The Local Weekly January 7, 2021

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Volume 19, Issue 01

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia • www.thelocalweekly.ca • Thursday, January 7, 2021 Throwback Thursday Page 6

COVID-19 Numbers Page 3

Gibsons Homicide

Slippery Slope

Page 3

SCRD Defends Hall Delay Page 3

Pool Reopening Page 5

Wood Stove Rebate Page 10

Forecasting Stone Page 11

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SCRD directors met for an emergency board meeting on New Year’s Eve to authorize spending up to $200,000 to reinforce two water supply mains that feed into the Chapman Creek water treatment plant. The watermains are at risk of failure due to a landslide, the cause of which is unknown but exasperated by the ongoing wet weather. The failure of both lines in the area would cut off the plant’s regular water supply. See page 3 for the story. PHOTOS SUBMITTED

The Local Weekly wants you to know that we are working diligently making sure you get the local news every week directly into your home mailboxes. We will continue to serve our readers during this disruptive time.

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Keep well and follow the advice of our local health authorities.

Susan Attiana, Publisher, 604-885-3134 www.thelocalweekly.ca

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The Local - Thursday, January 7, 2021

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The Local - Thursday, January 7, 2021 3

Landslide threatens Chapman Creek water supply mains The SCRDs Chapman Creek Water Treatment Plant’s main feed lines are at risk of failure due to nearby landslides, according to a report received at a hastily called Dec. 31 special board meeting.

Slope instability near the mains was reported to SCRD staff by members of the public on Dec. 19. Staff proceeded to monitor the area, noting land slippage increases in the final days of 2021. They requested a board meeting to get authorization to take

emergency action, as the failure of both lines in the area would cut off the plant’s normal water supply. While supplies from a reservoir or Gray Creek could be accessed, loss of the Chapman Creek mains could severely restrict the supply of SCRD water to about 23,000 residents of the southern areas of the Coast.

The board approved spending $200,000 for a temporary fix that will see a metal beam installed upslope from the site and the watermains secured to that installation.

Work is slated for this week.

General Manager of Infrastructure Services, Remko Rosenboom, told the board that a geotechnical analyst was involved in several meetings at the site. Although the cause of the instability has not been identified, it was determined that ongoing wet weather was increasing risks at the site. Staff placed polyvinyl rain sheets over areas where the watermains are located. Onsite meetings involving the geotechnical and contractors involved in the

beam installation established a plan of action to safely bring a smaller scale excavator to the site to undertake the reinforcement.

Rosenboom advised the board that if a main did break, staff at the plant would become aware within seconds, as incoming water pressure would drop and alarms would be activated. He noted that it would take staff about 30 to 45 minutes to reach the area where the mains are vulnerable to shut down water flow. To be prepared in case

this occurs, plant and water system staff were given a refresher on how to safely conduct these actions.

Rosenboom reported that the regional Emergency Operations Centre had been activated on Dec. 23. The centre will help manage the situation and coordinate communications with stakeholder organizations and the public.

With Environment Canada forecasting continued wet and stormy weather through Jan. 7, board members expressed concerns about the

state of ground conditions in the area. They asked that staff up efforts on communication plans and preparations to ensure continued potable water supplies are maintained. They identified that long-term planning related to this site and water supply security for the plant needs to be undertaken.

Board Chair Lori Pratt closed the 45-minute-long meeting by thanking staff for their “proactive and ongoing communications.”

Connie Jordison

SCRD Chairperson and Halfmoon Bay Area Director Lori Pratt wants decisions about community hall facilities that benefit the majority of residents. She also has concerns about rising property tax levels in the region.

To balance those factors, she will wait for a staff report on options to use an Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) grant before deciding on support for the renovation of Coopers Green Hall.

SCRD staff have been meeting with community groups and other organizations to prepare the report. Results of public outreach activities and a survey of rural residents on the issue set for January will also be included.

The hall renovation is estimated to cost $3.1 million.

The ICIP grant could cover up to 73 percent of those costs. About $300,000 from Halfmoon Bay Community Association fundraising and community amenity con-

tributions of $200,000 are also available. With construction costs rising and upgrades to project plans to meet building code changes needed, between $650,000 and $800,000 in rural tax base funding would still be required to pay for the hall upgrade.

The ICIP grant awarded to the SCRD is for a community hall with a commercial kitchen in the Halfmoon Bay area.

It is not tied to the Coopers Green project, and the funds

will remain available until 2027.

“Having a bit of flexibility on the spending timeframe, the board decided to take a step back and a second look at options,” said Pratt. Despite a 2018 community-based task force recommendation to expand the hall at the Coopers Green Park location, she explained that the SCRD wants to ensure that project is what the community wants and is willing to pay for. Pratt said the board asked staff to report on hall options from renovating Coopers Green, to building a second facility at a different location, to “not building at all because of the times we are in.”

“A lot of projects will be placing financial strain on our community in the years

ahead. I want to make sure we are being prudent about the projects that we are moving forward,” said Pratt.

Weighing heavy on her mind are initiatives related to the region’s water system and landfill facilities, which she identifies as “necessities.”

An option Pratt is looking to see addressed in the report is potential partnering with another organization, like the School District, to develop a joint-use facility with the ICIP money. She believes that alternative could mean the project could be paid for without additional taxpayer funding.

When asked about the delay in the decision regarding Coopers Green, Pratt stated, “the grant was announced in July, so it’s only been held up

by a couple of months.” Given the continued uncertainties faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, she said that starting the project earlier than 2021 would have been challenging.

Pratt explained that the ICIP grant report is to be considered at committee before the March round of the 2021 budget debate. If supported by the board, the Coopers Green renovation could begin next year. With strong local demand for housing and multiple large government and commercial construction projects on the horizon, Pratt cautions that securing contractors to build in the coming year may also be difficult.

Connie Jordison

Pratt defends Coopers Green Hall project delay

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

Schedule in Effect: October 13, 2020 to March 31, 2021 Crossing Time: 40 minutes Distance: 10.5 nautical miles

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The BC Centre for Disease Control local COVID-19 numbers for Dec. 20-26 show three confirmed cases on the Lower Sunshine Coast. BCCDC MAP

Charges laid in Gibsons homicide Kevin Christopher Webster has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the homicide of Moirin Gladys Webster.

On Dec. 27, 2020 at 11:20pm, the Sunshine Coast RCMP responded to a residence in the 500-block of Sargent Road in Gibsons and discovered the body of Moirin Webster inside the home with injuries consistent with homicide. Kevin Webster was arrested at the scene and taken into police

custody.

IHIT was called in to take conduct of the investigation and has been working closely with the Sunshine Coast RCMP and the other I-Teams to gather evidence.

