Beacon Magazine - Feb 2012

February 2012 vol 7 issue 93

Community Living: Fanny Bay to Nanoose Bay

Parksville Untapped! • 28 A Fun Night on the Small Town • 17

3

From the Publisher

17 FEATURE A fun night on the “small” town

9

Travel Do’s and Don’ts

BUSINESS & FINANCE

4 Biz Banter: What’s up in local business Travel

9 14 15 22

& Outdoors

Travellin’ with Carolyn: Do as I say, Not as I do!

Into the Garden Thru the Seasons: Stargazing Tide Table

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 28

18 Out of the Nest: Dylan Wilks

Parksville Untapped. Cheers! Santé! Salut! Proost!

COMMUNITY LIFE

22 The Art of Conscious Living 27 On the Agenda 29 Genealogy: Finding Your Roots 32 Inspired by Community

COMMUNITY PEOPLE

6 From the Desk of the Regional Director 18 Out of the Nest: Dylan Wilks 26 Kwalikum Secondary School Honour Students

HEALTH & WELLNESS

12 Parascience: Exploration and discussion 19 A votre santé: To your health!

24 Health & Wellness Matters

THE REGULARS

33 3 4-35 36 3 7-39 39

28 2 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

Parksville Untapped Cheers! Santé! Salut! Proost!

In the Stars Community Events Classifieds At Your Service - Local Businesses Subscribe

LOCALLY OWNED • COMMUNITY INSPIRED

FROM THE PUBLISHER

by Linda Tenney

I February 2012

VOLUME 7 NO 93

The Beacon Magazine is published monthly by EyesOnBC Publishing Main Email: beacon@eyesonbc.com Phone/Fax: 250-757-9914 Mailing Address EyesOnBC Publishing Box 182, Bowser, BC V0R 1G0 Hours: Mon - Fri 10-5 Our Contributors this month: Lisa Verbicky, Nancy Whelan, Rita Levitz, Georgia Nicols, Marilyn Dawson, David Morrison, JoAnne Sales, Carolyn Walton, Phyllis Chubb, Harry Sumner & Miriam Shell, Linda Tenney, Linda Watts

t’s always a ‘winter challenge’ to make sure the magazine hits the streets on time.

Calculating extra hours for power outages, windstorms, and snowstorms is often a shuffle and two-step affair! Spending long hours in front of the computer into the wee hours of the early morning is not unusual, and in this industry it’s expected. But we did it, and in your hands is the last edition of The Beacon Magazine.

“WHAT???” you shriek.

One of the newest features introduced at the end of January is our What’s It Like? feature section under Inspired Stories. What’s It Like? is a series of video documentary shorts, articles and slideshows that profile interesting people, places and things on Vancouver Island. The first of the series launched with an interview with Francois Mongeau, an artist and wood carver based in Errington. It’s just the first of many to come this year. We invite you to view it at www.eyesonbc.com.

The plans for the name change have been in the works for quite a long time. It’s a decision that I know will allow us to take some important ‘growth’ steps in 2012. The magazine will now complement our website at eyesonbc.com, and will take us farther afield on Vancouver Island.

We’re very excited about our plans!

It’s funny how things pull together as we create each edition. With the Parksville Untapped and Uncorked Festival this month, our stories focus on beer - see David Morrison’s article “Parksville Untapped: Cheers! Santé! Salut! Proost! (p28), while Linda Watts article “A Votre Santé” (p19) examines the health benefits of wine, and Lisa Verbicky takes us on the town with her article about what local bars and pubs are doing to entertain us these days. It’s an eclectic mix of perspectives that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

Our website has also expanded tremendously since November, when we quietly re-launched it.

We wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day! See you in March as EyesOnBC Magazine!

Yup…this is the very last one.

Starting in March 2012, we’re re-launching as EyesOnBC Magazine. Same great magazine, just a different name.

On the Web www.eyesonbc.com Subcriptions Canada - from $35 annually incl HST 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.

Linda Tenney Publisher tenney@eyesonbc.com

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, Publisher at beacon@eyesonbc.com

Elizabeth Cudmore Customer Service & Social Media cudmore@eyesonbc.com

The Mid-Island Bluegrass Society is seeking volunteers for the second annual Lighthouse Bluegrass Festival, June 29th, June 30th & July 1st, 2012, held in Qualicum Bay in Lighthouse Country. For more information, call Linda Thorburn 250-7520383 or Sheena 250-757-9991. And, if you have a hankering for a little Bluegrass before that, don’t miss the music at the Pancake Breakfast at the Lighthouse Community Centre on the second Sunday of each month, 8am to noon. Then join the jam held at noon for even more fun and music! For more information visit ... www.lighthousebluegrass.com.

Oceanside Dog Dayz of Winter - A weekend devoted to you and your Dog!!!Meet vendors, sample products, participate in activities, attend information sessions, door prizes, grab bags with samples and coupons and much more! Sat., Feb. 25 10am to 4pm and Sun., Feb. 26 noon to 4pm at the Arrowsmith Hall $2 admission - children free when accompanied by an adult. Free parking. FMI Call 250-607-PETS or online www. dogdayzofwinter.com

FIND US HERE...

We know you’re wondering how to subscribe to the Beacon Magazine.

See page 39 for details.

• on Facebook www.facebook.com/beaconmagazine

Frank Hladik Advertising 951-8824

• on our Website at www.eyesonbc.com • on Twitter www.twitter.com/BeaconMagazine www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 3

the Powerhouse Fitness Club is pleased to announce her latest certification as a Group Fitness Instructor. With this recent certification she will be offering ongoing circuit training classes (Boot Camp) at the Jenny’s Hair Studio is happy to welcome gym and starting in April, Susan will be Kathy Carpenter to the team, she brings teaching low/moderate Aerobics classes to the Salon her smiling face and 17 years for the Regional District of Nanaimo at the experience. For the month of February get Lighthouse Community Hall in Qualicum 15% off your cut and color when you book Bay. If exercise classes are not your thing, an appointment with Kathy. Jenny’s Hair Susan also offers one-on-one fitness training.

Studio is located at 164 Cooper Place in Drop by the Powerhouse Fitness Club and Parksville. Call (250) 586-3933 to book check out the cardiovascular equipment, your next appointment. We wish you much weight machines, free weights and core success, Kathy, and a big welcome to strength equipment. For more information Parksville. on fitness training, gym memberships and Weinberg’s Good Food is a new familyfitness classes you can contact Susan at owned grocery in Buckley Bay at the Petro- The Powerhouse Fitness Club in Magnolia Canada next to the seafood shop. Weinberg’s Court, Bowser or call her at 778-424-3488. offers organic and conventional produce, Congratulations Susan! We wish you much dry goods, local meats and cheeses as well success in 2012. See Susan’s ad on pg 30. as espresso coffee drinks. Owners, Leah and Gerald Weinberg have run an organic Bill and Anna Belle at Rawthentic Eatery buying club for the past four years, sourcing are thrilled with their move to 109 2nd Ave affordable healthy food for their family and across from the ECHO Village Theatre others. The concept for Weinberg’s evolved in Qualicum Beach. For those unfamiliar with their menu, Rawthentic Eatery is from their love of good food and the need gluten-free and celiac-friendly. Their menu, for a local grocery. They also love artisan including all breads and desserts contain no products so expect to see some interesting and beautiful hand-made objects as well! As dairy, wheat or sugar. They are constantly introducing new raw dishes (like Sheppard’s residents of Fanny Bay they are committed Pie) and every Thursday they offer a unique to providing local communities with an affordable, convenient neighbourhood store. international culinary dining experience with a 5-course raw meal! Wanting to For information visit www.weinbergsfood. com or call (778) 427-4004. Congratulations share their passion and knowledge of raw Leah and Gerald. We wish you much success foods, Rawthentic Eatery is now offering beginner and intermediate cooking classes. with your new business venture.

The cost of the course includes instruction, BCRPA Certified Fitness Leader and Weight cooking and the best part, dinner! For more Training Leader, Susan Voerman, from information visit their website at www.

rawthenticeatery.com or call (250) 594-7298.

Congratulations Bill & Anna. We wish you much success!

It’s definitely not too early to keep this upcoming event in mind. PineRidge Farm is hosting a plant sale on Saturday May 19th from 10am-3pm and wants everyone know that if you’re thinning your gardens out this spring and want to participate in the sale, contact Paul at PineRidge Farm at 757-8855 or email to pineridgefarm@me.com. There is no table fee for this event and it’s a great way to see the diversity of plants our community grows in their own backyards.

Betsy and Mac of Bowser Builders’ Supply in Bowser are making several changes to their operation this year, all designed to serve local customers better. The first kicks off in February when they’ll be launching sales of a new full-service paint line giving access to a larger range of paints, stains and coatings. With new computer technology they’ll also offer a colour matching service, and will have the capability to shake five-gallon pails. Mac and Betsy are very excited about these new services and look forward to assisting both D-I-Y’ers and local contractors with their decorating and building needs. Congratulations Betsy & Mac! See their ad on page 11. ~ Anji Jones and Alan Petrie of Sussex Automotive in Parksville have put the finishing touches on their brand new website at www.sussexautomotive.com. Your Jaguar, MG, Triumph, Land Rover, Austin Mini or Rolls Royce/Bentley will love being serviced, repaired or restored by British car specialist, Alan. Visit their new website for more information. See their ad on page 9.

Valentine’s Day Luncheon Wednesday February 8th 2012 12 noon to 3pm Doors open at 11:30am

7035 W. Island Highway, Bowser Door Prizes & Raffles Help support local high school bursary programs

12

$

PER PERSON

MUST BE 19+

Advance Tickets Available Kathleen at 250-757-8282 Bowser Legion Branch 211 Ladies Auxiliary 4 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

MAGAZINE

Same great magazine ... just a different name.

The Beacon Magazine becomes EyesOnBC Magazine on March 1st.

Watch for it!

IN PRINT AND ONLINE WWW.EYESONBC.COM

The Lighthouse Country Business Association (LCBA) is happy to announce that the 2012 LCBA Community Directory (phonebook) will be arriving in your mailbox in late February. This directory is a service provided by the volunteers of the LCBA Board of Directors and funded by its membership and directory advertisers. It is free to the residents of Bowser, Deep Bay, Qualicum Bay, Horne and Spider Lakes (Area H Residents). Use it and enjoy it!

We’d like to acknowledge all of those whose efforts have contributed to this process.

Thank you for your time and contribution to the community. To our members and advertisers, thank you for your support of the LCBA and for your patience. Special mention to the EyesOnBC team for their guidance, expertise and humour ... and ultimately for the end product! Additional thanks to Bon Thorburn, LCBA board member, for the tremendous work he put into this directory. To Margaret Reid for her excellent co-ordination with the directory advertisers, to the “White Pages Team”, Pat McLean, Terri Bowen, Marg MacIntosh, Deanne Kelsberg, Sharon Prizeman, Dayle Driemel, Elizabeth Cudmore, Patti Stubbs, Patty Biro and Margie Grozell who offered their time to update the phone listings.

FEB

LCBA Member Tradeshow - Feb 12, 2012 at the Lighthouse Community Centre “Pancake Breakfast”, 8am to noon. Come and meet local LCBA business members and enter to win a Grand Prize!

MAR LCBA 2012 AGM - March 21 at Arrowsmith Golf & Country Club. Look for further information to follow next month. www.lighthousecountry.ca • lcba@shaw.ca • Betsy @ 757-8442 www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 5

FAREWELL AND THANKS TO DAVE BARTRAM

by Bill Veenhof, Regional Director, Area H

B

ecoming your Director has been an interesting journey and I have met a great many motivated, involved and nice people. Accepting this, I will take this opportunity to recognize and dwell on the accomplishments of one important individual, Dave Bartram.

