mondays, most Tuesdays or Thursdays, at 250-757-8118 or 250-240-4911 or cfinnie@rdn.bc.ca. ~

/ March 2011

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 Community Volunteers: The RDN Board has appointed Josianne Sequin and John Keltie to the Area H Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee. Congratulations.

(Nanoose) +4.1% with 50 new residences, Area F (Coombs Hiller) +1.2% with 21 new residences, and Area G + 5.7% with 5 new residences.

Federation of Canadian Municipalities Award: The RDN has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Sustainable Communities Award from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for its Zero Waste Program. This award program recognizes municipal environmental projects across Canada that demonstrates excellence in environmental responsibility.

Development Permits: The Electoral Area Planning Committee approved the following in Area H:

2010 – 2011 Change in Property Assessments: The Province (BC Assessment) has advised the RDN that the average residence in Area H costs $378,875. This year the RDN had 35 new residences built in Area H and property assessments increased on the average 3.9%. Other changes in Regional Property Assessments were as follows: Nanaimo + 6.7% with 351 new residences, Parksville + 5.8% with 38 new residences, Qualicum Beach + 2.5% with 6 new residences, Lantzville +9.1% with 0 new residences, Area A (Cedar) +4% with 11 new residences, Area B (Gabriola) +4.7% with 11 new residences , Area C (Extension) +.9% with 21 new residences, Area E

• Application to go to public hearing for an OCP Amendment, Zoning Amendment and Development Permit to permit the development of a 31 site recreational vehicle park at 6120 Island Highway West. • Application to permit the construction of a main floor addition and an upper loft on an existing single storey cabin at 2754 Dendoff Point Road. • Application with variance to vary the minimum setback from a watercourse and the minimum setback to a lot line in order to permit an addition to an existing building at 6120 Island Highway West. • Application to permit the construction of a lower storey on an existing single storey cabin with variance to the maximum permitted cabin height at 3732 Horne Lake Caves Road.

• Application with variance and a request to relax the minimum 10% frontage requirement in conjunction with a lot line adjustment subdivision proposal at 6224, 6266, 6280 and 6290 Island Hwy West. VIHA Ending Homelessness Grant: The RDN was awarded a onetime $100,000 grant by VIHA to build capacity to end homelessness. Based on population distribution the Board awarded $34,000 to the area covered by School District 69 managed through the City of Parksville Taskforce on Homelessness. The RDN’s representative on this taskforce is Chairman Joe Stanhope. Groundwater Application Requirements for rezoning of un-serviced lands: In response to Electoral Area OCP’s and the results of the Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Snapshot report the Committee of the Whole approved a policy requiring confirmation of an adequate and sustainable groundwater supply prior to the rezoning of un-serviced lands. The details of this new policy are available on the RDN website.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner only $1795 TEN 18 HOLE PASSES ... ONLY $269

Valid until March 31, 2012 - Can be shared with family & friends!

www.eyesonbc.com 30

/ March 2011

BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (BPH) by Darcy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Toole, Medicine Centre

enign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) describes a condition in men where the prostate is enlarged. A normal prostate is about the size of a walnut and is located just below the bladder. The main purpose of the prostate is to control urine flow. The prostate is wrapped around the urethra (a tube which carries urine from the bladder). As the prostate enlarges, it can constrict the urethra, like a clamp on a hose, making urination difficult. The first sign of BPH is often a burning sensation when urinating, progressing to where the bladder cannot fully empty making men feel like they have more urine to release but they are unable to. Urination becomes difficult and uncomfortable. Blood can be seen in the urine as tiny delicate blood vessels rupture in the prostate. A full blockage of urine flow requires immediate medical help. Treatment options for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: An enlargement of the prostate can be treated surgically by a procedure known as a transurethral resection of the prostate. These operations will improve urinary flow. There is still a possibility that the problem will return. Two groups of prescription drugs are used to treat BPH. Alphablockers, e.g. Flomax, can make urination easier by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder, releasing the pressure on the urethra and thus allowing urine to flow more easily. Dizziness and tiredness are common side effects of alpha-blockers. The 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, e.g. Proscar, block an enzyme important in producing testosterone. This can slow down the growth of the prostate and possibly reduce the size over several months. Side effects of this medication may include decreased sex drive, poor erections and decreased semen volume. An interesting side effect for some men is that Proscar encourages hair growth and has been used to treat male baldness.

Barbara Rady RMT Registered Massage Therapist

Member Since 1981

250 240 7155

#204 Magnolia Court, Bowser BC

V0R 1G0

You can manage your symptoms by avoiding alcohol and caffeine beverages after supper, urinating on a regular basis to keep the bladder as empty as possible and exercising every day. Get plenty of fibre in your diet to avoid constipation. Minimize your use of antihistamines and decongestant medications. There are also other medications that should be avoided, talk to your pharmacist about your medications. It is important to remember that BPH is treatable. The symptoms can be embarrassing and inconvenient but your doctor can assess your situation and recommend the best form of therapy. ~ / March 2011

