Comox Valley Echo, January 15, 2016 by Black Press Media Group

Jan.15th-22nd

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COURTENAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA • Friday, January 15, 2016

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VOL. 22, NO. 3

HUNT FOR HISTORY

COMMUNITY

29. Warden’s

39. Give your

Warriors had it rough in Valley

loved ones the gift of ‘the talk’

VILLAGE’S CRI HALL NEEDS MAJOR WORK.13 22.STELLAR LINE-UP FOR ELDERCOLLEGE LECTURE SERIES

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07.Bear-proof

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Black Creek woman gets her wish after winning Lotto Max prize BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff Frances Martinson had been dreaming of renovating her kitchen. It has been on her mind lately. That strong feeling and desire was a good sign for Martinson because her wish has come true. The Black Creek mother of three found out she won $132,693.30 in last Friday’s Lotto Max draw. Her ticket had all six numbers and just missed the big jackpot prize by one number. Regardless, Martinson, who plays the lotto regularly, is still happy she won. “It’s still a huge amount of money,” she said. “I have never won anything in my life.” Martinson bought her winning ticket at the Driftwood Mall lottery centre. She

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didn’t believe it at ﬁrst when she checked her ticket on Monday. “I wasn’t sure but somebody told me, ‘yup, you won,’” said Martinson, who went to Vancouver the next day to immediately claim her prize. “It’s exciting.” Martinson is married and has seven grandchildren. She plans to take them out for a nice scrumptions dinner. But her big plan is to ﬁnally get her kitchen upgraded. “It’s been my wish for a long time and now it’s going to come true,” said Martinson. If there are any left overs from her big windfall, Martinson wants to go to Las Vegas with her husband. “I am feeling lucky,” she quipped. “I have been there before but that was along time ago. I want to go again.”

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Cumberland council told bear resistant garbage bins don’t come cheap BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff Seven bears had to be put down in Cumberland last year because they found their meals in people’s garbage. Unsecured garbage bins have been easy targets for hungry bears and this has prompted council to look at ways to deter wildlifehuman conflicts. Council directed staff last October to look at bear resistant solid waste containers that the village could purchase in bulk and sell to local residents. Bylaw officer TJ Moore researched different manufacturers and also consulted with communities that have similar programs. Although he found several sources, Moore wasn’t able to find one here on the island. Moore also had difficulty finding bear resistant garbage cans that are small and light enough that would meet the village’s Solid Waste Bylaw. They should be able to hold 120 litres and not weigh more than 50 lbs. “This proves difficult due to the added material or design to make the cans resistant often exceeds these limits,” said Moore. As well, these bins could make garbage collection harder as they would require unlatching or unscrewing to remove the solid waste. Moore said they would have to be discussed with Cumberland’s collection contractor before the village could proceed with this plan. The cost to purchase them is not cheap. A Rollins Bear Cart would cost $175 each plus taxes,

a Rolling Poly Cart is around $161 each plus taxes and shipping from the United States, a Bearicuda screw top lid design is around $75 each plus tax and shipping and the Bearicuda can with unique lid design to keep all types of animals and bears from entering is around $199 each plus taxes and shipping. The prices go down if they are purchased in large quantities. Other communities such as North Vancouver for example, restrict their residents to using these types of cans for storage only, not for curbside pick up. Council acknowledged that they need to evaluate this more and have to make sure residents will buy them. Councillor Roger Kishi feels that with a bigger size of the bin, he expects people to stuff more garbage in it resulting in more waste collected. “Potentially it can be an added cost to the collection service as well,” said Kishi. “It will deﬁnitely increase the amount of time that it takes to do the collection routes because they will have to unlock all the bins.” A recently formed Cumberland Bear Initiative, a group that aims to work towards keeping people and bears safe in the community, is planning to

complete a door-to-door survey that intends to explore how community residents manage garbage and recycling, compost and other attractants which include fruit and berries and other food sources. As well, they will be asking residents if they would be interested in purchasing bear resistant garbage cans. Kishi said the information reported by Moore can be forwarded to this group. However, CAO Sundance Topham advised council not to start sending staff reports to council to this informal committee. “They are not going to be delegated to any authority and are not a part of the village,” said Topham. “They’re not making decisions in regards to it.” Mayor Leslie Baird said she still would be interested to ﬁnd out the results of the survey. “If there’s any interest and how many there are,” said Baird. “I don’t want us purchasing these things and seeing them sit here and all that money tied up with nobody buying them. That would be my concern.” Moore said at present, residents are required to provide their own garbage containers and must keep them secure.

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MONEY MATTERS Matt Beckett

Time to Tune Out the Noise We live in an age of constant information. We’re bombarded 24/7 by economic news — much of it confusing and contradictory. All this news can easily raise your anxiety level as you worry about how it might be affecting your investments. Yet much of what you hear is just “noise.” Focusing too much on it can detract from your long-term investment strategy and cause you to consider moves that might be harmful to your portfolio. Here’s why it’s wiser to tune it out. • Knee-jerk reactions to temporary economic news can

lead to the wrong investment moves. Making decisions based on short-term events is a form of market timing, an ill-advised strategy that seldom produces satisfactory results. • Stick with a strategy based on sound fundamentals and a longer-term time horizon that smooths out the temporary ups and downs. • A number of factors determine investment success. Successful investing isn’t about forecasting the economy; it’s about ﬁnding high-quality companies with long-term potential.

• Use cash as much as possible. Paying with cash can create an emotional feeling of loss and taps into your five senses. Taking cash from your wallet and handing it over to cashiers could slow down your subconscious spending, which is less likely to happen if you always swipe a credit or debit card. • Keep a spending log. Jot down your spending habits on a piece of paper or use home budgeting software to track where you tend to spend the most. This gives you an accurate and fluid method to examine your spending. • Spend less on shopping sprees. Some people use shopping as an emotional release or a method to relieve stress. If you like shopping but want to cut back on your spending,

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If you are worried about your investments, speak with your advisor about your strategy and how you will navigate the current market conditions. A qualiﬁed advisor can help you discern what’s pertinent from the noise and keep your investment plan on track so you can have peace of mind.

Simple ways to spend less When people take inventory of their spending habits, many come to the conclusion that they need to scale back. Upon making that realization, many people immediately assume they need to give up certain luxuries. However, spending less on nonessential items may free up funds for more enjoyable activities, such as dining out and travel. Being frugal doesn’t mean you have to be a minimalist, and it’s easier than you might think. Explore these relatively easy methods to tame spending.

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shop in less expensive stores, such as consignment or dollar stores. This feeds your desire to shop without breaking the bank. • Eliminate one monthly bill. Find a way to cut out one monthly expense. If you’re not using that gym membership, cancel it. If you can’t find something to eliminate, find a way to cut back. Maybe you can scale back your mobile phone service plan. Downgrade your cable television package to one that’s more affordable. • Do things yourself. Consider the services you pay others to do that you may be able to do yourself. If you’re handy with a paintbrush, paint your home interior. Have everyone pitch in to clean the house and scale back on housekeeping services. Cook your own meals and rely less on takeout.

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ECHO

OPINIONS

LETTERS

Boil water orders no trivial issue

Re: Jan 1, 2016 article Water committee questions guidelines on turbidity level requirements The trivializing of issuing a BWN and associated comments in response to the most recent boil water notice (BWN) in the Comox Valley are of sufficient concern that they warrant a response from public health. Specifically I write to clarify roles and responsibilities of the parties involved in ensuring the public has safe, clean water and confidence in the system that supplies it. All drinking water purveyors in British Columbia are required to meet a variety of legislated requirements. The provincially mandated expectations are articulated in the Drinking Water Protection Act and its associated regulation. As well adherence to both national (The Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines) and provincial (Drinking Water Treatment Objectives for Surface Water Supplies in British Columbia) guidelines is obligatory. The province delegates local compliance, training and enforcement actions to Island Health staff. When water purveyors are unable to meet their statutory requirements under legislation in supplying safe, clean drinking water, they must notify the public of this failure. This notification process is especially important for the very young and very old as well as those

whose immune systems are in some way compromised. Advice is often given as to possible measures to mitigate the situation such boiling the water. It is then up to the individual water recipient to respond to the information. Warranting special consideration are surface water supplies, like Comox Lake, that have but a single means of disinfection and are not subject to ﬁltration (such as is now done for the City of Nanaimo water supply). The reasons to issue a BWN by a water purveyor can range from contamination of source water to failure of disinfection systems. Increased turbidity can result in a BWN due to its interference with the disinfection process. The result is the potential introduction of germs, viruses and parasites harmful to human health into the drinking water supply. The decision to initiate and remove a BWN is the responsibility of and is taken seriously by water purveyors. A variety of factors must be taken into consideration. It is not as simple as a single NTU reading of turbidity. Local Health Protection staff from Island Health collaborates with the purveyor in this decision making process. After consideration of historic and current water testing, after an assessment of health risks and after employing a decision algorithm a BWN is possibly triggered. The CVRD, City of Courtenay and Town of

COMOX VALLEY ECHO A division of Black Press Ltd.

407-E Fifth Street, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 1J7 www.comoxvalleyecho.com Phone 250-334-4722 • Fax 250-334-3172 Classifieds 1-866-415-3535 Circulation 250-334-4734 E-mail: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com Publisher Keith Currie Editor Debra Martin Deb Fowler Production Manager Ryan Getz

The Comox Valley Echo 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. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1A9. For information, phone 1-888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org. All original content in this publication is copyright material belonging to Black Press. Any re-use or reproduction without the expressed, written consent of the copyright owner is strictly prohibited.

Comox were responsible water purveyors in issuing the most recent BWN. They have done their due diligence in determining the need for a BWN. The population for which they are responsible for providing drinking water has been well served. I am aware that the CVRD has initiated the process to build a ﬁltration plant. However, until the

completion of that treatment facility the residents of the Comox Valley may be subject to further, fully justiﬁed BWN’s. The reporting of a supposedly divergent opinion by an unnamed health care provider(s) on the need for a BWN and the associated health risks is disappointing. There is no accountability and justiﬁcation provid-

ed to support this stance. It is certainly not currently established best practice for maintaining population health. Experts in BC and elsewhere in Canada have determined a minimal standard for water purveyors in order to ensure the public’s access to safe drinking water. These standards are only amended as knowledge and information be-

comes available and not by displeasure with regulation or personal perceptions. For more information on this subject please go to:http://www2.gov.bc.ca/ gov/content/environment/ air-land-water/water/waterquality/drinking-waterquality/how-drinking-water-is-protected-in-bc . Richard Stanwick MD, MSc, FRCP(C), FAAP, Chief Medical Health Officer

Cumberland 2015 highlights and wishes for 2016 BY MAYOR LESLIE BAIRD Village of Cumberland The year 2015 was another terriﬁc year for Cumberland. Council made a number of important decisions that were guided by comments we heard from residents. This included the decision to reconsider our sewage treatment plan and feedback on the Bevan Road project, skatepark design, sidewalk cafes, withdrawal from regional economic development, the highway entrance sign design, a disc golf course, dogs in parks, and the Cumberland Road upgrade design, amongst others. I know all members of Council are grateful that you take the time to let us know your thoughts and what is important to you - whether it is at Village Hall meetings, at open houses, through emails and letters, online surveys, or just bumping into us on the street. There have also been many exciting announcements this year. In July, we received word of a $1.8 million grant from senior government for the $2.77 million water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer renewal project for the Dunsmuir Avenue corridor. The separation of storm water from the

sewer system will improve our sewage treatment system. Dunsmuir Avenue from Second Street to Seventh Street will be also be resurfaced as part of the project. With construction set to begin in 2016, this one project will cut five years out of our twenty-five year road upgrade plan and will bring a bit of a facelift to the downtown core. One highlight for me was that the trusteeship for the Chinese Cemetery was transferred to the Village, which allowed the Village to register a certificate of public interest on the lands to protect it as a cemetery. This has given peace to many people. Another highlight was the December announcement of a trail access agreement between TimberWest, Hancock Forest Management, the United Riders of Cumberland and the Village of Cumberland. This long awaited and anticipated agreement legalizes the trail network, which is used by local residents and tourists alike for walking, mountain biking and running. The Village will now be able to promote the trail system as a whole to the broader public showcasing what residents know and love about our community. Also as a result of this agreement, new trail head

kiosks, signage and bridge work projects have been completed. My biggest disappointment for 2015 is that we were not able to start building the skatepark at Village Park. The discovery of unsuitable ﬁll under the site has driven the project cost up, as has the low Canadian dollar. Council will be looking at alternatives in the new year for the skatepark. For 2016 I am looking forward to continuing implementation of all our master plans for our parks and cemeteries; continuing with great programming and community partnerships at Cumberland Recreation; and the start of road construction projects for Dunsmuir Avenue, Cumberland Road, and Egremont Road. I am excited for the Village to be working with the Cumberland Community Forest Society to purchase more forest and for the Maple Lake Fundraising Committee to work towards purchasing Maple Lake for a park. And ﬁnally, I’m looking forward to sitting with all members of Cumberland Council in January to look over our priorities for the coming years. It is such a pleasure for me to see these great things happening for such an amazing community. Best wishes to you all for 2016.

10 FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

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BEEFS & BOUQUETS BEEFS to the concrete guys who did such a great job on our patio, but couldn’t be bothered to come back and ﬁnish the front steps they started over eight months ago!

THE COMOX VALLEY’S FIRST AND BEST READER’S FORUM Email to: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com

PAT YOURSELVES ON THE BACK! Our people of the lovely Comox Valley community made it all happen once again! For the 35th year, there were many happy faces here in the Comox Valley on Christmas morning because of the efforts of a large number of community services, companies and individuals. Santa’s Workshop received donations of new and used toys, cash and services which all helped to provide gifts for 524 children from 277 families. In addition, 46 grandparents shopped for 132 grandchildren and 222 bikes were given out. This would not have been possible if not for the generosity of our wonderful com-

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munity! The “elves” at the workshop are also never to be forgotten, for without them, this organization would not be possible. There are so many dedicated “elves” who have been back at the workshop year after year and they are to be commended as well for all their hard work.

There were also numerous individuals who donated items, money or time and they too deserve a big thank you! In addition, the following groups and businesses deserve recognition: (if any club or business is missed in error, we do apologize): Comox Moving & Storage, Always Invited Event Rentals, Superstore, Simon’s Cycles, 107.3 The Eagle, Costco, Echo Newspaper, Record Newspaper, 98.9FM The Goat, Tupper Home Health Care, City Transit & Driver, H. Leighton Contracting, Little River Ferry Terminal & Maintenance Employees, CV Chiefs Midget B Hockey Team, Swift Datoo & Employees, Drift-

wood Mall, L.H. Hughes Contracting, Beaver Convenience, The Medicine Shoppe, Courtenay Antiques, Retirement Concepts/Casa Loma, Codes Country Lanes, Courtenay Elks Lodge #60-Gaming , Royston Cumberland Lions Club, Pythian Sisters Plateau Temple #7, Comox Valley Lions, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club of Courtenay, Comox Valley Monarch Lions Club, Courtenay Royal Purple Lodge #158, Plateau Temple #7, Valley Charitable Gaming Society, Union Bay Volunteer Fireﬁghters Assoc, Tsolum Rebekah Lodge #78, Royal Cdn Legion #160 Ladies Aux-Gaming Account, Harmony Rebekah Lodge #22, Royal Cdn Legion #17-Gaming Account. Thank you Comox Valley for making this all happen, your community spirit and kindness is appreciated by all”. A BELATED BUT HUGE THANK YOU to my wonderful neighbour who managed to clear my walk and drive of snow last Tuesday/Wednesday before I even stuck my nose out the front door Wednesday morning. I don’t know who you are but you are a true neighbour and I truly appreciate your efforts. CONGRATULATIONS to Councillor Ken Grant on being elected Vice-Chair of the Regional District. Chair Bruce Joliffe is doing a ﬁnd job and deserves a man like Mr. Grant to support him. Ken brings a wealth of experience, a common sense approach and a very strong work ethic to the table. I’D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU to all the neighbours who decorated their gardens and houses with coloured lights this past holiday season. I can’t manage to

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do it anymore but I really appreciate the ones I can see from my windows, the ones still shining early in the morning when I go for a walk and the ones a friend shared with me as she drove us around one bright moonlit night. WE HAVE ONLY BEEN in the Comox Valley a few months and in that short time really have been made to feel at home here. The ﬁrst bouquet goes to all the friendly, kind and helpful people that call the Comox Valley home. Many of you have taken the time to make us feel welcome. Your smiles and hellos go a long way to making us feel part of our new community. My second bouquet goes to Drew at Mission Possible. After months of ongoing problems with my washing machine Drew saved the day and my sanity by being the Super Hero that ﬁnally got it all working after so many others couldn’t. I’m not sure that I’ve ever been this happy about being able to do laundry! Third bouquet goes to Murray’s Tree Farm. On a beautiful sunny day before Christ-

mas I pulled in at Murray’s Tree Farm and got the ﬁrst tree for our new home. The kind gentleman there helped me choose what was, hands down, the best tree we’ve ever had. It had the freshest smell and kept all its needles through the whole season. I know we’ll be going back for our tree next year. Happy New Year and thanks to all who make this Valley such a special place. TO ALL OF YOU who THINK highway 19 is not safe because of the speed limit at 120kmh and that is why people are dying. Every single one of you has NO IDEA WHAT you are talking about. Highway 19 is safe and 120kmh is NOT to fast and that is the maximum speed if you are not comfortable doing that then don’t. The people that are doing more then 120kmh will do the regardless of what the speed limit is. So pull your heads out of your back side and give it a good old shake around, stop being an ignorant person. I travel highway 19 daily and I see the police out there daily pulling those stupid idiots over the other day between Cook Creek and the valley conector. I saw 6 cars pulled over by the police and 3 more police cruisers out there. So again to the people who think the police are not doing a “GOOD ENOUGH” job again give your head a shake they are doing what they can is that going to stop those people who will speed regardless of the speed limit, NO it will not. SO YES HIGHWAY 19 IS SAFE! If you don’t think so then do us all a favour and stay off of it. RECENTLY, OUR DAUGHTER WAS PART of the Vancouver Island Society for Adapted Snowsports (VISAS) 2016 Snow Fest. During

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the four fest days VISAS instructors volunteer their time and their skills to participants who might not have any other opportunity to learn to ski and snowboard. As a parent, it’s hard to say who has the most fun! As a parent of a participant, I can only send glowing reports out about the work that the volunteers do. The change in the participants is often amazing. Our daughter loves the VISAS program and we are so very grateful to all the instructors for the time of the Snow Fest but also of the time that she snowboards after the Snow Fest. Thank you is not nearly enough. See you all on the mountain as we continue to bring our enthusiastic daughter up for more days!!!