During his 9-year tenure, our outgoing Area H Director, Dave Bartram has left an exceptional legacy. He has been a strong, dedicated and effective advocate for Area H with the RDN.

poaching and environmental concerns to name a few. He held many meetings with private groups and residents associations on various issues. Dave can rightfully take credit for the new bus service that Area H will begin to enjoy in March of this year.

Perhaps Dave’s most important and lasting legacy will be his advocacy for the shellfish industry and Vancouver

Dave will be the first person to point out that his achievements would not have been possible were it not for the many fine residents of Area H whose interest, cooperation and involvement in the many challenges that face this Area, helped ensure success. It is important to highlight, however that it was Dave’s drive, concern and vision that brought solutions to these challenges.

Dave’s direct intervention on behalf of all the residents has had many positive outcomes. His advocacy on the Board helped ensure that the Lighthouse Community Center enjoyed very significant renovations in the past 6 years. He assisted the Lion’s Club in their outstanding efforts to realize 10 new senior’s housing units. Bow Horn Bay Fire Department has a new truck and the acquisition of Crown Land will allow planning for a Spider Lake Fire Hall to go forward. Our emergency reception centers at the Bowser Legion and the LCC now have necessary emergency generators. Dave has intervened in support of a great many residents with issues outside of RDN jurisdiction to include roads, RR Crossings, ditches, BC Hydro, DFO,

6 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

DAVE BARTRAM • Rita Levitz photo Island University’s selection of Deep Bay for its Shellfish Research Centre.

This will have positive economic consequences in the Area for years to come.

Dave has been a strong advocate of measured, responsible, sustainable and coherent development. As a result, we now have an Area H Official Community Plan and the Bowser Village Center Plan.

He has been an exceptional advocate for Parks and Recreation in Area H. The change he has initiated has benefitted us directly and has made this a better place to live. His engagement in the Recreation Master

Plan helped focus RDN Park’s efforts on Area H and has ensured we benefit from a dedicated Recreation Planner at Magnolia Court. Because of Dave’s work, we now enjoy the new accessible Lighthouse Community Trail. Additionally, we have a very sound plan for the development of the Henry Morgan Community Park and Horne Lake Regional Park. If all this wasn’t enough, we now also have park benches and toilets at some of the more popular beach access sites.

To make all this work and ensure that the residents voices were heard, Dave enabled the formation of the Area H Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee whose outgoing and current members have done an outstanding job and include Michael Proctor, Jose Ann Sequin, Maggie Little, Patty Biro, Barry Ellis and Valerie Weismiller A strong advocate of sustainability, Dave was instrumental in bringing in RDN Drinking Water Watershed Protection Planning and he helped ensure that the RDN Municipalities were part of this function, thereby reducing our parcel tax. Dave also worked on the Zero Waste program that has resulted in much of our garbage being diverted away from the Nanaimo landfill. This program is very important as it helps ensure the landfill remains viable for the next several years, thus saving additional costs.

Dave will tell you that his focus has been to make this a better community in preparation for future generations.

This he has done.

Dave’s last great accomplishment has been to buy a new boat. Now that he is re-retired, he and Joyce plan to catch salmon and cruise this wonderful coast of ours. I wish them both fair winds and following seas.

Many thanks.

Bill Veenhof, Director, Area H

FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR BILL VEENHOF Regional Director, Area H billveenhof.com veenhof@shaw.ca

HELLO TO ALL THE RESIDENTS OF AREA H:

I

t has been less than a month since I was inaugurated as your Area H Director. If I can characterize both this past month and the election period, it has been a tremendous learning process.

I have learned that wonderful and caring people live here in Area H. A great many volunteer for many worthwhile causes. In just one example, the Bowser Legion Ladies Auxiliary produced and delivered in excess of 91 Christmas food hampers through Area H and Fanny Bay. Outstanding work!

I learned that vehicle speeding and road signage is a very big concern to many residents here, particularly along Hwy 19A (Old Island Hwy.) Responding to this, we connected with Pam Shaw, the Chair of the VIU Geography Department. Pam has dedicated a student to collect data this semester to be used the following semester for a senior class project that will have as its final outcome, in April 2013 an achievable Traffic Management Plan. We will work hard to ensure that this process involves cooperative dialogue with the RDN, Area H residents, the RCMP and the Ministry

of Transportation and Infrastructure. In the meantime, we will continue to go after the easily accomplished projects to reduce speed in our village centers.

Finally, a smart man told me if we all slow down to 60 in our village centers, then everyone behind us will need to slow down as well.

I have learned that, Area H will get weekly bus service that will run on Mondays and commence 5 Mar 2012.

The Province will fund 66% of the bussing costs and the remainder will come from the RDN through fares and taxes. This bus service has in its roots an RDN transit study and an Area H transit survey. The survey was widely distributed in 2010 and 328 Area H residents responded with 68% indicating that they were prepared to accept an increase in taxes to support this bus service.

The bus routes and timings will be well promulgated in the next few months.

The service is designed to connect Deep Bay, Bowser and Qualicum Bay with the Ravensong Aquatic Centre, which is a transit hub. Broadly, the bus will depart Deep Bay at 10:00am, make several stops in the Area and arrive at Ravensong at 10:55am. The return trip will depart Ravensong at 3:15pm with final arrival in Deep Bay at 4:10pm.

rea At Ravensong, passengers can transfer to other busses and access the rest of the Regional transit system. It is very important to note that this is a oneyear trial, if we don’t get the necessary ridership, we will lose the service at the end of the year.

I am learning a great deal about the RDN 2012 budget. It is in a formal review process. It is very complex and the Board will scrutinize it closely before we vote on it in the next few months. More on this later as the final details become clear.

The Board has nominated me as a member of several committees and commissions. A great deal of important work takes place on these committees and my membership on these will help me better represent you.

I started this article by saying that I had learned a great deal. If I am going to successfully represent this Area, I will need to continue to learn.

For this reason, and to allow you the opportunity to voice your issues and concerns, I encourage you to contact me with any questions and/ or comments at bill.veenhof@shaw. ca. Additionally, while it is a “work in progress” you can access my web page at billveenhof.com. ~

Stay in touch with Bill Veenhof, your Regional Director for Area H by email: bill.veenhof@shaw.ca, and online at billveenhof.com

www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 7

L

ove is truly a splendid thing. For the very lucky it is all they ever dreamed of or wanted.

For others it seems as if it is always just around the corner….and for others, that corner seems to be planet leagues away. Love seems to arrive when you least expect it. The touch of love is surreal, its magical draw the stuff of fairy tales and dreams. Young or old, tall or short, a mover or a shaker, be you a rebel or one for whom love seems forever just out of reach…..I feel in my heart that for each of us there is that soulmate destined to touch your heart like no one else ever has or ever could. They may not have arrived in your life yet… but they are coming and love will be drawn to your heart as if it was thirsty water.

Michael B Poyntz Qualicum Bay

Under A Poet’s Moon I wait for you under the light of the poet’s moon every day of my life every hour of my journey each minute of my hope each second of my heartbeat I am yours and yours alone every ounce of my blood every pound of my flesh each heartbeat that I am blessed with each sunrise that beckons my soul my life’s purpose is to love you your destiny is my destiny beneath the magic caress of the poet’s moon I am yours …forever I wait for you Irish

I have always known that true love is very different than all other emotions or experiences we encounter in our lives. Valentine’s Day is most certainly the day that many wait to declare their emotions…for those who sit under the Poet Moon...it comes with every sunrise, every second and each heartbeat. Come with me, stand by me…let us linger under the magic of the Poet Moon.

A balanced approach to school life; academics, music, art and outdoor activities - guided and free play time.

Friday, March 9 • 1:00 to 3:00 pm Call for more information or to arrange a classroom visit in our Pre-School or upper grades 8 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

www.morninggloryschool.ca

Parent & Child Program Thursdays 9:30 to 11:30 am

By Carolyn Walton

TRAVEL SAFE: DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO!

1. Photocopy your passport, leave one copy behind with family, take one with you. I was the victim of a robbery on a hotel bus in Cancun. Stupidly I had stuck my birth certificate, driver’s license and credit cards in my cosmetic bag. My beautiful Paris Printemps linen shoulder bag was, unbeknownst to me, slit open on the crowded bus and my cosmetic bag removed. How was I going to return to Canada without ID? Fortunately I had a photocopy of my passport in my suitcase and at that time the Montréal Customs allowed me to use it. I somehow doubt that would happen today.

2. Copy the contact numbers on the back of your credit cards. I’ve always had a fear of an ATM machine swallowing up my credit card and on the island of Cozumel this happened. Needing some cash, I entered my card in a bank machine and it disappeared!

The bank clerk told me to “Come back tomorrow, we clear out all the cards the machine has swallowed then”. I told him I was leaving the island shortly and wouldn’t be available and asked if this occurred often, to which he assured me that it was a regular happening! Back in Canada, when I contacted Scotiabank to report the loss, the clerk asked me why I hadn’t phoned the number on the back of the card to report the loss to which I replied: “But the machine swallowed my card!”

3. Leave expensive jewellery behind. In Rio our hotel landlord warned us to remove all jewellery before venturing out. “But it’s just costume jewellery” I explained. However we did as he suggested and later met a woman who was devastated when she discovered her necklace had been removed from her neck without her knowledge. Ironically we observed that Brazilian women generally wore numerous gold necklaces, earrings and bracelets, obviously without fear of their countrymen.

4. Avoid handbags, fanny packs and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. Carry valuables in a pouch or money belt worn under your clothing. In Nice, France, I was walking in the main square at high noon carrying a backpack with my fanny pack worn in front, when a group of young gypsies swarmed me, holding a newspaper in my face. My cries for a gendarme were of no avail, so I began kicking and finally got rid of them to discover they had actually opened the zipper on my fanny pack but had failed to grab anything. Another time in the old town of Marbella, Spain, I was approached by two men who, obviously having spotted me leaving a jewellery store, held up a map and asked me directions.

Foolishly I began to help them when I realized the tourist office was just around the corner, told them to go there and left quickly.

5. Photocopy plane tickets. I had flown from the Spanish island of Majorca to Madrid and was surrounded by a group of fellow travellers waiting for a ride, my open woven basket on the floor beside me. When I reached my hotel room I discovered that my return ticket to Ottawa, had disappeared from the bag. When I checked with the airline, all they needed was the number on the ticket and wanted me to contact my husband back in Canada to check with the travel agency. No way did I want him to discover my stupidity.

Luckily I recalled I had used my ticket at the airport in Mallorca so they were able to get the number.

Travel questions? Contact me at wordsbywalton@shaw.ca.

BRITISH CAR SPECIALIST

Jaguar • MG • Triumph • Land Rover • Austin Mini • Rolls Royce/Bentley Service • Repair • Restoration SUSSEX AUTOMOTIVE LTD.

5 - 501 Stanford Ave. East, Parksville, BC Check out our new website: www.sussexautomotive.com Call now for an appointment (250) 954-0506

www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 9

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NOMINEES FOR THE 2012 QUALICUM BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY AWARDS New Business of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Courtyard Cafe, Hot ‘n Cool Yoga, & Naked Naturals Whole Foods

Donna Cortis, Gary Statham and Vivian Samson

Outstanding Customer Service Emily Dunsmore of The Source, Lorna Jorgenson of Second Avenue Clearance, and Michelle Brown at Carlson Wagonlit Oceanside Travel Business of the Year Dolly’s Home Hardware, Faye’s Gifts and Memorial Compounding Centre

2011 Citizen of the Year Joyce Beaton, Judy Southern and Lynette Kershaw Coastal Community Credit Union, Lifetime Achievement Award Art Skipsey

TRADE SHOW

Whatever your passion, we have a book about it!

