The Local Weekly December 3, 2020

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Volume 19, Issue 48

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia • www.thelocalweekly.ca • Thursday, December 3, 2020 Cabinet Minister Page 5

Water Rates To Go Up

Charity Chairs

Page 2

Pub Fire Page 2

Sechelt Budget Page 3

Holiday Ideas Pages 6 & 7

Home Invasion Page 8

Healthcare Racism Page 10

Art Council Awards Page 11

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Please GIVE to the Food Bank

The Grandmother’s Charity Chair Auction has moved online this year due to COVID-19. Sixteen local artists have generously taken a children’s wooden chair and lovingly turned it into a work of art. Starting on Friday, Dec. 4, you can bid on your favourite chair. Just keep checking in as the bids increase. At the end of the auction, on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 8 pm, you may be the proud owner of a delightful hand-painted children’s chair, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your money has gone to a wonderful organization. The local Grandmother’s Group is part of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, united by their commitment to support the work of African grandmothers who are raising a generation of children orphaned by AIDS. Go to the auction website to find images of the chairs, instructions for bidding, and delivery and pick-up options: www.32auctions.com/grandmotherschairauction. AUCTION WEBSITE PHOTOS

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2

The Local - Thursday, December 3, 2020

2021 SCRD water rates to increase

BC Ferries Coast engagement update

Area residents need to prepare to pay more for SCRD water in 2021. At the Nov. 26 board meeting, annual fees to properties receiving this service were raised between $72 and $208.

North Pender Harbour clients will see the largest increase in their water bills.

While parcel charges for water in this area are not being raised, usage fees are increasing by 50 percent over 2020 levels. The result will be annual water fees of $951. That is 28 percent higher than the

Resident priority access to ferry sailings is not being considered in BC Ferries’ (BCF) Sunshine Coast engagement process. During public online presentations on Nov. 25 and 30, Carrie McIntosh, engagement manager at BCF, said the corporation will not be discussing solutions around that subject until the community agrees on “what such a program should look like.” Earlier in the process, the engagement working group contrasted the benefits of resident priority with potential impacts on tourism and other “economically-critical” travel. No clear workable solutions were identified.

Exclusion of discussions on resident priority frustrated some members who attended the Nov. 25 online sessions. Comments from the 27 public participants includ-

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$743 charged in 2020.

Property owners in the South Pender Harbour Water Service Area will see their annual water rates jump by 16 percent over the current year’s rate. Their combined user and parcel fees for water services will total $961 in 2021.

Customers in the SCRD’s Regional Water Service Area will see 2021 adjustments in both user fees and parcel taxes. Their annual billings are to go up by about $72. The rates in 2021 will be $759 compared to the $687 that was charged in 2020.

The 2021 fee adjustments moved directly from committee debate to board endorsement on Nov. 26. During both sessions, Sechelt Area Director Alton Toth voted in opposition to the changes for the regional water service area.

He stated he would have pre-

ferred to see the capital projects that require funding approved before adjusting the fees that will pay those costs.

2021 will mark the second year of double-digit increases in SCRD water charges. In 2020, those fees increased between 17 and 25 percent over the previous year. The board links the rate increases to its strategic commitment to plan for and ensure yearround water availability for its customers. The current board has launched a capital plan aimed at securing and diversifying the region’s water supply. This includes the Church Road well field development, explorations of increasing supply accessed from Chapman Creek, water main repairs and leak detection, water metering and investigation of expanding the Chapman Creek reservoir.

Connie Jordison

ed statements of “this is our highway,” that emergency travel for residents “should trump” tourist travel, and a call for BCF to “stop advertising to tourists.” The Nov. 30 session had six public attendees, and significantly fewer comments came forward.

The online events were part of an engagement exercise BCF launched in August.

It started with an online survey and the appointment of the 19-person working group comprised of local representatives. Since that time, that group met to discuss and propose “near-term” solutions to challenges Coast residents face with ferry services.

Near-term solutions were defined as items that address real travel needs that could be implemented by BCF in a timely manner, without major capital investments.

The resulting discussion points were organized into areas relating to travel certainty, improving medical travel, communications and managing demand. A variety of potential solutions are proposed. These include adjustments to the reservation system, making mid-day sailings more appealing for travellers to offset peak morning and evening sailing demands, and adjusting terminal webcams to provide a better view

of current traffic situations when checking this on BCF’s website.

Another idea that BCF will not be considering through this engagement is hourly sailings on Route 3 between Langdale and Horseshoe Bay. McIntosh said this adjustment would require changes to BCF’s Coastal Ferries Contract with the province and a second ship for the route.

This is not being planned for as major capital investments are on hold following financial losses suffered by the corporation earlier in 2020 due to COVID-19.

BCF is continuing to experience revenue downturns during COVID-19’s second wave. McIntosh noted that customer volumes on Route 3 during the third weekend in November were down over 50 percent compared to last year.

McIntosh reported that over 1,500 individuals have provided input through an online comment opportunity. Online comments can be submitted at bcferriesprojects.ca/aheadtogether until Dec. 9.

Engagement process recommendations are slated to be released in mid-December.

Connie Jordison

Garden Bay Pub fire

Historic Garden Bay Pub and blues venue burns down.

KYLE

LEECH PHOTO

The iconic Garden Bay Pub, in operation since 1932, was hit by fire on Nov. 26. The Pender Harbour Fire Department was called in at 7:30am and responded with about 16 firefighters and three fire trucks.

The department had the blaze extinguished by early afternoon. No one was injured in the fire or the efforts to control it.

Fire Chief Don Murray said the structure appears to be a “complete loss.” The roof has collapsed, and the exterior walls on the waterfront side were severely damaged. Public access to the site, on Lyons Road, has been blocked by fire line tape.

The cause of the blaze has

not been identified. Murray said that in his view, there was “no overt evidence of suspicious activity” related to the fire. The department did call the RCMP to the site to determine if an investigation was warranted. Sergeant Don Newman attended. Newman was unavailable for comment regarding his investigation by press time.

Murray noted that the pub had been closed for a number of months and that the building was unoccupied when the fire started. He also remarked that it is questionable whether a new structure would be allowed on the site, given its proximity to the ocean foreshore.

Connie Jordison

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The Local - Thursday, December 3, 2020 3

Special meeting to set 2021 SCRD wastewater rates At its Nov. 26 meeting, the SCRD board asked for additional time to consider next year’s fee increases for properties on its wastewater systems. Leading up to a special meeting on Dec. 3, area directors are to consult with their communities on frontage and user fee adjustments for sewage disposal.

