Beacon Magazine - September 2010 by EyesOnBC Publishing

SEPTEMBER 2010 vol 6 issue 76

Community Living: Fanny to Nanoose

TrekOn! Blast from the Past! â&#x20AC;˘ 13 Story & Science on the Salish Sea 8 | Turning Wood Into Art 11

/ September 2010

4 EDITORIAL

FEATURE

Story & Science on the Salish Sea

21 MISSION FOR MARS

13 RIPPLE ROCK TRAIL

BUSINESS & FINANCE

5 Biz Banter: What’s up in local business 10 Real Estate 19 LCBA Business Spotlight

GREAT OUTDOORS

13 Trek On 21 Through the Seasons: Mission for MARS 27 Tide Table 37 Into the Garden

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DOUGLAS J. FISHER TURNS WOOD INTO ART

“Just Hanging around on the Salish Sea” photo by Sharon Waugh

11 Douglas J. Fisher Turns Wood into Art 16 Makin’ Music in the Kitchen 20 ECHO Players 2010/2011 Season 33 Reel Reviews 3 5 Vancouver Island Opera

COMMUNITY LIFE

6 Inspired by Community 29 The Art of Conscious Living 32 Fitness in Lighthouse Country 34 On the Agenda COMMUNITY PEOPLE

15 Des Kennedy: Canada’s Gardening Guru 26 Images & Voices

HEALTH 18 Finding Freedom with Diaper-Free 31 Health & Wellness Matters

THE REGULARS

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

Hanging on! Kyle Campbell on Ripple Rock Trail suspension Bridge photo by Sharon Waugh

by Linda Tenney

September 2010

VOLUME 6 NO 76 The Beacon is published monthly by EyesOnBC

Main Email: beacon@eyesonbc.com Phone/Fax: 250-757-9914

he thing I like most about being a magazine publisher is that you continue to learn stuff. Interesting stuff. Amazing stuff. Useful stuff. And for us ... that happens each and every month.

In Person EyesOnBC at Magnolia Court Box 182, #110-6996 W. Island Hwy. Bowser, British Columbia V0R 1G0 Mon - Fri 10-5

Take this edition for instance: Lisa Verbicky taught me about the eco-studies being conducted in the Georgia Strait...important science that will mean a lot to our future on the west coast. (p.8).

Journalists & Reporters Lisa Verbicky, Nancy Whelan, Rita Levitz, Georgia Nicols, Marilyn Dawson, David Morrison, JoAnne Sales, Harry Sumner & Miriam Shell, Carolyn Walton, Linda Tenney, Sharon Waugh, Shirley Culpin, Rachel Allen

Lisa also taught me more about Douglas Fisher. (p.11) I already love his wood carvings, but now I have a deeper understanding of what Doug might be thinking while creating his exquisite pieces.

Volunteer - Cathy Balogh

Subscriptions

I also learned that the Bowser Seniors Housing Society is still moving forward with plans and partnerships to create affordable seniors accommodation right here in Lighthouse Country. (p.17) I may just need that someday.

Canada - 1 yr: $30 incl HST United States - 1 yr: $55 (CDN Funds) Call 250-757-9914 to subscribe. VISA & MasterCard accepted

And Sharon taught me about the 1958 Ripple Rock Explosion north of Campbell River. (p.13) I’d never heard of it before, and her TrekOn! article gave me the opportunity to learn a little more about the history of our area. I love that!

Printed in Canada - ISSN 1712-0918

Carolyn Walton’s story about Des Kennedy (p.15) took me back to a day in 2004 when I interviewed Des for the very first edition of The Beacon. It was my very first interview too! Carolyn’s article taught me that there’s always something new to learn about Des, or as Carolyn puts it...that iracible raconteur. Did you know he was once a monk?

Articles and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and published for general information purposes only. Articles are not intended to provide specific advice - the publishers will assume no liability.

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

Linda Tenney co-Publisher tenney@eyesonbc.com

/ September 2010

Rachel Allen taught me that babies without diapers is the ‘in thing’ with new moms. (p.18)

Sharon Waugh co-Publisher waugh@eyesonbc.com

I learned that Sharon has a cache of fabulous photographs on file at home that she rarely mentions but always offers when my other sources have dried up. Our guys on the front cover, courtesy of Sharon, are the absolute cutest! And behind the scenes, I learned that I can comfortably meet our press deadline and scoot off to a movie at three on a Friday afternoon. The lesson learned? The Beacon Magazine has the best darned publishing team around! Everyone from our writers, advertisers and our incredible staff make it happen each and every month. I encourage you to read The Beacon from cover to cover this month. Let me know what you learn. How about posting your comments on our new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BeaconMagazine? Now that would be most excellent fun! ~

Where in the world is this Cannery? Sadly, no one won our contest launched in July. The answer is the “Salish Sea”. And, actually, the cannery facade pictured in the July edition of The Beacon sits snugly in the new Salish Sea Market in Bowser. Haven’t seen it in person yet? We encourage you to stop by to see the ever-changing and expanding market at 6996 West Island Highway.

LOCALLY OWNED • COMMUNITY INSPIRED

Elizabeth Cudmore Customer Service cudmore@eyesonbc.com

Margaret Reid Contract Distribution

Frank Hladik Advertising 951-8824

By Sharon Waugh Imagine stepping out the door of your dream vacation cottage and finding yourself on a quiet street right in the heart of the village of Qualicum Beach! Karyn Locken and David Weicker have again, thoughtfully applied their philosophy of “re-imagine, re-create, re-purpose, re-new” to their former business Stellar J...on Beach, Cottage Chic Furniture and Home Decor Accents, to create the new and fabulously appointed Stellar J on Beach Cottage Vacation Rental located at 702 Beach Avenue. “This charming 1,000 sq.ft. cottage is perfect for two adult non-smokers who love the beachside living style and who want to book on a weekly or monthly basis. It’s within easy walking distance of all the amenities of town including the beach, golf course, theatre, shops and restaurants.” And we know that with the gracious welcome of Karyn and David to their cottage visitors will return again and again to enjoy all of the seasons and activities in the Qualicum Beach area. A great addition to local accommodation – with lots of character! Please contact the Lockens for reservations at: 250-752-7234. Elsa (Heeps) and Ric’s farm stand is now open! Elsa tells us, “It was a long haul but our little store is now open. We have a variety of vegetables, all organically grown, farm fresh eggs, organic bouquets and a

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display of my garden mosaics. We have a six acre property with 20,000 square feet that is being farmed.” Elsa has been gardening for the past 25 years, and her husband Ric, a jack-of-all trades, has taken on the projects of clearing the land, establishing a root cellar, building a greenhouse and everything in between. Elsa and Ric invite you to come and enjoy the fruits of their labour. Store hours are Wednesday thru Sunday 10-5pm. You’ll find them located just off Horne Lake Road (the connector between the old Island Highway and the Inland Highway) at 2910 Olympic Road. “Look for our sign on the corner and thanks to our loyal customers! A warm welcome to Paul and Bev Walkey with their new business in Qualicum Beach, Qualicum Beach Funeral Centre Ltd., located at #101-664 Beach Road. The Walkeys provide a broad range of services from pre-planning and recording your wishes to cremation services, celebration of life memorial services and traditional funeral services. The Qualicum Beach Funeral Centre can be reached at (250) 594-0305 and is available 24 hours. We’re looking forward to seeing what is in the works for the Old Dutch Inn with the new owners being from Quality Foods...

“Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does.” ~ Stuart Henderson

New Local BOOK! Grow up locally with Lawrence and his childhood friends, then go to sea with the crews of various vessels as they sail the waters of North America from the balmy tropics to the frozen seas of Alaska.

CHILD OF THE STORM The Adventures of a West Coast Kid LAWRENCE FOORT

Available at

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* Ship & Shore, Deep Bay * Barnes & Noble * Amazon.com * Trafford Publishing

New & Consigned Clothing

Stop by in September to enter our Anniversary Draw for a $100 Gift Certificate (DRAW SEPTEMBER 25TH)

Located in Bowser’s Magnolia Court & open for business from Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm Leslie can be reached at

778-424-1000

or by email at lesliegeddie@gmail.com

ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE BEACON IN BOWSER

/ September 2010

HAIRCUTS FOR CANCER

inda Hall, owner of Studio Salon in Bowser, has been a long-time supporter of Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock. If you haven’t heard already about the Tour de Rock, this is the 10th anniversary for a team of police officers who volunteer their time to cycle Vancouver Island end to end, over a 15 day journey, raising funds for pediatric cancer research and Camp Goodtimes, where sick children can go to forget about their daily struggles. “I think it’s important to help these guys raise money for sick children,” she says, adding, “it’s great to see the community involved.”

For the fourth consecutive year, Linda is helping to raise funds and awareness by donating her time cutting hair, on Sunday September 12 from 10am – 3pm at Studio Salon. In an effort to raise as much money as possible, she has enlisted the help of Cleja from Makin’ Waves in Qualicum Beach. Linda is ready for a BIG turn out this year and is hoping that there are Beacon readers who haven’t found the time to squeeze in a haircut this summer and will come in with ‘previously washed’ hair and donate generously to support this very worthy cause. For more information about the day, call Studio Salon at 250-757-8400.

If you would like to cheer on the Tour de Rock cyclists, they will be passing through Union Bay, Lighthouse Country, Qualicum Beach and Parksville on Thursday, September 23. If you are unable to make the event, more information regarding the Tour, the schedule and donation information can be found on-line at www.tourderock.ca ~

no space means changes to legion christmas hamper program

or many years the Bowser Legion Ladies Auxiliary has been organizing the Christmas Hampers for those in need in our community. Due to the current lack of space and the increased community need, we will be making some changes to the “Community Christmas Hamper” program. Please see the October issue of the Beacon for more details. Thank you for your continued support. ~ Evelyn Foot, Chairperson, Ladies Auxiliary.”

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE PROPOSED BAYNES SOUND COAL MINE First public comment period is underway

submitted

he federal government’s environment assessment of the proposal for a massive coal mine in the heart of Baynes Sound is underway, and the countdown is on for people to express concerns in the opening public comment period. Citizens have until September 20 to voice their concerns or identify issues they want to see addressed in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s review of the Raven Underground Coal Mine Project. There will be more public comment periods later for the federal assessment, and there will also be opportunities to comment during the provincial environmental assessment. But CoalWatch Comox Valley says it is important for people to respond now. “This opening round sets the tone for the type of assessment we’re going to have into this project,” says CoalWatch chairperson John Snyder. “CoalWatch is saying we must have comprehensive mapping and modelling of the aquifers in this region before the environmental assessment is complete. It is impossible to assess the impact of the mine without a thorough understanding of how the aquifers interact.” CoalWatch is also calling for a full independent expert panel review – the most rigorous kind of environmental assessment. “This mine could jeopardize our well water, our air quality, salmon habitat, and hundreds of jobs in the shellfish industry,” said Snyder. “It poses serious risks to road safety, with massive truckloads of coal to be moved on the dangerous Alberni Highway every day. And there is a great deal of concern about huge coal transport ships going in and out of the waters of Pacific Rim National Park to transport the coal to Asia.” “All the activity associated with this mine has the potential to totally change the character of Baynes Sound. With so much at stake, it’s crucial to have the most rigorous assessment possible.”

4647 Thompson Clarke Drive E., Bowser

The proposed mine would be located six kilometres up Cowie Creek, in Fanny Bay. If approved, it would remove 2.2 million tonnes of coal per year for 20 years. CoalWatch is encouraging individuals and organizations to submit comments to the federal environmental assessment agency prior to the September 20 deadline. Comments can be e-mailed or mailed to: raven@ceaa-acee.gc.ca Raven Underground Coal Mine Project Andrew Rollo, Project Manager Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 805–1550 Alberni Street Vancouver BC V6G 1A5 For more details please visit www.coalwatch.ca / September 2010

Story & Science on the Salish Sea Findings ripple into our future By Lisa Verbicky

omething remarkable lies in the wake of the 90 canoes that took part in this year’s 81.5 nautical mile Tribal Journey from Campbell River to Neah Bay, WA. Stories, songs, friendships, and unforgettable feasts are still quietly rippling behind where hundreds of paddlers set out to reconnect with their Coastal First Nations heritage in July. But, for the past three years, something else has been along for the ride through the churning waters of the Salish Sea, and that would be science. Since 2008, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has worked with the Coastal First Nations on the Journey to track changes in the coastal eco-system of the Salish Sea, using water quality probes attached to several of the canoes. According to Eric Grossman, a research geologist with USGS, the project was spurred by a number of studies done in the Georgia Strait and Puget Sound that found increased sediment run-off, organic materials and contaminants, as well as decreasing fish stocks and changes in precipitation. This year, four water probes were attached to canoes along different routes to Neah Bay that captured simultaneous, real time data on water turbidity, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, and pH. The probes can track how these change over time in light of climate change estimates and land use practices, says Grossman, and may provide valuable information on how these changes affect our coastal resources. “This is the first time we have been able to use data from several areas at once to map out boundaries and link them to different conditions such as tides, river discharge and wind,” says Grossman. Added this year, he says, USGS also moored four water quality sensors in ‘hotspots’ found in the previous two years to monitor temporal changes so that USGS can special map them. “It’s a little too early to comment on trends. It usually takes anywhere from five to ten years to document significant patterns. But, we have been able to detect some differences between the years,” says Grossman. “In 2009, for example, there were record air temperatures in Puget Sound and we were able to see how surface water warmed in response. We were also able to see where low dissolved oxygen levels entered the Strait of Juan de Fuca and mixed with Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia. We can now see these boundaries and study the environment within them more closely over the years to document trends.” Over time, the project may shed some light not only on the response of coastal habitat to the negative effects of on-land development practices and climate change, but also on the

