Feb2016 EyesOnBC Magazine

February 2016 vol 12 issue 02

Serving Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands

MAGAZINE

UCLUELET, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Discover the Little Qualicum River Trail • 13 Who Were These Ancestors Anyway? • 10 John Beaton’s: “Murmuration” • 19

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2016 Annual General Meeting March 3rd • 5:30pm Reception • 6:30pm Dinner at the Arrowsmith Golf & Country Club

LCBA Member Table Top Showcase 5:30pm to 6:30pm during reception

RSVP: lcba@shaw.ca or Betsy (250) 757-8442

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5 Editorial 7 Mid-Winter Musing 10 Who were these ancestors anyway?

13 Discover the Little Qualicum River Trail

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ENTERTAINMENT

14 Tide Table 15 Majie Lavergne Exhibit At Café Adagio In February 19 Poet’s Corner: John Beaton’s “Murmuration”

COMMUNITY LIFE 16 From the Desk of ... RDN Director, Bill Veenhof

THE REGULARS 8 17 2 0-21 22

In the Stars: Georgia Nicols Horoscope Classifieds Community Events At Your Service - Local Services & Trades

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 publisher 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, Publisher at info@eyesonbc.com

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EDITORIAL

by Linda Tenney

MAGAZINE

February 2016 vol 12 No 02

EyesOnBC Magazine is published monthly Showcasing our community since 2004 Main Email: info@eyesonbc.com Phone: 250-757-9914 Mailing Address EyesOnBC Magazine, Box 182, Bowser, BC V0R 1G0 Hours: Mon - Thu 10-4 Our Contributors this month: Georgia Nicols, Joanne Sales, Bill Veenhof, Kim Leslie Young, Linda Tenney, John Beaton On the Internet www.eyesonbc.com & www.facebook.com/eyesonbc For Advertising Options Call 250-757-9914 to inquire or visit www.eyesonbc.com/advertise to request ad rates.

VISA & MasterCard accepted Printed on Vancouver Island, BC

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Providing comfortable and full-body maintenance massage in your own home, or Reflexology, ROD SAUER Aromatherapy and Shiatsu, 250-821-9106 angelcaringtouch@gmail.com Second Level Reiki.

It’s hard to believe that it’s already the second month of the year! It does mean, however, that spring is just around the corner. My favourite time of the year!

Read through this issue to find my own mid-winter musing about Island life, plus Kim Leslie Young’s hike along the Little Qualicum River Falls Trail. And if the LQR trail isn’t already on your list of local hikes ... add it immediately; it’s truly spectacular. Kim’s article starts on page 13 and my musing starts on page 7.

Also in this issue, Joanne Sales’ takes us back in time to talk about her ancestors, their lives and their influence. As Joanne reminds us, “Our elders were constantly whispering truths into our ears, and for a while, we adopted them all without question. Times change us, but still, they planted seeds of long living plants.” Joanne’s article starts on page 10.

And John Beaton’s poem this month takes us on an undulating spin around the sky in “Murmuration”.

I’ve always been fascinated by this unusual bird behavior, and John’s poem describes its mystery so well! See page 19.

Of particular note this month is the beginning of our OCP (Official Community Plan) review process in Area H. It’s time to sit down at the table and tweak it a little. Our first community meeting is Wednesday February 3rd at 6:30pm at the Lighthouse Community Centre. For more information, see the ad on page 13, or visit www. eyesonbc.com/community/AreaH-OCP and www. rdn.bc.ca/areahocp.

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Mid-Winter Musing

by Linda Tenney

I

know it’s not quite spring yet, but I can’t wait. It’s my favourite time of the year. The time when huge schools of herring migrate from their offshore feeding grounds to return to East Vancouver Island where they spawn in our estuaries and shallow intertidal areas.

The herring spawn with frenetic energy; the sea swirls with passion while predators lurk above and below the water turned cloudy with milt. They seem oblivious to their hungry ‘entourage’ of sea lions, seals, eagles and flocks of seagulls that have come to feed on them, and the eggs they will soon lay.

Until thirteen years ago, I was a city girl. Born and bred. And the amazing spectacle of the herring spawn was something I’d only seen on National Geographic.

I’ve been thinking about my childhood in the urban jungle of Toronto, Ontario. Both my parents worked and I was one continued on page 18

Linda Tenney photo

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Aries (March 21-April 19) This month two things are important: The first is friendship. You might realize how important an existing friendship is. Or perhaps you will mend a broken friendship or deepen an existing one.

Possibly, your association with a group will be clearer. And of course, some of you will make new friends. The second thing that will be important is that this is the best month of the year for you to make goals. Because your idealism is aroused, you will ask yourself what it is you want your life to really be. Dare to be specific!

Taurus (April 20-May 20) This month is the only time all year when the Sun is at the top of your chart acting like a spotlight on you – and this light is flattering! Naturally, this is a wonderful benefit that you can use it to your advantage.

Since you have the limelight, and you look good in it, now is the time to direct a project to completion. People will endorse you. They will listen to you. You don’t have to be superstrong to convince others that you know what you’re doing. You are out there in larger society boosting your reputation in the eyes of others.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) You are a curious, restless sign that needs stimulation and freedom. This month is the perfect time to get outta Dodge. Go somewhere new and different to stir things up! Satisfy your need for adventure and a chance to learn something new. Some will explore opportunities in publishing, the media, medicine, the law and higher education. Relations with partners and close friends are warm now. Do new things, meet new people and learn new ideas so you can expand your world!

