Victoria News, December 27, 2013 by Black Press Media Group

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COMMUNITY: Victoria Golf Course marks 120 years /A4 NEWS: Holiday cheer not festive for some this yuletide season /A5 BUSINESS: New owner purchases Victoria’s Hillside Mall /A11 SPORTS: Bill Bestwick’s strange ending to his abrupt term /A16

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City awaits happy hour As B.C. ponders new liquor rules, city councillor wonders how it will affect limited police resources Daniel Palmer News staff

The pending introduction of happy hour at B.C. bars and restaurants is being met with cautious optimism by one Victoria councillor. Premier Christy Clark last week announced the province will relax provincial liquor laws to create happy hour, which allows liquor licence holders to reduce alcohol prices during a specified time period. But the devil will be in the details as to how those changes are rolled out, said Coun. Chris Coleman. “I think the policy works in terms of getting people in, but the question is then what distress it creates on police resources,” Coleman said. “It could be subject to some abuse, or it could be run in a very community minded way. I think what the province is trying to get to is get to more of a European model that’s seen as more progressive.” Victoria introduced minimum retail liquor prices to help curb binge drinking and impaired driving problems in 2004. The $3 standard alcoholic drink pricing was in addition to provincial regulations that resulted in a substantial decrease in alcohol-attributed deaths, according to the Centre for Addictions Research of B.C. at the University of Victoria. B.C.’s provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall has also advocated for an annual adjustment of minimum drink prices to adjust for inflation, but Clark hasn’t yet revealed specific price points. The province also intends to make its Serving it Right liquor training mandatory for staff at restaurants, B.C. Liquor Stores and rural agency and wine stores. A full report on liquor law reform is expected in February. dpalmer@vicnews.com

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VICTORIA NEWS NEWS -- Friday, Friday, December December 27, 27, 2013 2013 VICTORIA

YEAR IN REVIEW

As the sun sets on another year, News’ reporter daniel Palmer and associate editor don descoteau look at the positives and negatives that occurred in Victoria in 2013

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Lack of childcare spaces

File photo

Perfect summer weather

Magnanimous donation Wander through the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s Patient Care Centre atrium and concourse and you’ll notice a name on the entranceway: Jim Pattison. The Vancouver-based billionaire businessman and philanthropist lit up the room with his 1,000-watt smile and his vivid purple jacket during a ceremony in late July. He joined Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation executives and Vancouver Island Heath Authority staff in announcing his donation of $5 million for the Building Care Together campaign. The donation, to be used for state-of-the-art equipment and training at the Jubilee, was the largest ever received by the foundation.

Sensational summer

The expanding void of affordable childcare across Canada is faring no better in Greater Victoria, where one of the region’s roughly 6,000 spaces costs between $762 and $1,085 every month (source: Vital Signs). The burden is heavy enough for two-parent households trying to find reputable and affordable childcare providers, but single parents are facing nearimpossible living expenses in 2013. Monthly government subsidies that partially cover childcare costs are merely a stop-gap measure, as organizations like the 1up Single Parent Resource Centre continue to see a rise in demand for clothing, furniture and counselling services.

File photo

Housing remains a problem for many families

Canada Day celebrated under a dark cloud.

File photo

CRd’s secret purchase Perhaps the biggest stench that originated from the Capital Regional District’s ongoing sewage soap opera this past year was its secret purchase of a 1.5-hectare industrial parcel in Esquimalt. The CRD marketed the $17-million purchase as a viable alternative to the Hartland landfill for its biosolids processing plant, but the resulting public open houses attracted a torrent of outrage from Esquimalt and Vic West neighbours and sent CRD directors back to the drawing board. In the end, the poorly conceived idea did little more than disintegrate trust between the CRD and voters and flush taxpayer dollars down the toilet.

Canada day bombing attempt

Greater Victoria is known for its mild winters and pleasant spring and summer, but still gets more rain and grey days than cared for some city transplants. This year has been a throwback, however, with little snow to speak of in the south part of the region, and, but for a couple of notable exceptions, minimal steady downpours to dull the mood. Summer 2013 was the season people will be talking about for a while, as brilliant sunshine and pleasantly hot temperatures engulfed the region virtually from late June to early August, providing perfect conditions for the variety of outdoor events scheduled in and around town those months.

overvalued housing swamps families The International Monetary Fund released numbers in November that show Canada has some of the most overvalued housing in the developed world. Nowhere are those crippling mortgages more common than in B.C., including right here in Victoria where the average single family home costs about $530,000. There are nearly 1,500 people, mostly families, on B.C. Housing’s wait list for subsidized housing, and seniors continue to pay more for independent living suites (the average monthly rent of $3,159 includes onsite meals and minimal healthcare services).

In the midst of Canada Day fanfare last July, a Lower Mainland couple allegedly placed pressure cookers full of shrapnel and what they believed were active explosives on the lawn of the B.C. legislature amongst 40,000 revellers. While the RCMP’s tactics have yet to be revealed in court, its anti-terrorism unit assured the public it was never at risk during the disturbing operation and that police were watching the couple every step of the way. The motivation behind the botched attack isn’t yet clear, but the situation could have cast a permanent shadow over Canada Day celebrations for decades had the outcome been more nefarious.

To market, to market

Minimal action on rapid transit solution

Councillor rejected from harbour board

Residential suites were first to replace the retail spaces in the Hudson Bay building on Douglas Street. But a tenant that arrived this fall added a tasteful final touch to the historic space. After a lengthy delay, the Victoria Public Market opened in the building’s ground floor to great fanfare Sept. 14. Billed as the city’s first permanent downtown specialty food marketplace, it has received rave reviews from customers looking for farm-fresh produce and a variety of choices for lunch or take-home ingredients.

The provincial government began promoting the development of municipal rapid transit in January 2008. Today, Greater Victoria still lacks even basic dedicated bus lanes, while the legitimacy of light rapid transit has all but vanished. In 2010, rapid transit was endorsed by Victoria, Saanich, View Royal, Colwood and Langford. As 2014 approaches, the Douglas Street corridor has finally been approved, but only for piecemeal bus lanes between Hillside Avenue and Fisgard Street.

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority board directors made a huge PR blunder last February when they told Coun. Shellie Gudgeon she lacked the qualifications to sit amongst them. Despite receiving unanimous approval from her City of Victoria colleagues, Gudgeon was told the board wanted a councillor with more experience in tourism and the marine sector. Eventually, the GVHA board withdrew their rejections, but not before damaging its relationship with the city.

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Friday, December 27, 2013 - VICTORIA

NEWS

Victoria Golf Club at 120: wooing younger players

Members here are more than simply status seekers Don Descoteau News staff

The “members only” sign visitors see upon arriving at Victoria Golf Club might seem designed more to keep people out than encourage newcomers. Yet the people who run this venerable institution – at age 120 Canada’s oldest golf course still on its original site – appear more interested in creating an inclusive environment than one of exclusivity and privilege. Alistair Davies, an expatriate Brit and self-proclaimed “keen golfer” who was installed this year as the club’s first director of sales and marketing, has played some of the top courses around B.C., Canada and the U.K. Unlike some highend clubs where people pay top dollar to join but seldom set foot on the property, he says, the majority of Victoria Golf Club members are keen players who love the game and enjoy the camaraderie that develops as a result. “I came here from Calgary with my wife, and I think we have about 80 members from Calgary here now,” Davies says. “They come for the golf but they discover the social life.” Joining the club isn’t inexpensive: the entry fee for an active adult membership is $35,000 – easily the highest in Greater Victoria – and monthly dues run $303.

contracted to help create a long-range plan for the course. Parker points out that such decisions come from the members, some of whom have played golf all over the world. “We draw on the expertise of those folks,” he says, adding the bar is continually set higher to improve the course. “You can never go backward, you can only go slow and do it right the first time.”

At last count the club listed about 1,200 members, 940 of whom hold golf memberships. The rest carry social memberships, which come with an $850 entry fee and $82 a month dues. “We like to call them ‘non-playing members,’” Davies says with a knowing grin. Members give up the game for various reasons, not least of which is failing physical health, but they are reluctant to give up the social aspect of membership. Davies, sitting at a table in Macan’s Lounge in the clubhouse, describes a typical Monday afternoon scene: “There’s usually about 20 tables of four in here with people playing bridge.”

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Formed Nov. 7, 1893 by a small group of enthusiasts rounded up by Harvey Combe, during a meeting at the Temple Building on Fort Street, the club started to take shape the following year on a section of pasture land owned by the Pemberton family. As described in the history book written by member Peter Corley-Smith for the club’s centennial in 1993, one of the early expanded layouts saw players hit balls back and forth across Mount Baker Avenue (later renamed Beach Drive) on two separate holes. While no major injuries appear to have been reported, the configuration was changed in 1923 to eliminate cross-road play and ease the fears of the many passersby. Early club member A.V. Macan, who would go on to design what would become Royal Colwood Golf Club in 1913, came up with major changes to the Victoria layout that were instituted in the

Don Descoteau/News staff

Victoria Golf Club member Dan McDonagh watches his tee shot at the first hole during a recent round at the course in Oak Bay. 1950s and largely remain today. But the development of the course is ongoing, notes head golf professional Mike Parker, who joined the club as an assistant in 1969 and has spent the past 29 years as head pro. “A golf course is a living thing,” he says, noting that every green and every tee has been tweaked during his days at the club. Changes have been made over the years to make the course more challenging in some spots and less difficult in others. More recently, a golf architect was

Victoria Golf Club has long been considered a trendsetter, from welcoming women players pretty much from the beginning, to offering a lower-priced intermediate membership for players 18 to 29, to raising major dollars for charities around the region. “The club has a long history of being a very progressive organization,” Davies says. It also looks at youth players as its future. “Most weekends, the juniors lesson program is very busy. That’s good, because the club needs to have a healthy base moving forward.” Over 120 years, members have come and gone, plenty of stories have been told and change has almost been a constant. One thing that will always remain, Davies says, is the colourful past, much of which can be found on the walls surrounding Macan’s. “The history here is extraordinary. A lot of us members feel like we’re simply the custodians of the course and are just passing through.” ddescoteau@vicnews.com

VICTORIA NEWS - Friday, December 27, 2013 VICTORIA NEWS - Friday, December 27, 2013

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Big bird bath A group of seagulls enjoy a morning cleaning as they ducked in the water and then shook their wings to dry off in the Harrison Yacht Pond on Dallas Road.

Holiday cheer not festive for all Kyle Wells News staff

While many are wishing joy to the world, many others are struggling to simply get through the holiday season with their mental health intact. The season has a tendency to bring up sad memories, sparking depression and anxiety. Expectations to spend time with, sometimes fractured, families and to be in good cheer can also be stressful to many people. Financial worries also play their part. “It’s almost a cliche that Christmas is stressful,” said Ragnhild Flakstad, branch development manager for the Victoria branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. But the truth is one in five Canadians experiences mental health issues at one point or another, Flakstad said, meaning odds are someone sitting around your Christmas dinner table is struggling to some degree with the season. The CMHA is offering a list of tips to help people get through the holiday season. They recommend steps such as planning ahead, staying within a budget, learning stress-busting skills and other strategies to approach the season with as much ease as possible. Flakstad wants to remind people, however, those with mental health issues are often not in a place, emotionally or mentally, where they are capable of carrying out these tips. “An individual with mental illness often isn’t able to plan ahead. That’s the nature of the condition,” she said. Something everyone should be thinking about is helping others and trying to make the holidays comfortable for all. Family members, friends and neighbours can all help those having a hard time with the season in simple ways, either by helping them with some of the planning tips or just spending time with them. “People like that, they do need sometimes to

look to their community and friends for that kind of support,” Flakstad said. “A gift a person can give to a person with mental illness is time. Time and compassion and empathy.” Many with mental health issues say the stigma they feel from others can be worse than the condition itself, Flakstad said. She asks people to be aware of this and when they see someone perhaps struggling with Christmas events or not conforming to the norms of the season, to treat them with respect and understanding and to help them feel included. “It’s not a time to blame. It’s a time to acknowledge and respect,” she said. “Mental illness, you can’t just turn it on and off.” CMHA can also be reached toll-free at 1-800-5558222.