continued from page 22 dependency on all types of forests and on their role in strengthening sustainable management, conservation and development of all types of forests. The UN 2011 Year of the Forest, “Celebrating Forests for People” is an educational and awareness campaign happening worldwide, including Qualicum Beach, where there will be several forestinspired events happening March 5 to April 19 as part of the Brant Wildlife Festival (BWF). “The history of human existence and civilizations is intertwined with forests and trees, and forests are crucial for the goods and services people rely on in varying degrees,” according to the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF). They are also deeply rooted in human social and cultural spheres and provide recreational opportunities, or places of spiritual reflection. While putting humans and trees on equal footing is an uncomfortable balancing act for some environmental activists, it is necessary for the survival of both species, says Tom Tevlin, President of Green Spirit Strategies Ltd., an environmental consulting firm out of Vancouver, created by the co-founder of Greenpeace, Dr. Patrick Moore along with two other partners. “There has been a general weakness in some environmental platforms that views humans as a species that shouldn’t be part of the equation when it comes to conservation,” says Tevlin, “We are a species that needs to fit in. We are part of biodiversity just as any species is. We need to be fed, clothed, and housed with resources from nature. The question is how do we fit in.” “It is my understanding that we have already long since passed the threshold of sustainable human activity when it comes to our forests,” says BWF organizer, Donna Monty, who emphasizes that she is not an expert on forests. “I feel we need to take an integrated scientific approach to forest management that includes looking at benefits other than timber. And that there is no recourse for conservation when the forests are gone.” According to an information sheet on IYOF, forests also provide food, protection from soil erosion, sun, avalanches, floods and storms, clean air and water, and store carbon. The UN states that about 80% of the world’s forests are publicly owned, the percentage of private ownership of forests is on the rise raising the alarm for conservationists. But, Kevin Ashfield, Forestry Operations Manager with Island Timberlands, a private timber company that owns approximately 255,000 hectares of land on Vancouver Island, says that forestry companies have a vested interest in managing their assets for the long term. The company directly employes about 150 people full-time and more throughout the year on a contract basis, he says, to harvest timber for both domestic and export markets. But, he says, they also replenish right after harvesting, and have a goal to plant two million trees this year. “We have a long history of managing forests in this province,” says Ashfield. “Forests are a large part of our socio-economic fabric continued next page 32

/ March 2011

continued from page 32 and forestry workers have a shared interest in keeping them for the future.” But does managing the forests for the trees make up for any biodiversity lost in the process? Add to this an increasing world population, world food shortages, the impacts of climate change and desertification, political unrest, and poverty, and the situation becomes that much more complex. Tevlin, as part of his environmental consulting work with Green Spirit Strategies Ltd., has worked extensively around the globe and attended many UN discussions on forests over the past 20 years, and says that saving our forests means an integrated approach to land use management that focuses poverty alleviation and conservation. “Often, in places like South America or South East Asia, we see poor settlers who are trying to feed themselves, and do so, often illegally and out of desperation, by clearing forests for crops. It is important to develop land use plans that designate where one can grow food, or forests, or have a settlement,” he says. “This has a huge impact on the health of a forest by avoiding patchwork development.” Once a land-use plan that designates areas for agriculture, settlements, parks, forestry, and conservation is in place, says Tevlin, a forestry management plan can be developed to help provide work for those who need jobs. “It’s much better to look at the entire picture and then decide what areas are to be protected, how they are protected, and how they are developed,” says Tevlin. “Once

you have a plan you develop sustainable practices to implement it.

hosting a series of films and café discussions as part of the 21st Brant Wildlife Festival.

The idea of sustainability has been evolving since the 1970s and has grown to include economic, social and environmental considerations.

The film “Dirt” highlights soil and land-use issues and plays March 21, “In Transition” about a community’s transformation in light of peak oil, plays April 4, and “Taking Root”, on March 7th. Each film shows at the Parksville Conference Centre at 6:30pm and ends with a discussion about the issues in the films and an ‘action list’ of solutions that can be applied locally.

Parksville and Qualicum Beach lie in the UN designated Mt. Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve. Biosphere reserves are part of the United Nations Man and Biosphere Program whose mandate it is to balance economic, social and environmental considerations. The UN Convention on Biodiversity supports sustainable forest management that is based on an integrated “eco-system” strategy that focuses on the equitable and sustainable use of forests, says a UN report. The report lists three major areas of opportunity in this relationship, including decreasing poverty by improving access to forests for rural and local people, restoration of one billion hectares of degraded land for sustainable economic activity, and the protection of biodiversity to combat areas of desertification in places like Africa. “Forests have the potential to eradicate poverty if managed locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally,” says the report. However, can we alleviate poverty if there are no forests? If we continue to privatize lands for development, if areas of the world continue to operate without land-use planning, without meeting the UN mandates on sustainability? These are some of the questions up for discussion as part of the IYOF awareness campaign.

BWF will also be hosting a Community Tree Plant at noon, March 12 at the Englishman River Estuary, as part of the International “Plant for the Planet” initiative by the Green Belt Movement in Africa to plant one billion trees worldwide. “The IYOF is integral to everything about BWF and forest conservation,” says Monty, in a press release. “We are much more connected to forests than we think, and it is important that we begin to take better care of them,” she says. “The IYOF gives us the opportunity to raise awareness and think about conversation strategies around our forests.” One of the ways we can help, she says is to support land conservation organizations such as The Nature Trust of BC which works to help conserve forests lands and other sensitive eco-systems in British Columbia. We can also start by attending the BWF events and making ourselves part of the discussion. ~ The Brant Wildlife Festival is coordinated by The Nature Trust of BC. For a full program of events go to www.brantfestival.bc.ca.

As part of IYOF events, the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Foundation will be

Clipperart HAIR SALON

for an appointment call

757.9364

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6920 W. Island Hwy. Bowser, BC / March 2011

Qualicum Beach Town Hall • Linda Tenney photo

By Marilyn Dawson, Reporter

nvironmental issues, ranging from logging to broom to Brant, occupied a good deal of Council’s attention at the regular February meeting. Councillor Barry Avis introduced a recommendation that the Town work with the Select Committee on Environment to prevent the logging of the sensitive area around the Little Qualicum River, known as DL10. Council unanimously agreed with the need to raise money to buy the logging rights from Island Timberlands by June 2012 at a cost of $175,000. Chief administrator Mark Brown said the Town can issue tax receipts to private donors. The area along the Little Qualicum was bought by the Town in the mid-1980s, but logging rights were retained by MacMillan Bloedel, the owner at the time. Now Island Timberlands wants an answer by this fall of the Town’s intentions. Councillor Avis warned that logging the 65 acres on the east side and 35 acres on the west would jeopardize the health of the river and the Town’s water supply. Councillor Avis also asked council to review beach signage. The number of signs and their negative messages has

/ March 2011

brought complaints from some residents. The Environment Committee suggested consolidating wording and reducing the number. This was a good chance to remind residents that during the Brant Festival, essentially a two-month period in March and April, dogs are not allowed on the beaches. The Brant make brief stops in Qualicum Beach before heading north on a non-stop flight to Alaska. For several years Joanne Sales has waged a campaign against the spread of broom, whose aggressive behavior overpowers native plants. The director of Broombusters Invasive Plant Society was at the Council meeting with Alannah Howard, to thank the Town for its past support and to ask for additional help. She suggested that two summer staff workers be designated broom cutters for five full days during May when broom goes to seed, the critical time to stop the propagation process. Staffers can also get into areas that might be difficult for volunteers. Although it began in Qualicum Beach, the anti-broom campaign has achieved success in other areas, notably Nanaimo and Courtenay. As usual, Council listened to the delegation but made no commitment.