Cancer (June 21-July 22) You will be more passionate and intense about everything this month. Yes, you will be sexually passionate. However, at a more subtle level, you will be just as passionate about discussions regarding shared property, jointly-owned wealth, taxes, debt, inheritances and insurance disputes. You will also feel playful, prankish and

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flirtatious this month! Many of you will go out of your way to party, enjoy the arts, see or participate in sports events and have fun with playful activities with children. Enjoy fun times while you can!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) This is the only time all year when the Sun, opposite your sign for the next four weeks, robs you of some of your energy because the Sun represents energy.

In a word – this means you will need more sleep and more rest. No biggie. In addition, this polarized position of the Sun will prompt you to focus on your intimate one-to-one encounters with others. This is an excellent time to study these relationships to see how well they do or do not fill your needs. It’s not a time to go it alone. Au contraire! Others can help you in the coming month.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Down deep, you wish you could be organized. You wish you would exercise regularly and eat healthy. Naturally, these wishes do not guarantee anything – but they do show your intent. This month, you have a chance of achieving your wishes because you will want to become more organized, more productive and more effective in everything you do. This might be expressed through your job or anything that you choose to embrace. For example, many of you will be redecorating at home; while others will throw energy into writing, teaching, selling, marketing and acting.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Lucky you! This month is one of the most playful times of the year for you! Basically, you want to be free to express yourself and do what you want. And one of the things that you want is a fun time! That’s why you will feel lighter, more carefree, and interested in the arts, sports events, parties and fun diversions. You might have a stronger focus on children, as well. Fortunately, fair Venus will sweeten your words so that you are diplomatic and charming with everyone. In fact, you can make money from your words!

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Home, family and your private life are your focus this month. Basically, you want to enjoy familiar surroundings, and cocoon at home so that you can relax and contemplate the coming year. This is certainly going to be a powerful year for you, and a very popular one.

Therefore, it would be wise to think about how you will handle this increased power and popularity. Ideally, not only you should benefit, but others as well. Then you have a win/

win situation, which is always the best because what goes around, comes around.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) This month you hit the pavement running because it ushers in a time of fastpaced activity and accelerated energy. Short trips, errands, and increased opportunities to relate to others (especially siblings and neighbours) will create a jampacked schedule for you. Midst all this activity, do take time out to buy some wardrobe treasures because you couldn’t pick a better month to do so. And it’s necessary to look great because this is the year where you will promote your reputation in the eyes of others. It’s all coming together now.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) “Show me the money!” This month your focus is on money, cash flow, earnings and your assets in general become an important focus for you. Basically, this is your time to survey your wealth and ask yourself how much it helps you or hinders you.

Sometimes what we own becomes an albatross. Does it serve your needs or do you serve the needs of what you own? The bottom line is what you own should make your life easier not more difficult. You are a thrifty and you hate waste; but you also hate dead weight.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Happy Birthday! This your chance to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year.

Almost by magic, you will attract important people and favourable situations to you. It’s appropriate to be concerned with personal matters and your own needs.

The truth is your first duty is to yourself right now.

And when you think about it, if you don’t take care of yourself, how can you be of any use to anyone else? You are an idealist who wants to make the world a better place. This begins with being strong and ready to act.

Invest in yourself.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) This is the perfect time to ponder what you want your new year to be. Think about your goals for 2016,. This is a powerful time for Pisces because not only are your relationships a strong support and benefit to you now, this is also when you are in your time of harvest, reaping the seeds you have planted since 2008. (Some can even look back to 2003.) Powerful years don’t happen frequently; so it’s important to take advantage of them when they occur. Ya think? ~

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WHO WERE THESE ANCESTORS ANYWAY?

by Joanne Sales

W

hen my son was little, he asked me, “Mom, were you alive when the dinosaurs were around?” If I were asked that today, I could slip out easily with the disclaimer - “Maybe I saw some. I can’t remember.”

My sister sent me a collection of family photos - aunts, uncle, grandparents, father, mother - some as old as the 1930s. I was showing them to my granddaughters.

“This was my mother ‘before’.....” I paused.

“Before what?”

Good question. Before what? Before her life?

How strange it is to be able to look at the images of our “ancestors” as they were, before all the events that followed. They had no idea what was coming, and here I am, way down the road of time, and I know how it ends.

I caught myself and corrected that arrogant thought. I know some of the chapters that followed, but no, I do not know how it ends.

We’re told that one of the biggest mistakes we make when looking back at our own or others’ history is to take our current mindset with us. We can’t know how we were thinking then, because we can’t leave our current think-style. So I look at these photos with the respect of unknowing. Who were these people and what were they thinking?

There is a photo of my old grandfather, the pharmacist who

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made medicines with a mortar and pestle in his small drug store on Broadway in St. Louis. He walked with a limp and once tried to stop a streetcar with his cane.

There is my grandmother who used to tell young women the facts of life in the back room of the drug store.

(Maybe.) I can’t imagine that she gave a fair accounting of the birds and the bees, as she was abused by an uncle at the turn of the century (some things never change), and considered the woman’s role in procreation to be a curse from the sin of Eve (some things do change.) She expected to spend eternity sitting on a cloud playing a harp, a scenario which totally terrified me as a child. But I think my grandmother just longed for a break from hanging up laundry outside in January. And it serves as a reminder: we can look at their photos, but we can’t go there. She saw the world through the eyes of her times, and so do we - unless we stretch real hard...