A LOVELY BOUQUET to the table of great grandparents at White Spot on New Year’s Eve who sat next to us, and offered to snuggle our baby boy while my husband and I ate our dinner and watched. He got so much joy and entertainment out of visiting with you, while we got to eat our meal while it was still hot. Blessings on your new year, thanks for making ours special!

(Continued on page 11)

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

BEEFS & BOUQUETS QUESTIONING WHY excessive speed or driving too fast for conditions does not make the list of priorities for RCMP traffic services? Vehicle speed at high crash sites and high risk areas such as school zones and intersections could be motored electronically-it would lives.

THE CAMERON FAMILY would like to send out a large bouquet to everyone in the Stadacona Dr. paper route. Thank you for all your generous Christmas cards and gifts. Wishing all of you the very best in 2016 and look forward to

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THERE IS NO PILE OF DUNG HIGH ENOUGH to give to the ignorant person complaining about the “poor” people driving through Crown Isle. I’m sorry that people like you are polluting our world with such ignorant thoughts. We aren’t poor because we want to be. Blame the government and the economy for a lot of us. There are some no matter how hard they work, they can’t get ahead because of the cost of living. Remember these are the people who cut your hair, mow your precious lawn, serve you at your ritzy restaurants, do your nails, pump your gas, do your taxes, ring through your order at the store. Instead of complaining about us poor people like we are a disease driving through your area maybe you should take your ignorant attitude to a gated community with like minded people. Or at least use your money to afford some manners and a “real” education about

THE COMOX VALLEY’S FIRST AND BEST READER’S FORUM Email to: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com us poor people. IT WAS SO EASY it seemed, To constantly question the CVRD. They do not supply road salt. Don’t call us –it’s not our fault! Or the smoke in the air , It’s not us to call – although we care. Planning is what they do, And at a very high cost to you. Very Fresh Water they do deliver, Scarce at times, although lots in the river. It’s 2016 and progress we need, CVRD directors, we wish you great speed! PA BOUQUET to the blonde lady in a blue ski jacket, who in the early afternoon of Monday the 4th, kindly helped an injured old skier from the Lodge to his car, and even carried his ski bag. Two friends drove up the mountain and took me to Emergency (partially collapsed lung). All is well now, thank you for your kindness. IN RESPONSE to “about the speed limit” in Crown Isle: First of all, bad drivers do not discriminate. They do not even belong in the “real world”, as you say. They drive badly anywhere and everywhere. They are the reason we ALL pay so much for our insurance premiums. They do not care. You must be quite small to be so critical of the good people in Crown Isle. Next, one does not need an embossed invitation to drive through Crown Isle. Nor does one have to wear their best clothes or be in the six ﬁgure earning category. There are other golf courses around the

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deaf ears. THE 386 KOMOX AIR CADET SQUADRON, staff, volunteers and parents would like to thank Quality Foods in Comox for welcoming the air cadets into the store to bag grocery during the Christmas season. Donations were graciously accepted and are used to help fund the First Aid, Biathalon and the Drill Team and Band. The support from the community and store is very much appreciated.” BEEF to

the

City

Formerly Clinical Sleep Solutions area and we, personally, know the most wonderful gentleman who does golf, even though we don’t golf. Golfers are good people. We moved to Courtenay a few months ago and looked all over the Comox Valley before settling on a place in Crown Isle. We have met some beautiful people “up here” as well as all over the Comox Valley. It doesn’t matter what part of town a person lives in. Being friendly, courteous, neat, clean, responsible and honest is what really counts. Maybe you should make a New Year’s resolution to be much less judgemental. BIG BEEF to VIHA and contractors building the new hospital in Courtenay. Saving money on not providing adequate parking for their workers has caused them to utilize all of the parking outside the nearest small businesses that have limited parking already. Complaints to the general contractor and VIHA have fallen on

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www.pacificsleep.ca Courtenay: On January 5th, with a Snow Advisory from Environment Canada, and with a full page instruction manual on the City Website as to responsibilities of City, Businesses and Community members, you failed to uphold your end of the bargain. While Comox did a beautiful job of plowing their streets, Courtenay did not see a snowplow in the City Core, Fitzgerald, or on Bus Routes until after 4:30 pm. There’s a lot of citizens of this city who can lay at least partial blame at your doorstep for accidents that day. The City of Courtenay can do bet-

THIS WEEK’S WINNER, DRAWN AT RANDOM FROM SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED UP TO TUESDAY, IS: Louise Olson, of Courtenay Winner of two classic cheese baskets from Dairy Queen Winners, you may pick up your prize certiﬁcates at the front desk of the Echo, 407-D Fifth Street, during regular business hours. Thanks to everyone for the great submissions- keep ‘em coming!

ter than this, I hope to see plows out earlier in the future. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND A BOUQUET out to the Church Organization that goes above and beyond to help those in crisis around the world. They are always there to help without those in need asking. My BEEF is to this same church organization that can’t see a need in their own church family. If you can not see a need when you have been told of a crisis then you are blind to the needs of your church family. Your church family member should not have to go to ask for help. (Remember you do help strangers in crisis without them asking). Just a note FYI and maybe give you something to think about and work on. A BOUQUET for Courtenay’s Walmart, and their supportive generosity towards the Glow Ball players in our area! The Super-Colossus of a department “Super Store” has a Super Big Heart

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HERE’S HOW IT WORKS! Our weekly feature, Beefs and Bouquets, is intended to be a light-hearted forum for you, our readers, to express brief views on issues and events in your lives. It’s not intended to hurt people or make unsubstantiated and libelous comments. Names won’t be published with the beefs and bouquets; however, we do need your full name, mailing address and telephone number for verification purposes. Each week someone will win a 2 Classic Cheese Basket Meals from Dairy Queen. Have fun with this!

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too, and for that the Glow Ball “players association” says Hip, Hip, Hooray, and we say it 3 times! Walmart’s “Good Works Committee” has recently approved sponsoring the local kids and people who like to play Glow Ball here in Courtenay, every Sunday and Wednesday evening, from 6:30 to 8:30PM (pending weather), by contributing funds enough to supply the glow sticks, and glow-in-the-dark hockey balls, for a couple of seasons! That is such a kind and helpful thing to do for people, especially for the kids to help them keep active, because it now eliminates the $1.00 drop in fee that I needed to collect to pay for the consumables, in the way of glow sticks, and glowin-the-dark hockey balls — which was a problem for some of the kids to pay, as they wanted to play often! Playing Glow Ball often is a good thing, because it is like playing pond/shinny hockey, but in our situation where it does not typically get cold enough to freeze up ponds to a safe thickness, it still allows us to get outside after supper a couple of times a week, during the dark months of winter, to play a fun type of pond or shinny hockey, on a safe surface, which is illuminated with glow sticks to make it happen! So come on out and join us for some Glow Ball hockey action, and some good exercise, that we play at the Lacrosse Box, in Martin Park, when there is no slipping hazard with snow or rain, because now Walmart is treating you to some free fun, and that’s a pretty “good deal, Stan Smyl”! This is a win, win, for Walmart and its customers, so thanks again Good Works Committee for this positive community contribution!

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

Ask The Dentists!

FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

Police Blotter

Comox Valley RCMP responded to the following incidents between Jan. 5 and 11:

■ While on scene of a motor vehicle collision, on January 5th, the investigating officer’s attention turned to one driver involved, who had an odor of liquor on their breath. It was found the driver had consumed alcohol before driving and was served a 90 day Immediate Roadside Suspension. (2016186) ■ On January 5th, a snow fall within the Comox Valley kept the RCMP very busy with reports of motor vehicle collisions. There were 6 collisions reported with four incidents happening between 12:54pm and 1:39 pm, and two more collisions were reported at 5:11 pm and 5:19 pm. Several vehicles were noted to have slid off the roadway, but not all of these incidents were reported to the RCMP. One reported collision, at the intersection of the Island highway and Hardy Rd, saw a Dodge pickup get struck by a school bus. The pickup then hit a passing charter bus. Luckily the school bus did not have any children on board. The Charter bus, however did have a few passengers, but only minor injuries were sustained by a few passengers and the pickup driver. A charge under the motor vehicle act is being considered for this incident.(2016-201) ■ The Comox Valley RCMP were advised of a shoplifting incident on the 1000 block of Cliffe Ave on January 6th. The theft was caught on the business’ security video system. A member attended to view the footage. While on scene, an employee advised the member

that the suspect had actually just walked right past the police car, parked near the front door, and was currently back in the store. The member approached the suspect and they were arrested for the theft, only to discover more stolen merchandise on his person. The suspect was held in police custody for court the following day. Charges recommended include theft under $5000 x2 and breaching a probation order. (2016-244) ■ On the evening of January 7th, a traffic stop conducted by a Municipal traffic member resulted in an impaired investigation. The driver was found to have been consuming alcohol before driving. The driver received an Immediate Roadside Prohibition for 90 days and had his vehicle towed and impounded for 30 days. (2016-280) ■ The Comox Valley RCMP were advised of a mischief on January 8th. It was reported a window had been broken at a business on the 900 block of Cumberland Rd, in Courtenay. The investigation revealed that an item had been tossed through the window, causing it to break. This investigation is continuing, and if anyone has information regarding this, please contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-3381321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) (2016-287) ■ On January 9th, The Comox Valley RCMP were advised of a two vehicle collision on Highway 19A and Cotton Rd, in Courtenay. The investigation revealed that a Ford pickup had pulled out from Cotton road into the path of a dodge pickup, causing a T-bone collision. The driver and passenger in the Ford pickup and the driver of the Dodge sustained

CA$H REWARDS

www.comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca 1-800-222-TIPS

LARA D. AUSTIN

Investment and Wealth Advisor 250-334-5606 | lara.austin@rbc.com www.laraaustin.com

Drs. Manny Karamanis & Brett Burry

WANTED If you have any information about the whereabouts of either of these two people, call the Comox Valley RCMP Detachment at 338-1321, or Comox Valley Crimestoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (1-800-222-8477). You don’t have to give your name and you could be eligible for a cash reward.

www.comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca Christopher Roy CHABOTEAUX DOB: 1989-05-03 170 cms, 73 kg, Brown hair, Brown eyes Warrant: Assault causing bodily harm Comox Valley File #201515740

injuries and were transported to St Joseph’s hospital by the Provincial ambulance service. The highway was closed for approximately 3 hours as a Vancouver Island Collision Reconstructionist assisted with the investigation. A charge under the motor vehicle act is being considered for this incident. (2015-337) ■ The Comox Valley RCMP were advised of a single vehicle roll over collision on the Strathcona Parkway, near Nordic Drive on January 11th. The vehicle had slid on the snow/ice covered roadway, causing it to clip the snowbank and roll over. It was noted that the vehicle tires were not rated for winter driving. The Comox Valley RCMP are reminding drivers to check their vehicle’s tire rating and ensure you have the

correct tires as several highways in our area require winter rated tires from October 1st to March 31st. (2015-394) ■ January 8th through to January 10th, proved to be busy for the Comox Valley RCMP dealing with impaired driving. Six impaired drivers were taken off the road after stop checks and traffic stops. Two drivers received 90 day immediate roadside prohibitions and their vehicles were impounded for 30 days, three drivers were given 3 day immediate roadside prohibitions and one driver was issued a 24 driving suspension for driving under the inﬂuence of marijuana. - Comox Valley RCMP

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To Register and pledge now at to https://coldestnightoftheyear.org/location/comoxvalley

RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. © RBC Dominion Securities Inc. 2015. All rights reserved. 15_90857_WDE_009

My Wife Wants a New Smile I Want a New Truck Dear Doctors - I've never been out of work in the construction business in 30 years. My wife just turned 50, and does OK in real estate. She tells me now that she hates her teeth, and wants them completely rebuilt. The number she is quoting is more than I wanted to pay for a new truck. I don't pay much attention to teeth, but this seems absurd to me. Does it make sense? Answer - We're not sure where to start. We could

'argue' (not really arguing, but making a point) this issue from either side. Firstly, we have patients with mouths ranging from perfect to absolutely no teeth whatsoever. Pretty broad range! We've spoken with patients whose idea of paying a fortune for their teeth is simply using their insurance up annually, and we've seen a gentleman spend well over $100 grand on his mouth. As dentists, we take the position that we are advisors to our patients. Whichever level they wish to take treatment is fine – and we provide as much advice and support to facilitate any patient decision making. Our goal is to have patients with healthy mouths. Now – your wife is looking to take things to the next level and we do a significant amount of that kind of dentistry. Teeth wear out. They change appearance, erode, decay, and move when spaces open up in your mouth. This affects ability to chew, and can cause discomfort and even headaches. Some patients want their dentist to restore to what they 'used to have', which may mean replacing some or all teeth. The budget is all over the map depending on the scope of work required. Your wife sounds like she is perhaps in a different situation if she 'hates' her teeth. That is probably more of an appearance issue. One patient we know has what he proudly calls 'strong crooked teeth'. They are healthy, but quite crooked. He'll never do anything about them, even though he could well afford it and that is perfectly fine. She may be seeking a cosmetic 're-do' to improve her appearance. This isn't uncommon, and in the real estate game appearance and confidence can make a significant difference. A realtor we know claims our dentistry was responsible for her selling many additional homes in her first year post treatment. You can't get her to stop smiling! We're not telling you to encourage or discourage your wife, but our opinion is that every dollar she spends on her teeth may well be returned to her in additional commissions. In that respect, it could make plenty of sense! Call the Dental Hotline at 1-800-617-2936 and schedule a FREE implant information session.

