Comox Valley Echo - February 6, 2015 by Comox Valley Echo

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com COURTENAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA â&#x20AC;˘ Friday, February 6, 2015

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VOL. 21, NO. 11

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

29.Showstopper

32.Soccer teams

with heart and dinner.

win four league championships.

VILLAGE WANTS OUT OF EDS FUNCTION .13 CUMBERLAND ASKING REGIONAL DISTRICT TO OPT OUT OF FUNDING THEIR SHARE OF COMOX VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY FUNCTION. SEWER PROTEST

CHAMBER AWARDS

02.Croteau

06.The best of

Beach area residents make strong case against sewer pumping station proposal.

09.RD BEGINS LOOK INTO BOIL WATER ADVISORY

the community was honoured on the weekend at 40th annnual awards banquet, presentations.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC. FEBRUARY 6, 2015

ECHO

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2230A Cliffe Ave., COURTENAY BC V9N 2L4

Residents make strong case against pumping station Commission recommends staff continue to evaluate other potential locations BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff Residents in the Croteau Beach-Hawkins Greenway area told the Comox Valley Regional District sewer commission that their neighbourhood is not number 1 for the Comox Sewer Pump Station No. 2. That was the message relayed by Mary Lang and Lorraine Aitken, who spoke before the commission on behalf of the residents, who packed the CVRD board room on Tuesday.

Their concerns focused on one signiﬁcant and vital issue - the protection of their drinking water. The Beech Road area relies on shallow, drilled and spring-fed water wells. Residents believe construction of a pump station will harm and contaminate their safe drinking water. They appealed to the newly-elected commission to rescind the previous commission’s recommendation of the Beech Street site. (Continued on page 4)

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3 Take time out this week to ‘unplug’ from devices www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Comox Valley RCMP is asking the public’s help in identifying a suspect in a robbery that took place at the lotto kiosk at the Driftwood Mall in Courtenay on Saturday, Jan. 31. A male jumped the counter, pushed the clerk away and grabbed money from the cash drawer. The suspect ﬂed on foot with numerous people trying to catch him. Witnesses said the male brandished a knife to get away. The male then entered the Target store and took a Team Canada jersey covering his own clothes and then left the store. The thief is described as being 5’11”, slim, dark hair, stubble face, wearing blue jeans and Lugz. If you know this suspect you are asked to contact Cst. A. Turner at the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-3381321 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Suspect in robbery

Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association is challenging families to unplug in celebration of both Family Literacy Week (Jan. 27th to 30th) and Family Day (Feb. 9th). The challenge is to intentionally unplug from the Internet, television, and mobile devices and engage in an activity sometime during the day. The activity can be anything such as playing a board game, playing soccer, or reading together. Take a photograph of your family engaging in the activity and submit it to CVLLA for a chance to win a camera or gift cards to Laughing Oyster Bookshop. Photos must be

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submitted to the Comox, Cumberland, or Courtenay library, via email at cvliteracy@gmail.com or as a Facebook post at facebook.com/cvlla. All entries must include your name and number and must be submitted by February 14th. CVLLA is launching their unplug challenge to encourage parents and caregivers to highlight the overuse of technology and it’s impact on child development. FMI about the Unplug Challenge visit www.cvliteracy.ca. To learn more about technology and child development visit www.zonein.ca. Lease payments of $64/$93 on the 2015 Rogue/2015 Pathfinder must be made on a monthly basis and cannot be made weekly. Weekly lease payments are for advertising purposes only. †No charge All-Wheel Drive (AWD) has an equivalent value of up to $2,180/$2,000/$2,000 applicable on all 2015 Juke® models (except Juke® SV FWD M6/CVT (N5RT55 AA00)/Juke® SV FWD CVT (N5RT15 AE00)/Juke® Nismo RS, FWD (N5YT55 AA00)/ 2015 Rogue models (except Rogue S FWD (Y6RG15 AA00)/Rogue SV FWD (Y6SG15 AA00)/2015 Pathfinder models (except Pathfinder S V6 CVT 4x2 (5XRGG15 AA00). Offer only applicable on cash purchase or standard finance rates through NCF. Discount is deducted before taxes. ≠Representative monthly lease offer based on any new 2015 Rogue S FWD CVT (Y6RG15 AA00)/2015 PathfinderS V6 4x2 (5XRG15 AA00) CVT transmission. 1.99%/2.9% lease APR for a 60/60 month term equals 60/60 monthly payments of $276/$405 with $0 down payment, and $0 security deposit. First monthly payment, down payment and $0 security deposit are due at lease inception. Prices and payments include freight and fees. Lease based on a maximum of 20,000 km/year with excess charged at $0.10/km. Total lease obligation is $16,541/$24,271. This offer is only valid from Feb. 3 – Mar. 2, 2015. $500 NCF lease cash appplicated on the 2015 PathfinderS V6 4x2 (5XRG15 AA00) CVT transmission. Conditions apply. $31,748 Selling Price for a new 2015 Murano S FWD CVT (LXRG15 NA00). Conditions apply. **MSRP starting from $29,998 for a 2015 Nissan Murano S FWD (LXRG15 NA00) excluding Freight and PDE charges and specific duties of new tires. ▲Models shown $36,348/$48,368/$45,248 Selling Price for a new 2015 Rogue SL AWD Premium (Y6DG15 BK00)/2015 Pathfinder Platinum (5XEG15 AA00)/2015 Murano Platinum AWD (LXEG15 TE00). * ±≠▲Freight and PDE charges ($1,750/$1,720/$1,750), air-conditioning levy ($100) where applicable, applicable fees (all which may vary by region), manufacturer’s rebate and dealer participation where applicable are included. License, registration, insurance and applicable taxes are extra. Lease and finance offers are available on approved credit through Nissan Canada Finance for a limited time, may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers except stackable trading dollars. Retailers are free to set individual prices. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Vehicles and accessories are for illustration purposes only. Offers, prices and features subject to change without notice. Offers valid between Feb. 3 – March 2, 2015. °Nissan is the fastest growing brand in the non-luxury segment based on comparison of 12-month retail sales of all Canadian automotive brands and 12 months average sales growth. *Ward’s Large Cross/Utility Market Segmentation. MY15 Pathfinder vs. 2015 and 2014 Large Cross/Utility Class. Offers subject to change, continuation or cancellation without notice. Offers have no cash alternative value. See your participating Nissan retailer for complete details. ©1998-2015 Nissan Canada Inc. and Nissan Financial Services Inc. a division of Nissan Canada Inc.

Police seek suspect in robbery at mall lotto kiosk

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Comox residents to face hike in water and sewer rates this year By Michael Briones Echo Staff Comox residents will be paying more for water and sewer services this year. Comox council has approved increases and gave the bylaw for rate amend-

ments ﬁrst, second and third readings. But since the town wasn’t able to adopt the rate changes in December due to the November municipal elections, the new fees will not be effective January 2015. And

that means ratepayers will be paying a little less this year. The new rates were based on how much funds are needed to cover the town’s operating costs. Council endorsed staff ’s proposal to increase the rate per cubic metre from $0.96 to $0.99 for metered customers who use more than 168 m3, increase the rate for residential use over 600 cubic metres from $1.44 to $1.49, add a $30 fee to manually read a meter and calculate a prorated billing between normal month-end readings and increase connection fees by two per cent. When dealing with water rates, staff factors in three

classes of customers: - 84 commercial, industrial and institutional customers who are billed for metered water at a rate per cubic metre used, - Over 200 residential customers that are billed based upon their metered use - they pay a monthly minimum of $15 per dwelling unit which includes 14 cubic metre of water, plus they also pay the town’s meter rate per cubic meter for water used over the limit - Over 5,500 other customers, mostly residential, who pay a ﬂat fee of $327 per year that is included on their property tax notice. The town’s major ex-

penditure is the bulk water it purchases from the Comox Valley Regional District. And according to director of Finance, Donald Jacquest the CVRD is planning to increase its bulk water rates in 2016 from .64 cents per cubic meter to .66 cents and again in 2017 to .68 cents per metre. To cover these increases, council endorsed staff ’s proposal for a $6 increase in the ﬂat rates from $327 to $333 in 2016 and $339 in 2017. As for sewer rates, Jacquest recommended a $27 hike to residential sewer rate - from $321 to $348, with proportional increas-

es to the commercial, industrial and institutional minimums. Council approved the bylaw for the new rate. The increase in rate, Jacquest said, will help cover the CVRD’s sewer requisition, which is 79 per cent of the town’s operating cost this year. The CVRD has undertaken a major capital expenditure for its sewer service and to fund this, it has increased its annual sewer requisition and will continue to do so until 2018. To cover the yearly increase, Jacquest recommended sewer rates go up by $27 in 2015 and 2016, $24 in 2017 and 2018.

Residents make strong case against pumping station (Continued from page 2) They presented a strong case that included a hydrology study done by hydrogeologist, Dr. Giles Wendling of GW Solutions Inc that supported their concern about the harm this project would cause to their water wells. As well, they highlighted recent sewage and diesel spills in Ross Bay in Victoria and Longueuil, Que respectively resulting from mechanical failures of primary back-up pumps, power outages and human errors that contaminated water supplies. Lang called the selection of the site a “mistake.” “These are health hazards you have to consider,” said Lang. “Our wells are fed from different levels of the aquifer.” In Vancouver Island, aquifers have been mapped and rated according to vulnerability as indicated on the CVRD i-map, said Lang. “What you may not know is the aquifer under the Beech Street site is assigned the highest vulnerability rating possible. According to the guide for vulnerability mapping,

sites with such a high rating need protection from land use activities that pose high hazards, precisely because they have inherently less natural protection.” Construction excavation, Lang said, also threatens to deplete neighbouring wells that currently draw from the underground springs. The proposed pump station will be around 25 feet deep - essentially two stories underground. “What happens to the aquifer, to the springs, to surrounding wells, to our drinking water as this pit is dewatered during construction?” Lang asked. The proposed pump station is a high priority for the CVRD because of the environmental risk posed by the exposed sewage pipeline along the Willemar Bluff due to beach erosion that was discovered in 2002. Lang said they should be choosing a site that is within the boundaries of the communities it would serve, mainly the City of Courtenay and the Town of Comox, which they believe is a stipulation in Sewer Bylaw 2541.