If your passion is birding, well then...we have a huge selection of bird books waiting for good, loving homes. Get ready for the Brant Festival and flock into the store.

Study up on all types of birds.

Quote of the Month

“Self Praise: Something you’re uniquely qualified to give” ~ Anon 114 MIDDLETON AVE PARKSVILLE

250-248-1234

www.fi residebooksparksville.com

Get to know your local businesses and the services they offer

The Lighthouse Country Another reason to come Business Association has over to the pancake breakfast!! 130 member businesses that operate in Lighthouse Country.

Do you know who they are?

The LCBA is sponsoring a FREE mini-trade show to introduce local businesses to the community. The trade show will be held in conjunction with the February pancake breakfast.

DRAW PRIZE: Get your “Vendor Passport” completely stamped at the Show and enter it to win a fabulous Grand Prize FEBRUARY 12 2012 • 8AM TO NOON • LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTRE

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

ANNOUNCING

BOWSER BUILDERS’ SUPPLY now selling    

Paints, stains, coatings for all surfaces 5 gallon mixing and shaking Colour matching technology $5 off one paint product with this ad!

Latest Technology!

Colour Match System!

Bowser Builders - 6887 West Island Highway, Bowser Phone: 250-757-8442 • Email: bowserbuilders@shaw.ca

PARA-SCIENCE: EXPLORATION AND DISCUSSION

by Phyllis Chubb

H

ow long has it been since you were in the flow, concentrating on something that held you spellbound for hours but felt like only minutes? Usually such activities are those that make our hearts sing and may even be a hobby.

Hobby, there’s a word we rarely hear anymore. In the olden days there were even stores that catered to different hobbies such as model building. The models made years ago were of a wide variety: planes, ships, cars, dolly houses, miniatures of all sorts, lapidary, etc. People used their time to be creative and took joy in their work and pride in their skill levels. Today, model making frequently involves gluing together pre-formed plastic parts.

What has contributed to this shift away from personal creativity?

The answer to that question is going to be challenging for some people. The reason for the challenge is that we have all been engaging in something that we didn’t know would hurt us. The answer is similar to smoking. It wasn’t that long ago that everyone smoked and now

we know how dangerous smoking is, not only to our health but to the health of the people around us who we claim to love.

What has taken us away from hobbies and the associated person pride and productivity is television, videos and the computer when used for entertainment. How could this be? Isn’t watching movie after movie, playing game after game, only a choice of how time will be spent? No. It seems these activities re-program our brains.

Side-effects of the re-programing include such things as the inability to concentrate, to sit still, a decline in impulse management and poor memory. When all these things are put together they add up to something we hear very frequently these days: Attention Deficit Disorder or come commonly called ADD. Interestingly ADD is not limited to children many adults are finding that label attached to their employment, relationship and behaviour patterns?

It’s only natural to ask what TV and video games could possibly have to do with a neurological problem?

The fact of the matter is more than 2 hours of TV watching per day can and does restructure neurological patterns. The major structuring takes place in children from the stage of infancy to 3 years of age. The correlation between behavior problems and ADD diagnosis and the amount of TV the child was exposed to is nothing short of appalling.

Research has shown the brain patterns of children and adults who, ‘plug in’ daily (the average is 4 hours per day of TV/video watching) have brain patterns identical to those shown by drug addicts and severe alcoholics. Confirmation of this disturbing fact is pouring in from research centers around the world.

These are harsh but accurate words! Each reader is encouraged to search in Google topics such as: Television and the brain or Brain research and Television. There a world of information is available that needs to be made public.

Again, teaching from the ancients can rectify this damage however the rectification will not be easy.

Taking a few minutes each day to sit without any stimulus, just looking within watching ideas pass like a train, will in time, repair any existing damage.

Starting with 2 or 3 minutes will be more than enough and as person gets more comfortable the time can be extended to 20 minutes or more. The effect of such an activity will be seen in greater inner calm, increased memory, more powerful ability to concentrate and greater impulse control. Once this happens interests in different hobbies may once again become popular and more people may experience the joy of being in the flow.

Phyllis can be contacted through her web site at www.phyllischubb. com or by email at phyllis@phyllischubb.com

12 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

IS THERE TRULY A CANADIAN PALE ALE? (NC)—Is “Canadian pale ale” creeping into our brewing vocabulary?

3.5” x 2,25”

While pale ales’ inherent bitterness (or “hoppiness”) can be an acquired taste, their popularity is unquestionably rising. Pale ales Pale ales trace their roots back to the early are a particular favourite amongst the hard18th century in England. Historically, these core devotees known as “hop heads”, who beers were copper-coloured with sweet malt crave their IBUs (international bitterness notes and a moderate bitterness. Jump ahead units) in every pint. to the early 1980s, and a new twist on the More recently, a Canadian take on the pale classic pale ale emerged on the U.S. west ale has emerged in the great white north, coast, brewed with potent cascade hops. when Mill Street Brewery introduced This hopped up version, which challenged Tankhouse ale in 2003. Mill Street the light beer norm, was subsequently brewmaster Joel Manning says “Tankhouse dubbed “American pale ale”.

Deja-Vu Decor

ale doesn’t fit into any classical style. It’s not as malty as British brown ale and it’s not as aggressively hopped as American pale ale. Brewed with five different malts and cascade hops, its complex malty texture are balanced by a snappy bitterness, making it highly drinkable in relation to its west coast cousins.”

Expect a Canadian pale ale to have punched up roastiness and maltiness: the perfect pint to enjoy during our long winter nights. ~

Initial Proof

CARING FOR SEEDLINGS

store bought products which will say on the bag that contents are sterile. Often, they use sphagnum moss, vermiculite, and perlite in them.

by Harry Sumner & Miriam Shell Q: Last year we thought we’d try starting plants from seed in January. After the excitement of seeing our seedlings sprout, we faced the disappointment of them falling over and rotting. What were we doing wrong?

A: Good for you for your efforts and intentions and I encourage you to keep trying. Just consider what happened to you part of your learning experience. It’s a well-known gardening phenomenon called damping off caused by a variety of nasty fungi with names like Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia. They are found in all garden soil, living comfortably in the top layer.

Unfortunately for us, they come to life with moisture and heat, precisely the same conditions our seedlings need.

Luckily, there are things we gardeners can do to protect plants from these harmful fungi. The most common antidote is to ensure that both the pots and the growing medium you use are sterilized. There are

th eb 4 ay, F d r u Sat

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plants, it contains anti-fungal properties.

One of the best methods is to be using compost tea, first to soak your soil in, then to water with (from below). Compost tea contains aerobic bacteria and friendly fungi that protect the plant and fight the nasty fungi.

Industrious people who like doing things themselves can sterilize both pots and soil using a weak hydrogen peroxide solution of 10 ml H2O2 to 1 litre of water. Soak the clean pots in the solution for five minutes, then rinse and dry them. The soil mix should also be soaked for five minutes, drained, and then rinsed with fresh water followed by air drying.

Don’t forget other important factors like light and temperature when raising seedlings. Soil temperature can be critical.

Most flower and vegetable seeds germinate rapidly at 24°-27°C., however some prefer cooler soils. Check seed packets for any specific temperature needs. Some gardeners control temperatures of the germinating medium more precisely by placing the containers on top of thermostaticallycontrolled heating mats.

Once seedlings are growing, to help prevent new fungi spores from damaging them, try these few ideas. Because spores need moisture at the surface of the soil to establish themselves, always water from the bottom, putting the water slowly into the trays the pots sit on. Check a little while after you’ve watered, so that you don’t leave standing water, and use a fan to keeps the surface humidity down by circulating air.

Once sprouted, seedlings should never get too hot or too cold. Ideally, keep the air between 18°C and 25°C. Young plants need a good amount of light, but not too much direct sunlight since they are delicate. Also, if there are cold snaps and frosts at night, seedlings will need protecting. For more comprehensive information, one helpful site is http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/cepublications/ pnw0170/pnw0170.pdf.

Some people prevent new spores from taking hold by watering with a garlic infused solution, or to mist with a strong, cooled chamomile tea. Although it will dampen the

Harry Sumner is a certified arborist & garden coach. Gardening questions are welcome at 250-248-4512 or shellms@telus. net.

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14 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

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STARGAZING: WINTER NIGHTS ON THE REALLY BIG SCREEN

by Nancy Whelan “Why did not somebody teach me the constellations and make me at home in the starry heavens, which are always overhead, and which I don’t half know to this day?”

So said Scottish born, 19th century writer Thomas Carlyle.

True enough, the couch, the fire, and the remote in hand, are more comfortable on a damp and dreary night. But when the skies are clear, try putting them all aside to let the truly big screen and unlimited channels bring you some genuine stars – ones with constant high ratings that won’t fade and be replaced in our lifetime. Try stargazing instead of channel surfing.

Once we get over its chilly aspect and accept the easy preparations for this healthy outdoor activity, we may find stargazing a worthwhile investment of our time and a whetstone for our curiosity. Being able to identify and call even a few stars by name can only increase our sense of wonder and admiration for those universes far beyond our own meager circle.

It’s an activity that may even startle the blasé youngsters of the family, but once

intrigued they will remember nights of family stargazing as some of the best; and besides the lore behind the star, think of the competition involved! “Who can find Betelgeuse?”

The basic requirements for winter stargazing are comfortable chairs (reclining are best), a flashlight, a simple star chart, a pair of binoculars, and maybe a thermos of hot chocolate. Then bundle

up, for clear winter nights are usually cold; find your best view of the heavens away from intruding earthly light and start looking critically at the show overhead. (A tip: After using the flashlight to look at your book or star chart, close your eyes for a minute to re-adjust them to darkness before searching again for the stars.)

continued next page

www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 15

THROUGH THE SEASONS - CONTINUED With the zillions of stars up there for our gazing, it would be almost impossible to remember the main ones’ particular names were it not for their helpful arrangements. Stars, like us, hang out in groups - these groups are known as constellations and each constellation was given a form and a name by the ancient peoples who strove to understand the designs of the night sky as well as their own place in the universe. Along with its shape, each constellation was given a myth or a story - a kind of plot line to connect it with people’s own history.

Some things about the stars we already know; we can find the Milky Way or Galaxy – those myriad faint stars seen as a huge, irregular band of hazy light across the sky; we can usually pick out the Big and Little Dippers within their constellations. We’ve probably learned that stars are really hot suns, so far from Earth that they appear cold. What else?

Each constellation has an Alpha star – one bigger and brighter than the others, and once we can pick out the constellation by its shape, we can look for that star, always in the same position within the constellation, and learn its name. True, on first glance, a skyful of stars may look hopelessly confusing. This is where imagination comes in, for us, as it did for the ancients; they drew imaginary lines between certain stars to develop a shape that would fit their stories. We can learn to do the same.

The stars seen in the night sky of the Northern Hemisphere are not visible to people in the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa.

Some stars in our sky seem to have been put there just to keep us

16 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

on the right track; for centuries travellers and sailors on Earth’s top half have plotted their courses by the Polestar or the North Star as its often called.

If we can find the Dippers we have it made; follow in a straight line, the two stars forming the outer side of the Big Dipper’s bowl and the next bright star will be the Polestar, which just happens to also be the last star in the handle of the Little Dipper. And if you look at the position of the two Dippers you will see that the Little Dipper seems to be “pouring” into the Big Dipper.

Before leaving you to your own investigations of the stars’ secrets, there is one other magnificent constellation that seems to almost take possession of the sky in January, February, and March. This is Orion, the great hunter, with the stars of his belt and sword that make finding him so easy. Once you find those, you’ll see the bright stars outlining his shoulders and feet. That brightest one at his right shoulder (to the left, as you’re looking at it) is the young giant of a star, Betelgeuse; the bright one at his left foot is Rigel (only 550 light years away, and giving off the light equal to seventeen thousand of our suns!)