On Dec. 28, 2020, Kevin Webster was charged with second-degree murder, and he remains in custody until his next court appearance this week.

This was a tragic isolated incident involving members of the same household, says Sergeant Frank Jang of IHIT.

There are no further concerns for the safety of the community resulting from this incident.

“On behalf of the Sunshine Coast RCMP, we send our deepest condolences to the family,” said Staff Sergeant Poppy Hallam, detachment commander of the Sunshine Coast RCMP. “This is a terrible tragedy, and our hearts are heavy.”

No further details will be released as the matter is now before the court.

Submitted by RCMP

(Sunshine Coast)

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The Local - Thursday, January 7, 2021

Letters to the Editor – Opinions Community spirit (Re: “Offensive cartoon,” Letters, the Local, Dec.17) What an amazing community I have recently moved into. Prompted by an invitation in the Letters to the Editor section to sign up for an annual Christmas Community Dinner pick-up at the Gibsons Legion on Dec. 20 (thank you, Peter Moonen), I registered for a dinner. Unfortunately, at the last moment, I was not able to drive to pick it up. When I called to cancel and suggest my supper be given to another person, I was told that someone would be pleased to drop it off at my home as they would be doing another drop off in Sechelt. Well, it happened, and I enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner that night.

My thanks to all involved.

It was a lovely experience of the community spirit and welcome I have often experienced since moving here. I look forward to being a part of this community and paying forward in many ways.

You are my kind of people!

Sue Oberhoffner, Wilson Creek

Kudos A huge thank you to Mackenzie and Tom coming to help fend sailboat Pilgrim off

Don for our the

beach on the night of Friday, Dec. 18.

My tie-up line to anchor abraded thru in a matter of four hours, sending us careening towards the beach in Porpoise Bay. I got three light anchors out, and the motor started but was still dragging into shallower water. My better half made the judgement call to phone Mackenzies Marine, and within 10 minutes, Don Mackenzie in his 80s and his deckhand Tom came alongside and secured a bowline and towed us to Don’s dock. We live aboard, and this selfless act which Don refused to be compensated for meant everything to us.

Kudos to you both for your help.

Steve Leander, Porpoise Bay, Sechelt

publisher@thelocalweekly.ca

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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.

Weekly Cartoon

(Re: “Charity chairs,” front page, the local, Dec. 3) Just a note to say thanks for the great coverage of our recent Children’s Chair Auction.

We were able to raise slightly more than our goal of $35,000 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

The money will go to the Grandmothers Campaign to support African Grandmothers who are so resil-

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who came into the art gallery to pick up their chairs, and many referenced the Local.

Thank you to you and your readers for the support, and a Happy New Year to all.

Betty Masson, Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign

Many thanks from the Grandmothers

@TheLocalWeekly

Susan Attiana

ient in finding ways to support themselves and their orphaned grandchildren.

The online auction was a new experience for us, and we are quite delighted with the results.

Many thanks for your timely front page colourful show of our chairs. The 16 artists were so generous!

I actually asked the folks

This publication reserves the right to refuse any advertising that it considers to contain false or misleading information or involves unfair or unethical practices. The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of error in any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement.

The Local Weekly is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact publisher@thelocalweekly.ca or 1-604885-3134. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

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Editorial Opinion Economics should reflect what really matters When you pause to reflect on what’s truly essential and meaningful for you to thrive, what comes to mind?

Is it about having more?

Or having better? Is it about all the buying or the genuine caring? Is it about over-consuming or connecting and sharing? Is it about loving stuff and status or simply loving? As we experience disruption on a scale not seen since the Second World War, people in Canada are taking note of what’s really important to them. That can lay the foundation for new ways of thinking about a better economy for tomorrow.

We often confound “economy” and “economics.”

Words matter. In this time of crisis, we’re hearing rhetoric aimed at convincing us that caring for our personal health and that of our loved ones is locked in an antagonistic tension with protecting the economy’s “health.”

Yet, the word “economy” refers to all the interconnected social actions every person does daily. It’s about the way you live your life and the way everyone around you lives theirs. It includes the stories we tell, the knowledge we share, the making, exchanging and

trading. It describes how we experience and govern our collective lives on a shared planet.

“Economics,” on the other hand, is about how we think about the economy and what its purpose should or could be. As we’re witnessing at this extraordinary moment in history, often what we feel matters most in our times of need is not aligned with the purpose we gave our economy before this crisis.

It’s also interesting that the words “economy” and “ecology” both come from the Greek “oikos,” meaning “domain” or “household.”

Ecologists seek the principles, rules and laws that enable species to flourish sustainably. Economists are meant to “manage” our activity within the biosphere, our domain – ideally within the rules and strictures ecologists find.

Before the pandemic, we thought of our economy as an engine, the main purpose of which was to burn through natural resources quickly to produce as much money as possible using the cheapest, most abstract notion of labour. That equation omits human beings with all our complexities and the “pale blue dot” on which we

all depend. It wasn’t exactly intentional.

This equation was agreed to at the end of a war, under the assumption that more trade between nations would ensure global peace and prosperity. In 1944, representatives from 44 countries met in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, to create a more efficient foreign exchange system and to promote economic growth. Out of crisis, a new way of managing our economics emerged. Although the system was changed in the 1970s, it maintained its earlier purpose.

Now, many politicians are ascribing war language to the pandemic response. But what will we do when this “war” is over? Will we allow an old equation to continue to guide us, or could we choose to come together to define a new purpose?

People everywhere are in distress. Our health and livelihoods are threatened.

The social fabric of togetherness is impeded by a need to stay physically distant from each other. The old systems haven’t been able to respond to our needs in meaningful ways, so governments have had to use unusual interventions to ensure the collective good.

The old way of thinking about the economy, the established economics, has been exposed as inadequate and flawed.

But through this distress and disruption, we’ve seen glimmers of transformative potential. Incredible acts of kindness and collective caring have become normal.

People are applying novel means of digital creativity to support each other. Some businesses have pivoted from short-term, profit-first motives to purpose-driven actions in response to real needs.

We’re witnessing the surfacing of tangible inspirations for the re-imaging of a Canadian economy – one explicitly designed to deliver the well-being and resilience people need to flourish – and that nature can provide today and for generations to come.

At the end of the Second World War, it took just three weeks for a small group of men to design what would become a new purpose driving the postwar global economy. As this crisis comes to an end, will we embrace the opportunity to do better?

Together, we can design an economics for what matters.

David Suzuki

The Local - Thursday, January 7, 2021 5

2021 property assessments in the mail Property owners can expect to receive their 2021 assessment notices this week, which reflect market value as of July 1, 2020.