There’s my Aunt Dottie. She is the reason you’re reading this today. She wrote articles for her family’s small paper in St. Louis. At first I kind of copied her, and she published anything I wrote. My first stories were hardly local news in St. Louis, as I lived in Washington, D.C.. But Aunt Dottie had a mission, and I was it.

Soon I was writing for a paper in D.C. There’s my father standing in front of someone else’s Cadillac with my mother, just for fun. My son looks a lot like him, although they never met. Even though they are gone, we carry their facial structure, shoe size, hobbies, and sense of humor - with tweaking, of course.

“Tweaking” was a common word for obsessive fine-tuning, but now it is sounds like the wrong word, for “tweeting” has taken over. The people in these old photos tweaked but didn’t tweet, and wouldn’t have known what either word meant. But it is a mistake to think that we’re smarter than they are. They had amazing memories - could recite pages of poems and even whole books! And they could write in complete sentences. Cool. Eh? OMG. They wrote each other real letters that were often works of art, filled with insights, introspective thoughts - using big words! - and beautiful cursive handwriting. :) As for us?

Young people will not be able to read the graffiti us old folks write on the walls of our nursing homes. Why? We’ll write in cursive! LOL. Our elders were constantly whispering their truths into our ears, and for a while, we adopted them all without question. Times change us, but still, they planted seeds of long living plants.

Apparently my husband’s grandfather would go out to hear ‘the Swamis,” the Hindu teachers from India who first came to North America around the turn of the century. The Hindu religion is extremely different, but fits comfortably along side the Christian religion or any religion, if you make room for it. This grandfather sang on Broadway, developed a flourishing business, got rich, lost it all in the Great Depression, and then cut grass to feed his family. At some point, he started to go to hear what the Swamis had to say. My mother-in-law CONTINUED NEXT PAGE

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continued from page 10

laughed at her father’s eccentricity.

But my husband was suddenly alert.

“I remember him whispering in my ear when I was really little. Now I understand. He wasn’t whispering nonsense. Those were Sanskrit mantras!” My husband continued the search, so the whispering apparently worked.

And don’t we wish we could whisper some things in their ears! Here we sit, only a few decades down the road, and we have information, insights and tools they would have given their eye tooth for, except they had no eye teeth - every one of them had full dentures.

The next line up of faces includes Uncle Dick, my mother’s handsome brother. He ate a truck load of carrots to be accepted as a pilot in WWII. The story goes, his plane crashed in England in Anne’s backyard. He and Anne got married and she came to America. Here’s one place where modern day therapy would have really helped. For both of them. Anne became grumpy and unhappy. (Anne, Americans do not eat horses. Who told you that?)

But my Uncle Dick did had serious skeletons in his closet. My mother and Dick had a younger brother, Ellis, small and sickly since birth, from some illness borne by the horse of the attending doctor at his birth.

Dick didn’t understand why his “little” but older, 12-year-old brother could not ride a bike, so he put him on a bicycle which crashed, and Ellis died. Dick’s guilt was tremendous.

My grandfather was no help; the extent of his emotional wisdom was, “Don’t wear your feelings on your shirt sleeve.” In other words, suck it up. And that is what Dick did.

He spent his life on bicycles, trying to work it out alone. Decades later, Dick was able to tell my brother what happened.

We’re always on the edge of what looks insane to one generation, and becomes common in the next. Time has made it more acceptable to try to heal our emotional traumas through therapy, counseling, body and energy F E B R U A R Y

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work, etc. For example, I practice and teach just one of many tools to deal with emotional turmoil - EFT.* It’s a simple method, based on the energy meridians of Chinese medicine, but instead of needles, you simply tap with your finger tips on the power points while bringing to mind whatever the problem is. Tap tap tap.

It’s bizarre but it works. I want to pick up the pictures of my ancestors and tap on their tiny faces. Some of them had hard times behind them, or harder times ahead. Especially my mother.

In the oldest photos, my mother was so full of confidence and hope.

So alive! I want to whisper to her...

Mom, don’t move to Baltimore. Get dad away from ship yards - and the asbestos! They know it will kill him. (Thirteen years later, as if by clockwork, he died.) And don’t let Uncle Willie move in upstairs - he’s a pervert. And don’t marry you-knowwho... I know you were trying to set a late in life moral example for your daughters, but give it up. The times, they are a changin’.

It probably would have been beyond them to conceive of the level of healing and forgiveness that has taken place between the “enemies” of WWII. My daughter Hayley became obsessed with the music of the 40s when she was six years old. Obsessed!

(Weird..?) By twelve, she could sing the old WWII songs exactly like Judy Garland. Some of the WWII veterans invited her to fly to the East M A G A Z I N E

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After Japan’s defeat, one pilot said that he landed his plane near his parent’s farm, in shame, and true to the centuries old tradition, prepared to take his own life. But another age old tradition was that mothers ruled, and this mother was not going to tolerate such shenanigans. “You put that weapon down right now. Your father needs help in the gardens and dinner is almost ready.” The young pilot was still alive five decades later.

As we were in Arlington, Virginia, my daughter and I drove by the Pentagon.

A week later, 9/11, a plane flew into the Pentagon. (Maybe.) New enemy, same stupidity. I’m sure our ancestors would have a few words to whisper in our ears now, if only we could hear!