“Siting the sewage treatment plant 30 years ago is now a moot point, but just because letters patent were violated then doesn’t mean you have free licence to violate them again,” said Lang, who was referring to the installation of the sewer pipelines on Willemar Bluff in 1984 despite opposition from citizens. “This is where the NIMBY principle actually comes in - we’re saying put your sewage infrastructure, where it belongs: back within your own municipal boundaries, as per your letters patent.” Aitken said they’re willing to ﬁght all the way over this issue but they don’t think it’s necessary. She said they were led to believe there is only one suitable site out of 180 options. The number was shortlisted to four locations - Mack Laing Park, MacDonald Woods, Filberg Park and Beech Street. The three parks were deemed unsuitable because there are covenants that protect them from any developments, leaving Beech Street as the only option. Aitken said they’ve re-

searched other alternatives and have come up with viable locations for the commission to consider. They are areas serviced by piped water in the Town of Comox and would conform to Bylaw 2541, keeping the sewage infrastructure within speciﬁed boundaries. They want the commission to ﬁnd another location and also involve the community by forming a citizens advisory committee to help with the site selection process. Director Barbara Price agrees the Beech Street property is inappropriate but she stressed she would not endorse any recommendation that would involve heritage parks in the Town of Comox. Director Erik Eriksson commented the situation is turning into an issue on boundaries and jurisdiction. “Comox, which is a jurisdiction of its own, they’re going to say, ‘we’re now going to have this treatment centred in our end,’” said Eriksson. “And theoretically, because there’s more Courtenay voters on the sew-

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age commission, we could out-vote the Comox people and say it’s going in Comox. Well, to me this seems to be kind of a ludicrous system, with all these ridiculous jurisdictions. “Just because someone drew an imaginary line, nothing can happen. So I just like to throw in the idea, we need to have another look at, seriously look at the governance structure.” A motion was made, and approved by the com-

mission, to exclude Mack Laing Park, Filberg Park, Macdonald Woods and Baybrook from the list of potential sites for pump station No. 2. The commission then went on to endorse an amended recommendation that the CVRD continue to evaluate suitable properties for the placement of the pump station and not conﬁne the search to just the Town of Comox. As well, they agreed to a community advisory committee.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Police Blotter Comox Valley RCMP responded to the following incidents between Jan. 27 and Feb. 2: On January 27th a report of a theft from a business, located on the 1800 block of Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay, was called into police. It was reported that an unknown male walked into the business when the clerk was not there and stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the till. This investigation is continuing. (2015-1131) During the early morning hours of January 28th police entered into an investigation under the ﬁsheries act in the parking lot of the Driftwood mall on Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay. A pickup truck load with a sizeable amount of fresh clams was located along with three males who did not possess a licence or permit to have the clams in their possession. Department of Fisheries was contacted and

have taken the lead role in this investigation. (2015-1147) On January 31st police entered into an attempted break and enter complaint at a business located on the 1800 block of Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay. A tenant saw a person with a headlamp on attempting to gain entry to a room through an outside window. The police service dog attended and a male was tracked and located and is now facing charges of attempted break and enter with intent. (2015-1277) On January 31st police were called to a robbery that had occurred at the Lotto kiosk in the driftwood mall at approximately 3:45 PM. The employee reported that a male jumped the counter and grabbed money from the cash drawer and then brandished a knife to make his escape. The male then went to the Target store and stole a team Canada hockey jersey. (2015-1291)

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

Builders given extended hours for construction of new CV hospital BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff

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The pace of construction on the new Comox Valley Regional Hospital on Lerwick Road is picking up. Work is moving smoothly but Graham Design Builders Ltd., the company constructing the hospital on Lerwick, wants to have the ability to work beyond designated hours established in the city’s bylaw just in case unforeseen events occur. The company has managed to adhere to the bylaw requirements so far but as work intensiﬁes, they’ve requested extended construction hours from January to September. The current ordinance limits construction from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday or statutory holidays. Concrete work is now underway that includes the placement and trowel ﬁnish of suspended concrete slabs,

which will be approximately, 10,000 square feet or roughly 3,300 square metres each. The company’s request explained there is potential that due to weather conditions the concrete will not set in time for the finishers to complete their work ahead of 10 p.m. “If this becomes the case, the project will have lights in place to light the work surface and have a finishing crew on site to trowel finish the slabs,” said senior project manager Bret Miche, in his letter to the city. “The crews will be utilizing both hand finish techniques and ride on trowelling machines. We do not expect this to be the norm but want to be prepared in the event of the exception to our planned work practice.” Council approved the request but required the company to provide them with the dates the concrete works occurred outside the bylaw requirements.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Chamber honours the best of the Valley for the 40th time By Philip Round Reports and pictures Special to the Echo Winners were swept off their feet at Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Community Awards - and not simply because the theme of the Filberg Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decorations was â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Midnight in Gotham,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; with Batman and his sidekick Robin in the audience. It was the 40th outing for the prestigious awards, and this year more than 50 businesses, societies and individuals were nominated by the public as being worthy recipients in 12 categories. As reported in Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Echo, the award for Citi-

zen of the Year was shared by two people whose decades of volunteering in the Valley in very different ďŹ elds the judges found impossible to split -- Murray Shackel of Merville and Michele Morton of Courtenay. Today we look at the winners in the other 11 categories and what caught the judgesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; eyes when they came to assess the nominations. Chamber president and CEO Dianne Hawkins says the Comox Valley is home to some â&#x20AC;&#x153;pretty amazing citizens and businesses,â&#x20AC;? and this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s judging panel had had quite a task in selecting the winners from so many great nominations.

USINESS OF THE YEAR: It was all hands on deck - or should that be body? - when the award for Business of the Year was announced. It went to Level 10 Eurospa - the Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original full-service day spa. When business owner Leanne Boyd stepped up on the stage, she was joined by many of her colleagues from the Courtenay company keen to acknowledge the success. The business first opened under a different name 25 years ago, and quickly grew out of its original premises, moving to its present Cliffe Avenue location in 1995. Today Level 10 has 20

AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: This award went to Hollie Wood Oysters, and our picture shows Hollie and Greg Wood (left and centre) receiving the recognition certificate from award sponsor MNP LLP, represented by Alana Pearson. The Woods started oyster farming in 1994, originally working for Fanny Bay Oysters, and acquired their first lease two years later, working it part-time. In 2008 they became full-time oyster farmers running their own business, and last year expanded further by setting up their own nursery. Working with local hatcheries, they bought and grew 18 million baby oysters for themselves and for onward supply to other farmers.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: The winner of this award was 29-year-old Allison Mackenzie (pictured right), who has owned and operated Dark Side Chocolates in Cumberland for the past four years. She now employs three people in

addition to herself; makes a point of using ingredients from other local producers in her truffles; and collaborates in promotions such as Gourmet Trails and the North Island Culinary Program. Mackenzie has also worked to bring small businesses in Cumberland together, organizing and participating in cross-promotions, business mixers, and special events, and is active in a number of local societies. Pictured on the left presenting the award, representing sponsor Wedler Engineering LLP, is Andrew Gower.

employees - 11 hairstylists, six aestheticians and three receptionists and the spa also boasts its own range of all-natural, botanical skincare products, created by Boyd five years ago and manufactured for her in Toronto. Another claim to fame is the salonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s environmental credentials - in 2014 it was certificated as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Green Circle Salonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for managing all its waste in an environmentally-responsible manner. Picture shows Boyd, accompanied by some of her colleagues, being presented with her award by Andy Carter, representing sponsor Thrifty Foods.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: There was a spring in the step of Lindsay Sterk as he climbed to the stage to receive the Small Business of the Year award. Perhaps thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not so surprising, as his successful business is Pantuso Dance - the Courtenay-based company that offers an extensive tap dance program along with a wide range of other dance styles, including jazz, ballet and hip-hop as well as musical theatre classes. Since acquiring the business in 2007, Sterk has grown it to a three-studio centre with more than 400 students. Sterk (right) is pictured receiving his accolade from Darren Kardynal, representing the award sponsor, Glacierview Financial Services

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3DQWXVR 'DQFH LV FRPPLWWHG WR SURYLGLQJ WKH KLJKHVW TXDOLW\ GDQFH WUDLQLQJ LQ D UHVSHFWIXO VXSSRUWLYH IXQ DQG QRQ FRPSHWLWLYH HQYLURQPHQW :H IRVWHU D FRPPXQLW\ RI DFWLYH DQG LQYROYHG WHDFKHUV VWXGHQWV DQG IDPLO\ PHPEHUV ZKR DUH LQVSLUHG E\ D ORYH RI WKH SHUIRUPLQJ DUWV NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR: Five organizations were nominated for this award, and the winner was Glacier View Lodge Society, providing complex care to seniors at its residential facility in Courtenay and support programs for its residents, their families and the elderly in the wider community.

The award was presented by Gord Young (left), representing the sponsors, Pacific Sleep Care, to Glacier Viewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive director Michael Aikins (centre) and board chair Bob Scales (right). The other finalists in this category were Cumberland Community Forest Society and Comox Valley Transition Society.

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PRESIDENT’S MERIT AWARD (RIGHT): Each year the chair of the Chamber of Commerce gets the opportunity to make a personal award to an individual or organization - an award not open for public nominations. This year’s chair, Helen Furgale, chose Bob Scales, who has been a volunteer in the Valley for decades, including a long association with the Chamber itself. Other activities have included more than 40 years with the Lions Club, being current chair of the Glacier View Lodge Society, being a board member of St Joseph’s Hospital, and treasurer of the Courtenay Low-Income Housing Society. Receiving the award, he joked with the audience: “The reason I do all this stuff is quite simple - my wife wants me out of the house!” But he added in all seriousness he was pleased to continue giving back to the community and was humbled by the award. Picture shows Scales (right) receiving his certificate from Susan Auchterlonie of North Island College.

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD: With nine people nominated for outstanding customer service, deciding who should be short-listed was a tough enough task for the judges. But there was huge appreciation - especially from Cumberland residents at the event -- when the winner was announced as Darilyn Keene, the owner of hair stylists Alley Cats. With 30 years of service, Alley Cats is the longest-established business in the village still run by its original proprietor. Keene was judged to have a proven passion for service to her clients and to her community. She is pictured receiving her award from Mikhail Pronick, representing sponsors Axis Heating + Cooling. The two other finalists in the category were Lisa Kavanagh of Apples and Pears Group Daycare and Pieter Vorster of Continual Palingenesis.

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (RIGHT): Erik (left) and Mary-Ellen Bergvinson (centre) received the New Business of the Year award for their company CanWest Mechanical Inc., based at Moray Avenue in Courtenay. In little more than a year since the business opened to offer services in industrial and commercial heating, plumbing and sheet metal fabrication, it has grown to 28 local employees and provides apprenticeship training for new young recruits. Current projects span the length of Vancouver Island and extend to northern Alberta. The company is also active in supporting community groups and initiatives, including the United (mountain bike) Riders of Cumberland, the Canadian Tire JumpStart program, and the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Presenting the award on behalf of the sponsors, Presley and Partners, was Eric Dawson (right).

YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD: The outstanding work of Maddy Monteiro (pictured left) of raising awareness, generating support and offering help to young people with mental health issues led to her being presented with the Youth Leadership Award by Bill Parkinson, representing the School of Business at North Island College (pictured right). Maddy was the founding member of Mark R. Isfeld School’s peer helping program to train teens to reach out and help others within the school who need a sympathetic ear, information, or referrals to counsellors in crisis situations. Her work for the cause has taken her well outside the school environment, as she is a leading member of the Kelty Youth Ambassador Program, which has already seen her involved in presentations and workshops in other parts of BC.

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD (ABOVE): Linda Oprica of Ascent Coaching is pictured (centre) being presented with the award for business leadership by Janet Ehrman (left) and Colby Craven (right), representing sponsors First Credit Union and Insurance. In addition to her business and executive coaching work -- which was praised by a number of other award nominees on the night Oprica is an active Rotarian and former Comox Valley Women’s Business Network ‘Woman of the Year.’ Among many other community activities, she serves as a director and is a past chair of the Comox Valley Airport Commission. The judges’ commented that in her professional work Oprica “drives both experienced and budding leaders alike to tackle the bigger issues that it’s often easy to shy away from.”

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8 www.comoxvalleyecho.com

FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015 HERITAGE RECOGNITION AWARD: Comox Valley Child Development Association won the annual Heritage Recognition Award for long-standing businesses or organizations that continue to serve the local community. The not-for-profit CVCDA has provided programs and services supporting children and young adults with special needs and their families for just over 40 years. Since it was set up in 1974, some 25,000 families have used one or more of its services - with 700 young people assisted last year alone. Pictured from the left, representing the CVCDA, are Arnie Einarson, Donna Lynn Wilson and Pam Crowe, with presenter Tony Hayes (representing award sponsor Vancouver Island InsuranceCentres) on the right.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

CVRD probes causes of lengthy boil water advisory “There could have been a large landslide” BY DREW A. PENNER Echo Staff Health officials and regional district workers have begun to dig into the mystery of what caused the strange water quality issues that made life difﬁcult for local restaurants and raised alarm among environmentalists. Some of the ﬁndings were revealed during the regularly scheduled Comox Valley Regional District meeting Feb. 4, as politicians tried to get their heads around what exactly happened. Gary Anderson, a drinking water officer with Island Health, said concerns about turbidity have been heard since the Middle Ages, when the cloudy liquid was seen more as an aesthetic problem than anything else. “In a nutshell it’s murkiness or brackish water,” he said. “For thousands of years we didn’t know any-

thing about it.” Only in 1989 did turbidity become a treatment objective for the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs) were adopted as a way to measure how safe the water might be. This indirect measure of water quality can raise red ﬂags about human safety, but doesn’t tell officials the size of particulate matter or pathogens, for example. “We’ve moved forward quite a bit,” he said. “The target is 1 NTU.” Comox Director Ken Grant said the community “got a really black eye over this” and wondered tthe extent to which the boil

water advisory was even necessary. Staff said that preliminary results from the University of Victoria students studying the issue seem to indicate that the turbidity in Comox Lake was due to primarily inorganic instead of the more dangerous organic particles. But Charmaine Enns, medical health officer for the North Island said even if health officials had been more lax with standards it still wouldn’t change the fact that something extreme took place - and no one can prove what that was yet. “There was something unique that happened in December,” she said. (Continued on page 11)

Mike Herschmiller, manager of water services at the Comox Valley Regional District, surveys the extensive bank failure upstream of PerseveranceCreek.

TimberWest officials led a Comox Lake Watershed Advisory Group on a tour of the land that acts as a funnel for water towards Comox Lake Oct. 21 during heavy rainfall.

Family Day is February 9! Fit in some family time on family day at the CVRD’s sports and aquatic centres. Skate, swim, play together. Everyone welcome swim, aquatic centre 1-4:30pm Everyone welcome skate, sports centre 1:15-3:15pm & 6:30-8:30pm Visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/rec or call 250-334-9622

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Significant erosion in feeder to Perseverance Creek

CVRD starts probe into causes of lengthy boil water advisory (Continued from page 9) “That was a sustained elevated turbidity. It’s not just because we have higher standards.” Regional district staff produced photos and graphs that showed vast changes in the watershed, including signiﬁcant riverbank shifts along a tributary to Perseverance Creek and the turbidity abnormality tracked in October and December at the CVRD chlorination station. Meanwhile the Cumberland Community Forest Society is looking to expand the amount of forest they are planning to buy, in order to protect Perseverance Creek further from logging and add additional safeguards to the drinking water system in the process. “Yes there are standard changes,” Enns said. “But there are source changes as well.” TimberWest officials led a Comox Lake Watershed Advisory Group on a tour of the land that acts as a funnel for water towards Comox Lake Oct. 21 dur-

ing heavy rainfall. By Oct. 27 health officials launched the first boil water notice, which lasted until November 5, 2014. The regional district had to shut down the water intake twice. Between December 8 and 12, 325 mm of rain hit the upper Comox Lake watershed. That’s about an Olympic-sized swimming pool every 2.5 seconds. CVRD officials started tracking significant erosion along waterways that feed into Perseverance Creek and other tributaries. On December 11 the second boil water advisory was called into effect, launching daily water sampling which never uncovered any bacteria (although protozoa and other microscopic life forms wouldn’t have shown up on the tests that were in place at the time). CVRD officials point out the majority of the watershed is generally considered hydrologically stable, with thin soils, steep bedrock exposures and minimal stream channel erosion. The coarse sands

and gravels generally settle out quickly, with the exception of thick clay deposits found in the upper Perseverance region. The CVRD has commissioned a study to investigate “the causes and sources of turbidity to Comox Lake” and will work with the University of Victoria to probe even further. The CVRD watershed advisory group has been working since June 2014 on development of a watershed protection plan, which is expected to be completed by June, 2015. “We still don’t know what happened,” Enns said. “There could have been a large landslide.” Courtenay Director Erik Eriksson asked if CVRD staff had been reaching out to logging companies to “see about the turbidity issue?” Debra Oakman replied there’s nothing directly on the agenda right now, but stated the regional district has been in contact with TimberWest in order to set up a meeting sometime in the future to discuss the subject.

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-BY Echo Staff

quipit ulla feu feum inci te alisim quismodo odolobor commy nis ad et amet, vel se velis augait la facipis ad dolut enit landre tat. miniating er sequat. fIncing ero conseIt ercincincing et wisisEd tat, volum zzriusc § qu ismodolore feu si. ilissed tie venisi. feuis ero dionumm Ugiamet deliquat in henGiatum quat velesti odigna feugiam ipit loreet im zzriure rcilla feumsanonulpute veros num il del autat at. Ut niam diatie dre “Half molorti ncincip sustrud iuscidunt lam quatuer am, Price Payments” for up to one year available on financing offers only on 2015 Rio/Forte/Optima/Rondo/Sorento models minim dolortion vel iril- essent lamconsenibh exer velit verci bla feummod lam nos nos digniat atum iril utpat utatummy nulla olendiat atis nos alit aliqui nit ing ex ex elit irit wis ad conseni scilisim dit, quis tat luptat, vendre conumdo coreetuer sum dolore aliquisl endit, sendio essan henim iureet la facildolesto dolenisim vel iure sisl iure dolum digna conlam, quam doloborpero tion ea facidunt augue secte dolorpe riuscinibh ex diat, conse consed dolorer venim vent verostrud ex- elit lutet, velit praessent la sim augiate dolor sum vel er seniamet loreril landre con exer ad magnibh eniaeu feum augue doluptat loveros dolortio eugait laore met praesequamet prat bor incing et lum nullum eum zzriliq uatinibh ex ea num quate dolorer sim vullumsandit augait lumfaccum am dolor si. iustie mod dolenis nos ea modo lutpat acil dolor inim Onsequat nos augiate feu feummy nim euguer digna feuguerit enit, suscil dolorperat. Borem acidunt augait, sim iustis dolobore ullam, sismod te consectet el ulputatum ex et, coreetu consequis del inis nos eriadignim nisl et esse facipiercidui exero consenim do usci liquis nos esto er inim scil ercilla accum zzriure ‡ do od delesed ex eraesen- dolore facip et, si tion eri- Rio4 SX with Navigation shown ‡ dip et SX irilit wismodolesed Forte shown 2015 dolesed LX MT ero odo dit ad essi HWY / CITY 100KM : 5.3L/7.3L HWY / CITY 100KM 5.3L/8.0L 2015 LX MT dre velesequatum urem digna : amcorpe rostinim eu facing erit ullaore facin tat wis alit, vel il dolum do veratet nissecte volore velit ulla feugue dolese faccum- odio eugait ulput alissi te lorpera esecte vel ut nosto weekly weekly my nis dio dolor sed magmoloreet, con veliscilit lucon ulla corem zzrilit ip esfrom from down for 69 for 62 financing financing down nibh elis dolessed ming ex payments tatetum doloreet vullandiequam consent vendit, sed Δ payment Δ payments payment for up to 84 months for up to 84 months exerat elestrud tat. Ciduip pis acin utpatue modip ent te eum vent am num iliquel erat. Tatet, vel exer at includes lutatie$1,500 magna facilit issed eratis $21 weekly payment Half Price incing Payments Credit. Payments based on $24 weekly payment includes $1,500 Half Price Payments Credit. Payments based on 2015nonsed tat. ut nim ex eui tatRioullutatue elenit ad tem duisiss equat, Volobor percidunt lorper 2015 LX MT (RO541F) 84-month financing. After 69 weekly payments at $21, weekly Forte LX MT (FO541F) 84-month financing. After 62 weekly payments at $24, weekly Δ Price Payments Credit be taken as a one eugait enpayments increase payments increase to $48Δ . Half Price Payments Credit may alternatively commy nim dolortio del to $43 con. Half veriustrud del ero domay alternatively be taken as a secte duiscillan § § one time lump sum payment. time lump sum payment. euiscin eu facing eriusci con utpat. Ut praesto oddrero eugue feuip euisi. ero odolor iure vulputpat. olor sit iure commy nit wis Giam, si et nonsecte dipisl nim in hendre etue ero odo ut exer adion vel ipsuscilit, delestrud doluptat, qui er --. --