Staff recommended that frontage fees increase in 2021 by between $100 and $200 for properties in SCRD wastewater collection areas. The only exception is for the ten properties on

Local

the

Pender Harbour’s Canoe Road system, whose frontage fees are recommended to remain at the 2020 rate.

2020 wastewater frontage fees in the SCRD range from $102 to $674 per year for each property in neighbourhoods with a wastewater system.

Increases have also been recommended to 2021 wastewater user fees. These fees are charged to properties that are connected to sewer systems in SCRD rural areas. The proposed annual increases range from $40

to $348. If endorsed, the increases will mean 2021 individual property user fees of between $350 and $1,663 for wastewater treatment services.

With nine of the 15 systems located in his jurisdiction, Area A Director Leonard Lee said that wastewater system charges have a “huge impact” on many of his constituents. If both user and frontage fee increases proposed for 2021 are endorsed, some residents of Area A will be paying close to $2,000 per year for this service.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

In the early 1920s, Mrs. Gertrude Reeves, of Roberts Creek, sitting in her small electric car. Purchased in England and shipped around the Horn, it arrived in Roberts Creek complete with a Delco generator used solely to charge the vehicle’s batteries. Visit the SC Museum’s online collection to view 7,000+ digital archival photographs. SCMA PHOTO #1195

Lee asked for the delay until Dec. 3 for a board decision on the new rates. He stated that impacted residents from his area were unhappy with the online consultation that the SCRD held to explain the proposed fee changes. While understanding the need for virtual meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lee feels that recording these

events “scares off” some participants from attending and others from voicing their opinions.

He said that some residents do not understand why wastewater costs continue to increase and that the SCRD needs to improve on how it is communicating this information. He compared the single meetings that staff

conducted with the neighbourhoods on proposed 2021 wastewater fees with the considerable efforts being invested in engagement on the Coast’s water systems.

“For some, wastewater fees are a bigger hit than regional water, but the SCRD did not respond in the same way,” said Lee. Connie Jordison

While COVID-19 may be keeping District of Sechelt staff physically distanced from one another, it has not deterred their hopes of increasing their numbers by 12 in 2021. The District currently budgets for 68 full-time positions. Approving all the new 2021 staffing requests would equate to a 17 percent increase in municipal employees.

The requests for new hirings came forward at the Nov. 25 Committee of the Whole introduction of 2021 budget proposals. Positions that staff are looking to add include an Asset Manager, a Community Safety Coordinator for the RCMP detachment, a Technical Support Specialist for the Information Technology Department, two Administrative Assistants, as well as additional workers for the Water Resource Centre and Parks Department. At the meeting, Councillor Alton Toth asked that further debate on staff-

ing increases be deferred until later in 2021 budget discussions. He wanted to see these requests linked to work plans and strategic priorities.

Committee members also asked that when those items return for committee debate, staff provide estimates of how each decision will impact property taxes.

The committee recommended several new projects be included in the coming year’s general operating budget. It gave “thumbs up” for new spending on website upgrading, information technology vulnerability management, art wraps, aerial photos and equipment acquisitions for the RCMP. For the 2021 sewer operations budget, the committee authorized staff to move about $20,000 in one-time wastewater system equipment purchases.

The meeting also included a review of budget requests for the new year from neigh-

bourhood and community associations. It was noted that the additional signage and a self-cleaning public washroom for the downtown area, requested by the Sechelt Downtown Business Association, have been included in Sechelt’s Tourism Recovery grant application to the Province.

David Douglas, Director of Financial Services, noted that additional requests from community groups had been received and that more are anticipated.

Council plans to receive more information on the sewer and operating budgets for the coming year at December Committee of the Whole meetings. Debate on 2021 budgets is slated to begin at Committee in February. Adoption of the 2021 budget, including the setting of annual property tax and wastewater fee rates, is to be completed by May 15.

Connie Jordison

Sechelt budget & staff increase requests

SUNSHINE COAST FERRY SCHEDULE

For schedules, fare info or to reserve 1-888-223-3779 or www.bcferries.com

SD46 operations budget consultation School District #46s (SD46) operations budget proposals for its 2021/22 school year were released to the public in a Nov. 26 online session.

Board of Education Chairperson Amanda Amaral as well as District Superintendent Patrick Bocking and Secretary-Treasurer Nic Weswick presented the details. Weswick opened the one hour session with an overview of how that organization is funded. He explained that currently under discussion is the $41 million operating budget proposed for the upcoming school year that will pay for the day to day function of local education programs.

Weswick stated that the district receives $7,560 in provincial operating funds for each student registered.

He noted that up to the time of the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, registrations in the district were on an upward trend. The number of local students increased from 3,040 in the 2014/15 school year to 3,273 in 2019/20. He also emphasized that it is the province, not local school districts, that

sets the education tax rate that is levied annually on properties.

In reviewing how SD46 spends its operational funding, Weswick stated that it is a “people oriented organization,” with about 85 percent of its money invested in salaries and benefits. The majority of this goes to pay for the 220 teaching positions.

With a 2020/21 enrolment decline of 70 students, SD46 has put some of the additional federal/provincial COVID “safe restart” money it received into funding to maintain existing teaching positions. That funding is also paying for between two and six hours of additional cleaning at each facility. Along with increasing the number of cleaning hours, Weswick noted that SD46 has moved from evening custodial work to having staff there during the day to assist with ongoing cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.

In response to a question from a member of the public, Weswick said that there will be a survey on school transportation conducted in the upcoming year. The district hopes to adjust the school

transportation system by September 2021, based on the input received. The survey will be open to parents or guardians of all students, not only those whose children currently use the school bus system. Weswick said changes that may result could range from new bell schedules, walk limits applied to determine if a student is eligible for bussing, and potential addition of new transportation services.

SD46 has three annual budgets. In addition to its operating fund, there is a budget for capital to build and improve schools. This is administered by the province.

There is also a locally administered special purposes fund which holds grants and money provided for specific purposes such as scholarships.

Consultation on SD46’s 2021/22 operations budget will continue into the second quarter of the new year.

Public input and inquiries are welcomed to be submitted through the district website or by participating in school board meetings which are hosted using the online Zoom platform.