UPDATE: 1. Taking a cue from their traffic-calming measures, Council agreed to reconsider the speed limit in the fall after the Memorial upgrade project is under way. The move to 40kmh on Memorial Avenue has caused a minor furor among businesses and residents. Time may settle the issue. 2. Engineer Bob Weir said the Town is working with ratepayers and other citizens concerned with the Memorial Upgrade, particularly the multi-use path designed for bikers and pedestrians. Even so, not everyone believes bikers and pedestrians can safely co-exist on the same path. 3. The Town finally got the go-ahead to issue a development permit for 431 College Road, the site of the old College Inn, after a prolonged battle pitting unhappy nearby residents against the developer. The most recent holdup was waiting for a covenant registered against the title that will run with the land no matter who owns it and ensure that the heritage site is protected. The owners plan a 40-unit condominium development with 35 units built around the existing heritage building, which will be refurbished and include five condos. A portion of the ground floor will be open to the public.~

ADRIAN PINGSTONE photo PIPERS CREEK photo

Brant Wildlife Festival: …One Skein of Geese, Cleaving the Murk of March Thaw, is the Spring By David Morrison “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

ach and every spring for millennia the beautiful Black Brant has visited the eastern shores of this island. The goose flocks in great numbers to the beaches of Parksville and Qualicum Beach to recharge and refuel for another epic journey ahead. This natural phenomenon is celebrated in the annual Brant Wildlife Festival, the birds’ arrival providing a spectacular excuse to generally highlight the amazing wildlife of this area. Through organized events this excellent festival offers opportunities for people of all ages to learn about and observe not only the Black Brant, but also a wide spectrum of the abundant and diverse wonders of the nature all around us.

I for one am dazzled by the remarkable fauna and flora with which we share our island home: from hummingbirds to elk, starfish to arbutus trees and black bears to goats on roofs, I feel privileged to live in this beautiful place. A man after my own heart and someone excited for the Brant Wildlife Festival is avid birder and fellow Brit, Jon Carter. His highly entertaining and fascinating blog, A British Birder in British Columbia, is a regular online destination of mine, particularly because I learn so much from it. A lifelong birder and bona fide expert in his field of interest, Carter believes the Brant Wildlife Festival to be an event of considerable importance. Beyond his passion for winged life, however, his reasons for thinking so may come as a surprise. “Having come from the UK,” he begins, “where bird and nature conservation are

huge, with organizations like the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), the British Trust for Ornithology and regional wildlife trusts, the Brant Wildlife Festival really stands out for me. Birding is a high profile pastime in the UK, with a lot of money in it. There are huge nature reserves all over the country, and people are used to seeing programs about animals and conservation on the television all the time. Here in North America, that doesn’t seem to be so much the case. There are organizations but they’re very grassroots and, generally speaking, conservation seems to go handin-hand with hunting; they’re integral here. Nature conservation seems to be connected to commodity, not for conservation’s sake and preserving species for biodiversity or enjoyment. So something like this festival is really essential, to try and get people interested in nature for nature’s sake, not as a harvest.” Stimulating that interest in nature is the raison d’être of the similarly dedicated, conservation-minded folks behind the Brant Wildlife Festival. From the official opening on March 5 through to the close on April 23, the seven-week program of events aims to educate while having fun with nature via up-close interaction with the stunning location we are fortunate to call home. There are free and paid events including wildlife viewings, film nights, guided tours, botany walks, themed musical shows, tree planting and even a stargazing party! (Due to the limited number of places available for some events, it is advisable to pre-register to avoid disappointment. See below for details.) As for the stars of the terrestrial show, the Black Brants will be quietly going about their business in preparation for their forthcoming flight north, just as they have for thousands of years, blissfully unaware of the festival fuss surrounding their presence. “They’re returning from their wintering grounds in, mainly, Mexico, and California to some degree,” Carter explains, “and heading to their northern breeding grounds in Alaska and the Arctic Circle. And en route they stop here to feed. Their arrival coincides with the herring spawn, and even though they mainly feed on eelgrass and things like that, the protein-rich herring spawn supplements their diet. They’re already paired up by the time they arrive here, so are ready to nest. They used to continued on page 36 / March 2011

continued from page 35 winter here in their thousands and thousands a century ago, but now do that further south.” Nature is a remarkable, mind-boggling thing. As you stand and watch those lovely black and white geese feeding at the tide-line, you are gazing upon an ancient species. For an incomprehensible passage of time they have arrived exhausted and hungry from their non-stop flight from Mexico, to use Vancouver Island as their área de descanso. This has happened since long before any humans dwelled here, since long before the bird itself and the places it leaves, rests at and heads to even had names. It’s hard to get your head around it all sometimes, don’t you think? Yet looking at it in this powerful light of day, it is indeed something to truly celebrate. But as it states on the Brant Wildlife Festival website (URL below), all is not well in the world of this pretty goose: “Today, Brant numbers are decreasing. Many scientists attribute these declines to human-related disturbances, climate change and loss of crucial habitat, especially around migration stopovers.” Although it may seem an innocuous everyday thing to walk a dog, one such “human-related disturbance” is a canine presence on the beaches during the festival. This is a source of great frustration for the festival organizers, birders and anyone who would generally prefer not to see the cycle of nature disrupted by an act of human irresponsibility. “There are signs up, but still people take no notice and take their dogs on the beaches,” sighs Carter. So hey, people, please read the signs and respond accordingly! Keep your mutts on their leashes! I thank you.