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Offer(s) available on select new 2015 models through participating dealers to qualified retail customers who take delivery from February 3rd to March 2nd, 2015. Dealers may sell or lease for less. Some conditions apply. See dealer for complete details. Vehicles shown may include optional accessories and upgrades available at extra cost. All offers are subject to change without notice. All pricing includes delivery and destination fees up to $1,665, AMVIC fee, tire tax of $22, $100 A/C charge (where applicable). Excludes taxes, licensing, registration, insurance, variable dealer administration fees (up to $699), fuel-fill charges up to $100, and down payment (if applicable and unless otherwise specified). Other lease and financing options also available. §Up to “Half Price Payments” for up to one year (“Offer”) is only applicable on financing offers on 2015 Rio/Forte/Optima/Sorento/Rondo models. On approved credit, from a participating dealer in Canada between February 3rd and March 2nd, 2015. The Offer consists of a loan credit (up to “Half Price Payments Credit”) that will range from $500 to $3,250 depending on model/trim. Customers can choose to take the full amount of the applicable Half Price Payments Credit as a one (1) time incentive that will be deducted from the negotiated price of the vehicle before taxes. Alternatively, customers can choose the up to “Half Price Payments” option and have their financing payments reduced (before taxes) by 50% until such time as the entire amount of the applicable Half Price Payments Credit has been exhausted. This may take between 10 weeks and 69 weeks depending on model/trim and the amount of the applicable Half Price Payments Credit. After the entire amount of the applicable Half Price Payments Credit has been exhausted, the customer will be required to pay the full amount of all regularly scheduled finance payments over the remaining term of the contract. Vehicle trade-in amounts and down payments are not calculated in the advertised up to “Half Price Payments”. See dealer for complete details. ΔRepresentative financing example: 0% financing offer for up to 84 months available to qualified retail customers on approved credit for the new 2015 Rio LX MT (RO541F)/2015 Forte LX MT (FO541F)/2015 Optima LX AT (OP742F)/2015 Sorento LX AT (SR75BF) with a purchase price of $15,602/$17,502/$26,402/$28,782 financed at 0% for 84-month period with $0 down payment equals 69/62/28/50 reduced weekly payments of $21/$24/$36/$39 followed by weekly payments of $43/$48/$73/$79. Includes $1,500/$1,500/$1,000/$2,000 up to “Half Price Payments” credit. Cost of borrowing is $0 and total obligation is $14,102/$16,002/$25,365/$26,782. Up to “Half Price Payment” Incentive varies by model and trim level and may be taken as a lump sum or to reduce the financed amount. Offer ends March 2nd, 2015. ‡Model shown Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price for 2015 Forte SX (FO748F)/2015 Rio4 SX with Navigation (RO749F)/2015 Sorento SX V6 AWD (SR75XF)/2015 Optima SX Turbo AT (OP748F) is $26,695/$22,395/$42,095/$34,895. Highway/city fuel consumption is based on the 2015 Rio LX+ ECO AT/2015 Forte 1.8L MPI 4-cyl MT/2015 Sorento LX 2.4L GDI 4-cyl AT/2015 Optima 2.4L GDI AT. These updated estimates are based on the Government of Canada’s approved criteria and testing methods. Refer to the EnerGuide Fuel Consumption Guide. Your actual fuel consumption will vary based on driving habits and other factors. ¤$1,000 New Year Bonus amounts are offered on select 2015 Winter Edition models and are deducted from the negotiated purchase price before taxes. Available on financing offers only. Certain conditions apply. $1,000 New Year Bonus amount available on the 2015 Rondo LX AT (5-seat) Winter SE (RN75SF), 2015 Rondo LX AT (7-seat) Winter SE (RN75TF) and 2015 Optima LX AT Winter SE (OP74SF). Information in this advertisement is believed to be accurate at the time of printing. For more information on our 5-year warranty coverage, visit kia.ca or call us at 1-877-542-2886. Kia is a trademark of Kia Motors Corporation.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

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Village wants to drop out of Economic Development BY DREW A. PENNER Echo Staff Cumberland has decided to pull out of the regional economic development initiative and forge its own path. The Village feels it’s not getting value for the $45,000 it puts towards the Comox Valley Economic Development Society every year and plans to come up with a new plan to promote business within its borders. “It’s just frustrating sometimes,” said Mayor Leslie Baird, describing her experience trying to make Cumberland’s voice heard amid those of the ﬁve other communities represented by CVEDS. “We’re not going the same way as Courtenay and Comox. We’re not attracting seniors. We’re what you would call - different. We’re different from what they are doing and what they want to attract.” While the 3,400 Villager-strong municipality in the hills wants to boost eco-tourism and promote art galleries, microbreweries and small retail while allowing for the establishment of medical marijua-

It’s just frustrating sometimes.. We’re not going the same way as Courtenay and Comox. We’re not attracting seniors. We’re what you would call ... different. We’re different from what they are doing and what they want to attact. ” LESLIE BAIRD Mayor of Cumberland

na facilities, CVEDS has a budget of $1.1 million to augment the economic prosperity of more than 60,000 people across the region. The Village has been annoyed by what it feels is underwhelming support for community events like Empire Days while not being able to make decisions about how some of the money is spent, since a lack of hotels keeps them from participating in the committee that divvies up the hotel tax.

Baird recalls the strong response during the all candidates meeting before the election last fall when the idea of withdrawing from CVEDS was brought up. “There was a resounding applause,” she said. “The residents were not seeing a beneﬁt.” The move follows a service review of the group, produced in 2014, that came up with 31 recommendations for CVEDS improvements. Coun. Gwyn Sproule,

Cumberland’s director on the regional district, supported that review during a close vote back in 2013 that was key to allowing the Village to ditch CVEDS. “It’s sort of a convoluted kind of process,” Coun. Roger Kishi, her alternate on the CVRD board, explained. What’s going on right now at the regional district is they are reviewing the bylaw that establishes the regional district service.” The CVRD will also be reexamining their contract with CVEDS, since the current one will expire this year. “Basically the stars are aligning for any participants in the economic development service to withdraw,” he said. “I don’t think it’s been any secret that Cumberland’s had concerns with the service that it was getting through CVEDS.” After holding an in-camera discussion on the matter Jan. 26 the Village ﬁred off its Dear John letter to CVEDS, copying Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes, as well as the

other communities that are involved. Denman and Hornby islands were not included since they already have their own economic development organizations. Cumberland “knows that stimulating economic development in the Comox Valley is hard work, and that there is a long list of demands placed on the Comox Valley Economic Development Society, probably unfairly so,” Baird says in the letter. “Let us make their job easier, and allow us to withdraw from this service.” CAO Sundance Topham said a report on the process will be brought to council in the coming weeks, and noted it’s up to the province to help set out the next steps for the Village. “We’re awaiting direction from the ministry in terms of what that process would look like,” he said, adding the letter marks the beginning of Cumberland’s new journey to independent economic development. “It’s just the ﬁrst step in the process.” Meanwhile other mu-

nicipalities are beginning to consider what this will mean for the future of economic development in the broader Comox Valley community. “Cumberland withdrawing from the Comox Valley Economic Development Commission service will mean there is no mandate to promote it,” said Comox councillor and regional director Barbara Price in an email. “I think it will be a bit of a challenge for (CVEDS) to exclude any reference to Cumberland whilst promoting the rest of the Comox Valley. Economic development, tourism and the Visitor Information Centre are all funded out of this service.” This will mean added costs for the rest of the participants, because while the ﬁnancial impact will be minor, the remaining participants - Courtenay, Comox and the rural areas - will have to pick up the shortfall, she added. CVEDS declined to comment for this article, but the board is planning to review Cumberland’s withdrawal letter at its February meeting.

Good hearing, poor comprehension? The number of people who can hear well, but can’t understand what’s being said, is increasing. This is most evident in conversations and watching television. A newlydeveloped hearing chip is designed to restore speech comprehension without being noticeable in the ear. A lot of people have poor comprehension, though they actually still hear well. It becomes noticeable in conversation, watching television and asking family to repeat what’s been said. A potential cause can be undetected loss in the high-frequency range. This means the sensory cells in the cochlea that hear high-range sounds are damaged as a result of circulatory disorders, diabetes, sudden hearing loss or workplace noise. Hearing loss in the highfrequency range makes speech sound muffled and unclear. The person with hearing loss mixes up, or can no longer hear, consonants like s, f, t, k, h and g. Speech comprehension is particularly impaired when there is background noise or when television programs have background music. The dilemma is that people with hearing loss in the high-frequency range do not

Ginette van Wijngaarden, at Connect Hearing, advises people with hearing loss on the new hearing chip, together with her colleagues. consider themselves to have a hearing problem. They can hear deep tones with no issue, and often put difficulty understanding speech down to unclear pronunciation. However, the time soon comes when problems with comprehension become annoying. A new hearing chip has been developed.

and speech comprehension analysis is done. Where inner-ear damage is present, a software program analyzes the difference relative to normal hearing. These values are then input into the new Venture hearing chip in the Audéo V, which precisely takes into account and balances the frequency range of the person being tested. The test phase in particular is designed to clarify how speech comprehension can be improved in various situations and what role a new technology called “Autosense OS” plays. The chip recognizes where the person being spoken to is located and amplifies only his or her voice, while ambient noise is lowered and the optimum hearing programs are seamlessly adjusted. Thanks to several synchronous microphones, the hearing system can detect sound in all directions and select the direction that speech is coming from within milliseconds. According to Swiss researchers, this significantly augments speech comprehension, especially in conversation.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

ECHO

OPINIONS

LETTERS

Blaming the victim I feel I must take exception to the recent letter from JF Logan regarding the presence of the “addicted and homeless” who have apparently taken over the library. This sounds to me like more blame the victim thinking. First of all, how do you know these people are addicted to anything? They are probably just people who need a place to go, since we don’t seem to have any provisions for the homeless in the Comox Valley because no one wants them in their neighbourhood. I, too, am a frequent user of the library and have never personally witnessed a drug transaction taking place, been harassed or even asked for spare change. The library is not necessarily a refuge for “likeminded” book reading people: it is a resource for everyone in the community. I also think it is unfair to assume that these people do not read books or that they steal books, CDs, or DVDs. (anymore than the general population). I have spent most of my working life in libraries and was taught that “libraries are for everyone”. I was not aware that there were programs available at the Lewis Centre for the homeless. Where

are they supposed to go? Let’s cut these people some slack. Nancy O’Neill Courtenay One of ‘those’ people As someone who has experienced homelessness and also is one ‘these people’ who got a start in Canada via the temporary foreign worker program it would be easy to be incredibly angered by the sentiments expressed by JF Logan of Courtenay. Working as consultant with communities on homelessness including the Valley, has toughened me up however as these misperceptions and antiquated attitudes are surprisingly common. Research at home and internationally has dispelled archaic myths about who is homeless and why alongside demonstrating how communities working together can prevent and therefore end homelessness. While the assumption may be correct that some people make the choice not to have a roof and four walls surrounding them, this lifestyle choice is extremely rare. If you are going to make massive generalisations, then the truth is no one wants to be homeless. A truth backed by research. The government is beginning to accept its responsibility in how its