Connie Jordison

Schedule in Effect: October 13, 2020 to May 15, 2021 Crossing Time: 40 minutes Distance: 10.5 nautical miles

(Vancouver)

7:30 am 8:45 am 9:45 am 11:55 am 2:10 pm 2:40 pm

- Daily

4:20 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:50 pm 10:55 pm

- Daily

- April 2 only

- Daily - Daily - Daily - December 23, 26 & 27

and April 1 & 4 only

- Daily - April 5 only

- Daily - Daily

(Sunshine Coast)

6:20 am 8:40 am 9:50 am 10:50 am 1:05 pm 3:15 pm 3:50 pm

- Daily

5:25 pm 6:40 pm 7:40 pm 8:55 pm

- Daily

- Daily - April 2 only

- Daily - Daily - Daily - December 23, 26 & 27

and April 1 & 4 only

- Daily - April 5 only

- Daily

PLEASE NOTE: All schedules are subject to change without notice. DUE TO COVID-19, THESE SCHEDULES MAY CHANGE. PLEASE MONITOR SERVICE NOTICES. CHECK ONLINE DAILY www.bcferries.com

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The Local - Thursday, December 3, 2020

Editorial Opinion

Weekly Cartoon

Friendships make life better Recently I’ve been thinking about what a low-carbon life might look like. We would drive and fly less and mostly cycle, walk and ride transit. We’d eat less meat and more plant-based foods. We’d heat our energy-efficient homes with electricity or geothermal and get power from the wind and sun.

It might also be a life that puts greater emphasis on friendship.

In the report, “Zeroing in on Emissions,” David Suzuki Foundation policy analyst Tom Green writes, “many of the things that support well-being, such as time with friends and family … do not require much by way of material and energy use.” We can have fun playing ball hockey, hiking or enjoying music with others.

If we spent more time building relationships, we would also enrich our inner lives, reducing the consumption that drives carbon output and pollution. We might feel less need for things like overseas holidays, big cars, the latest devices and more clothing than we actually wear. Why? Because the satisfaction offered by friendship is deeper than that offered by stuff.

Philosophers, like Aristotle, knew that friendship is a major contributor to happiness. Friendship, said the great thinker, is “most indispensable for life. No one would choose to live without friends, even if he had all other goods.” Aristotle didn’t view humans as consumers and believed acquiring possessions is not the core of our being. Rather, he emphasized developing virtues like courage and wisdom in concert with beloved comrades. “No one would choose to have all good things all by himself, for man is a social and political being and his natural condition is to live with others,” he explains in his book on ethics.

But if a life revolving around friends is more rewarding than one devoted to material acquisition, how can we cultivate it? We could create “friendship sabbaticals.” This would require employers and schools to give us a few days each year for friendship development, creating new ones or rebuilding those we’ve let slide.

In school, I was taught how to calculate the area of a circle but never given a course in making a circle of friends.

Teachers assumed we’d learn this on our own. But not everyone did. Surely if we need to understand circles, we need to understand and learn how to foster some of the most gratifying relationships in our lives.

Years ago, I saw a subway ad showing a father with his children and the caption, “Play with them now.” It suggested men should make more effort to connect with their kids. I’d argue something similar for all adults. We need ads showing a group of pals, with the caption, “Friendship: make time for it now.” David Suzuki

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Letters to the Editor – Opinions Little hope for humankind (Re: “Time for a change,” Letters, the Local, Nov. 26) While understanding and appreciating Anke’s sentiments, I am sad to say that I see little hope for humankind. Even in this “enlightened” part of the world, the average person (me, for example) comes nowhere near changing their behaviour enough to make a serious difference. The only thing we understand is the “big stick.” In other words, we will wear seatbelts, adhere to speed limits, wear masks, stop using plastic bags etc., only when we are legislated to do so. However, no one (me included) wants big brother watching over us, so the laws we really need will never come into existence.

The current pandemic tangibly affects us, and so we isolate, wash hands and wear masks, but the steadily warming climate simply does not really affect us in any immediate way. Perhaps someone in California will decide not to build a house in a tinder-dry forest area, but, apart from that, earth warming is like our hair growing – we just do not notice it on a daily basis, so we largely carry on as if nothing is amiss.

Living where we do, I personally think that we are easily in the top one percent of the most privileged people in the world – not the top 10 percent – the top one percent. If our lifestyle here does not seriously reflect what needs to be done, it is far fetched to think that the rest of the world, who have much more to worry about than we do, will make the necessary changes.

Having said that, I have never understood the “Save The Planet” concept any-

way. This planet was around for kazillions of years before us and will, probably, be around for kazillions of years after we have gone.

Life forms come and go, and we are no different. I think that the planet cares not a jot for who or what is on it and that it will keep spinning merrily on regardless of who or what grows on or flies above it.

I feel incredibly blessed to be “here, now” and to experience the beauty and wonder of our world, but I feel that time on earth for the human race will be relatively short-lived, and that saddens me because I think that we could be so much more than we are.

Perhaps, many years hence, another human-like species will emerge that knows, intrinsically, to tread lightly in this beautiful garden and how to live in peace, love and harmony with all other life forms.

Imagine.

Charles Bristow, Gibsons

Why is the SCRD backtracking?

We are dismayed by the Nov.12 decision by the SCRD area directors to seek further “consultation” and feedback on the replacement of Coopers Green Hall.

The Coopers Green Park Management Plan and the community-based task force led by the SCRD staff have already decided “what the hall will be” and “where it should be built.” The SCRD staff pegged the cost of the replacement at $2.9 million, including some additional related items. The Halfmoon Bay Community Association pledged to raise $300,000 for the project.

On July 3, our MLA, Nicholas Simons, announced a $2 million joint federal-pro-

vincial infrastructure grant for the project. Since then, the Halfmoon Bay Community Association has raised the $300,000 it pledged, an indication of the community support of the project.

Why is the SCRD now backtracking on a decision already made? Why is it duplicating work already done? Any further delay can only result in higher costs and jeopardize the funds that have already been committed.

This project should proceed now.

Ron Roberts and Jane Tollestrup, Halfmoon Bay

Crossword puzzles (Re: “The benefits of crossword puzzles,” the Local, Nov. 26) The article in last week’s issue “The benefits of crossword puzzles,” was interesting and, for proof of these benefits, my personal experience indicates they are all “positive.” I have been completing a crossword, every day, at breakfast, for approximately 30 years (nearly 11,000) and they seem to get easier as the years roll by.