New Year’s Day Closure

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Victoria City Council cordially invites you to attend the City of Victoria’s New Year’s Day Levee. The New Year’s Day Levee is a longstanding tradition at the City of Victoria and provides an opportunity to meet members of Council over coffee and treats, and celebrate the arrival of the New Year. Parking will be free at City-owned parkades and downtown parking meters on New Year’s Day.

Registered account customers will have access to the active face from 7 to 9 am.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 Noon to 1:30 p.m.

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City Hall, Antechamber 1 Centennial Square

A6 •• www.vicnews.com www.vicnews.com A6 Penny Sakamoto Group Publisher Kevin Laird Editorial Director Don Descoteau Associate Editor Oliver Sommer Advertising Director

VIEWPOINT

Friday,December December27, 27,2013 2013--VICTORIA VICTORIA NEWS NEWS Friday, The Victoria News is published every Wednesday and Friday by Black Press Ltd., 818 Broughton S., Victoria, B.C. V8W 1E4. Phone: 250-381-3484. Fax: 250-386-2624. Web: www.vicnews.com

2009 WINNER

OUR VIEW

Last year full of surprises Ah, the end of the year, a time for reflection and enjoying that one, last (really, we mean it) shortbread cookie. It’s also a great time to look back and compare what we thought might materialize in the Capital Region over the year and what actually occurred. We started 2013 looking ahead to a provincial election and undeniably (or so we thought) a new political direction for the province. Oops. We weren’t the only ones surprised by the outcome of the election which saw Christy Clark’s B.C. Liberals return to power. As we poked through our predictions for the year looking for the outcomes, one thing became pretty clear: 2013 was the year of new beginnings. We saw the secondary sewage treatment project take tangible steps forward including the Capital Regional District’s purchase of the Viewfield Road site in Esquimalt. OK, that didn’t pan out so well. After spending some $17 million on the property, the citizens of Esquimalt, led by Mayor Barb Desjardins, closed the lid on that idea. Other start-ups that have moved ahead in proper order include the replacement of the Johnson Street Bridge. With early construction work on the new bridge taking place while the Blue Bridge remains open, commuters face minimal disruption. Speaking of bridges, we can’t say it’s been an easy ride for the Craigflower Bridge reconstruction. With work starting in April, residents and business owners expected the bridge to re-open Dec. 1. With construction delays attributed to a North American steel shortage making it difficult to acquire materials, and the discovery that the bridge, as planned, would end up seismically unsafe, the span that connects View Royal to Saanich will not re-open until May. Though commuters may not be happy, students in the region will be cheerful on two counts. There were no disruptions due to job action in 2013 and new schools are on the way. The West Shore will finally see the construction of two much-needed high schools. They include the new Belmont secondary being built at the former site of Glen Lake elementary school and Royal Bay secondary school being built on what was an operational gravel pit for 100 years. And in Oak Bay, the new Oak Bay High is well underway adjacent to the century-old building. All three broke ground this spring. Two municipalities stuck their necks out on the deer issue this year. Central Saanich and Oak Bay have both OK’d deer culls. While some residents are not on board with the idea, at least decisions have been made at an executive level – hopefully we can look forward to more of that in 2014. The News is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. If talking with the editor does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.

Question

of the week

YOUR VIEW

Kettle Drive not ideal to donate Re: Sally Ann Kettle drive feeling the pinch (News, Dec. 18) The Salvation Army kettles are a pleasant memory from my childhood. Dropping my few coins into them at Christmas gave me as much happiness as gifts at that age. Now that I am older and can offer more support, I am also more aware of the fact that government is also eager to help. Government cannot make good choices of charities to support, so they offer to supplement our gifts. Therefore, if I can afford to give, for example, $100, I write a cheque for $180. The receipt I get provides me with a tax credit of about $80. Because the kettle attendant cannot give receipts, I no longer use them as a means to contribute. When we contribute cash to the Mustard Seed food bank at Thrifty foods, their registers print a receipt, making much larger gifts affordable. Ideally, there would be a way for a kettle attendant to hand out receipts for larger donations. Because that seems impractical, kettle collections will mostly consist of small contributions, while more affluent donors will send in a cheque. Rein Nienaber Saanich

Clover trap for deer an inhumane solution Research has proven that stress in animals can have serious adverse effects on meat quality. Anyone

Did you follow through on your New Year’s resolutions this year? Answer online at www.vicnews.com

familiar with the Clover trap method will know that the deer are under a lot of stress. Physical stress can occur when the deer struggles and can get injured when trying to free itself or when the trap sides are forced down on it just before the kill. Animals need to be stress and injury free during operations prior to slaughter. When the Oak Bay mayor said that the deer meat would be going to the Songhees First Nations people, was he aware of this? Does Oak Bay want to kill innocent deer only to find out that their meat would not pass federal inspection and be discarded? What about liabilities? Besides being inhumane the Clover trap method of killing can also make the meat potentially unsafe to eat. William Jesse Oak Bay

Urban areas are not natural deer habitat As a long time Oak Bay resident with “on the ground” experience with the deer issue, any decisions made to address the problem should have their basis in fact rather than emotion. Opponents of the deer cull appear to believe that we should all be able to peacefully coexist, as we have “encroached on their natural habitat” and that the various problems associated with having these animals living among us, which

Last Week

we asked you:

are many and significant, is a small price to pay in the big picture. In reality, their natural habitat would contain their natural predators, cougars and wolves. These would keep numbers in reasonable balance with the environment. We have however, maintained a lush salad bar as an abundant food supply for them and diligently removed all the predators to protect ourselves, our kids and pets. The result is an unbalanced situation that is absolutely unsustainable. I don’t blame the deer for taking advantage of the situation, but this is not their natural habitat. If nothing is done, the resulting population increase will be staggering and the fallout will, I believe, shock even the opponents of a cull. The mayor and council have done an admirable job dealing with this controversial issue; the silent majority are fed up and want a realistic solution, not well intentioned platitudes about all living together in harmony. I believe that the SpayVac option should definitely be pursued, but in the interim, a cull would appear to be the only realistic option. It could likely be made more humane by tranquilizing the deer prior to any euthanizing. The status quo however, is clearly not an option. Tom Pink Oak Bay ••• Let your voice be heard. Send your thoughts to editor@vicnews.com

Will you be spending time with family and/or friends on Christmas Day? YES 69% NO 23% MAYBE 8%

www.vicnews.com • A7

VICTORIA NEWS - Friday, December 27, 2013

OPINION

Operated by the Non-Profit Glenshiel Housing Society

Don’t get left at the curb is made to better combine In considering its future modes of transportation that transportation needs, Greater are tailored to the needs Victoria needs to look at how to better connect passengers to of their customers. This customer-service focus is an their destinations, whether for essential component business, shopping or to advancing visiting family. transportation in For instance, walk-on British Columbia. passengers on B.C. Currently, Ferries travelling our models of from Swartz Bay to transportation and Tsawwassen are left connectivity seem quite a ways from to be developed in their final destination. separate silos that If you’re heading to often do not offer downtown Vancouver, a collaborative you may still need a Bruce Carter approach to bus ride, rapid transit Guest column enhancing services. or a taxi to get there. Even with many As more passengers authorities and commissions leave their vehicles at home, that are responsible for longwe can do a better job of term planning and vision of connecting them to their transit, airports and ferries, destinations. In addition, there little seems to be done to is a growing number of people co-ordinate these modes of who do not own vehicles and transportation. are committed to using public How can we do better? transit. The answer may be a Many ferry passengers who destination-to-destination are travelling to downtown approach. When travelling Vancouver have the added to Europe you will find many burden of trying to co-ordinate services that offer combination that connection. Using public packages to get you to your transit is an option; however, destination. Visitors can easily without a guaranteed bus book a trip from city to city waiting when you disembark, and their package may include if your ferry is late, you might ferry, train, bus, and airplane miss the bus heading to your with no extra co-ordination next connection. As both residents and service on the traveller’s part. This connectivity is something to providers, we are apathetic admire. about our terminal-to-terminal Moving people more routes. Around the world, effort

efficiently is critical as transportation gets more congested. One example of this customer-centred transportation pass is the Europe Rail and Drive Pass. This pass allows the holder to use public transit combined with a rental car for a selected number of days. A convenient one-pass option is also available in Sydney, Australia. By purchasing the “MyMulti” pass, visitors can ride the train, bus, government ferry and light rail. Passes are sold weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually to accommodate travellers, and are customizable through add-on options. Convenient, co-ordinated transportation is where we should be heading. Making it convenient for residents and tourists to get to their destination should be the goal. Is it too much to ask for the ability to purchase a single ticket to downtown Vancouver or Victoria, and actually get there without any other bookings, as well as guaranteed connections? Perhaps we need to up the ante and make the new Europass, the B.C. Pass. It is time to look at creative and innovative approaches to transportation, sooner rather than later, before we get left in the dust. Bruce Carter is chief executive officer of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

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DOWNTON ABBEY SEASON 4 PREMIERE | SUNDAY, JANUARY 5TH Step into the 1920’s at our Manor House to celebrate Season 4 of Downton Abbey. You will be greeted by white gloved valets, butlers and served by our very own “Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes”. Period inspired cocktails, menu and attire will make this an event to remember! Individual tickets are $89pp* | Overnight package rates from $199pp*

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Friday, December 27, 2013 - VICTORIA NEWS Friday, December 27, 2013 - VICTORIA NEWS

Test your B.C. news knowledge

1. When Premier Christy Clark took the stage after her upset election win May 14, the first thing she said was: A: I’m going to Disneyland! B: Well, that was easy! C: Oh no, now I have to pay off the debt! D: Socialism is dead! 2. How many proposed liquefied natural gas export proposals are there on the B.C. coast, according to the premier’s latest estimate? A: four B: six C: eight D: ten

3. After winning $25 million in the lottery, Terrace construction worker Bob Erb gave sixfigure donations to: A. Local anti-poverty and other community groups B. Pay for $300,000 in dental work for locals who couldn’t

afford it. C. Provide cars and trucks for people he considered needy. D. Sensible BC marijuana legalization campaign E. All of the above

4. The government is considering spending $6 million to stop the legislature dome from: A: Cracking B: Peeling C: Twisting D: Sinking 5. What admission to U.S. border guards did some B.C. residents find can be deemed a “crime of moral turpitude” and result in America barring your entry? A. Atheism B. Past use of marijuana C. Past conviction for impaired driving C. Past or present membership in the NDP

6. Which of the following wasn’t proposed in B.C.’s liquor law review? A: Licensing alcohol sales at farmers’ markets B: Letting children into pubs with their parents C: Serving alcohol for slot players on B.C. Ferries D: Selling hard liquor in grocery stores 7. Burnaby’s Tung Sheng (David) Wu was convicted and jailed for performing illegal: A. Proctology B. Taxidermy C. Electronic waste recycling D. Dentistry

8. Since his triumph in the HST referendum, former premier Bill Vander Zalm has campaigned against: A: An alleged secret global surveillance system using smart meters B: An alleged secret global climate control scheme using “chemtrails” C: An alleged secret European Union plot to control world finance through consumption taxes NOW! D: All of the above

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www.vicnews.com www.vicnews.com••A9 A9

VICTORIA VICTORIANEWS NEWS- -Friday, Friday,December December27, 27,2013 2013

RATS!! We eRATicate Rats.