Assessed values for homes in the Town of Gibsons rose two percent, while the District of Sechelt went up six percent. The average single-family residential home in Gibsons is valued at $671,000, compared to $657,000 a year earlier. And the average single-family residential home in Sechelt is valued at $600,000, compared to $568,000 the previous year.

“Despite COVID-19, the Lower Mainland residential real estate market has been resilient,” says BC Assessment Deputy Assessor Bryan Murao. “For the most part, homeowners can expect relatively moderate increases in value. This incredible strength is a stark contrast to last spring when the market came to a temporary standstill, whereas the remainder of the year had a very steady and rapid recovery.”

“The commercial and industrial markets, however, have been much more varied with both decreases and increases depending upon the specific sector,” adds Murao.

“While commercial sales activity has remained low, value changes have been moderate across many property types.”

For the Lower Mainland region, the overall total assessments have increased from about $1.41 trillion in 2020 to about $1.46 trillion this year.

Over $15 billion of the region’s updated assessments is from new construction, subdivisions and rezoning of properties. BC Assessment’s Lower Mainland region includes all of Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley as well as the Sea to Sky area and the Sunshine Coast.

“Those who feel that their property assessment does not reflect market value as of July 1, 2020, or see incorrect information on their notice, should contact BC Assessment as indicated on their notice as soon as possible in January,” says Murao.

“If a property owner is still concerned about their assessment after speaking to one of our appraisers, they may submit a Notice of Complaint (Appeal) by Feb.1, for an independent review by a Property Assessment Review Panel.”

The Property Assessment Review Panels, independent of BC Assessment, are appointed annually by the provincial government and typically meet between Feb. 1 and March 15 to hear formal complaints.

“It is important to understand that changes in property assessments do not automatically translate into a corresponding change in property taxes,” explains Murao. “As noted on your Assessment Notice, how your

assessment changes relative to the average change in your community is what may affect your property taxes.”

As BC’s trusted provider of property assessment information, BC Assessment collects, monitors and analyzes property data throughout the year. Their website at bcassessment.ca includes more details about 2021 assessments, property information and trends such as lists of 2021’s top valued residential properties across the province. The website also provides self-service access to a free, online property assessment search service that allows anyone to search, check and compare 2021 property assessments for anywhere in the province. Property owners can also unlock additional property search features by registering for a free BC Assessment custom account to check a property’s 10-year value history, store/access favourites, create comparisons, monitor neighbourhood sales, and use their interactive map. The Local

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Real estate sales determine a property’s value, which is reported annually by BC Assessment. Local governments and other taxing authorities are responsible for property taxation and, after determining their own budget needs this spring, will calculate property tax rates based on the assessment roll for their jurisdiction. METRO CREATIVE PHOTO

ing, Recreation Services Manager Graeme Donn reported that installation of the glass safety barrier at the pool reception counter and equipment testing was being undertaken in late December.

Facility staff orientation and training updates, as well as onsite risk assessments and safety planning, were slated to begin on Jan. 4.

Donn indicated that the number of patrons that will be allowed in the pool will

be limited to 12. Plans are to restrict access to the hot tub to one individual or members of a single-family ”bubble.”

He stated that aquafit classes would not be permitted until further notice. Donn noted that these numbers will be adjusted as permitted.

Patrons planning to use the facility must register in advance.

Pre-registration is open at scrd.ca/gibsonsdistrict-aquatic-facility.

Connie Jordison

RCMP seek witnesses in Sechelt crash The Sunshine Coast RCMP are seeking witnesses for a single-vehicle crash that occurred at 11:14am on Dec. 31, 2020, in the 5800 block of Sunshine Coast Hwy, Sechelt, BC. An orange Dodge Ram pickup was travelling westbound on the Sunshine Coast Hwy just east

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Gibson pool reopening Staff are preparing for a limited reopening of Gibsons Pool starting on Jan. 11.

Full details of the reopening remain in development.

“We are waiting to hear what the updated provincial health orders will be on Jan. 8, and how that will impact our programming and services at the facility,” said Cecilia Garcia, SCRD communications officer.

At the Dec. 17 SCRD infrastructure committee meet-

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of Shorncliffe Avenue when it lost control and ran off the left side of the road. The driver was transported to Sechelt Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The passenger reported no serious injuries.

If you or someone you know witnessed the incident or have dash camera video

from the area at approximately 11:14am on Dec. 31, 2020, near the 5800 block of Sunshine Coast Hwy, Sechelt, please call the RCMP at 604-8852266 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 and reference file number 20208983.

Submitted by RCMP

2021 COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM GRANTS The deadline for grant applications to the 2021 Community Investment Program is: Monday, February 8, 2021 at 4:00pm.

Registered non-profit and charitable organizations seeking assistance from the District of Sechelt are invited to apply.

Application forms and program details are available at the District of Sechelt office, 5797 Cowrie St. and via sechelt.ca under “Live”.

Contact: Siobhán Smith Arts, Culture & Communications Coordinator grants@sechelt.ca www.sechelt.ca | info @ sechelt.ca | 604-885-1986

6

The Local - Thursday, January 7, 2021

As the New Year begins and 2020 has come to a close, it is a fitting opportunity to take stock of how fortunate we are to call the Sunshine Coast home – a place where compassion, commitment and resilience combine to provide a quality of life that is

second to none.

In our lifetime, we have never experienced anything quite like the COVID-19 pandemic, causing large scale changes to our community and our economy. There are several new challenges and impacts that we, as a regional district, will continue to have to face in the coming years as a result of the pandemic.

As we look ahead to 2021, there are a number of large projects on the horizon at the Sunshine Coast Regional

District (SCRD). Significant work on our landfill, upgrades to four dams operated by the SCRD and investments in our fire departments make up just some of the projects in the coming year. For 2021, 94 new project proposals were presented to the board for consideration, and an estimated 113 projects are being carried forward from prior years. Carry-forward projects and the associated funding must be included in the 2021-2025 Financial

Langdale Elementary is one of 10 schools in the province being awarded a 2021 Active School Travel Pilot Program grant. It will be receiving $10,000 from the BC Healthy Communities Society. The funding will be used for initiatives to encourage more Coast students to travel on foot, via foot-powered wheels or on public transit on their trips to and from school.

The announcement was made by the school’s Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) on Dec. 20. The PAC applied for the grant as a follow-up to a webinar it co-hosted with Vancouver Coastal Health in October. That session revealed that only 18 percent of Coast school students travel actively from their homes to their classrooms. It discussed the benefits of that activity and methods that could be used to increase the number of Coast students that take part in it.

PAC member Miyuki Shinkai reported that the budget for their program would likely be finalized in February. The funding can be used for a range of activ-

ities. These include paying for a crosswalk guard to help children cross vehicle lanes safely at school arrival and departure times, workshops around safe cycling and walking practices, along with public outreach and education on how active travel to school can benefit children. The group will be making use of resources that School District #46 has available on the subject in Coastwide poster and promotion campaigns.