The h new 8000 s.f.f bbuilding ildi att th the CCoombs b FFairgrounds i d iis ready d ffor use by community, family and recreation groups. A professional cushioned sports floor was recently installed thanks to a generous contribution from the Pieter deReuver Foundation. We also thank the many individuals, businesses and community organizations that have helped with construction over the past couple of years: • B.C. Gaming • Coastal Community Credit Union • Collins Electric • D&S Custom Fab • Elliott Industries • Farm Credit Corporation

• Four Star Waterworks • Mayco Mix • Pieter deReuver Foundation • Peter B. Key Enterprises • Qualicum Pharmasave • Regional District of Nanaimo • Trubob Forming and Framing

Together with many volunteer members of the Arrowsmith Agricultural Association and Arrowsmith Community Enhancement Society (ACES)

CALL NOW TO BOOK FOR YOUR SPORTS, BUSINESS, WEDDING OR COMMUNITY EVENT. Contact JANET BOLEY, Manager, Coombs Fairgrounds

250-752-9757 www.coombsfair.com

Ad design generously provided by The Beacon Magazine 36

/ March 2011

Like the British Birder in British Columbia, I find it strange that there are so few wildlife festivals, at least of this profile, both on Vancouver Island and in BC in general. Here we have the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, also in March, and a spotlight on the salmon run at Goldstream Provincial Park. Other than those and the Brant Wildlife Festival, it seems there is little else occurring, or at least visibly enough that people all across the island are aware of it. In fact, when Googling “British Columbia Wildlife Festivals,” which I imagined would yield a wealth of options and information, seven of the eleven results on the first page related directly to the one I’m writing about here. And including the aforementioned I have only uncovered twenty so-called wildlife festivals occurring with any regularity in the whole of BC, with twelve of those dedicated to salmon. Considering the magnificence and diversity of our provincial animal kingdom, this seems rather bizarre to me. Last year was the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity, its aims including “increasing awareness of the importance of biodiversity for our well being,” and “to celebrate the success stories.” On the first initiative the Brant Wildlife Festival consistently hits the nail on the head. On the second, every single one of us should applaud and cherish its organizers and volunteers for their dedication in continuing to do so. But, I have to say, it does seem that we need a lot more like them… **** For full information about the Brant Wildlife Festival’s program of events and other ways you can support the festival, please visit http://brantfestival.bc.ca. To register for events, call toll free on 1-866-288-7878 or email rrivers@naturetrust.bc.ca. Jon Carter’s birding blog, A British Birder in British Columbia, can be found online at http://britbirderinbc.blogspot.com.

March in the Perennial Garden Q: Two years ago I divided and moved a Peony that was in the shade to a sunny, fertile spot. I didn’t lose any and still had nice foliage but sparse flowering the second year on all divisions. Should I fertilize or add something to the soil? A: You did the right thing to move the Paeonia (Peony) out of the shade. However, Peonies do not like moving. So be patient. They take at least two or three years to reestablish themselves before strong blooming will occur. Compost mulch helps keep the area nutrient rich and is a good idea since Peonies like that. It’s preferable, though, to leave the plant alone now for the next eight to ten years before dividing it again. Q: I have added a ton of organic matter to my heavy clay soil but it is still very clumpy and heavy. Most perennials don’t last too long. Are there any medium to tall perennials that like heavy clay soil in full to part sun? A: The best solution to improve your soil is what you are doing by adding organic matter. Now that the area has fertile soil, and while you continue to improve it, here are some very showy perennials for your soil conditions: Aconitum x cammarum (Monkshood) – needs staking, deer proof; Anemone x hybrid – great to fill in a woodland area; Aruncus dioicus ‘Glasnevin’ (Sylvan Goat’s beard) – for shady areas; Delphinium – also needs staking, but is deer proof; Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra ‘Light of Loddon’ – large, semi-double, bright yellow with brown centres; Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’ – needs a moist spot, large bright red flowers; Rodgersia aesulifolia – copper coloured leaves and plumes of creamy white flowers; Rheum palmatum – varieties are in the Rhubarb family with large panicles of white, red, and pink; Solidago ‘Goldenmosa’ – for full sun, has conical panicles of tiny yellow flowers.

Q: I have Asthma and have removed several plants in my garden because of this ailment. What can I put back in to be safe? A: For those who are living with respiratory diseases such as Asthma, Hay Fever, and other allergies that cause reactions to airborne pollen, good choices for the garden are plants that are insect pollinated. A few perennials known to be low-allergen plants are: Ajuga reptans – an excellent ground cover for shade; Allium – chives, garlic, etc.; Aquilegia chrysantha ‘Yellow Queen’ – Golden Columbine; Astilbe – for moist areas; Bergenia – for every area…wet, dry, sun, or shade; Campanula – with many varieties; Dicentra subspecies and cultivars – Bleeding-heart; Penstemon – many varieties, prefer sun or half-shade; Veronica spicata – mat forming with blue racemes; Solidago ‘Goldenmosa’ as above. Q: We’ve heard of edible annual flowers like Nasturtiums, Marigolds, and Squash blossoms, but are there any perennials nice to eat? A: In fact yes, there are quite a few perennials with edible flowers for you to enjoy: Bee Balm has a citrus flavor and can be fresh frozen in cubes for summer drinks; Chives are great in salads of all kinds or make a nice garnish; Day Lilies have a sweet flavour; Dianthus adds colour to a large variety of foods, but use only the petal tips because the base of the petals can be bitter; Roses if they haven’t been sprayed add flavor to cake or cookie dough and can also decorate salads; Herb Sage and Mint are lovely in fruit salad or sorbets; and finally Tulips if you can protect them from the deer, can be shredded into green or spinach salads. Have fun! Harry Sumner is a certified arborist & garden coach. Gardening questions are welcome at 250-248-4512 or shellms@telus. net.