Len Waitling spent nine years with the Royal Canadian Navy at HMCS Naden as a darkroom technician before joining the staff of Royal Roads Military College in 1964.

Let us permanently evict your unwelcome guests!

Courtesy RRU archives

Royal Roads expands Rat online photo archives Patrol 250-893-6809

istorical photos representing Royal Roads’ military past are online for the first time. The archives include shaggy-haired 1970s recruits getting their first military haircuts; muddy runners completing the obstacle course; and uniformed cadets at the formal dance. Until now, most of the images were accessible only in photo albums, preserved in the Royal Roads University Archives. This month the archives finished digitizing more than 1,200 pages from albums covering 1963 to 1988. “These digitized photo albums offer us a chance to reflect on the discipline, teamwork and commitment of the Royal Roads cadets, leadership traits we encourage and admire today at RRU as part of a growing educational legacy,” said Paul Corns, associate vice president of Community Relations and Advancement at Royal Roads University. The photos are searchable by year and accessible online through the library at bit.ly/J2P7JE The majority of the photos were taken by the military college staff photographer Len Watling, who first spent nine years with the Royal Canadian Navy at HMCS Naden as a darkroom technician before joining the staff of Royal Roads in 1964. He routinely ran obstacle courses and hung out of helicopters to get the right shots of cadets. “These unique albums are the most requested items in the RRU Archives, often displayed during events such as homecoming,” said RRU Archivist Caroline Posynick. “Now that they are digitized, the albums are much more accessible, and the

Free Program Week January 6 - 13, 2014

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Courtesy RRU archives

Archived photos include this Royal Roads Military College drummer from 1971-72.

public can flip through them at home on their computers. This will bring the experiences of cadet life into sharper focus for anyone interested in military heritage.” The $16,000 project was partially financed by a B.C. History Digitization Program grant from the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. Matching funds came from the Friends of Hatley Park Society and RRU’s Military Heritage Fund. editor@goldstreamgazette.com

Chicoutimi set to sail in new year HMCS Chicoutimi is heading to water trials in the new year as the Royal Canadian Navy gets ready to test its newly repaired submarine. The submarine, which is one of four in the navy, has been under repair at Victoria Shipyards in Esquimalt for major repairs since a fire on board killed one sailor in 2004. The trials and tests will consist of activities in the

harbour and at sea, including a harbour camber dive (shallow water dive), a deep-depth dive, weapons systems certification and crew training. “Chicoutimi’s return to the water is a significant step toward Canada’s Victoria-class submarine fleet reaching steady state,” said a National Defence spokesperson in an email. “Before returning to operational service, each submarine must

become materially certified following the successful completion of alongside tests and sea trials.” HMCS Chicoutimi is expected to return to operational service by mid-2014. editor@vicnews.com

What do you think? Give us your comments by email: editor@vicnews.com

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Helm Operations, formerly Edoc Systems Group, raised $9,000 for the Mustard Seed in a three-week period during the Victoria Advanced Technology Council (VIATeC)

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competition – a twist on the rock, paper, scissors game. Staff got to throw their CEO into the chilly waters off Fisherman’s Wharf. “One of our core values at Helm is ‘fun,’ so I wasn’t really surprised when all of these cool ideas came up,” marketing director Rodger Banister said. “The Mustard Seed does an incredible job helping people in our city who really need it, and we’re happy that we can help in some small way.” The Foodbank Challenge, which ended Dec. 6, brought in more than $81,000 in cash and 3,440 pounds of food, which the Mustard Seed calculates roughly at another $8,600. “As the largest industry in Greater Victoria, our members feel it’s important to support the broader community and give back to those in need,” said VIATeC executive director Dan Gunn. “For over a decade we’ve seen local tech companies rally to the cause and make a sizeable difference. We couldn’t be more proud of their enthusiasm and generosity.” The Mustard Seed and other local food banks are still accepting donations. Visit mustardseed.ca for more information or drop off food at 625 Queens Ave. ddescoteau@vicnews.com

www.vicnews.com www.vicnews.com •• A11 A11

VICTORIA VICTORIA NEWS NEWS -- Friday, Friday, December December 27, 27, 2013 2013

New owner purchases Victoria’s Hillside mall Hillside Centre has a new owner. Bentall Kennedy, an investment company with more than $3.5 billion in Canadian real estate holdings, announced the purchase of the newly renovated Hillside from the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Dec. 19. Paul Zemla, chief investment officer for

Bentall Kennedy Canada, said the company also purchased two shopping centres in London and Hamilton, Ont. to strengthen its Prime Canadian Property Fund. “The fund’s retail strategy includes a focus on top-quality regional shopping centres that offer an experiential draw capable

of attracting repeat customer visits,” said Zemla, adding the purchase price won’t be made public. “(The CPPIB) have managed these centres well and we look forward to ensuring that the centres continue to be great places to shop in the years to come,” he said.

More than 30 stores have opened or are planning to open in Hillside Centre in the coming year. Property management company Redcliff Realty will no longer be involved in Hillside, as Bentall Kennedy keeps those services in-house. dpalmer@vicnews.com

Give the gift of travel! Buy your passes and tickets at the following locations: Brentwood Bay Brentwood Rexall Drug Store Pharmasave West Saanich

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A12 • www.vicnews.com

Friday, December 27, 2013 - VICTORIA

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VICTORIA NEWS - Friday, December 27, 2013

www.vicnews.com • A13

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Inner Harbour Optometry

The Hudson 1701 Douglas Street

NEWS

Highlighting

Esquimalt Recreation Centre

Open House Open House 527 Fraser Street

Esquimalt Recreation Centre

527 Fraser Street Saturday January 4th Saturday January 4th Pancake Breakfast 8:00-9:30am

local events in the Victoria throughout 2014

January

February

March

April

May

June

Jan. 1 – Esquimalt New Year’s Levee, 1 to 3pm: free skating, free swimming & meet mayor and council from 1 to 2:30pm in the rec centre atrium, 250-414-7107. Jan. 1 – New Year’s levee at Government House, 10am to 12pm; Victoria City Council Antechamber, 12 to 1:30pm Jan. 1 – Levee at the Maritime Museum of BC, 11am to 3pm, www.mmbc.bc.ca Jan. 4 – Esquimalt Recreation Open House, 8am to 12:30pm, www.esquimalt.ca Jan. 16 to 20 – First Metropolitan United Church’s Epiphany Explorations, www.firstmetvictoria.com Jan. 21 – Emergency Preparedness Workshop, 1 to 3pm, Cook Street Village Activity Centre, www.victoria.ca Jan. 24 – Robbie Burns Day, Cook St Village Activity Centre. www.victoria.ca Jan. 27 – Emergency Preparedness Workshop, 7 to 9pm, James Bay Community School, www.victoria.ca

Feb. 7 to 16 – Victoria Film Festival, www.victoriafilmfestival.com Feb. 7 & 8 – February Fox Fair, a local designer craft fair at the Fernwood Community Centre, www.victoria.ca Feb. 10 – Family Fun Day, 10 a.m. to noon, VicWest Community Centre, www.victoria.ca Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Lunch at Cook St Village Activity Centre, www.csvac.ca Feb. 15 – Seedy Saturday, 10am to 4pm, Victoria Conference Centre, www.jamesbaymarket.com Feb. 20 to March 9 – Dine Around and Stay in Town, www.tourismvictoria.com Feb. 21 – Pro-D Musical Madness, 1 to 3:30pm, Crystal Pool Feb. 28 to March 2 – VHBA Home Design & Renovation Show, Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, www.vhba.ca February – Oaklands Community Centre Toy Drive for local children, www.oaklandscommunitycentre.com

Feb. 27 to March 2 – Be A Tourist in Your Own Hometown Feb. 28 & March 1 – Vintageous Vintage Fair, Fernwood Community Centre.

April – Oaklands Community Centre Running Shoe Drive for the Cool Aid Society, www.oaklandscommunitycentre.com Don’t forget to vote for Black Press Best of the City Awards! April 5 – Fairfield Gonzales Community Association Community Jazz Gala. April (date TBA) – Maritime Museum’s Massive Marine Garage Sale at Ogden Point, mmbc.bc.ca April 12 – Easter Eggstravaganza at Oaklands Community Centre, www.victoria.ca April 19 – Bunny Bonanza, 10am to 12pm, Vic West Community Centre. April 26 – Esquimalt Giant Garage Sale, Archie Browning Centre, www.esquimalt.ca April 26 & 27 – Fairfield Artists Studio Tour, 11am to 5pm, www.fairfieldartistsstudiotour.com

May 1 to 4 – Victoria Harbour Boat Show, www.bcyba.com Moss Street Market, Saturdays, 10am to 2pm, www. mossstreetmarket.com May 10 – Celebrate Quadra Village Day, 9:30am to 1pm, www.quadravillagecc.com/quadra-village-day. May 10 & 11 – Victoria Conservatory of Music’s Mother’s Day Garden Tour. May 10 – Victoria Tartan Parade, City Hall to Legislature via Government St, www. victoriahighlandgames.com May 17 & 18 – Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival, Topaz Park, www. victoriahighlandgames.com May 19 – Island Farms Victoria Day Parade. May 21 to 31 – Uno Festival, www.intrepidtheatre.com May 24 – Selkirk Waterfront Festival, www.burnsidegorge.ca May 24 to 26– Swiftsure International Yacht Race, www.swiftsure.org

James Bay Market, Saturdays, May to October.

calendar of EVENTS

March 8 to 23 – SD 61 Spring Break. March 14 – St. Patrick’s Day event at the Cook St Village Community Centre,12:30 to 2:30pm, www.csvac.ca March 20 – Culinaire, Crystal Gardens, www.culinairevictoria.com March 22 – LifeMark Esquimalt 5K Run & Walk, www.esquimalt.ca March 22 – Ghost Hunt at the Maritime Museum, mmbc.bc.ca March 31 to May 12 – Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, www.gvpaf.org Late March – Black Press Women in Business Gala.

calendar of EVENTS

by donation supporting the Esquimalt Lions’ fundraising efforts for the Memorial Park Splashpark

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calendar of EVENTS

www.jamesbaymarket.com June 8 – World Oceans Day in the Inner Harbour June 10 to 12, 16 to 18, 23 to 25 & 30 – Victoria Harbour Cats are in action at Royal Athletic Park, harbourcats.com June 13 to 15 – Esquimalt Buccaneer Days,

FREE Admissions Complimentary Coffee provided by Complete Vending Services 8:00am-12:30pm

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9:00-10:00am One (1) FREE FREE Program Demos Single or Family Admission. 9:00am-12:00pm Bring this ad and drop in to our pool, weight room, a

June 21 – Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Victoria High School, 10am to 10pm, convio.cancer.ca June 22 – CFB Esquimalt Navy Run 10K, 5K & Kids’ Run. June 26 – School’s out!

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drop in fitness class, drop in waterfit class, drop in sports program OR skating at no charge. Draw Prizes Ask reception for details. Expires January 31, 2014. No cash value.