Another initiative that will be promoted is the “walking school bus” concept, where the safety of students walking to school is improved by having them travel as a group.

She is hopeful that parents and other neighbours looking to make good on their New Year’s resolutions to get more exercise will be willing to volunteer to walk with and supervise students in this activity.

As an education assistant at Langdale Elementary, Shinkai has seen how outdoor activity can help build a young person’s confidence and ability to learn. She noted that many area fami-

lies struggle to pay for programs to help their children build those skills. “Walking to school doesn’t cost anything, unlike most organized sport or other activities,” said Shinkai.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is funding the active travel pilot project as part of the Province’s CleanBC plan and Active Transportation Strategy.

That strategy is committed to investing in ways to make it easier for people to commute to work or school using active transportation methods. Its goal is to help improve the health of residents through increased physical activity and protect healthy air quality by reducing pollution from motor vehicle emissions.

Introducing the strategy in June 2019, then Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Claire Trevena committed to “giving more people the opportunity to choose an active mode of travel.” By 2030, the province has set a target of doubling the proportion of trips taken using active transportation.

Connie Jordison

Regional Review Lori Pratt

Sunshine Coast Regional District Chair and Area B Director

Active transportation grant received

Plan.

All of these projects come at a cost, which will result in increases on utility and property tax bills in the coming months. We understand these increased rates will put additional strain on many during an already challenging time. What is important for you to understand is that these projects are necessary for us to sustain services that we all depend on each and every day in the SCRD. To ensure that we are transparent in our financial reporting, we must adopt a Financial Plan Bylaw annually by March 31. An integral portion of this process is public participation and

involvement from our local government stakeholders. This plays a key role in the development of the plan.

The first round of budget meetings will consider a wide range of projects and cost-based priorities, including those from community partners and stakeholders, such as libraries, museums, youth services and economic development entities.

These are scheduled to take place on Feb. 1 and 2, 2021.

The second round of budget meetings are scheduled for March 4 and 5, 2021.

We will continue to follow the Provincial Health Officer’s direction in relation

to how you can participate, which at this time will continue to be electronically.

Agenda packages and information on how to participate electronically are available at www.scrd.ca/agendas-2021.

In spite of these extraordinary times, I continue to be inspired by this community that has, in so many ways, come together to help each other through uncertainty and adversity. This is the mindset and spirit that is necessary to navigate these hard times. I am confident that together, we will weather these storms and emerge as a stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable community.

Local THROWBACK THURSDAY

the

Here is a 1954 photo of the new telephone switchboard at the Sechelt BC Telephone office. The two men are Vancouver switchboard installers. The woman seated is head operator Eileen Cummins, and to her right is Margaret Rankin, later Mrs. Burley. Visit the SC Museum’s online collection to view 7,000+ digital archival photographs. SCMA PHOTO #173

Peanut allergy treatment lowers risk in preschoolers It’s a peanut-filled world – or at least it can feel that way for kids with peanut allergies.

But a new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital gives hope to parents and kids who face real danger from exposure to peanuts.

“There’s a common misperception about peanut allergies – that it’s not a serious health issue. Although the risk of a fatal reaction to

peanuts is low in patients with peanut allergy, it has a major impact on quality of life, and many families feel hopeless in dealing with what can seem like an unmanageable problem,” said the study’s senior author Dr. Edmond Chan, head of the division of pediatric allergy and immunology at UBC’s faculty of medicine and clinical investigator at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.

The study, recently pub-

After one year of treatment, nearly 80 percent of study participants could eat 15 peanuts without a reaction. METRO CREATIVE PHOTO

lished in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, is the first to demonstrate that exposing children to a small, regular dose of an allergen (in this case, peanuts) in a real-world setting (outside of a clinical trial) is effective in reducing the risk of allergic reactions.

The treatment method, known as oral immunotherapy, involves gradually increasing the amount of peanuts (or peanut products) given to the child. One treatment aim is to reach desensitization, whereby the child can ingest a full serving of peanuts without triggering a dangerous reaction. Another goal is protection in the event of accidental exposure and lessening or eliminating the need for epinephrine injections in response to reactions. To sustain their level of immunity, the child must continue to eat peanut products on a regular basis.

Over the course of this study, 117 preschool-age children – between the ages of nine months and five years – with peanut allergies from

across Canada received a daily maintenance dose of 300mg of peanut protein – equivalent to about one peanut or a quarter teaspoon of peanut butter.

After one year, the researchers found that nearly 80 percent of the preschoolers were able to eat 15 peanuts (equivalent to 4000mg of peanut protein) without reaction during an allergist-supervised oral challenge. And almost every child (more than 98 percent) who participated in the study could eat three to four peanuts without reaction, which is enough to protect from 99 percent of accidental exposures.

Although some children in the study (21.4 percent) experienced an allergic reaction during the allergist-supervised oral challenge, the reactions were mild (14.5 percent) or moderate (six percent). Two children received epinephrine for moderate reactions. There were no severe reactions.

This study follows another analysis by the same re-

searchers last year that was the first to demonstrate the safety of peanut oral immunotherapy for a large group of preschool-aged children when offered as a routine treatment in a hospital or clinic rather than within a clinical trial.

“Now, thanks to oral immunotherapy, these kids can accidentally eat something with peanut butter in it – like a cookie or cake – and not suffer a reaction, which is wonderful news for the families,” said the study’s lead author Dr. Lianne Soller, UBC allergy research manager based at BC Children’s Hospital.

For Ravinder Dhaliwal, oral immunotherapy has been a game-changer for her family and six-year-old daughter, Saiya, who was diagnosed with a peanut allergy when she was still an infant.

“Before starting therapy, our lives were filled with anxiety because every outing revolved around her food allergies,” said Ravinder. “Now, we can go to a restaurant or a birthday party without being in constant fear.”

As one of the participants in the study, Saiya started receiving maintenance therapy in the spring of 2018, eating a small amount of peanut product every day. One year later, she was able to eat 20 peanuts in a sitting without having a reaction.

Today, Saiya is not only eating peanut butter sandwiches three times a week – she is enjoying the flavour of peanut products for the first time in her life and asking for them as a treat.

“Having gone through oral immunotherapy, I don’t feel scared anymore – it’s like having a shield to protect my child. The experience has been empowering for all of us,” said Ravinder.

According to Chan and Soller, the earlier children undergo oral immunotherapy, the better. If left unchecked, peanut allergies most often become life-long, and reactions can become more severe, which can result in social isolation, bullying, and anxiety.