The process sharpens my mind, makes me linger a little longer over eating, which aids digestion, and makes me feel good when the task is successfully completed. Every Christmas I look

forward to opening the gift from my daughter, a 365day calendar with a crossword for each day, issued by the New York Times.

I am blessed with good health (for a 90-year-old) and still have a sharp mind, aided also by playing multiple games of UPWORDS (3-dimensional Scrabble).

My “creativity” genes are still working overtime, having just invented a new board game and numerous word-games, as well as detailed designs for a new Municipal Hall, Affordable Housing for Seniors and Hostels for the Homeless (submitted to various governmental departments).

I can highly recommend the practice of “doing” crosswords to anyone who would like to enjoy happiness and longevity in their later lives.

Ralph Meyer, Sechelt

@TheLocalWeekly

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor should be sent by e-mail to editor@thelocalweekly.ca. The deadline is Monday at 10am for that week’s paper. Generally, letters should not exceed 300 words. And all letters must be signed, include the writer’s community of residence and (not for publication) telephone number. Letters may be edited for a variety of reasons.

The Local - Thursday, December 3, 2020 5

Nicholas Simons named to cabinet On Nov. 26, Powell River/ Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons was named Minister for Social Development and Poverty Reduction. Simons attended the ceremony virtually. In a Facebook post following the cabinet swearing-in ceremony, Simons said he is “honoured to serve the Province of BC in this new capacity.”

He also used that opportunity to introduce his Ministry Parliamentary Secretaries Niki Sharma and Dan Coulter.

Sharma was elected as an MLA for the Vancouver-Hastings riding, and Coulter represents the riding of Chilli-

wack. Both began their first terms as provincial representatives as a result of the 2020 election.

In his press release announcing his new cabinet, Premier John Horgan stated, “the pandemic has turned the lives of British Columbians upside down. We have come a long way together, but we have much further to go. This skilled, diverse team is ready to continue our fight against COVID-19 and build an economic recovery that includes everyone.”

“I know this is a hard time for British Columbians.

COVID-19 has brought chal-

Along with celebrating “GivingTuesday” this week, Sunshine Coast Community Services Society (SCCSS) continues to seek support for a Sechelt-based affordable housing project. In a campaign entitled “Building Together,” SCCSS is looking to gather financial and community support for the project, which will help it achieve its mission of fostering social equity by creating opportunities for Coast residents.

Municipal bylaws to enable the SCCSS project are slated to be the subject of a virtual public hearing on Dec. 8, at 6pm. The hearing will be hosted online using the Zoom platform. Additional project information and details on

how to participate are available at Sechelt.ca.

The SCCSS plan is to develop affordable housing for women who have difficulty finding safe accommodation through the re-development of its Inlet Avenue site.

A proposed new six-storey building has been designed to accommodate both 34 rental apartments and a “service hub” for the majority of SCCSS’ programs and services. These include a food bank, programs for family support and counselling services.

“The new building will welcome everyone, with access for disabled and sight-impaired people, food services and cooking lessons,

lenges unlike any we’ve faced before,” said Horgan.

The new cabinet includes 20 ministers and four ministers of state. The cabinet will be supported in its work by 13 parliamentary secretaries, with portfolios including rural development, anti-racism, and technology and innovation.

Simons takes over his ministerial role from Shane Simpson. Simpson held the portfolio since 2017. He did not run for re-election in 2020, after representing the riding of Vancouver-Hastings as its MLA since 2005.

Connie Jordison

Community support for housing project community gardens available to everyone, and a flexible, bright and safe space for larger community events,” said Sue Anne Linde, president of SCCSS’s board of directors. Linde also noted that the pandemic has underlined the dire need for the range of services that SCCSS provides.

GivingTuesday is a day when charities, businesses and individuals come together to celebrate giving. The idea for the day got its start in 2012 in New York City. As the world’s largest giving movement, the event is focused on unleashing the power of generosity to unlock dignity, opportunity, and equity around the globe.

Connie Jordison

ZOOM OPEN HOUSE Join us for a brief presentation and an opportunity to ask questions and tell us what you think.

Thursday December 10th from 6:00pm to 7:00pm Zoom link is at: Sechelt.ca/zoningbylaw We will talk about: • Home-based businesses • Density (residential infill) • Short-term rentals • Agricultural Land Reserve uses • Urban agriculture (chickens, bees and farm stands) www.sechelt.ca | info @ sechelt.ca | 604-885-1986

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The Local - Thursday, December 3, 2020

Local IT’S A HOLLY-JOLLY CHRISTMAS

the

Inspiring ideas to create festive cheer at home during the pandemic Staying home for the holidays doesn’t need to be a sacrifice. Take the opportunity and transform your space and how you experience it.

Light up all your senses this holiday season with these simple ideas.

Sight There’s something so nostalgic and comforting about the multicoloured glow of Christmas lights on a dark winter night. Treat the inside of your home the same

way. Think of new surfaces to string with lights and brighten up your space with their twinkle.

Smell Prepare a selection of scented candles and rotate between them each day. Consider focusing on scents you associate with specific memories – the smell will take you back to those moments in ways your other senses can’t.

Sound Music is the perfect part-

ner to festive cheer. Fill your space with the sounds of the holidays, be it classic carols or simply something that gets the party going.

Touch Doing something tactile can really help you get out of your head and be mindful in the moment. Take a walk through nature to find items you can craft with, like pinecones and tree branches. Bring them home and have some fun spray paint-

ing them to create festive decorations for your tree or mantle.

Taste Take the opportunity the holidays offer to revisit favourite treats, but also make a point of trying a new flavour in each part of the meal – appetizer, side dish or dessert.

Blend fond memories with new experiences, all without stepping foot outside.

News Canada

Family movie night inspiration this holiday season Movie nights make for the best evenings, especially with family. But as the weather cools down and movie nights tend to get more frequent, keep things fun and fresh by upping your game and create memorable experiences. Here are a few ideas:

NEWS CANADA PHOTO

Movie marathon This year it’s more important than ever to start new family traditions and create fun within the home. To get into the festive spirit, plan to watch movies for each of the 10 nights leading up to Christmas. Have each member of the family suggest a couple of options so every-

one can enjoy.

Snacks We can’t have movie nights without snacks including popcorn. Whether it’s straight out of the bag or used in creative recipes, it’s definitely a movie-night staple.