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July

calendar of EVENTS

July 1 & 2, 10 to 12, 17 to 19, 25 to 27 – Victoria Harbour Cats are in action at Royal Athletic Park, harbourcats.com July 1 – Take in Canada Day festivities & fireworks around the Inner Harbour. June 30 to July 6 – Victoria Pride Week. July 2 to 6 – Victoria SKA Festival, in the Inner Harbour and downtown venues, www.victoriaskafest.ca July 11 to 13 – Festival Mexicano, Victoria Event Centre & Centennial Square, www.victoriamexicancanadian.org July 18 to 27 – Victoria International Buskers Festival, victoriabuskers.com July 19 – Art Gallery Paint-In along Moss Street, www. aggv.ca July 24 to 27 – Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food and Wine, www.victoriataste.com

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September

August

calendar of EVENTS

Fridays & Saturdays in August – Free-B Film Festival, Beacon Hill Park, victoriafilmfestival.com Aug. 1 to 3, 8 to 10 – Victoria Harbour Cats are in action at Royal Athletic Park, harbourcats.com Aug. 3 – Symphony Splash in the Inner Harbour. Aug. 4 – BC Day! Aug. 8 to 10 – Mela (India Fest), in Centennial Square. Aug. 9 & 10 – Pet-a-Palooza 2013 at Ogden Point. Aug. 15 to 17 – Victoria Dragonboat Festival in the Inner Harbour, www.victoriadragonboat.com Aug. 21 to 31 – Victoria Fringe Festival, www.victoriafringe. com Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 – Classic Boat Festival. Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 – Vancouver Island Blues Bash, downtown, jazzvictoria.ca Check out the Victoria Royals’ pre-season camps at Saveon-Foods Memorial Arena, www.victoriaroyals.com

Reveal Your Smile!

Support your Victoria Cougars Junior Hockey Club at Archie Browning Arena. www.victoriacougars.com Sept. 2 – Back to school! Sept. 5 & 6 – Great Canadian Beer Festival at Royal Athletic Park, www.gcbf.com Sept. 7 – Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Home Tour. www. aggv.ca Sept. 11 to 14 – Rifflandia Music Festival, downtown Victoria. www.rifflandia.com Sept. 20 – Gorge Waterway Clean-Up, burnsidegorge.ca Sept. 22 & 24 – Emergency Preparedness Workshops, 7 to 9pm at Cook Street Village Activity Centre (Sept. 22); 1 to 3pm at Victoria City Hall (Sept. 24), www.victoria.ca Sept. 13 & 14 –Victoria International Chalk Festival, downtown, www.victoriachalkfestival.com

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October

calendar of EVENTS

Come cheer on your Victoria Royals at Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena. www.victoriaroyals.com October – Black Press Women in Business Awards and Gala, adminassist@vicnews.com Oct. 4 to 6 – Art of the Cocktail Festival, www.artofthecocktail.ca Oct. 8 & 29 – Emergency Preparedness Workshops, 7 to 9pm at Oaklands Community Hall (Oct. 8); 1 to 3pm at Victoria City Hall (Oct. 29), www.victoria.ca Oct. 12 – Royal Victoria Marathon welcomes runners from around the world, www.royalvictoriamarathon.com Oct. 13 – Happy Thanksgiving! Late October – The annual Ghosts of Victoria Festival offers some special spooky activities around the region. Oct. 31 – Happy Halloween! Watch your Victoria News for lots of seasonal activities and events.

November

calendar of EVENTS

November – Gingerbread creations come to the Inn at Laurel Point & the Festival of Trees is at the Empress. Nov. 2 – Fall back: Daylight Savings Time ends. Nov. 11 – Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Esquimalt & downtown cenotaphs. Nov. 22 – Lighted Santa Claus Parade through downtown Victoria. Nov. 24 & 25 – Emergency Preparedness Workshops, 1 to 3pm at Victoria City Hall (Nov. 24); 7 to 9pm at James Bay New Horizons (Nov. 25), www.victoria.ca Nov. 27 – Annual Gallery Walk of downtown galleries. Local artists & artisans gear up for the holiday season – check your Victoria News for local events The holidays are coming – time to make your list and check it twice!

@esquimaltrec

www.esquimaltbuccaneerdays.ca June 15 – Old English Car Club Beacon Hill Father’s Day Picnic, www.oecc.ca June 20 to 29 – Victoria International JazzFest. www.jazzvictoria.ca

Cowichan Valley Grape Escape July 5&6 250.388.6496

December

calendar of EVENTS

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Support your Victoria Cougars Junior Hockey Club at Archie Browning Arena. www.victoriacougars.com December – Watch for the Victoria Royals ‘ Teddy Bear Toss night. Dec. 6 – Santa’s Pancake Breakfast, Burnside Gorge Community Centre, burnsidegorge.ca Dec . 21 to 23 – Live nativity pageant at Topaz Park, christmasnativity.ca Through December – Victorian Christmas celebrations at Craigdarroch Castle, www.thecastle.ca December – Take in the Esquimalt Celebration of Lights, www.celebrationoflights.ca Dec. 6 – Lighted Sailpast in the Inner Harbour; Island Equipment Operators’ annual Lighted Truck Convoy. Dec. 25 – Merry Christmas! Dec. 31 – Farewell 2014, Welcome 2015!

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A12 • www.vicnews.com

Friday, December 27, 2013 - VICTORIA

Dr. John Poon* & Associates

New Location Entrance on Fisgard Now open 7 days a week

250.920.0755 *optometric corporation

Victoria Public Market

VICTORIA NEWS - Friday, December 27, 2013

www.vicnews.com • A13

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Inner Harbour Optometry

The Hudson 1701 Douglas Street

NEWS

Highlighting

Esquimalt Recreation Centre

Open House Open House 527 Fraser Street

Esquimalt Recreation Centre

527 Fraser Street Saturday January 4th Saturday January 4th Pancake Breakfast 8:00-9:30am

local events in the Victoria throughout 2014

January

February

March

April

May

June

Feb. 27 to March 2 – Be A Tourist in Your Own Hometown Feb. 28 & March 1 – Vintageous Vintage Fair, Fernwood Community Centre.

James Bay Market, Saturdays, May to October.

calendar of EVENTS

by donation supporting the Esquimalt Lions’ fundraising efforts for the Memorial Park Splashpark

Pancake & Sausage Breakfast

calendar of EVENTS

FREE Admissions Complimentary Coffee provided by Complete Vending Services 8:00am-12:30pm

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9:00-10:00am One (1) FREE FREE Program Demos Single or Family Admission. 9:00am-12:00pm Bring this ad and drop in to our pool, weight room, a

June 21 – Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Victoria High School, 10am to 10pm, convio.cancer.ca June 22 – CFB Esquimalt Navy Run 10K, 5K & Kids’ Run. June 26 – School’s out!

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Updated with the latest happenings

2013

monday’s weekend victoria’s ultimate get out guide

NEWS

mon daym ag.co m

ONLINE mondaymag.com

Friday, Friday,December December27, 27,2013 2013--VICTORIA OAK BAY

IN ARTS

approved

onday Magazine saw a year of big changes. On June 27the magazine transformed from an alternative weekly to a comprehensive arts and entertainment guide. Black press’ Greater Victoria community newspapers — Victoria News, Saanich News, Oak Bay News and the Goldstream News Gazette – all began hosting an expanded, Monday-approved arts and entertainment section on wednesdays and Fridays. Alongside the voice of arts writer Mary Ellen Green, effervescent film reviewer Robert Moyes and the ever-popular horoscopes by Georgia Nichols, Monday began featuring popular CtV entertainment reporter Adam sawatsky, arts maven Janis La Couvée, independent film advice from Victoria Film Fest director kathy kay, the contemporary musings of CBC Radio host Jo-Ann Roberts, tips from interior design consultant sheri peterson, comedic relief from Mike delamont, fashion it-girl Emma yardley and well-known gastronaut don Genova.

The Victoria Film Festival saw another record-breaking year, selling out 22 feature screenings over the 10 days for the 19th edition of the festival. The year also brought the renovation and reopening of The Vic Theatre, just prior to the closure of the Empire Capitol 6 Theatre, a screening venue for the festival, as well as its headquarters. The VFF also continued with The Art of the Cocktail festival for a fifth year and Free-B Film Festival.

kyLE wELLs phOtO

Sam Roberts returned to Rock the Shores in 2013 after lightning cut his set short in 2012. The two-day rock festival at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre’s lower fields saw the likes of Weezer, City and Colour, Matthew Good and 54-40, along with 12,500 fans and proved a success thanks to massive support from the West Shore community. Half of the tickets sold were to residents of the West Shore, and while organizers Atomique encouraged cycling and worked with BC Transit to add extra buses in light of congestion fears, they weren’t expecting to see empty parking spaces directly outside the venue. Two-thirds of attendees took alternate forms of transportation to the festival.

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The local long-form improvisers of Paper Street Theatre, led by artistic director Dave Morris, took home Pick of the Fringe at the Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival in 2013 for their Improvised Quentin Tarantino. Some 18,000 people attended the festival’s independent theatre shows and outdoor events hosted by Intrepid Theatre in August and September 2013, with another 1,800 coming out to see solo performers from around the globe during last May’s Uno Fest. Up next for Intrepid is Winterlab, Jan. 25 - Feb. 1.

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www.vicnews.com • A15 A13

Your favourites in 2013

A Bereft Heart The Catholic Church’s infamously savage treatment of unwed mothers in Ireland has already been examined in harrowing films such as The Magdalene Sisters. Talented English director Stephen Frears (The Queen) once again joins forces with the superb Judi Dench to tackle the same subject with a lighter and more nuanced approach in Philomena. This is the true-life story of a pregnant girl who ended up in the “care” of nuns who used her as slave labour in their laundry for four years and ultimately sold her baby for a handsome profit. That was five decades ago, and Philomena – now a retired nurse – decides that she wants to track down her long-lost son. Enter Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), an ex-journalist looking for a writing project. After initially dismissing her story as mere “human interest” piffle beneath his notice, this altar boyturned-atheist makes the initially cynical decision that he has a marketable book on his hands and heads off to the nunnery in question to start the search. A cover-up is clearly at work, Sixsmith develops a growing sense of outrage, and the jaundiced journalist and the gentle and stilldevout Philomena jet off to America to follow up on the only clue they have. Despite the sometimes-harsh content of the film, this is an odd-couple comedy as much as anything – a marvelously sly and touching duet between two talented actors (one of whom is pretty much guaranteed to get her seventh Oscar nomination). Coogan is a cult comedian known for his quirky and droll performances. He co-wrote this script in order to get himself a more mainstream role, and he makes the most of his character, a highly intelligent and occasionally snotty man whose spleen seems larger than his heart. Marvelously paired opposite Dench, a simple but wise woman filled with grace rather than anger, they anchor a delightfully bittersweet film that entertains as it educates. Rating: ★★★1/2

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Courtney Love was for many an unexpected addition to Rifflandia 6’s lineup of 170 acts at Royal Athletic Park and 14 stages across town, on a lineup as eclectic as the festival fashion. Headliners included Death From Above 1979, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Stars, Matt & Kim and James Murphy and Pat Mahoney, of DFA/LCD Soundsystem fame. Visitors to RAP not only experienced a range of sounds, Victoria’s fickle climate also came out to play, with lightning temporarily stalling the action on the final day at RAP. Some 12,500 spectators came out daily, with 36 per cent from outside of Victoria. Rifflandia, and all that it entails across artistic mediums, grows each year, with organizer Atomique Productions planning the same for 2014.