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The Local - Thursday, January 7, 2021 7

Local SERVICES, RESTAURANTS, RESORTS, SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC

the

Local

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WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE SUNSHINE COAST... in Gibsons, Sechelt & Pender Harbour!

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Friday, January 8

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• Sunshine Coast Botanical Gardens are open, 5941 Mason Road, Sechelt, winter hours 11am-4pm • Art Exhibition: Friends of the Gallery (FOG) 2021 Group Show (Jan. 8 – Feb. 7), Sunshine Coast Arts Centre, 5714 Medusa St., Sechelt, 12-4pm • Friday night mixology meetup: Rotary FUNdraiser – $50 includes access to all seven mixology sessions, Friday nights at 6pm, details at www.rotarysunshinecoast.org

• Astronomy Club presents speakers Michael Bradley & Richard Mitchell on “The Sun is Awakening: How Can We View It?” online at Zoom, 7pm, details at www.coastastronomy.ca

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2021 homeowner grant The 2021 Home Owner Grant threshold is set at $1.625 million, ensuring the same percentage of British Columbia homeowners continue to be eligible.

New in 2021, the Province is taking over full administration of the grant program to ease the burden on municipalities. The Province already administers the grant for rural homeowners. Homeowners in all municipalities will now submit their applications directly to the Province instead of through their municipal office. Similar to previous years, applications will open in May when a majority of property tax notices are received.

As in previous years, homeowners are reminded to keep their property as-

sessment notice from BC Assessment or property tax notice from their municipality.

They will need their roll and jurisdiction number from their notice to apply for the Home Owner Grant with the Province.

The grant is reduced by $5 for every $1,000 of assessed value above the threshold.

Some low-income seniors, veterans and people with disabilities can also apply for a supplement that replaces any grant amount they lose due to the value of their home being over the threshold.

Homeowners may also be eligible for property tax deferment if they are 55 years or older or are financially supporting a dependent child.

Submitted

• Gibsons Library Saturday Book Club on Zoom: The End of Eddy by Édouard Louis, everyone is welcome, 10am-noon, for details go to gibsons.bc.libraries.coop/event

Monday, January 11

• Pender Harbour Literacy Crawl (Jan. 11-29), explore your neighbourhood and search for the “Words in the Woods” to win a draw prize, details (on p.32) at www.harbourspiel.com/ files/harbour-spiel-january-2021-issue.pdf

Wednesday, January 13

• Gibsons Library Wednesday Book Club on Zoom: The F*ck It Diet by Caroline Dooner (next month’s book is Monday Was a Simpler Time: Reflections on a Pandemic), 6-7pm, for details go to gibsons.bc.libraries.coop/event • Ron Campbell Live on Facebook: Ron’s latest virtual show of old-time blues, jazz and originals, 6:30pm, go to Facebook.com/RonCampbellMusic

Saturday, January 16

• New Painting Patagonia live online workshop with Lucas Kratochwil – learn Lucas’s personal landscape painting techniques alongside him from the comforts of your home, 9:30am to 12:30pm, details at www.lucaskratochwil.com/workshops • Intro to Tapestry (Jan 16-17) – Learn the art of tapestry weaving! Join local artist Janna Maria Vallee in a two-day tapestry weaving intensive workshop, The Arts Building, 464 S. Fletcher Rd, Gibsons, 11am-4pm, get tickets/register online at www.eventbrite.ca/e/intro-to-tapestry-tickets-127074570461 Includes listings compiled by the Coast Cultural Alliance. More details & more listings – including virtual events – at suncoastarts.com

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ICBC insurance renewals to go online May 2022 British Columbians will have the additional convenience of being able to renew their ICBC auto insurance online starting in May 2022.

When ICBCs online insurance model launches, customers will be able to renew personal insurance and get temporary operation permits, with some restrictions. More products are expected to be made available in the future.

“We know British Columbians want more convenience when they purchase and renew their auto insurance,” said Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general. “This is another important step to make ICBC work better for British Columbians.

While we make progress toward online renewals, our main focus remains on delivering Enhanced Care coverage and an average 20 percent reduction in insurance rates for British Columbians.”

The regulatory and technical work required for these online services will take place over the coming year. This includes consultations to ensure BCs broker community is ready for the forthcoming changes and the development of regulations that are needed relating to the licence plate decal requirement. Decal-related consultations are underway with stakeholders, including brokers, police agencies and road safety partners, and a decision on the future of the decal requirement is expected in 2021.

In addition to offering email and phone insurance renewal options during the COVID-19 pandemic, ICBC recently launched email sign-up to send important communications like renewal reminders to customers.

It has also started direct deposit registration as the latest initiative in its shift to more online services.

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8

The Local - Thursday, January 7, 2021

Local

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NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Healthy and easy to keep resolutions

Resolve to read more, reap the benefits

The dawn of a new year is a great time to take stock of the year that just passed and set goals for the next 12 months. Resolutions focused on improving personal health are especially popular, and for good reason. Improving one’s overall health can have positive implications for years to come.

Even with the best intentions, resolutions have historically proven hard to keep.

Simplifying health-based resolutions can lead to a higher success rate and a healthier you.

• Walk more. It is easy to get preoccupied with the “10,000 steps per day” mantra that many people follow and that certain fitness trackers promote. Walking 10,000 steps daily, which equates to roughly five miles per day, is a healthy goal, but it may not be realistic for everyone. Take stock of how many steps you currently take each day, and then resolve to walk 2,000 more. As your body acclimates to walking more, add another 2,000 steps, continuing to do so until you reach 10,000 steps.

• Learn something new about being healthy. Informed health decisions require gaining a greater

It may be tempting to curl up on the couch and turn on the television to unwind, but research indicates that reading is one of the best workouts for the brain. The World Health Organization says that doctors diagnose nearly 10 million new cases of dementia each year. With so many people understandably concerned about any and all cognitive issues related to aging, the search is continually on to find ways to strength-

understanding of your body.

Rely on a reputable source such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more about how to be healthy.

• Spend less time on social media. Staring at your phone or tablet for multiple hours, browsing tweets or checking messages, might not be the best thing for your physical and mental health. Browsing the internet may take up time that could be better spent engaging in physical activity. According to Dr. Elia Abi-Jaoude, a staff psychiatrist at the Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto Western Hospital, various studies have shown how excessive social media usage can adversely affect relationships, sense of self, sleep, academic performance, and emotional well-being.

• Eat more whole foods.

Whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish, contain various nutrients the body needs to function at peak capacity. These foods may help reduce the risk of many diseases and help people maintain healthy body weights. Start slowly by introducing a new whole food to your diet each day.

A gradual approach is more manageable than going on a drastic diet.