/ September 2010

Tribal Journeys • 2009 ~ Sharon Waugh photo potentially positive effects of dam removal and river restoration projects within the region, says Grossman. “We’re looking at the quantity and make up of sediment that is coming down rivers into the ocean and how this freshwater is affected by the tides, winds, and waves,” he says. Partnering with Tribal Journeys, says Grossman, offers scientists a unique way of conducting this research by blending science with several hundred years of traditional knowledge in the area. Grossman, who says he grew up either on, in or under the ocean, has been along for Tribal Journeys since 2008, and was honoured to skipper a canoe this year. “When you are out in a canoe for hours at a time you become more aware of and connected to the coastline and near shore conditions,” he says. While onboard, he was involved in discussions with First Nations paddlers about the changes they have witnessed in the environment to which they are so tied. During the heat wave in 2009, for example, some of the elders recalled warm temperatures over the years but not for such long periods, says Grossman. Onboard discussions ranged from the effects of fast melting snow pack and glaciers on river flow, the changing look of the coastline, the increased presence of algae, decreasing fish stocks, and the effects of logging steep slopes and river quality. “These are valuable observations from people who have a unique and intimate relationship with the water, land and resources and have subsisted on near shore fish, and plants for centuries. They have a really important story to tell.” It is possible that some of these findings are due to natural variables, says Grossman, but we are also seeing the effects of 150 years of extreme land use practices. “We’re starting to see a cumulative impact, but, we still don’t know enough about these relationships to change policies,” he says. “Conceptually, we know what the stressors are and what they do, but continued next page

continued from previous page we still need to bring our minds together to develop conceptual and predictive models so that we can examine the vulnerabilities and make necessary changes.” Partnering with Tribal Journeys to exchange information is an important step towards creating models that will eventually guide coastal resource management, says Grossman. This was the first year that the study trained North West Indian College students to collect the data, ensure data quality, and report their findings. USGS will also be looking at ways to involve British Columbia Coast Salish students in the future, he says. Borders do not bind the impacts of development and climate change on our ocean waters, so partnerships are crucial to ultimately protecting them, he says. According to Grossman, by spanning a large area and gathering dense data this project has the potential to record site-specific impacts of land development on waters in both countries. The information from this project, he says, has the capacity to impact land use policies on either side of the border. “Currents in the Salish Sea can move water and transport suspended materials more than 100km in a day. We’re looking at one unified watershed that drains into the Strait of Georgia and mixes together. We are dealing with a cross-border eco-system that requires us to be unified in policy making that protects it for everyone,” says Grossman, who is also part of a trans-boundary project that assesses and identifies indicators of change in our common waters. According to Grossman, we may not be able to do much about the effects of climate change, but, we can make changes in how we allow water to flow, better manage ground water and fish habitat, and monitor the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Working with the Coast Salish people is an important first step, he says. “We can work together to describe and quantify the impact of changes on their livelihoods and their history of managing their coastal resources.” Other partners on the project have been Environment Canada, the City of Vancouver, and the Port of Nanaimo. USGS will be bringing collected data to First Nations bands this fall to collaborate what they have observed over the decades and how these changes can be viewed alongside current land use policy and climate change forecasts. “The best part of the journey for me was meeting so many interesting Coast Salish people who have an interest in preserving the resources of their coastal environment. I especially enjoyed hearing the stories that show their reverence for the elements of their coastal eco-system, and how concerned they are about the changes going on.” “This project will continue as long as the Coast Salish people are interested.” ~ For more information on the USGS partnership with Tribal Journeys, and to view video of the project visit www.USGS.gov / September 2010

REAL ESTATE

PROMOTION

WHAT IS AGENCY?

Understanding agency relationships with your REALTOR® By Marc LaCouvée

uying or selling a home may be the most important financial transaction you’ll ever make. So it’s a good idea to take a moment and consider the kind of relationship you will be entering into with a REALTOR®. REALTORS® work within a legal relationship called agency. The agency relationship is established through a contract between you, the client, and your agent, the company under which the REALTOR® is licensed. REALTORS® use a blue brochure titled Working with a Real Estate Agent to disclose the nature of the agency relationship with their client. A REALTOR® can act for a seller or a buyer, or to a limited degree, both. Whomever they represent, REALTORS® have a legal obligation to uphold the integrity of their clients, while protecting and promoting their interests. REALTORS® also commit to: • Protecting the client’s negotiating position at all times. • Providing undivided loyalty and keeping the confidences of the client. • Adhering to a strict Code of Ethics and a high standard of practice. • Exercising reasonable care and skill in performing all assigned duties.

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• Being accountable for all money and property placed in the agent’s hands while acting for the client. Seller’s Agent – As a seller, your REALTOR’s® professional marketing skills and networking connections can help to obtain the maximum market value for your home. During negotiations, you can rely on your REALTOR® to represent your interests and provide advice on price, possession and closing date. In order for your REALTOR® to list your property for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board requires completion of a listing agreement. By signing the listing agreement with you, your REALTOR® has committed to uphold the obligations mentioned above. The listing agreement also states the amount of compensation that the seller will pay the REALTOR®. Buyer’s Agent – The buyer can benefit from agent representation, too. The REALTOR’s® expert knowledge of the neighbourhood, future development plans, taxes, zoning, transportation, schools, and community services will help you select the property that meets your needs. By combining personal knowledge with research, your REALTOR® will be able to provide a comparison of similar properties and market statistics. Your REALTOR® will also advise you on financing options and make recommendations of other professionals needed to complete the sale.

The contract of purchase and sale is initiated when an offer is made by the buyer to purchase the seller’s property. The contract outlines the terms and conditions of the offer, such as offer price and any subject conditions. The seller may reject the offer or make a counter offer. Once all terms have been accepted and both the seller and the buyer have signed the contract, each party is legally bound to fulfill the conditions of the contract. Dual Agency – Dual agency is created when an agent, or his or her brokerage, represents both the buyer and a seller in a single transaction. This can happen if a REALTOR® who is representing a buyer sells one of his or her own listings, or any other listing within their office, to that buyer. A dual agent must be impartial to both the buyer and the seller and fully disclose all information pertinent to the transaction. A REALTOR® can be a dual agent only if both the seller and the buyer agree in writing. Remember: always read all contracts and disclosure forms before signing. If you have questions regarding agency relationships contact your REALTOR®. ~ Sources: British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) Marc LaCouvée was born and raised on Vancouver Island. He is a REALTOR® and is a Dad. He has spent his lifetime exploring this great paradise. Whether supporting Oceanside Minor Hockey, other local organizations or attending PAC meetings, Marc is committed to community, his family and area that he and his children live in. Marc works for RE/MAX Anchor Realty in Qualicum Beach. www.MarcLaCouvee.com

Douglas J. Fisher

“It’s based on the tribal hats worn by the Haida. Traditionally they were woven by the women from spruce root or cedar bark and painted by the men in red and black, and worn by only high-ranking individuals at ceremonial events. When a chief held a “potlatch” he would receive an addition to the top of his hat. This teapot hat has three additions which would signify a very wealthy chief.”

turns wood into art by Lisa Verbicky

ouglas J. Fisher is an artist. Being an artist is not something he does, it is something he is. “What I do is a culmination of all the things that I have experienced into a personal aesthetic,” he says. “Each piece I create is part of everything I’ve ever done. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Sonny Kamm of the Kamm Foundation, who has the largest collection of teapots in the world, purchased the teapot at an auction. Fisher’s process is a Monday to Friday, full time profession he is lucky to have been able to realize, he says.

The self-taught wood turner is fascinated with time and has spent the last 18 years building on a continuum of thousands of pieces that began with small wooden bottles on a lathe that was given to him the 1990’s.

“I’m a very visual person. Even when I’m not working, I am always thinking about art.”

He then moved into exclusively making functional wooden bowls. Today, the Parksville artist’s distinctive decorative bowls, vases, and wall and freestanding sculptures can be found in homes and galleries around the world.

Douglas Fisher at work in his studio in Parksville

Cut from whole Vancouver Island maple logs as well as maple and cedar burls, Fisher’s works stand out, he says, for being turned on the ‘off-axis’ and for the multiple layers of colouring that give each piece a depth and old-world charm.

Titles like “Thinking of Past Deeds”, “A Time Remembered Sweetly” and “Reaching for a Better Tomorrow” are just as important as the piece itself, he says, and helps the viewer to relate to it on a personal level.

“I’ve long been fascinated with simple yet powerful indigenous arts from around the world,” says Fisher, whose First Nations inspired pieces are fused with personal story, and an affinity for time pieces that call to the time and culture from the area he lives.

“My pieces tell a story to the viewer through their titles, because I want the viewer to connect to what they are looking at. Not by seeing something in the artwork itself but by getting them to think about themselves, about their life and how they view the world around them.”

When he’s not at home, Fisher can also be found gathering inspiration from the landscape and architecture in places such as France and South America.

Of his 450 most recent pieces, a teapot, titled “Potlatch Eagle Tea Ceremony” stands out as one of the more unusual projects he’s worked on.

Barbara Rady RMT

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After so many years of turning, his work, he says, evolves organically in his home studio while listening to e-books, music, and the radio. He spends 20% of his time shaping on the lathe. The other 80% of his time is spent on carving and colouring. “I’m a practical artist. I create work to sell so that other people can enjoy it. I would rather see my work in someone else’s house than my own. I don’t get attached to pieces but my wife does sometimes.” Fisher is also a photographer, an “amateur thespian” currently performing in B2B’s Maggie’s Getting Married, and an avid traveler. Locally, Fisher’s work can be found in the new Salish Sea Market in Bowser, at Coastal Carvings in Coombs and in the Peninsula Gallery, Sidney. View online at www.douglasjfisher.com. ~

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A Blast from the Past

Sharon Waugh photo

RIPPLE ROCK TRAIL

By Sharon Waugh Start/Finish: The parking area is just north of Menzies Bay Mainline the turnoff is marked by highway ‘hiking’ signs. Take the Island Hwy N from Campbell River, towards Sayward. It’s approximately 17 kilometres from the Campbell River bridge to the parking area which is on the right hand side of the highway. There have been several reports of vehicle break-ins – for this reason some choose to park on the shoulder of the highway at the entrance to the parking area. Distance/Time: 8 kilometres round trip; ~ 2.5 - 3.0 hrs. Easy to moderate trek. Bring your binoculars! Trail Directions: There is a large map posted at the trailhead showing several accesses to beaches and picnic/lookout areas along the way. The trail is a well-travelled ‘there and back’ route for those heading to the destination bluff viewpoint of Seymour Narrows and the historic location of Ripple Rock. Rest & Replenish: Just discovered (by me), Becky’s Country Bakery, 2144 Anderton Road, Comox – for scrumptious cinnamon buns and Saltspring Island Coffee – great ‘fuel’ for before and apres trekking. You may be lucky enough to be entertained by Dave, Becky’s husband, with a musical interlude while you are munching.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference. - Robert Frost

ying only nine feet beneath the surface of Seymour Narrows, at low tide, the twin-peaked summit of Ripple Rock was described by Captain George Vancouver as “one of the vilest stretches of water in the world”. It claimed the lives of more than 110 mariners, with at least 120 vessels either sunk or badly damaged between 1875 and 1958 – the year of its demise. I was only one year-old when the countdown to the largest nonnuclear explosion in history was followed by CBC television viewers as one of the first live coast-to-coast coverages of an event in Canada. On April 5, 1958 “The Ripple Rock Explosion” displaced 635,000 metric tonnes of rock and water, resulting in debris vaulted 300 metres into the air, falling on land on either side of the narrows. It certainly is a blast from the past to watch the black and white film footage of the tremendous engineering effort involved and the buildup of anticipation from local residents not knowing what to expect from the magnitude of this detonation. (Visit our blog at beaconmagazine.blogspot.com for photos and video clip.) continued next page / September 2010

continued from page 13 The views of Seymour Narrows and the site of this former marine hazzard in Discovery Passage, north of Campbell River, is the destination of this trek. It has been about ten years since my last visit to the Ripple Rock trail and quite recently there have been significant upgrades to the trail as a result of a collaborative effort with Ministry of Forests (Recreation) and BC Hydro. The first part of the trail follows the Hydro right-of-way guiding to a new metal suspension bridge anchored to giant Sitka spruce. It’s all fun and games for the last person in line to bounce and sway the bridge while the rest of us grip the handrails walking like we’ve had one too many at happy hour. The woodland trail winds along the hillside, the elevation changes are less than a 100 metres and well-supported by runs of stairs. Viewpoints are well-signed and secondary trails are often complete with a picnic table to enjoy the vistas of Menzies Bay and the mountains of Strathcona Park. There are several beach accesses to the shores of Menzies Bay and Nymphe Cove to include a little beachcombing. The last run of stairs help negotiate the most rugged part of the trail, and a final ‘hoof’ up the bluffs lands you at a panoramic view of the Narrows, Maude and Quadra Islands, and all the way south to Campbell River. Here’s where the binoculars come in handy to identify the maritime traffic – trollers and seiners on a mission to make the latest fishery opening; “lifestyle of the rich and famous” 100+ foot yachts completing their Pacific Northwest excursions; cruise ships queuing for slack tide passage and the zippy whale watching zodiacs wowing their survival-suited passengers with spins through the tidal rips while side-stepping whirlpools. It was quite windy the afternoon we were perched on the bluff and the wind howled through the hydro lines above our heads, reminding us of the commentary on the map at the beginning of the trail, which noted that with the advent of the super-cruise ships these lines, that traverse the span of the Narrows, needed to be raised to accommodate the height of these vessels. I wonder what expletive Captain Vancouver would have offered if he had to jockey for position in the Narrows with one of these giants? ~ The Friends of the Morden Mine Project (Morden Colliery: April 2010 Beacon) have let us know that The Black Track Tour with Tom Paterson will be September 12. A variety of sites will be visited, and the tour is ~5-6 hours in length. Please contact Frances Christopherson at cchristo@shaw.ca to register.