That’s because, around here, we know that all drains lead to the ocean. So we never flush fats, oils or grease from cooking or leftovers down our drains with hot water. Instead, we save energy and water by putting them in a sealable container, refrigerate them until they become solid and discard them with our household waste. It’s a good feeling to know that we’re helping to keep our marine habitats healthy.

daym

Robert Moyes’ film reviews and listings

We’ve put our sink on a fat-free diet.

mon

More than 1,500 Monday readers cast votes in 44 categories for the 11th annual M Awards, with the difference between favourite artists in some categories separated only by a vote or two. Those who took home a yellow ukulele award in 2013 included: Favourite band: Current Swell Favourite solo artist: Steph MacPherson Favourite album: Let it Go, Jon and Roy Song of the year: “Vibrant Scene,” Jon and Roy Favourite emerging artist/band: The Archers Favourite overall production: Little Shop of Horrors, Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre Favourite performer: Sara-Jeanne Hosie Favourite director: Jacob Richmond, Little Shop of Horrors, Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre Favourite dance performance by a local company: Romp! in the Square, Suddenly Dance Theatre Favourite comedy performer: Mike Delamont Favourite spoken word artist: Jeremy Loveday Favourite art show: Donkey/Kong, Wolf/Sheep Arthouse Favourite visual artist: Kristen “Urbanheart” Grant Favourite emerging visual artist: Carollyne Yardley Favourite local filmmaker: Scott Amos Favourite fiction book: Floating like the Dead, Yasuko Thanh Favourite non-fiction book: The Zero-Mile Diet, Carolyn Herriot Favourite boozy event: Great Canadian Beer Festival Favourite film event: Victoria Film Festival Favourite music event or festival: Rifflandia Favourite non-music event or festival: Fringe Festival Favourite not-for-profit: Canadian College of Performing Arts

approved

No Place Like Homefront

And here’s a second movie also about feelings, albeit feelings mostly comprising Ouch! and Ow! as fists and boots thud home. Welcome to Homefront, the latest action flick starring Jason Statham, the amiable brute with fists of fury and that sexy English growl. In this outing Statham stars as Phil Broker, a recent widower and ex-DEA agent who moves to a small town in Louisiana with his 10-yearold daughter, Maddy. Despite sincere efforts to fit in, Broker is backed into a corner and stands up for himself and his daughter. That choice lands him in trouble with the town’s resident drug lord, “Gator” Bodine (James Franco). After a few skirmishes where Gator’s thugs get a thumping, the ante gets upped considerably when some very scary goons from Broker’s DEA past are invited to town to take their revenge on the man who tore apart their drug syndicate a few years earlier. The result is a climactic paroxysm of violence that should entertain fans of Guy Action Cinema hoping to see virtue triumph and the bad guys do down hard. As genre moviemaking goes, this is mostly routine stuff, albeit done with businesslike efficiency. The plot builds tension in a logical and organic way, the body count isn’t ludicrously excessive, and there is a nice use of backwoods Louisiana as an exotic setting. Statham delivers a satisfactory performance – let’s face it, he can do this stuff in his sleep – but the secondary casting holds a few surprises. The pretty and pert Kate Bosworth (Blue Crush) shucks her girlnext-door persona to play a hollow-eyed skank as Gator’s drug-addled sister. And winsome Winona Ryder makes for a scary “meth whore” and sometime partner of Gator. Not a Christmas movie exactly, but at least Broker and Maddy have a loving father-daughter relationship. Rating: ★★1/2 (Philomena continues at the Odeon & Landmark Cinema 4; Homefront continues at SilverCity & Westshore) Trapiche is one of the biggest produc-

ers in Argentina, and their portfolio includes some interesting small-lot wines. Case in point is Extravaganza, a red blend of the varietals Malbec, Bonarda, and Syrah. Medium bodied and full in the mouth, this fruit-forward charmer features notes of ripe cherry and red berry lifted with hints of espresso and spice. This is a sophisticated wine, and a great buy at the current sale price of $15.

There’s more on line - vicnews.com

Make recycling one of your New Year’s Resolutions. ‘Tis the perfect season to reduce, reuse and recycle. This year, help prevent recycling worker injuries by remembering to use only CRD approved blue boxes and blue bags for your holiday recycling. Flatten and cut large cardboard boxes to size, bundle them together with string or twine and get it all to the curb by 7:30 am sharp. It’s the right thing to do for the environment. And for the people who work every day to make it better. Wishing you a happy “blue” holiday season. For more recycling information call the CRD Hotline at 250.360.3030 or visit www.myrecyclopedia.ca

A16 • www.vicnews.com

Friday, December 27, 2013 - VICTORIA

NEWS

A16 • www.vicnews.com

Friday, December 27, 2013 - VICTORIA

NEWS

SPORTS

Tools

YEAR IN REVIEW

Reporter Travis Paterson revisits some of the bigger Victoria sports headlines from 2013

Best of the best in 2013 Travis Paterson News staff

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We present to you a selection of stories we felt represent the year in Greater Victoria sports. Sadly, we regret that not everyone who deserves it will make our list, so please, feel free to share your season’s highlights with us at Victoria News on Facebook and Twitter. Also, be sure to revisit our archives at vicnews.com, where our stories live forever. Volleyball player Shanice Marcelle ended her CIS career with the UBC Thunderbirds on a bit of a high note, to put it mildy. The leftside hitter was named the MVP of CIS volleyball for

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Photo by Randy Neville

Fergus Hall joined the UVic Vikes rugby team and nearly helped them win the Barnard Cup Island title.

Richard Lam / UBC Athletics

UBC Thunderbirds volleyball player Shanice Marcelle was named the CIS University Athlete of the Year. We never knew her as there is no CIS volleyball on the Island. the second time in her five year career and was named the CIS University Athlete of the Year. The award is chosen from the MVP athletes of all CIS sports. A Spectrum Community School grad, Marcelle went on to play in the national volleyball program and pro game in Europe. She also accomplished the rare feat of winning a CIS championship in each and every year she played for UBC. Meanwhile in Victoria, Fergus Hall embarked on his university career by suiting up for the UVic Vikes rugby team. The Glenlyon Norfolk School product thrived under the tutelage of school coach Winston Stanley, one of Canada’s greatest rugby internationals, and a fel-

low Oak Bay resident. Hall was named B.C.’s High School Athlete of the Year. He played for Team B.C. at the Las Vegas International Sevens youth tournament and is a starter for the Vikes in the CDI Premier Rugby League. Hall played fullback in the 2013 Barnard Cup Island rugby championship and kicked a try conversion and two penalty goals, despite losing to James Bay. Ryder Hesjedal came under fire in Canadian media when the book by Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen, Yellow Fever, told of the author introducing synthetic erythropoietin (EPO), which boosts the red-blood cell count, to Victoria cyclists Hesjedal and Seamus McGrath during their world series mountain biking season in 2003. The media reaction forced out a public admission of guilt from Hesjedal and McGrath, though they are only the latest cyclists to do so.

Garmin Sharp

What we learned: We still love Ryder Hesjedal.

The heroics of Bill Bestwick and strange ending to his abrupt term There are few tales stranger than that of Bill Bestwicks’ midseason dismissal, which is why he’s among our 2013 newsmakers. Maybe it’s because it was so recent, but nothing else came with as much disappointment as Bestwick’s firing. As for Bestwick: his players like him, his assistant coach Ciag Didmon (still) likes him and the fans like him. But apparently, there is more to winning in hockey than, er, winning. No sensible reason was ever given as to why Bill Bestwick was dismissed by the Victoria Grizzlies except for the obvious: that the team is saving money by not paying him, and believes in Didmon enough to put their

Sharon Tiffin/News staff

The wizard Bestwick molded and shaped the Grizzlies into an exciting, winning club. future in his hands. Regardless, there was no stranger and more compel-

ling hockey tale than that of Bestwick’s. He spun magic to turn the Grizzlies into a team that held first place in the B.C. Hockey League for a good chunk of the 2012-13 season and then defeated the Powell River Kings in the playoffs before losing to the Alberni Bulldogs in overtime of the fifth and final game of the second round playoff series. Everything Bestwick touched in his short time here, just about 16 months, turned to gold. The good news is Didmon (and maybe it’s what made Bestwick expendable in the first place) was in on all of Bestwick’s decisions and has a firm grip on what the Grizzlies need to do to get into the BCHL final for the first time in a long time.

VICTORIA NEWS - Friday, December 27, 2013

www.vicnews.com • A17

YEAR IN REVIEW

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The disappointed faces of Victoria Shamrocks players Greg Harnett, No. 11, Rhys Duch, centre, and Jon Harnett, say it all. The trio stands watching as the Six Nations Chiefs celebrate winning the 2013 Mann Cup at Bear Mountain Arena on Sept. 14.

Are your kids begging for new games?

Shamrocks a Mann down There was plenty of good news for the Victoria Shamrocks in 2013. Unfortunately, it ended in a cloud of disappointment. The Shamrocks returned to the top of the Western Lacrosse Association and the nation’s storied Mann Cup box lacrosse championship came back to Victoria for the first time since 2005. The visiting Six Nations Chiefs, led by the world’s best lacrosse player going, Cody Jamieson, won the Mann Cup tournament in six games in September. Jamieson was named the MVP. The First Nations fan support for the Chiefs was not noticeably large, but they made themselves heard, including the traditional beat of the drums, which drew some contention from players and fans alike. “At points it didn’t feel like we were on the road,” Chiefs coach Rich Kilgour said. “I know not everyone liked the drums but it let us know there was a couple of people on our side. I don’t think Peterborough or Brampton would have got the support we got (if they were here).”

Interception seals it for Rams The Mount Douglas Rams football team made history with its third-straight AAA B.C. High School Football championship, 32-27 over the Terry Fox Ravens on Nov. 30. The Subway Bowl game was in doubt when the Ravens were marching down field in the final minutes of the game, when an errant pass fell into the hands of Christian J. Stewart Photography defender Marcus Marcus Davis ran for 183 Davis. yards and three TDs in the Davis earned 2013 Subway Bowl. the game’s MVP trophy for scoring three touchdowns, a nice addition to his 2012 and 2013 B.C. Player of the Year awards.

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The Victoria Cougars mobbed goalie Evan Roch following their VIJHL championship, Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy win over the Comox Valley Glacier Kings in March.

Cougars earn points in 47 of 48 The Victoria Cougars lost one game in regulation and two more in overtime during the 2012-13 season for 92 of a possible 96 points in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League. Needless to say, it was a historic year. Captain Brody Coulter and assistant captain Sam Rice were a dominant tandem but the Cougars were unable to win the Cyclone Taylor Cup provincial junior B championship. And the team won’t rest until it does win it over, and over, and over again. Other highlights inlcude Victoria mixed martial arts fighter Sarah Kaufman’s controversial UFC decision loss to Jessica Eye in October. In curling, Sweden’s men’s team triumphed at the World Curling Championships at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in the spring. In cycling, Anika Todd (silver) and Curtis Dearden (gold) stunned themselves and the country in the national individual time trial Travis Paterson/News staff championships. Cyclist Anika Todd.