But they had to run their course, and live their lives, in their times, knowing what they knew and only what they knew. They went through the Great Depression, hungry often, and then WWII. But there is the photo of my father’s mother with her 4 sisters, in a line, with patterned cotton dresses and bright smiles on their faces.

Had they just lived through WWII? Wow. They were humble, grateful, kind folks. Screwed up in their own way, but generous and content with enough. (Greed didn’t kick in until the 80s, and we’re still trying dig our way out of the rubble.)

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Coast to sing at the next reunion of the Ace War Pilots, a fascinating group of WWII pilots from all sides, who became friends and gathered occasionally to chat and eat together.

Germans, Canadians, Americans, Japanese, French - all good friends!

Who would have thought that would be possible?

Once I had a vivid dream. I was entering a brightly lit church with wide open windows. The pews were already filled on both sides with aunts, grandparents, parents - everyone! I was walking down the middle aisle and the whole “congregation” burst into song, a joyful variation of words on an old hymn. “I am content - it’s a beautiful beautiful day....”

Funny that I could entertain for a minute the thought that I knew how my ancestors’ stories ended. How can I even assume that their stories are over? If anyone knows, it’s them, not me. Sing on, dear ones! I’ll see you after work.

Joanne Sales is a freelance writer, blueberry farmer, and offers workshops in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), and the fine art of brewing Kombucha.

Comments and questions about her articles and/or upcoming workshops can be directed to joanne@glasswing.com.

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Kim Leslie Young photo

by Kim Leslie Young

D

o you have a leisurely day ahead...perhaps in the mood for a country drive and some dazzling winter vistas?

Many island visitors and residents are familiar with the Alberni Highway access to the Little Qualicum River Regional Park, but a lesser number are familiar with an access from the Old Island Highway to this area. A welldeveloped trail off Meadowood Way is a short route to the magnificent waterfalls

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and is a link between the Little Qualicum River Regional Park and Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park. I always enjoy the thrill of bringing visitors in to see the Little Qualicum Falls on this route because without exception, they are amazed at the spectacular vistas that suddenly appear following a short “bush hike”. Perhaps, it is the word, “little” in the name which defines people’s expectations, but it is the river in the title that this is derived from, not the waterfalls!

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Some say it is the most magnificent of all parks on Vancouver Island. It is difficult to define degrees of beauty in nature, but Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park is certainly a must-see destination point. In a beautiful setting of old and second growth forest, a massive rocky gorge encompasses a truly stunning cascade of waterfalls and views of Mt. Wesley and Mt. Arrowsmith provide a majestic backdrop. Approximately 6

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Hours:

Tuesday to Friday 9am to 3pm

Email: gondasstudioforhair@gmail.com Facebook: Gondas Studio for Hair 324 Boorman Rd, Qualicum Beach

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

LOCAL TIDE

FEBRUARY 2016

Looking forward to seeing you soon

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

Open daily 8am to 8pm

Angel Caring Touch Mobile Massage and Energy Work

Providing comfortable and full-body maintenance massage in your own home, or Reflexology, ROD SAUER Aromatherapy and Shiatsu, 250-821-9106 angelcaringtouch@gmail.com Second Level Reiki.

MAJIE LAVERGNE EXHIBIT AT CAFÉ ADAGIO IN FEBRUARY

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ebruary’s Exhibit at Café Adagio in Parksville features the work of Majie Lavergne.

Majie’s father, Robert Lavergne, a wellrecognized post-impressionist painter, fostered his love for painting at an early age. “I remember leaving Paris for New York to study filmmaking with Vincent Van Gogh as my greatest hero!”

For fifteen years, Majie made documentary films in New York and Los Angeles. He then felt the need to reconnect with the painter within and decided to get his Masters in Art Therapy and Transpersonal Counselling.

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His fascination for abstract art came with the work of Louis Nallard, his Godfather, a pioneer of the French lyrical abstract movement. He was touched by the gestural, raw and uninhibited impulse of the lyrical abstract movement and has deeply influenced his work. Most recently, Gerhard Richter has become a great influence, whose work Majie admires and loves.

Majie’s work has been exhibited in Paris, USA and Canada. Nanaimo, Vancouver Island is now his home where he dedicates much of his time to painting and creating Interactive Art. For more information on Majie’s work, visit his website at www.majie.ca

Majie’s interest in Interactive Art stems from his life long fascination for any art form that challenges the rigid boundary between “the artist’ and “the viewer”.

He feels enlivened when the “viewer” becomes part of the creative process and influences the outcome.

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Café Adagio is at 147 Harrison Avenue in Parksville. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm Majie Lavergne’s exhibit at Café Adagio is part of the MAC’s “Members Out and About” External Exhibits. For more information, contact the McMillan Arts Centre at 250-248-8185. ~ submitted

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FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR BILL VEENHOF

Regional Director, Area H billveenhof.com - ph: 778-424-2810 ■ bill.veenhof@shaw.ca

AREA H OCP REVIEW SET TO START

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he first Community Meeting for the Area H Official Community Plan Review will be held on Wednesday, February 3 from 6:30 - 9:00 pm at the Lighthouse Community Hall, with presentation to begin at 7:00 pm. This meeting will be a chance to learn about the project and participate in a structured community discussion to help set the priorities for this Official Community Plan Review.