/ September 2010

DES KENNEDY

CANADA’S GARDENING GURU By Carolyn Walton

n May 2004 award-winning Canadian gardening guru Des Kennedy graced the front page of The Beacon’s premier eightpage newsletter and, like the publication, has had a productive six years since. New were his garden tours to Ireland, New Zealand, England and China, bringing back ideas for his garden on Des and partner Sandy’s bucolic piece of paradise on Denman Island. “We have a lot more ornamental grasses in than we used to have, partly from going to New Zealand as the grasses there were so magnificent.” Stone walls adorn the terraced hillside gardens, inspired by the great classical Chinese gardens. “China has a completely different approach to gardening from the west,” he explains. “It is all tied up with a philosophical approach. Designers were generally accomplished writers, philosophers, musicians and landscape architects, so you get this wonderful package all together, each similar but radically different.” A prolific and most entertaining author, Des published The Passionate Gardener in 2006. A book review in the Minneapolis Star Tribune says: “There are plenty of scraps for his humorous compost, as he explores the follies of malignant garden sprayers, bone meal made from mad cows and good fence/ bad fence. Kennedy is a green-thumb rogue. He’s the kind of gardening friend you’d like to take on a visit to the nursery and then, once the plants are safely home, to the neighbourhood pub.” His 1998 An Ecology of Enchantment, A Year in the Life of a Garden, has been reissued both in book form and Amazon’s Kindle. Author Patrick Lane is quoted: “Des Kennedy is not only a master gardener, gifted speaker, and irascible raconteur, he is also a fine writer whose maniacal humour and selfless humility inform every page of this remarkable book.” Last fall Des Kennedy’s new novel came out: Climbing Patrick’s Mountain, a riveting tale sprinkled with stories of old Ireland and spiced with descriptions of fine gardens and horticultural gossip. Croagh Patrick or St. Patrick’s Mountain is in County Mayo. St.

Des Kennedy on Denman Island • Carolyn Walton photo Patrick is supposed to have climbed it and stayed up for forty days and forty nights wrestling with his demons. Every year on “Reek Sunday”, the last Sunday in July, over 15,000 pilgrims climb it, many on their knees over rock scrabble. You’ll enjoy Des’ column on the back page of Garden Wise magazine and he appeared at garden shows this past year in Saskatoon and Calgary – vibrant shows with garden clubs boasting something like 3,000 members in a region which is one of the hardest to garden as conditions are impossible. Remember his regular slot on CBC Midday before the budget slashes? Recreating Eden on PBS still replays their visit to his garden and fans will have enjoyed his Globe and Mail columns. He has been a featured speaker at Toronto’s prestigious Canada Blooms and given talks at the former Vandusen Gardens Outdoor Show in Vancouver and the Victoria Garden Show. As well, many local garden club members will recall enjoying the wisdom and wit Des brings to his talks in Oceanside. Meanwhile back in his garden on Denman Island, Des and Sandy are gradually retooling it to make it less labour intensive. “We always wanted stuff you didn’t have to water all the time or fuss over but now we are wanting things that just don’t require as much labour so are going to more structural plantings. We have a grand scheme

afoot now to replace our thirty year-old greenhouse. We put all our tomatoes under glass now because of the blight which never used to be here.” Anyone who has been on the annual Denman Island Garden Tour, which Sandy started in 1990 as fundraiser for the Denman Land Conservancy, and visited Des and Sandy’s glorious garden will have loved seeing their eclectic buildings as well; a shed with turf roof (but no goats), a house that insinuates itself into the garden setting and the sleeping building on the hillside with its screened walls where Sandy and Des spend their summer nights. Ponds and meadows are surrounded by stately trees enclosing this special sanctuary. Des has worn many hats as monk, teacher, activist, environmentalist, author, raconteur. And he has related his life story in his latest book, The Way of a Gardener, which was launched in April, just one month after he had open heart surgery. I, for one, could not put the book down. His Irish wit, wicked gift of the gab and incredible vocabulary had one reader confide to me that he has put CBC’s vociferous Rex Murphy to shame with his knowledge of words. I was intrigued by his fascinating adventures and way with words, that I could only compare with the late Frank McCourt’s! ~ Ed. note: Frank McCourt is the author of the successful memoir “Angela’s Ashes”. / September 2010

Summer at the Phil Dwyer Academy of Musical & Culinary Arts

Makin’ Music in the Kitchen By Shirley Culpin

t’s not your average music camp. But then, nothing undertaken by Juno-award winning jazz musician Phil Dwyer is ever average. The Qualicum Beach native’s musical accolades are legendary; his summer camps for musicians of all ages and abilities are quickly heading into the same category, not just for their musical content, but for an aspect with a different twist – cooking.

Musical instruments are abandoned in favour of a delicious home-made lunch prepared and served in the Dwyer’s backyard

The Phil Dwyer Academy of Musical and Culinary Arts (PDAMCA) was born shortly after Phil and his family returned to Vancouver Island following a stint living in Toronto. “We moved back during the summer of 2004, and I realized right away that I wasn’t going to want to be traveling during the summer,” recalls Phil. “So we hatched this idea so that I could at least be home for a couple of weeks during the summer months.” The summer of 2005 saw the launch of PDAMCA. The first camp attracted primarily high school students and those heading to university. “They were all at an age when they were ready, or close to ready, to move out on their own,” says Phil, “and we thought it would be great for them to learn how to do basic food preparation so that they would have some idea about healthy eating.” So, the food component got thrown into the mix of intensive music instruction. “The first year we kind of winged it,” says Phil. “We had a couple of small camps. The second year, in 2006, we became more serious, and the camps grew. The word-ofmouth thing with young people is really your best advertising – we have certainly benefited from it.” Right through the first three years of the summer camps Phil would juggle both the musical and the culinary aspects. First thing every morning he would be in the grocery store picking up provisions for the self-catered lunches. As the camps grew in popularity so did Phil’s workload, but a serendipitous meeting at a party for band parents helped ease the situation. Phil got talking to Trevor Hooper, a professional chef 16

/ September 2010

Making pasta from scratch is almost as difficult as making music

and former owner of Vancouver’s awardwinning Raku restaurant. “It turned out I had his cook book,” says Phil. “I had bought it in Toronto.” Trevor had the knowledge, skill and background in the food industry that Phil lacked. The day after the party he arrived at the Dwyer home with a complete week’s worth of menus, budgets and portion costs. “He had everything on spread sheets,” recalls Phil. “It was amazing, and it took a huge load off me.” The burden was lifted just in time, too, it seems. By the time Trevor arrived on the scene in 2008 Phil’s camp had blossomed to 33 young people. Trevor has been part of the PDAMCA team ever since. He has taken on all the responsibility for the culinary aspect of the camps, from planning menus to sourcing and purchasing ingredients, to logistics. His friendly demeanor and obvious ability meld well with the casual, happy approach to food that permeates the lunchbreak culinary efforts of the PDAMCA students. Although very informal, the lunch breaks are highly organized. Four food preparation stations set up in the Dwyers’ backyard see students rotating to a different task each day. Working as teams, the students produce everything from scratch. Homemade pasta and pasta sauce, salad rolls, barbequed jerk chicken, a mouth-watering

rice dish featuring black beans and spices, salads turned out with home-made dressings – the menus run the gamut. Each student contributes, and every student gets to enjoy the results and, hopefully, develop an appreciation for good food. They also learn knife skills, which Trevor succinctly notes is imperative for a musician – no fingers, no music. “Phil wanted the kids to be totally involved,” says Trevor. “He didn’t want their meals to just be catered. And it’s been a great plan – everyone’s confidence grows, and they learn, just as they do with their music, that it’s all about working together.” It’s obvious during the wind-up concert of the PDAMCA intermediate camp that the combination of good food, outstanding faculty and a commitment to their music has paid off. The students, who hail from all over B.C. and Ontario, put on a commendable performance for a full house. As the summer rolls on, PDAMCA will host other camps featuring other music genres, age groups and musical ability levels. Through it all the commitment to culinary excellence will also be evident; it’s a hallmark of the Dwyer camps, a bonus drawing card for many attendees. And it’s what helps to make what Phil Dwyer does, yet again, above average. ~ Shirley Culpin photos

BOWSER SENIORS HOUSING LANDS A COUP

n the news recently was an announcement from the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) regarding the areas now protected by the Coastal Douglas-Fir moist marine biogeoclimatic subzone protection order. There were two revisions made to the original polygons (areas), one of which was at the request of the Bowser Seniors Housing Society. That revision (Schedule 5 Bowser) states: “Two parcels (District Lot 36, PT1 and PT2) totalling 3.8 hectares were removed from the original 876 hectare candidate area at Bowser to accommodate the Bowser Seniors Housing Society’s (BSHS) request to provide senior citizen housing on the site. The area requested for removal is within the Bowser Official Community Plan boundary, is separated from the main Bowser polygon by two gazetted roads and the request for removal is supported by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN)...” We are very pleased that the ILMB recognized two important issues when granting our request to exclude these two Crown Land lots from the CDF areas: 1) The lots are within the boundary of the Bowser Village Centre, which is the subject of a recent bylaw change to the OCP for Electoral Area H (Bylaw 1335.03, 2010) adopted by the RDN on June 8, 2010. Many residents of Area H were involved in the discussions leading to the preparation of the bylaw. 2) The intention to provide senior citizen housing on the site is consistent with the land uses identified in the above bylaw for those Crown Land lots. The BSHS has also requested to work with the Regional District of Nanaimo for the purpose of obtaining the Crown Land lots in Bowser. We took this action because the Society does not plan to use all of the land (3.8 hectares) for seniors housing, and there are other uses identified in the Bowser Village Centre bylaw which the RDN might wish to implement in the future. Our request was brought before the RDN Board on May 11, 2010, and the following motion was made and carried:

“... that the Board directs staff to meet with the Bowser Seniors Housing Society Executive to discuss and if possible negotiate a partnership between the RDN and the BSHS to apply for a Free Crown Grant for two lots of Crown Land that are within the boundary of the Bowser Village Centre, and then if successful, to lease part of those two lots to the BSHS for the purposes of building an independent-supportive seniors housing facility.” We have subsequently met with RDN staff and an application for the Crown Land is ready to be submitted. The application process (through ILMB) will take some time, and is dependent on obtaining sponsorship from a government ministry, but we are pleased to be on the way to obtaining this land for the benefit of seniors in the our area. (Note: ‘our area’ of Vancouver Island extends from Qualicum Bay to Union Bay and includes Horne Lake/Spider Lake, i.e. most of Area H of the RDN and part of the Comox Valley Regional District.) In addition, the BSHS and the Royal Canadian Legion #211 Bowser have exchanged letters of intent to work with each other on a seniors housing project. The Legion wishes to build seniors housing on their property in Bowser and are utilizing a consultant to first obtain the information necessary to prepare a business model. The role that we (BSHS) will play in that development and its operation is still under discussion. Finally, we are planning to hold a Community Workshop on Seniors Housing Options. We have received a grant from the Parksville Qualicum Community Foundation to hold this workshop in the fall. The purpose is: “... to bring together various organizations in our area to jointly discuss options for seniors housing. ... The aim of the workshop is to have the joint discussions and to encourage the various community groups to work together for the benefit of seniors in our area.” We shall be contacting interested organizations and community groups shortly, once we have set a date for the workshop. ~ Submitted by Sally Barton, Secretary Bowser Senior Housing Society bshs@shaw.ca • 250-757-8455

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/ September 2010

Finding Freedom With Diaper-Free By Rachel Allen

ore often these days, in our sophisticated world, a technique from the past comes back into fashion for its simplicity and natural aspects. Going diaper-free with your baby is an age-old idea that is catching on now like a summer wild fire. Diaper-free, also known as Natural Infant Hygiene or Elimination Communication (EC), is becoming as trendy with the modern mommy as signing to your baby and the Bob stroller. The catch-phrases are new, but the practice has been long been used in traditional societies. In fact, EC is currently being used today with 95% of the world’s babies in places where diapers are not mainstream or even available. Trendy or not, this conscientious new mother is proud to be riding aboard a bandwagon that leaves behind a trail of benefits for everyone involved. The concept of EC is exactly as it sounds. Parents and babies communicate about the baby’s need to eliminate. All babies are born with the sensations to know that they need ‘to go’. They expect their elimination needs to be taken care of as much as they expect to be fed. By learning to communicate with our babies they can be diaper-free part of the time or completely from the day they are born. All that is needed is an infant-sized potty, lots of absorbent pads and some waterproof change pads. A good dose of patience and commitment is also necessary. And don’t forget to bring along a sense of humour too.