• Avoid sweetened beverages. You are what you eat, but also what you drink. A report published in 2006 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, particularly carbonated soft drinks, may be a key contributor in the epidemic of overweight and obesity. Skip sweetened beverages (even fruit juices can be unhealthy if consumed in excess) and opt for more water or unsweetened teas.

• Find a physical activity you like. Rather than resolving to join the gym or signing up for a 5K because it’s what everyone is doing, find a physical activity you truly enjoy and aim to do it a few times a week. Maybe it’s a sport like tennis or recreational cycling with the family.

Avoid restrictive health and wellness resolutions that can be unsustainable.

By downsizing expectations and taking small steps en route to your goals, you may be more motivated to stay the course and realize your resolutions.

Metro Creative

w w w. t h e l o c a l w e e k l y. c a

en the mind’s muscle. It may be as simple as picking up a book.

People make New Year’s resolutions to improve their lives, and reading more can be a great way to do just that. According to the online health and wellness resource, The Healthy (www. thehealthy.com), reading has been associated with language reception in the left temporal cortex of the brain.

When this part of the brain

The search is continually on to find ways to strengthen the mind’s muscle. It may be as simple as picking up a book.

METRO CREATIVE PHOTO

processes written material, neurons begin working hard to transmit information. Research conducted by Stanford University indicated that MRI scans of people who are deep into a Jane Austen novel showed an increase in blood flowing to areas of the brain that control both cognitive and executive function.

When the brain is working efficiently, it may be less prone to some of the issues that can cause a decline in memory and brain function.

Research published in the journal Neurology found frequent brain exercise through reading lowered mental decline by 32 percent.

Of course, the benefits of reading extend beyond the physical. Literary fiction can help people be more empathetic. Getting lost in a book and the characters’ stories makes others more relatable.

Reading has the potential to help a person understand what people are thinking, offers research published in the journal Science.

Picking up a good book also can help a person gain knowledge of new cultures, ideas and history and even improve vocabulary.

Picking up a newspaper or magazine, joining a book club or reading with children are just a few of the many ways to improve the mind through reading. Metro Creative

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The Local - Thursday, January 7, 2021 9

A new year is upon us! This month we will take a brief look back at some 2020 Special O. Despite a global pandemic that strangled the world (and continues to do so), Special Olympics was far from defeated. Although our specific Local was only active until the shut down began, we are ready to restart both swim-

ming and bocce when we are given the green light by provincial health and Special O head office.

Elsewhere in British Columbia: Competitions, both virtual and in-person, were paramount before and after COVID-19 was identified.

The biggest was the National Games in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where Team BCs 143 athletes picked up 145 medals!

One heartwarming story happened during a curling match. Team Leprechauns from Burnaby/Richmond

witnessed an athlete of another team become distressed after an error in play. The team laid down their brooms and comforted the player until they could continue. SO Beautiful!

Although 2020 was a big number, Special O had its own great numbers!

• 1,000 SOBC athletes participated in virtual events and activities!

• 2,441 people were reached via Facebook Live!

• 13,983 views were reached on SOBCs Health Resources website!

• 58 athletes took part in the very first Virtual Competitions.

• And Special Olympics celebrated 40 years of making a sincere and strong difference!

As the original self-taught athlete reporter in SOBC, I am pleased to see that formal training is underway to encourage others to blaze their own path!

On Dec. 15, 15 athletes from around BC completed SOBC Virtual Athlete Reporter training! They built skillsets such as storytelling, technology, and social media. Origi-

nally created by SOBC Victoria’s PR Coordinator Andrea Boyes and Public Speaking Organizer Tess van Straaten, this program was also led by SOBC Communications Manager Megan Pollock. All who participated showed terrific abilities in writing, interviewing, storytelling and filming.

Meanwhile, facemasks have become an essential fashion trend, and SOBC has entered into the game by designing and distributing masks to athletes across the province. The masks come in red or black and are emblazoned with the

SOBC logo.

While fundraising has been limited this year, financial assistance has continued. We are grateful for grants from the District of Sechelt and the Town Of Gibsons, and the SCRD for our swim program. We also appreciate the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation, whose donation helped purchase the SO logo masks and COVID-19 supplies for bocce.

This new year holds hope and promise for the future of Special Olympics and the world as a whole. Here’s to it!

Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19) This week will synchronize with an awakening of new perceptions. Whether by instinct, intuition, outer sources of information, or circumstances specific to your life, new perceptions will be activated. Practical considerations linked to finances are featured. You are determined to see where things are going and to take action accordingly. The future beckons and you are paying attention.

Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) As eager as you are to reflect upon the bigger picture, more immediate responses are required.

Changes in your public and professional life and/or in the world

generally are shifting quickly now and require your full attention.

A ‘go big’ attitude is guiding your actions. This is no time to be casual or even philosophical. Circumstances are requiring your full and sober attention.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) A steady process of transformation and empowerment continues.

It includes stripping away now irrelevant dreams, fantasies, and wishful thinking, on one hand, and the awakening of new ideals, realizations, and interpretations, on the other. These new perceptions may also be described as future visions, new philosophies, and a keen determination to learn new things.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) You have entered a powerful cycle of change. In the short term, it is linked to your relationship, both professional and personal. Positively, it is activating a determination to be more empowered via a process of transformation of some

kind. This can manifest as simply as letting go of old perceptions, self-concepts, and approaches and replacing them with fresh new ones…

Leo (July 23-Aug. 23) A whole new scope and quality of expansion are steadily emerging in your life. In the bigger picture, it implies a steady process of building upon new foundations.

Improvement and refinement are implied. Discipline and a willingness to pay your dues via steady efforts and focus are featured in the long term plot. New associations are indicated. One way or another, you will experience an increase.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 22) A creative mood is carrying you into the New Year. It includes a learning curve that will and probably has already begun to activate new skills and achieve new levels of awareness. A sturdy determination to forge ahead brings some emphasis to your home environ-

ment. Cleaning, clearing, and getting organized with projects you want to tackle this year are all featured.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Taking stock of what is important in your life and with an eye for the future is keeping you busy as the year begins. Whether you are investing in extra reserves and supplies or the tools and materials required to get things done, a growing list with multiple categories is likely. Guided by ambitious determination, you want to take action now to feel as secure as you can, going forward.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You have arrived at an important juncture in your life. It includes a process of building confidence and summoning the courage to face any fears necessary to lay claim to latent gifts and talents.

The time has come to retrieve these even if it takes months or even years to fully gain access of and integrate these into your dai-

ly life. The effort will be worth it because it amounts to retrieving buried treasure.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) In the short term, you are busy establishing a base that is organized, reliable, and efficient.