/ March 2011

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FOR SALE – Koolatron Cooler and Power Adapter. Also includes Power Adapter for vehicle (lighter plug in). In perfect condition. $175. FMI Call 250-947-9365 FOR SALE – Smith Corona Typewriter and Case with ribbons. FMI Call Shirley 250-757-8547 FOR SALE – 1996 Gibralter Mobile Home. 66`x 14`, 924 sq ft. Bright open floor plan. Two Bedrooms and two Bathrooms. Full Kitchen, Dining Area, and Living Room. Asking $42,000. Please call 604-543-8825 to arrange a viewing. VENDORS WANTED – For a one-day spring event, Sat. April 30, Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society seeks vendors to complement its annual perennial plant sale at Qualicum Beach Community Hall. Call Marilyn, 250-752-3694. WEB SITE, BLOG, SOCIAL MEDIA – Seeking local merchants for domain and user-friendly template driven web sites, offering set up and promotional advice at a very reasonable rate. Experienced with references. FMI Call 250-2405535. MEMORABLE LINES writing and memoir service has the answer to all your business and personal writing puzzles. Call 250-335-1157 or 888-330-8366 for a free estimate. See www. memorablelines.com for a detailed list of services. FIRST RATE MASONRY – Over 13 years experience providing first rate, creative workmanship within budget and on time. Old brick restoration. All stone and tile work. Fireplace facing. Retaining walls and pavers. Chimney construction, cleaning and repairs. FMI Call Jason Buxton (250) 802-5515 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 Easter Turkey!!* Please call for availability – ask for Paul or Christine 250-335-1322. 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 and all small engines. Buy and sell used equipment. Call Ron 250-240-1971 e-mail: ronmorrison100@gmail.com THERAPEUTIC FOOT REFLEXOLOGY – Sessions $50 for 75 mins my home. Home visits are available. Release your body’s self-healing ability through deep relaxation. Please call Marie at (250) 335-0850. THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF QUESTERS – Next meeting will be on March 28th. Palmist Catherine Whittall will be the Guest Speaker. FMI call Chris at 250-752-1419. FOOTCARE – HYGIENE Soaking feet, cutting nails, filing calluses, treating dry skin – fingernails too. Reflexology – 1 hour sessions. Services offered from Nanoose to Fanny Bay. Please call Vikki @ 250757-9244 DON’S HOME REPAIR – plumbing repairs and installations, complete renovations, no job too small. Call Don @ 250-757-8757 or cell 250951-8757

FIREWOOD For your year-round firewood needs call

Dale 250-757-9276 West Island Energy Ltd.

WILDWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH 113 McColl Road, Bowser

Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 am 757-8136 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 SHORT CIRCUIT ELECTRIC New home? Renovation? For your safe and quality wiring needs, the shortest circuit is to call Tim 250-240-4105. Licensed and Bonded.

Evelyn Wilena (Billie)

Burgess 1916 – 2011

Billie passed away peacefully January 31st after a brief hospitalization. Predeceased by Norman, her husband of 57 years, Billie continued her international travels and was vital and active right up to the summer of 2010. Born in Ottawa, Billie and her family moved to Vancouver when she was 13. She and Norm met at UBC and married in 1942. Following RCAF discharge, Billie and Norm settled in Port Alberni where they raised their three sons and lived 30 years. Billie was always active in the community through involvement in many groups and organizations. At retirement, they moved to Bowser where son Jim built their new home on their long time summer camp property. Over the ensuing 30 years, Billie enjoyed the community and the people of the Bowser/Qualicum area: the various bridge groups, swimming buddies, the writing club, her golf partners and her dear friends. Billie will be missed by her sons and their families: Ken & Tami; daughters Diana, Anita & David Bergman and Nana’s great granddaughters Claire & Olivia; Jim & Cathy and son Jessy; Warren & Erin and sons Shane & Clayton.

IF YOU ENJOY OUR MAGAZINE, IT’S OUR ADVERTISERS WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN! WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHOP LOCAL FOR YOUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES!

Honouring Billie’s wishes, there will be no funeral. Instead, “the party Billie wanted” is planned for her home Saturday, April 23rd. That day, friends are invited to join the family for an informal open house 1:00 to 6:00 PM. And per Billie’s instructions “No speeches!”. Those planning to attend please RSVP to Burgess Family, Box 35, Bowser BC V0R 1G0 or alternatively, email nanny.burgess@gmail.com / March 2011

Aries (March 21-April 19) More than a few of you are making secret plans and you’re involved in secret trysts. Now that Jupiter is in your sign, your confidence is soaring! Nevertheless, those of you who have been in long-term relationships are facing challenges. Continue to focus on behind the scenes activities but at the same time, smooth out details about shared property, inheritances, insurance matters and such. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Get ready for a whirl of activities, meetings, classes, group activities and get-togethers with friends and acquaintances. Travel for pleasure will appeal. You’ll enjoy this increased popularity because it gives you a chance to use others as a sounding board. Why? Because this is perhaps the best month all year for you to think about your dreams and hopes for the future, and how you can make them a reality in your life. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Now the Sun is at the top of your chart acting like a spotlight on you. This is why others notice you more than usual, especially parents, teachers, bosses and authority figures. (By the way, this also includes the police — heads up.) The good news is this great lighting makes you look fabulous in their eyes. This is why you can expect to be offered increased responsibilities. Just say yes because you won’t have to do anything special to get their applause. Lucky you!

and healthier. This is good because many of you are going to be much more sexually active. Woo-woo! Your partner should know that no matter how you protest romantic gestures— you love attention, flowers, champagne, gifts and invitations. You are the stuff of movies. However, underlying all this sexual passion is an increased desire to improve or become a better person.

of you will be involved with family members more than usual, especially a parent. Family discussions will be significant. Others are involved in home repairs, gatherings of the clan, and projects that require single-handed focus. Some projects will trigger purchases of beautiful things, while others will figure out new ways of earning money. (How sweet it is.)