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Doing EC with our first child has forced me to be the mother that I always wanted to be – intuitive, connected and in tune with my baby’s needs at every moment. Once I became aware of the list of advantages that my son would experience, I knew I couldn’t deny him what he deserved. Aside from the obvious freedom of being unencumbered by a wet bulk between his legs, going diaper-free avoids diaper rash, reduces crying, supports healthy body awareness and eliminates later troubles with toilet training. But EC is only one thing on a list of practices grouped together as ‘attachment parenting’. Others include co-sleeping, never leaving the baby alone, keeping the baby in close physical contact, responding promptly to baby’s cries, and breastfeeding with natural weaning. Eliminating or significantly reducing the amount of diapers that I contribute to the garbage was also a big part of my desire for us to be diaper-free. Think for a moment of the sheer number of diapers worldwide that reach the landfill every day. Astronomical! I make a daily concerted effort to leave as light a footprint on this Earth as possible. Diapers are no exception.

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/ September 2010

Any doubts I had about the integrity of EC were blown away when our infant son first turned to me from the potty with a look that was unmistakably ‘thank you’. I am in awe at the understanding that passes between us on a continuous basis. If this is what he has accomplished at such a young age, I look forward to every step of his development with anticipation. More than just an accomplishment, diaper-free has gifted him an understanding of his physical body and a confidence in knowing that his needs are always being met. To learn more about how you and your babies can be diaper-free, I recommend the book Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene, by Ingrid Bauer. It is the how-to bible on the topic. There is also plenty of information, resources and support groups on the internet. Check it out. ~

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eachwood Homes Inc. is a small, quality-driven builder of premium designed custom homes. The company teams Warren Westaway, a licensed Builder, and Lori Molchan, an Architectural Technologist, with over 45 years of combined experience in the construction industry. The company’s small size has a distinct advantage because it provides personal service and attention to detail from design through construction. “We take pride in designing and building homes that have a distinct architectural character both inside and out, custom tailored for each site and client.” Whether you are building a home from floor plans or choosing to live in one of our Custom Designed Homes, Beachwood Homes will help you create the home of your dreams. “Your home is not only a personal expression, it’s a major investment.” For professional expertise and value-driven construction decisions, trust Beachwood Homes to surpass your expectations to build a home that you will enjoy every single day. You are welcome to view the Show Home in the Palm Pacific subdivision as it nears completion on September 1st. For further information please call Beachwood Homes at 250-7578779; 175 Sunshine Place, Bowser, BC V0R1G0

Space for this Business Spotlight is generously provided by EyesOnBC. / September 2010

FEDERATION OF CANADIAN ARTISTS ARROWSMITH CHAPTER ART SHOW AND SALE

alent and emotion have come together once again in a unique and powerful exhibition showcasing the excellence of local professional artists who are members of the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA). The Oceanside Art Gallery in Qualicum Beach will be hosting this event From September 20th to October 15th. (except Sundays). The Arrowsmith Chapter of the FCA, one of the three Chapters on Vancouver Island has been in existence since the mid 1990s and represents approximately 60 artists in the Oceanside area. The group includes serious artists that are developing, emerging and professional, and whose objectives are to develop and maintain high standards and quality in their work. The work shown has been juried digitally by three senior members in Vancouver prior to their hanging as well as awards given so you will see the best of the best when you visit the gallery. Join us and meet the artists at the FCA opening reception Friday September 24th 7-9 pm. Call Bonnie at 250-752-3471 or qacs@shaw.ca SUBMITTED

/ September 2010

ECHO PLAYERS INTRODUCE THE 2010/2011 SEASON submitted by Alistair McVey

CHO Players is pleased to announce an exciting new season of theatre, offering a wonderful array of comedy, murder mystery and musical theatre for the entertainment of our audiences. Our season opens in October with Agatha Christie’s famous The Mousetrap. Directed by ECHO Players veteran actor and director Eileen Pope, this proved to be Christie’s longest-running mystery on the London stage. In December, we offer Robinson Crusoe, a pantomime directed by Mary Ann Kennedy, well-known for her popular musical productions in recent seasons. Written by Graham Barraclough, it will be an ideal Christmas entertainment for the whole family. The delightful Lettice and Lovage, by award-winning playwright Peter Shaffer (Amadeus, Equus, etc.), will run in March and April 2011, directed by Sue Murguly. Filled with drama and laughter, this production will be ECHO Players’ entry in Theatre BC’s North Island Zone Festival. The season ends in May and June with the hilarious comedy Over the River and Through the Woods, by American playwright Joe DiPietro. Directed by Wendy Punter, it features doting Italian-American grandparents who make every attempt to prevent their grandson from moving from New Jersey to Seattle. In addition, the Annual Vancouver Island One Act Play Festival will be held at the Village Theatre during the first week of November 2010. Details about these plays are available in the 2010/2011 Season brochure (you can pick up your copy at the Village Theatre) and are posted on our website (www.echoplayers. ca). To enquire about season tickets, please phone the Village Theatre Box Office at 250752-3522 – even when closed, we check for your messages regularly. ~ For more information, contact Alistair McVey 250-752-1980 or info@echoplayers.ca Based at the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach, ECHO Players is a community theatre society which has served Oceanside and beyond since the 1930s.

quickly reacted and followed through in our attempt to save Phoenix.” This mission began with Ministry permission for a MARS volunteer to climb the towering nest fir and invade the nest – not an easy job when the climber had to climb an adjacent tree then swing over to the nest tree. This accomplished, he was able to scoop the eaglet from the nest. Alas, it was too late for Phoenix – she had died on the evening of July 14th. But MARS’ work was not finished. It and the MOE wanted to know the cause of the eaglet’s death. It was necessary to keep the little body cool to prevent further deterioration until a necropsy (autopsy of a non-human body) to determine the cause and the probable state of the eaglet’s health prior to death, could be performed.

Mission for Mars By Nancy Whelan

ARS – nothing to do with the Roman god of war, nor the fourth planet from the sun. MARS – nothing to do, either, with the Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society, but the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) in Merville, near Courtenay, has plenty to do with the rescue, transport, rehabilitation, and release of ill, injured, orphaned, or oiled wildlife. As its name suggests, it deals mainly with birds but will, if necessary, aid in helping all other native wildlife, except cougars, wolves, and black bears.

Reg Westcott of MARS with eagle ‘rescue’, Brig and claimed the devotion of thousands of viewers on the Internet.

Founded on three wooded acres by the late Keith Birch and his wife Maj (Mary Jane), MARS has had federal and provincial permits to provide professional care for wildlife since 1993. A recent touching example of its efforts was the attempt to save an ailing young eaglet.

As is usual, these eagles produced two eggs sometime in March and the first one hatched at the end of April. After some previous failures in raising a family, this eagle nestling was named “Phoenix”; the second egg, which did not hatch was suitably named “Dudley”.

The eaglet was in a nest being monitored by Doug Carrick of Hornby Island and the Hancock Wildlife Foundation. Since 2004 when Doug, with Ministry of Environment permission, installed the camera, the family life of this eagle pair has intrigued

In mid-July, it became obvious that Phoenix, now 76 days-old, was in serious distress and MARS stepped into the breach. “We have a good relationship with an avian pathologist at the MOE (Ministry of Environment) and when I put in a personal call, the Ministry

Upon its arrival at the MARS facility the following evening, the preliminary work of examination, measuring, and assessing the body condition was completed before Phoenix’s first and last flight. From MARS she was taken to Comox airport where private pilot Norm Snihur transported her by helicopter to Abbotsford to be received by an avian pathologist to complete the examination. The results arrived back at MARS in short order. Phoenix, although somewhat malnourished, was of average fly weight; she had died from rapid onset bilateral pneumonia triggered by the aspergillis fungus. Aspergillis is one of a group of moulds, found worldwide in the air we breathe but harmless to most healthy humans and animals; typically, it invades a weakened immune system. All this may seem a lot of work and expense for one baby eagle, but both MARS and MOE hope to learn about and prevent such continued on page 38

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/ September 2010

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Rose Petal Scones with Crème Fraiche and Champagne Rose Petal Jelly Makes about 18 large or 35 small scones Ingredients Artisan Edibles Rose Petal Scone Mix (available at the Salish Sea Market in Bowser) 1 ½ cups of whipping cream - Assemble and bake as per directions on package TIPS: Try adding a tsp of vanilla to the whipping cream before adding to the dry mix; brush the scones with a little cream and sprinkle with sugar before baking, and for a special presentation, use a heart shaped cookie cutter. You can also cut the scones and freeze them. Simply thaw at least one hour before baking, Top with Crème Fraiche and Artisan Edibles’ Champagne Rose Petal Jelly From: Artisan Edibles Haute Delicious Cookbook

/ September 2010

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Rita Lev

itz photo

they had looked at in Bowser was for sale again. Patti remembers, “We looked at each other, wondered if this was a wise thing to do, and then plunged ahead.” “We like it here,” adds Dick. “There is the interesting opportunity to participate in doing things right, putting your shoulder behind the wheel and seeing what happens. Together, we can do something we can all appreciate.” Which brings the conversation back to volunteering: “I got it from my mom,” says Dick. “She’s eighty-five now and has difficulty walking, but she’s at the Filberg Lodge 7am most mornings, supervising the cutting garden.” Patti is secretary of the Lighthouse Country Business Association and involved with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Bowser Legion. “When we first came here, I didn’t have anyone to bake for.” Several local businesses were on her hit list: Patti would bake and then distribute the goodies. [Full disclosure: I’ve been plied with freshly baked scones.] Now, among other things, she bakes muffins every Tuesday morning, “for a wonderful group of eight fellows who work very hard at the Legion.” As Dick puts it, “She feeds the planet!” Patti is also an avid gardener. “My incredible neighbour Thelma, who is eighty-one, teaches me something every day. Dick and I both love meeting people and seeking out new ideas. Dick always says there is no such thing as a dumb question.” By Rita Levitz

ick Stubbs is at the stage in his life when he can say, “If it doesn’t interest me, I don’t do it.” However, Dick’s interests are incredibly wide-ranging; as his wife Patti says, “We do a lot!” Both Dick and Patti recognize the value of volunteering within their community. “We both believe that you only get out of your community what you put into it – and we are participators,” says Dick. He has been on the Bowser Water Board almost since the time they first moved here from Salt Spring Island, four years ago. Or, as Patti puts it, “We just went up to a meeting and guess who couldn’t sit on his hands.” He is currently in his second year as Chairperson. “I’d had a fair bit of experience with water management. I strongly advocate for water conservation. There are a lot of people moving in who assume this area is just like where they came from, and do not understand the ramifications of a small rural water district.” Dick ran the Building Inspection office on Salt Spring –“that was the longest time I worked at the same thing”– and then became involved in rainwater systems. “I was sleeping, eating and, yes, drinking it, and thought, ‘there are too many other things I want to do.’” So how did Dick break the working-too-much cycle? “Two days after I quit work, I started to ride my bike across Canada.” Patti drove their van, with their dog Wojo, making sure her husband had the supply of calories he needed for the trip. Luckily, she is an avid cook, and better yet, baker! “We do love our baking. We discovered that I needed 7,000 calories a day just to keep going.” While in New Brunswick they responded to a call from their realtor. The place

/ September 2010

Dick continues to use his bike as his major form of transportation throughout the year, whether to work a few times a week in Qualicum Beach or up to Comox to visit his mother. “You’ve probably seen me on the road, in my spandex! Riding flushes the head; you can get a lot of thinking done.” Patti was concerned that Dick hadn’t mentioned “the really interesting things he does, like knitting a sweater every winter, using patterns he creates. He also bakes all our bread.” Last winter they took Breadmaking 101 at Vancouver Island University; this winter they are on to croissants. “Dick has been collecting bricks for an outdoor bread-baking oven. It could also be a community thing, for people to bring their loaves for baking. He re-uses every piece of wood he can, straightens out nails and bolts, always making new things out of old.” Although Dick and Patti have very distinct personalities, so much of what they believe in, care about and enjoy begins with “we”. “I thought it might be boring,” says Patti, “now that our kids Kirsti and Toby have grown, but it hasn’t turned out that way. We enjoy each other’s company. We sit on the deck in the evening [when they are not sailing, kayaking, camping, gardening, building, canning, baking – you get the picture] and think,‘Wow, isn’t this the most amazing life.’” ~

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

september 2010

/ September 2010

PROMOTION

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

By David Nellist, CFP

The Grand Finale

hirley and I (like most couples) have tried to do a reasonably good job at both raising and financially budgeting for our two children Clinton and Carly. When I look back over the past 19 years, what I thought was on the expensive side then, has turned into a massive cash flow commitment now. Clinton is now entering his second year at the University of Victoria, and Carly is entering grade 12 at Kwalikum Secondary School. When they were little, they seemed expensive because they always grew out of their clothes so fast. Every six months or so, a whole new wardrobe needed to be purchased – and since we have a boy and a girl – Carly was not willing to take any hand-me downs. As they got older, keeping up-to-date on sports equipment (size and variety for various sports) also chewed into the family budget. When Carly was 15, she had an opportunity to travel to Costa Rica (as part of a KSS field trip), and guess who paid the bill? Now we get to take our spending to a whole new level again. Clinton lived in residence for his first year of university. As a second year student, he has decided he is ready to take the next step and move off campus into a four bedroom basement suite with three other guys – about 1,200 square feet in total living space. His cost (or should I say mine) is $6,000 per year (we had to sign a 12 month lease). Tuition fee is $5,500 for the year – and did I mention the food allowance we need to cover? We’re

/ September 2010

not sure about this one yet as Clinton was on a meal plan last year on campus, but lets say about $600 per month. Total budget will be about $17,500 dollars for the next education year. And there’s more good news…Carly will be entering first year university in the fall of 2011 so we can have twice the financial fun. Now being a good Financial Planner and practicing what I preach, we actually have a RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan) in place to cover most of this. But here is the reason for my article. Most couples today in their 30’s and 40’s with children are (and will likely be) grossly unprepared for future education costs. The causes trace to; too much invested in their family home with fat mortgage payments, too much discretionary spending on everything from cars to trips, and interruptions in employment income due to maternity leave. The savings rate for this age group is not stellar. RRSP contributions get missed, TFSA (Tax Free Savings Account) contributions are often ignored. So it’s no wonder that RESPs get forgotten – and then reality strikes. All of a sudden the children are graduating high school and the family is caught off side in how to pay for it. It’s also important to note that after age 15, certain contributions need to be made in order for the 20% grant to continue. So…if you’re a grandparent, and not too sure about how your children are doing in this department, I can say statistically, not very well. My experience has been that it’s

the grandparents and not the parents that get RESPs started. If you’re a grandparent and looking for a way to help your children and grandchildren at the same time – and get a 20% grant on deposits as you do it – this is a great way to help out your extended family. You may even be fortunate enough to see your grandchildren graduate and know that you helped them get their working careers started. If you’d like to discuss RESPs further, please give our office a call at 250-7528184. ~ Our mission at Raymond James Qualicum Beach is to provide a destination for people to delegate their financial needs, so they can live in financial harmony in an uncertain world. David Nellist is a Financial Advisor with Raymond James Ltd. Information provided is not a solicitation and although obtained from sources considered reliable, is not guaranteed. The view and opinions contained in the article are those of David Nellist, not Raymond James Ltd. Securities offered through Raymond James Ltd., Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Financial planning and insurance offered through Raymond James Financial Planning Ltd., not a MemberCanadian Investor Protection Fund.