Whether this refers to your home, your workplace, or to your overall health, it feels important and will compel you to follow through. Doing so will contribute to a steady process of creating a whole new state of balance in your life that is already underway. Clean-up to clear your mind.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Your sights are set on the future. There is work to do and you know it. You likely do not have all the knowledge and leverage that you would like and so you are determined to source those people and networks that will give you access. A creative strategy is required and you feel both excited and determined to make one. Focus on the bigger tasks and leave

the details for later.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) A process of completing any unfinished business from last year combined with an ambitious determination to expand and increase in 2021 is guiding your focus. This includes taking initiatives to get organized with projects close to home. Fortunately, both your ability to focus and to project your visions to a wider scope regarding the future will increase this week.

Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Planning for the future is a central them now and you are wise to follow through to get things started early in the year. It remains that existing projects and activities already started last year and earlier and bringing these to completion will likely go better and prove more satisfying than trying to enter into new ventures. Fortunately, your intuitions are flowing strongly so act on them.

role, your focus will be much more fully on the here and now. New friendships play a key role.

Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20) You will charge out of the gates early in 2021. Your pace will be determined yet possibly staggered to outmaneuver any opposition. This will lead you to aspire to power. If you gain authority, you will demand unwavering allegiance from those who follow your lead.

In many respects, this will feel like your time and you fully intend to claim what you deem yours. Your energy levels will remain high.

Your energy levels will not only be running high, they will be fueled with emotional resolve. Recovering any lost ground will be your first objective and then you will build.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Somehow, you have emerged from 2020, transformed. Positively, you have become more assertive and determined; a momentum that is likely to continue. Now, you see a higher truth and vision.

While committed, something else is also dissolving and this may amount to certain dreams and ideals. Yet, you will not yield without a fight. This is especially true if you feel you have something to fight for. Otherwise, you may choose to slip away somehow to meditate upon higher truths. Either way you will direct your energies to activities behind the scenes.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Big changes are in store in 2021 and the year begins with these underway. These changes could manifest as both your personal values and your creative resolve.

A revolutionary impulse is strong as 2020 begins leading you to assert yourself to lay claim to earned rights and rewards. You may feel pushed by circumstances to yield,

accept, and adapt. Positively, this will lead you even further into a creative focus. You will feel guided and inspired to dig deep to access new levels of originality. Genuine expressions of integrity and power will be the main challenge.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) A whole new level of commitment to building for your future and improving upon existing projects, skills, and talents is featured. This refinement process will likely also be directed to your own personal growth in support of this resolve. You will continue to reach out to meet new friends and perhaps business partners and to expand your overall scope of connection and influence in the world. This process will come with changes in your career and public life. Whatever happens, trust they will be for the better and focus to break through prior limitations.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sep. 22) A complex year is in store for us all and for you it will center on preparing to increase your outreach to the world. You will actually get a sneak preview of this in late spring into July. Yet, the preparation process is meant to occur all year.

Creativity is a keyword and part of the challenge includes taking authority over unclaimed creative prowess. This will require clarity of focus and inner and outer work.

Be ready to face your fears to expand and become more fully you.

Technical knowledge will likely be required. Get clear early to dig deep to access your power.

Libra (Sep. 23 - Oct. 22) Establishing a more solid based on your creative power and abilities are highlighted in 2021. The going may not be fast, but it will be sure. You may, however, have to contend with a healing process and you are probably wise to take

this quite seriously. This process includes learning as well and not just being told what you need and what to do. Be open to understanding yourself and your needs better and aim for self-honesty to see blind spots and negative attitudes and behavior patterns.

Focus on a patient and realistic vision for the longer-term.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) Some years push us to dig deeper than others and this will be one of them for you. The biggest challenge may be deciphering which skills and talents to focus on first.

Yet, there is also the possibility that given the choice, you will take the lower, easy road, to passively settle for less. Make efforts to avoid this as the higher, if harder road, will bring greater rewards all around. The overall process will bring about changes on relationship fronts. This could also apply to your career. Face your fears and take risks to lay claim to what you truly want.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) Themes of freedom, truth, and justice will become much more pronounced in 2021. The biggest challenge will be connecting the dots accurately of the multifarious knowledge you will feel excited and determined to learn.

This learning curve will extend into 2023 so, you have time. In the short term, it may feel like you were in a dark room and now suddenly all the lights are on. You will likely get to work early in the year, and the learning curve could prove steep at times, which may include unlearning what you previously understood or believed.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) 2021 will be a year of both consolidation and expansion for you.

The emphasis will be upon making every effort count. Investment

is a keyword and applies to both energy output and finances. You will push to break through any existing barriers. Your pace will prove revolutionary guided by a determined resolve. Supported by a vision of service, your goal is to bring your dreams into reality.

The challenge will be confronting whether your interpretation of reality is realistic or idealistic.

Be open to discussion and make efforts to adjust to being more realistic.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) 2021 will prove to be an expansive year for you. Yet, it will also be a busy one that will require patience, discipline, and diligence.

Some of the focus will be directed to your home and family as changes roll-in that require your direct attention. Translating challenges into goals and the prospect of realizing dreams will spur you on and sharpen your focus. The only concern is that you could be charging ahead without a clear direction.

The time is right to get clear on your dreams and goals and to make extra efforts to outline a realistic plan.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20) You have entered a cycle in your life when it is time to bring many things to completion. Finishing projects, clearing debt following through with any and all initiatives not yet accomplished, will prove empowering. You will venture out and enter uncharted territory.

This is probably not the best year to start projects. Make a big list of all the things that you have yet to complete. If you do not have items on such a list, it might prove more worthwhile to direct your energies and focus to work with or help others with their projects, problems, dreams, and goals.

Michael O’Connor, Astrologer www.sunstarastrology.com

Horoscope for 2021 In light of what is destined in 2021, the events of 2020 will pale by comparison.

2021 begins in the context of the Total Solar Eclipse that occurred on December 14. It reveals a deeply spiritual impulse, yet also law yielding to authority. This will not prove easy for anyone, governments as well. The same basic theme is true of the June 10th Solar Eclipse Winter Solstice also provides contextual themes for the year.

It features the historic conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn launching not just a 20-year cycle, but an era of 220 years!

January 1st, 2021 is the other key event and symbolizes a mass awakening stemming from alternative media.

A ‘Square Aspect’ implies themes at cross purposes and ‘hard turns’ and there are some major Squares in 2021 between Saturn, Jupiter, and Uranus which is the real shaker theme for 2021 that encompasses the entire year.

The key dates are February 17, June 14, and December 24, Mars ever plays a significant role in astrology regarding major events especially when in hard aspect to the far planets: Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Here is the list: 2021 begins with Mars a Conjunction with Uranus, a bullish and revolutionary influence, on January 20th, the day of the U.S. Presidential Inauguration!

Mars Square to Jupiter on January 22nd will inflate the expression revolutionary, rights and freedoms-oriented Aquarius.