Prior to the meeting, please consider completing the community survey, which will give RDN staff a preliminary idea of issues and priorities around which to structure the first meeting. This is the first of many opportunities to voice your opinion and have your say.

Your participation throughout this project will help inform revisions to the Official Community Plan’s objectives and policies that guide land use, servicing, and physical, social and economic changes in the community over the long term.

For more information visit the project web page at www.rdn.bc.ca/ areahocp where you can also sign up for RDN email alerts specific to this project. The first of four sections of a Background Report has been completed. This section covering census and other data about “People and Work” is up on the website.

Commencing 2 Feb, Courtney Simpson, the lead planner on this project will be holding office hours at the upstairs of Magnolia Court on Tuesday mornings from 9:1512:00. Feel free to drop by, or you can contact Courtney to schedule an appointment either during these hours or at another time, at csimpson@rdn.bc.ca or 250-3906563.

We are seeking community volunteers to join a Working Group for this project. Those interested can register on the project website (registration form should be up today), or contact the RDN for a paper copy of the form. We are looking to establish a group of approximately 15-20 people living, working or owning property in Electoral Area ‘H’, from a range of neighbourhoods, backgrounds, and ages.

Meetings will be on a weekday evening approximately monthly between March and November, with a break for the summer.

Specific dates and times coming soon.

The role of the Working Group will be to confirm and prioritize local issues, and act as information sources for both the community as a whole and staff. Working Group members will participate through a series of meetings to refine and confirm the direction of the development strategy, provide or present information at the general

public events, and provide feedback on the Official Community Plan.

CANADIAN DOLLAR You are all no doubt well aware that the Canadian Dollar has taken a significant drop. I will speculate a bit about what this potentially means for our Area.

1. As it becomes more expensive to travel in the US, more Canadian residents will take their vacations locally, in the same manner, for Americans it will be a lot cheaper to come to Canada. This would suggest that we will see increased tourism in our area. If this is true, we may see a higher demand for employees during the tourist season.

2. Just about all products coming out of the USA will become more expensive. I suspect that this will be particularly noticeable with fruit and vegetables. This is probably a very good reason to shop locally, (stores, farm gates, farmers markets, etc). Emphasizing this, I enjoyed an interesting tour of Gabriola Island a few weeks ago. There are a lot of similarities between Area H and Gabriola; we have a similar number of people of approximately the same age, I suspect similar cultural values and similar economic drivers. I was interested to learn that, on Gabriola, their commercial sector was much more developed than is ours. I suspect that this is simply because the need to take the ferry, forces people to shop locally. For me it was a graphic example of how shopping locally can make a difference. I will see what I can do to collect and share resources that point you to local shopping opportunities. ~

For questions or comments, Director BILL VEENHOF can be reached at 778-424-2810 or bill.veenhof@shaw.ca 1 6

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WORSHIP

SERVICES OFFERED / NEEDED

MIKE COCHRANE

THE FIX-IT SHOP – Repairs to all makes and models of lawnmowers and ride on lawn tractors, including John Deere. Pick-up and delivery available. Used equipment for sale. Call (250) 702-2191 or email fixitshop009@gmail.com

Renovations & Maintenance Inside or Outside – Big or Small Give us a call 250-240-4120 (cell) 250-248-2789 (home) mikecochrane@shaw.ca mikesrenos.com

Parksville / Qualicum / Bowser PICK-UP, TUNE-UP AND CLEAN-UP FOR SMALL ENGINE POWERED EQUIPMENT. Riding mowers, garden tractors, etc. Call Ron at (250) 937-0044 or email ronmorrison100@gmail.com

WILDWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH 113 McColl Road, Bowser

Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 am 757-8136

LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTRE

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

Reflexology - one-hour sessions.

Services offered from Nanoose to Courtenay. Please call Vikki at (250) 757-9244.

Available for Rentals Call 778-424-9900 Starting Wednesday, Jan 13th 2016 Lunch served noon-1pm, Open ‘til 1:30pm

HEALTHY LIVING EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Workshops - Learn how this effective technique can help you find your way to better emotional health.

LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS GROUP - Needs your volunteer help! FMI Call: Val Weismiller: (250) 757-9667.

KOMBUCHA - Make Your Own Kombucha Workshops offered in Coombs by Joanne Sales who has been making Kombucha for over 20 years.

Contact Joanne for more information about both these workshops joanne@glasswing. com www.islandhealing.ca

CAREGIVER NEEDED - Looking for a caregiver for our 2 children (2 & 6 yrs old) - $11.50/hr, 40 hrs/week, optional free accommodation. Large dog at house. 250-240-8119

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ON TWITTER

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MID-WINTER MUSING

of the typical ‘latch key’ city kids who rushed home each afternoon in time to answer the scheduled phone call from a working mother - checking to see if I had arrived home safely from school. Most of my free-time was spent reading, writing or watching cartoons; adventuring into rural landscapes or onto seashores was never an option. It just wasn’t part of our life.

Truth be told, my hands never dug into dirt until I was 20, when I had an opportunity to grow my own garden. And grow it did! Radishes, green peppers, tomatoes, beans, and an acre of acorn squash that sprawled into the neighbour’s yard. They happily plucked squash that ripened on their side of the fence.

My family did have a rural retreat when I was very young; a sparkling white and green turn-of-the-century cottage surrounded by towering Maples and Oaks. My brother landed his first ‘big one’ there; a huge speckled trout, caught right off the end of our dock. It was dinner that night.