Acreview Dental 750 Comox Road, Courtenay, BC

1-800-617-2936 (Dental Hotline) www.AcreviewDental.com Services are provided by General Dentists

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

Cumberland recreation centre faces expensive repairs apply for infrastructure grants. Goodman said as they went through the review process, they were not surprised that the cost would be high. “We were all very aware that although the dollars can vary it gives you an idea of the order of magnitude,” said Goodman. Councillor Roger Kishi welcomed the report and the identiﬁed costs. “Now that we have

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff

Now that we have this information we can do that long-term future planning ... it’s going to be easier for staff to prioritize some immediate things that we should be looking at.” ROGER KISHI Cumberland councillor

ily address the life safety requirements and associated liability issues by bringing certain concerns of the building components up to code. It carries a price tag of $1,014,048. The second option is to improve current functionality by replacing aging components and by making modest expansions that include additional storage space, meeting room, office, janitor’s room, and better reception area. The third option requires major upgrading of either the West Wing ($2,884,298) or the East Wing ($2,912,955) or both. The fourth option is to replace the building on a different, village owned and essentially level, serviced lot, based on the

major expansion of the institute’s programs. The estimated cost for this is $5,663,400. Although specific options have been presented, Goodman said variations or blending of options can also be considered by the village. For cost efficiency, Goodman advised council to develop a long-term plan now before it spends any money on improvements. Goodman provided the next steps for the village to consider. They include consideration of the current conditions of the facility and any liability issues associated with them, the removal and appropriate disposal of any asbestos-containing materials in the East Wing crawl space, and to confirm the long term plans for the institute and current financial capabilities of the village, and commence action items consistent with the plan and financial capability. Ketler acknowledged that fixing the institute is going to be an expensive initiative for the village. “That would mean we would have to do a very long-term phased approach to any repairs that we do,” said Ketler, who added the sooner the village has a plan, it can

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The Cumberland Recreation Institute is badly in need of repairs and it’s not going to be cheap. The consultant hired to evaluate the facility, RDH Building Engineering Ltd presented its report to the village council on Monday. Councillor Jesse Ketler found the results “depressing.” Harvey Goodman of RDH reported significant aspects of the building are no longer up to code and have to be addressed. The CRI was built in 1936 and throughout that time, it had experienced modifications from 1940 to 1988. The need to review the facility was determined in the village’s 2014 strategic planning cycle and it was made a priority to give the recreation department direction. The commissioned RDH review revealed a myriad of health, environment and safety issues. It discovered the existence of asbestos in the east and west wing, drywall, and pipe insulation as well as paint that is lead-based. The institute is not structurally sound with erosions identified in certain sections and does meet the seismic requirements of the current building code. The existing kitchen range exhaust system does not comply with NFPA 96, there is no automatic gas shut-off valve, and it needs a new fire alarm system. Goodman presented the village four options. The first one is to just maintain the status quo. This will entail identifying requirements to responsibly continue with the institute’s current programming and to primar-

this information we can do that long-term future planning,” he said. “Now we have the information to address the issues that are more immediate. Before we sort of had an idea but now it’s going to be easier for staff to prioritize some immediate things that we should be looking at.” Council plans to use the report when it starts its budgeting process in the coming weeks.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

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EVERYTHING FOR EVERY PET

ENHANCING YOUR CAT’S QUALITY OF LIFE! Those who have experienced the joys of feline companionship also know we don’t “own” our cats….they choose to own us. Cats are not dogs. Understanding our cats through their emotional and environmental needs enhances their health and quality of life. When a cat’s environmental needs are not met, they often develop behavioral problems and stress related medical conditions. Unfortunately these behaviors are the leading cause of cats being surrendered or euthanized. Your cat’s environmental needs can include their indoor or outdoor surroundings as well as their social interactions with humans and other pets in the household. Cats tend to hide obvious signs of stress, pain or illness unlike dogs and it can be much more difficult for us to diagnose a problem until it has already become a major issue. It’s important to understand a cat’s instinctual behaviors as well. Cats are solitary hunters, territorial, have a superior sense of smell, use scent and vocalization when threatened and are social animals (if they choose to be). How can you enhance your cat’s environment? Every cat needs a protected “safe” place within the home. This could be a perch (cats prefer to be off the ground), a cardboard box or enclosed bed just big enough for them to fit into. When shopping for a new cat perch or bed, keep in mind that cats prefer

places with more than one way out. When dealing with multiple cats in a household it is ideal to provide each with their own food, water, litter box, scratching post and sleeping areas. These resources should be separated from each other to avoid conflict. The stress of feeling challenged over resources could cause unwanted behaviors such as inappropriate urination and other stress related illnesses. Play is also very important for your cat’s quality of life. Play simulates their natural urge to hunt. Toys with feathers, little mice, crumpled up paper balls and/or food puzzles make great toys for cats. As many parents often do with small children, make sure to switch up their toys to avoid boredom. Be extra aware of your cat’s sense of smell. Cats like to feel secure in their surroundings and do so by marking their territory using sent pheromones. Cats will spend countless hours walking around the house rubbing up on the furniture and doorways. This isn’t just because it feels good…they are actually establishing their boundaries using

facial pheromones. It can be extremely stressful on your cat when you constantly clean these areas. This coupled with threatening smells such as strong perfumes, carpet cleaners and room deodorizers can cause unwanted behaviors such as inappropriate urination or defecation and unwanted scratching. Similar to dogs, socialization at an early age sets the stage towards a strong feline – human bond. Proper socialization between 2 – 7 weeks of age can determine how much human interaction they will tolerate as adult cats. The relationship that you have with your cat is so special and rewarding. It is important to provide them with the best care possible and understanding their feline specific needs is the first step. Do not hesitate to contact your veterinary hospital to ask questions or to get ideas for creating the “purrfect” environment for your kitty. Resources: AAFP 2013 and ISFM. For more information visit www.catvets.com Submitted by Van Isle Veterinary Hospital

BAD BREATH AND DENTAL HOME CARE Bad breath can be a sign of dental disease or whole body (systemic) disease. Dental examinations and treatments for dental disease are as important for your pet as check ups for other problems. Neglecting teeth can result in a number of problems for your pet. Teeth may have to be removed because of periodontal disease. Severe dental disease can affect the health of other organs in the body. Dental home care is important to help with dental disease in dogs and cats, but will not be a replacement for periodic thorough dental cleaning under general anaesthetic where scaling is done on the inside of the teeth and under the gumline. Anaesthesia is also needed to map the pockets around the teeth and to do dental x-rays to assess current and potential future problems. Adequate dental home care helps pet owners to maintain oral health in dogs and cats. It is necessary to help with gingivitis (inflammation or redness of the gums) and the progression to periodontitis where bacterial plaque spreads under the

gumline and leads to the formation of pockets and the destruction of bone. Bacterial plaque which is a filmy deposit of bacteria, mucus, and food will appear on the surface of a tooth within 24 hours of cleaning. Although numerous options are available for dental home care, tooth brushing is the most important one. Active plaque control requires the participation of the owner and is defined as toothbrushing and/or rinsing. This is more effective for the front teeth. Passive plaque control includes the use of prescription dental diets and/or dental treats. This is more effective for the back teeth. Five tools and techniques to address dental disease at home:

Toothbrushing Done properly and regularly, tooth brushing is the most effective tool against the formation of plaque on teeth. It has been suggested that pets with good dental health should have their teeth brushed a Continued on next page...

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

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EVERYTHING FOR EVERY PET ...Continued from previous page minimum of three times per week, whereas pets with periodontal disease should have their teeth b r u s h e d daily. Toothbrushing is most effective for the front teeth. Tips: · Start brushing early in your pet’s life – they are more likely to accept brushing then. Be consistent – a lot of pets will learn to accept having her/his teeth brushed. · Start slowly by holding the pet’s mouth first. Then place a finger in the mouth, and slowly progress to brushing your pet’s teeth. · P rov i d e p o s i t i ve reinforcement and use rewards (e.g. treats). But do not overfeed your pet! · Multiple kinds of veterinary toothbrushes are available. However, a soft-bristled human toothbrush can also be used. · Human toothpastes are not recommended since they contain chemicals

which are harmful to pets. Ve t e r i n a r y toothpastes are flavored (e.g. poultry flavor) and may also contain a calcium chelator to reduce calculus deposition on the teeth. Antiseptic Solutions Several antiseptic solutions can help to decrease gingivitis and plaque formation when used regularly. One drawback of this is the lack of palatability with

some solutions. Chronic use of some solutions can also stain the teeth. Chew-based Treats and Diets Contrary to belief, regular dry dog food is not better for oral health than canned diets. Prescription diets, on the other hand, contain abrasives to scrape plaque from the teeth; their kibble size is typically larger to increase chewing time, and they may contain calcium

chelators to reduce tartar buildup. Many of these diets have received the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal of approval for effective plaque and tartar reducers. Most of these diets work best on the tips of the teeth, but many are not very effective to decrease gingivitis. There are also many treats out there claiming to help with tartar control. According to studies, plain biscuits have

not been shown to reduce periodontal disease. Calcium-chelator-coated biscuits are available, but even these are not very effective. Rawhide chews can also aid in passive home dental care. Certain chews have been clinically proven to decrease dental disease, and several are VOHC approved. However, some of those chews are very hard and can result in fractured teeth. As a general rule,

we can say that if a fingernail impression cannot be made into the product, it is too hard to chew safely. Clients must also be aware of potential choking and gastrointestinal obstruction hazards with chews. February is Dental Month! Contact your veterinarian with any question or concerns you may have! Submitted by Shamrock Veternary Clinic

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

HOPE FOR THE

HOLIDAYS

Thank You

• to the Comox Valley for your Generous Support. Our 2015 “Hope for the Holidays Campaign” was a HUGE success! • to our Host Locations – your partnerships are so integral to our campaign! Special appreciation to 97.3 THE EAGLE for getting our messages out! • to our many individual volunteer’s ages 3 – 91 years old, together you helped us cover over 850 hours of ringing Bells at the kettles! • to those who sponsored a hamper this year and to our wonderful Grandma who provided baked goodies the entire Christmas season! Christmas Cruisor vehicle “She who shall remain nameless” lays peacefully in the lap of great-great-grandma, Jean Guthrie. Nearly a century divides the two in age but the bonds in the Guthrie family lineage have remained strong throughout the generations. Jean will become a centenarian January 20, a milestone to be celebrated January 23 with loved ones. (Credit: Mary Lee)

Long-time maternity nurse Jean Guthrie gets ready to celebrate her centennial year BY MARY LEE Echo Staff

Jean Guthrie (nee Grant) was born less than three years after St Joseph’s General Hospital opened for business in a small cottage house on Salish Hill. In the hospital’s 102 years and three months of serving the Comox Valley with care and compassion, Guthrie has been there for many of them. Her time is as much of a legacy as the hospital where she once worked and now lives and will be celebrated with the same distinction and honor deserving of any centenarian. Guthrie will celebrate her 100th birthday on January 20. Born and raised in Victoria, Guthrie agreed to come to the Valley in 1938 on the premise that she would spend just one year as a maternity nurse at St. Joseph’s, the only one on staff at the time. Her goal was to do her service and go back home but, like many other settlers, she fell in love with this region’s pristine beauty and quiet rural surroundings. She also fell in love with David, a logger, and the man who would steal her heart and keep her from settling back into the city-life she was never comfortable

A clipping from the Comox District Free Press, August 25, 1979 showcases nurse Jean Guthrie retiring from services at St. Joseph’s General Hospital. (Source: Pat Chicquen)

with. Guthrie became a local media sensation when she retired from nursing in 1979. At the time, her length of service placed her as the most senior nurse at St Joseph’s. The headline in the Comox District Free Press, August 25 read: “Three Gen-

erations Later...It’s quits for nurse Jean Guthrie.” Today, an accurate count is four generations and there’s no stopping Guthrie from continuing to live a fulﬁlling life. Guthrie is the proud great-great-grandmother to nine, a great-grandmother to 24, a grand-

mother to seven and the loving mother of two daughters, Pat and Margaret. Her legacy runs deeper than in the hallways of the maternity ward. Earlier this month, within days of celebrating for milestone birthday, Guthrie received another legacy gift, the arrival of great-great-grandchild number nine. A girl born January 6 to parents Jamie and Nick in the very place where Guthrie attended the birth of many of the Valley’s newborns. She marvels at the memories it brings back of her days in the ward. Many happy stories and some you just don’t talk about. When interviewing Guthrie for her retirement article in 1979, Eric Bunnell asked how it made her feel to which she replied, “old.” Asked how she feels about her upcoming birthday her response is not much different but Guthrie points to her head and says, “but not in here.” Sharp-minded, witty and rather delightful to chat with, Guthrie shares her tales about life during the war years and the impression the service men made on the young impressionable Valley girls. (Continued on page 17)

A huge thank you to NOORT INVESTMENTS – the owner of 468 29th Street for the use of the building that served as our “Hamper Headquarters”. Every year someone such as you blesses us with the perfect location and we so very much appreciate it! If your group or business has been missed, please accept our sincere apologies. We deeply value all of our community partners and we thank YOU for your ongoing support! 19 Wing CFB Comox

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Cumberland to purchase gravel pit owned by Comox Timber BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff The Village of Cumberland is buying a gravel pit owned by Comox Timber. The acquisition of the land is being facilitated through the Cumberland Community Forest Society, which has been fundraising to buy parcels of land from timber companies located in the village. Cumberland has supported the society since 2000 in the acquisition of forest lands to retire them from timber harvesting and protect their ecological values as well as cultural, historic

Jean Guthrie turning 100 (Continued from page 16)

She talks about the generations she’s watched come into the world and her mixed feelings about returning to St. Joseph’s, this time as a resident. “I came back with a chip on my shoulder,” remarks Guthrie. “It took awhile to get rid of it, but I got rid of it.” Until July 2013 Guthrie had been living independently at Casa Loma. Sadly, a fall rendered her immobile, leaving her challenged with her daily routine. Her wits, however, have remained intact and to ensure she keeps it that way, Guthrie occupies her time reading, attending regular exercise classes and strengthening her brain power over shows like Jeopardy and Wheel-of-Fortune. Guthrie has comfortably settled back into a new routine at St. Joseph’s albeit carrying out slightly different rounds. As she independently wheels her way down the hallways, staff greet her with kind words and salutations. Once highly regarded and much loved on the maternity ward, time and distance have not robbed Guthrie of the same respect and admiration at The Views. Family and friends are invited to a special birthday celebration on January 23 at d’Esterre House in Comox from 1- 4 pm. Pat Chicquen asks guests to simply bring the gift of your time as that is what truly matters.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016 and recreational importance. A covenant was established to support the goals and objectives of the society. Last December, the society made a funding request of $67,500 from the village to cover cost associated with the purchase. Cumberland has been using the gravel pit through an agreement with Comox Timber for native pit run gravel and for other public works purposes like storage of materials and seasonal burning. They have been doing this for a long period of time and staff has not been able to narrow down the exact number of years. Since the village is acquiring the property through the society, it is bound by the conservation covenant and that would prevent Cumberland from continuing to use the land in the way it uses it now. To allow the village unencumbered

use of the land, the society indicated it’s willing to remove the gravel pit from the covenant but asked for $40,000 to facilitate this. The requested amount was rationalized by assessing the value of the 2.2 acres land, which is around $4,500 per acre and also the tangible savings to the village of continued access which staff assayed to be around $30,000 over the next ten years. The village will save $2,600 for the native pit run gravel and also take out the tipping fees paid at the landﬁll of around $400. The society also asked for funds to cover legal and administrative expenses totalling $27,500 in the land acquisition. They include survey and appraisals estimated at $20,000, legal costs of around $5,000 and $2,500 in subdivision expenses. Councillors Jesse Ketler and Roger

Kishi consider the requested $67,500 amount to be reasonable and since the village have been using it for an unknown number of years, it should pay for it. “We have sources to cover this cost,” said Kishi. Staff indicated that council can to pay for this through a 1 per cent tax revenue increase, drawing from the 2014 annual surplus or from the Landﬁll Host Community Agreement Amenity Funds. Council agreed to fund the purchase of the gavel pit but will decide which source to draw the funds from when they start working on the village’s budget for the year. Mayor Leslie Baird calls this land acquisition to be a “positive move.” “I compliment the forest society for all the hard work they’ve done in getting to this stage,” said Baird.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016 But staff determined the MARS’ project is consistent with the Regional Growth Strategy and Official Community Plan and proposed the centre be permitted under the RU-8 zoning bylaw. Staff recommended to the EASC they start the First Nations and external agency referral process for the rezoning application.