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LEGALS NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS RE: THE ESTATE OF MARION ELAINE BROWN, Deceased, late of 439-540 Dallas Road, Victoria, BC, V8V 4X9 NOTICE is hereby given that creditors and others having claims against the estate of the above deceased are hereby required to send the particulars thereof to the undersigned Executor, c/o #201-300 Gorge Rd. West, Victoria, BC V9A 1M8 on or before January 24, 2014, after which date the estatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; assets will be distributed, having regard only to the claims that have been received. Kerry Lee Brown Executor By her solicitors: Anniko, Hunter

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NOTICE is hereby given that creditors and others having claims against the estate of the above deceased are hereby required to send the particulars thereof to the undersigned Executor, c/o #201-300 Gorge Rd. West, Victoria, BC V9A 1M8 on or before January 17, 2014, after which date the estatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; assets will be distributed, having regard only to the claims that have been received. Bruno Donald Ruffolo Executor By his solicitors: Anniko, Hunter

PERSONALS FUN, FLIRTY, Local Women! Try FREE! 18+. Call 250-2201300. Or visit online at: www.livelinks.com

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE

RENTALS

VOLUNTEERS

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

FOR SALE BY OWNER

APARTMENT/CONDO

BIG BROTHERS Big Sisters needs In-School Mentoring volunteers to spend one hour per week with a child at an elementary school. The hour is spent during school hours doing crafts, playing sports or games, or just chatting. Call Volunteer Victoria at 250-3862269.

2011 PEGASUS 4W Scooter. Excellent condition. $1900. Ask for Warren, 250-2084392.

LADYSMITH HANDYMAN Special. 3bdrms up, lrg LR, double garage, lrg storage. Ocean & city view. 1bdrm suite down. Owner will carry mortgage. $1200 month; or rent for $1,800 month. (250)753-0160.

THE WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Sexual Assault Centre needs office and admin. volunteers to answer phones, greet clients, and assist in various administrative tasks. Weekly half-day shift for 6 to 12 months preferred. Other positions available. Call Volunteer Victoria at 250-3862269.

Kripalu full body massage. Release your stress now. Over 13 years experience. Gift Certificates. Women only. Holiday special. Professional. 250-514 -6223, www.andreakober.com Natural Instincts Massage 1st appointment special. Call 250-519-1018.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

SALES COSMETIC SALES PERSON for Outdoor Cart at Up Town Mall, shift work, $12/hr. Apply to mirjam@telus.net

VOLUNTEERS BC CANCER Agency needs energetic, outgoing cafĂŠ volunteers with positive attitude, weekdays, 3-hour shifts for minimum of 6 months, age 18 and up. Training provided. Call Volunteer Victoria at 250-3862269.

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NANAIMO 3 HOUSES. Gorgeous Ocean & City views. Easy to buy. Reasonable Down! Owner will carry mortgage. 250-753-0160

Newly renovated suites, Starting at $675 per mo

To view call 250-380-8133

SAANICH WEST- 1246 Hastings St, 3 bdrm Rancher, 2 garage, dining/living/family rooms, 2 bath (ensuite), F/P, appls incld, new roof. Walking distance to Interurban campus. Reduced price, $460,000. Call 250-477-4600. SIDNEY- 2444 Amherst Ave. 1300 sq.ft. updated character home looking for a family w/2 children and a dog. Fenced south facing corner lot near the Salish Sea. Walk to town and schools. Organic gardens & fruit trees, fireplace, hot tub, 6 appls. Free TV forever.... New price$484,000. (250)656-6136.

PENTAX CAMERA with 3 lenses and flash, good cond. 4 Michelin 17â&#x20AC;? snow tires, used 2 seasons. (250)479-5208.

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

MISCELLANEOUS WANTED

HELP WANTED

(Subway) - J.C. Admirals Investment Ltd. (Victoria) English. No Exp, Edu. $10.25. 250-590-2292

LARGE DOLL HOUSE (30â&#x20AC;?x36â&#x20AC;?) & Country Store (16â&#x20AC;?x25â&#x20AC;?) Both furnished with many collectibles inside & out. Can sell separately. Best offer. Come & see! (250)592-1690. NEWSPRINT ROLLENDS$2-$10. Fridays only, 8:30am to 4:30pm. #200-770 Enterprise Cres, Victoria. Goldstream Press Division.

SNOWBIRDS SOUTH PHOENIX, Seasonal - newer home. 3 bdrm, 2 bath, double garage. $1450. /mo. Nicely furnished, all included. For pictures and more info call (250)724-3606 or email: wavemagic33@yahoo.com

SANDWICH ARTIST, 1 F/T,

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MIND BODY & SPIRIT

GETAWAYS

HOTEL, RESTAURANT, FOOD

HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available. 1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/ newspaper?

PERSONAL SERVICES

TRAVEL

JM HILLSIDE Holding Ltd o/a Subway now hiring F/T Food Counter Attendants. $10.40 per hr, no exp needed, good communication skills. Must be flexible on shift schedule. Drop/Mail #11-1644 Hillside Avenue, Victoria BC, V8T 2C5

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE FIGURINES: ROYAL Doulton, Coalport, Armani, Mrs. Albee, & misc artists - some very old, some more recent editions. Call (250)474-2774.

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO RETOUCH, RESTORE, Edit Photos. Home Movies to DVD. Also, Portraiture, Baby, Family + Maternity. 250-475-3332. www.cwpics.com

PETS PET CARE SERVICES ROVERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PET Hotel- Overnightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Loving care in our home. (250)885-1675.

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE BURIAL PLOTS 2 ADULT interment spaces at Hatley Memorial Gardens. Lots 215 & 216 in Colwood G. $4900. 1(520)825-1773.

FUEL/FIREWOOD ARBUTUS, CYPRESS, fir, hardwoods. Seasoned. Call 250-661-7391. GREAT DEAL FIREWOOD. Winter Special. Split & Delivered. Call 250-881-4842.

ANTIQUES, BOOKS, collectibles, furniture, china, jewelry. Estates/private libraries purchased. Galleon Books & Antiques, 250-655-0700

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS STEINWAY- BOSTON Studio Grand, model 178, ebony, 6 years, immaculate, references. Home studio professional quality. Custom cover included. $15,000. Serious enquiries only please (250)594-5072.

REAL ESTATE APARTMENT/CONDOS NANAIMO WATERFRONT 2nd floor condo. 1500 sq.ft. LR/DR/2bdrms with view, den, gas FP, secure bldg. 2 underground parking spaces. Maintenance fee includes hot water/gas/landscaping. 1 pet OK. $339,900 (250)753-9123

DUPLEX/4-PLEX OPEN HOUSE- Sat & Sun, every weekend, 1-4pm. New Duplexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s For Sale, Duncan, BC at 5909 & 5911 Stone Haven Rd, in Stone Manor Estateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (behind Hospital). 1850sq ft each, 3 bdrms, 4 bath, 5 appls and much more. $309,000. Call Gord (250)710-1947

SIDNEY 9805 2nd St- lrg south facing 1 bdrm apt. Ocean view, lrg full length balcony, in-suite laundry, guest suites, underground parking pet free, secure concrete building w/monitored entrance. No rental restriction, low condo fees. (778)426-0007. Excellent investment opportunity! condoforsale@shaw.ca

RENTALS APARTMENT/CONDO 1 & 2 Bdrm suites & cabins. Perched on a cliffside with panoramic ocean vista, overlooking The Saanich Inlet. Serene & secure. All amenities on-site, firewood. $500-$1200 inclds utils. Monthly/Weekly. Pets ok with refs. 25 min commute to downtown Victoria. Must have references! Call 250-478-9231. BRAND NEW 1 bed apt for rent, $800/m, elect extra. W/D, dishwasher, separate entrance. 4 1/2â&#x20AC;&#x2122; tall windows and 9â&#x20AC;&#x2122; ceilings, private deck & parking for 1 car. Can be furnished or unfurnished depending on your needs. Cats OK . Please call 250-477-5610 and leave a message.

Bright lg Bach 1,2,3 br. Units Fully reno 5 min drive to DT Victoria Full time on site manager

Move in today 250-588-9799

ROOMS FOR RENT FAIRFIELD ROOM- walk to Cook St Village and amenities. NS/NP. Women only. Call 250-382-6681.

SUITES, LOWER MARIGOLDthe coziest 1 bdrm, W/S, shared W/D, quiet. NS/NP. $850. 250-727-6217. NORTH NANAIMO: Attention Students/Working Professionals: semi-furn private suite. New floors & paint. Shared lndry. FREE hydro & cable. N/S, No Partiers. $800/mo. Dec. 15th. 250-756-9746 ROYAL OAK: 2 bdrm on culde-sac, utils incld, close to all amens, laundry hook ups, NS/NP. $1000/mo. Avail. now. (250)361-7327, (250)658-3601 WATERFRONT. NORTH Saanich. Large 2-bdrm, 2 bath. $1800./mo inclds utils. Possibly small boat moorage +. Pet OK. N/S. (250)656-5999.

www.bcclassiďŹ ed.com

VICTORIA NEWSFri, - Friday, Victoria News Dec December 27, 2013 27, 2013

www.vicnews.com A19 www.vicnews.com •A19

TRANSPORTATION

ANTIQUE/CLASSICS

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES FOR SALE

1966 CHEVY Pick up, 1/2 ton short box, burgundy. 3 in the tree, 6 cylinder. Good condition, runs great, comes with second set of winter tires and rims. Second owner for last 45 years, in Victoria. $6,000 obo. Call: 250-479-0441 or email: havoc@telus.net

1998 TRAVELAIRE 5th wheel. Excellent condition for further info call 250-652-9660 or view at 2537 Mt Newton X Rds.

SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES

AUTO FINANCING

I am a newspaper carrier ‘‘and I’m a somebody’’ I deliver your Community Newspaper

In some cases it’s my first job and it’s helping me learn responsibility and customer service. Others that deliver our paper do it to stay fit or to contribute to their household income.

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We all have a common goal. We help you stay in touch with this great community. And we help local businesses thrive too. The weather isn’t always great and the hills can be steep, but I still endeavor to give you my best. I am your community newspaper carrier.

Call for a route in your area… TRUCKS & VANS

AUTO SERVICES

250-360-0817

1990 TOYOTA 4x4. Extended cab, V6, 5-spd. 227,000 km. White, great truck! $6500. Call (250)479-3680.

SERVICE DIRECTORY

$$$ TOP CA$H PAID $$$. For ALL unwanted Vehicles, any condition. Call (250)885-1427.

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HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

ACCOUNTING/TAX/ BOOKKEEPING

FENCING

GARDENING

HAULING AND SALVAGE

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

PAINTING

PLUMBING

ACCOUNTING Vida Samimi

ALL TYPES of fencing, repairs. Reliable, on-time. Free estimates. Call 250-888-8637.

GARDEN OVERGROWN? Weeding, lawn cuts, cleanups, pruning. John Kaiser 250-478-7314, 250-812-8236.

$20 & Up Garbage & Garden waste removal. Senior Disc. Free estimates. 250-812-2279.

250-216-9476 ACCEPTING new contracts; landscape and carpentry. BBB/Insured. Res /Comm. www.ftguland.com

A2Z PAINTING. Free estimates. Quality Interior Painting. Call Erin (250)294-5422.

EXPERIENCED JOURNEYMAN Plumber. Renos, New Construction & Service. Fair rates. Insured. Reliable, friendly. Great references. Call Mike at KNA (250)880-0104.

Certified General Accountant Bookkeeping, Audit, Payroll, HST. Set up & Training. E-File

TAX

250-477-4601

GARDENING 10% OFF! Fall Cleanups, Raking, Pruning, Hauling, Mowing. (250)479-6495.

CLEAN-UP SPECIAL. You load bins, size 12 yard $100 plus dump fee or we do it all. Call 250-361-6164. FAMILY MAN Hauling. Call Chris for all your hauling needs. 250-920-8463.