I’ll admit, fishing was fun and so was diving for the coins my Dad tossed into the lake, but I also recall being spooked by the haunting mating call of a Moose, and the frenzied sprintfor-my-life back to the safety of the cottage. I hid under the bed for an hour and still have occasional nightmares about that passionate bellow echoing from the deep dark woods.

The rural outdoors was a foreign and frightening place to me at that time.

Linda Tenney photo

I love living in Lighthouse Country; my first full-time rural experience. Yet, despite my thirteen years here, I’m still not completely comfortable traipsing around the forest. I mean there are bears and cougars and things that go bump in the day and night for heaven’s sake! I do enjoy the odd deer prancing through my yard, and the hike to Little Qualicum River Falls gives me great joy. I must admit, the more I venture into the woods, the more comfortable I become.

Our family has proudly served the Oceanside communities since 1998.

We believe in providing the highest level of service in a professional and affordable manner, without compromising our commitment to reliable and respectful service to our families.

I feel the same about the ocean. At first I feared what lurked beneathe, but I now venture in to swim without worrying.

And moving across the water in my kayak is a treasured pastime.

Vancouver Island is a detailed landscape of millions of living things, each one inviting us to explore and discover. It’s a place where you can admire the tiniest of ferns, and stand in awe under the largest of trees. Where your camera can capture common or exotic birds, the herring spawn in action, and if you’re really lucky, the wildly elusive Island Marmot.

It’s a place where you can gaze into a single dewdrop fiercely clinging to a leaf and see a reflection of a face. Your face. Glowing with the contented look of someone who has discovered that the details of this wondrous place make you smile. It’s the tiniest and the largest of details of our Island home that compel you to take a look around; to discover even more.

This spring, maybe you’ll find, as I have, that the widest of smiles can come from enjoying even the smallest of details on this beautiful island. ~

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I’ve often marveled at bird flocks performing aerobatics. On a few occasions, I’ve seen a phenomenon in which flocks of starlings combine to form a super-flock and make kaleidoscopic patterns on the sky. Such a formation has a beautiful name. I’ve used it as title of this poem, which is my attempt to capture its kinetics

MURMURATION About this Poem ...

There is a blackness like a furl of smoke

he poem has twelve five-beat (pentameter) and three-beat (trimeter) lines that intertwine to give it irregular movement.

it shudders and explodes

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Similarly, the rhymes form an uneven pattern, but they’re all there: three pairs (smoke/cloak, sky/fly, and explodes/implodes) and two trios (condense/recompense/sense and bespatter/scatter/matter).

It’s all one sentence and it won $500 in the 2012 Able Muse Write Prize for poetry.

The judge commented that it was “entirely mimetic of the swoops and turns of a flock.” ~

hurtling and twisting fast across the sky — and shards of shrapnel fly upwards, bursting, bursting, then condense, cascading down, and cresting to bespatter the air above us as the starlings scatter, and then the flock implodes and flattens once again to form a cloak of undulating wing-beats, recompense for having had the sense to go outside and see the things that matter.

You can see a fine video of one of these events by Googling “River Shannon murmuration”.

John Beaton lives in Qualicum Beach. His poetry has been widely published. He served for four years as moderator of one of the Internet’s most reputable poetry workshops and is a Spoken Word performer, a member of the band Celtic Chaos, and a co-organizer of local events, including a community showcase for musicians and Spoken Word performers, the Qualicum Acoustic Café (QUAC). You can find samples of John’s work by searching online for “John Beaton poetry”. To receive a monthly newsletter about local community events organized by John and his family and friends, email him at jabeaton@gmail.com. ~ F E B R U A R Y

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Community Event Calendar February 2016 LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTRE (LCC) 240 Lions Way, Qualicum Bay. FMI on Hall Rentals, call Sheena McCorquodale at (250) 757-9991.

FMI on Events at the LCC visit www.communityhall.ca.

SECOND SUNDAY MARKET at the Lighthouse Community Centre in Qualicum Bay – Sunday February 14 - 8am-Noon, Pancake Breakfast - $5 or $7. Enjoy live music, breakfast, shopping for a treasure, or even a few chickens for your coop!

Members of the Bow Horn Bay Fire Department will be serving up breakfast this month.

SECOND SUNDAY MARKET- would you like to be a vendor? We encourage artisans, farmers and crafters. We supply tables and chairs FMI: visit https://sites.google.com/site/ lighthousecommunityhall/pancakebreakfast, leave a message at 778-424-9900 or email king7will@yahoo.com

AA LIGHTKEEPERS - Fridays at 7pm at the LCC. FMI contact (250) 757-2300.

BRIDGE – Nordin Room 1-4pm Fridays at the LCC. FMI Sheila Steele 250-757-8307.

VALENTINE’S DANCE - FEB 13TH, 2016 with IDENTITY CRISIS 4 piece band with special guest ANDREA SMITH. OLDIES, CLASSIC ROCK, COUNTRY, Guaranteed to have you boogie all night long. Tickets $15 in advance or $18 at the door. Advance tickets available ONLINE at communityhall.ca, or in Bowser at GEORGIA PARK STORE & SALISH SEA MARKET, in Parksville at CRANKY DOG MUSIC, and in Qualicum at MULBERRY BUSH BOOKSTORE.