MARS requests CVRD to waive development application fees for new wildlife centre project BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society is asking the Comox Valley Regional District to waive or refund fees relating to their permit, rezoning and development application for its new properties located in Merville. MARS had submitted a cheque for $2,000 for the development process. They are expected to pay a total fee of around $3,800. Julie Hunt, the secretary of MARS board of directors, in a delegation to Electoral Areas Services Committee on Monday, asked for the CVRD to endorse their request as a way of supporting its plans to build a wildlife rehabilitation and education centre on its four hectare property on 7350

Island Highway and 1331 Williams Beach Road in Merville within Electoral Area C. “As a non-proﬁt society we are dependent on donations and grants and every dime counts,” said Hunt. “Our fundraisers work very, very hard for the money that we do get. And for this reason we request that the application fee of $2,000 that has been made be refunded and future rezoning and development fees be waived.” MARS wants the bylaw amended soon because it has already received help from Island Coastal Economic Trust, which approved its stage one request. But to move to the second stage and ﬁnal application, MARS must have its properties rezoned be-

fore the May 20 application deadline. The development will include building of an animal hospital with a ﬂight pen structure, outdoor pens and wetland feature. There will also be an interpretative and cultural centre with an aviary, a single detached dwelling with a second suite, accessory buildings for storage and maintenance and parking area. The properties are located in a rural area and out of all the uses MARS plans for the location, only one is not permitted under the RU-8 zoning bylaw. The interpretative and cultural centre does not meet the zoning criteria because its purpose is more for institutional use and not for industrial or commercial applications.

The committee endorsed it but the CVRD board of the directors will make the ﬁnal decision. Staff also informed the committee that MARS plans to host an annual open house at the new site, which may draw over 600 people. The CVRD is already on the verge of amending its current Special Event By-

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“Brookﬁeld” and “Branch” will be the names of two new streets in a development on Arden Road. Council approved the names Monday night based on a staff report. The Arden Road development has a “streams” theme and the developers asked to have names picked outside the list of reserve names the city has for new roadways. The new names don’t exist anywhere else in the Comox Valley so there won’t be any conﬂicts for emergency service responses.

SHERATON REZONING APPROVED Courtenay council gave ﬁnal approval Monday night to amend the official community plan and the zoning bylaw for a property on Sheraton Road. The ﬁnal approval had been delayed pending the completion of conditions. The property is being rezoned to Urban Residential. The rezoning will allow the development of 17 single family lots. The property parallels McDonald Road and is close to Cummings Road next to the Comox municipal border. Councillor Erik Eriksson was the lone voice voting against the motions because he said the rezoning would promote “urban sprawl”.

MARS project (Continued from page 18)

Electoral Area A Director Bruce Jolliffe raised concerns about the definition of special events and feared some people may use it in a different capacity. “I am just thinking out of the box here,” said Jolliffe. “The challenges we have had with special events which is why we had to bring in a special event bylaw. I am satisfied at this point but we just need to make a real close look at making sure that we don’t introduce any legal gaps there that would allow people to have their raves or whatever it is without having to to get appropriate event permits.” Staff clarified that the bylaw amendment would only be applicable to the MARS property and not to the region as a whole. Anyone wishing to hold a big event will still be required to apply for a special event permit.

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Family ﬁlm series fun continues Sunday at The Sid

The Sid Williams Theatre Society’s family ﬁlm series continues with Matilda on Sunday January 17 at 2:00pm. Adapted from Roald Dahl’s classic book, Matilda is a modern-day fairy tale that mixes humour with a magical message of love. Mrs. Doubtﬁre’s Mara Wilson stars as Matilda, a super-smart little girl who’s woefully misunderstood by her parents (Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman), her brother, and her evil school principal, Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris). But with the help of a brave best friends and a wonderful teacher, Matilda discovers she doesn’t have to get mad to get even. Don’t miss this fun and affordable afternoon! Admission is pay what you

can by donation. There will be popcorn and prizes! Doors open at 1pm and the film begins at 2pm. This film is recommended for children aged 7 and up. The season’s family film series concludes with We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story on February 7. Generously sponsored by the Financial Team of Nicole Deters & Associates, these family films are fundraising events for the Sid Williams Theatre Society. The Sid was a state-ofthe-art movie house when it opened 80 years ago, then known as the Bickle Theatre. For full event information and a theatrical trailer of the film, visit www.sidwilliamstheatre. com. - Sid Williams Theatre Society

A scene from the family film Matilda, showing Sunday afternoon at The Sid

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

aware she is coming to a community where the four Azer children have been abducted from and has been contacted directly to get involved. “We do need to pay attention to the kinds of issues that happen also in our own country,” shared Armstrong. “It is my job to tell these stories. My goal is to write a good story ... to get the facts right and present the facts to the public,” explained Armstrong. “And the reason why I speak is because it is the public that takes action. It is the public that makes government do something.” All lectures are open to the public through membership to ElderCollege. North Island College will host the annual ElderCollege Information Forum Saturday for its members and for newcomers considering joining the organization. Through membership, participants can enroll in a variety courses and activities each semester including unique and sometimes rare opportunities to listen to many dynamic speakers and world leaders who’ve made signiﬁcant contributions in their ﬁeld of expertise. Behind the Media Headlines, features eight speakers over nine weeks, each sharing their unique behind-the-scenes experiences about the raw story not always capture by the lens or read on the pages of the newspaper. Visit ElderCollege at www.nic.bc.ca/ec or contact by phone 250338-5000 ext 4602 or via email at eldercollegeCV@ nic.bc.ca to register.

How media is shaping global affairs in the headlines and behind

ElderCollege Winter Lecture Series focuses on journalism, activism and stories that change the world

BY MARY LEE Echo Staff

One thing clear about Sally Armstrong, she is a straight shooter and holds no punches when it comes to uncovering the ugly truth about some evil sins in society. As a journalist and human rights activist with numerous awards to her name, including three-time winner of the Amnesty International Canada media award, Armstrong gets to the meat of story and unveils the atrocities, oppression and abuse inﬂicted on woman and children around the globe. Even during an interview with the Comox Valley Echo, it was evident just how candid Sally Armstrong is about her life’s work and her discoveries along the way. But, there is optimism in her message. Armstrong credits that to what she describes in her recent book, Ascent of Women, as the earth shifting under the status of women and girls, citing examples such as Malala Yousafzai as evidence. “Five years ago you would never have heard of her. The Malala story went into the stratosphere and Malala became the world’s daughter,” remarked Armstrong. “We

Sally Armstrong has won numerous awards for her work see things in a different way and a new age is dawning.” “People are lining up to tell their stories, explained Armstrong. “We didn’t even hear about it before and then we reported it but it didn’t make the paper. Now it’s on the front page. That’s the difference today.” Armstrong conveys this strong message in Ascent of Women and will share it with a public audience during one of the many

thought-provoking, eyeopening topics scheduled for the ElderCollege 2016 Winter Lecture Series, Behind the Media Headlines. Coordinated by Kate Gibson, Lu Ismay and Maggie Seymour, the winter lecture series looks at the powerful force the media is in shaping our world through famous, memorable and sometimes notorious headlines. The series begins with

SThe series begins with Sally Armstrong January 23 and continues each Saturday (excluding February 6) with a diverse array of speakers each having a distinct background in the media, in politics and in activism. Three local speakers from the Comox Valley will be featured - Philip Round, Mark Allan, and Gary Green - and a former G.P. Vainer student, Kim Bolan. Armstrong is acutely

Other speakers in the series include, from top to bottom, Kim Bolan, Robert Bateman, Philip Round and Les Leyne

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ElderCollege changes the registration process

system was not designed for this style of demand, there were resultant difficulties and frustration. So, a new approach is being used this year. This is a temporary â&#x20AC;&#x161;Ă&#x201E;Ăşwork-aroundâ&#x20AC;&#x161;Ă&#x201E;Ăš and a more permanent registration method will be developed. Courses and registration processes will be discussed at the free Information Forum, Saturday, January 16, 10.00 a.m. to noon, Stan Hagen Theatre, North Island College. Everyone 55 plus is welcome.

BY ALANA GOWDY

Comox Valley ElderCollege is using a new method of course registration. Members will be split into two groups. It is essential for members to know their CVEC student number/ID as this is the key to a new staggered approach. Everyone registering for a CVEC course must have a student ID number. Members who have already taken courses should check their membership cards or earlier course conďŹ rmation forms. People who are enrolling in ElderCollege courses for the ďŹ rst time need to obtain their membership before registering. This is available at North Island College Discovery Hall or on-line nic.bc.ca/ec where membership is obtained under Search Courses, Type-ElderCollege, Location-Comox Valley. On Monday January 18 at 9.00 a.m., registration will be open to CVEC members whose student number/ID ends in 0, 1,2,3,or 4. On Tuesday January 19, at 9.00 a.m. registration will be available for those members whose ID ends in 5, 6, 7,

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ElderCollege members admire a locally made long bow in a recent CVEC history course. 8, or 9. Wednesday January 20 is open for any places that remain. Either online or in person registration can be used. It is important to note that on Monday only half of the places in each course will be available. The other half will be opened on Tuesday. If the relevant half is ďŹ lled in a preferred course, members can ask to be added to the waiting list on either Monday or Tuesday. A random draw will be made for the available places. To be placed on a Waiting List, members should contact Shirley Reynolds (shirley. reynolds@nic.bc.ca, 250-334-5000 X 4602)

or Susan Billie (susan.billie@nic.bc.ca , 250334-5000 X 5005). The success of Comox Valley ElderCollege is easily measured by its steadily increasing membership. As Liz Turnbull, Chair of the CVEC Member Support Committee says, â&#x20AC;&#x161;Ă&#x201E;ĂşIt is delightful to see so many people interested in our wonderful courses.â&#x20AC;&#x161;Ă&#x201E;Ăš The enthusiasm of such large numbers led to registration wrinkles last fall. Hundreds of eager CVEC members descended on the North Island College registration system in the ďŹ rst few minutes of availability. As the

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Calling all vendors for Evergreen Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trash and Treasures Sale Jan. 31 Vendors wanted! Interested in an opportunity to showcase your wares? Why not book a table at the Trash & Treasures Sale hosted by The Evergreen Club. This huge sale will take place Sunday, January 31st from 9 am to 2 pm at Courtenay Recreationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Florence Filberg Centre in the upper Conference Hall, Downtown Courtenay. Tables are just $20 per 8ft table (or space if table not required). This is your opportunity to sell anything you like: collectibles, antiques, jewellery, toys, electronics, clothes, crafts, preserves, and the list goes on. We encourage individuals, businesses, organizations, clubs, non-profit groups, and families to obtain your tables at your earliest opportunity before they sell out.Â The $20 deal per table and can be rented through the Courtenay Recreationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Filberg ofďŹ ce at 250-338-1000.

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community

CUPE members provide

public library services throughout Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, the Central Coast, and some northern Gulf Islands â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at 39 branches in 37 communities. We are frontline staff LQFOXGLQJ OLEUDU\ DVVLVWDQWV RIĆ&#x201C; FH workers, circulation supervisors, IT, and drivers. We ensure our library users get the books and information they want â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whether at library branches or in remote locations.

Take your first step to the international stage!

We all know how important libraries are to the communities we serve. As we bargain a collective agreement, we will continue to stand up for fairness and for public services. We invite all library lovers to visit our website.

Applications now being accepted for Miss Teen BC, Miss BC & Mrs BC! To apply visit your community newspaper website and click on contests.

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A message from CUPE 401, your Vancouver Island Regional Library workers.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BLACK PRESS COMMUNITY NEWS MEDIA

24 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

Valley woman brings culinary talents and experience to television competition BY MARY LEE Echo Staff It’s a very unsuspecting location to ﬁnd Lynda Smith’s business. In the middle of a Comox neighborhood where homes sit on lots not much larger than a quarter acre, an active vegetable farm is in production yearround. Smith, founder and operator of Lawn to Food, is immersed in a small business that not only brings fresh, organic and plentiful food to her family’s table, but allows her to educate and coach others to do the same all while sharing the fruits of her labour for others to enjoy. “We had always gown food but I was always the one doing it and the one preparing it and I needed to pass that on,” explains Smith. She and husband David settled in the Valley a few years ago to slow down the pace of life. When preparing their small lot for gardening they found

Lynda Smith in her Comox garden and vegetable farm the background to be too shaded. “As soon as we moved to the front yard and started digging, people started talking. I was meeting all of my neighbors and dog-

walkers. I would invite people into the garden. That’s when I thought I could really help people who have no idea how to garden and how to get started.”

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Smith has joined a growing list of organizations and individuals worldwide taking action for better, more sustainable nutrition by taking the responsibility out of the hands of

the food industry and into their own gardens. It’s the message she instills in others through her business. Perhaps that message coupled with her convic-

tion toward better nutrition won her a spot on the Food Network’s Chopped Canada show. Chopped Canada challenges four professional chefs to a selection of mystery ingredients into a three-course meal in a race against the clock. Each course of the meal is a round in the competition. The chef with the leastsuccessful dish of that round is eliminated by a panel of judges. The chef to survive to the ﬁnal dessert round is awarded $10,000 earning the title of Chopped Canada Champion. For Smith who has been in the food preparation business both as a professional cook preparing dietary meals at the Lillooet Hospital and feeding hungry loggers in a camp, this is her form of television entertainment. She confesses that the dream of one day being a contestant often crossed her mind. Smith recounts humorously the events that led to her eventual commitment to apply to the show, which is shared on her blog; much of it she credits to Brusselsprout (aka. Charles). (Continued on page 25)

(Continued from page 24)

Routinely she watched Chopped Canada with Brusselsprout, each choosing a chef to root for. On one particular show, Smith’s female chef lost and she played up her sorrow. In response to her disappointment Brusselsprout said, “Well, if you were actually on the show Grandma, then you would win because you cook good food, but you weren’t there, so that’s why you didn’t win.” Soon, it will be Smith’s turn to showcase her culinary talents for all of Canada to see and for Brusselsprout to fully realize that his little prodding planted the seed. The episode featuring Chef Smith will air twice on March 5. The ﬁrst at 6 pm followed by a repeat airing at 9 pm. Until then, mum’s the word on whether Smith is the grand prize winner. Filmed in a Toronto studio in July 2015, Smith has already fulﬁll the dream and competed but she’s not dropping any hints on which course she made it to. Smith does hint that it was never

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career he continues to fulﬁll in the Valley. The culmination of experiences has manifested itself in Smith’s life today with yet another business that allows her to give back to make a change, give back to the community and get back to basics with nutrition, which she passionately shares with others. “Organic food is expensive in the store. I understand it’s more time consuming to grow when not being fortiﬁed with hyper-growth chemicals to make it really large, really fast,” Smith elaborates. “But that food is not nutritionally complete as it was 20 years go when it was a normal size and the soils were full of all the proper minerals and vitamins. It’s very important to grow organically and to eat organically so that we are not adding more chemical toxins to our bodies.” Lawn to Food is an example that space isn’t a limiting factor in achieving local, organic nutrition. More information about Lynda Smith’s experiences on Chopped Canada, growing organically and her business can be found online at lawntofood.com.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

Lynda on Chopped Canada

26 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

Comox Legion is taking a hard stance on Command’s direction to revitalize

BY MARY LEE Echo Staff

Only 4 percent of the membership in Royal Canadian Legions throughout British Columbia and the Yukon are 39 years of age or younger and yet they have the greatest potential to impact on what the future of western Canada’s branches could be. According to a Strategic and Operational document released by BC/Yukon Legion Command, branch memberships are aging out and its current product has proven to be ineffective in attracting and maintaining a new demographic, the next generation of Veterans, serving military and RCMP members and their families. Unless branches take action to make signiﬁcant changes, Legions will hit a critical point by 2022 and Command will be forced to have them closed. An analysis conducted on 65 of the 149 BC /Yu-

A division of

Comox Legion Branch 160 has a good location on Comox Avenue kon branches revealed that many branches are losing money and facing a declining membership as current members aged with fewer new members joining. Decreasing revenues and canteen proﬁtability are forcing branches to consider their future. Unappealing, viewed with suspicion by younger vets, regarded as a seniors club

offering little to nothing for the younger generations, Legions are becoming increasingly insigniﬁcant, according to the report. Structurally, many facilities are old, out-dated and, in some cases, in physical locations that cannot optimize maximum exposure to draw clients in. Legion funding models are based almost exclusively on membership numbers

and branches rely heavily on a volunteer base to run operations which are often not incentivized in a timely, consistent fashion. “Given the dire nature of these statistics, it is incumbent upon us as an organization to act boldly and to act now” stated the strategic document. “We simply cannot afford to go on as we have in the past. Admittedly, there is risk in

making the kinds of deepseated changes that this paper proposes, but by far the greater risk lays in inaction. We no longer have the luxury of kicking the can down the road.” Comox Branch 160 has taken this strategic plan call to action to heart and is determined within the next two years to make the radical changes necessary to attract and main-

#UsedHelps

tain membership and thus remain a vital part of the community it serves. A Revitalization Planning Process is underway, led by a committee of volunteers all of whom see this as both a responsibility and an opportunity to do what is needed to ensure the continuation of the mandate inherited from the founders of the Legion. The mandate is “to serve Veterans, including serving military and RCMP Members and their families, to promote Remembrance and to serve our communities and country.” Although in its infancy stages, the committee has earmarked 2017 as their targeted date to achieve speciﬁc objectives, a timeframe consistent with Command’s direction. Fortunately the Comox Legion is a bit of an outlier to the analysis in that it remains ﬁnancially viable with a membership of close to 700 and is ideally located in the downtown core next to other shops and restaurants. Location is perhaps its main strength in its ability to connect its customers to the downtown core.