Human Beings...or...Human Doings? By Joanne Sales

e like things. It’s a realm where we feel at home. We arrange, clean, collect, work for, obsess on, think about and fight over things. Collecting is succeeding. In an age of materialism, we spend a good part of our lives doing things with things. “When we die, the one with the most toys wins.” We laugh at that statement…kind of. In our defense, not only do we humans HAVE things; we also DO things. My friend told me that her mother was not a Human Being, she was a Human Doing. I immediately identified. Hey! I’m a Human Doing too! Most of us are. We gather a sense of self-worth by how much we do. Humans have and humans do, but more than anything else, humans THINK. Thinking is quite possibly the stickiest of all our realms of action. The 17th century philosopher Descarte said, “I think, therefore I am.” He figured that as long as he was thinking, then his being was confirmed. He believed he found certainty – on the slippery slope of thought. We are “human thinkers”. And do we ever think! All the time. Incessantly. Obviously, we human beings are very busy. At the end of the day, it is interesting to think about how we spent our hours. We can usually figure out what our body did. (I brushed my teeth, went to work, read, ate mashed potatoes and went to bed.) It is much harder to account for what our minds did all day. (Let’s see. I thought about…hmmm. Oh goodness. I spent some time humming, remembering, thinking about floods, worrying about drought, planning the weekend, and…hmmm.) Most of our thoughts are trivia, with opinions, observations, memories and rants thrown into a stew of imaginary conversations, boring reruns and flights of fancy. It’s the nature of thoughts that we can’t keep track of them, but nevertheless, it seems that none of us humans ever have a lack of them. Given that we fill our days with doing, thinking and having, how in heaven’s name did we get the magnificent title of Human Beings? It isn’t easy to just Be. Very few of us have the ability to turn off the incessant stream of thoughts and the urge to action – and to just be. If things settle down, and we find ourselves doing nothing other than being, it almost feels like a cop-out. It’s like we’re not taking our job seriously. Aren’t we supposed to be doing something? Our training says yes! We should be doing something. Even if that something is worthy of nothing. There are many ways. Meditation is one. Quite often it becomes just another thing to do, but on a good day meditation opens a window for Being time. It doesn’t take much. On those rare occasions when the body is still, and the mind silences, there is a moment of being. Once a teacher told me that meditating for an hour is valuable – just to get 30 seconds of silence. Silence is powerful stuff – and a little bit of it goes a long way. The rewards are great. The sense of centre and calm spills over into our actions and thoughts. The feeling of wellness and expansiveness we get from conscious Being can transcend the other pleasures of our busy lives. It’s new for us, however, and not easy to experience. Not yet. But it may be time in our evolution when we embrace “Being” – which is, after all, our last name. ~ I highly recommend two current writers on this topic: Eckhart Tolle and Jill Bolte Taylor. ~ JS Joanne Sales is an organic blueberry farmer, writer and EFT Counselor living in Qualicum Beach. joanne@glasswing.com

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/ September 2010

Lotar Maurer CGA

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Now the wealth of the deceased spouse can be taxed, at lower graduated rates, in the testamentary trust rather than being added to ne of the cornerstones of tax planning the wealth of, and taxed at higher rates in the to minimize taxes is income splitting. hands of, the surviving spouse. The surviving 752.9223 The same income spread across two or more spouse still receives the after-tax income from 1.866.352.9223 taxpayers is generally subject to less tax than the trust – but that after-tax income is larger lotar.maurer@islandcga.c0m if the income were all in the hands of only one than it would have been had the surviving www.islandcga.com person. spouse received the wealth directly and paid 107 663 Beach Road, their own, higher, tax on it. The Income Tax Act includes many rules Qualicum Beach, BC minimizing, or eliminating entirely, A further tax benefit is available to a properlyopportunities for income splitting during structured spousal testamentary trust. Certified Financial Planner the life of a taxpayer. One opportunity still Normally, on the death of a taxpayer, their available (within limits), and used by many capital property is deemed sold at fair market couples, is for each spouse to have their own value, giving rise to a potential capital gain. investment portfolio, such that the investment Income Tax Act rules allow for a “rollover” income is split among the spouses. of capital property at it’s cost to a spouse, effectively postponing the capital gain until the But on the death of one of the spouses, the will of the deceased spouse often leaves their death of the second spouse. This tax-deferred We’re always glad to know you’re investment portfolio (or other wealth, be it a “rollover” is also permitted to a spousal reading The Beacon. Comments, vacation property, rental property, shares in a testamentary trust as well as to a spouse. suggestions and article ideas are always business . . .) to the surviving spouse. The drawbacks? A principle one is cost. There welcome. beacon@eyesonbc.com are the costs of setting up the trust, plus the The result? The surviving spouse now has annual tax return preparation and filing costs their own, as well as the inherited, wealth – and is taxed on the combined income or gain of the trust. Also, the wealth of the deceased from that wealth. Because income is taxed at spouse must now be probated and is subject graduated rates the surviving spouse now has to probate fees (wealth passing directly to a much higher income and is taxed much more surviving spouse could avoid probate). An We’re Keeping our heavily than were the two individuals prior to estate plan should examine the relative costs of the testamentary trust to ensure the tax savings the death of one of them. are justified. Can income still be split after the death of Another consideration is that a trust must be one of the spouses? Yes, it can, if it is done right. Make sure you “don’t try this at home” wound up within a maximum of 21 years, so – get professional financial planning advice, there is a limit to how long the income can be Follow us and have the work done by lawyers with the split and/or taxes postponed. • on Twitter appropriate knowledge and skills. Some of the income tax benefits of a www.twitter.com/BeaconMagazine testamentary trust are not restricted to spousal The solution? A testamentary trust. Rather trusts – testamentary trusts can be created than a taxpayer leaving in their will their • on Facebook for children or other beneficiaries and, cost wealth to their spouse, their will can create, Search for us as EyesOnBC aside, there is no restriction on the number of and leave their wealth to a testamentary beneficiaries that such trusts can be created for • on our Blog spousal trust instead. – but you cannot create more than one trust for beaconmagazine.blogspot.com Trusts are considered, under the Income any one beneficiary. Tax Act, as separate taxpayers; they report and on our own As well, there are numerous non-incomeincome and pay taxes separately from the developing website tax-related benefits to testamentary trusts beneficiaries of the trust. Inter vivos trusts – providing for special needs dependents, (those created during the lifetime of the CHECK individual creating the trust) always pay tax at preserving family assets, protecting assets the highest marginal tax rate, but testamentary from creditors, and others. ~ www.eyesonbc.com trusts (created in the will of the deceased) are for details and updates Please refer to Lotar Maurer’s ad on this page taxed at the same graduated rates as individual for his contact information. taxpayers. 30 / September 2010 By Lotar Maurer, CGA

Submitted by Lucy Churchill, RN

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea often goes undiagnosed. Are you someone who has it?

What is Sleep Apnea?

leep Apnea – a disruption of breathing while asleep – is a deceiving disorder! 90% of people who have this condition do not even know it! Although episodes of choking or gasping for air might occur hundreds of times throughout the night, you may not have any recollection of this happening. Usually it is the bed partner who first notices that the person is struggling to breathe. If left untreated, this common disorder can be life threatening. Warning signs and symptoms of sleep apnea may include: • Frequent silences during sleep due to breaks in breathing (apnea) • Choking or gasping during sleep to get air into the lungs • Loud snoring • Sudden awakenings to restart breathing or waking up in a sweat • Daytime sleepiness and not feeling refreshed by a nights sleep, including falling asleep at inappropriate times What happens when you have an episode of Sleep Apnea? When you stop breathing during sleep due to Sleep Apnea, the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood is upset.This imbalance stimulates the brain to restart the breathing process.The brain signals you to wake up so that the muscles of the tongue and throat can increase the size of the airway. These waking episodes are necessary to restart your breathing (and save your life), and you may not remember them, but they do disturb your sleep and cause daytime exhaustion. Is snoring the same as Sleep Apnea? Snoring is not the same as Sleep Apnea. Snoring is a loud sound you make during breathing while asleep if there is any obstruction in your airway. While it may be unpleasant for your sleep partner, snoring is not harmful. On the other hand, people with Sleep Apnea are deprived of oxygen due to a complete blockage of airways, which can have a major impact on health. Snoring often does accompany Sleep Apnea, but just because you snore does not mean you have Sleep Apnea. Causes and Risk Factors • Being overweight or obese • Large tonsils or adenoids • Other distinctive physical attributes (deviated septum, shape of head and neck, receding chin, enlarged tongue) • Nasal congestion or blockage (from cold, sinusitis, allergies, smoking) • Throat muscles and tongue relax more than normal during sleep (possibly due to alcohol, sedatives or age) ~ / September 2010

The Focus is on Fitness in Lighthouse Country by Kim Longmuir

eptember signals the happy sound of children skipping back to school which reminds everyone it is time to begin organizing fall schedules. This usually means finding time to fit some regular exercise back into your routine. There are numerous activities, all close to home, just waiting for you and your family. Local Qualicum Bay Mom, Lori Chesley, will once again extend a warm welcome to Moms, Dads and their preschool children in Bowser Buddies and Sports for Shorts. Enjoy this time to make new friends, play and be active with your children. The popular Girls Just Want to Have Fun program at Bowser Elementary School will be led by energetic leader, Kathleen Guest. Girls 6-11 years will plan theme days, make cool crafts and best of all giggle. Kathleen will also be hosting Monday Family Night Volleyball for youth and parents. Volley, bump and spike your way to fitness. These friendly games are open to all abilities. I am happy to tell you that yoga and running instructors, Fiona Mackey, and Heather Beatty, are returning to share their expertise and passion. The great news for any of you who couldn’t make Fiona’s past Monday or Thursday evening classes at Bowser School is the addition of a Tuesday morning class at the Lighthouse Community Centre. Coach Heather will be returning Monday mornings to gently guide you from Learning to Run to Running Stronger. You will be supported every step of the way with Fiona and Heather. In addition to yoga and running, certified BCRPA personal trainer, Sally Whibley, is returning to the Lighthouse Community Centre on Wednesday mornings to instruct her new class Focus on Fitness. This class is open to all levels of fitness and will include cardio, core exercises, strength work and stretching. Sally enjoys specializing in seniors’ fitness.

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The Lighthouse Recreation Commission continues to dedicate time to supporting recreation in the Lighthouse Community, with their popular floor hockey and badminton programs. The Commission also kindly helps to subsidize some of the preschool programs in the community and will once again sponsor a family event in late November at the Lighthouse Community Centre. Stay tuned in the October Beacon for all the details. Just a reminder to mark Sunday, September 19th, on your calendar! Join in the 30th Anniversary of the Terry Fox Run at Rathtrevor Provincial Park. The walk/run/bike starts at 10am, with registration beginning at 9am. People are encouraged to register online at www.terryfoxrun.org. Volunteers are always welcome to help make this annual event a continued success. Please contact RDN Recreation Programmer, Cathy MacKenzie, at 250-248-3252 if you can volunteer your time. Drop by EyesOnBC to pick up the new RDN Fall and Winter Active Living Guide. You can find me in my office on Mondays, Wednesdays and most Thursdays, at 250-757-8118 or 250-2404911 (cell) or email me at klongmuir@rdn.bc.ca. Please refer to the Community Events on page 41-42 for more info.

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When I was growing up I was raised to treat all people with respect. To think that people were treated so badly or not accepted because of the colour of their skin just blows my mind. This movie was very good and very powerful.

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Author Timothy Tyson’s acclaimed novel is adapted for the screen in this sweeping civil rights drama from director Jeb Stuart. Set in Oxford, NC, in the 1970s, Blood Done Sign My Name tells the tale of Civil Rights leader Dr. Ben Chavis (Nate Parker), who played a pivotal role in desegregating North Carolina’s public school system, and who would go on to become the youngest-ever executive director and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The film centres on the racial tensions that flared after a white father and son were charged with murdering a black man.