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You need more sleep. Planets sitting opposite to your sign make you feel others are opposing you. That’s why you feel easily annoyed with partners and close friends. Don’t question whether there’s something wrong with you or not because you don’t like your friends. This will pass. But you will need to be patient until well into April. (Hey — this is no biggie. Keep smiling because in the next eight months, gifts, goodies and favours are coming your way.)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) A busy month! Short trips, increased reading, writing and studying, buying and selling, and wheeling and dealing keep you on the run. Many of you are involved with siblings. This is a good month for you to buy wardrobe items because you like what you see in the mirror. In addition, because it’s so easy to be diplomatic and gracious with others, this is a good time to mend broken fences. Conversations with others will stimulate you. You need to get out and learn new things and meet new people.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You’re trying to be all things, to all people, and do it perfectly. Plus, you’re on a health kick as well. (You’re juicing.) Most Librans are not that crazy about exercise (to you, outdoors is where the car is) Basically, you’re on a selfimprovement kick, which even extends to your home. This is why some of you are redecorating or buying goodies to tweak your digs. You want it all. Above all, you want your life to run smoothly and efficiently!

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Feeling restless? All dressed up and no place to go? In the month ahead, you are looking for adventure, thrills, and something new and different. You’re hungry for change. You also want to learn something new. You want to be stimulated by exciting new places and provocative ideas. It’s a great time to take a class or go back to school or to study anything. It’s also a wonderful time to travel. Romance with someone froma different background could blossom.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The Sun, Mercury, Mars and Uranus are all in your fellow Water Sign. This means these planets fit very nicely with your Water Sign. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Venus and Pluto are helping you as well. That’s why your life will become more fun-loving, flirtatious, and interesting! Communications with others will be graceful and charming. You can make money talking, writing, selling, marketing, teaching and acting. Sports, playful activities with children, and romance will get top billing. Go out in full dazzle. Enjoy!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Your choices lately about diet, exercise and rest have made you feel stronger

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Now your attention swings to home, family and domestic matters. Many

/ March 2011

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) A number of planets now influence your money, cash flow, earnings, and even your style of spending. Money, money, money! For starters, many of you are thinking about how to earn money on the side, or how to change jobs and earn money in a new way. Others are thinking about major expenditures and how to spend money. All of you are thinking about your cash flow, assets and possessions. But at a deeper level, what is prompting this is a philosophical stirring within you about what really matters in life. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) It’s all about you dear, Pisces! This is an empowering time for you. You are still feeling the benefit of lucky moneybags Jupiter. In fact, many of you are going to see ways to boost your income in the next year. Your confidence is increasing and, along with that, your goals are becoming more ambitious. This is a good thing. More than any other sign, you are affected by your own belief in what you can achieve. Richard Bach was right, “Argue for your limitations and they’re yours.”

BUSINESS INFORMATION CENTRE

MARS TO LAUNCH SPRING FLING

ount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society (MARS) is moving its annual spring perennial sale from Coombs to Qualicum Beach. The former Oceanside Sale will be marketed as Spring Fling and move into the Community Hall for a one-day event. MARS produces three events every spring, the Rhodo Show and Sale in Parksville on April 16, the Spring Fling on Sat. April 30 and the popular Garden Tour on May 7 and 8. Spring Fling organizers, Barbara Kulla and Marilyn Dawson, are looking for vendors interested in selling their wares alongside the plant sale. “The hall has lots of space, and tables are available for $15,” said Barbara. Purveyors of food items or garden-related products as well as garden art or other crafts would be likely candidates. Already, some merchants who can be found at the Farmers’ Market when it opens in May have expressed an interest. “The Community Hall is a great location, right in the middle of town on Memorial Avenue,” said Marilyn. “We’re hoping to attract a crowd in Qualicum. In the past three years our sale has been well received. And in spring, who doesn’t love a plant sale!” For more information contact Barbara at 250-7527369, Marilyn at 250-752-3694. ~ submitted

Biz Banter - continued from page 5 positive, personal impact that I decided to change my career path, start my own business and gear towards changing my entire life plan.” Reflexology involves the manipulation of reflexes and zone therapy in the feet, hands, and ears to relieve tension, improve circulation and promote the natural function of the related parts of the body. Benefits include relief of pain, headaches, depression and stress, along with deep relaxation, revitalized energy, natural detoxification, elimination and so much more. “The ideal client for me would be someone who already is, or wanting, to participate and take charge of their own quality of life. The practice of reflexology simply relaxes and encourages the body to heal itself… it’s nature’s gift to mankind.” Fay is offering a 1-½ hour session which includes Aromatherapy Foot Bath, Lower Leg/Foot Massage and Foot Reflexology – call Fay for an appointment today! Ph: 250-927-5722

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!

Our Advertisers

Category............. Ad Page

EyesOnBC Arrowsmith Automotive

Business Centre.............................. 32 Automotive Services..........................17

Career Centre Jennifer Hubbard, Solicitor, Notary Public NR Insurance Services

Business & Education........................45 Business & Financial Services..........40 Business & Financial Services..........14

Wisdom is Within Coaching Handy Sandy Services

Business & Personal Coaching.........20 Maintenance Services.......................44

Ethereal Splendor Healing Medicine Centre Jonathan Martin CCST, CRRP Nurse Next Door, Peter Coulter Tracy Hebert R.M.T. Camelot Electric Camelot Excavating Gemini Technical Services (Appliances) Horne Lake Electric Lighthouse Trucking Ltd. Northpacific Window Witte Construction Re/Max First Realty - Tom Whitfield Peter Mason Land Surveyor

Health Services.................................46 Health Services.................................31 Health Services.................................20 Health Services.................................46 Health Services.................................46 Home & Garden Services..................46 Home & Garden Servies................... 46 Home & Garden Services..................46 Home & Garden Services..................45 Home & Garden Services..................45 Home & Garden Services..................14 Home & Garden Services..................45 Real Estate........................................21 Surveying & Land Information...........45

The advertisers listed here also have their business cards and brochures racked with us at The Beacon office 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.