TAOIST™ TAI CHI - Mondays 9:30-noon at the Lighthouse Community Centre in Qualicum Bay. Wednesdays 10:45-12:15, (Sep 30-May 2016) at the OAP Hall in Fanny Bay. Contact: Richard 250-752-1231.

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LIGHTHOUSE COUNTRY SCRAPBOOKERS – Meet 3rd Saturday monthly at the Lions’ Rec Hall, 9:30am4:30pm. $10. Door prizes. FMI Call Jorgie 250-757-8358 or Shirley (250) 757-8384.

Let’s FLOOR CURL! Have fun with us. Every week from mid September to end of MAY. Mondays & Fridays, 1-3pm at the LIONS REC HALL in lovely QUALICUM BAY. We are a happy mixed group of all ages and skills. Game Is played indoors on gym floor.

Curling rocks are supplied. Join the club for the season and enjoy “extra events”. Dropin is $2. Come anytime. FMI call Fred or Lorraine: 250-752-0216.

IN THE COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING AREA RDN RECREATION PROGRAMS - View recreation programs online at www.rdn. bc.ca/recreation. FMI call Chrissie at (250) 757-8118, email at cfinnie@rdn.bc.ca or call Oceanside Place at (250) 248-3252. Preregister for all programs to avoid program cancellation.

ADULT BADMINTON AND PICKLEBALL at the LCC. Badminton - Mondays 7pm.

Pickleball and badminton - Thursdays 4-6 pm. Drop-in fee - $4. Equipment provided.

15 years and older. Beginners welcome. steelehunt@shaw.ca, or 250-757-8307 for more info.

SEE MORE EVENTS AT

QUALICUM BAY LIONS CLUB – Meet at 7pm, every second and fourth Tuesday in the Lions Den at the Lions’ Rec Hall.

Starting Wednesday, Jan 13th 2016 Lunch served noon-1pm, Open ‘til 1:30pm

LIGHTHOUSE SPINNERS – Bring your Spinning Wheels and fibre and meet the Lighthouse Spinners at the LCC, Tuesdays at 10:30am. FMI Call 778-424-1001.

CARPET BOWLING – 12:45 to 3pm at the LCC. FMI Call Layne (250) 757-8217.

LIONS REC HALL 280 Lions Way, Qualicum Bay. FMI on Hall Rentals Call Bert Carter: (250) 240-4538.

BOWSER TENNIS CLUB - info: steelehunt@shaw.ca, or ph 250-7578307

FANNY BAY COMMUNITY HALL HWY 19A AT SHIP’S POINT ROAD PARENTS & TOTS FRIDAYS - 10am-11:30am.

At the Fanny Bay Community Hall. Come and enjoy a morning of socializing, snack, early literacy activities, songs, games, stories and parenting resources. This is a FREE program supported by Comox Valley Family Services Association, Baynes Sound Lions and the Fanny Bay Community Association. Facilitated

by Evelyn Bally 250-335-9022

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QUALICUM BEACH FARMERS’ MARKET Saturday mornings 8:30-noon. The majority of our Market vendors are inside the Community Centre at Veteran’s Way and Memorial in Qualicum Beach for the winter.

You’ll find from-the-farm produce, meats, fish, flowers, locally roasted coffee, breads, sweets and artisan-crafted products are available throughout the year! Live music!

No dogs, please. FMI: qbfarmersmarket.com

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IN THE COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING AREA February 6th - QUALICUM BEACH SEEDY SATURDAY, QB Civic Centre, 747 Jones St., 10am-3:30pm. Speakers: Linda Gilkeson, “Do You Really Know What the Problem Is?” and Connie Kuramoto, “Water, Water, Everywhere.” 70+ Vendors, Seed Swap, Farmers’ Market, Master Gardeners, Milner Garden’s “Shoots With Roots” Children’s Program, Seedy Cafe, Door Prizes, and Raffle. Garden Chemicals drop off. Admission by Donation. www.qbseedysaturday.com

Two workshops to help you live well LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE Learn how integrating new information and skills into your life can help you experience improvements in your day-to-day activities.

QUALICUM BEACH FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY will hold its regular meeting on Wednesday, February 17, 7pm at the Qualicum Legion. Guest speaker will be Sid Norman on ‘A Layperson’s View of DNA’ and how DNA flows from one person to another. No charge.

Guests welcome! Learn how you can become a Society member - visit our website at www.qbfhs.ca.

SAY GOODNIGHT TO INSOMNIA

REFUGE – WHERE IS HOME? Lecture Series - Knox Church 345 Pym, Parksville. Tuesdays, Feb. 16 – March 15 - Cost: $8 each or 5 for $35 – bring a Bag Lunch Tickets/Info: 250-248-3927. Visit: www.kucparksville. ca

There’s no magic bullet cure for restless sleep, but this program is highly effective in providing long-term relief for even the most persistent insomnia.

Tuesday, February 2nd 2016, 7:00 PM - The OCEANSIDE PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meets at The Gardens, 650 Berwick North, Qualicum Beach. Tour Speaker this night is Nica Doan, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, her topic is “15 Swaps: Cull Your Cupboards to Crank Up Nutrition” those newly diagnosed or affected, their family & friends are welcome. Contact 250-752-7489 or brook@shaw.ca Thursday, February 4th 2016 7:00 PM - The OCEANSIDE BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meets at The Gardens, 650 Berwick North, Qualicum Beach.