We can judge something of the age of our heavenly stars by their colour: young stars appear huge from their reddish-shining gases; when older, they’re more condensed and yellowish; then they condense even more and shine white or blue. Once on the decline they show their colours in the reverse order.

Yes, there’s a whole new world of wonder, curiosity, research, and knowledge awaiting us in the winter’s night skies. Cool, man! ~

CREATIVE WAYS LOCAL PUBS ARE KEEPING CUSTOMERS

by Lisa Verbicky

D

arts and pop, doesn’t sound like all that thrilling of a night out on the town.

Kind of a mash up of a violent grade school birthday party – I’ve always wondered at the foresight in having a dart board in a room full of inebriated individuals. May as well stick a target on your beer buddy’s behind.

While, Liverpool, UK just recently opened its first alcohol-free pub, The Brink, in an effort to accommodate the recovery process of alcoholics, I think there must be a happy medium in there somewhere for the rest of us. Here in BC, where drinking and driving legislation set the blood alcohol limit at .05 per cent in September 2010, pubs, bars and restaurants across the province are zoning in on the perfect recipe for food, drink and fun for customers wondering, “What now?”

Locally, some of our favorite haunts have been adjusting to the new laws, bouncing back on trends towards music, games (that don’t necessarily involve gruesome injuries), atmosphere, and quality food and drinks.

“At first, our numbers went down, but, not dramatically,” says Ashley Martz, Assistant Bar Manager at the Crown & Anchor Roadhouse Pub on the Island Highway in Qualicum Bay. “People are coming in for one drink, so we’ve had to think a little about how to adapt, make some positive changes to our menu and atmosphere.”

Although the pub managed to squeak by without any layoffs, the impact of the new law was enough to spur a few creative ways of entertaining more customers, literally.

The pub now hosts a variety of music events throughout the week including Thursday Night Blue Grass, Friday Night Rock, Karaoke every other Saturday, a Sunday Big Country Jam from 3-7 p.m., and the latest addition - a Tuesday Night “Hootenanny”.

For those of us either too old or too young to know what it is, a “Hootenanny” is a callback to the 1960’s folk music gathering where people would sing folk songs and tell stories about them, says organizer, Dave Marco.

“The focus is really all about the music,” says Marco.

The turnout, he says, has been growing, attracting young musicians from the guitar school, older musicians, and music lovers in general.

“It’s more of a coffee house atmosphere, where people come in for a bite to eat and to hear some great folk music.”

And if they feel so inclined, he says, they’re welcome to get up and tap the tambourine or play drums.

“It think the idea of going out has changed somewhat,” says Marco. “People are not so much out to get drunk, but to be social and find some good entertainment.”

For those that do go over the new limit, Martz says that they will always do their best to arrange a ride home for their customers.

“We’re a small town pub and we’re a tight knit family out here, so we look after our customers to make sure they are not over-served and that they are getting home safely.”

Along with changes to the menu, the Crown & Anchor’s new entertainment roster is starting to pay off, slowly but surely, says Martz. “You have to think about how you’re continued on page 25

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OUT OF THE NEST

MARKED THE SPOT

Dylan Wilks

By Rita Levitz

W

hat does it take to discover who you are? Who you can be?

What you CAN do, and what you WILL do? Sometimes the journey is shaped by nudges in one direction or another; sometimes the shifts are seismic. “I have changed more in the last year than in the previous twenty-eight years of my life, and that included some pretty monumental moments,” says Dylan Wilks (BES, QBMS, KSS 2000).

As one of the main organizers this November for the phenomenally successful TEDxVictoria, Dylan placed himself and others directly in the path of “Ideas Worth Spreading,” ones that stimulate dialogue and spark deep conversation and connections. However, the road to that point in time was not without its bumps.

“After graduating from KSS, I was diagnosed with a kidney disease and spent a couple years in and out of hospital. I eventually realized was that I was letting myself be sick, and that the mental aspect of getting better—strength of will and character—is equally if not more important than the actual medical treatment for getting healthy. When I had that epiphany, I got better.”

“I took a bartending course at Malaspina and spent the subsequent six years working my way up from dishwasher to Sous Chef, training staff and managing a restaurant.” There was a problem though. “I hated it.”

A spinal injury ended Dylan’s restaurant career, but now a new set of challenges lay before him. “I made the decision that there was 18 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

Dylan Wilks and his sister, Jana • submitted photo no way I would let this beat me. My injury does not define me, though it did contribute to making me the person I am now.”

In the Fall of 2010 Dylan entered the Applied Communication Program (ACP) at Camosun College in Victoria. He is Editor of Camosun’s student newspaper “Nexus” and a main organizer of TEDxVictoria.

“One of my biggest motivations for TEDxVictoria was that I’d never really done anything for Victoria. Now we’ve created an annual event that’s a massive exercise in positivity and change for the city.

It was a year-long process, with huge technical and communications requirements. Everything I’d done up until then, all the managing and coordinating skills I’d learned in the restaurant industry, all the media skills I’d refined in my program, it was all relevant.”

“I believe in what I do now. My core values have shifted, giving me a clarity, focus, and ambition that was up to this point dormant. I make sure that what I do has some kind of value outside of what I get from it—‘radical self-interest.’ I pick projects that have something I want out of them, skill-building or contacts or networking or whatever. But I also pick projects that benefit others, so that in serving myself I am also serving my community.”

“I used to settle for doing very little; now I aspire to do better, not just for me, but for the people in my life. I want to change the world. And I’m going to.” ~ Interested in TedTalks? Visit www.ted.com or check out their free mobile app for your iPad, iPhone or iPod.

À VOTRE SANTÉ! : TO YOUR HEALTH

by Linda Watts, Registered Nutritionist

I

n France, a common expression when toasting loved ones is: À votre santé!

Translated, this means: To your health! And it turns out that research is revealing that moderate drinking may improve our well being. In fact, people who drink alcoholic beverages moderately have a much lower risk of heart attacks and strokes than those who abstain or abuse it.

The key to deriving the positive health effects of wine and other alcoholic beverages is not over-imbibing. Excessive drinking increases our risk of coronary heart disease.

Studies that focus on alcohol consumption and health show that it doesn’t matter what type of beverage contains the alcohol. It appears alcohol itself provides the majority of the cardio-protection by favourably influencing our blood cholesterol – which prevents plaque from clogging our arteries – and providing an anti-coagulant effect that reduces the likelihood of blood clots.

Wine, particularly red wine, may provide additional benefits because of polyphenolic compounds that are concentrated in grape skins. While both red and white wines contain phenolic compounds, they’re more abundant in reds since these wines are made with the skins.

“So far over 200 polyphenolic compounds have been identified in red wine and many act as antioxidants,” says Iain Philip, the senior wine instructor at the Art Institute of Vancouver and part-owner of Barbariain Wine Consulting.

“One compound getting most of the attention is resveratrol, which appears to have a positive effect on cardiovascular health. But researchers aren’t clear whether

19 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

In Canada, moderate drinking is defined as 1 to 2 standard drinks daily with a maximum weekly total of 9 and 14 drinks for women and men, respectively. A standard drink is 12 ounces of beer at 5 per cent alcohol by volume (abv), 1.5 ounces of spirits at 40 per cent abv, or 5 ounces of wine at 12 per cent abv. A wine that’s higher than 12 per cent abv will provide more than a standard drink in each glass. it’s the individual components in wine that provide the health benefits or if it’s how all the different compounds work together.”

But do these studies looking at wine and health take into consideration other factors that improve our physical well being? Wine drinkers are usually from higher socialeconomic classes and have access to good medical care, not to mention healthier lifestyle choices. Drinking wine won’t impart the same benefits if we aren’t eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and exercising regularly.

Our drinking pattern matters as much as the volume we consume. If we drink, we should have a little on a regular basis and not save up our weekly total for the weekend.

If you don’t drink alcohol now, don’t start because of possible heart health benefits. For a variety of reasons, some of us shouldn’t go near the stuff. But if you do like a beer or glass of wine, relax and enjoy yourself being mindful not to over-indulge.

Linda Watts is a registered dietitian living on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Email questions or comments to wattslin@ gmail.com

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22 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

THE SENSITIVE SUBJECT OF MYTH AND RELIGION

By Joanne Sales

S

ome topics of conversation upset us because they threaten our comfort zone; others threaten our pocketbooks. The most inflammatory and sensitive topics are those that appear to threaten our souls.

As a teenager, I read etiquette books (honest!) that clearly stated: “At a dinner party, don’t talk about politics or religion.” Both need a safe forum for discussion.

Well, one of our local newspapers recently became the unlikely forum for a debate through Letters to the Editor on the topics of religion, myths and stories, Truth vs. make-believe. I will use no names.

It started with a column from the Jungian psychology perspective about the significance of myths and stories. Our personal and collective myths inspire our dreams and become the guidelines for our thoughts and behavior. In this sense, the Christmas story could be seen as a myth. (Don’t panic! Read on.)

In response to that column, one Christian gentleman wrote a letter refuting what he considered to be disparaging comments about God, Christianity and Christmas. Then another gentleman replied that Christmas is just a story, and God-in-heaven is make-believe because there is no proof.

Oh my. These were short letters but powerful statements of opposing positions in our society. I’m glad it wasn’t a dinner party.

Many of us are old enough to remember a time when being Christian meant being loving, forgiving, helping the poor and needy. In my continued next page

continued from previous page childhood church, there was no attacking of the sinners “out there.” Everyone was invited to coffee hour. There were no bad guys; only stories of love, forgiveness and inclusion. Come on in! We love you!

The world has become a more fearful place in the past three decades, by accident or design. When we feel threatened or attacked, like cornered animals in the barn, we become more uptight, defensive and aggressive. In addition, I don’t know if feral cats become dogmatic, but humans do.

There is a rise of fundamentalism in every religion today. The West feels threatened by fundamentalist Islamic sects. Many of us also feel threatened by fundamentalist Christian sects, and rightfully so. Some preachers would consider me to be a voice of the devil - even though I love the radical Jesus that taught forgiveness, love your enemies, judge not, and the Kingdom of Heaven is within you. There have even been death threats coming from the pulpit of right-wing extremist churches.

(What?)

So what does an extreme create? It creates the opposite extreme!

In the past, few people bothered to call themselves atheists. They were agnostic or nothing. It just wasn’t an issue. Today, many call themselves atheists. Unfortunately, most atheists take their position in reaction to the beliefs of the most angry, judgmental, narrow-minded preachers and spokespersons. Many have not had exposure to the profound Mystics and the loving open minds and hearts of saints, either in history or in the back rows of churches, temples and mosques. So I might also agree with the atheists. “You know that God you don’t believe in? Well, I don’t believe in that God either.”

religion – the call for generosity, compassion, justice, tolerance and humility. But errors of smug overconfidence are like an epidemic in modern society, and the errors overflow into wars, environmental destruction, and devastating injustices that have nothing to do with religion.

We’re always wrong when we think we have it all figured out. Newtonian physics thought that too, and now quantum physics has actually gone deep enough into matter and time to realize how little we know. We stand before a Great Mystery of consciousness, life and Being. We don’t know how life works or why.

Is someone else’s religion or “mythology” true or untrue?

Neither. They are fingers pointing to the moon. They are not the moon. A good dose of humility would be great for all of us. Nobody knows the Unknown. The Mystery remains.

None of us can say, “I know what is true and you don’t.” It would be wiser to say, “I sense something true, and I will live by it.”

My real gripe is with the etiquette books. We DO need to talk about these topics, not to defend our positions, but to reveal our common humanity and mutual good intentions.

Joanne Sales is an organic blueberry farmer, practitioner of EFT and BodyTalk. www.islandhealing.ca. joanne@ glasswing.com

Meanwhile, the vast majority of religious and atheist folks would prefer to live by the tenets of their beliefs without taking positions of battle at the great global dinner party. But sometimes, something or someone will upset us - which brings us back to the Letters to the Editor.