CARPENTRY BENOIT CONSTRUCTION. Reno’s & Additions. Windows, Doors, Decks. 250-479-0748.

CLEANING SERVICES ABSOLUTELY CLEAN. Family owned business. Free estimates Janis 250-857-5364. HOUSEKEEPER EXPERIENCED, reliable. References. 250-920-6516, 250-881-7444.

AT&T ELECTRIC. Renovations. Residential & Commercial. Knob & tube replacement. #26125. (250)744-4550. GNC ELECTRIC Res/Comm. Reasonable rates for quality work. #43619. 250-883-7632. KENDRA’S ELECTRICAL Co. #86952. No Job too Small. Kendra, 250-415-7991.

ALFRED, ALFRED Quality Painting. Wholesale, Discounts! 50 years experience. 250-382-3694.

JACK NASH, serving Victoria over 30 yrs. We do it all! Free estimates WCB. 250-881-3886

A PROFESSIONAL Woman painter. Karen Bales Painting & Wall coverings. Over 25yrs exp. Free est. 250-514-5220.

MASONRY & BRICKWORK 250-479-7950 FREE ESTIMATES • Lawn Maintenance • Landscaping • Hedge Trimming • Tree Pruning • Yard Cleanups • Gardening/Weeding • Aeration, Odd Jobs NO SURPRISES NO MESS www.hollandave.ca

ELECTRICAL 250-361-6193 Quality Electric Reno’s, res & comm. No job too small. Lic# 22779.

CARPENTRY, DRYWALL, kitchen/bath, wood floors, tiles, plumbing, renos 250-213-6877

(250) 858-0588 - Tree Service - Landscaping - Lawn & Garden Clean ups - Hedge trimming & Pruning - Pressure washing - Gutters Free estimates * WCB www.mowtime.ca DPM SERVICES- lawn & garden, seasonal pruning, clean ups, landscape, power wash, etc. 15yrs exp. (250)883-8141

BILL’S MASONRY. Brick, tiles, pavers. All masonry & Chimney re-pointing. F/P repairs. 250-478-0186. CBS MASONRY BBB. WCB. Chimneys, Fireplaces, Flagstone Rock, Concrete Pavers, Natural & Veneered Stone. Replace, Rebuild, Renew! “Quality is our Guarantee”. Free Competitive Estimates. (250)294-9942/(250)589-9942. www.cbsmasonry.com

GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS 250-507-6543. AL’S V.I.P. Gutter Cleaning, guards, power washing, de-moss, Insured. ABBA EXTERIORS Gutter cleaning & repairs. Seniors discounts. WCB, Insured. Free estimates. (778)433-9275. (250)889-5794. DIAMOND Dave- window, gutter cleaning, roof-de-moss, gutter guards, power washing. Free est.

HANDYPERSONS BIG BEAR Handyman. Painting, household repairs. Free estimate. Barry 250-896-6071.

JUNK BOX- We Do All The Loading

JUNK REMOVAL 7 days / wk. Fast Service, Best Prices!! Free quotes. (250)857-JUNK. PARRY’S HAULING We haul it all - FREE estimates. Call Shawn 250-812-7774 SAVE-A-LOT HAULING Furniture, appliance, garden waste, we take it all! Always lowest rate, senior discount. Brad 250-217-9578.

SAFEWAY PAINTING

High quality, Organized. Interior/Exterior Residential/Commercial Jeff, 250-472-6660 Cell 250-889-7715 Member BBB

UPHOLSTERER work. Your fabric 250-480-7937.

NEEDS mine.

NEED REPAIRS?

PLUMBING FELIX PLUMBING. Over 35 years experience. Reasonable rates. Call 250-514-2376.

Looking for the perfect fit?

They are looking here. today for more details.

UPHOLSTERY

DAVE’S WINDOW Cleaning. Windows, Gutters, Sweeping, Roofs, Roof Demossing, Pressure Washing. 250-361-6190.

2 BURLEY MEN MOVING. $85/hr for 2 men (no before or after travel time charges on local moves. Please call Scott or Joshua, (250)686-6507.

Call 1-855-678-7833

DRIVEWAYS, WALKWAYS, Decks, etc. Reasonable rates. 250-744-8588, Norm.

WINDOW CLEANING

MOVING & STORAGE

D O N E R I G H T M OV I N G . C A $80/hr. Senior Discount. Free Est’s. No travel time before or after. BBB accredited. Call Tyler at 250-418-1747.

PRESSURE WASHING

Use our community classiﬁeds Service Directory to ﬁnd an expert in your community

Friday, December 27, 2013 - VICTORIA

NEWS

Select your home. Select your mortgage.

OPEN HOUSES | DEC. 27, 2013 - JAN. 8, 2014

Oak Bay 250-370-7601 Victoria 250-483-1360 Westshore 250-391-2933 Sidney 250-655-0632 Chatterton Way 250-479-0688 www.vericoselect.com

VICTORIA

more details in Real Estate Victoria, available FREE on news stands now

SAANICH WEST

606 Speed Ave, $215,000 Saturday & Sunday 1-3 Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty Scott Munro, 250 477-5353 5-1027 Belmont Ave, $639,000 Saturday Jan 4, 1-3 DFH Real Estate Ltd. Dennis Guevin, 250-477-7291

ESQUIMALT 404-520 Foster St, $199,900! Dec 28 & Jan 4 11-1 Pemberton Holmes Rick Couvelier, 250-477-0921

SAANICH EAST Midtown Park Saturday & Sunday 12-4 RE/MAX Alliance Ron Neal, 250-386-8181

3795 Burnside Pl, $549,900 Saturday January 4 1-3 DFH Real Estate Ltd. Jenn Raappana, 250-590-3921

SAANICH PENINSULA 110-10461 Resthaven, $164,900 Sun Dec 29 & Sun Jan 5 11-1 Pemberton Holmes Rick Couvelier, 250-477-0921

WEST SHORE 3379 Vision Way, $339,900 Saturday, Dec. 28 & Sunday, Dec. 29 1-3 Saturday Jan. 4 & Sunday Jan. 5 1-3 DFH Real Estate Ltd. Mike Hartshorne, 250-590-3921

3467 Happy Valley Rd. Saturday, Jan. 4 & Sunday, Jan. 5 12-4 DFH Real Estate Ltd. Mike Hartshorne, 250-889-4445 3377 Vision Way, $339,900 Saturday & Sunday Dec 28/29th & Jan 4/5th 1-3 DFH Real Estate Ltd. Jenn Raappana, 250-590-3921

HomeFinder

Find a place to call home

Ask your realtor to advertise in Homefinder! Call John Graham 250.480.3227

3008 Dornier Rd. Saturday, Jan. 4 & Sunday Jan. 5 12-4 DFH Real Estate Ltd. Mike Hartshorne, 250-889-4445

omefinder! H t Nobody can bea

John Graham

Season’s Greetings

Advertising Consultant

250.480.3227 ~ jgraham@blackpress.ca

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ROYAL OAK 801 Royal Oak Drive 250.727.6561

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VIEW ROYAL 1519 Admirals Road 250.381.5055

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VICTORIA NEWS - Friday, December 27, 2013

HomeFinder Find a place to call home

Do you have a house-hunting story you’d like to share with us? Email ddescoteau@ vicnews.com To advertise in HomeFinder, call John Graham at 250.480.3227 or email jgraham@ blackpress.ca

CourtEsy ViCtoria rEal EstatE BoarD

total properties sold or deals pending (all Categories) tHis MontH total neW listings tHis MontH (all Categories) total nuMber of HoMes CurrentlY listed

BUYING TIP | Consult a realtor to help guide you through the foreclosure sale process

Foreclosure sales: more than meets the eye The chances of paying below market price on a home aren’t as great as you might think

As we roll into the fifth week publishing HomeFinder, we’re discovering there are always exceptions to well-established rules. Take December, for example. The number of listings traditionally drop a little lower as home sellers take a break for the holidays. But not everyone is content to focus mainly on socializing and enjoying some wellearned time off, as we discovered in a recent email from a HomeFinder reader. This correspondent told us about a townhome listing he and his wife checked out just before Christmas 2012 in Langford. Turned out it was a foreclosure sale and to make a long story short, they put in a relatively lowball offer and it went unchallenged during the required court proceedings. We wondered just how common their experience is in Greater Victoria. Apparently not very, according to local realtor Dale Sheppard, who has worked on a number of foreclosure sales over the years. “For the most part (the home) generally goes for fair market value,” he says. There’s various reasons for that, Sheppard explains. Not only are lending institutions mandated to get as

Thinkstock photos

Having a low offer accepted in a foreclosure home sale can happen, but given the process also includes going to a court hearing, there’s no gurantees the original offer will be the price for which the home will eventually sell. much as possible for the home, he says, once an offer is accepted and conditions lifted – as with traditional vendor home sales – the accepted price is then made public and a court date set. That information usually attracts other potential buyers who usually drive the price up. Sheppard says the final decision on who gets the home lies with the presiding officer of the court, but it frequently goes to the highest bidder. Come court time – hearings are almost always held

in “chambers” upstairs in the Victoria Law Courts building – the process somewhat resembles an auction. Additional bids to the original are presented and made known to all in attendance. Then, to level the playing field, the interested parties are sent out of the room to determine their final bid, which is put in a sealed envelope before everyone comes back into chambers. “Sometimes people will overpay for a foreclosure, because they get caught up in the whirlwind of (the bid process),” Sheppard says,

adding it can be challenging for novices to know just how much to bid. “That’s why it’s important to work with a realtor who can give you the realistic fair market value of a home.” While it’s anyone’s guess who might show up at a foreclosure hearing, he believes that the initial “buyer” of such homes have a “homefield advantage” of sorts. By that, he means they’ve presumably done all the work, like having the appropriate inspections done and removing any outstanding conditions to be able to pur-

chase the home. The number of people actively keeping track of foreclosure sales today in Greater Victoria has dwindled from the heavy growth period – in terms of prices – of 2001 and 2008, Sheppard says. With the market holding prices relatively flat, “flipping” houses doesn’t happen as often, he adds. “There’s a lot of buyers who ideally would like to do that if the opportunity arose,” he says, “but most are aware that it’s not the market for that right now.” – Don Descoteau

Season’s Greetings from everyone at com

1. Are we pre-qualified for a mortgage? 2. Is the home in a neighbourhood that works for us? 3. What’s that smell? 4. Is it really a good deal? 5. How much are closing expenses? 6. What furnishings do I have that may not fit? 7. Are there any pending legal issues on this home? 8. Have I had the home inspected? 9. What is the appraised value of the home (not the assessment)?

248 » 342 » 3,670 »

ym ag.

WHAT SHOULD I KEEP IN MIND BEFORE PUTTING AN OFFER ON MY DREAM HOME?

as of DEC. 20

mo nda

GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE »

BOULEVARD MAGAZINE

VICTORIANEWS OAKBAYNEWS SAANICH NEWS VICTORIA

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Friday, December 27, 2013 - VICTORIA

LAMEENA TERRACE

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BRAD GREGORY 250.744.3301 211 - 50 SONGHEES RD

24 - 1525 COOPER RD MLS 331213 Adult 55+ park. This single wide home with a lg. addition offers 1125 sq. ft. of space with 3 bdrms & 2 full baths. The layout offers a bdrm on each end of the home. Lg. kit. with skylight includes 5 appliances & roomy eating area with laminate flooring. The living rm. has a built-in air cond. 2 barstools for breakfast bar. The mstr bdrm has an ensuite with soaker tub and walk in closet. New tile flooring in the foyer and laminate flooring in one of the bdrms. Two car parking & fenced yard. Small pets permitted.