Movie trivia Spice things up a little bit by challenging your family

to movie trivia. This game is a fun and different way to spend some of your holiday evenings together. During one (or all) of your movie nights as a family, have each person write down some questions throughout the movie. Afterwards, keep score of who gets most of the questions right. News Canada

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The Local - Thursday, December 3, 2020 7

Local IT’S A HOLLY-JOLLY CHRISTMAS

the

Creating a durable gingerbread house Gingerbread cookies and houses are one of the many symbols of the holiday season, alongside Christmas trees and twinkling lights. In fact, few confections symbolize the holidays more so than gingerbread.

Many a child (or a child at heart) has spent hours carefully trying to create decorative gingerbread houses.

Although gingerbread recipes span various cultures, gingerbread houses originated in 16th century Germany.

The fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel” helped solidify the popularity of gingerbread,

which became part of Christmas traditions.

Even though gingerbread houses can be fun to make, there’s no denying it can be exacting work – especially for those who strive for perfection. Prepackaged kits attempt to take some of the guesswork out of the equation, but those who are crafting from scratch can employ these tips as they build their gingerbread houses.

• Go for form and not flavour. Few gingerbread houses ever get eaten, so focus on finding a dough that will bake up rock hard as opposed to

Few confections symbolize the holidays more so than gingerbread. METRO CREATIVE PHOTO

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one that tastes good.

• Get the right icing texture.

Pastry artist Catherine Beddall says royal icing is the preferred “glue” to adhere gingerbread pieces. Beddall says icing should be thick like peanut butter and not runny.

• Mind the dough. Do not roll out the gingerbread dough too thin or it may become brittle after being cooked.

Always cut out shapes before the gingerbread is baked. Let the baked pieces sit overnight to cool completely before using them to build.

• Patience is key. Allow the icing to dry for at least a couple of hours after adhering each piece and before moving and handling the house, says Beddall. Work in stages so that individual items can be decorated and allowed to dry. Then the walls can be put together, followed by the roof pieces.

• Kids likely will need help.

Children may not have the patience or steadiness to handle complete gingerbread construction. They can decorate the separate pieces of the house while the components are laying flat, which is easier for kids. Adults can do the main assembly later on.

• Utilize a template.

Free-handing may not be easy. Cut out templates using cardboard or posterboard for various gingerbread pieces.

One of the most important tips is to have fun. Don’t take gingerbread house making too seriously as a novice.

Rather, enjoy the experience and the centuries-old tradition. Metro Creative

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The Local - Thursday, December 3, 2020

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Thursday, December 3 • Art Exhibition: Present Tense (to Dec. 20), Gibsons Public Art Gallery, 431 Marine Drive, Gibsons, 11am-4pm

• Sechelt Shop Hop: Enjoy great deals at our local shops, live music, holiday light displays and hot beverages, downtown Sechelt, 5-8pm

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Road rage in Sechelt On Friday, Nov. 27, at approximately 3:45pm, Sunshine Coast RCMP received multiple calls regarding a physical assault, possibly resulting from a road rage incident.

The incident is believed to have started on Sunshine Coast Hwy near the McDonalds. A female driver exited her red Oldsmobile Alero at the intersection of Dolphin and Sunshine Coast Highway.

There was a heated verbal exchange between her and the occupants of a light coloured Nissan Sentra. The Sentra drove

on when the light went green and parked near the Money Mart in the 5500 block of Wharf Avenue. It is alleged that the accused female followed them and assaulted an occupant of the Sentra, and threatened another. Police arrested the accused, and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed this incident or captured it on their phone or dash camera is asked to contact the Sunshine Coast RCMP at 604-885-2266. File number 2020-8201.

Submitted by RCMP

• Serendipity Christmas Craft Fair, featuring local artisans and crafters, (online to Dec. 13), https://serendipityfair.myshopify.com/

• Coast  Fibre: Weekends only to Dec. 13, FibreWorks Studio & Gallery, 12887 Sunshine Coast Highway, Madeira Park, 11am-4pm, 604-883-2380 • Online Children’s Chair Auction (Dec. 4-13), bid on your favourite chair for charity–chairs on display at Gibsons Public Art Gallery 11am-4pm, go to the auction website: www.32auctions.com/grandmotherschairauction • Laboratorio Arts Society AGM, 6pm, email giorgio@newmusic.org by Dec. 3 to register and receive the Zoom meeting link

• SC Natural History Zoom Meeting–Butterflies of the Sunshine Coast, photo presentation on the 40 known species of butterflies of the Sunshine Coast, registration details will be sent to members or contact: info.scnhs@gmail.com for more information, 7:30pm

Saturday, December 5

• 2020 Quarantine Christmas Market: Dec. 5/6, tiny Christmas Market, Sunnycrest Mall, Gibsons, 10am-6pm

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• Crash the Coast Boot Drive & The Elves Club Telethon: First responders will be collecting donations at various locations along the Sunshine Coast Highway, 10am-2pm, or donate at www.elvesclub.ca

THANK YOU FOR RECYCLING THIS NEWSPAPER.

• Forst Pottery Christmas Open House (Sat & Sun), Forst Pottery, 1040 Chamberlin Rd, Gibsons, 10am-5pm, www.forststudio.com

• LearnAlong via Zoom–Needle Felting: Alexis Bach will be sharing her expertise and skill in needle felting, 10am-noon, more info at https://sunshine coastfibreshed.ca/event/learnalong-via-zoom-needlefelting/ • Sechelt Farmers’ & Artisans’ Christmas Market, over 30 local vendors on Cowrie Street, 11am-4pm • 3rd Annual Kube Holiday Craft Fair, the Kube, 104 - 875 Gibsons Way, Gibsons, 11am-5pm

Sunday, December 6

• Off the Page reads DITTO on Zoom: by Melody Anderson (featuring Colleen Elson, Jeanne Sommerfield, Patrick Visser, Ivy Lock and Wanda Nowicki), 1pm, for details go to https://heritageplayhouse.com/event/off-the-page-7/ • It’s a Wonderful Life – The Radio Play: The Townsite Actors Guild and CJMP90.1FM are presenting this beloved holiday classic – presented in a 1940s-style radio broadcast, 7-8:15pm, listen live on the radio at CJMP90.1FM or online at https://cjmp.ca/listen-live/

Includes listings compiled by the Coast Cultural Alliance. More details & more listings – including virtual events – at suncoastarts.com

Sechelt home invasion At 5pm on Thursday, Nov. 26, police were dispatched to multiple calls from different residences on Wharf Avenue in Sechelt that a male had broken into their homes.