/ March 2011

Community Events

Union Bay Credit Union is pleased to offer Bursaries to Grade 12 Students continuing their education!

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

All programs must be pre-registered to avoid the disappointment of being cancelled.

Pancake Breakfast, Flea Market, Live Music, Veggies, Poultry & Small Animal Swap, Master Gardeners: – Sun Feb 13th, 8am-noon. The Bowser Elementary PAC will be cooking up breakfast this morning.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS & CLUBS

Lighthouse Seniors #152 – Next meeting Mon. 11:30am March 7th. Soup & coffee – at the Lighthouse Community Centre FMI call Shirley at 757-2384 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.

See the Awards Booklet for deadlines and details at Vanier, Mark R. Isfeld and Kwalikum Secondary Schools!

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.

Applicants or their families must be active Members of the Union Bay Credit Union.

Bridge at LCC Nordin Room – 1 - 4pm Friday afternoons. Call Ann: 250-757-8194

Inquire at your local Branch about Adult Bursary opportunities, too

AA Lightkeepers: every Fri. 8pm. Info: 250-757-8347

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 – discontinued due to lack of participation. Interested in starting again? Call Patty at 757-8366. RDN ACTIVE LIVING GUIDE Featuring programs for all ages starting in April & May, along with Summer Programs & Camps for children. Arrives in mailboxes, or available at EyesOnBC, March 10th. ADULT PROGRAMS Hatha Yoga - Use principles of breath, alignment and space to balance softness and strength in this gently guided class. This program is suitable for beginners and beyond. Starting April 11 at Bowser School. Mondays 6-7:15pm; Thursdays 6-7:15pm - $71/8 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, Chrissie Finnie at 250-757-8118 or cfinnie@rdn.bc.ca for detailed program and registration information.

/ March 2011

Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department Annual Head Shave for Cancer is April 10th 10am - 1pm at the Dashwood Fire Hall, 230 Hobbs Road. Everyone welcome. For more info or to sign up contact Harvey Twidale at 752-9882 or the fire hall at 752-5434. Milner Gardens & Woodland Spring Harbinger Days March 5th and 6th from 11am - 3pm. Admission by donation. Come enjoy the early spring colour and relax with a cup of tea and scones in the Tearoom. FMI 250-752-6153 or www.milnergardens. org Volunteer Opportunity Day March 20th from 11am to 3pm Milner Gardens is holding a Volunteer Opportunity Day March 20th from 11am - 3pm, for those interested to find out what opportunities are available. No pre-registration is required. FMI 250752-8573 ext 226. Fanny Bay Parents & Tots Play Group runs every Monday from 10:15-11:45am 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 ECHO Players present “Lettice & Lovage” by Peter Shaffer at the Village Theatre Qualicum Beach March 31st - April 17th. Tickets 250-752-3522 or info@echoplayers.ca The Qualicum Beach Family History Society holds it’s monthly meeting 7pm, March 17th at rear of QB Legion Hall. Our speaker will be our own Catherine Whiteley. She will discuss an interesting genealogical case, studying conflicting evidence. ‘Where was Mary Busby Born?’ St. Stephen’s United Church. Shrove Tue. Pancake Supper – Mar. 8th, 5 & 6pm seating. Pancakes, sausages and scrambled eggs. Adults $7. Children age 4-12 $4. Children under 3 Free. Tickets at 752-9831 or sold at the door. 2nd Annual Bishops of Bowser Junior Chess Tournament to be held on March 27, open for K to 12 students throughout the region and beyond. Top players will be eligible for provincial competition. Check bowserchess.pbworks.com or call Robert at 757-8709 for details. Dinner and movie at Fanny Bay Community Hall Feb. 26 6pm. Movie: Jewel of the Nile. Dinner: Lamb, couscous, salad, falafels, mint tea – all for only $7; kids 12 and under $3.50. FMI 250-335-3282.

March 2011 WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MARCH !

Qualicum Beach Garden Club Meeting – Feb 8th 7 pm at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. Guest speakers: Luke Sales, Town of QB, “Close to Home – Sustainability and Gardening in Qualicum Beach” and Owen Bridge, Annapolis Seeds, “The Importance of Seed Saving and Diversity”. BIG COOMBS DANCE 4U! with The Elderly Brothers (Rocket 88)! Sat. Feb. 26, 8pm to midnight, doors open 7pm. Coombs Community Hall (rodeo grounds) 2595 Alberni Hwy. Tickets $15 @ The Shoe Inn, Cranky Dog Music, Back Road Java Coombs General Store. $20 at door, snacks & free munchies. FMI Doug 250-752-8505. Sorry no minors. Favourite Songs from the Naughty Nineties – Fri. March 11th, 2-4pm. Oceanside Community Arts Centre, 133 Macmillan St., Parksville. Adults $15; Children under 12 $10. Call 250-248-8185 Mark this on Calendar! Lifering Weekly – Alcohol/drug discussion meetings. Thurs at 7:30pm – upstairs at the SOS Centre, 245 W Hirst Ave, Parksville. No charge, non religious. FMI call 250-752-1058 or 250-9517675. Lighthouse Spinners – Every Tues. 10:30-2:30pm in the Community Centre Board Room. New members welcome. FMI Jo 250-757-8402 Dance To Timberline Band – Free, live old-time Country & Rock’n Roll music. Every Wed. 7:30 -10:30pm Parksville Legion, 146 West Hirst St., Parksville. All welcome.

www.rcl211.ca Mar 1 Mar 2 Mar 3 Mar 22 Mar 31

• • • • •

Bowser Waterworks AGM...............................7:00 pm LA Zone Meeting Branch 76 LA General Meeting Legion Executive Meeting LA Executive Meeting