(Continued on page 27)

(Continued from page 26)

With the right operating model Branch 160 has all the potential, in turn, to draw customers from the downtown into its establishment - a win-win. Finding that right operating model will be the focus for the committee chaired by Branch 160 Second Vice President Roderick Bell-Irving, a former senior military officer who retired to the Valley in 2011 and is now giving back to his community through the Legion. Bell-Irving knows what lies ahead, an entire “cultural reboot to revitalize the organization as a whole” as clearly directed from higher command. Part and parcel to the cultural reboot is a complete discard of all preconceptions that the Legion is the preferred place above all else for Veterans to attend. He subscribes totally to the thinking outlined in the Command paper that it is important to remember that Veterans owe the Legion nothing; the Legion exists for Vets and that Vets don’t exist for the Legion. Put simply “the Legion is not entitled to Veteran membership, we must earn it.” The Comox Branch 160 Committee will have a strategic focus consistent with Command’s report that urges Legions to define their role and, if necessary, reshape that role in terms of how it serves the community best and how it can financially stay afloat. The Committee and Executive of Branch 160 recognize that they cannot do this entirely on their own. Bell-Irving and fellow committee members have been mandated to reach into the community to talk to other Legion Branches in the Valley and to service groups and organizations presently

www.comoxvalleyecho.com supported and served by the Branch as part of its community outreach efforts. “Whatever it is that we come up with in the way of a Plan of Action will mean nothing unless, from the outset, we get input and buy-in from our existing members, potential future members and all those partner organizations and community groups that we currently serve.” explains Bell-Irving. “If we are successful at getting their input and buy-in throughout the planning process there is a greater chance that we might end up with a broad community-based sense of ownership and stake in our continued success and future.” Consistent with Command’s top objectives, the Committee will investigate modernizing and enhancing the existing business strategy, which could include developing and implementing programs that better serve the community and its membership base. “While always keeping in the back of our mind the questions concerning the age and adequacy of our existing building, a clear vision and understanding of what it is we will need or want five to ten years from today has to be clearly defined before questions concerning adequacy of its infrastructure can be addressed,” explains Bell-Irving, adding that an eventual outcome may very well be a complete physical overhaul or rebuild of the Legion on the Comox Avenue site. Members of the community, whether currently a Legion member or not, who wish to find out how to contribute to the Revitalization Planning process are asked to contact the Comox Branch 160. Age is not a limiting factor and any skills, experience and interest are welcome.

FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

Lace up your skates

The winterJAM Centre featuring an artificial ice skating surface officially opens today and continues Monday to Friday 2:30 pm to 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday noon to 8 pm in downtown Courtenay, corner of Fifth and England. This winterJAM Centre will have themed skating nights including an ‘80’s Tight and Bright’ (21st), and ‘Be a Super Hero’ (28th), in addition to a Captain Thunderpants performance, face painting, crafts, Boys and Girls Club activities, and more. Tickets are $5, include some skate rentals and are available online. To buy tickets and get more information on other activities please go to winterjam.ca

Courtenay council to keep honorifics BY DEBRA MARTIN Echo Staff Honorifics will remain in use around the Courtenay council table. In other words, councillors will continue to be addressed and address each other as “Councillor” and mayors will be called “Your Worship” or “Mr/Mrs/Ms Mayor”. Councillor Erik Eriksson (may we just call you Erik?) wanted to get rid of the titles as being “archaic and elitist.” “Your Worship” is used as an honorific mostly, as you might expect, in Commonwealth countries such as Canada. “The term worship implies that citizens give or attribute special worth or esteem (worthship) to their first-citizen or mayor,” according to Wikipedia. But when former Toronto mayor Rob Ford was up to his hijinks, one

professor suggested in a column at the time on the Huffington Post that the term “Your Worship” should be abolished. “The term ‘His Worship Rob Ford’ just smells bad, given this man’s behaviour,” wrote Lee Tunstall, an adjunct assistant professor in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary. As for ‘Councillor’, that word mostly replaced the title ‘Alderman’, derived from the Old English title of ealdorman, literally meaning “elder man”. In Comox many years ago, the council of the day did away with the title of “Alderman.” Then-councillor Alice Bullen joked at the time that she was called “Alderwoman” which sounded too much to her and others like “older woman”. So “councillor” it became. Counc. Eriksson found little support Monday night for his motion to

do away with the honorifics. Counc. Doug Hillian checked out three books by leading municipal expert George Cuff for guidance, and found no specific mention of honorifics. Hillian said, though, that councillors are talking to “the position”, not just the individual, and the use of honorifics elevates the discussions. “I don’t think it’s elitism,” he said. Counc. David Frisch agreed, saying that honorifics keep discussion at a polite level. Mayor Larry Jangula said the use of honorifics was about respect for the position and to maintain decorum. “It’s more of a politeness ... We do dispense with titles in camera,” he added. Counc. Manno Theos was the only one to support Counc. Eriksson’s motion which went down to defeat.

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28 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

Lunarfest, lanterns coming to Courtenay

BY DEBRA MARTIN Echo Staff

Get ready to go bananas. Welcome in the Year of the Monkey on Sunday, Feb. 7 as Lunarfest makes a timely appearance in Courtenay. This year, according to the lunar calendar, Feb. 7 is the Chinese New Year’s Eve, a day of family reunions and staying up late to welcome the New Year on Feb. 8 The Comox Valley Multicultural and Immigrant Support Society is host for the one-day event which will feature games, crafts, and the ever-popular lanterns. The festival has been held in Cumberland over the past few years, but will relocate to Courtenay this year, albeit on a

smaller scale. The Taipei Economic and Culture Office in Vancouver is the major sponsor. The Canadian-Asian Special Event Association (CASEA) from Vancouver is partnering with the local group to bring the fest to Courtenay. CVMISS representative Jin Lin appeared before Courtenay council Monday night to outline the plans, introduce her

group to council, and request any ﬁnancial or in/kind help to put the event on. “Nothing is too little.” Lin says the organization, founded in 1991, doesn’t receive any funding from government and has relied strictly on donations and sponsorships to present many special events over the years. Last year, she said, about 400 people attend-

ed their Lunar New Year celebration at the Native Sons Hall. Lin said approval was ﬁrst sought from Cumberland Mayor Leslie Baird to move the lunar/ lantern festival to Courtenay. The Native Sons Hall was chosen in order to have some spin-off effects for the downtown core and its businesses. “This is the ﬁrst time

to hold the lantern fest in Courtenay, we do hope that the event will become an annual festival in the winter season,” she said in her written submission to council. The festival displays will be going to Vancouver, Toronto and then Calgary. “I’m happy to have that chance to put Courtenay, Comox Valley on the map of this event. We feel very

proud,” she said. Lin estimates the cost of bringing the festival here is about $3,000 – mostly for transportation costs from Vancouver – plus hall rental, printing and other incidental expenses. There are no labour costs. Lin said their “very tiny organization”, apart from putting on special events each year, also sponsors a children’s after-school cultural program, and with money left over provides bursaries. This year bursaries were presented to four Mark R. Isfeld Secondary grads. “We are volunteers. We try to bring the good things to the community,” she said. “We have no office … We try to save every penny.” Mayor Larry Jangula said all the events put on by the CVMISS are “ﬁrst class, fantastic.” “I’m sure we’ll do whatever we can,” he said.

Revised scope of South Sewer Project offers Cumberland chance to take part

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff

The Comox Valley Regional District wants to keep the doors open should the Village of Cumberland change its position on the South Sewer Project in the future. Cumberland withdrew from the project last November. Although it was disappointing to the other partners in the project, the CVRD and the K’omoks First Nation, it did not end the plan. The remaining proponents reaffirmed their commitment to the SSP. Without Cumberland, the project lost 1,334 connections or 58 per cent of the initial connections. On Monday, project manager Kris La Rose presented a revised project scope to the Electoral Areas Services Committee. It featured two op-

tions. Scope One accommodates only Area A and the other allows for additional capacity for future connection of Cumberland or potentially south City of Courtenay, which staff recommended to the committee. La Rose said Cumberland’s continued discharge of non-compliant effluent to the Trent River is not a sustainable situation. “Sooner or later Cumberland will be required to modernize their wastewater treatment system,” said La Rose, who added that the previous Cumberland liquid waste management plan process chose the SSP as the least expensive and most environmentally sustainable solution. Cumberland has restarted its LWMP. “The likelihood is high that the next process

could also conclude that partnership with the region, to the SSP, could be the best way to go,” said La Rose. Staff worked with a technical consulting team to develop the two options. The ﬁrst one just for Electoral Area A will cost $49 million and the second that will provide additional capacity for future connection of Cumberland or potentially south City of Courtenay is estimated at $54.5 million The original price tag of the project that included Cumberland was estimated at $57 million. In comparing the two options, staff determined that between scope 1 and 2, there is a minor increase in capital costs and was weighed against the signiﬁcant constraint on future opportunities for regional collaboration imposed by scope 1.

Scope 1 may also make it difficult to secure grant funding because the Union of British Columbia Municipalities awarded the SSP project $15 million with Cumberland as a partner along with the K’omoks First Nation. Staff also pointed out the public-private contract or P3C is only interested in projects with total capital costs of over $50 million. LaRose said once the CVRD board has approved a selected revised scope, it will move with the highest priority to aggressively retain the full $15 million in UBC funding and secure P3C funding. There is also some concerns about the former because Cumberland has sent a letter to the UBCM requesting some of the grant be allocated to their LWMP. The CVRD plans to strongly emphasize to the

UBCM that the viability of the SSP relies on retaining the full $15 million to keep the project affordable. They also want to communicate that the SSP is ready to be implemented in the fall of 2016. Staff also wanted to stress it has added contingencies that would accommodate Cumberland wastewater ﬂows if the village concludes the SSP is the best option. Should Cumberland decide to rejoin the project in the

future, their contribution would be calculated taking into account their pre-existing share of the UBCM funding. It’s estimated that the UBCM review of the scope change may take two to three months while the P3C funding opportunity is more urgent. With the project already screened into round 7 last October of P3C funding, the team must complete and submit a business case by April to be eligible.

Winter Jam is happening in the Comox Valley - plan to attend some of the many events scheduled, including ice skating downtown!

Dec 18th – 24th Dec 15th 18th––21st 24th Jan

It’s a good read. When crumpled and stuffed in your jacket, it’s a good insulator. That’s what Bethany had to do when she lived on the streets.

This toque. It helped Bethany find a better life. Buy yours at RaisingtheRoof. org or donate $5 by texting TOQUE to 45678. Help the homeless in your community.

The Royal Ballet: “The Nut Cracker” “In The Heart the Sea 3D”#4 PG: Coarse Language CAPTIVIEW AVAILABLE IN THEATRE #1 &ofTHEATRE Sunday, 10:00am,Awakens doors open at3D” PG: Violence In theatre # 2 - Friday – Wednesday: 6:30 (8:40) in 2D & “StarDecember Wars: 20th TheatForce 9:30am. 9:30 (11:40) in 3D In Theatre # 1 – Friday –Sunday Night’s: 3D 6:35 (9:00) & 2D 9:30 (11:55) In theatre # 2 - Friday Matinees: 12:00 (2:10) in 2D & Captiview Available #1 &–theatre #4 In Theatre # 1 In – theatre Monday Thursday Night’s: 3D 5:35 (8:00) & 2D 8:30 (10:55) 3:00 (5:10) in 2D In will Theatre 1 –forSaturday SundaytheMatinees: 3D 12:30 (2:55) & 2D 3:30(5:55) We only be#open matinees on&Thursday 24th. In theatre # 2 - Saturday - Wednesday Matinees: 12:15 “Hateful Eight” 18: Coarse Language, violence “Star Wars: The Force Awakens 3D” PG: Violence (2:25) in 2D & 3:00 (5:10) in 2D In Theatre # 2 – Friday – Sunday Night’s: 8:00 (11:00) In theatre # 1- Friday - Wednesday: 6:45 (9:10) in 3D & In theatre # 2 - Thursday Matinees: 12:25 (2:35) in 2D & “Norm of the north” G: 10:00 (12:25) in 3D 3:25 (5:35) in 2D In Theatre # 2 –Friday-Sunday Night’s: 6:55 (8:35) In theatre # 4- Friday - Wednesday: 6:20 (8:45) in 3D & In Theatre # 2 – Monday – Thursday Night’s: 5:55 (7:35) 9:45 (12:10) in 3D “Alvin and the chipmunks; The Road chip” G: No Theatre 4 –Matinees: Saturday Matinees: & 3:45 (5:30) InIntheatre #1-# Friday 12:15 (2:40) in 3D1:25 & (3:05)warning In Theatre # 4 – Sunday Matinees: 12:45 (2:30) & 3:45 (5:30) 3:15 (5:40) in 2D In theatre # 3 - Friday - Wednesday: 6:55 (8:30) & 9:10 14A: In“Spotlight” theatre # 3 - Friday - Wednesday Matinees: 12:55 (10:50) In Theatre # 3 (6:15) – Friday & 9:40 (12:00) (3:20) in 2D & 3:50 in 3D- Sunday Night’s: 6:45 (9:05) In theatre # 4 - Friday - Wednesday Matinees: 1:05 (2:45) Theatre 3– Monday – Thursday Night’s: 6:45 (8:05) & 8:40 (11:00) InIntheatre #1-# Saturday – Thursday Matinees: 12:00 & 3:20 (5:00) In Theatre # 3 (5:40) – Saturday & 3:10Matinees: (5:30) 12:35 (2:15) & 3:35 (2:25) in 3D & 3:15 in 2D to Sunday Matinees: 12:15 In theatre(2:35) # 4 - Thursday 14A: violence, nudity language In“The theatreRevenant” # 3 – Thursday Matinees: 12:15 (2:40) in 2Dcourse & (5:15) In Theatre # 4 – Friday Sunday Night’s: 7:30 (10:15) 3:05 (5:30) in 3D

In Theatre # 4 – Monday – Thursday Night’s: 6:30 (9:15) In Theatre # 2 – Saturday to Sunday Matinees: 12:00 (2:45) & 3:20 (6:05)

Box Office & Concession Hours

Box Offi–ce & Concession Friday Wednesday: 5:50 – Hours 10:10 Friday – Wednesday: 5:50Thursday – 10:15night • Closed Friday day Closed 11:30 – 4:10 FridayFriday-Thursday - WednesdayMatinees: Matinees: 11:30 – 4:10

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

HUNT FOR HISTORY WITH JUDY HAGEN

Warden’s Warriors served from a ‘barren constituency’

By January 1916, Canada had been at war for 18 months. There had been some military activity in the valley with the Army Engineers preparing the old Royal Naval R&R site at Goose Spit as a training camp for the 102nd Battalion, first known as the Comox-Atlin, then renamed the North British Columbian Overseas Battalion. The men called themselves “Warden’s Warriors”. The Battalion history is clouded in mystery but may have begun in the halls of the Canadian Parliament when legend has it that the member of Comox-Atlin, Mr. Herbert. S. Clement, was challenged by an unnamed colleague to “produce a unit from his barren constituency”. The last laugh was on the unknown Member of Parliament because the Warden Warriors proved to be a fine fighting unit which would distinguish itself on the fields of France. The 102nd Canadian Infantry Unit was officially mobilized on 03 November 1915 under the command of LieutenantColonel John Weightman Warden who had served in the Boer War and had been wounded at the Second Battle of Ypres, 24 April 1915. Although born in New Brunswick, Ward was the best man to lead the new British Columbia contingent of “hard exterior British Columbian fishermen, miners, and loggers who would not have listened to a polished officer of the old school”. “Honest John” was not a man of “swank, he had begun his army career as a private and had fought in the trenches of France”. (quoted from the official Battalion history) Warden’s first task was to set up a series of recruitment offices throughout the province at Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Prince George, Cranbrook, Nelson and Vernon. The first office for the Comox Valley was in the Port Augusta House, located at the end of Comox Wharf. Since the unit was officially known as the Comox-Atlin Battalion, training had to be done within that Parliamentary precinct.