The “non-believer” argued that the stories of religion are makebelieve, as there is no proof. This is a tremendous leap of faith he is making here. Just because something cannot be proved, does not mean that it is not true or real.

“Myths” and stories are not true or false in the conventional sense. They are humanity’s attempt to put into words that which is beyond words, to express with language what words cannot express. While we may err in taking stories too literally, it is also an error to think that they are meaningless, false or makebelieve.

The purpose of these “myths” is not to comfort the simpleminded but to communicate that which is beyond the grasp of our language and intellect. Their purpose is to give a form to the Formless, and to point in the direction of the Unknown so that we can eventually have personal experience and relationship on a very profound level.

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Our writer legitimately points to the problems of religious overconfidence, literal or misinterpretations, and zealous judgment that leads to witch hunts, KKK, crusades and wars.

Such violence ignores the vital messages at the core of every www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 23

HEART HEALTH

by Alison Kells B.S.P. Nanoose Medicine Centre Pharmacy

W

hat is cardiovascular disease and what can I do to prevent it? This is a frequently asked question in community pharmacy practice. This article will help to explain more about this common medical condition.

It’s important to know your TRU blood pressure!

Bp TRU is an automated, non-invasive blood pressure and pulse monitoring system with accurate results considered second only to wearing a 24-hour blood pressure monitor. A series of 6 readings are taken at 2-minute intervals – the first reading is discarded and the final 5 readings are averaged to give a clear picture of your “TRU” blood pressure.

Medicine Centre offers a computer enhanced program to record and save your readings, with printouts available to take to your physician.

Call us today, or stop by, to find out more about this valuable free service

Cardiovascular disease, also know as heart disease, is a broad term used to describe a range of diseases that affect your heart or blood vessels. The group of diseases that fall under this umbrella include coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure and stroke.

It is important to stay informed about issues surrounding cardiovascular disease because there are many different diseases that fall under the category of cardiovascular disease, and they are often related to preventable risk factors. Lifestyle factors that are closely related to having heart disease include an unhealthy diet, being overweight, smoking, and lack of exercise.

Risk factors are divided into two different groups. The factors that you can’t do much about are age, gender, family history, ethnicity, and history of a previous stroke or heart attack. It is best not to be too concerned about these risk factors since there isn’t much that you can do to change them. It is more important to focus your energy on the risk factors that you can do something about.

These include: keeping cholesterol and blood pressure in the recommended range, controlling diabetes, getting adequate exercise, achieving recommended weight, lowering alcohol, quitting smoking, and decreasing stress.

It is very important to be proactive with regards to preventing heart disease. Besides leading a healthy lifestyle, it is also important to see your doctor regularly and get the appropriate screening tests. It is very difficult to know if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol unless you get it tested. Regular screening can let you know where you stand which will guide you into taking any necessary action.

• Cardiovascular disease is the number one worldwide killer of both men and women. It is responsible for more deaths than all forms of cancer combined.

• The risk of dying of a heart attack or stroke doubles every 20mmHg increase in systolic, or 10mmHg in diastolic blood pressure.

• Find out what your blood pressure is by using a BpTRU computerized blood pressure monitor at your local Medicine Centre. You can take a print-out to your physician for review. ~

24 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

continued from page 17

going to survive, and look at this as an opportunity to engage the customer and the community.”

For more information on entertainment at the Crown & Anchor Roadhouse Pub visit them on Facebook or call 250-757-9444.

At The Shady Waterfront Restaurant & Pub in Qualicum Beach, this has meant developing a low-alcohol beverage menu featuring soft ciders, non-alcoholic beer, and a 1/2 ounce cocktail list, along with a niche menu featuring locally and ethically sourced items such as seafood, potatoes, cheese, and pork.

“With less focus on the drinking, people are starting to ask themselves what it is they are going out to do,” says Manager, Holly Goodwin.

If they are hitting the Shady Rest, patrons can play Music Trivia on Friday nights from 7-10 p.m., catch a local band on Saturdays 7-10 p.m., or enjoy some exquisite crooning by local Jazz pianist and vocalist Gary Hodi and Jazz vocalist Rosalee Sullivan on Wednesday nights this February.

“Jazz Night has been successful right from the start,” says Sullivan. “The Shady Rest has developed quite an entertainment bank, and it is wonderful for all of our local musicians to have a venue.”

The focus on going out is shifting a bit, says Sullivan, with people wanting more bang for their buck with dinner, a glass of wine and some entertainment.

For more information on entertainment at The Shady Rest Pub, located at 3109 West Island Highway in Qualicum Beach, visit

www.shadyrest.ca, email, info@shadyrest. ca, or call 250-752-9111.

According to Russ Mosher, General Manager of the French Creek Marine Pub, it’s time to move forward now that the law is in effect, but, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s making dramatic changes to the casual atmosphere, solid pub fare, and boisterous sports nights the primarily middle-aged locals have grown to love.

instead to evenings, and choosing more often to stay put at their local pub rather than to do the old pub crawl. This means, he says, pub owners are seeing a more loyal evening following that may not want to embrace major changes to decor, menu, and hours of operation etc.

“We like people to be able to come down after work in their jeans or even their work boots,” says Mosher.

“Yeah, we saw a drop in business of about six per cent after the new laws went into effect. But, we have climbed back up slowly,” says Mosher. “People have come back but they’ve changed their drinking ways,” says Mosher. “We’re just making a few tweaks here and there.”

For now the French Creek Marine Pub is sticking with what works while adding some local entertainment such as acoustic guitar, more later-evening digital music selections for younger pub goers, as well as a few cosmetic repairs to keep the bar clean, comfortable and attractive to its customers.

The changes, says Mosher, include a trend away from drinking several glasses of cheaper draft beer to splurging on a bottle of import.

Mosher has also put ownership on its staff to bring in the crowds offering incentives to those that bring in the most customers using business cards with $3 discounts on pub fare on the back. The French Creek Marine Pub is located at 1025 Lee Rd., #1, Parksville, V9P 2E1. For more information call 250-2483713.

“People are now switching their focus from quantity to quality.”

Mosher is also seeing an increase in consumption by customers who have a safe ride home.

As one article by writer David Jordan in BC Business Online stated “It’s not the drinking that is the problem, it’s the driving.” People need to make sure they have a ride home.

In general people are being more responsible for getting themselves home, says Mosher, who saw only three people utilize a safe ride home provided by the pub at last year’s Super Bowl Night.

According to a July 11, 2011 article on cbc. ca, many of the establishments that were initially lobbying against the new legislation have now turned their energy into adapting their businesses. The legislation, said BC Restaurant and Food Association president, Ian Tostenson, is saving lives and it is time to adapt and become part of the solution. For the customer, it means we can get out, have fun, get home, and respect ourselves in the morning. ~

According to Mosher, afternoon pub-goers are all but a thing of the past, switching

Phone: 250-757-8944 Fax: 250-757-8654

Open daily 8am to 8pm www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 25

MEET THE 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.

WILLIAM BECKINGHAM My name is William Beckingham and I am a 17 year old high school student, soccer player and swimmer. I enjoy sports and reading humorous books. I am in my senior year at Kwalikum Secondary and I am heavily loaded with sciences and maths. After secondary school I plan on going to Simon Fraser University and studying business and political sciences, and in the future possibly law school. Just remember to not look back and give it all you’ve got.

BRETT BINNERSLEY My name is Brett Binnersley, and I am a 17 year old student in my senior year at KSS. I’m a soccer player, playing on the high school and community teams. In school I’ve taken chemistry, physics and biology all at the grade 11 and 12 level, and have achieved straight A’s since the sixth grade. I program video games as a hobby, and I plan to attend UVIC after graduation to study computer science. “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”- Mahatma Gandhi

NATASHA NAGRA Kwalikum Secondary School has tought me many things and now I plan to continue my education at either VIU, or UVIC after I graduate from KSS. I was able to explore some of my hobbies, such as sewing and sports, which I will continue doing. I am not one hundred percent sure what I want to study at university, but I’m sure that I will be successful and happy in whatever I choose.

CONALL SPENCER My name is Conall Spencer. I have lived in Qualicum Beach my entire life, and I am excited to move on and see a little bit more of the world. I have pushed myself to try and maintain an A average in my school up till now, and my plans are to go to VIU or UVIC to get a degree in political science or history.

CHRISTINA CLEVELAND I am Christina Cleveland and am currently in my senior year at Kwalikum Secondary School. KSS has a great working environment and the interesting subjects and phenomenal teachers here have inspired me JAKE OLSEN Next year I plan on attending to do my best in everything that I get the the University of Victoria or the University of opportunity to do. This has been reflected in my British Columbia, to enter the Peter B. high grades and past achievements. I plan on Gustavson, or the Sauder School of Business. I continuing with this mind set into college or hope to one day manage a company in a big university in the science and medical fields I city, hopefully Vancouver. That being said, I want to pursue.

“The more that you read, the more things you will will miss my time in the humble little town of know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Qualicum Beach, and all of the great people, Seuss especially the volunteers and coaches who have shaped me into who I am today.

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

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Email: Lbbookkeeping@rocketmail.com 26 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

Qualicum Beach Town Hall • Linda Tenney photo

By Marilyn Dawson, Reporter

J

udging from the size of the crowd, it looked like the first meeting of the year would be long and ugly, but a short agenda and some serious issues from delegations set the tone of the evening. Garry Young, a Chartwell resident, asked Council to rewrite the Animal Control Bylaw to allow bylaw officers the right to seize a dog which has attacked someone and make the owner responsible for all Town costs. Mr. Young’s wife Suzette and their dog Tobi were viciously attacked by two mixed-breed dogs last November when they were out walking.

Both are still recovering. He commended Mayor Teunis Westbroek and CFO John Marsh for their immediate help but realized the Town had no mechanism to pick up the animals immediately, giving the owner time to go into hiding. He asked Council to revise the bylaw which could then be presented to the Union of B.C, Municipalities and the Province.

A secure sustainable water supply was the focus of the next speaker, Trevor Wicks, head of Trentec Innovations Ltd., who asked the town in a wide-ranging talk to open a discussion on the subject, and particularly to work on a water source protection strategy over the next 12 months. He pointed out

that town water coming from two areas, the Berwick and Little Qualicum wells, is in good shape, but it can be affected by events in the huge area around the town.

Our watersheds are open to many kinds of incidents -- chemical spills and tanker truck accidents, he said. For example, if there was a fire way upstream on the Little Qualicum that required lots of fire retardant, that would have an impact on the town’s water supply and render it undrinkable.

He also asked for a thorough discussion on adapting a highly technical and expensive system that requires electricity (the RDNNanoose-Parksville project) versus a gravity feed system that he favors. “It’s about working with nature. The Romans found it worked and the Mayans had systems built 1,000 years ago that still work today.”

Carol Dowe brought with her a large group of seniors who wanted action on the timing of the light at Fern and Memorial, an issue that has been discussed at previous meetings before an elderly man was knocked down by a left-turning car in December. This particular area is a busy one for seniors who frequent the Senior Centre on one corner and the drug store diagonally across from it. There are also senior residences just up

the street off Memorial. She suggested a longer time to cross, a four-way stop and, until these changes are made, use flaggers (possibly KSS students) at lunch time to direct traffic.

As is the custom, Council listened but made no immediate decision to any of the requests. A last-minute delegate, Town Freeman Anne Klees had a stern message for Council over the post-election wrangling.

“I have never seen a council like this. We are ashamed of what’s happening. We are losing our good name as a town, ”she said to applause, but also some shouts of “ridiculous” and “sit down”.