THE JONESES - IN STORE NOW I really enjoyed this movie. I thought it was funny and well done. Heck, I wouldn’t mind having that job... The Joneses is a social commentary on our consumer society. Perfect couple Steve and Kate Jones, and their gorgeous teen-aged children Jenn and Mick, are the envy of their posh, suburban neighbourhood filled with McMansions and all the trappings of the upper middle class. Kate is the ultimate trendsetter – beautiful, sexy, dressed head-to-toe in designer labels. Steve is the admired, successful businessman who has it all: a gorgeous wife, big house and an endless supply of high-tech toys. Jenn and Mick rule their new school as they embody all that is hip and trendy – cool clothes, fast cars and the latest gadgets. But as the neighbours try to keep up with the Joneses, none are prepared for the truth about this all too perfect family.

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DIARY OF A WIMPY KID – IN STORE NOW Okay, who said that parents can’t laugh harder than the kids? This was a great family movie that, believe me, the whole family will love. To Greg Heffley, middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. It’s a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are morons, wedgies, swirlies, bullies, lunchtime banishment to the cafeteria floor – and a festering piece of cheese with nuclear cooties. To survive the never-ending ordeal and attain the recognition and status he feels he so richly deserves, Greg devises an endless series of can’t-miss schemes, all of which, of course, go awry. And he’s getting it all down on paper, via a diary – “it’s NOT a diary, it’s a journal!” Greg insists, preferring the less-sissified designation – filled with his opinions, thoughts, tales of family trials and tribulations, and (would-be) schoolyard triumphs. “One day when I’m famous,” writes Greg, “I’ll have better things to do than answer peoples’ stupid questions all day.” So was born the Wimpy Kid’s diary. Come into the store and check out some other great New Releases: two great family movies Furry Vengeance starring Brendan Fraser and Marmaduk with the voices of Owen Wilson and George Lopez; Pierce Brosnan in The Ghost Writer; for those Western lovers there’s Gunless; The Last Song with Miley Cyrus and a great comedy starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O’Loughlin The Back-Up Plan. SEPTEMBER NEW RELEASES: For Camp Rockers there’s Camp Rock 2; catch Jake Gullenhall starring in The Prince of Persia; for Desperate Housewives’ fans pick up Desperate Housewives Season 6; don’t forget Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett in Robin Hood and keep Iron Man 2 in mind. See you at the Store. ~

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By Marilyn Dawson, Reporter

fficially, the first portion of this August Council meeting was a public hearing on the new plans for the Qualicum Heritage Inn on the site of the old College Inn and to get reaction from interested parties. Usually these hearings attract only those who may be affected by change but at this meeting it was clear this was a much bigger issue. The Town had already received a petition signed by more than 80 homeowners near the controversial site, as well as a sheaf of letters and emails. By 6:40 pm the crowd at Town Hall was spilling out into the hallway and people were still coming. At issue was the proposal to erect three buildings where one once stood; a change in zoning was necessary to allow for year-round residency. The property, which sits on a bluff overlooking Judges Row, is zoned for tourist accommodation, and is so designated on the Official Community Plan (OCP). Amendments to two bylaws would be necessary to implement the plan, but any time a change is contemplated in the OCP, Qualicum Beach citizens react. When proceedings finally began a half hour late, more than 100 people had reassembled at the more spacious Civic Centre. It was

/ September 2010

an orderly crowd, articulate, disciplined, no shouts or bad language, but seriously determined to get their message out. They listened quietly while architect Anthony Boni described the project and addressed some of the concerns about the height of the proposed three buildings and the conditions of the slope. Then one by one they said their piece. The intent of their message was clear. Listen to the citizens or face the consequences. The first two speakers, Town residents who do not live in the immediate vicinity of the College Inn, set the tone for the evening to rounds of applause. Under the current plan that calls for condominium units only on 2.1 acres, they noted particularly the loss to the community of a restaurant, meeting place and tourist accommodation. The proposed gabled structures were “out of character” with the surrounding area, said John Gibson. In fact, the big screen in front of him with the conceptual drawing superimposed on the neighbourhood showed how right he was. Medieval castles meet suburbia. John England, who once operated a bed and breakfast near the Inn, told Councillors there was a shortage of tourist accommodation in

the area and scolded them for considering a zoning change. Throughout the evening, Council took its lumps for allowing this plan to get this far. “You were voted to protect the people of this town, not to help a developer get rich,” Barry Wilford said. Another said councils come and go every few years, so the town staff runs the daily business. It was time for Council to run things, not the Town. Not everyone disliked the plan. There were a few who were tired of the whole affair and the derelict site and wanted quick approval. That was not to be. Later, when the crowd had thinned, Councillors in an about-face that showed they got the message, made the rare move of rescinding second reading, rescheduling it for a morning in late August. Then, after some tinkering, an amended bylaw passed second reading, much to the chagrin of another crowded gallery. So, it’s on to the next round; another public hearing is set for Sept. 9, days before the September Council meeting. This time, in anticipation of a crowd, it will be at the Civic Centre. ~

By David Morrison

From a local perspective, this particular production bears its own historical significance. The VIO this year celebrates a decade of bringing opera to Oceanside, coming full circle by once again staging the comedy operetta that originally launched the company. This time, however, it will be very different, on a far grander scale, marking one chapter of the VIO ending and the next beginning. I spoke recently with the VIO’s beguiling founder, producer and Artistic Director, retired opera singer, Tatiana Vasilieva. She explained the reason for revisiting a work already presented was simply a case of unfinished business. “When we started we were doing scenes from operas, but my aim was always to perform a whole opera. The first one was Die Fledermaus, but it was only accompanied by piano. We did not have money for an orchestra, as it is so expensive. Now we have an orchestra of professional musicians.” Indeed, the VIO now boasts a 26-piece orchestra comprised of young talent from the Vancouver, Victoria and Mid-Island Symphony Orchestras, to be conducted at these performances by noted Vancouver Opera tenor, John Arsenault. At the point of such an important anniversary for the VIO, it seems pertinent to recap how this much-loved company came into being. Delightfully, it turns out that the beauty and peace of the region as a retirement zone was the inadvertent catalyst.

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ne hundred and thirty-six years ago, the now standard Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) operetta, Die Fledermaus (The Bat), was staged for the very first time. In the wake of countless performances around the world since that historic premiere at Theater an der Wien in Vienna, Austria, the Vancouver Island Opera (VIO) presents Strauss Jr.’s third operatic work at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre on Saturday October 16 (7:30pm) and Sunday October 17 (2:30pm). (See ticket details below.)

Madam Butterfly “It’s the usual story!’ laughs Tatiana. “So many people come here to retire; well, the same happened to my husband and I, and we moved to Qualicum Beach. But after a short time here I realized I was bored, because I had always been so busy all my life. People heard that I was here, and not doing anything with opera after such a long and distinguished career, so they phoned me and came to see me. Then I had a meeting in my kitchen with about 40 people! I was amazed at how many people were interested in it! This was the beginning. I didn’t really expect so many people wanted to perform. I have a main core of singers in the chorus that are with me now since the beginning, and I am so proud of them because sometimes they are better than the professionals! They are so integrated, so together.”

contemporary operas, such as Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, Berg’s Wozzeck or Adams’ Nixon in China had been ever been entertained as ideas for the future.

Originally founded as the Oceanside Lyric Ensemble, the name was changed to Vancouver Island Opera in 2005. Sandwiched between the piano-accompanied Die Fledermaus and the forthcoming full orchestra production, there have been seasons of regular recitals and five other full-length operas: Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Bizet’s Carmen, Verdi’s La Traviata and two Puccini masterpieces, La Bohème and Madama Butterfly.

Another aspect she wrestles with to an extent is whether VIO productions should be presented as originally written, or catered to English-speaking audiences.

Looking at this list of VIO presentations to date it seems evident that the company is, at least currently, intent on staging the more ‘mainstream’ operas. I asked Tatiana if this was a deliberate plan, and whether thoughts of producing some of the more challenging

“I am purposely choosing the traditional operas,” she said, “because for people who are not exposed so much to opera I could not give them some of the modern operas. Telling the truth I do not like some of them myself! Some are lots of fun for performers, but not so melodious and nice to listen to. This is why I am choosing material that is traditional.” This said, Tatiana is not ruling out the possibility of tackling a modern opera or two in the future. It’s all about the audience, she says, feeling they need a greater understanding of the 20th century works and the evolution of opera in general in order to appreciate the tougher material.

“Yes, there is the big dilemma in doing operas in the original language, or with translation. I am one that believes the original language should go with the opera, but in the case of Die Fledermaus we are doing it in English.” I tend to agree with Tatiana that operas should be shown in their purest form but then, as in the case of the controversial UK primetime ‘reality’ TV show, Popstar to Operastar (sic), maybe any device available to attract the uninitiated to the many joys of / September 2010

continued from page 35 opera is not such a bad thing? It’s certainly a debatable point, but as 99.99 percent of opera recordings on CD or vinyl are in the original language, it may be best to leave it to those, like Tatiana, who know what’s best for the audiences of live performances.

“I hope to produce all the operas I have in mind,” she states. “I am praying that God will give me strength and energy and health to be able to do all these operas I have envisioned in my mind for the next few years.”

And this is certainly a lady who, after a lifetime in the world of opera, can speak with authority on such matters. A former member of the Canadian Opera Company, Tatiana once studied under the legendary Italian tenor, Beniamino Gigli (1890-1957), and was described by Opera Canada magazine as having a “voice of exceptional brilliance, style and vocal control.”

For this I can only hope for the very same, applaud and loudly cheer: Brava, Tatiana! Brava! ~

Of her experiences with Gigli, she says: “He said to me, ‘You have a lot of potential, Tatiana, but,’ as he said it, ‘you have to lavoro, lavoro, lavoro!’ Work, work, work!’ And I remember to this day that without work, nothing can happen in opera. It is very demanding mentally and physically. It’s like a sport and you have to be in good condition to be able to perform well vocally, as well as emotionally.” Tatiana continues to seek people prepared to unreservedly offer this kind of ethic to join the VIO for their ongoing adventures in opera, having a whole lot of fun in the process. Interested? Get in touch! “We are inviting chorus members, especially men – we don’t have enough men! – to come and join us, because we don’t audition chorus,” she says. “So all people who love singing should come; loving to sing is the important thing!” So, as the singing continues to ring loud and clear while the VIO prepares to celebrate this big birthday, what hopes does its esteemed founder hold for the next ten years?

/ September 2010

Tickets for the VIO’s 10th Anniversary production of Die Fledermaus are available from: Chocolates Plus, Qualicum Beach (144 2nd Ave); Skylite Motel, Parksville (459 East Island Hwy); Cranky Dog Music, Parksville (154 Morison Ave); Tom Lee Music, Nanaimo (10-6894 Island Hwy North). For further information, contact VIO secretarytreasurer Lucille Thompson at (250) 248 7296 or luthompson@shaw.ca.

Tree Choices, Bone Meal, and Bald Spots in Lawn Q: We’ve planted Cedar and Yew for narrow, short trees, but the deer eat them. Please give us some other choices of what to plant for that purpose. A: The best idea for upright columnar trees is to plant Spruce or Juniper, which the deer don’t eat. I have a few favourites that are available in our area. For Spruce, Picea pungens glauca Fastigiata grows 3m x 1.5 m with dark to blue-green foliage. For Juniper, I really like Juniperus scopulorum ‘Witchita Blue’ or J. scopulorum ‘Moonglow’. They both have blue green foliage and grow to 3 m x 1.5 m like the Spruce. These are upright and narrow but with wider bottom growth. A Juniper with the same colouring that is narrower by .5 a metre is J. scopulorum ‘Medora’. All are drought tolerant, disease resistant varieties that do well for screening or as accent plants. They easily perform as well as Cedar and Yew without developing that ‘eaten, sculptured’ look.

natural process whereas compost freely allows it. Plants have an incredible ability to choose and find what they need as long as the choices are there in the soil. By amending with rich compost, you are giving your plants a virtual element buffet! It has all the nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium needed in a naturally balanced form. Also, while bone meal needs to be broken down by soil organisms, the nutrients in compost are immediately available. Bone meal and rock phosphate are specific soil amendments best used only after a soil analysis that reveals particularly low phosphorous. In that case, the amount you need to add to your entire bed will be suggested. In fact, if you just continue to add compost, your phosphorous levels will be fine. Q: We’ve never read anything about lawns in your column and we wonder how bald spots on our lawn can be repaired?

Q: Should I be putting bone meal in every hole when I plant, like I’ve read?

A: Yes, you’re right! I prefer to recommend removing lawn and replacing it with garden beds, or plants you can walk on like Thymus pseudolanuginosus (Woolly Thyme) or other ‘footprint plants’ as they’re called. Still, I certainly can answer your question and do offer advice on maintaining healthy lawns when asked.