Lieutenant-Colonel John Weightman Warden from the official history of the 102nd Battalion: “From B.C. to Baisieux” by L. McLeod Gould. Comox already had the old Imperial Navy training ground at Goose Spit so it was an obvious selection as the 102nd training ground. At first it seemed that the “North British Columbians” were at the “tag end” of everything. Already labelled as the Battalion from the “barren constituency from the west”, the men soon learnt that they were also forgotten when it came to supplies. When they enlisted, they had been told they did not have to bring anything from home, that everything would be provided by the army, but blankets, coats, any clothing and later even rifles, were being “snapped up“ in Vancouver by the supply officers from other units forming in the province. Possibly it was just as well that supplies were not sent up to Comox. In March, Col Warden told

all over the valley. It was impossible to continue constructing the buildings. So the community was asked to billet the recruits. By the ﬁrst week of February, 500 young men were living in Cumberland at ﬁfty rooms in the New England House plus rooms in the McPhee Block which were offered by the Board of Trade. The Cumberland City Hall and Council Chambers now became the recruiting office for the 102nd. There were already 300 men living in Courtenay, many at the Restmore Rooms just up from the Courtenay Bridge. The winter of 1915/16 proved to be the worst in living memory. On January 13th there was a foot of snow but soon the whole district was under a severe blanket of snow ranging from 4 feet in Black Creek to one foot at Cape Lazo. It was noted that at no time in the last 20 years had there been so much snow on the ground at one time. At the 102nd Camp, the buildings began to collapse.

the Islander newspaper (04 March 1916): “The other day, the ordnance officers were astonished when we put in a requisition for a supply of boots sized between 9 and 12. We wanted none smaller, and those charged with their distribution could not believe us when we insisted on getting such footwear. “When convinced, they said that it was the ﬁrst time than order of that kind had been placed”. One recruit was 6 foot 6 and while coming down from Prince Rupert on a coastal steamer he kept hitting his head on the ceiling and knocking out the light bulbs that lit the corridors. With over 100 men already in Comox, on January 8th, Lt- Col Warden had arrived to inspect the construction of permanent quarters on the Spit. At the end of the second week of January, the weather was against them with snow falling

TravelSafe Workshop offered here A fun and educational course will teach “street smarts” to people who would like to feel more prepared and aware when travelling. TravelSafe is offered by JTF Security, a Comox Valley business based on Denman Island. Modules taught will include Travel Logistics and Planning,

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At times the men were up all night clearing snow off the roof which was about to fall about them! They were then sent out to isolated farms to clear roads, help with domestic chores and to get patients to hospital. Col Warden begged to have his men, who had the skills for the west coast, to repair and build any structures, but all construction had to be completed the army way. When a pipe had to be built to bring water to the camp, the army method had the men thigh deep in mud and water. Later it would be said that it was all good preparation for conditions in the trenches of France. The official history records “Colonel Warden pleaded that his recruits, who were all practical, out-door men, be allowed to go ahead and make a camp for themselves, but Red Tape ruled that if the Government supplied the material, it should also supply the brains, unfortunately the Government was only in a position to supply heads.” During that winter, along with the bad weather and “inferior” facilities,

the camp had a measles epidemic! The Sisters of St. Joseph opened a temporary “Isolation” ward in the upstairs of their wood shed. Orderlies came up from the camp to take care of the patients. As the epidemic spread, the Sisters erected a large tent on the hospital grounds for convalescent patients. When the crisis was over, the Battalion thanked the good Sisters by sending up two soldiers each morning to help clear the land. A special bond formed between the Sisters and Colonel Warden who would throughout the war write to them about what was happening “at the Front” always remembering the kindness of the Sisters to his men while they trained at Comox. ■ The Comox Museum has a display of 102nd Battalion and WWI memorabilia. Public invited 10-4 Tuesday to Saturday Located with the Pearl Ellis Gallery at 1729 Comox Avenue

ut O w ! k e ec N hip Ch ur lers O a e D

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FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

DEATHS

IN MEMORIAM

COMING EVENTS

Norman Murdoch MacLean July 30, 1927 - January 7, 2016 Norman Murdoch MacLean died in the wee hours of January 7, 2016 after a valiant battle with hishis beloved wife of 63 brain cancer. cancer. He Heisissurvived survivedbyby beloved wife of years, Peggy, to whom he devoted his life and 63 years, Peggy, to whom he devoted his lifecared and for lovingly in recent years following herher onset of cared for lovingly in recent years following onset Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease. of Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease.He Healso alsoleaves leaveshis his son son Ross, Ross, daughter-in-law Lorna, Lorna, daughter daughter Susan, Susan, son-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law Vic Johnston Johnston and and daughter daughter Mary. Mary. Norm Norm leaves his Vic leaves his grandchildren Jamie Ben grandchildren Jamie (Kara), (Kara), Andrew, Andrew, Emma Emma and and Ben and great-grand great-grand children Elora to to whom whom and children Porter Porter and and Elora he was .. he was known known as as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Great â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Great Normâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Normâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Norm was predeceased by by his his parents parents Murdoch Murdoch Norm was predeceased MacLean, Elizabeth MacLean (nee MacLeod), and and MacLean, Elizabeth MacLean (nee MacLeod), brothers Alexander brothers Alexander and and Iain. Iain. Norm was born July July 30, 30, 1927 1927 in in North North Battleford, Battleford, Norm was born Saskachewan and his memorable memorable early early years years Saskachewan and lived lived his in Lac Lac du du Brochet, Brochet, affectionately affectionately known known as as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Brushyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Brushyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,, in where his his father fatherworked was a Hudsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay Bay fur trader. In where as a Hudsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fur trader. 1936, thethe family moved In 1936, family movedtotoComox, Comox,British British Columbia Columbia where Norm from from Comox High where Norm lived liveduntil untilgraduating his graduation Comox School in 1947. He attended the University of British High School in 1947. He attended the University of Columbia over theover years from 1947 - 1953, a hiatus British Columbia the years from 1947with - 1953, with to work in the gold mine in Bralorne. It was there Norm a hiatus to work in the gold mine in Bralorne. It was met his future bride, attended there Norm met his Nurse futurePeggy, bride â&#x20AC;&#x201C;who Nurse Peggy,Norm who after he broke ankle skiing. Normskiing. embarked on attended Normhis after he broke his ankle Norm his military career during his years at UBC joining embarked on his military career during his yearsthe at COTC in 1950. Upon graduation in 1953, Lt. Norm UBC joining the COTC in 1950. Upon graduation in MacLean and new wife, Peggy, were posted to Winnipeg 1953, Lt. Norm MacLean and new wife, Peggy, were and shortly thereafter to Germany, where their son Ross posted to Winnipeg and shortly thereafter to Germany, was born. They returned to Winnipeg in 1956, where where their son Ross was born. They returned to their daughter Susan was born, and as an officer in the Winnipeg in 1956, where their daughter Susan was Royal Canadian Artillery, Norm became one of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s born, and as an officer in the Royal Canadian Artillery, elite Flying Gunners serving as an Air OP(Observation Norm became one of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elite Flying Gunners Post) pilot in Manitoba and at CFB Petawawa, until serving as an Air OP(Observation Post) pilot in 1964, where daughter Mary was born. Subsequent Manitoba and at CFB Petawawa, until 1964, where postings took the family to Kingston, Oakville, Halifax daughter Mary was born. Subsequent postings took and ďŹ nally Ottawa. On the forefront of the computer the family to Kingston, Oakville, Halifax and ďŹ nally systems security efforts within the Government of Ottawa. On the forefront of the computer systems Canada, he continued this work as a civilian member security efforts within the government of Canada, of the RCMP until his retirement in 1982. he continued this work as a civilian member of the Norm and Peggy retired to British Columbia in 1982 RCMP untilinto his retirement 1982. on the beach in and settled their dreamincottage Norm andon Peggy retired to British Columbia Gillies Bay Texada Island. Norm loved in his1982 life and happily settled into their cottage the in retirement, and became an dream important andon much beach in Gillies Bay on Texada Island. Norm loved his respected member of the Texada Island community life in retirement, and became an important and much serving over the years as Deputy Fire Chief, Head of respected member of the Island the Boat Club, member ofTexada the Gillies Baycommunity choristers, serving over the years as Deputy Fire Chief, Head of member of the Texada Heritage Society and creator of the Boat Musings, Club, member of the Gillies Bay choristers, Museum amongst many other contributions member of the Texada Heritage and creator to island life. His retirement yearsSociety were also ďŹ lled with of Musings, amongst other things was, hisMuseum pursuit of interests, like sailing, ďŹ shing,and hiking, most memorably, a good friend all. cottage into a gardening and renovating their to little Upon Peggyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diagnosis with Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease, lovely home for Peggy. Norm andPeggyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peggy left their island and returned Upon diagnosis withparadise Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease, to Normâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s childhood home of Comox, into Norm and Peggy left their island paradise moving and returned the Comoxchildhood Valley Seniors Norm beganinto the to Normâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homeVillage. of Comox, moving last phase ofValley his lifeSeniors as devoted and patient caregiver the Comox Village. Norm began the to ďŹ nding joy in and his love of music as lastPeggy, phase while of his life as devoted patient caregiver a band member, and to chorister, Peggy, while ďŹ nding joy inmusical his love director, of music as a relishing his family. chorister, time band with member, musical director, and relishing Norm braved his diagnosis of brain cancer with time with his family. stoicism and little as wasofhis nature. Norm Norm braved hisfuss, diagnosis brain cancer withwas his a gentle, kind and and little gracious withkind his usual stoicism fuss. man, Normgenerous was a gentle, love and wisdom. He loved his life and family beyond and gracious man, generous with his love and wisdom. measure be remembered for measure his grace,and dignity He lovedand his will life and family beyond will and respect for for all.his He will be deeply be remembered grace, dignity andmissed respectand for lovingly remembered. all. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. The MacLean thank allthe the nurses, MacLeanfamily familywishes wishestoto thank care aids and staff at the Comox Valley Seniors Village who cared so compassionately for Norm during his last months. months. A Celebration of Normâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life will take place in the main lounge of the Comox Valley Seniors Village, 4640 Headquarters Road, Courtenay BC, on Saturday February 20, 2016 at 2:00 pm. All family and friends are welcome welcome to to attend. attend. If desired, memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia would be appreciated by the family. Visit Visit www.alzheimersbc.org. www.alzheimerbc.org. Please join us in remembering Norm by visiting our memorial at www.piercysmtwashingtonfuneral.com. www.piercysmtwashingtonfuneral.com.

Evergreen Club

Anne Ingham Minard (nee Brooke)

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trash & Treasures Saleâ&#x20AC;?

Anne Minard passed away peacefully at home among family and friends on December 20, 2015 in Courtenay BC. A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, Jan. 16 from 3 PM to 5 PM at the Upper Native Sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hall at Cliffe Avenue and 3rd St. just past the downtown core. Anne passed away from complications due to her long struggle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Anne had been ill with emphysema for several years with her breathing difficulties getting progressively worse. Anne is survived by her sons, Jack and Daniel Minard, her daughter Sadie Parkin, eight grandchildren, Erin, Bohdi, Jennifer, Jasmin, Silas, Reuell, Zara and Arlen (Lenny) and four great grandchildren, Ethan, Wyatt, Zealand and Chase. Anne survived the passing or her husband, Geordie Minard, her youngest daughter Juanita (SnowďŹ&#x201A;ake) Deslauriers and her long-time companion, her dog Charlie. Rest in peace Anne, we will all miss you. You touched us with your wit and mirth and your undying commitment to a better world where love and respect rule.

Francis Jean Israel Gagne Born in Pincher Creek, Alberta in 1938; passed away peacefully in Courtenay, BC January 10th 2016. Predeceased by his mother Jenny Chaboteaux, step-father Sylvain Chaboteaux, father Ernest Gagne, daughter Lori Gagne, brother Maurice Chaboteaux and his aunt and uncle Dorthy and Jean Fourneau. He is survived and sadly missed by his son Murray (Teressa) Gagne, daughter Colleen Gagne, sisters Louise (Roy) Antle, Jeanne (Ilio) Lot and brother Noel (June) Chaboteaux, grandchildren Janine, Jesse, Cole, Clay and Cameron. As well as many nieces nephews and cousins. His family moved to Cumberland, BC during his elementary school years then onto Surrey, BC where he grew up and became a drywaller in the construction field. He was a hard worker so when he moved to Courtenay, BC he started his own â&#x20AC;&#x153;West Coast Drywallâ&#x20AC;? company in 1962. In later years, he called Zeballos, BC his home and for a while he owned and operated a motel and gas station. He then went on to try his hand at prospecting for gold. After suffering a stroke he returned to Courtenay, BC. Francis was truly a free spirit and will be missed greatly by his family and many, many friends. See you later Cisco; or maybe Joe Cocker said it best - â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get by with a little help from my friends.â&#x20AC;? In Francisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; eyesâ&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything is beautifulâ&#x20AC;? A Celebration of Life will be held by his family at a later date. His family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Comox Valley Seniorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centre for their care, kindness and friendship.

Comox Valley F H UNERAL

OME

CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 1101 Ryan Road, Courtenay

250-334-0707

CALLING ALL VENDORS Sunday, January 31st, 2015 9:00am to 2:00pm (Upper) Conference Hall at the Florence Filberg Centre Opportunity to sell anything you like... Individuals, Families, Businesses, or Non-proďŹ t groups Tables are $20

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INFORMATION

In Loving Memory of Judy Guthrie November 29, 1948 ~ January 19, 2003 If we had one lifetime wish One dream that could come true We would hear the front door open And see you come walking through. Sadly Missed, Forever Remembered, David, John, Janet & Darryl.

9/52Ă&#x2013;#/--5.)49 Ă&#x2013;9/52Ă&#x2013;#,!33)&)%$3

CARDS OF THANKS

o all friends who brought their music, voices, gifts, stories and goodwill, we thank you for sharing a wonderful celebration of Jimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. Your generosity and joie de vivre were uplifting and unforgettable. With gratitude we wish you all a very Happy Christmas

From the Egan Family DEATHS

DEATHS

Lenora Seselia Jones July 14, 1918 - January 7, 2016 With heavy hearts the family of Lenora Jones announces her passing. Lenora is predeceased by her husband Curtis Jones and his son David, her parents Thordur and Jona Axdal, and her siblings Woodrow, Kris, Johnnie, Evelyn, Elmina, Bjorg, Halli, Emily, Louise, Olive and May. Lenora is survived by her very many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces and greatgreat nephews. She is also survived by her step-daughter Victoria and Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children and grandchildren. Lenora was born and raised in Wynyard, Sask and in 1942 she graduated from Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing. She thoroughly enjoyed her nursing career at Herrick Hospital in Berkeley, California for over 25 years where she held the position of RN, Chief Surgical Supervisor. Upon her retirement, Lennie and Curt moved to Black Creek, BC where they enjoyed time ďŹ shing together and the company of surrounding family. After Curtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passing, Lennie and her dear sister Evie made several trips to Hawaii to visit their sister and back to the prairies to visit family there. They shared many laughs during their travels and the two sisters had a very special bond. Lennie also loved selling Christmas trees at the Oyster River from her sister Louise and husband Jimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas tree farms. She loved swimming in the pool with family as well as happy hour on the porch. Lennie ďŹ nished out her days at Cumberland Lodge where, even at 97 years of age, she liked to stop by the nursesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; station and give them a few tips on how to get things done. Lennieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family will be having a private celebration of life and scattering her ashes in the ocean.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com CARDS OF THANKS

CARDS OF THANKS

Thank You The family of the late Lenora Jones would like to thank all the nursing and support staff of Cumberland Lodge for the wonderful care given to our Auntie Lennie over the past seven years. We always found you to be upbeat, welcoming, compassionate and caring. We deeply appreciate you.

FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

INFORMATION

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PERSONALS

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

CANADA BENEFIT Group Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888511-2250 or www.canadabeneďŹ t.ca/free-assessment

FINAL NOTICE hereby given to liable debtor Danielle Lemire, sale of personal contents 9x10â&#x20AC;&#x2122; locker #115. View & closed bidding 1-2pm on Jan 30/16 at CV Self Storage,1566 Ryan Rd East, Comox. Call 250-339-6499.