At the end of the short Council meeting, the Mayor, who had already apologized for his missteps, told the crowd all of Council has agreed to work together to improve their relationships. “I will try by doing my best.”

It’s time to move on.

Ed. Note: Marilyn Dawson has decided to ‘move on’ as well. She’ll be retiring from writing for The Beacon to spend some quality time pursuing personal interests.

We’ll miss you Marilyn, and you’ll always be welcomed back.

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submitted photo

Cheers! Santé! Salut! Proost!

by David Morrison

“W

ithout question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.” – Dave Barry Like the amusing Mr. Barry, I am rather fond of beer. Oh, yes indeed, I love me some beer! I will admit there have been times when my approach to the consumption of said beverage was as basic as that of, say, Homer Simpson, but these middle-aged days my appreciation is considerably more cultured. Yes, for this former debauchee it is now all about sapidity, nose, body and finish, don’t you know, rather than how many barrels of suds I can guzzle, and how quickly.

It is also about the joy experienced in exploring the steadily swelling range of delicious offerings available from the fertile imaginations of brewers in the Pacific 28 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

Northwest. In recent years there has been a growing trend for beers that on paper are both completely crazy and an ale purist’s worst nightmare, but I think pushing the envelope in this way is great fun! So while I will likely always favour the traditional - a hop-loaded Indian Pale Ale, a hearty stout or a crisp, ice-cold Pilsner - bring on those tangerine and chocolate mint-flavoured brews, I say! I’ll try them all! In the realms of life’s great and simple pleasures variety should always be the spice of life, so I applaud experimentation in the production of alcoholic beverages just as I do in any branch of the culinary arts.

Hey, did I mention that I like beer? I like it so much, in fact, that drinking it is simply not enough. So to quench my thirst further I also read about it. For the curious I can recommend Nicholas Pashley’s riotously funny, though educational Notes on a Beermat: Drinking and Why It’s Necessary,

and Cheers! An Intemperate History of Beer in Canada, just for starters. Then there is also a pretty comprehensive overview of local brews in the form of Comox Valley resident Leo Buijs’ Beers of British Columbia. A self-published, labour-of-love guide to, well, the clue is in the title, Buijs’ splendid book is serving as a personal checklist as I taste my way slowly through the many fine microbrews produced on Vancouver Island and around the province.

To this end, what better way could there be to continue, or indeed begin, an appreciation of the wonderful local products detailed in Beers of British Columbia than to attend an event where a feast of the featured breweries will be gathered? This will be the case at Parksville Untapped, hosted by The Beach

continued on pg 31

Genealogy – Finding your Roots

by Kathy Jones

G

enealogy – does the name make you think of an advanced university course that is dry as dust? The Merriam Webster dictionary defines Genealogy as (a) an account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms; (b) regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor or older form; or my personal favourite, (c) an account of the origin and historical development of something. And, yes, that would be enough to make you decide to forget about genealogy, wouldn`t it?

Rather than thinking of genealogy, think of family history, as genealogy is the study of your family history. At some stage in your life there will be that “something” to spark your interest in researching your family history. It may be just the curiosity to know who your ancestors were or perhaps it is the stories you heard as a child during family gatherings. It may be that one mysterious ancestor that you had heard of over and over but it was all speculation and he or she became larger than life in your imagination.

And it is now time to find out who that person was and why was he or she so mysterious.

Family history can be a life-changing experience. Learning about your ancestors can bring perspective and understanding to your own life. You are not only searching for your ancestors, but the history of your family and the history of the country they came from and the country you now live in. There probably won’t be royalty in your family but it will be the people and their history you find on your research journey that form the basis of what you are today.

Do you have a love of gardening? You may find an ancestor that was a Master Gardener!

Does the sea speak to you? There may be that elusive “Captain” in your family. Each of your ancestors is a part of what you are today and by finding these ancestors you will have a better understanding of who you are.

My goal to find my family history began with my paternal great grandfather. I didn’t know anything other than a romanticized story about a sea captain who was either lost at sea or drowned at sea and we were

perhaps of Dutch descent. None of that was true, of course, but the steps to find the elusive Captain began my fascination with family history. He wasn’t lost at sea or drowned at sea, but was a very respectable English Merchant Marine Captain who died at the ripe old age of 89! The trail to find the Captain took me from sitting in front of my computer searching the internet to joining a family history society and finally travelling to Cornwall to find my roots and long-lost relatives. Never did I expect to gain this much joy from the simple beginnings of wondering who “the Captain” was!

We had a fairly unusual name and I can remember as a child my father and mother packing the family into a very small 1949 Austin, for our annual two-week holiday.

Every time we arrived in a new city or small town my father would find the nearest phone booth and check the phone book to see if there were any listings of people with our name. No, he never found anyone, but if he were alive today, he would be thrilled to find that, as a result of my family history research, we weren’t an isolated family at all, but there are literally hundreds and hundreds of people with our name in Canada, the United States, England, Scotland and Ireland (and probably several other countries!) and we are related to most of them!

Where do you begin? Find out as much information as you can from family members, especially older relatives. Search the internet for as much information as you can find by searching for the name. There are many sites devoted to family history research, far too many to list, but the first step is to go to familysearch.org, a site developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their family history library in Salt Lake City, Utah houses a collection of genealogical records that include names of more than three billion people and is the largest collection of its kind in the world. These records are being digitized and placed on the familysearch site for research from the comfort of your home.

Other web sites include Ancestry.com (international records); FindMyPast.org (U.K. records), The Genealogist (U.K.

records) and many other sites. Cyndi’s List is a valuable resource for almost anything genealogy-related. Most local public libraries will have a free subscription to research Ancestry.com records and local Family Search Centres will have free access to many other family history search engines.

At some point you will need some help with your research. By joining a family history society in your local area, you will be joining a group of people who are as dedicated to family research as you are and will share in your joy each time you find another ancestor. Our local Qualicum Beach Family History Society is a good example of a typical family history society.

Its mission statement is to promote the study of genealogy and family history through accurate, ethical and thorough research principles and techniques, maintaining a library of genealogical books, magazines and research material; providing workshops, courses and speakers to assist you with your research, as well as publishing a quarterly newsletter. Our society meets on the third Wednesday of every month (except July and August) and if you are in the mid-Vancouver Island area, be sure to attend one of our family history meetings as guests are always welcome.

May your search for your own family history be both rewarding and fun! ~ Kathy Jones (nee Priske) – Kathy not only is an avid and dedicated family history researcher, but she also teaches digitizing and editing for machine embroidery. When not busy researching or digitizing you will find her either in her greenhouse or garden. www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 29

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continued from page 28 Club Resort (181 Beachside Drive) on the evening (6:30-9:00) of Thursday February 23. You can bet your bottom dollar that I will be in attendance.

Parksville Untapped is the beer component of, and effectively the launch event for, the annual Parksville Uncorked Wine & Food Festival. Running February 23-26 inclusive, with events at both The Beach Club Resort and Tigh-Na-Mara (1155 Resort Drive), which are partnered for this festival, this is just the fourth occasion for Uncorked, and only the second for Untapped, yet the event has already established itself as a major date on the Vancouver Island gastronomes calendar.

As you may have heard down the grapevine, I quite like beer, so I recently had a natter with Wendy Sears, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Beach Club Resort, to find out what might await beer enthusiasts at Parksville Untapped. “Well, we’re going to open up the lobby and the ballroom,” she begins, “and it’ll be very much like a winetasting event, the same kind of premise, where there’ll be stations to go to and sample the beers.”

As we went to press the full line-up of breweries represented at Untapped was yet to be finalized, but as Sears explained “around fifteen” had already confirmed.

“We’ll have Driftwood Brewing Co. (Victoria); Surgenor Brewing Company Ltd. (Comox); we’ve got Longwood Brew Pub from Nanaimo coming up; Phillips Beer (Victoria); Vancouver Island Brewery (Victoria), of course; Wolf Brewing Company (Nanaimo) and Pacific Western Brewing Company (Burnaby/Prince

George), to name a few. There are also two cideries coming, being Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, based down in Victoria, as well as, of course, Merridale Cider (Cobble Hill).”

to select just one, Buijs recommends such as beef, venison, mussels, walnuts, pecans, root vegetables, resinous herbs, and cheeses like Livarot, Oka and Comté. Are you drooling yet? I sure am.

So far, so very good! There are already a few personal favourites in there. I really enjoy Wolf’s (formerly Fat Cat) amber nectars, and Phillips beers never fail to please me. I love Phillips’ signature craft beers, their wonderful limited editions, and their unfailingly humorous marketing.

Therefore be warned, Beach Club Resort, that I may need to be physically extricated from the Phillips station through fear of over-fawning.

Again, the full list of restaurants and food purveyors taking part was not finalized heading to press, but it is a solid bet the quality will be very high. “Some of the food participants will be the Rod & Gun (Parksville), Island Scallops (Qualicum Beach), Tigh-Na-Mara and ourselves, of course,” reveals Wendy Sears.

I do not feel it is unreasonable to worship at the altar of great beers as much as I do, especially as I am in historically fine company in doing so. The ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician Plato, for example, said: “He was a wise man who invented beer.” Benjamin Franklin was another dude quite keen on the odd brewski, going as far as to state that, “beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

So in the event anyone is concerned by my beer obsession, I would just like to point out that Plato and Franklin are universally regarded as genii.

Parksville Untapped is not all about beer, however. As the full name of the umbrella Uncorked event illustrates, food will also feature heavily (although, if Dave Barry is planning on attending, I cannot confirm that pizza will be on the menu). In Leo Buijs’ book he pays great attention to detailing ideal food pairings for a lot of the beers he reviews, so it could be fun trying to replicate his suggested matches on the night.

For Driftwood’s splendid Farmhand Ale,

To top it all, she concludes, “for part of the ticket price ($49 plus applicable tax), just like a wine festival, when you come in you get your tasting glass which you can take home with you. It’ll have the festival logo on it.

There will also be entertainment, so it’s all going to be a lot of fun!”

As with every event of Parksville Uncorked Wine & Food Festival, Untapped is set to be a great night, but you should not need me to remind you that it will be even better if the tempting ales on offer are enjoyed sensibly, in moderation! Let us enjoy it all together, in civilized celebration of the fare the skilled brewers and chefs of our island and province deliver to our table, and definitely not like Homer Simpson. **** For further information about the Parksville Uncorked Wine & Food Festival and Parksville Untapped, including ticket reservations and prices; festival events and timings, plus resort packages, please visit www.parksvilleuncorked.com or telephone 1-888-760-2008.

www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 31

F

rom the Lions Den - On Jan.8 we ran another successful pancake breakfast at the Light Community Center. Thank you to all that attended and those that helped in the kitchen. The Qualicum Bay Lions are now helping to run the meat draw on Sunday afternoons at the Crown & Anchor/ Road House Pub. This coincides with the Country Jam that takes place at the same time, from 3:00pm-7:00pm. So if you would like to have a cold beverage, listen to some live country music and take a chance on the meat draw join us at the Crown & Anchor/Road House Pub Sunday afternoons..

BACK ON THE RACK - Boutique & Bling Sale. April 21, 10am to 2pm, Fanny Bay Community Hall. Take advantage of a unique opportunity to sell your “gently-used” clothes, jewelry, and shoes.

Book your table early, save your items to sell, come have fun and make money! Contact Suzanne 250-335-2533 (zambezi@shaw.ca) or Barb 250-335-0644 (blaugh@shaw.ca). Tables $15. Sponsored by the Fanny Bay Community Association.

MEN’S YOGA WORKSHOP with Ken Lister. Sunday February 12, 1pm to 2:30pm. Fee: $15 or one punch on your card. Monthly card holders pay $10. To register for the workshop please call Oceanside Yoga Centre at 250 594-0108 or email at info@oceansideyoga.com.