One resident was home with his wife and child when the male entered the front door and was yelling nonsensically while they told him he was in the wrong house. The male then went into the kitchen and picked up a large kitchen knife. When police arrived, they found the 26-year-old male hiding in the kitchen pantry.

The male resisted arrest, and the conductive energy weapon was deployed.

The male was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Fortunately, no one was injured during this incident, and police are continuing their investigation.

“This was obviously frightening for the family involved, and we are thankful that no one was seriously injured. These sorts of incidents are extremely high risk for everyone involved. My officers followed their training and apprehended the male in the safest and most effective way using appropriate intervention,” said Staff Sgt. Poppy Hallam. Submitted by RCMP

Coasters question federal Transport Minister Garneau “Who better than an astronaut to lead us forward,” said local MP Patrick Weiler as he introduced federal Minister of Transportation and the first Canadian to travel in space, Marc Garneau. Those remarks were made at the start of a Zoom call with the West Vancouver/Sunshine Coast/Sea to Sky constituency.

The event hosted online on Nov. 26 gave local representatives, including Sechelt Coun-

cillor Eric Scott, a chance to pose questions to Garneau.

In response to Scott’s query about COVID-19 financial relief programs for airlines, Garneau said that negotiations are underway but details could not be released.

The minister stated the soon to be announced aviation sector relief program will focus on protecting regional services and address relief for airports that have been impacted financially

by the pandemic. He stated that compensation for travel agencies who have lost commission income might also be included. Garneau pointed out that to qualify for federal relief funding, airlines must have programs to refund passengers for flights cancelled due to the pandemic.

Garneau also used the session to highlight Canada’s leadership in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International

Cooler temperatures and shorter days are sure signs that the holiday season is ahead. Of course, as with so many other things in 2020, the holiday season will look different this year as gatherings, traditions, events and how and where we shop are being reimagined with COVID-19 health precautions in mind.

Our local business community has struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are going to purchase holiday gifts, now more than ever, let’s support them. Whether it’s a local craft or looking ahead to summer and purchasing a gift voucher for an experience, supporting local will help give a much-needed lift to our business community.

Additionally, with a bit of re-thinking, we can have a wonderful holiday season and limit our impact on the environment. We can help reduce waste and help others by donating items you no longer use that are still in good condition. The majority of holiday waste that ends up in our landfill each year is made up of discarded packing and wrapping materials.

Planning for holiday meals will also look different this year; however, it is also a season when we throw away a lot of food. Organic waste, comprised primarily of food waste and food-soiled paper from businesses, households, and institutions, represents the largest component of waste sent to the landfill: a whopping 35 to 40 percent.

Since the Green Bin program began this fall, about 62 tonnes of food waste has been collected from households in Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone and

West Howe Sound. Based on the data to date, this has resulted in a 40 percent decrease in organics going to the landfill and extending the life of the landfill, which at our current rate of disposal, is scheduled to close in 2026.

While there may be many holiday traditions that we cannot do this year, let’s try to focus on what we can do.

Whether it’s small gatherings with your immediate household, cooking, gift-giving, watching movies or exploring the Sunshine Coast with your family during the Christmas holidays, let’s make this a holiday season where we all take a moment to realize just how different this past year has been in all of our lives.

On behalf of the Sunshine Coast Regional District Board, we would like to extend our best wishes to our residents, visitors, and community partners for a safe, happy and green holiday season.

The new rules around essential travel and social gathering as we move into the holiday season have started to slow down the Lower Sunshine Coast real estate market.

There is still demand due to low inventory, especially in Gibsons, but it is not at the “frenzy” level we saw in October. Pending status of a lockdown in February, I expect things to pick up right where they left off post-Christmas in the new year.

People stuck in a condo or townhouse, near an office they no longer need to frequent, are en masse considering rural communities.

This is not unique to the Sunshine Coast, BC or even Canada. Rural growth is reversing urban migration, driven by changing perceptions and priorities, across North America and Europe.

November 2019 saw 74 total sales – 13 of them were single-family detached, and the average price of those homes was $707,000. The average time on market was 55 days, and the total dollar volume of sales was $44,737,000.

METRO CREATIVE PHOTO

November 2020 had 135 total sales – 72 of them were single-family detached houses, with the average price of those homes being $894,000.

The average time on market has been 40 days, and the total dollar volume of sales was $95,408,000.

From Jan. 1 to the end of November 2019, we had seen 698 total sales – 302 of them were single-family detached, and the average price of those homes was $690,000.

The average time on market was 50 days, and the total dollar volume of sales was $441,532,000.

From Jan. 1 this year up until the end of November, we have seen 1,057 total sales – 588 of them being single-family detached houses with the average price of those homes being $815,000.

The average time on market has been 41 days, and the total dollar volume of sales so far has been $729,498,000.

When selling a property

in a market such as this, exposure to the market is key.

If you list your home and get an immediate full-priced offer from the first person that views it, you may have left money on the table.

We see more and more listing agents “stacking” offers to make sure they have not undervalued a property. Not a great environment for buyers to compete in, but sometimes necessary to guarantee the seller gets true “market value” for their home.

If listing in a market such as this, it is important to work with a local expert that has an effective marketing strategy.

If trying to buy in this market, find a good buyer’s agent, active in the area you wish to move. In both scenarios, local market expertise is key.

Tony Browton is an award-winning realtor who lives and works on BC’s Sunshine Coast. His weekly blog can be found here http:// www.truebluerealty.ca/blog

The Local - Thursday, December 3, 2020 9

Aviation (CORSIA) initiative.

Eighty countries have signed on to CORSIA. “We all want aircraft to be cleaner,” said Garneau. He said that he was excited to see new technologies to make airplanes lighter and more fuel efficient being developed in Canada, as well as research into sustainable aviation fuels.

Issues surrounding abandoned vessels and mooring buoys were also discussed during the session. Garneau said he was well aware of

how important addressing hazards to navigation and the marine environment were to Coastal communities. He stated he was proud of the federal government’s action to help pay for the removal and disposal of derelict boats and non-compliant buoys.

He also noted that recently adopted legislation makes it illegal to abandon a vessel in Canada.

Garneau said the government is looking at a boat registry to track ownership and

disposal. This initiative could also collect licence fees from vessel owners to fund clean up programs. MP Weiler suggested that he would like to see funds collected used to support organizations like Marine Search and Rescue, which benefit the boating community.

The call ended with the minister accepting an invitation to visit the riding once non-essential travel opportunities for MPs are reinstated.