Mars opposing Pluto on June 5th will prove reactive and explosive.

Mars in Leo opposing Saturn in Aquarius on July 1st and forming

an exact Square to Uranus on July 4th will produce patriotic sentiments colored by high emotions linked to religious/spiritual convictions.

On October 22 Mars forms its final’ Upper Square’ to Pluto suggestive of unexpected events leading to transformational change.

On November 11th, Mars will form a Square to Saturn and then follow-up with an Opposition to Uranus by November 18th. This will activate even more revolutionary attitudes and the resolve of rebels.

The year ends with the final Square between Saturn and Uranus on December 24, and carries through within 1-degree of orb until January 1st, 2022.

Destiny is ever at play and we are designed to co-create cooperatively. Stock up, prepare emotionally, try to keep an open mind respecting interpretations and choices that differ from yours, be willing to help your neighbors, adapt without compromising your truth and integrity, pray, laugh, and love 2021, is destined to be the most powerful year we have experienced collectively, perhaps ever.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19) In 2020, the focus was centered on career and power. The emphasis did begin to shift to the rest of your life, your social life specifically, and this will continue. Now, returns for past efforts have already begun to come in, hopefully, your efforts were aligned and integral.

Your sights are set on a new future in a whole new way. Making efforts to increase your income or R.O.I. is featured. You will begin to push harder in this regard early in the year. While dreams do play a

10

The Local - Thursday, January 7, 2021

Funding announced for wood stove exchange rebate program

Firewood should be seasoned for at least six months. Burning seasoned wood saves money by reducing wood consumption by 25 percent. METRO CREATIVE PHOTO The Sunshine Coast is one of the communities throughout the province that will benefit from cleaner air as a result of $270,000 from the 2020-21 Wood Stove Exchange Program.

The program provides incentives to people replacing old, smoky wood stoves with cleaner options.

A total of 19 communities have applied for funding to continue their exchange program or have sufficient funding from previous years to continue offering rebates to their residents. The Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society is one such recipient (www. cleanairsociety.ca).

“This program has been very successful in encouraging people to switch to cleaner wood stoves or different technologies entirely,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “I’m very pleased these local governments are continuing to sup-

port this program and are working with the Province and health agencies to reduce harmful emissions.”

Burning wood creates significant air pollution by increasing particulate matter in the air. Also known as PM 2.5, this fine particulate matter can cause health problems.

The Wood Stove Exchange Program reduces local air pollution by helping people trade out old wood stoves for cleaner sources of heat, such as electric heat pumps, gas or pellet stoves, or new emission-certified wood stoves.

Eligible British Columbians can apply for the following incentives: • $250 for changing to a cleaner-burning wood stove.

• $400 for changing to a qualifying electric heat pump, gas or propane stove, or pellet-fuelled stove.

• $500 for those who live in “Red Zone” communities.

These are areas where fine

particulate matter exceeds the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards. Residents can use the money to change to a heat pump, gas or propane stove, or pellet-fuelled stove.

The annual program has helped replace around 9,000 old stoves with cleaner options. Since 2008, the Wood Stove Exchange Program has provided more than $3.2 million. This year’s fund will distribute $270,000 through the British Columbia Lung Association, which also educates the public about alternatives to wood stoves.

“This program continues to help remove particulates from the air while raising awareness about the dangers of burning wood,” said Christopher Lam, CEO, BC Lung Association. “People throughout our province should understand that wood smoke can cause significant harm.”

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FINNIE, Lillian

September 15, 1930 – December 31, 2020

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With sadness we announce the passing of Lillian Finnie at Totem Lodge, Sechelt, BC. Lilian was predeceased by her husband Jack Finnie and her daughter Shirley Ann Giesbrecht. She has been reunited with her family and her Lord in heaven.

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Lillian was also predeceased by her parents William and Lillian Smyth and her brothers William, Allen and Dave. She is survived by her sister Connie Smyth, her son-in-law Bruce Giesbrecht and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Lillian was born in Montreal and moved to BC when she was 19. Years later she married Jack and they moved to Sechelt in 1973 with their young daughter.

Lillian stayed at home and took care of her family from that point on. She was a large part of her church and loved working to help in any way she could.

604-886-7341 Get $ CASH $ today and I’ll take it away.

Special thanks to Jeanette Thompson, who was a great help. Thanks also to the staff at Saint Mary’s and Totem Lodge.

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CALL 778-918-7910 TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT! Who’s hiring in Canada?

The impact of COVID-19 on Canada’s job market has left many of us reeling.

Steady work can feel out of reach sometimes, but if you look in the right places, you’ll find employers eager to expand and meet the challenges facing Canadians.

Start-ups With the 2010s behind us, Canada has proven itself as a hotbed of technical innovation. Start-up companies in fields from smart home tech, to cybersecurity, to AI, are all ramping up their hiring as the economy levels out. You

don’t need to be a programmer or technician, either.

These growing businesses need marketers, project managers and sales forces just as urgently. Joining a start-up can be a great way to begin a career by getting in on the ground floor of a growing business.

At the conclusion of Gibsons Marina’s “Sea of Light” fundraising blitz to benefit the Salvation Army’s Adopt-a-Family Food and Toy Drive, Salvation Army Ministry Director Darrell Pilgrim was delighted to receive a cheque for $2,000 from Marina owner Klaus Fuerniss, along with toys, non-perishable food items, and a nicely filled kettle of cash donations from the community. “We really appreciate Klaus and the Marina’s annual support from the Sea of Light event,” said Pilgrim. “We believe that, as a community, we are stronger together – and our community has been amazing this year.” The annual “Sea of Light” has become a traditional holiday attraction as families drop by with donations and enjoy the thousands of bulbs adorning the buildings, trees and walkways at the Marina. PHOTO SUBMITTED

Manufacturing Stores can’t keep many essential supplies on the shelves, and manufacturers have to step up production to keep pace. Some businesses have shifted their production to new products like PPE and sanitization supplies, which means opportunities. Roles from quality control to line workers, warehouse operators to manufacturing supervisors need filling, and the

hiring surge shows no signs of abating soon.

Agriculture Agriculture and agri-food may have reputations as purely seasonal, rural-only work, but nothing could be further from the truth. Businesses across Canada are looking to fill positions for a wide variety of roles and experience levels. Step up to the Plate is an initiative by the Government of Canada

to connect Canadians looking for work with agri-food and agriculture businesses across the country. It provides links to multiple job boards at once, by region and job type. From farms to food and beverage manufacturing to distribution, you can find it there.

Find out more about opportunities in agriculture at agr.gc.ca/agriculture-jobs.

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A forecasting stone in Berneray – one of fifteen inhabited islands in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. MICHELLE MACNEILL PHOTO

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