A: Excellent question and one many people misunderstand. New research in soil science reveals that every plant needs, and amazingly controls the specific bacteria and fungi needed around their roots for them to develop. Bone meal actually inhibits this

First, examine the cause of your bare spots by taking a small sample of the first few inches of soil with a hand trowel. Look closely and you may see insect larvae; Sod Webworm and Crane fly larvae are commonly found. If you find these, you’ll

have to visit your local garden centre for a safe, organic treatment to remedy that. Natural decline of the grass species is another reason bald spots appear. After you’ve treated for pests, or if you haven’t found any, rough up the affected areas with a stiff rake, and then apply a top dressing with new seed mixed into it at a 3:1 ratio. It’s always best to choose a locally grown seed since they are well-suited for our climate. Read the package to ensure it was developed in the Pacific Northwest. Often, they are grown at the University of British Columbia. Top dressing is a finely textured, rich soil. I make mine by mixing sifted compost and horticultural sand in equal portions. Some people use sifted topsoil bought ready-made but I like to add compost to make it richer. Fill any holes in the soil with top dressing first before you mix in the seed. Afterwards, the mixture with seed should be spread thinly over the whole affected area. Press it down firmly, keep it moist until you start seeing the green, and then you can water normally. ~ Harry Sumner is a certified arborist & garden coach. Gardening questions are welcome at 250-248-4512 or shellms@ telus.net.

/ September 2010

continued from page 21 problems as well as reacting to them. This eaglet’s sad end prompted a number of educated guesses. The long, cold, damp spring may have encouraged more aspergillis spores than usual; the adult eagles are fairly old – their age could have compromised their fertility (Dudley) and the immune system of their offspring because of accumulated pesticides and heavy metals in their reproductive track; contaminants in the small fish and other sea creatures on which a young eagle is fed might jeopardize its welfare, as could a shortage of acceptable prey.

WWW.EYESONBC.COM

/ September 2010

Whatever the cause of a creature’s distress, MARS is there to help when it can. Maj, its manager and rehabilitator, has been studying and practising the skills of wildlife rehabilitation since 1987. Its one other permanent employee in rescue and rehabilitation is Reg Westcott. Its volunteers – students and community members – help out. Maj emphasizes that MARS, unlike North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC) in Errington, is not a zoo encouraging public viewing – its recovering creatures require non-stressful peace and

quiet. MARS does work in cooperation with NIWRC by sending its recovering eagles there to practise flying in their huge flight cage. MARS’ goal is: “To reduce suffering of wildlife, often affected by human influences, and educate the public about how to reduce that impact.” MARS participates in research, and the sharing of information with wildlife organizations and the general public through meetings, lectures, displays, workshops, seminars, and conferences. Maj is realistic about her work with MARS, “About a quarter of our rescued wildlife is able to go back to the wild. If no other acceptable place is available for some handicapped creatures, they are humanely euthanized. Nature [and people] are not always kind; tragedies abound,” she says. To follow up on MARS, please visit their website www.wingtips.org. You’ll find goals and philosophy, detailed educational and ‘how to help’ articles, events, and funding and volunteer opportunities. To report a creature in distress call MARS’ toll-free pager at 1-800-304-9968.

WILDWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH 113 McColl Road, Bowser

Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 am 757-8136 BOWSER BOTANICAL FARMS – Yardwork, fall clean-up. Pruning and trimming. Perennials for sale. Call John & Louise 250-757-9901 HOUSE SITTING POSITION WANTED – Healthy senior couple (with experience and references will care for your home plus any pets. We are available from December to April. Our areas of interest are Duncan, Naniamo, Ladysmith, Chemainus, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Bowser, Deep Bay, Courtenay, Comox etc. Our services are free and we pay our own L.D. phone calls. Contact Gord and Millie via e-mail: gmack4@hotmail.com HUGE ANTIQUE SALE – MILDRED’S ANTIQUES celebrating 30th Anniversary. Savings up to 30%+. Great selection of furniture, paintings, prints, lamps, china, glass, silver. Top prices paid for silver & quality antiques. Single items to estates. Mildred’s Memorabilia, ph. 250-752-1700, 3215 Brooklin Lane, Hilliers, Qualicum Beach located on Hilliers Road South (off Hwy 4, 3 km West of Qualicum). STAMP COLLECTIONS/ ACCUMULATIONS WANTED – Mint or used, will take all, cash or consignment, top prices paid. Call Russ at 1-250-3141021 or email at ingruss@telus.net FOR SALE – 2005 Nissan 4 x 4 X Trail. Only 114,000 kms, runs like new. Clean, non-smoker. $12,000 OBO. FMI Call 757-2020 or 250-240-0904 NATURE BALANCE EQUINE HOOF CARE – Bare foot trimming for a naturally healthy horse. Accepting new clients. Call 250-752-8380 HERITAGE MEADOWS FARM – offers local organically fed pastured chickens at $4/lb. Also available at Christmas time, organically fed pastured Heritage Turkeys. Limited availability. Please call 250-752-1774 WANTED – 2 entrepreneur-minded individuals to work with expanding established business. 250-954-0074

SORT IT! – Simplify your life. Need help getting your errands done? Delivery, appointments. De-clutter your home or wardrobe. Organization, consultations, seasonal updates. Help is at hand. 250240-3508 COAL CREEK FARM on MacArtney Drive in Fanny Bay has naturally fed, free range duck, chicken, turkey and goose meat available various times of the year. Don’t forget to order your Thanksgiving Turkey. Please call for availability – ask for Paul or Christine (250) 335-1322. LET ME PUT YOUR JUNK IN MY TRUCK – I clean out any room or pile. I recycle and run on natural gas. Fast, friendly, honest. Call Gary 250-757-9182

GREEN ENERGY.

FIREWOOD a renewable and carbon neutral resource. For your fuel wood needs call Dale Wilson (250) 757-9276

Short Circuit Electric

New home? Renovation? For your safe and quality wiring needs, the shortest circuit is to call Tim 250-240-4105. Licensed and Bonded.

YOU CALL…I HAUL – small loads, garden waste, construction debris, unwanted misc. junk, small moves, prompt service. Call Ron 250-757-2094 or cell 250-228-1320

FIREWOOD – Legally obtained, seasonally dried firewood. $180/cord for dry fir, $160 mixed. Custom cut. Tax inc. discount for local seniors. Call 250-7578006 or 250-240-2533

DESIGN & DRAFTING SERVICES. Residential – Commercial – Renovations Project Manager. Full Service Drafting Services from concept to completion. Call Deb Nicol. nicolde@shaw.ca 250607-7038

PICK-UP AND DELIVERY – Tune-ups and repairs to riding lawnmowers, all small engines and related equipment. Call Ron 250-240-1971 e-mail: ronmorrison100@gmail.com

FOOTCARE – HYGIENE Soaking feet, cutting nails, filing callouses, treating dry skin – fingernails too. Reflexology – 1 hour sessions. Home visits. Please call Vikki @ 250-757-9244

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

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

THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF QUESTERS – No meeting in September due to conference. Next meeting October 4th. FMI Call Chris 250-7521419 WRITING SERVICES – Get help for all your business writing needs such as brochures, ads, newsletters, product descriptions, press releases, reports & websites. Or, tell your story with a print, audio or video memoir. Call Jane 250335-1157 www.memorablelines.com AD-SAFE – reliable transportation to appointments, shopping, errands, outings. Ferry and airport service as well. Call Marilee at 250-757-9967 or 250-954-9925

WHISPER FARM

Horse Boarding – Long or short term Qualicum Beach Call Sue 250-752-3293 whisperfarm@gmail.com “Time Spent with a Horse is Never Wasted”

JOIN A FUN FALL BOWLING LEAGUE No experience necessary Win Prizes • Great Exercise • Great Fun Club 55+ • Ladies Coffee • Mixed Evening Leagues Youth Bowling (ages 6-19) Sunset Lanes 5-Pin Bowling 678 E Island Hwy. Parksville Call now to sign up for the Fall • 250-248-6411 / September 2010

Aries (March 21-April 19) This month you’re focused on work and health. You’re gung ho to be efficient! You want everything in its place. You’re going through stuff to get organized, and downsize what you don’t need to store things in orderly ways. (Labels and all.) Since you’re on this kick, give yourself the right tools to do a bang-up job! Buy shelving, filing folders, paint, cleaning equipment, whatever you need. And while you’re on this kick – what can you do to improve your health? (Wow, pretty soon, you’ll be perfect!) Taurus (April 20-May 20) Get ready for serious party mode! The placement of the Sun now encourages romance, love affairs, social soirées, the theatre, movies, sports, and all kinds of fun stuff. This doesn’t mean you’re not working hard, because you are. Accept all invitations. Enjoy the company of others. Playful activities with children will delight. Make time for picnics, plays, and creative activities. You couldn’t pick a better time to go on a vacation! (You know you need a holiday when you look like your passport photo.) Gemini (May 21-June 20) Home and family plus real-estate issues absorb your attention. Events around you cause you to focus on home and family more than usual. Old family business is back in your lap again! But you can work this to your advantage. Mercury retrograde helps you wrap up old details, and finish things with family members, home repairs, and family business matters. Expect correspondence and discussions about these issues. You might also encounter relatives you haven’t seen for ages (especially if you just won the lottery). Cancer (June 21-July 22) Busy you! Short trips, discussions with others plus increased reading and writing make this a busy month. However, Mercury is throwing a few zingers your way. Expect transportation delays, auto breakdowns, delayed mail, canceled appointments, lost papers, and confused communications. Oy vey! Allow yourself extra time for everything. Fortunately, this is a good time to wrap up old business with siblings. Good time to finish writing projects. “Foreword ho!” (Or as prairies gardeners like to say, “Forward hoe!”)

/ September 2010

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) You’re focused on money, and there’s good news and not so good news.The good news is the Sun will attract money and goodies to you. (We like!) This is a good time to look for a job, or ways to make money on the side, or how to get the best use out of the money you have. However, retrograde Mercury will slow down funds coming to you. (Grrr.) Cheques in the mail will be late. Invoices might be disputed. You might lose or misplace money or possessions. Howevah! Past ways of making money might suddenly reappear. Kaching! Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) The Sun in your sign attracts favourable circumstances and important people to you this month. Demand the advantage! You are lucky to have this lovely boost from the heavens while you’re hexed with retrograde Mercury in your sign. This brings a lovely balance. Of course, ex-partners, confused communications, lost papers and cancelled appointments are driving you nuts. You want life to be more organized. I say, turn this to your advantage. Finish old business. Get hold of people from your past who you want to see. Discover what was already lost. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) It’s time to lie in the weeds and play it low-key. You need to get off by yourself and do some serious thinking. You need to replenish, restore, and rejuvenate yourself! You also need time to sit around sort of dazed and just think about life. Of course, because three planets are in your sign (Venus Mars and Saturn) you really won’t get as much chance for this downtime as you need. Nevertheless, seek it out. And when you do schmooze with others, you will be charming – oh so charming. (Venus has a way of doing this.) Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You’ll be surprised by people from your past suddenly popping up! But it’s fun to trade histories. And it’s an opportunity to learn more about yourself and life. Actually, this next month is a popular time. Many of you will be more active in group situations. You might join clubs or organizations. You’ll meet new acquaintances. Some might become friends. This is also a good time for you to get helpful feedback from others, especially about your goals. Secret love affairs and secret activities are taking place.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) This is the only time all year when the Sun is at high noon in your chart. You make a great impression on important people now and you don’t even have to do anything special. Milk this for all it’s worth! Go after what you want. You might succeed in getting more than you thought was possible. Contact with old bosses or parents you have not seen for awhile might surprise you. In addition, a friend could become a lover. Competition with someone is also likely. Let your good luck come to you. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Travel this month. And if you can’t physically travel, then travel through film, books, or meet people from different backgrounds and other cultures. You want adventure and new knowledge! Go someplace you’ve never been to before. In addition, you can also explore opportunities in publishing, the media, higher education, medicine, and the law. Romance with someone older, richer, or more established might begin. “But Mom! He’s too short for me!” “Short? Ha! He can stand on his wallet.” (Caution: if you marry for money – you’ll earn every penny.) Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You’re fixated on inheritances, insurance matters, shared property, and things other people own, especially partners or ex-partners. (Fixated is the word. Obsessed might be closer. You are a bit like a dog with a bone– you won’t let go!) Fortunately, travel opportunities, as well as opportunities in publishing, higher education, the law, medicine, and the media are promising. You can make strides here. Nevertheless, wrap-up old business with shared property or things you hold jointly with others. (And forgive your enemies – nothing could annoy them more.) Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Lucky Jupiter has returned to your sign to stay for the rest of the year. (Yay me!) Even though disputes about shared property and inheritances are taking place, gifts and goodies can also come to you. Time to collect! Romance is unusually sweet and alluring. Dealings with expartners are unavoidable with retrograde Mercury opposite your sign. Wachyagonnado? You can stand on your own two well-shod feet. Ever since 2007, you’ve been out of the box, and going for the gold, which will materialize around 2016. (Time flies when you’re unconscious.) ~