Connie Jordison

Tip of the Week: The final month of tumultuous 2020 has begun.

As the cliché goes, ‘it is not over until it is over’. Get ready for significant events on the world stage before December is over. These will prove revolutionary and the drums are beginning to beat.

The Lunar Eclipse on November 30 is making its destined impacts now. As mentioned, these will generally have a subjective, emotional effect. However, sometimes outer events will also coincide and will add to the overall emotional theme. Attitudes, priorities, perceptions, self-concepts and so on are all possible perspectives that will shift, perhaps subtlety but surely linked to the planet or angle activated.

The much bigger event in regard to the annual influence of eclipses is the coming Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius. Its influence especially will unfold over the following six months with the lingering influences of the Lunar Eclipse playing a supporting role. Again, the degrees involved are 8 Gemini 38 for the lunar and 23 Sagittarius for the solar.

Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19) You are in an enthusiastic mood. Taking pioneering leads implies a venturesome approach. Government imposed blocks and delays continue and must be contended with, making things hard for many the world over. While this will continue, there is a revolutionary reaction rising.

Safeguarding your financial interests is a top priority as realism vies with philosophical reflection.

Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) Keeping things practical, circumstances have and continue to push you to purge all non-essentials. Taking this streamlined, pragmatic approach is a feature of a steadily emerging ambition to expand your professional front. Like a veritable bull in the gates at the rodeo, a big charge of energy is building and will directly support your resolve to succeed.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Looking back over the past few years, you will probably notice that you have changed a lot. These changes include specific relationship dynamics. Yet, it is your perceptions and attitudes in particular that have shifted. You will notice that you are more sober and perhaps less patient with people and circumstances that you feel are no longer in alignment.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) While pretty much everyone has, you have been dealing with more than your share of challenging people and circumstances over the past many months.

At worst, you feel confused and frustrated without a clear sense of direction. Positively, you are committed to making the changes you feel you must do to succeed. Yet, you will have to dig deeper than you have for some time to do so.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 23) This creative cycle you are in is building momentum. It does involve a learning curve process that does require your full attention.

Fortunately, you are in the mood to forge ahead, confront whatever obstacles necessary, and breakthrough. The most basic and important measure is to begin and, thereby, establish a momentum. Doing so will increase your chances of success, measurably.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 22) Noticeable shifts and changes on the home front are underway and keeping you busy. These may not so much be on your residence specifically so much as where the activity is occurring. The emphasis is upon both completing projects started in the past and redirecting your efforts to result=oriented activities.

New financial ambitions are a core motivating factor.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Many thoughts are running through your mind.

At worst, you feel worried about the future, and securing your financial future is extra important. To this end, you are ready and willing to take calculated risks. Of course, you are hardly alone regarding the stress factor.

Contending with others is also posing its own challenges. Rather than oppose them, try to engage their energy to make use of it.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Diversifying is a central theme now and this will probably, yet not necessarily solely include financial interests. Meanwhile, circumstances are pushing you to pull some stops. This may amount to a process of reinvention. Doing so will require you to make extra efforts and to pay your dues, one way or another. Generally, the more willing you are to learn and adapt, the better.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) An enthusiastic and expansive cycle continues.

Things have probably been pretty tough these past months, one way or another.

Positively, you are coming around a corner which will inspire your commitment to the future with a whole new attitude of determination.

Themes of truth and justice will play a major role. Be on the watch for a reversal of previously held views.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Taking some time out is a good idea right now as much as you can. There are indications that your social network is quite stimulated and that you are also extra busy close to home. As well, this is generally an expansive time that requires extra energy. So, do what you can to surrender to the need to recharge your batteries and make doing so a priority.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Contending with a steady flow of new information is in the spotlight. This has likely been true all year, at least. And it has been extra challenging to feel confident about it, all the while.

In short, progress has probably now been quick, steady, and straightforward. However, that is about to change.

Jupiter and Saturn entering your sign within days will serve to catapult you forward.

Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) The focus has shifted to your public and professional life. This includes getting the attention you want and feel you have earned and deserve. It is extra important that you initiate projects now; those that you want to continue working on for the coming years, let alone months. Doing so will support you to follow through on them with confidence, but hesitation now could prove costly in more ways than one. michael@sunstarastrology.com

10

The Local - Thursday, December 3, 2020

Can you hear what I hear?

Special Olympics keeps on ringing on despite the challenges.

The Athlete’s Oath still rings true, especially now.

We are being brave in our attempts to stay healthy, kind and safe. We are letting ourselves win by doing so.

After consultation with community members and provincial experts, SOBC has approved some in-person sports in regions 3, 4 and 5 to run until Dec. 18. In 2021, SOBC will review all current situations and advise by Jan. 7 if programs can reopen.

Although that is true, our Local, SOBC-SC, had already halted their activities. Bocce completed its run earlier because of the weather. After a couple of very successful swim sessions, Head Coach Cathy Verge consulted with all appropriate channels and saw fit to wait until January

to reassess.

However, this fall saw something brand new for athletes, coaches and volunteers. “Virtual Competition” in bocce, athletics and golf!

Fifty-eight athletes in BC participated in real, live events in their own Locals.

They played hard and had fun. The virtual part came when their results were submitted to head office. Each Local’s results were tallied and compared with other Locals’ results in the same event in the same sport. That was the ‘competition’ part. Then all participants were mailed ribbons to mark their efforts.

Virtual opportunities for everyone to stay healthy are just as important, and luckily athletes and coaches have that chance as well. Zoom programs in Healthy Hearing, Healthy Lifestyle Coach Development and Women’s Health are offered through the website.

You may have already heard that hockey legend Howie Meeker passed away.

Howie, a four-time Stanley Cup winner with the Toronto

Maple Leafs and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, was also a dedicated supporter of the Special Olympics.

He spoke about Special O in 2016 upon his induction into the SOBC Hall of Fame.

Here is an excerpt from that speech: “I’m very, very excited to become a member of the Special Olympics BC Hall of Fame. For 45 years, people in this wonderful operation at every level coast to coast have made the experience something extra special in our lives. Much of our appreciation of what we have, and how lucky we are to have it, comes from Special Olympics athletes. I think we owe them, they don’t owe us, quite honestly. If you’re thinking there’s something missing in your life, and if you’ve got an extra buck or two, or better still a few hours a week to get involved, guaranteed you’ll hit the motherlode with Special Olympics.”

Thanks to Mr. Meeker for all his support over the years.