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TIMESHARE

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Jaye Mathieu, Hannah Molnar, Kim Walker, Scott and Kim Ferguson and families

DEATHS

Frieda Wood February 15, 1932 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; January 5, 2016

We are sad to announce the passing of Frieda Wood on January 5, 2016 at St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital in Comox. Frieda was predeceased by her infant daughter Lorraine and husband John. She is survived by her son Tony (Janice) Wood, daughters; Heather (Bert) Broere and Anita (Ben) Nickel, grandchildren; Matthew, Adam Broere, Benjamin, Violet and Laurie Anne Nickel; great-grandchildren John, Sage, Jessica and Jocalyn, Vanessa, Savanna and Jade. Frieda was a brilliant artist who loved gardening, art and classical music. She loved adventure whether it be locally or afar and she travelled to many places all over the world, most recently to Newfoundland with her life long friend Mavrice Foord, which was her last great adventure, and in this photo you can clearly see her joy on that trip. All flowers were Friedaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite and she would often say â&#x20AC;&#x153;a weed is nothing but an unloved flower.â&#x20AC;? A gathering of family and friends to be announced in the spring when her garden is at its best.

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We offer a salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Preference will be given to candidates with aboriginal ancestry or history working with First Nations Communities. Explore this exciting opportunity by submitting your cover letter and rĂŠsumĂŠ by February 11,2016 to angela@gwanak.info or fax to 250-949-7402

DRIVERS/COURIER/ TRUCKING

OWNER OPERATOR COURIER ACE Courier in Courtenay is looking for owner-operators for the Comox Valley, we have two positions open, Monday thru Friday. Cargo and Cube van runs, please forward resume to: acenan@shawbiz.ca or fax 250-741-1412.

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Have strong knowledge of social and economic issues facing First Nations; The ability to adapt to a rural, small community. To request the full job description please email angela@gwanak.info

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Pruning, picking, planting & weeding of blackberries. Must be able bodied & have transportation. Wage $10.49 per hr, 40 hrs week. Monday to Sat. March 21 to Nov 1st . Apply by: fax(250)203-1377 or email: aao@telus.net

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OPERATING FOREMAN POSITION Coastland Wood Industries Ltd. is looking for an equipment operating foreman for our Sunshine Coast Operation. Qualified applicants must have the following experience: â&#x20AC;˘ Minimum grade 12 education â&#x20AC;˘ Past experience with log yard operation and high volume production oriented situations â&#x20AC;˘ Minimum 5 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience with front end log loader operation â&#x20AC;˘ First Aid Level 3 an asset Past management experience will be considered, however training is available for an applicant possessing the right qualities. Role may include but will not be limited to daily production direction and organization, management of up to 30 employees on site in conjunction with current facility manager, overall equipment monitoring and basic up keep, liaison with customer needs. Competitive industry salary available with full benefit package. Remuneration will depend on applicants skills and experience.

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Please send applications to cparcher@coastlandwood.com

Island Timberlands LP grows and harvests high quality timber products in coastal British Columbia for our customers throughout the PaciďŹ c Rim. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud of our team that brings a diversity of talent and a strong work ethic to achieving superior results as well as long-term sustainability for our timberlands and communities.

RALPH SHAW Born at Cold Lake, Alberta, in 1926, Ralph Shaw of Courtenay started fishing six years later -- catching shiners with a piece of string and a bent pin. This progressed to catching trout when he and his brother began dangling flies from willow poles. Ralph Shaw then specialized in fishing trout with artificial flies, and more recently to taking salmon and bottom fish in saltwater. A lifelong crusader for sane fish and wildlife conservation practices, he retired as a school principal in 1983 after 35 years in education, but continued his conservation activities. He received the Order of Canada in 1984 for his work in these endeavours, and is a recipient of the Canada 125 Medal. His weekly outdoors column in the Comox Valley Record has won several writing awards, and he contributed regularly to The Outdoor Edge, BC Outdoors, Outdoor Canada, Island Fisherman and Island Angler. He was a member of the Outdoor Writers of Canada, the Outdoor Writers Association of America, and the Northwest Outdoor Writers Association. In 1984 Ralph Shaw was appointed to the Order of Canada for his work in conservation and outdoor education at the McQueen Lake Environmental Education Centre in Kamloops. Recently Ralph was nominated as Citizen of the Year by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce for the upcoming awards on January 30, 2016. Ralph Shaw is survived by wife Elaine, sister Alice Clarke, daughter Melanie, daughter Lynnea and husband Cliff, daughter Leanne and husband Dave, 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 16 at 2:00 pm at the Courtenay Fish & Game Club, 3780 Lake Trail Road, Courtenay. In lieu of flowers donations in Ralphâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name to The Nature Trust of B.C. 260 1000 Roosevelt Crescent, North Vancouver, B.C., V7P 3R4, would be greatly appreciated.

Family Development: Outreach WorkerPrimarily Youth Focus Provides a variety of support services to children and youth. Experience working with families is an asset. Knowledge and skills in conflict resolution and effective intervention and some supervised access.Develops and implements Individual Service Plans within program guidelines. Flexible and able to work varying times/shifts, including occasional evenings and/or weekends as required. Post-secondary training; preferred degree in human services, child and youth, social work or related field. Minimum of completed diploma, with two years direct experience in child and youth work, social work, or a related field. 35 Hours Per Week. Wage- Starting $18.31 hour Closing Date: Friday January 29th 2016 Apply with resume: Jo (Joanna) Burrows Program Manager at: info@cvfsa.org or fax: (250) 338-2343 or mail: Comox Valley Family Services Association, 1415 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC V9N 2K6. For a copy of the job description please email: info@cvfsa.org

Employment Opportunity

Heavy Duty Mechanic Nanoose Bay, BC

You will be an integral member of the maintenance team that services and repairs our logging equipment and ďŹ&#x201A;eet of logging trucks. A strong team player, you have a proven track record as a safe, reliable and productive worker. A welding certiďŹ cate and experience with Finning and/or Kenworth equipment would be an asset but is not essential. This position is open to either a certiďŹ ed (Red Seal) HD Mechanic or an apprentice with at least 2 years of schooling completed. Please visit our website for more information. To apply by December 31, 2016, please send your rĂŠsumĂŠ to: opportunities@islandtimberlands.com Please note only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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32 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES FINANCIAL SERVICES TAX FREE MONEY is available, if you are a homeowner, today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts. We don’t rely on credit, age or income. Call Anytime 1-800-639-2274 or 604-430-1498. Apply online www.capitaldirect.ca

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RENTALS APARTMENT/CONDO Brand New 2 and 3 Bdrm Apartments for rent Open for viewing Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm 6 major appliances Acadia on the Walk 355 Anﬁeld (across from Best Buy) No smoking and no pets Rents starting at $950. Free TV and Internet promo Ph. 250-926-5501 www.veyronproperties.com

ROOMS FOR RENT Dog loving mature single employed tenant wanted. Fully furnished one bedroom ground level suite available in quite comox neighborhood near beach. Short term rentals welcome. Serious offers and rate inquiries to 250-941-6982

SUITES, LOWER STEVENSON PLACE in Comox Senior’s Independent Living with Supportive Services. Spacious 2 Bdrm, 2 Bath, 1 meal daily, weekly housekeeping and 24/7 Lifeline response with Personal Help Button. Pet friendly. Available Feb 1, 2016. Call 250-339-7012.

WANTED TO RENT SENIOR LADY wanting to rent a 2bdrm patio home or private suite in Comox or Comox Valley area. Unfurnished ground ﬂoor, n/pets and don’t smoke. Ref avail. Aiming for March 1st. 250-890-0528

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Centrepiece Jazz Quartet visits society Thursday night Thursday Night Jazz, presented by Georgia Straight Jazz Society at The Avalanche Bar & Grill, introduces a new line-up to the schedule when Centerpiece Jazz Quartet takes the stage on January 21st. It’s always a pleasure to feature new acts, especially when it includes a mix of young, upand-coming performers and seasoned jazz artists. Centerpiece Jazz will be presenting a variety of jazz genres. You will hear memorable melodies in swing, ballads, Latin and fusion. The group brings its own distinct interpretation as soloists explore their repertoire. The up-and-coming band member is the highly talented Evie Kenny. Evie has been playing music for 13 years and studying the saxophone for 7 years under Rachel Fuller. She was recently awarded First Class Honours with Distinction for her Grade 8 RCM exam. Evie also played the alto and soprano saxophones and clarinet for the Highland School musical production The Ad-

dams Family. She’s been building her reputation at other musical events around the Valley as well, and has impressed fellow musicians as a regular

member of the Campbell River Little Big Band. Evie intends to study medicine and music after ﬁnishing high school, but since she has had so much fun

playing and singing with Centerpiece, she hopes to continue working with them in the future. Dave Stevenson, bassist, has recently moved to the Comox Valley and brought with him a vast experience of performing music. His range of experience spans from jazz trios to big bands. He received his formal music education from Douglas College and the University of Victoria. Playing in both Vancouver and Victoria, he has performed with jazz greats: PJ. Perry, Louis Rose, and Phil Dwyer. Dave has settled in Courtenay and performs with a variety of local musicians. Brian McNiff has been playing percussion and drums for over 40 years. Born and raised in B.C. Brian’s earlier career involved performing in many bands and ensembles. He studied music in the U.S. before traveling to Central and South America. He moved to Vancouver Island a few

years ago and has recently established himself in the local music community. Larry Ayre is an accomplished guitarist and music teacher who has been performing in the Comox Valley for about 25 years. He plays many styles and several instruments. With Centerpiece Jazz, Larry will be revisiting his Jazz roots, the basics of which he learned while attending the York University Jazz program in Toronto during the late 1970s. He lived in Vancouver for a decade, playing gigs in many different styles, honing his musical skills on guitar and bass, before moving to the Comox Valley in 1990. Show time is 7:30 pm. Admission is $10 for members and $12 for nonmembers. Dinner specials and regular pub food will be available before and during the show. For more information about forthcoming shows, please visit georgiastraightjazz.com or join us on Facebook.

Swing Street this Saturday at Bates Beach Music Series Season 3 of this exciting live music series continues this Saturday, Jan 16 at 7:30 with a not-to-be-missed performance of featuring “Swing Street”, the 6 piece combo that really “swings” The theme is “Dancing with Gershwin, Berlin and Bacharach” featuring new takes on great standards Perfectly complementing the band will be the fantastic vocals of Ms. Jackie Zbirun as she treats the audience with her warm and engaging musical presentation. Band leader Bill Street is a master of the art of “good swing” and an expert in all things jazz both past and present. Raised in a house of Big Band music in England, Bill started spinning 78 records at age 3 and by 17 was getting established as a swing musician in central London and has since performed in numerous European countries and in recent years, extended engagements in Mexico. Local jazz musicians and jazz lovers owe much to Bill with his now decade of hard work and dedication as a founding Director of the Georgia Straight Jazz Society. Featured on Trombone is the talent of Jeff Agopsowicz, recently retired from a military career within the Naden band of the Royal Canadian Navy. Jeff is a musician of the

through with Mike’s arrangements of the band’s repertoire. To quote Bill Street “Good Swing is truly an Art within the Jazz genre”. We invite you to enjoy a great evening of songs that really do Swing ! The “Bates Beach Farm Music Series” is a family friendly venue with a fund-raising concession offering tea, coffee, soft beverages and yummy home-made style pies. This year’s concession beneficiary is the Comox Valley Child Development Association. Sunwest RV matches all net profits raised at the concession whose past donation beneficiaries were Wounded Warriors ($800) and Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding ($700) Doors open at 7:00 performance begins at 7:30.

Band leader Bill Street highest calibre and will collaborate with Jay Havelaar on Trumpet. Jay is an exceptional musician in his own right and the blending of those 2 horns promises to wow the audience. On Bass is local 1st call musician Grahame Edwards, who is perhaps one of the most in-demand, versatile and skilled Bassists in the Comox Valley.

Arranger and pianist Michael Eddy is holder of the distinguished ARCT designation at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Mike is well known for giving of his time for all things music with contributions to numerous bands in the Valley and contributions to local theater pit bands. The super-skills of this ﬁne musician shine

Vocalist Jackie Zbirun Tickets at the Door $12 with advance tickets $10 and available at Bop City Courtenay and Red Carpet Boutique in Comox.

TEXT YOUR TIP ANONYMOUSLY!!!

Along with our 1-800-222 (TIPS) line, tipsters can report information via our secure WebTips application at www. comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca and now we accept anonymous tips via Text Messaging.

TEXT CVCSTIPS TO:

CRIMES

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

‘Arctic Defenders’ kicks off World Community ﬁlm series

‘Around the World in 50 Concerts’

The brand new Sid Docs film series continues at the Sid Williams Theatre with Around The World In 50 Concerts on Monday January 18. “Can you imagine a single day in the world without music? I think that it would be like a scene from a science fiction film in which evil forces suddenly bring all movement – life itself - to a stop. A terrifying, frozen world,” said the film’s director Heddy Honigmann, a Dutch filmmaker known for evocative documentaries such as And Then One Day and Forever. She was the recipient of an Outstanding Achievement Award for at the 2007 Hot Docs Festival in Toronto. “In [this film], the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO) gives us a precious gift: incredibly beautiful music and their dedication to make it sound as perfect as possible. But like we all do, they also need listeners.” Honigmann lands with the orchestra in Buenos Aires, Soweto, and St. Petersburg, and shows how the ensemble succeeds in gaining the hearts of people with different cultural backgrounds. The power of music brings forth unexpected emotions, helping to overcome the trials and tribulations of everyday life. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is one of the very best orchestras in the world. But what makes the orchestra

so special? Time and time again, critics have lauded its unique sound, which clearly stands out among thousands of others. Although sound is difficult to describe in words, the RCO’s string section has been called ‘velvety’, the sound of the brass ‘golden’, the timbre of the woodwinds ‘distinctly personal’, and the percussion have an international reputation. Honigmann said she enjoyed the editing process and scoring the film to the orchestra’s own tracks. “It was rewarding to use beautifully recorded music and interweave it with dialogue. So music flows everywhere in the film, infiltrating and permeating every corner with its sinuous energy. Our audiences received it from the RCO and took it away from the concert halls into their hearts.” Around The World In 50 Concerts screens Monday January 18 and begins at 7:00 pm. Other upcoming Sid Docs include Ballet 422 (March 21), The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young (April 25), and They Will Have To Kill Us First (May 9). Tickets for these documentaries are $5 for the general public and $3 for members (plus applicable handling fees). Purchase in person at the Ticket Centre Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, by phone 250.338.2430, or online at sidwilliamstheatre.com.

Award-winning film, Arctic Defenders, takes us on a journey to Canada’s “true north” in World Community’s first film screening of 2016 on Tuesday, January 19 at 7 pm at the Stan Hagen Theatre at North Island College. Set in the dramatic and alluring landscape of the north, Arctic Defenders tells the remarkable story that began in 1968 with a radical Inuit movement in Canada. It led to the largest land claim in western civilization, orchestrated by young visionary Inuit with a dream - the governance of their territory - the creation of Nunavut. The story reveals the dark side of Canada’s claim of sovereignty in the north. The Inuit in Resolute Bay had been moved over two thousand kilometers from their home in Inukjuak (Port Harrison), Quebec in order to bolster Canada’s claim for sovereignty of the north. They

were dropped off by ship and left to fend for themselves without proper supplies or shelter. Separated from their families back home, they had never before experienced such cold and winter darkness. The film finds hope and inspiration from determined Inuit who changed the rules of the game. The film series continues February 23 with Mavis!, the documentary on gospel/soul music legend and civil rights icon Mavis Staples and her family

group, the Staple Singers. The series continues on March 8 with the film,1971, which tells the story of a group of activists who broke into a small FBI office in Pennsylvania, taking every file, and exposing the FBI’s illegal surveillance. Everyone is welcome. Admission is by donation. These films will not be part of the World Community Film Festival Feb. 5 and 6. Don’t miss these special screenings. FMI: 250 337 5412

SEAL BAY PARK PLAN UPDATE COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE HUBAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2016, 4–8 P.M. Small group discussion on key topics: 4:30–5:30 p.m. and 6:45–7:45 p.m. The Comox Valley Regional District is updating the 1998 Seal Bay park master plan. Drop in to the open house to let us know your long-term vision for the park, suggestions on ways to protect the natural environment, updates to trail signs, trail use designations, park entrance improvements and other issues. To participate in focused discussions on key topics, join us at 4:30 p.m. and again at 6:45 p.m. www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sealbay

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Strathcona Symphony Orchestra members busy rehearsing for concerts Jan. 23 and 24

Music through the ages with SSO

The Strathcona Symphony Orchestra presents its ﬁrst concert of the new season under the skilled guidance of Dr. James Montgomery. The music will span three centuries in time and a lifetime of memories. Some of the pieces will be very familiar while others will be an enjoyable ﬁrst encounter. In 1917 Ottorino Respeghi produced his Suite #1 Ancient Aires and Dances drawing on the Rennaisance lute music of Vincenzo Galilei, father of the famous scientist Galileo Galilei.