COMOX VALLEY ECHO An independently owned and operated newspaper published by Echo Publications at 407-E Fifth Street, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 1J7 Phone 250-334-4722 Fax 250-334-3172 Classifieds 250- 334-4215 Circulation 250-334-4734 E-mail: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com Publisher Dave MacDonald Editor Debra Martin Advertising Manager Keith Currie Office Administrator Deb Fowler Circulation Manager Hedi MacDonald Production Manager Ryan Getz

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR policies and systems have contributed to the situation. It now supports plans to end homelessness and the approach of ‘housing first’ as solution. Perhaps it’s time for all of us to look at how we also need to change. The Comox Valley is known to be a caring and generous community. Majority support in the recent election question on funding homelessness solutions highlights this. Hopefully those whose compassion falls short for our residents troubled by housing will educate themselves and eventually open their hearts as well. Now is the time for all of us to gently challenge fearbased beliefs and narrowmindedness wherever we see it. To use intelligent information and provide tangible support for the many people doing their best to create a community where everyone who wants a home can have one. Amanda Ridgway Ignite Consultancy Poor bashing continues

All material herein is protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without written authorization from the publisher. Canadian Publications Mail Agreement Number #0661538

Think I will challenge councillor HIllian’s motion: Put on old clothes, buy my first cigarettes in 30 years

and go down to chat up my friends on my sidewalk at my library. Smoke up a storm and maybe even fall asleep inside my library reading the Economist. Then I will move up the street and loiter under Thrifty’s ‘No Loitering’ sign on my sidewalk until the police come to check me out and move me on. Our Courtenay councillors have been unanimous in this poor bashing; marching in step with past councils. Remember the refusal to allow cheap rental suites on Cumberland road or the Four Square Church’s attempt to build social housing, the shelter debacle, the Maple Pool fiasco; those homeless squatters driven out of the park, their few possessions put in a dumpster and off to Pidgeon Lake? New council, same old B.S. right off the bat. So soon, so sad. Jeff Harbower Courtenay A misguided policy Dear Mr. Weber, I am writing to you as the Chair of the Courtenay School District to ask for a written justification for the removal of two half days a month from the educa-

tion of the children in this school district. As I understand it, the two afternoons a month were originally given to teachers as time to learn about and to incorporate a new Provincial curriculum into their classrooms. However, it is now two years later, which ought to have been more than enough time to complete this process. I am a retired teacher with more than 20 years experience teaching in the BC school system. During my teaching career, we were grateful for professional development days that did give us an opportunity to look at new and innovative ideas. For other learning experiences, we used time after the school day and summer holidays to expand our expertise and to communicate with others in the field. As the registrar for the Naramata Conference on Special Education, I spent 30 years helping to organize a weekend conference to assist educators to access new information and strategies relating to teaching children with special needs. No student was ever denied extended learning time for these professional opportunities. I have heard that the

typical school day has been lenghtened by a few minutes to equal the Wednesday afternoon closures, and my response is: that is a specious justification. A few minutes at the end of the day does not equal two afternoons a month. This is not happening in Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Richmond or other large school districts where the challenges arising from poverty and multicultural students are much greater. If not there, then why here? Parents in the Comox Valley are not wealthy, and for two years they have had to stretch their resources to provide child care for their children every other Wednesday. Child care is not equal to school time, and I am deeply concerned that Valley children, including my grandchildren, are being shortchanged by their school district. I am requesting that this letter be brought before the School Board, that it be included in the minutes of the next meeting, and that the Board provide a written justification to all of the Valley parents and taxpayers for this misguided policy. Linda Weinberg Anmore, B.C.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 6, 2015

BEEFS & BOUQUETS A BOUQUET to BC Hydro for being proactive on reservoir management, this week. No really high tides or winds, but it seems the reservoir inﬂows are harder, nearly impossible,

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THE COMOX VALLEY’S FIRST AND BEST READER’S FORUM Email to: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com to control, for BC Hydro. Huge swings in inflows. Never before experienced. Who should share in the cost of the Glacial stirring -it’s somewhat obvious that the Province has control over the reservoir, directly and indirectly - they need to pony up to cover the cost of to fix what used to be a pristine Comox Lake water supply, during winter months. A LIFETIME of puppy kisses to the staff at Pacific Coastal Airlines at the Comox Valley Airport for their amazing care transporting a rescue dog. Thank you so much for the support and genuine concern. BIG BEEF to the person who cut the top off the beautiful sequoia (California redwood) tree at Cook Creek just before the exit coming from Courtenay. We have been watching this beautiful tree grow for a few years now and we were crushed when just before Christmas we noticed that someone cut the top off it. You know who you are and anyone who saw your Christmas tree knows who you are. SHAME ON YOU!!! A BIG BOUQUET to Duane and crew at Vancouver Island Paving for the excellent paving - approaches, driveway and car port. The extra pouring was much appreciated this winter. A BIG BOUQUET to Shawn at Crockett Tractor Service for the excellent work on the deerproof fencing and gates. The price was very reasonable. A BIG BOUQUET to Jeff and Dave at Got Gutters for the excellent vinyl siding, aluminum gutters and new down spouts. The workmanship was excellent and the many extras

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they did are much appreciated. They were very meticulous and tidy with cleanup after they were ﬁnished and the price was very reasonable. MY BEEF is to all the people who drive with their handicap card on their rearview mirror. It impairs vision! I have a card and consider it a privilege. Am I one of the few who read the letter that came with it saying you are not supposed to drive with it hanging there! I think the police should start stopping these people! Abuse the card, you should lose it. A BOUQUET of snowdrops to all the knitters at Lake Trail School library “The Woolly Mammoths” - Wednesday evenings 6:30-8 pm and at the Comox Library every Tuesday evening 6:30-8 pm. It’s all FREE. Donations of yarn gratefully accepted for our “learners”. What a fun bunch! Need some “cabin fever’ reliever? FMI: 250-339-1240. I AM A TIMES COLONIST carrier. I deliver the paper six days a week. My beef is with the other carriers who took some of my tips. Shame on you. I hope you are looking over your shoulder, because I will be watching you. Maybe you should try earning your own tips the honest way. I work hard for my tips and count on them this time of year. BIG BEEF to all the landlords in the Comox Valley for keeping on increasing rents yearly. It’s just about greed and getting rich overnight. Is it any wonder why so many homeless people are living on the streets in this day and age. How devastating and shameful. It’s like once again going back to the

dirty 1930’s. Every year rents go up, food goes up, taxes. But the beef is the low income government cheques do not go up. I was talking to one homeless man. I said, sir, can you not ﬁnd work at all, and he looks at me and said, Oh sure, oh sure? There are all kinds of free volunteer jobs but not paying jobs and it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. To get work today I for one believe the Comox Valley will become the big ugly city of Vancouver. Many more homeless people will come and you can sure bet your greedy dollar on that. A HUGE BOUQUET to Dale from the Town of Comox for returning my iPhone last week. Thank you as well for returning it right to my front door! We are lucky to have kind and helpful people in our community, like you! ON MONDAY, January 26th at 9:40 P.M. I was in Superstore buying a few groceries. As I was unloading my basket I realized that I had left my wallet at home. While explaining this to the check-out clerk and saying I would return the items to their original locations, a young woman in line behind me offered to pay for my groceries. She insisted that she be allowed to pay, with the proviso that I pass the favor on. Her name is Kirstin, and I - and now several others that I’ve passed her kindness on to - am very grateful to her. A BOUQUET OF ROSES to Kari of CIBC, Crown Isle, for your patience in trying to resolve the issues with VISA. Finally done! Much appreciated. REMINDER to those walking or cycling in the dusk to wear bright clothing.

Was almost on you before I even saw you early one morning on my way to work. This applies to all walkers and cyclists on busy roads and not so busy neighbour roads (Aspen area). Thank you. BIG BOUQUET to “Fred” the seagull for some great entertainment. While sitting at Midas waiting for my car to be repaired I noticed this seagull that landed just outside the building and then without any hesitation wandered into the shop just like he owned the place. It was so funny, he walked around, hopped on the equipment and kept a watchful eye on the guys as they worked. I had to ask the manager just who this seagull was and was told that he’s been coming around daily for a couple of years and now will get quite close to the guys depending on what kind of food they have brought for him that particular day. He laughed and said there was even some talk about a facebook page for him. Kudos to Midas and their employees for looking after Fred and thanks to Fred for a few laughs while my car got ﬁxed. JUST A QUICK thumbs up to GOT GUTTERS. I had a small job that I called three gutter companies and the only one that replied was Got Gutters. They came out and gave me a good quote, then proceeded to do the job in a professional and timely manner. It’s really nice to deal with people who know what they are doing!! A HUGE BOUQUET of smiles, hugs, and “Bear necessities” from the kids at Lions Valley View Estates, who now have new friends to love, thanks to Brett Harrison. Your kindness DOES make a difference.

MY BOUQUET goes out to Marsha (Marcia) in the Assessment office in Courtenay who took the time and had the patience to listen to me and answer all my questions. Thank you.