Stunning decor; beautiful inner harbour condominium is nothing more than spectacular as you will see when you view this work of skilled craftsmanship. Fine attention to detail is wonderfully demonstrated in this tastefully renovated home. From the brand new high end kitchen cabinetry to the 5 star hotel like bathrooms. It can be yours for this more than reasonable asking price. Everything has been renewed and no expense spared. Amazing location and the “world is your oyster”.

Camosun 105 - 2829 ARBUTUS RD MLS 327642 Views of everything from the San Juan’s and Mt Baker to the ever changing ocean and island vistas; 18 acres of natural surroundings combined with the beauty of the professionally landscaped grounds. Meticulously maintained, gated community indoor pool, hottub and sauna too. Walking trails, tennis courts & more. 3 bdrms, spacious lr & dining room, gorgeous kit., 2 fp, hdwd floors, two sun-decks & a patio. Db garage with loads of extra parking & more storage than you’ll ever need.

WATER VIEWS of Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Olympic Mountains; lovely vistas from this stunning SOUTH FACING condominium in Victoria’s world famous Inner Harbour. Lg END unit cond. offering 2 lg bdrms and two bathrooms. Wonderful floor plan is the beautiful and spacious open design FAMILY ROOM right off the kitchen. Don’t miss this rare opportunity. Stainless appliances as well! Great Views, downtown location, vacant and in move in condition! Excellent condition and is maintained impeccably!

413 - 50 SONGHEES RD MLS 330895 Lovely calming views of Victoria Inner Harbour, Parliament Buildings and Olympic Mountains are yours in this extra large, 1436 sq. ft., 4th floor, Inner Harbour condominium. Songhees Point complex features an impeccable depreciation report along with an ongoing commitment to easy care maintenance and high standard of living. Clean 2 bdrms, 2 baths, lg laundry rm. Large south facing mstr bdrm along with a balcony which conveniently bridges the living room and bedroom.

505 - 1433 FAIRCLIFF LANE MLS 330153 Best value in the complex!!! Million dollar view for only $249,900!!! Lovely south facing view, top floor home situated on a 2 acre parcel of land high atop of Moss Rock, popular,desirable Fairfield neighbourhood. Panoramic views of the ocean, the Olympic Mountains, Clover Point, cruise ships and sailboats; it’s an ever changing, therapeutic outlook, just feel the stress melt away. Imagine what a wonderful location for your retirement years or your “Home Away From Home”. Top floor, priced for immediate sale.

837 MANN AVE MLS 326680 Absolutely immaculate aptly describes this lovely, one level, home with many features. Naturally bright home due to its south facing back yard & 5 skylights; lg. windows and a glorious garden featuring a large modern patio & natural real rock fountain, peacefully & privately fenced. Open concept design kitchen, eating area and fam. rm; separate inline dr & lr for formal entertaining. $20,000 bathtub with side door, power lift seat & powerful massaging jets; there is a chair lift too in the garage.

1106 NEWTON PL MLS 330737 Pristine modern home with many features. Custom gourmet kit. with high end wood cabinets, lg. fr with fp, separate lr with fp, vaulted ceilings, lg. open sep. dr, gorgeous hd floors, classic staircase, 3 lg. bdrms and quality construction. Grand entrance area, 2nd fam rm, 4th bdrm or den, laundry and legal additional accommodation/inlaw suite. Rear lane access to lg db garage & private patio. The location is fabulous with easy access to schools, shopping etc. One of Brentwood’s finest developments!

1475 MILLSTREAM RD MLS 331119 Situated on pristine two acre parcels of property you will find is this lovingly maintained 3 bdrm 3 bath home. Beautifully manicured yard featuring a sprinkler system with Gazebo. Excellent floor plan with a large rec rm off the mstr bdrm & full four piece ensuite spac. kit. for even the most discerning of home chefs & a large separated dinning area.Lg. double garage (26’x21’) offers loads of height (10’+) with a couple of outbuildings. Tip top shape; just buy it and move right in.

3356 SEWELL RD MLS 325245 Quality built 2010 grand 4 bdrm plus large den/office home with a 1 bdrm legal suite. Main floor features open concept design with high ceilings, high-end flooring, lr fireplace, dining area, gourmet kit. with stainless steel appliances and gas stove, breakfast bar, powder rm, and laundry rm. Large deck with views, ozy up to the outdoor wood-burning fp. Mst bd with gas fp, juliet balcony, spa-like ensuite with soaker tub and separate shower. 1 bdrm legal suite with its own laundry located above double garage.

MLS 329685

MLS 329439

VICTORIA NEWS - Friday, December 27, 2013

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$585,000

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Quiet Home in the Country

Eastern Highlands

Enjoy country living on 3.98 acres with room for extended family and your visitors. Open plan kitchen and family room and two bedrooms on main with French doors leading to large deck with private space for hot tub. Two separate one bedroom suites, one above the garage complete with its own bathroom and office space. The complete separate second suite is on the lower level of the main house. Lots of parking and the flat level landscaped acreage.

$850,000

Privacy, Views, Suite & Shop

Metchosin - Olympic View

Enjoy privacy, ocean, mountain and city views on 3 acres in Metchosin with separate suite, separate shop and lots of room in spacious open plan offering over 3,500 square feet for family living and entertaining too! Excellent value and rare opportunity to enjoy this much living space, land, VIEWS, and huge detached fully equipped separate shop.

Saanich East

Walk to Mayfair or Uptown, downtown is just minutes away. Ultra-modern styling combines with all the conveniences incl inunit laundry, undrgrnd parking & petfriendly. Stainless steel appliances, quartz counters and underhung sinks. Geothermal in-floor heating, green rebate, & decorating allowance. Move in February 2014

$2, 772 .32

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Private and Sunny Executive Country Home Plus Suite

$709,000 Metchosin Albert Head/Witty’s Lagoon Enjoy this custom built architecturally designed home of nearly 4,000 sqft on quiet acre. Main floor master suite with access to expansive brick patio with hot tub. Sunny kitchen with island, dining and LR. Three BRs up and legal self-contained furnished 1 BR suite over triple car garage. Extensive landscaping, workshop, and lots of recent upgrades.

LD SO Walk to Oak Bay Village

$539,000 Oak Bay - South Oak Bay Walk just a few steps to popular Oak Bay Village shops & services. Amazing opportunity for couple wanting to downsize, yet remain in very desirable neighbourhood. Main flr incl spacious living room w/fireplace, lrg kitchen, master bedroom w/ensuite & 2nd bdrm. Deck overlooking gardens. Downstairs incl storage areas, workshop, laundry & dbl garage. Well managed 50+ Townhome Development.

$73 9.0 3p er m ont hO AC

Updated Two Bedroom

$289,900 Langford Proper This condo has 9’ ceilings and Oak hardwood floors in all main living areas. Granite counter tops and stainless Frigidaire appliances. Heated tile flooring and soaker tubs in each of the two full bathrooms. Master bedroom with walk through closet. Roof top patio, secured underground parking. Short walking distance to shopping, restaurants and all amenities.

Character 4-Plex Near Ocean

Updated 55+ Home in Desirable Park $98,500 Central Saanich

Enjoy easy care living with nothing to do but move right in and enjoy this well maintained two bedroom and two bathroom home in a very well run, desirable 55+ park. Master bedroom with walk-in tub ensuite plus two closets! Updated laminate flooring plus a mix of thermo and storm windows and it’s earthquake proofed too!

LD SO Attention Snowbird Investors!

$399,900

James Bay-Victoria

Amazing water & mountain views from this 9th floor corner south west facing 2 bedroom suite. Panoramic floor to ceiling windows. Oswego is deeded, whole-ownership recreational condo with all the service’s & amenities of a hotel. Completely furnished with high end finishings.

$1, 055 .36

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Large, Pristine Two Bedroom & Den Condo

North Saanich

Situated at the top of Dean Park with fantastic 180 degree views of Sidney and the Gulf Islands through 22’ living room windows. This custom built home boasts over 5000 sqft with in floor radiant heat throughout the whole house; engineered to the highest standards with 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Features include jacuzzi tub, heated stone and wood floors, and 400 amp service. With a gourmet kitchen details resonate throughout.

Wishing you all the best this holiday season. $1, 133 .57

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Spectacular Dean Park Home

$2,488,888

We hope the coming year end finds you and those close to you in good health and spirits. It’s been a very full and truly amazing year for the Neal Estate Team; We have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to in 2014.

$495,000 Prospect Lake Discover this amazing five acre homesite ready for your dream home and immerse yourself in nature. Tucked well back from the road on the other side of the Interurban Trail. Serviced and ready to build with driveway in, city water, and perc tested. Building site is elevated. Seller may carry financing for qualified buyer/builder.

Quality New Condos

Unique does not describe it!

$584,900 SE Quadra This 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom is situated on a large lot in convenient area of town. New kitchen with built in double ovens, quartz and stainless steel countertops, and new appliances. Vaulted ceilings, extensive use of laminate flooring,and numerous skylights. Main floor is an open concept living area, lower level has a family room and garden doors to fenced private back yard.

-Dr. Seuss

Elevated Building Site with Beautiful Outlook

From $299,888

$9, 732 .00

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“To the world, you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.”

LD SO

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Harbour & Mountain Views in Bayview 1

$572,500 Victoria West Enjoy amazing mountain, city and harbour views from this SE facing luxurious suite. Opportunity in prestigious built building, an Inner Harbour property radiating quality and elegance. Two bedrooms plus a den, high ceilings, all appliances, air conditioning and Concierge. Walking distance to waterfront walkway. Excellent value, aggressively priced to sell and no GST.

$1, 427 .22

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Entire Floor of Character Conversion! Ocean View Spacious Condo 8th Floor

$189,000 Saanich West - Tillicum $269,900 Victoria-Central Park $365,000 James Bay Great Revenue Property Move right in to this updated 2 BR third floor $885,000 Victoria - James Bay This 2 bedroom 2 bathroom unit is over 940 Enjoy ocean, mountain views from this condo conveniently located. Spacious living Revenue Conversion with four self-contained square feet. Front and back exterior doors AND 1,250 sqft 2 bedroom and 2 full bathroom room with cozy wood burning fireplace and cov- suites off Dallas Road and the oceanfront! Very windows on all four sides. Bright kitchen has home. Quality built with no pets or rentals ered balcony. Recent new carpets, tiled bath- well maintained & updated, this is turn-key with counter space which flows into the dining room and only 4 suites per floor. Huge living and room floor plus new fixtures and vanity, excellent tenants in place (under market rents). baseboard heaters and deck lumber also new. Two 2 BR suites and 2-1 BRs plus additional and large living room. Laminate flooring dining area with lots of light. Monthly fees Galley kitchen could benefit from updating and basement storage and coin-op laundry. Thor- throughout main living area, stainless steel ap- cover heat, hot water, pool, hot tub, covered is available for immediate possession. Includes oughly updated systems including baseboard pliances, and the balance of a New Home War- parking, rooftop observation deck, caretaker, parking. Rentals and cats allowed, no age re- electric heat, some thermo windows and more. ranty. This home has in-suite laundry, parking insurance, landscaping, garbage, two elestall, and allows large dogs! vators, and a guest suite. strictions. 6294833 Disclaimer: *Mortgage Payments OAC and subject to change without notice based on 20% down payment (as little as 5% down required), 25 year amortization @ 3.3%

A24 • www.vicnews.com

Friday, December 27, 2013 - VICTORIA

NEWS