Hall Rentals 250-757-9222 • Mon to Fri 9:00 am - 12 noon

Mar 5 • Giant Meat Draw (food available) ...................4:30 pm Mar 19 • LA Pie Sale ...................................................10:00 am Mar 27 • Junior Chess Tournament

Belly Dancing Ladies’ Pool Crib Texas Hold’em Mixed Darts

Monday.............................................. 7:00 pm Wednesday........................................ 5:00 pm Wednesday........................................ 7:00 pm Thursday............................................ 7:30 pm Friday................................................. 7:30 pm

CLOSED SUNDAYS

Beta Sigma Phi – an International Women’s Group promoting Life, Learning & Friendship. In the Oceanside area 7 chapters hold bi-monthly, day or evening meetings. FMI Margie Healey, 250-757-9125 Living with Cancer Support Group – 1st Thurs of month, Gardens at Qualicum Beach from 1:30 to 3:30pm. This group is not only open to cancer patients but also to their caregiver. FMI Rosemary at 250-951-2167. Come celebrate the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day with the University Women’s Club - CFUW -PQ. March 6, 2011 - 1:15pm - 4:30pm at Knox United Church, Parksville, Guest Speakers, Bazaar with Grandmothers to Grandmothers items, Kumbana Band, Refreshments. Admission by Donation Kids Clothing & Toy Garage Sale at Parksville Elementary School Saturday March 5th from 9am-1pm in the school gym – Admission by donation. Buy or sell baby & children’s clothing, toys, books, furniture, maternity wear and more. Silent auction & food and beverage concession by Sunrise Preschool Association. $15 per table. To book a table or for more info call or email Nikki Pakkala at 250-954-3621 or npakkala@shaw.ca. All proceeds go to P.E.S. PAC to help fundraise for our new playground. Comox Valley Farmers’ Market Saturdays 9 - 12 @ The Native Son’s Hall, 360 Cliffe Ave., downtown Courtenay. March entertainment: 5th: Celtic Cult, 12th: Helen Austin, 19th: Anela Kahiamoe, 26th: Todd Butler. Come for the freshness, stay for the fun! FMI: Mkt. Mgr. Vickey or www. comoxvalleyfarmersmarket.com / March 2011

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

Culverts Drain Problems

Accommodation

Septic Installation

Septic Services

Certified Septic System Specialist

Call Lauren & Save

Tax Services

Picture Framing

Home Improvement

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

FAST • RELIABLE • ACCURATE Drop off depot at The Beacon in Bowser & free delivery when completed Please call for information

P: 250-754-2210 • F: 250-754-2204

Drywall

Gravel & Sand

Electrical Services

Year-round office: 229 Milton St., Nanaimo

Sewing Services

Military Surplus Pellet Fuel Sales

Yard Services

FREE ESTIMATES • Lawn Maintenance • Fertilizing • Yard Clean-ups • Aeration • Pruning/Hedges • Power Raking • Rubbish Removal • Odd Jobs • Yearly Maintenance Programs •

Home Repairs

Spring Services SAME DAY SERVICE, FULLY INSURED

CALL 310-JIMS (5467) Handyman Services

www.jimsmowing.ca

/ March 2011

Tel: 778-427-5163 • Cell 250-218-1789

Free Estimates • Reasonable Rates

XBox & GameCube

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

757-8353

#3 - 6996 West Island Hwy, Bowser

Excavating

Land Surveying

Quality Workmanship

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

2003 Kobelco SK160Lc Excavator for Hire

Heating

GENERAL HANDYMAN

BOWSER

Interior Decorating

Ken Morgan

Movie & Game Rental

Home Repairs

Morgan’s Home Repairs

DEJA~VU DECOR CUSTOM DECOR & WINDOW COVERINGS

Call

250-752-8772

Witte Construction

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

Handyman Services

Convenient In Home Appointments

/ March 2011

Barber Services

Healing

INSTALLATION SERVICE & REPAIRS

Philip Brown

250-240-4902 • 250-757-8077 EVENINGS

Home Care Services

Plumbing Gas Heating

Yoga Classes Home Healthcare

PLUMBING • GAS • HEATING

Home & Yard Care • House & Pet Sitting Home Support for Seniors & People with Special Needs 250-752-6734 Dini Owsianski info@serencare.com • www.serencare.com

NOTHING TO LOSE BUT INCHES PHONE FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Plumbing & Gas Services

Excavating Services

Electrical Services

Chimney Cleaning

/ March 2011

FREE WEEK TRIAL

THE AMAZING IDEAL PROTEIN WEIGHT LOSS SYSTEM

250-586-3366

Yoga Classes 46

Health & Wellness

Phone: 250.248.4880 Cell: 250.927.1471

FEATURING TOTAL BODY WELLNESS PROGRAMS

Appliance Repair

Healthcare

Tree Service

BOWSER TO PARKSVILLE

Parts Store Open Mon to Fri 9-4

Graphic DesiGn B/W & colour copies packinG & shippinG

printinG & FinishinG aDmail campaiGns mailBox rentals

1306 Alberni Highway • Parksville, BC • V9P 2 C9 • 250 586-7776

Join us for worship, prayer and fellowship with others from the community Sunday Worship 10:00 am

/ March 2011

Artistic passion and insight from the shores of the Salish Sea #110-6996 W. Island Hwy, Bowser insight@salishseamarket.com www.facebook.com/salishseamarket

Pottery Glass Metal Wood Fabric Music Paint Literature Culinary Photography M-F 10-5 & Sat 11-4

778-424-2012

CLOTHING ART & GIFTS COFFEE SHOP & TREATS ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES PET SUPPLIES & PET FOOD FITNESS CLUB MEMBERSHIP MOVIES

www.powerhousefitnessclub.com

6996 West Island Highway (19 minutes north of Qualicum Beach 10 minutes south of Fanny Bay)