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MY SON AND I were sitting in a restaurant, waiting for our meal. I was ﬂippingthrough newspapers to occupy myself, while we waited. I was reading the “Beefs and Bouquets” column, where a contributor was saying that he thought the recent rash of “Bouquets” from restaurant patrons who had anonymously had their restaurant bills covered by strangers was a) probably untrue and a cheap form of advertisement for restaurants, as the restaurants are generally named, in the “Bouquet”, but b) - if this really IS happening socially inappropriate, as there are others who are more in-need of food than the average restaurant patron. “Fair enough”, think I. “Anything is possible, and any perspective worthy, in this world.” Soon afterwards, our meals are brought to the table, we eat them, relax a bit, and then go to pay the bill... but GUESS WHAT? SOMEONE HAD COVERED OUR BILL! It felt like Christmas had come again: I was amazed, and came-over all blush-y. The waitress also informed me that it had been the older couple sitting beside my son and I, who had covered the bill, for us. In amazement, I said “That’s funny: the entire meal, I thought they were judging me, because my son was too messy and loud!” This goes to show that YOU NEVER KNOW. Thank you, kind couple, both for not judging us, and for giving us an unexpected gift. We may not be starving in a gutter, but we are not well-off, and your gift was very appreciated. (I DO regret, however, that I must insist on keeping the name of the restaurant in which all of this oc-

curred, unnamed. I don’t want to give the cynics of the world any loopholes to relish.) DEAR CALL ME CYNICAL: Yes you are in error, and it is too bad you have such little faith in the people of the Comox Valley. I personally pay for someone else’s table in a restaurant at least once a month, and I know of other people who do the same. I feel sorry for you, that your trust in your fellow human beings is so pathetic. DEAR CYNICAL, you may indeed, be suspicious when you hear about people who anonymously pay for someone’s meal. But it deﬁnitely happens and I know because I am someone who does it! Sometimes I buy the person behind me in the grocery line a treat, sometimes the cashier when she looks tired, sometimes the person behind me in a Tim Horton’s drive-through. I have also been on the receiving end of a free meal at a restaurant. You ﬁnd it hard to understand why people would do this when they could be giving their money to people who “really need it”. First, who’s to say who “really needs it?” You can’t know that, unless you have access to this person’s bank account details. And, chances are, the people who are giving their money away in this way, are ALSO giving to the homeless, the food bank, to other various charities locally and globally. Giving is a way of life and I for one, do not restrict my generosity to what you may consider poor people. Giving makes me feel good and it makes others feel good and that’s why I do it. I also hope that the person

on the receiving end does pay it forward, perhaps to someone who is really needy, but if not, that’s okay too - because random acts of kindness act like a domino effect - you never know where it will end up! So, my cynical friend, you may feel suspicious when you read about generous acts, doubting the sincerity of the writer, but wouldn’t it make you feel better about the world to give the person the beneﬁt of the doubt and be glad that there is kindness and generosity of spirit out there? It exists and I sincerely hope YOU receive an anonymous gift someday and have cause to thank the person in the Bouquets. TO THE PERSON who insists on driving your Moped up the Lerwick road sidewalk. I know how scary driving on that busy road can be. But do you not realize how dangerous it is for the people walking on the sidewalk? Not to mention that it is illegal. If you are too afraid to drive on the road maybe you should be walking. It’s bad enough when we have to share the sidewalk with a pedal bike. BOUQUETS of Human Rights to the letter writer who claims to speak for the “majority” of library users - your view of the homeless, vulnerable HUMAN BEINGS in our community is more of a threat to myself and my children than the less fortunate among us. The judgement, fear and intimidation in your letter is what is disgusting, not the situation at the library. BEEF to all the traffic beefers! First off, it’s trafﬁc, get over it. If I read

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

one more “when is something going to be done about (insert lame traffic whine here)” I am going to scream! Here’s when it will get done, when you get behind the wheel and drive defensively. This community, province, country has bigger ﬁsh to fry than chasing down vehicles that you don’t like their driving. A BIG BOUQUET to Finneron Hyundai for the experience they provide in buying a new car. I have been in about 10 car dealerships over the past two months looking to buy a new car. I can say that the best experience I had was in Finneron Hyundai. If you are also in a car buying mood please do yourself a favor and try them out. It was more of a helpful experience rather than an adversarial one that happens too often in the car industry today. Thanks again for making the car shopping experience a positive one. IN THE COMOX VALLEY THERE ARE 104 REGISTERED SPECIAL OLYMPICS athletes and 74 volunteer coaches/support persons. Each and every one of them would like to say thank you to the merchants and community members who stepped up to help make our Christmas dinner and dance such a success. Turkeys donated by QF, the Westerly, LCol Clint Mowbray CO of 442 Squadron Comox, Lori Zacharias and Rob & Kristin Thibert were delicious. Door prizes donated by Boston Pizza, Island Pizza and Wendy’s thrilled our athletes. Thanks to Karensa Blerot, John’s Independent Grocer, Walmart and Target for donations that allowed us to get all those

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

extra things that turned a dinner and dance into a Christmas event. Continued success wishes to Sweet Surprises bakery for taking our last minute order for gluten free cakes and giving us a deal. And to Rob Smith - music man extraordinaire - thank you for your many years as our DJ. Special Olympics Comox Valley and its athletes thrive in the Comox Valley because of the support, kindness and dedication of its coaches/volunteers and the community behind them. How fortunate we are to live where we live surrounded and supported by such great people.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Open Daily 9am - 4pm

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

WELCOME TO THE 4TH ANNUAL ISLANDS AGRICULTURE SHOW We are excited to be hosting the show in the Com ox Valley and we hope you are enthused and energized with the array of conference speakers and exhibitors this year. The Islands Agriculture Show Board of Directors work 12 months out of the year to ensure each agriculture show offers the latest and greatest in farm equipment, farm products and services and conference session topics. This year the show offers conference sessions on a variety of topics ranging from building the island beef industry to proﬁtable pastures. There is something for everyone. We are pleased that Tom Manley, CEO of Homestead Organics is our keynote speaker for this year’s show. Tom will be sharing his insights on growing a food business using non-traditional ﬁnancing. The future of agriculture is with our youth and the Islands Agriculture Show is proud to again feature Young Farmers Day on Friday February 13th. This year, we have an outdoor live animal display as well as interactive displays in the Filberg Centre. Be sure to grab a bite to eat from one of the outside concessions or in the public lounge in the Native Sons Hall. We are here to educate and support the agriculture industry on Vancouver and Gulf Islands and your attendance ensures that we continue to provide a high quality show for many years to come. We thank you. — Kathy Lachman, President, Islands Agriculture Show Society

February 13th, 4:30 pm - Native Sons Hall You are invited to attend the Welcome Reception - featuring locally produced appetizers and spirits to celebrate agriculture in the Comox Valley. Proudly presented by: The Comox Valley Farmers Institute, Comox Valley Farmers Market, Comox Valley Exhibition and Comox Valley Economic Development.

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Exhibitors 1..........Farm Credit Canada 2..........WaterTec Irrigation 3..........Outback Nursery 4..........Willsie Equipment Sales Inc. 5..........Osbourne Seed 6..........Scotia Bank 7..........West Coast Fish Culture 8..........Highland Irrigation 9..........RoyaiBank 10........Iritex Pumps and Irrigation Inc. 11........Quality Seeds West 12........Alberni Clayquot Regional District 13........MNP LLP 14........MNP LLP 15........Investment Agriculture Foundation 16........Investors Group 17........Top Shelf Feeds 18........Island Tractor and Supply Ltd. 19........Grassoline 20........Verified Beef Production Program 21........FARSHA 22 .......Direct Solutions 23........Croplife Clean Farms BC 24........Bank of Montreal 25........Southern Drip Irrigation Ltd. 26........Southern Drip Irrigation Ltd. 27........Economic Development Cowichan 28........Canadian Food Inspection Agency 29........BC Assessment 30........Pest Management Regulatory AgencyHealth Canada 31........Vancouver Island Co-Ops Group 32........Vancouver Island Co-Ops Group

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Penninsula Co-op 15 Great Locations Serving Victoria to Duncan

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Exhibitors 33........Westcoast Robotics 34........Frontlink INC. 35........Foodsafe c/o Camosun College 36........BC Agriculture Council 37........RTC -Ollnstallation of Canada Ltd. 38........Hi Pro Feeds 39........West Coast Seeds 42........BC Meats for BC Families 43........Ministry of Agriculture - Business Knowledge & Development 44........Ministry of Agriculture 45........United Agri Products Canada Inc 46........Young Agrarians 47........Hidden Valley Conservation Club 48........Island Coastal Economic Trust 49........Rollins Machinery Ltd. 50........Jeff McCallum 51........Black Creek Farm & Feed Supply 52........BW Global Structures 53........BC Dairy Association 54........New Society Publishers 55........Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada 56........Queen Margaret’s School Filberg Stage Comox Valley Exhibition “Farmer for the day”

MEETING ROOMS, ARENAS, POOLS, WELLNESS CENTRE and EXHIBITION GROUNDS Welcome all attendees to the 2015 Islands Agriculture Show CVRD’s sports centre 3001 Vanier Drive, Courtenay CVRD’s aquatic centre 377 Lerwick Drive, Courtenay CVRD’s exhibition grounds 4839 Headquarters Road, Courtenay

For schedules visit: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/rec or call 250-334-9622

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Thank You to Our Sponsors Visit us at the Islands Agriculture Show Feb. 13 & 14 Please help me find a name!

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the Minister of Agriculture Honourable Norm Letnick will be attending the show Friday morning for the official Opening from 9:15 am - 10:15 am. Also Don McRae will be attending the Welcome Reception on Friday night. Dusty MacDonald, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Federated Cooperatives Limited, the largest Cooperative in Canada and 38th largest company in Canada will attend the IAS on Friday the 13th for a quick Visit.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Celebrate Family Day with Courtenay Rec Courtenay Recreation wants to celebrate all of our families this

10:00am-5:00pm, with special free activities taking place from 10:00am -3:00pm. Free activities include: Family Gymnastics, Family Gym games, Family Zumba, Youth Zone, Family Art room with Jenja McIntyre, and Games shows and live music by Drop the Needle Entertainment. The LINC Youth Centre will be hosting a concession with all kinds of affordable goodies. Regular fees will apply to squash and the Wellness Centre. We acknowledge the ﬁnancial support of the Province of British Columbia to bring you a free and fun way to spend the day together! For more information, please call The Lewis Centre (250) 338-5371.

Monday February 9 for Family Day! The Lewis Centre will be open from

Royston hosts Family Day Spirit Bear Swim Royston Community Club and Hall will host the 2nd Annual Spirit Bear Swim this coming BC Family Day, February 9th, 2015 at 11am. All communities and families are welcome and festivities begin at 11 am at the Royston waterfront on Marine Drive at Royston Road. There will be a

Grand Prize for Best Outﬁt, and Best Team Spirit, lots of Runners Up and Door Prizes including Swim Passes donated by Comox Valley Recreation Facilities. Fresh Royston Coffee, Hot Chocolate and Tea on site, with DJ and MC King Tutt supplying all the “Splish Splash” tunes.

This event follows another successful Community “Breakfast with Santa” in December, as well as community “meet and greet” block parties and is an opportunity for many local residents to share and celebrate the growing spirit of the Royston Community with the whole Comox Valley.