(250) 594-0108 www.oceansideyoga.com.

The Mid-Island Bluegrass Society is seeking volunteers for the second annual Lighthouse Bluegrass Festival, June 29th, June 30th & July 1st, 2012, held in Qualicum Bay in Lighthouse Country. For more information, call Linda 250-752-0383 or Sheena 250-757-9991. If you have a hankering for a little Bluegrass before that, don’t miss the music at the Pancake Breakfast at the Lighthouse Community Centre on the second Sunday of each month, 8am to noon. Then join the jam held at noon for even more fun and music! For more information visit ... www.lighthousebluegrass.com.

More Community Events on page 34.

COMOX VALLEY FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays 9-12 @ the Native Sons Hall in Courtney. This month’s entertainment: February 4 Pamela Tessman, February 11 David Stevenson, February 18 Blaine Dunaway, February 25 Fiddlejam. Come for the freshness, stay for the fun! FMI: Mkt. Mgr. Vickey 250.218-0321 or www. comoxvalleyfarmersmarket.com & keep in touch on Facebook.

OCEANSIDE RECITAL SERIES presents Soprano Margo Le Vae in a Recital of Art Songs, Opera Arias & Musical Theatre.

Accompanist Nikolai Maloff, Pianist. Date & Time: February 19, 3 pm Place: Oceanside Community Arts Council, 133 McMillan St., Parksville. At the Door $15.00

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248-3693

Aries (March 21-April 19) It’s time to socialize!

Get out and schmooze. Join clubs, groups and associations. Take a class. Since you’re more aware of your goals, talk about your hopes and dreams for the future with others because their feedback will help you. Others might give you important contacts, names or beneficial introductions. You have opportunities to boost your income in the next 18 months, so start to be aware of how you can do this.

Join forces with others to see how you can get more done – and faster!

Virgo (August 23-Sept. 22) This month you have the energy and motivation to accomplish an enormous amount especially in your job. Mars boosts your energy and the Sun motivates you to be as efficient, effective and productive as possible. Capitalize on this! Make lists of what you want to do and get down to it. Don’t be stingy. Give yourself the right tools to do a fantastic job. Buy cleaning supplies, shelving, file folders, bookcases, tools, paint or whatever you need to make your work easier. You’ll create a better finished product.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) This month the Sun is at the top of your chart casting a flattering spotlight on you. (This is the only time all year this happens, so make the most of it.) Those in positions of authority will ask you to take on increased responsibilities. (Say yes.) That’s why the next month is the time to make your pitch! Present your agenda. Ask for approval for whatever you want. Get permission from the powers that be to go forward with your plans. Since vacations appeal to you now and in the future, ask for time off.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You want to par-tay!

Get away on a vacation if you can. You’ll enjoy fun excursions, social activities, the theatre, the arts, sports and playful times with children much more than usual. You want to inject romance into your life. Some of you will meet new romance while others will reignite existing relationships by “dating” and enjoying candlelight dinners and champagne moments. Work-related romances might also begin.

The secret to using the Sun to your advantage is to know when to hold and when to fold. It’s time to play!

on you.) Fortunately, because your ambition is aroused, you’re up for this. You’re also interested in redecorating where you live and entertaining friends and loved ones. Hot tip: If you put out fresh flowers, you don’t have to dust.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) This continues to be a wonderful time of harvest, which means you see what is working and you see what is not. But you are empowered! You’re motivated to travel anywhere you can, and you’ll have opportunities to do so. In fact, these opportunities will cause you to focus on your earnings, cash flow and how to get the best use out of what you already own. Take stock of your assets. Give thought to your value system. It’s important for you to identify what really matters in life so you don’t miss it. (“Oh no! I forgot to have children.”)

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Glory hallelujah! It’s your turn to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year. You’re highly energized and happier, plus you have the ability to attract important people and favourable circumstances. You’ll also be spending Gemini (May 21-June 20) You want to travel Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You’re active with groups, money on beautiful things for yourself and loved because you want to increase your experience of life nevertheless, your focus now swings to home, family ones. This is no surprise because you’re committed by expanding your horizons through travel or study. and your private life. Grab every opportunity to hunker to making your home and your family relationships You’re ready for adventure and exploring religious down at home and feel cozy. You’ll find memories from as wonderful as they can be this year. “More and philosophical concepts. You’ll enjoy talking your childhood will be resurfacing. This is a great time shortbread, anyone?” to people from different backgrounds and other to organize family photo albums and get in touch with Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) This is a great month to cultures. This month is also a wonderful time to make family members. You’ll enjoy entertaining at home as buy wardrobe items because you like what you see in headway in publishing, the media, medicine, the law well as cocooning in your bedroom or den. Many of the mirror. You’re unusually diplomatic and charming and anything to do with higher education. Take a you will be more involved with a parent. (I’m surprised because fair Venus is in your sign, so you’ll enjoy course! Learn a new language! Remember: Sight is a at how well my parents turned out.) schmoozing. Go dancing! Buy new boots! However, faculty, seeing is an art.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You’re busy! Accept despite your desire for fun socializing, you also need Cancer (June 21-July 22) You want a solid base this accelerated tempo and get with the program. time alone in the next month. Respect this need for from which to operate. (Of course! You’re a nester.)

Plan on taking short trips, doing mucho errands solitude. Hide somewhere to catch your breath and Naturally, this takes money and juggling resources, plus reading, writing and studying. But life will be mentally, psychologically and emotionally regroup. bills, taxes, debt and, possibly, insurance matters. In exciting! You have so much going on in so many fronts Write down some goals. ~ the next six weeks, focus on cleaning up whatever at the same time. Gasp. (Gen. Patton had nothing you can in these areas. Read a financial book on how to reduce your debt. Get tips about taxes, handling your expenses and dealing with shared property.

You might have to work with someone whose values differ from yours. (Not always easy.)

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) You need more sleep in the next month. Just accept this and do yourself a favour by accommodating your need for more rest.

(Fortunately, romance is very sweet and affectionate, so it might be easy to stay in bed.) Incidentally, the one time of year when the Sun is opposite your sign is your best opportunity to learn more about your closest relationships. Observe your style of relating to close friends and partners. How can you be more patient, considerate and worthy of getting great gifts from others? www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 33

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

It’s that time of year again!

Handy Flexible Tax Free We have both Tax Free Savings and a Variety of RRSP’s to meet all your Savings needs.

Come see us Today!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST, FLEA MARKET, Live Music, Veggies, Poultry & Small Animal Swap, Master Gardeners & Lighthouse Country Business Trade Show: – Sun., Feb. 12th, 8am-Noon. The Bowser Elementary PAC will be cooking up breakfast this morning.

LIGHTHOUSE SENIORS #152 – Next meeting, Mon., Feb. 6th – Pot Luck and tea/coffee. FMI call Shirley at 250-757-2384.

CARPET BOWLING at LCC: Oct 4th - April, 12:45 to 3:15pm. Tues & Thurs. Everyone welcome, exercise and fun, come out and meet your neighbours. FMI call Layne 250-757-8217.

LIGHTHOUSE FLOOR CURLERS – Curling Sept – May, Mondays and Fridays 1pm at the Lions Rec Hall, Qualicum Bay. Drop in $2. FMI call Dennis Leach 250-757-8218 or Tillie Murray 250-757-9218.

AA LIGHTKEEPERS: every Fri. 8pm.

Info: 250-757-8347.

BRIDGE at LCC Nordin Room – 1:00 – 4:00pm Friday afternoons. Call Sheila Steele 250-757-8307.

TAOIST TAI CHI Society Classes at LCC and Fanny Bay OAP Hall. FMI Susan @ 250-757-2097. See their ad on page 5.

LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS GROUP needs your help. Val Weismiller: 250-757-9667.

LIGHTHOUSE RECREATION INFO PATTY: Call 250-757-8366 or email shipshore@shaw.ca MALE FLOOR HOCKEY at Bowser Elementary School. Tuesdays, 7-9pm, March 6th to March 29th. $4 drop-in fee, ages 14+ are welcome. FMI contact Kevin at 250-757-8423.

RDN PROGRAMS Preschool & Children Lighthouse Families on the Move 2-11yrs Join Kathleen Guest for time in the gym! Burn some energy and beat the winter blahs while you free play with balls, hula hoops, and other gym equipment, then play along with some group games. A great way to spend a Saturday morning with the family! Parent participation is required. Bowser Elementary School. Sat Feb 4-Mar 3 2-5yrs 9:30-10:30am $25/5. 6-11yrs 10:45am12:15pm $30/5.

34 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

BOYS AND GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN 6-11yrs Join the fun after school, with enthusiastic leader, Kathleen Guest. You will have the opportunity to plan theme nights, make cool

crafts, play new games and best of all giggle. Bowser Elementary School, Mon 3:00- 4:30pm $44.30/6, 27469 Jan 23-Feb 27 ADULT 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.

Bowser Elementary School, Instructor: Brandy Kosiancic. Mon 6:00-7:15pm. Thu 6:00-7:15pm starting January 23rd.

Lighthouse Community Centre, Instructor: Fiona Mackey. Tue 9:15-10:30am. January 24 - March 14. $71/8 Please contact Area H RDN programmer, Chrissie Finnie at 250-757-8118 or cfinnie@rdn.bc.ca for detailed program and registration information. All programs must be pre-registered to avoid the disappointment of being cancelled.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS & CLUBS FANNY BAY PARENTS & TOTS Play Group runs every Tuesday from 10:00-11:30 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.

KIWANIS CLUB OF PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH meets on the 1st and 3rd Tues. at the Kiwanis Village 250 West First Ave. QB at 7:15pm. 19 plus are welcome. If you wish to assist seniors and children in need in our Community. FMI Call Thomas at 250-7527424.

THE QUALICUM BAY LIONS meet from September to June on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.

Dinner at 6 pm and meetings start at 7 pm. Our meeting hall is just behind the Lighthouse Community Centre on Lions Way. We are a volunteer group that helps our community in many ways. If you are interested in joining our club, contact Shirley Phillips at (250) 757-8384 or George Stringer at (250) 3352991.

LIGHTHOUSE COUNTRY SCRAPBOOKERS – meet third Saturday monthly at the Lions Den, Qualicum Bay, 9:30am - 4:30pm, $10. Door prizes. More information call Jorgie (250) 757-8358 or Shirley (250) 757-8384 LIGHTHOUSE SPINNERS – Every Tues. 10:30-2:30pm in the Community Centre Board Room. New members welcome. FMI Jo 250-757-8402.

OCEANSIDE PHOTOGRAPHERS – Meets the first Wednesday of the month at the QB Civic Centre at 7 pm. FMI to go www.oceansidephotographers.ca THE ARROWSMITH NEEDLE ARTS GUILD meets on the third Thursday of each month from 9:30 – 2pm at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre at 747 Jones St. There are other regular embroidery sessions and classes. FMI Call 250-758-6783 or email keberta@shaw.ca.

THE QB LAWN BOWLING CLUB - Has closed the outdoor greens until next May, but continues to enjoy play on their Indoor Greens. Escape the winter doldrums and join in this inexpensive, fun activity for all seasons and all ages 14+. Drop by any afternoon to see what you’re missing, or contact Pat at 250-752-7060 to arrange an individual FREE tryout.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP – First Tuesday of every month, 7:00pm “Canadian Cancer Unit Office”, 4-172 West 2nd Ave, QB. Everyone Welcome. FMI Call 250-954-2901 or amen@shaw.ca.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP – First Tuesday of every month, 7:00pm at The Gardens in QB. Everyone Welcome. FMI Call 250-752-7489 or brook@shaw.ca.