Ninety years later Ralph Ford arranged the music from three famous spaghetti westerns from the 1960’s to produce the exciting ‘ Go West’ as a tribute to the genre. It is fun to play and fun to hear. Join the orchestra at the Native Sons Hall on either Saturday 23rd January at 7.00pm or on Sunday 24th January at 2.00pm. Tickets may be obtained at Blue Heron Books, Comox and Laughing Oyster Books, Courtenay. $15. The doors will open 30 minutes before the concert.

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34 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

3 hurt in crash Three people were injured in a two-vehicle collision Saturday afternoon on the old Island Highway at Cotton Road. Polic say a Ford pick-up pulled out from Cotton Rd. into the path of a Dodge pick-up, causing a T-bone collision. The highway was closed for about 3 hours as a police collision analyst investigated. Charges might be considered. Photo courtesy Dean Stoltz/CHEK News

James Crescent residents want CVRD to amend noise bylaw BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff The James Crescent Community calls the Comox Valley Regional District’s noise bylaw ineffective and they want it amended. Representatives from the Black Creek community appeared before the Electoral Areas Services Committee on Monday to express their disappointment with the way noise complaints in their rural neighbourhood have been handled and the lack of enforcement to deter guilty residents.

“Individuals in our community have been faced with years of ongoing harmful and persistent noise,” Matt Siren described. “One would like simply asking the offending neighbour to show consideration would put an end to the harmful noise. However, this has not been the case. When the offending neighbour is spoken to, the verbal reply usually is ‘we can make as much noise as we like’ from 8 in the morning to 9 in the evening. And the noise continues.” In an attempt to gain quiet, peace and enjoy-

ment of one’s residential property, Siren said, complaints were lodged with CVRD bylaw officers. “For each complaint, the bylaw officer must travel 40 minutes each way to hear arguments and then make a subjective decision,” Siren said. “Should the noise and complaints continue, the frustrated officer may not respond to the complaints at all. This leave the homeowner who has lodged the complaints frustrated as the entire ordeal has taken so very long and is so very inefficient and ineffective.” (Continued on page 36)

Single vehicle incident claims life A motorist passing the Courtenay River Estuary on Comox Rd on Sunday, Jan. 10, at approximately 6:20 a.m., noticed what they believed to be vehicle hazard lights ﬂashing in the water. Comox Valley RCMP, Courtenay Fire rescue, British Columbia Ambulance Service and Search and Rescue attended the scene and located a vehicle fully submerged. The 72-year old female driver from Courtenay, was located in the vehicle and removed by Search and Rescue. She was rushed to St Joseph’s Hospital by the

A division of

British Columbia Ambulance Service, where she was pronounced deceased. The Comox Valley RCMP is assisting the BC Coroners service with this investigation. At this time it is still unknown what direction the Grey, 2011 Toyota Rav 4 was travelling, or where the vehicle left the roadway prior to ending up in the water. If anyone has information about this vehicle leading up to the collision, or other information which may assist with this investigation, please contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321.

36 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

Meet award winning author Wayne Grady The Comox Valley Writers Society is inviting the public to an evening of open discussion with this year’s Haig-Brown Writer-in-Residence, Wayne Grady. Mr. Grady is not only a well-known author, but he is also an editor, translator, and teacher of writing. He has written 14 books of fiction and non-fiction, including books on natural history, science, travel and personal essays. One of his books, Tree: A Life Story, was co-authored with David Suzuki, and was nominated for a BC Book Award for Book of the Year. His novel Emancipation Day was longlisted for the ScotiabankGiller Prize in 2013, and won the Amazon.ca First Novel Award. He is also a Governor General’s award-winning translator, having translated fifteen novels from the French. As a part-time instruc-

Author Wayne Grady tor at the University of British Columbia’s optional-residency MFA program, he has lots of experience working with emerging writers. Please join the CVWS on Thursday, January 21st at Valley View Elementary School in Courtenay if you wish to learn more about the craft of writing. This free event begins at 7pm in the school library.

Rotary Fiesta for a good cause The Stratcona Sunrise Rotary Club presents a Mexican Fiesta on Friday, Jan. 22 at Plates Eatery and Catering Co. The event features a Mexican buffet, live and silent auctions, and entertainment. The club is trying to raise enough money to buy another school bus and another ambulance and deliver them to Cabo Corrientes, just south of Puerto Vallarta. For more information and tickets contact: baynemann@shaw.ca or call 250-702-4633. See www.facebook.com/mexicanschoolsproject 2015.

Learn about crevice-style rock gardens at horticultural group meeting on Monday night

The CV Horticutlural Society welcomes local horticulturalists Dany Fortin and Shane to the January 18 meeting to present Crevice-Style Rock Gardens: From the Mountain to your Garden. The doors of the Florence Filberg Centre will open at 7 p.m.; non members welcome for a $5 entry fee. Shane Tillapaugh and Dany Fortin will explain how crevice style rock gardens grow beautiful and challenging plants based upon principles observed in nature. They will use local examples of public and private crevice garden projects to detail step by step how to construct a crevice garden. They will introduce you to some of their favourite crevice garden

plants and plantings and also touch upon plant collector’s syndrome and help to determine whether you might have it... Dany Fortin has worked in the horticulture field for 16 years including landscaping, garden maintenance and tree care. He is an ISA Certified Arborist and Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. Shane Tillapaugh is a gardener and a naturalist who loves birdies, bees, plants and trees. He began his career in gardening in 2004 after graduating with a Biology degree from UVIC. Professional. Like Dany, Shane is an ISA Certified Arborist and Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. For more information about the club visit www.comoxvalleyhortsociety.ca

WHAT'SON In the Comox Valley 15 FRIDAY EVERGREEN CLUB FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE • Enjoy a good evening out dancing or just listening to the music of DOUBLE PLAY in the Rotary Hall at Courtenay Recreation’s Filberg Centre Friday January 15th from 7:30 – 10:30pm. We will break at 9pm for our coffee & cookie break. If nothing else, come listen to some good live music - and - our dancing couples are such a pleasure to watch! FMI call the Filberg office at 250-3381000. COURTENAY LEGION • Meat draws every Friday, 5-7 pm. COMOX LEGION • Meat draws every Friday, 3 p.m. Open to all Legion members and signed in guests. Friday is still drop in darts night 7.30 pm toe line, $2.25 per person.

16 SATURDAY UKRAINIAN NEW YEAR MALANKA • Dinner and dance, Jan. 16, upper level Florence Filberg Centre. Doors open 5 pm, entertainment 6 pm with our very own Dolyna Dancers, traditional Ukrainian buffet 7 pm, dancing with Audio Xcellence 9 pm. Tickets: Adults $35, members $25, dancers $10, youth to 17 years $15. Contact Sue at 250-339-0588, suemagnusson@gmail.com. Presented by the Comox Valley Ukrainian Cultural Society. COMOX VALLEY ELDERCOLLEGE • Presents its free information forum 10.00 a.m. to noon, Jan. 16, Stan Hagen Theatre, North Island College. Everyone 55 plus is welcome to discover the exciting, exam-free courses being offered in February and March. Come early to be sure of a seat! COURTENAY LEGION • Meat draws every Saturday 2-5 p.m. in the lounge. COMOX LEGION • Meat draws are held every Saturday 3 p.m.

17 SUNDAY BOOMERS AND BEYOND • Trade show, 11 am to 3:30 pm, Sunday, Jan. 17 at the Florence Filberg Centre and Native Sons Hall. Free admission. The Valley’s favourite Elvis impersonator Steve Elliot performs at 11:15 am and 3 pm. Workshops include featured speaker Terry Small, “The Brain Guy”; Dr. Deidre Macdonald; Dr. Tom Diamond. Come and learn with the many exhibitors and vendors. Enter to win great prizes.

18 MONDAY PLEASURE CRAFT THEATRE • presents a zany ongoing improvised play which is a satire of school themed storylines such as Archie, Footloose, Glee and Gossip Girl. Recurring characters and plots carry on throughout the six episodes of the show, which creates itself as it goes along, with on the fly lighting, music and direction. The show is suitable for all ages, costs only 5$ and runs every Monday night from Jan 18th to Feb 29th. Show starts at 7pm sharp! At the Cumberland Masonic Hall, 2687 Dunsmuir. THE CV HORTICUTLURAL SOCIETY • Wel-

comes local horticulturalists Dany Fortin and Shane to the January 18 meeting to present Crevice-Style Rock Gardens: From the Mountain to your Garden. The doors of the Florence Filberg Centre will open at 7 p.m.; non members welcome for a $5 entry fee. LETZ SING • January Drop-in Schedule. Courtenay Sings Mondays (Jan 18th/25th), 7:30 pm, Lower Native Sons Hall. Comox sing Tuesdays (Jan 19th/26th), 10:00 am, Comox Lions Den 1720 Comox Ave. Black Creek sings Wednesdays (Jan 20th/27th) 7:30 pm, Halbe Hall. Sing songs chants and rounds in the oral tradition of call and response. Everyone welcome. $10 a session and sliding scale if you need it. www.letzsing.com CRIBBAGE • Every Monday night, 7:00, at the Royston Hall, corner of Old Island Highway and Royston Road. LADIES AUXILIARY DROP-IN BINGO • Comox Legion Ladies Auxiliary Drop-in Bingo, upper hall. Doors open 6 pm, bingo 7 p.m. All money goes to charities. Free coffee and tea.

19 TUESDAY THE NORTH ISLAND MYELOMA SUPPORT GROUP • Monthly meeting on January 19, 2016 at the White Spot Restaurant, 2299 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay. Come for lunch in the meeting room at 12:15 (optional, buy your own lunch), meeting starts at 1:30. Keep up to date on the latest info on myeloma and enjoy socializing with others affected by the disease. RSVP Mary at: everymountain@ shaw.ca or 250-339-6743 if you plan to attend or for more info. Please note change of venue. COMOX VALLEY WOOD CARVERS • If you are interested in any type of wood carving please join us at the Royston Community Hall every Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 3 PM for a day of carving and learning about carving. No experience necessary. FMI call Al at 250-3310156 or Jim at 250-339-5350. ST JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL AUXILIARY • First meeting of the new year Tuesday, Jan. 19 in the upper hall of the Comox Legion. Gues speaker will be Dave Fletcher with St John Ambulance therapy dogs. Meeting starts at 1:30 pm and everyone is welcome.

20 WEDNESDAY HEART SUPPORT GROUP • Comox Valley Chapter Monthly Meeting January 20, 2016, 7PM, Comox Recreation Centre, 1855 Noel Ave. Our group is a support group for anyone who has had a heart procedure, is about to undergo a heart procedure and their spouses. Our guest speaker will be Jill Cornwell BCAA to speak to us on Travel Medical Insurance. There is no charge for our meetings & all are welcome. For more information, please call: (250) 339-5349

21 THURSDAY CV HARD OF HEARING SUPPORT

Customer Appreciation Day at Comox Community Centre Jan. 18 The Comox Community Centre hosts its annual Customer Appreciation Day Monday, January 18. “The Community Centre is a real gathering place for all members of the Community; parents and tots coming to their first recreation programs, seniors meeting old friends at pickleball or youth pursuing health and wellness in our fitness studio. We want to say thank you to everyone for making recreation a priority in their lives.” said Recreation Programmer, Amy Bauman. The event day includes free drop-ins to the fitness studio, free childminding 8:45-10:45am and free pickleball 1:00– 3:00pm (limited spaces in both). There will also be light snacks and refreshments served in our lobby throughout the day, so stop by with a friend to enjoy a day at the Comox Community Centre. “Our community voted us the best sports facility and best gym in the Comox Valley. We are so grateful for the support and customers we have. This day is for them.” said Recreation Director, Mandy Johns. For more information on the Customer Appreciation Day call the Comox Community Centre at 250-339-2255.

GROUP • The January meeting of the CHHA will be held January 21, in our new meeting place - the COMOX RECREATION CENTER (1855 Noel Ave, Comox). We will be meeting in Room A – on the second floor. Both an elevator and stairs are available. This will be an “OPEN FORUM” meeting– led by Susan Ward, assisted by our guest Audiologist NERISSA DAVIES (of Courtenay’s Connect Hearing). Family and friends are invited to join us as we discuss any as yet unanswered questions, plus hearing issues that may be of current concern. Meeting starts at 10. Room booking is for 2 hours only – plan is to start promptly. Hope to see you there! FMI call Glenda at 250 3387792 HOMEMADE SOUP AND SANDWICH LUNCH • Thursday, Jan 21, 11:30 am to 1 pm in the Upper Legion Hall, Comox Avenue.Full Lunch $8.00 Individual Entrees $3.00 Endless tea & coffee. Come & enjoy a homemade lunch & dessert with family and friends. Open to all.

Noise bylaw (Continued from page 35)

Siren said the residents want the CVRD to amend its noise bylaw so as to make them clear and effectively enforceable. Siren said they are loosely and inadequately defined. “It will save money, reduce frustration for both the complainant and the bylaw officer,” said Siren. The current bylaws prevent operation of mechanical devices such compressors, electric saws, lawn mowers, sawmills, manufacturing, processing and many others from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. They are allowed to be used from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. all day long. Siren said it’s odd to find in the bylaw that a persistent barking dog is not allowed ever, “however it is okay to run mechanical devices all day long.” The residents are proposing the CVRD look at the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s bylaws. The Cowichan Valley rules require noise coming from power equipments to not texceed 90 decibels at inception. And at inception, non-persistent noise from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. must be at 80 decibels and from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. it must be at 65 decibels. At inception, persistent noise from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. it’s 60 decibels and from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. at 50 decibels. The James Crescent community has some homes that are being used for businesses. The CVRD bylaws require operations to be conducted completely within an enclosed building. There should be no external storage of material equipment, container and finished products. What they would like to see in the CVRD’s zoning bylaw that has been applied in the Cowichan Valley is that home occupation must not produce any hazard noise, offensive odor, dust, smoke, toxic or noxious matter, contaminated site, heat, electrical interference, fire hazard, litter, floodlighting, vibration, excessive customer and service traffic and create a nuisance of any kind. The residents are suggesting the CVRD bylaw staff meet with officers within the Cowichan Valley Regional District. The James Crescent Community wants to reiterate that they are not against home businesses. All they want is for people to follow the rules and allow residents in the neighbourhood to enjoy peace and comfort in their own homes without undue disturbances and disruptions.

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38 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JANUARY 15, 2016

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Give the gift of ‘the talk’ to your loved ones

Dying’s not the easiest subject to talk about, but there’s a 100% chance that it’s going to happen to you. The Comox Valley Hospice Society is urging people in our community to embrace the topic as the new year begins by making or reviewing an advance care plan. Regardless of our age, we can all provide a wonderful gift to our loved ones by completing an advance care plan. And, as the new year begins it’s the perfect time to make sure your voice is

heard and that your loved ones have the conﬁdence to speak on your behalf if you cannot speak for yourself. “Imagine, one day, without any warning, you ﬁnd yourself in a hospital in a life-threatening situation, unable to communicate,” asks Audrey Craig, CVHS President. “Who would speak for you and make health care decisions on your behalf? We never know when our circumstances might unexpectedly change.”

You are cordially invited to learn more about advance care planning an introductory workshop on Tuesday, January 19th, from 1pm—3pm at Comox United Church, 250 Beach Drive, Comox. What is advance care planning? Advance care planning is a process of reﬂection and communication, a time for you to reﬂect on your values and wishes, and to let others know your future health and personal care preferences in the event

that you become incapable of consenting to or refusing treatment or other care. Advance care planning means having conversations with family and friends and designating a representative – the person you want speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself. It may also include writing down your wishes, and may involve talking with healthcare providers and ﬁnancial and legal professionals. You may never need your advance care plan – but if you do,

you’ll be glad that it’s there and that you have had these conversations, to make sure that your voice is heard when you cannot speak for yourself. To register for these sessions or access other advance care planning information, contact the Comox Valley Hospice Society at 250-339-5533 or reception@comoxhospice.com. You may also wish to review information and materials at www.AdvanceCarePlanningCV. ca

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Call Brian McLean Chevrolet Buick GMC at 250-334-2425, or visit us at 2145 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay. [License #8379]

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