Marine Harvest achieves first ASC certified salmon farm in North America Marine Harvest Canada’s Marsh Bay farm is the first salmon farm in North America to attain Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification. The company expects its first ASC salmon to enter the North American market in February. Meeting ASC salmon requirements is particularly challenging given its demanding expectations and has required fundamental changes to Marine Harvest’s Canadian op-

erations. The standard emphasizes environmental and conservation principles that protect natural habitats, biodiversity and wild ﬁsh populations through rigorous criteria for environmental monitoring, responsible disease management, and feed ingredient choice. Demonstrating socially responsible practices that support workers and communities is another signiﬁcant focus of the stan-

dard. Given the company’s commitment to achieve certiﬁcation of all farms by 2020, Marine Harvest Canada’s Public Affairs Director, Clare Backman, states he is proud of this ﬁrst step which “validates our commitment to align our operations with the toughest standards and highest environmental and social principles. “We are happy to celebrate this milestone which has been anticipated by

the public and our customers.” Marsh Bay joins fewer than 30 salmon farms worldwide that have succeeded in achieving the certiﬁcation since the

standard’s release in June 2012. Marine Harvest Canada is British Columbia’s leading aquaculture company and supplier of Sterling brand salmon.

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Zoned Industrial Light that is located close to CFB Comox base comes with many uses warehousing, offices, automobile body shop, industrial equipment sales and service, garden nursery and commercial greenhouse use and processing, veterinary clinics, animal hospital, wood processing, and many more

Politeness has become so rare that people mistake it for flirtation

March 21 Award winning show w Tonight…Piaf starring Joelle Rabu

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One of the few Duplex ranchers available in Crown Isle. An open floor plan with 9 ft ceilings and 10 1/2 ft Vaulted ceilings in the living area along with a gas fireplace. Two bedrooms with an ensuite off the master bedroom along with a walk-in closet. A den or office off the main entrance. Enjoy living without strata fees but still enjoy the Crown Isle lifestyle!

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26 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Online auction launched to help Sunday, and Campbell River mom Comox Valley resident Sunday Dennis, her family, and “Team Sunday” (the community team surrounding them) have been blown away by the incredible community support and kindness that has been extended to Sunday as she battles an aggressive and life threatening form of brain cancer called Gleoblastoma. Diagnosed December 31st 2014, Team Sunday has been raising signiﬁcant funds in order for the family to seek highly special-

ized treatment and care in the US. Remarkably, cash donations, special fundraising events and silent and online auctions have raised over $300,000 in just one month! Sunday is recovering from her surgery in LA and is on her way back to Canada for treatment while she waits for the next steps in an exciting treatment trial at UCLA. “Sunday and Jason are completely amazed by the love and support that has been offered to them. This

love has made it possible for them to pursue a medical path that could help save Sunday’s life.” says Shea Wilson, a spokesperson for the family. “There are still many expenses to come and hurdles to overcome but this is an amazing start.” Remarkably, there are still many donations, art, gift certiﬁcates, services and more that just couldn’t be integrated into the fundraising events and auction so far. There were literally too many items to

manage. Too much love to handle. “Jason and Sunday are also aware that there are other families in need just like them, right here in our own community and they really want to share some of the radical generosity that was shared with them.” With the blessing of of Jason and Sunday, Team Sunday is launching a new online auction on February 4th with the proceeds being shared equally between the Sunday Dennis

Trust Fund and a fund for a Campbell River mother with a new born baby also facing treatment for a malignant brain tumor. The family has also been raising funds on youcaring.com and their story is called “Funds for Heather, Hajie, and Mustafa” http:// w w w.y o u c a r i n g . c o m / medical-fundraiser/fundsfor-heather-hajie-andmustafa/286202. They still have a ways to go on their fundraising goals and Sunday and her team wish to help.

Details on Sunday’s journey and opportunities to donate can be found at http://www. youcaring.com/medicalfundraiser/hope-for-sunday-dennis/286076. or at Bright Light and Love for Sunday Dennis on facebook. The Silent Auction for Heather and Sunday launched at NOON February 4th and runs until Valentines Day. Visit the auction here: http://sundayandheather.eflea.ca/ view

Enter the dragon Asian cultural dance to highlight Comox Valley’s Lunar New Year celebrations BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff The dragon is set to enter the Comox Valley. The world championship dragon dance team of Taiwan is coming to the valley for the Lunar New Year Festival to be hosted by the Comox Valley Multicultural Society on Feb. 24 at the Native Sons Hall. The Jhuo Lan Dragon Dance Team will travel to three cities only in Canada and it includes a performance here in Courtenay and in Vancouver and Toronto. Event organizer Jin Lin said they are excited to bring this traditional dance which will share not only the Asian culture but also celebrate the 100th year birthday of

the City of Courtenay. “This is a must see performance,” said Lin. “Do not miss it.” This will be Jhuo Lan’s inaugural performance in Canada. The team will perform four of their world famous dragon dances. The dragon dance is a Chinese tradition and is believed to hold magical powers as well as the authority to control nature. The dragon is a symbol of success and power in Asia. The act of dragon dances demonstrates these properties and delivers blessings to all. After years of evolution, today’s dragon dances combine elements of contemporary artistry in materials as well as shapes and traditional

dle of exploding firecrackers in Miaoli, Taiwan. In passing shown this significant cultural ritual, the dragon dance team from National Jhuo Lan Experimental Senior High School has not only trained countless dragon dancing performers, but also created a great number of inspiring dragon dances, such as The Warrior Dragon, the Lotus Dragon, the Dragon of Glory and the The Jhuo Lan Dragon Dance team from Taiwan will help celebrate the Lunar New Year here in the Comox Valley and also celebrate Courtenay’s 100th birthday celebration. characteristics in martial arts and movements. “Bursting Dragon” is a

special Hakka tradition in which dragon dancers must dance in the mid-

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Dragon for the stars. With their beautiful, fluorescent dragon performance, Jhuo Lan dragon dance team is going to illuminate Courtenay’s Lunar New Year Festival. The event will cover culture, entertainment and food. For more information please contact Jin Lin (250)338-9386 / email:cvmiss@gmail.ca or browse www. comoxvalleymulticultural.ca

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

ECHO

SEND A SINGING VALENTINE CARD

etc. CO-VAL TICKETS NOW ON SALE Tickets for Co-Val Choristers spring production of “Yours Anne”, a musical based on the “Diary of Anne Frank”, are now available. The box office at the Old Church Theatre is now open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm. For reserved seating phone 250-334-2992. Dates for this production run from March 20-29. This brilliant musical addresses the life and times of Anne Frank and her family as they lived in hiding from July 1942 to August 1944. Although the situation was fearful Anne remained hopeful and positive - “In spite of everything I still believe that people are good at heart.”

LADIES CLOTHING EXCHANGE FEB. 7 Ladies! If you have stocked your closets with wonderful fashions, but it’s time to upgrade, swap or sell, join in Comox Recreations ﬁrst Ladies Clothing Exchange on February 7th, 9 to 11am at Comox Community Centre. The registration fee to sell your goods is only $5 per table and it’s free to come in and shop! We will see you there!

Once again a Forbidden Plateau Barbershop Quartet will surprise a loved one on February 13 and 14 with a rose, a Valentine card and sing two or three love songs. They will visit homes, schools, all workplaces, restaurants, seniors’ homes and hospitals unannounced in Comox, Courtenay or Cumberland. Cost is $40 and all monies collected are donated to the Comox Valley Prostate Cancer Support Group. Surprise your special lady or man and book your time and place early by ringing Al at 250-3393668.

NEW TO TOWN? TRY THIS OUT ... Have you recently moved to the Comox Valley and have very few, if any, acquaintances, family members or friends? Being new to an area how do you ﬁnd out what your new community has to offer? How and where do you get a good recommendation for a doctor, dentist, hairstylist, meet friends and learn more about this wonderful place that is now home? An excellent starting point would be the Comox Valley Newcomers’ Club. The Newcomers’ club is a friendly, warm and welcoming group of women who have resided in the Comox Valley for less than two years. The club currently offers 25+ activities for their members, some being co-ed. An individual can become involved in anything from hiking,

bridge and book club, to music makers, biking, gardening and stitching. Why not attend the next general meeting which is scheduled for Monday, February 9th to ﬁnd out more! The February meeting will feature a presentation by Jane Murphy, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital. Ms. Murphy will update us on the building progress of the new hospital. Monthly meetings are held at the Crown Isle Club House, 399 Club House Drive, Courtenay. Doors open at 6:30 pm with the meeting starting promptly at 7:00 pm. For more information email us at cvnewcomers.bc@gmail.com or check out our website at www. cvnewcomers.net. Your new friends are waiting for you!

RHODO TOUR MEETING TOPIC For a number of years, the North Island Rhododendron Society (NIRS) has exchanged garden tour visits with a sister group on Whidbey Island in the San Juan Islands. The 2014 exchange was hosted by Whidbey Island and involved eight unique gardens that ranged from old established rhodo gardens to an unusual “kettle” garden. For the February 11 NIRS meeting, local members Barb and Brian Staton have put together a selection of images from the trip whittled down from more than 300 images. NIRS meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month in the Comox United Church, 250 Beach Avenue with doors opening at 7PM and the meeting starting at 7:30PM. Refreshments are served and guests interested in membership in the group are welcome.

SPECIAL TALK FOR HARD OF HEARING

WOMEN TO HEAR FROM JILL NELSON

Susan Sinclair, M.A. Aud (c), Registered Audiologist and owner of the NextGenHearing Center, will be speaking at the February meeting of the ‘CHHA’ - CV Hard of Hearing Support Group . The meeting will as usual be held at the Tsolum Building ( behind Lewis Center near tennis court) on February 12. We are looking forward to hearing from this talented lady described as being particularly passionate about meeting the communication needs of her clients, through the latest technology in hearing aids, accessories and assistive listening devices. Following her presentation, Susan is planning for a ‘question and answer’ session. We do hope to see you there. Meeting starts at 10 am. New members, family and friends, most welcome. Hope to see you there! FMI call Glenda 250 338 7792.

Comox Valley Women’s Connection are hosting a Luncheon featuring Jill Nelson’s “Fun with Excercise”. Jill specializes in working with 55 plus but everyone is welcome. Our guest speaker will be Julie LeGoff and her topic is “Search for Love” and our singer is Karen Usipuik. Please join us for a fun ﬁlled luncheon at The Crown Isle Resort. on Wednesday, February 11th. Lunch will start at 11:30am. (Doors open at 11am.) Please e-mail reservations to comoxvalleycwc@gmail.com or call Rose at 250-337-5491.