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

Our Advertisers.............................Contact....................................................... Category................. Ad Page EyesOnBC........................................................... 757-9914..................................................................... The Beacon Magazine / Business Centre.. 23 Arrowsmith Automotive........................................ 752-1662..................................................................... Automotive Services....................................18 Qualicum Auto & Marine Supply Ltd.................... 250-752-5621............................................................. Auto & Marine Supplies...............................45 Career Centre...................................................... 248-3205..................................................................... Business & Education..................................45 Jennifer Hubbard, Solicitor, Notary Public........... 752-6951..................................................................... Business & Financial Services.....................40 Lotar Maurer, CGA............................................... 752-9223..................................................................... Business & Financial Services.....................30 NR Insurance Services........................................ 752-3086..................................................................... Business & Financial Services.....................37 Dennis Ponto, Accountant................................... 757-8581..................................................................... Business & Financial Services.....................46 Wisdom is Within Coaching................................. 757-9794..................................................................... Business & Personal Coaching....................21 Handy Sandy Services........................................ 757-9599..................................................................... Maintenance Services.................................44 Rodger’s Maintenance Services.......................... 757-2048..................................................................... Maintenance Services.................................33 Medicine Centre.................................................. Fern Rd 752-9911....Memorial Ave 752-9976............. Health Services............................................31 Jonathan Martin CCST, CRRP............................ 250-586-3316............................................................. Health Services............................................21 Nurse Next Door, Peter Coulter........................... 250-752-2597............................................................. Health Services............................................23 Tracy Hebert R.M.T............................................. cell 927-1471.............................................................. Health Services............................................46 Bowser Roofing................................................... 757-9827.........................248-1633............................. Home & Garden Services............................47 Camelot Electric..........................................................................................250-752-7999...................... Home & Garden Services.........................9,46 Camelot Excavating.....................................................................................250-752-7909...................... Home & Garden Servies..........................9, 46 Camelot Homes...........................................................................................250-752-7909...................... Home & Garden Service................................9 Gemini Technical Services (Appliances)............. 752-6871..................................................................... Home & Garden Services............................46 Horne Lake Electric............................................. 250-240-7778............................................................. Home & Garden Services............................45 Lighthouse Trucking Ltd...................................... 757-2047.........................cell 927-7577....................... Home & Garden Services............................45 Northpacific Window............................................ 752-5312..................................................................... Home & Garden Services............................19 Qualicum Bay Custom Carpentry........................ 250-757-8996.................cell 250-954-7700............... Home & Garden Services............................46 Witte Construction............................................... 757-9713.........................927-2157............................. Home & Garden Services............................45 EyesOnBC (in Bowser)........................................ 757-9914..................................................................... Copy / Fax / Office Services.......... Back Page Re/Max First Realty - Tom Whitfield.................... 248-1071.........................1-888-243-1071................... Real Estate..................................................18 Arrowsmith Golf & Country Club.......................... 752-9727..................................................................... Sports & Leisure..........................................40 Peter Mason Land Surveyor................................ 757-8788.........................1-800-350-5394................... Surveying & Land Information......................45

SERVICE DIRECTORY LISTING A-Company Military Surplus

& Adventure Clothing........................ 44 Action Tank, Septic Services............ 44 Advanced Hypnosis.......................... 44 All in One Bobcat.............................. 44 Alpine Cedar..................................... 45 Arrowsmith Heating.......................... 45 Blue Star Trucking............................ 45 Bondy and Sons Heating & Cooling.45 Bowser Video Showcase.................. 45 Browns Plumbing & Gas................... 46 C.F. McLean Pellet Sales................. 44 Camelot Electric............................... 46

Camelot Excavating.......................... 46 Career Centre................................... 45 Coastal Water Systems.................... 44 DIY Helper & Handyman Services... 44 Deja~Vu Decor................................. 45 Dennis Ponto, Professional Accounting................... 46 Ed & Willems - House Painting......... 45 Evelyn’s Barber Shop....................... 46 Firewood (Dale Wilson).................... 46 Foot Sanctuary, The......................... 46 Gemini Appliance Repair.................. 46

Handy Sandy Services..................... 44 Horne Lake Electric.......................... 45 Island Scallops................................. 44 Jim’s Mowing.................................... 45 Level 6 Drywall Contracting.............. 44 Lighthouse Feed & Garden.............. 46 Lighthouse Trucking......................... 45 Master Lawn Maintenance............... 46 Mr. Land Clearing & Septic Ltd......... 46 Oceanside Yoga............................... 46 PC Plumbing & Gas.......................... 44 Peter Mason Land Surveyor............. 45

Powerwise Electric........................... 44 Qualicum Auto & Marine................... 45 Qualicum Bay Custom Carpentry..... 46 Qualicum Bay Plumbing................... 45 Qualicum Clothworks........................ 44 Studio Salon..................................... 46 Tracy Hebert, Massage Therapist.... 46 Wilson Exteriors................................ 44 Witte Construction Ltd...................... 45

/ September 2010

Community Events LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTRE (LCC) Qualicum Bay INFO: LOIS NELSON: 757-9938 Pancake Breakfast, Flea Market, Live Music, Veggies, Poultry & Small Animal Swap, Master Gardeners: – Sunday Sept. 12th, 8am-noon. The Bowser Elementary PAC will be cooking up breakfast this morning.

Does your Personal or Business Account need a Tune-Up? … Are you in the right type of Account for your Lifestyle? … Are you Saving for those Rainy Days that will be coming soon? These questions and answers can all be addressed by your local Credit Union Professional.

Call or Come in today for an Account Tune Up!

Lighthouse Seniors #152 – Monday Sept. 13th,11:30am at the LCC. Soup and Sandwich. New members welcome. FMI contact Layne 250-757-8217 AA Lightkeepers: every Fri. 8pm. Info: 240-757-8347 Bridge at LCC Nordin Room - starts again in September. Call Ann: 250-757-8194 Taoist Tai Chi Society Classes at LCC and Fanny Bay OAP Hall. FMI Susan @ 757-2097 or Chris @ 752-1419 Lighthouse Trails Group needs your help. Val Weismiller: 757-9667 RDN PROGRAMS Bowser Buddies 0-5yrs Oct 7-Dec 2 Thu 9:30-11:00am Lighthouse CC $44/8 Sports for Shorts 3-5yrs Oct 16-Nov 27 Sat 9:30-10:15am Bowser Elementary $38/7 Girls Just Want to Have Fun 6-11yrs Oct 18-Dec 6 Mon 3-4:30pm Bowser Elementary $52/8 Hoop Making Workshop 8-12yrs Oct 4 Mon 3-4:30pm Bowser Elementary School $30/1 Family Night Volleyball 13yrs+ Oct 18Dec 6 Mon 6:30-8pm Bowser Elementary $39/8 Lace Up and Learn to Run in Lighthouse Country 16yrs+ Sep 20-Dec 13 Mon 10:30-11:30am Bowser Tennis Court parking lot $61/12 Lace Up and Run Stronger In Lighthouse Country 16yrs+ Sep 20-Dec 13 Mon 8:45-10:15am Bowser Tennis Court parking lot $79/12

/ September 2010

Bowser Tennis Club – Adult doubles drop-in every Sunday 9 am to noon and every Thursday 6 pm to 9 pm at the Legion Tennis Courts. Free. Non-members welcome. FMI call Bob Hunt at (250) 757-8307 The Mid Island Floral Art Club will meet on Thur. Sept.16 at 2 pm at St. Stephen’s Church Hall, 150 Village Way, Qualicum Beach. Demonstration “Fun with Foliage” by locally-renowned floral designer Helen Mussio. All welcome. Guest fee $5. Call 250-248-2976 or 250752-2179 for more info. www.mifac.org The Parksville & District Community Choir begins rehearsals, Tues. September 7th, at 7 pm. Concert repertoire ranges from classical to light classics. New members welcome. No auditions. FMI call 250-752-8130. Children’s Museum Day at Qualicum Beach Museum, 587 Beach Road, on Sat. September 25 from 1 to 4pm. Join in 20 fun filled activity stations on the Museum grounds and visit the Museum exhibits as well. Bring the whole family! Qualicum Beach Garden Club meeting Sept.14 QB Civic Centre 7pm. Special Guest Speaker Brian Minter presents “The New World of Floriculture”. Generational differences, time poverty and living in smaller spaces have changed the world of gardening. Brian Minter looks at new trends and the future of gardening ($5 non-members). The Family History Society of Qualicum Beach resumes its monthly meetings in September. Our guest speaker, Donna Fraser will talk not only about the Census pages, but what we might find behind those pages. A very interesting evening ahead! Everyone welcome. Wed., Sept. 15th, 7pm at the rear of Legion Hall in Qualicum Beach.

Focus on Fitness 16yrs+ Sep 22-Oct 27 Wed 10:30-11:30am Lighthouse CC $48/6

Coombs Br. 11 – Old Time Fiddlers Jamboree and Dance. Sat.Sept.11th at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds. Jamboree 1 – 5:00pm. Dance 7:30 – 10:00pm. Doors open at 12:00 noon for performers sign up. FMI call Roy 250752-5636 or Nell 250-752-4185.

Please contact Area H RDN programmer, Kim Longmuir at 250-757-8118 or klongmuir@rdn. bc.ca for detailed program and registration information. Drop by EyesOnBC to pick up the new Fall/Winter Active Living Guide.

Eaglecrest, Oceanside’s Garden Club will meet 7.30pm, Sept 15th in Q.B. Civic Centre. Ingeborg Woodsworth of Mayo Creek Gardens in Cowichan Bay will speak on growing, identifying and using

Hatha Yoga 16yrs+ Bowser School $68.70/8 Mon 6-7:15pm Sep 27-Nov 22 Thu 6-7:15pm Sep 30-Nov 25 Lighthouse CC 68.70/8 Tue 9:15-10:30am Oct 5-Nov 23

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS & CLUBS

September 2010 different varieties of Mushrooms. All welcome. Info. 250-752-3662 ARC Community Service Day – Sept. 18th 10:30am – 3:30pm The ARC Institute is hosting a Community Service Day in Qualicum Beach. Receive a relaxing, safe, nurturing 40 minute ARC Bodywork session for free. Rotary House 211 Fern Road. Drop in or reserve your spot. FMI call 1 (800) 719-4272; info@thearcinstitute.com or www. thearcinstitute.com Join us at our 40th Annual Fall Fair at the Lighthouse Community Centre in Qualicum Bay on Sept 4th from 10-4pm. We are continuing the commitment of the fair to bring a great day of inexpensive family entertainment celebrating the great community we live and work in. Adults $5, kids 12 and under are FREE! Thank you to all our volunteers and sponsors and don’t forget to get your exhibit entries in on the 3rd. Our guide is online to help you plan your entries. www. communityclub.ca Cops for Cancer – Cuts by Donation at Studio Salon in Magnolia Court,Bowser on Sun. Sept 12 between 10 am and 3 pm. All proceeds benefit the Cops for Cancer - Tour de Rock, taking place from Sept. 18 to Oct. 1st in support of the Canadian Cancer Society British Columbia and Yukon. Join the fight – cancer.ca/copsforcancerbc. Ovarian Cancer Canada – Listen to the Whispers presentation and learn about the signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer and how to take care of your health hosted by Curves in Qualicum Beach at 1 – 141 Fourth Avenue on Mon. Sept. 13 from 7 – 8pm. Refreshments provided. FMI or and assured seating please contact: Catherine at Curves 250-752-3399 or Sharon Wood (Presenter) at 250-752-1946. To learn more about Ovarian Cancer Canada contact the Pacific Regional Office toll-free at 1-800-749-9310. Qualicum Beach Probus Club meets at St. Stephens Church hall at 9am.The speaker for Sept.7th will be Robert Grose, a certified senior advisor and Financial planner with the Investors Group.Visitors are welcome. Fall Craft Sale – Union Bay Community Hall Sun Sept 12th 10am - 3pm. 40 crafters attending plus ‘souper’ luncheon.FMI: Dave @ 250 3352317 Dance To Timberline Band – Free, live old-time Country & Rock’n Roll music. Every Wed. 7:30 –10:30 pm Parksville Legion, 146 West Hirst St., Parksville. All welcome. Knox Summer Choir – Visitors to Oceanside are invited to sing with the “Knox Summer Choir”, Rehearsal at 9 am for service at 10am, Sundays June 27th to September 19th, inclusive. Come once or all season. Knox United Church, 345 Pym St., Parksville. FMI call 250-248-3927. / September 2010

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

Culverts Drain Problems

Designer Clothes

Septic Installation

For alphabetical service listing, see page 43

Certified Septic System Specialist

Call Lauren & Save

P.C. Plumbing 01.07.eps

Plumbing & Gas Services

Plumbing Service Drywall Repairs 30 Years Experience Licensed & Bonded PETER CHAPMAN

(250)240-1415

Septic Services

Military Surplus

Home Repairs

Pellet Fuel Sales

Drywall

Water Systems Handyman Services

Hypnotherapy

Electrical Services

Local Seafood

Home Improvement

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

Heating Pellets Animal Bedding Wood Pellets & Shavings

WE DELIVER 757-9232

Located in Qualicum Bay / September 2010

Your Local Entertainment Centre

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

Heating

Movie & Game Rental

Auto & Marine

BOWSER

XBox & GameCube

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

757-8353

Excavating

Land Surveying

Interior Decorating

#3 - 6996 West Island Hwy, Bowser

2003 Kobelco SK160Lc Excavator for Hire

DEJA~VU DECOR CUSTOM DECOR & WINDOW COVERINGS

Call

250-752-8772

Convenient In Home Appointments

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

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL ALTERNATE ENERGY

T.J. Farrell

250 • 240 • 7778

Plumbing Sand - Gravel - Topsoil

Heating & Cooling

Lawn Services House Painting

tjfarrell@shaw.ca

105 Islewood Dr. Bowser, BC V0R 1G0

Career Counselling

WCB & Insured Shaun Witte Owner/Journeyman

Electrician

Construction

LTD

Fencing / Timber

Witte Construction

/ September 2010

Pet Food Supplies

EVENINGS

Lawn Services Appliance Repair

Electrical Services

Excavating & Septic

Plumbing Gas Heating

Hair Services

Excavating Services

Accounting Services

Healthcare

DALE WILSON 250-757-9276

Barber Services

For Your Fuel Wood Needs Call

Philip Brown

250-240-4902 • 250-757-8077

Construction

Firewood, a renewable carbon neutral resource

INSTALLATION SERVICE & REPAIRS

Foot Care

Fitness Classes Firewood

GREEN ENERGY

PLUMBING • GAS • HEATING

/ September 2010