Here’s to the new year ahead and a new lease on life.

Report shows racism in BC health care Indigenous people in BC are exposed to widespread racism that often results in negative experiences at the point of care, inequitable medical treatment, physical harm, even death, the independent review into Indigenous-specific discrimination in the province’s health-care system has found.

Informed by the voices of nearly 9,000 Indigenous patients, family members, third-party witnesses and health-care workers, as well as unprecedented analysis of health data, the review found evidence of pervasive interpersonal and systemic racism that adversely affects patient and family experiences and long-term health outcomes for Indigenous peoples.

The report, “In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care,” concludes that this problem is widely acknowledged by many who work in the system. The report makes 24 recommendations to address what is a systemic problem deeply rooted in colonialism.

“Indigenous people and

health-care workers have spoken clearly – racism is an ugly and undeniable problem in BC health care that must be urgently addressed,” said Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, independent reviewer. “This report provides a blueprint for fundamental changes to beliefs, behaviours and systems that are necessary in order for us to root out racism and discrimination and ensure that the basic human rights of Indigenous people to respect, dignity and equitable health care are upheld.”

The review was launched in June by Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, after allegations were made about an organized “Price is Right” game involving guessing Indigenous patients’ blood alcohol levels in hospital emergency rooms. An examination of those allegations found no evidence of an organized game. The review found anecdotal and episodic evidence of multiple activities that resemble these allegations, but none of them could be described as organized, widespread or targeting only Indigenous patients.

“Nevertheless, our review found clear evidence of a much more widespread and insidious problem – a lack of cultural safety and hundreds of examples of prejudice and racism throughout the entire BC health-care system,” Turpel-Lafond said. “That doesn’t mean every Indigenous person who gets health care will experience direct or indirect racism, but it does mean that any Indigenous person could experience it.

Many of the accounts we heard were deeply disturbing, had clearly caused significant harm, and created lasting mistrust and fear of the health-care system.”

More than two-thirds of Indigenous respondents said they had experienced discrimination based on their ancestry – and only 16% reported “never” having been discriminated against – while accessing health care. More than one-third of non-Indigenous respondents reported having witnessed interpersonal racism or discrimination against Indigenous patients or their families and friends. Submitted

admin@thelocalweekly.ca WORK WANTED FOR HIRE - PROFESSIONAL GARDENER / certified horticulturalist. Offering landscape consultation, maintenance, renovation, small construction projects, & design plans. Hard working & reliable. Serving Roberts Creek & Gibsons.

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WE ACCEPT CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING AT: #213-5710 Teredo Street, Sechelt • BY PHONE: 604-885-3134 • BY EMAIL: admin@thelocalweekly.ca

AD DEADLINE NOON MONDAY AT THE OFFICE

• Private: 10 words 2 weeks $14.99 +GST • Business: 10 words 1 week $14.99+GST +GST

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The Local - Thursday, December 3, 2020 11

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Public Hearing

Please go to their website at https://sunshinecoast artscouncil.com/awards/ for further information on the awards and the Arts Council, and to download nomination forms. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 5, 2021.

Please send nominations to submissions@sunshine coastartscouncil.com or drop them off in person at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre at 5714 Medusa (at Trail) in Sechelt.

The awards will be presented at the Sunshine Coast Arts Council’s Virtual AGM on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 2pm.

Submitted

Sunnycrest Mall, Gibsons Beside Subway

December 4th to December 24th

Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:30am-5:30pm, Sun: 11am-4pm

ACROSS

1. Incurred when cost exceeds revenue 5. Time that has elapsed 9. Hammock 13. Malevolence 14. Additional 16. Woodwind instrument 17. Replete 18. Braid 19. Rage 20. Slumber 22. Appraise 24. Animal doctor, in short 26. Panache 27. Wide street 30. Afternoon nap 35. Health resort 36. Verity 39. Candle 40. In good health 42. Physically weak 44. Transport 45. Cake topping 47. Command 49. Frozen 50. Offer or sell from place to place 52. Adequate 54. Compass direction 57. Drink a little at a time 58. Elderly unmarried woman 62. Extended area of land 66. Expressed in words 67. Mistake 69. Merely 70. Look amorously 71. Lariat 72. At the summit 73. Fermentation sediment

74. Unwanted plant 75. Travel by horse DOWN

1. Comparative of little 2. Ellipse 3. Locate 4. Record cover 5. Liveliness 6. Wheel shaft 7. Musical notation 8. Test 9. Couch 10. Adjoin 11. Center of an object 12. Tonality 15. Book of maps

21. Closely confined 23. A division of quantity 25. Divot 27. Quickly 28. Legitimate 29. European currency 31. Consume 32. Small branch 33. Instruct 34. Military service 35. Transport commercially 37. Seafarer 38. Conceal 41. Terminate 43. Optical device 46. Narrow secluded valley

48. An overwhelming defeat 51. Tripod 53. Tumult 55. Drinking tube 56. Laconic 58. Herbaceous plant 59. Heap 60. Part of the Roman calendar 61. Dusty pink color 63. Not in favor of 64. Lout 65. Printed characters 66. Ancient Roman sun god 68. Pole

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CROSSWORD

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Municipal bylaws to enable the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society (SCCSS) Sechelt-based affordable housing project are slated to be the subject of a virtual Public Hearing on Dec. 8, at 6pm. The hearing will be hosted online using the Zoom platform. Additional project information and details on how to participate are available at Sechelt.ca.

The SCCSS plan is to develop affordable housing for women who have difficulty finding safe accommodation through re-development of its Inlet Avenue site. A proposed new six storey building has been designed to accommodate both 34 rental apartments and a ’service hub’ for the majority of SCCSS’ programs and services. These include a food bank, programs for family support and counselling services. The Local

Arts & Culture Award, for an individual who has made significant leadership contributions as a volunteer in the arts and/or cultural events on the Sunshine Coast.

• The Anne and Philip Klein Visual Arts Award, for an individual who began their creative endeavours later in life.

• The Gillian Lowndes Award, for an individual who has demonstrate long-standing achievement, innovation, and recent growth in their artistic discipline.

• The Louise Baril Memorial Music Award, for an individual who is undertaking advanced studies in music.

YEARS

of service

E

D

The Sunshine Coast Arts Council is looking for nominations for their 2020 Annual Awards. Their annual awards recognize outstanding individuals in the following categories: • The Frances Wasserlein Community Leadership in

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The Local - Thursday, December 3, 2020

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