Ladies living with breast cancer are welcome. 250752-8066 or amen@shaw.ca The EAGLECREST GARDEN CLUB meets on Wednesday, February 17th, 2016, at 7:00pm at Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. 747 Jones Street, QB. Speaker: Manon from Buckerfields. Topic: Organic Fertilizers New members and guests welcome. Contact: Susan 5947468 HAPPY WANDERERS’ TRAVEL CLUB meets at the Shelley Road Hall (Parksville) on Wednesday, February 24, 2016. Travel desk opens at 1:00; regular meeting begins at 2:00. New members welcome. Please bring your own coffee mug or tea cup.

The QUALICUM BEACH GARDEN CLUB meets on Tuesday, February 9th 2016 at 7 pm at Qualicum Beach Civic Centre - 747 Jones Street. Speaker: Terri Perrin Topic is: More than a Red Door: Feng Shui for Outdoor Spaces. New members and guests welcome.

FMI: Diane English 250 390-3350.

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Discover how these life-changing workshops can help you enjoy a fuller, happier and more active life!

Each workshop consists of 5 sessions ... inquire today for complete details and spring session dates Contact Carla Flegel Respiratory Therapist and Respiratory Educator for more information and to pre-register.

CELL:

250-240-3840

EMAIL: INSPIRED@shaw.ca

Space is limited • Pre-registration is required

SEE MORE EVENTS AT www.eyesonbc.com

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250-752-2921

interior decorating

Service and Repairs Treatment Plant Certified Assessments Available

Septic Installation

Sani Services

SEPTIC & WASTE MANAGEMENT

Call

www.actiontankservice.ca

250-752-8772

INSTALLATION SERVICE & REPAIRS

Massage Drywall

PLUMBING • GAS • HEATING

Heating

Hearing Analysis

Home Improvement

Convenient In Home Appointments

Philip Brown

250-240-4902 • 250-757-8077

Windows • Glass Repair

Land Surveying

surveyor-ark@uniserve.com

Chimney Cleaning

Custom Renovations

Plumbing

EVENINGS

Picture Framing

Plumbing Gas Heating

DEJA~VU DECOR CUSTOM DECOR & WINDOW COVERINGS

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Start: Meadowood Way, access via Baylis Road off Island Highway #19A. See directions below. (you’ll need them, a map or GPS) Kim Leslie Young photos

continued frmo p. 13

Directions: Left on Baylis Rd. at Hwy 19A. Drive .9 km - left on Dorman Rd. Drive 1 km - right on Corcan Rd. Drive 3.8 km - right on Meadowood Way. Drive 2.4 km - watch for white/blue signage on left for entrance to parking lot.

kms. of hiking trails at this park meander through a popular, seasonal campground, day-use area and along the river with access points to both the upper and lower falls. Less “seasoned hikers” will not only appreciate the easy trekking on the roads through the campground, but also the washrooms along the way.

Just minutes after hiking the forested trail from the Meadowood Way parking area, you’ll see the picturesque and much photographed Middle Falls Bridge ahead and hear the thunderous roars of the river as it plummets into the rocky caverns. Tread carefully here on the rocky path to the left and descending steps to arrive at the most breathtaking vantage point of the Upper Little Qualicum Falls.

The loop trail is a short but scenic hike along both riversides, crossing the river twice over sturdy but slippery, wooden bridges or it can be your starting point for a longer hike.

Before the Middle Falls bridge and to the right is a path that leads you riverside and takes you on a counter-clockwise hike of this “loop trail”. until you reach the Upper Falls bridge on your left which crosses over to the campground. Another left turn brings you back to the Middle Falls Bridge and your starting point. Alternatively, you can do the loop clockwise, beginning your hike by crossing the Middle Falls bridge.

Little Qualicum Falls is a great choice for year-round hiking. Winter hiking, particularly on riverside trails, is sometimes narrowed down to accessible trails, those

Distance: From parking lot on Meadowood Way, it’s only 5 minutes to reach the spectacular falls! From here, you can access 6 kms. of hiking trails. The loop shown on the inset map is about 1.5 kms., an easy 30 minute hike on both riversides crossed by two sturdy bridges at upper and lower falls.

Maps: See inset map for short loop hike. There are numerous guideposts at the falls and campground depicting all trails in the park. that aren’t washed out by increased water levels. The high riverbank trails of Little Qualicum Falls Park and the gravel campground roads are ideal for experiencing Vancouver Island’s winter wonderland. On a recent January day hike at Little Qualicum Falls, the landscapes present a rare and unique beauty. The trees are shrouded in a sparkling icy mist, the turquoise water colors of summer are now equally striking, but transformed to steely ice blue and the multitudes of gleaming arbutus stand out amongst cedars, hemlock and fir, as though they’ve been polished and varnished for added attention.

The seasonally high water levels and the sight and sound of powerful and torrential rushing rapids are captivating and a reminder that nature in all its beauty is foremost, to be respected. ~

Caution: Although the trails are well-maintained, the rocky area at viewing points of waterfalls and wooden bridges are extremely slippery in winter or rainy weather. Hold bridge handrails at all times and do not proceed if you have any mobility issues. Watch the start time of your hike as darkness descends quickly.

Always recommended: Small backpack with first aid, water, protein bars, flashlight and whistle.

Tell someone where you’re headed. Bring a camera for spectacular photo-taking!