FROM THE CAREER CENTRE - Creating Your Own Employment. Is selfemployment for you? Come to this lively workshop and discover if you are suited to running your own business. Learn about consumer trends, get business ideas and access resources to further explore this exciting opportunity. Fri., Feb. 17, 9:00am – 12:00pm. Call 250-248-3205 today to pre-register or visit www.careercentre.org.

FROM THE CAREER CENTRE – E-Portfolios: Beyond the Resume. The resume of the future has arrived. Showcase your achievements and communicate your work vision with an online skills and work portfolio.

Take advantage of this technology to market yourself to potential employers. You must first meet with an Employment Consultant and possess basic computer and internet skills. This is a two-part workshop.

Mon., Feb. 19, Part 1, 1:00pm – 4:00pm and Tues., Feb. 28, Part 2, 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Call 250-248-3205 today to pre-register or visit www. careercentre.org.

OCEANSIDE GENERALS - GAME ON! Sat., Feb. 4 vs. Kerry Park Islanders.

Sun., Feb. 12 vs. Saanich Braves (2:30pm game time). Sat., Feb. 18 vs.

Victoria Cougars. Puck drops at 7:30pm. Tickets available at the door - $5 for Children, $7 for Students & Seniors, $10 for Adults and Kids under 5 FREE. FMI visit www.oceansidegenerals.com.

BETA SIGMA PHI – An international women’s group promoting Life, Learning and Friendship. In the Oceanside, area there are 7 Chapters holding bi-monthly, day or evening meetings. Inquiries can be made to: Margie Healey, 250-757-9125.

SCHOLARSHIP TRUST - Canadian Federation of University Women Parksville-Qualicum Scholarship Trust invites applications for their 2012 Scholarship Program. Total of six awards for adults from District 69: see website for eligibility rules. Female secondary school students graduating 2012: see KSS or BSS. Application deadline: June 1, 2012. Details: http:// cfuwpq.ca GLOBAL CONNECTIONS: DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS (MSF). Sunday March 11, 2 PM, Parksville Conference Centre. Dr Rhiannon Hughes (MSF) presents new, effective ways overseas volunteers facilitate community development and individual well-being. Listen, learn, share. Poster displays invited from Mid-Island groups actively engaged in global outreach. Entrance by donation; proceeds to MSF. Information: http:// cfuwpq.ca or 250-752-5947.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN February! www.rcl211.ca Feb 2 • LA General Meeting Feb 21 • Branch 211 Executive Meeting Feb 23 • LA Executive Meeting Feb 28 • Branch 211 General Meeting (Zone Visit @ 6:15pm) Hall Rentals 250-757-9222 • Tue to Fri 9:00 am - 12 noon Feb 5 • Joint Installation of Officers.......................................1:00pm Feb 8 • LA Valentine’s Luncheon ................................ Noon - 3:00pm Feb 12 • Quadrathon............................................................12:00 pm

Mixed Pool Ladies Pool Crib Texas Hold’em Mixed Darts

Tuesdays .............................................6:00 pm Wednesdays........................................5:00 pm Wednesdays........................................7:00 pm Thursdays............................................7:00 pm Fridays ................................................7:00 pm Closed Sunday and Monday

THEN AND NOW FASHIONS - Join in celebrating the 70th birthday of the Town of Qualicum Beach, March 8, 6:30pm at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. Taste the offerings of local cuisine ... sip refreshing beverages, while enjoying the glamour of a private vintage fashion collection intertwined with the style of current local fashions. Tickets $20. Proceeds will benefit the Qualicum Beach Historical and Museum Society. For more information, contact Sherri Verdec 250-757-8279.

The QUALICUM BEACH FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY - Annual General Meeting Wed, Feb 15, 2012, 7pm at Knox United Church, 345 Pym St. Parksville. Featured speaker, Dr. Michael Tripp, will speak about using headstones and cemeteries to help with your genealogy research. All guests welcome.

MARK TWAIN COMEDY IS HE DEAD? at the Bailey Studio in Nanaimo, Feb 8-25, $16/18; www.nanaimotheatregroup.com RCL Branch # 211 LADIES AUXILIARY VALENTINE’S LUNCHEON – at the Legion on Wednesday, February 8th from 12 to 3 p.m. Raffles/Door Prizes.

Limited seating. Tickets $12 by calling Kathleen at 250-757-8282.

RCL BRANCH # 211 LADIES AUXILIARY – meets at 2 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each month (except July/August). We serve our Veterans, Branch and the greater community. If you are interested in joining this group, contact Joyce at joyce.bartram@shaw.ca or by cell at 250-954-9787 or Evelyn at wefoot@ shaw.ca Also see “Inspired by Community” for more events and information ... page 32.

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COMPASSIONATE OBSERVERS – Every 2nd Wednesday starting February 1st @7:00 p.m. Enso Health, 6996 W. Island Hwy, Magnolia Court, Bowser. Create balance, peace, love and harmony in supportive environment. Dropin’s welcome!

COMPUTER, WEB SITE and SOCIAL MEDIA SERVICES Whether you need a tutorial, help with a project or setting up a web or social media site, I can help AND I use LOCAL products. Reasonable rates, experienced with references.

FMI Call (250) 240-5535.

Small group weekend ACRYLIC PAINTING WORKSHOPS with West Coast artist, Cindy Mawle.

FMI go to www.cindymawle.com or call (250)703-1150.

DON ’S HOME REPAIR – plumbing repairs and installations, complete renovations, no job too small. Call Don @ (250) 757-8757 or cell (250) 951-8757.

HOME FOR RENT: 3 bdrm 2 bath home with office/fam-rm off the kitchen. Exceptionally large deck on ocean side of home is great for entertaining. Walk to all amenities including the beach that Bowser has to offer. An ideal location for professional couple who may or may not work from home & need quiet time to relax and enjoy. Pet upon approval. $1400. MO (250) 757-8880.

THE FIX-IT SHOP – Repairs to: Lawn Mowers, Small Engines.

Fanny Bay. Call (250) 702-2191.

3 LONG –TERM RV SITES @ Bowser Bill’s. $400/$425/$350 Includes hydro, basic cable, water.

One has a great ocean view. (250) 757-8880.

FOOTCARE – HYGIENE Soaking feet, cutting nails, filing calluses, treating dry skin – fingernails too.

Reflexology – 1 hour sessions.

Services offered from Nanoose to Union Bay. Please call Vikki @ (250) 757-9244.

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. in my home. Home visits are available. Release your body’s self-healing ability through deep relaxation. Please call Marie at (250) 335-0850.

RAW FOODS BY DEBORAW – Interested in learning how to transition into a healthy lifestyle incorporating Raw Foods? I can help! Private or Group courses offered. Inquiries welcome. FMI email deborahbtobin@gmail.com.or call (250) 898-7741.

ARE YOU PLANNING TO BUI LD an Earth-friendly green building?

Are you are seeking a beyond the box construction method that is earthquake, fire, flood, mold, insect, rot, and hurricane proof, and built in half the time as conventional construction?

An innovative method exists that exceeds current standards in many aspects, and almost any design can be accommodated. There is no thermal bridging as in conventional walls, so heating/cooling efficiencies are greatly increased, year-round comfort is assured, and utility costs lowered. Living off-grid in comfort can be a reality, and energy savings on-grid alone make this a simple solution for the interesting times in which we live. If you are considering an eco-home, call for a consultation appointment to learn more. Enso Builders (778) 424- 7000.

WILDWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH 113 McColl Road, Bowser

Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 am 757-8136

The CANADIAN SOCIETY OF QUESTERS – Next meeting will be Mon., Feb. 27th. Lighthouse Community Centre (Nordine Room) 240 Lions Way, Qualicum Bay. FMI Call Chris (250) 752-1419.

ODD JOBS. WILL HAUL. Call Gary 757-9182

NELSON'S MUSIC STUDIO Piano/Theory Lessons Parksville/Qualicum Area Beginners to Advanced Your Home or Ours John/Margaret 250-954-5895

www.eyesonbc.com CHECK US OUT ONLINE

36 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

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

Culverts Drain Problems

Accommodation

Septic Installation

We encourage you to “think local” when looking for products or services

Monthly Rentals Available September to April

Call Lauren & Save

Fencing

FERRIS FENCING Horse, General Farm & Wildlife Electric Fence & Nets 430 Grovehill Road • Qualicum Beach 250-757-9677

Cranial Sacral Therapy

Drywall

119E 4TH AVENUE, QUALICUM BEACH

Military Surplus

ALL WORK GUARANTEED Chris Kettleson

Home Improvement

ALL OIL CHANGES INCLUDE Belt/Hose/Brake & Fluid Inspection

Custom Carpentry

AUTO REPAIR • FABRICATION • WELDING

Customizing

Automobile Repairs

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

Darlene St Jacques RCST R Registered Cranial Sacral Therapist

Heart Hands Mind Body in Motion 250.752.5842 250

email: craniosacral11@gmail.com www.mycranialsacral.com

Nature’s Own Medical Clinic

Call today to advertise your local service business in our Directory

250-757-9914

Pellet Fuel Sales

Advertising

Electrical Services

Picture Framing

www.ferrisfencing.com • info@ferrisfencing.com

Canadian Made Pants (new)

10

EACH $

NOMEX Pants & Jackets EACH

$5.50/bag Heating Pellets $5.20/bag Animal Bedding Wood Pellets & Shavings

WE DELIVER 757-9232

Located in Qualicum Bay www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 37

2003 Kobelco SK160Lc Excavator for Hire

Heating surveyor-ark@uniserve.com

Witte Construction

38 February 2012 | www eyesonbc.com

250 • 240 • 7778

Heating & Cooling

Plumbing

250-757-9914

T.J. Farrell

tjfarrell@shaw.ca

Sand - Gravel - Topsoil

Call today to advertise your local service business in our Directory

House Painting

Advertising

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

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL ALTERNATE ENERGY

Mortgage Lending

WCB & Insured Shaun Witte Owner/Journeyman

Electrician

Construction

LTD

Advertising

Excavating

Land Surveying

#7-1176 Franklin’s Gull Rd, Parksville, BC

Custom Renovations

Ph 250.248.5959 • Toll Free 1-888-842-5959 www.completewindows.ca

Plumbing & Gas Services

Windows & Doors

RENOVATIONS • WINDOWS DOORS • SUNROOMS

105 Islewood Dr. Bowser, BC V0R 1G0

Call today to advertise your local service business in our Directory

250-757-9914

Est. 1985

ED KING

Cabinets & Woodworking • Custom•Kitchen Entertainment Centers • Spray Booth Painting & Lacquering

Phone: 250-738-0462 Cell: 250-927-0590 e-mail: kingreno@telus.net Qualicum Beach

Same great magazine ... just a different name!

The Beacon Magazine becomes EyesOnBC Magazine on March 1st WATCH FOR IT! IN PRINT AND ONLINE www.eyesonbc.com

Lawn Services

Hairdresser

Yoga Classes

INSTALLATION SERVICE & REPAIRS

Philip Brown

FIND US ONLINE AND ON-AIR!

Barber Services

PLUMBING • GAS • HEATING

• on Facebook www.facebook.com/beaconmagazine • on our Website at www.eyesonbc.com

250-240-4902 • 250-757-8077 EVENINGS

• on Twitter www.twitter.com/BeaconMagazine Tune in LIVE on the 1st Thursday of each month when Dave Graham of 88.5FM The Beach Radio and Linda Tenney talk about what’s going on in Lighthouse Country.

Join them at 8:40am.

Appliance Repair

Chimney Cleaning

Plumbing Gas Heating

250.594.0108 www.oceansideyoga.com

Parts Store Open Mon to Fri 9-4

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And ... catch The Beacon Beat each Thursday morning at approximately 8:10 am for brief updates and news about what’s going on in Lighthouse Country! ~

30 55

ONLINE: www.eyesonbc.com (by credit card or PayPal)

www.eyesonbc.com | February 2012 39