MYSTERY AT GENEALOGY CLUB Comox Valley Genealogy Group meets Tuesday Feb 10th - from 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. Topic for this month’s meeting will be: “The Mystery and Search for Donna Gray”. Location: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1901 20th St. Courtenay. Come and hear how this mystery was solved. Speaker will be Barb Page. Guests and new members welcome. FMI..Marlene 250334-3080. Web Site...http://www. cvfamilyhistory.org/

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Interested in a career in health care? Join us for a free informational workshop on Health Care Careers at Wachiay Friendship Centre, 1625 McPhee Avenue in Courtenay. This workshop is offered by Island Health (VIHA) in cooperation with the WorkBC Outreach Centre at Wachiay. Facilitated by Michele Noullet Morﬁtt, Aboriginnal Employment Advisor at Island Health, workshop topics to be discussed are: health care careers, resumes, cover letters, applying to Island Health and construction jobs. This workshop runs from 1:003:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2015 and is open to the public. Registration is required. Register in person at Wachiay Friendship

Centre or contact Claudette at claudette@ceas.ca or 250-3343425 X. 309.

CYCLING SAFETY DANCE FEB. 21 The Comox Valley Early Childhood Educators Community is hosting a “Cycling Safety Dance” on Saturday Feb 21, 7 pm at the lower Elks Hall in Courtenay. This event is being held in memory of Paul Bally who lost his life while cycling. Paul’s wife is an early childhood educator and it is her wish that proceeds go towards developing cycling safety educational materials for preschool age children. The educators will work closely with the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition to produce the materials. We invite everyone to come and support this very worthwhile cause. Music will be provided by “Collective Whole”. Tickets are only $10 each and can be purchased at the door or by e-mailing Charlene at cggray@ shaw.ca

MYELOMA SUPPORT MEETING The North Island Myeloma Support Group is having its monthly meeting on February 17, 2015 in the dining room at the Best Western Westerly Hotel, 1590 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay. Come for lunch at 12:15 (optional, buy your own lunch), meeting starts at 1:30. Please contact Sandy at: ianandsandymac@gmail.com or 250-703-4688 if you plan to attend or for more info.

ACUPUNCTURE The $5ǀ0$728&+® 7HFKQLTXH is currently available at the House of Now - 536A 5th Street Courtenay. For more information and to take advantage of our 25% introductory package savings, please contact Nelson at 250-465-2120 or visit http://optimumwellnessfactor.ca/

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28 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

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*Offer available with any activation of a new TELUS smartphone on a 2 year postpaid consumer rate plan. Promotional discount is the lesser of $100 and the price of the eligible device before tax. The mobility and TELUS Home Services accounts must be in the same name. †Offer available to consumers and businesses operated by a sole proprietor. TELUS Home Services are TV, Internet and TELUS Home Phone. Linking of home services and mobility accounts required to receive the $5/month discount. Only one discount available for each mobility account. The mobility and TELUS Home Services accounts must be in the same name. TELUS, the TELUS logo, Optik, Optik TV, telus.com and the future is friendly are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under licence. © 2015 TELUS.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 6, 2015

ECHO

EXTRA

‘THROUGH THE STAGE DOOR’

Showstopper with heart - and voices Rehearsals in full swing for Strathcona Sunrise Rotary’s big Valentine fundraiser BY PHILIP ROUND Report and photos Special to the Echo

They are all working SO hard. The bottom line is that we all really want a quality show to entertain everyone ...”

The show’s musical director, Gloria Herauf, takes the performers through their paces at a rehearsal.

rip-roaring journey through six decades of popular music is the theme for this year’s ‘Have a Heart’ fundraising dinner-show in Courtenay being promoted by Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club. Staged close to Valentine’s Day each year, the upcoming three evening performances are slated for Thursday-Saturday, February 19-21, at the Florence Filberg Centre. This year, the show’s musical director Gloria Herauf has scripted an original storyline that sees Fritz, a fictional Roxy Theatre stage door manager, having memories of

Musical director Gloria Herauf (far left) coaches six of the performers - from the left, Laurel Erhart, Maggie Enwright, Patty-Forbes King, Carol Jennermann, Dana Klassen and Jackie Lambeth.

GLORIA HERAUF Musical Director

We anticipate that over the three days nearly 750 people will enjoy both an excellent dinner and a fun production that is sure to entertain” It’s Ken Newman on the piano leading six of his co-performers in singing ‘Making Whoopee’ - pictured standing from the left are Mike Stewart, Ross Griffith-Cochrane, Rhett Wade, Scott Agur, Bruce Walkey and Walter Jordan.

KEITH CURRIE

past performances jogged by chance encounters and by fading posters of shows staged there from the 1920s to the 1980s. As Fritz (played by Dale Erhart) reminisces, he and the other 21 cast members bring his memories to life in a fast-paced, exuberant revue ranging from the Broadway follies through the jazz age to jukebox, spanning the glory years of the great stage musicals and on to ABBA. Titled ‘Through the Stage Door,’ the show features 38 songs in all - so-

so all will be having their hair dyed for the performances - while the women are either having their hair coloured or being fitted with wigs. As a result, on the night many in the audience may have a hard task recognizing some of the local performers, despite knowing them as friends or colleagues in their day-to-day lives. The show requires many set changes, too, and the creation of those all-important scenic backdrops is being led by Herauf’s husband, Les, who (Continued on page 30)

los, groups and full chorus numbers - and numerous costume changes to represent the different eras. Coordinating the challenge of getting all the costumes right are Glayne Axtel and Sharon Lalonde, with lots of help from friends. The scale of their task can be appreciated from the fact that one of the singers, Jackie Lambeth, has no fewer than nine changes of outfit as the decades roll by. In addition to the costumes, there are scenes that require all the men in the cast to look younger,

Jackie Lambeth (left) pictured rehearsing a song-and-dance routine with Ross Griffith-Cochrane.

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30 www.comoxvalleyecho.com A real showstopper with heart FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

(Continued from page 29) has dedicated his double garage as a scenerybuilding workshop. Gloria Herauf says that putting on a show of this scale is a huge team effort, with many people working hard behind the scenes to support the enthusiastic performers on stage and the small orchestra that will accompany them. The Comox Valley has a long history of musical theatre staged by a number of societies, and that tradition expanded further when the Heraufs retired to the local area from Saskatchewan in 2007. Retirement didn’t result in Gloria putting her feet up - music ran through her veins from an award-winning career in musical education, theatre and composition, and she was in no mood to stem the flow. On arrival in Comox, she quickly became involved with the United Church, where - in addition to playing the piano for services - she is musical director for the Beach Street Players, many of whom are church members. Six years ago the Play-

If I were a rich man...Mike Stewart puts his heart into the role of Tevye from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’.

ers staged their first public performance at the Westerly Hotel, successfully raising enough money for a new church piano. The enthusiasm generated led to another show, and for the past four years they have teamed up with the Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club to stage even more ambitious dinner-show productions that have gone on to raise tens of thousands of dollars for local causes. Strathcona Sunrise Ro-

tary Club president Keith Currie is excited to see the production coming together so well. “This is an all-new show for 2015 and like past performances, I am sure it will be a sellout on all three nights,” he says. “We anticipate that over the three days nearly 750 people will enjoy both an excellent dinner and a fun production that is sure to entertain - and at the same time help us raise a lot of money for great projects.” Rotarian Richard Clarke, who is leading the club’s involvement in organizing the event, says last year’s Have a Heart dinner-show raised $25,000 and it would be fantastic if they could do that again. He notes that this year a key beneficiary will be L’Arche Comox Valley, which - through its ‘I Belong!’ campaign - is raising money to build a new multi-purpose residential, day activity and outreach centre on Grieve Avenue in Courtenay for people with development disabilities. In addition, projects being progressed by the Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club will also share in

The show features plenty of surprises, including a musical number using walkers. From the right foreground to left background are Carol Jennermann, Maggie Enwright, Valetta Nixon, Jackie Lambeth and Dana Klassen. money raised at the event, as will Comox United Church for its community support programs. Tickets, including the dinner by Plates Catering, cost $50 for the Thursday event and $55 for Friday and Saturday’s performances. They are available from the Blue Heron bookshop on Comox Avenue, and the Benjamin Moore House of Color on Fifth Street in Courtenay.

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On each evening, dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by the two-act show starting at 7:30 p.m. with a fundraising auction/raffle during the show interval. Gloria Herauf is bubbling with enthusiasm for this year’s show as she and the cast continue with their regular rehearsals at the United Church. “They are all working SO hard,” she says. “The

bottom line is that we all really want a quality show to entertain everyone, but the fun and joy of making music is as important to me as putting the show on. “We didn’t start rehearsing until January 6, but it’s really coming together well. We’re doing all kinds of things this year that are pretty cute - I think the audience will love it.”

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Vancouver Island Maywork’s 2015 ‘Writing on Work’ contest Vancouver Island Mayworks will be holding our third annual ‘Writing on Work’ contest and if you work and you write, you should enter. Each year the WoW contest has grown in both quantity and quality and we expect even bigger and better things this year. The subject matter is work, any kind of work. We are looking for pieces told from the point of view of a worker, or a story about a group of workers but we are open to any approach. It could be about hard physical work, or it could be about cyber-work, or about a workplace in the 1880s, or about the beauty and pain of work, as long as 1) It is a maximum of 2500 words 2) It can be ﬁction, both prose or poetry, or nonﬁction 3) It has not been previously published HERE IS HOW IT WORKS: Our panel of judges will read all the entries and shortlist those down to six stories or poems. The six writers or poets will then have an opportunity to read their work at a public reading on June 17th, 2014 at Zocalo Café in Courtenay. All shortlisted works will be published in a chapbook available at the June 17th reading There will be two prizes of $300 each. One, the juried prize will be awarded by the panel of judges. The other, the People’s Choice, will be voted on by the audience attending the June 17th reading. You are eligible to win both prizes. The deadline for submission of entries is May 17th, 2015. Please mail them to 480 2nd St Courtenay BC V9N 1C1 or e-mail to bcharlton@shaw.ca. We will announce the shortlist on June 1st. The reading will be at Zocalo on Wednesday evening, June 17. You do not have to be present at the reading to submit your work. The work will remain your property except for its inclusion in the chapbook. For any other questions please contact Mayworks at 250-334-3624

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

The U14 Girls won their last game to take the league championship

The U15 Boys also had to win their last game to take the league championship

The U15 Girls won their league championship on the back of a strong season

The U16 Girls also had a strong season to win their league championship

VIPL Riptide take four League Championships Vancouver Island Premier League regular season play wrapped up this past weekend with Upper Island Soccer Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Riptide on top in four of eight divisions, winning the

U14, U15, U16 Girls and the U15 Boys. Going into the weekend both the U15 and U16 Girls secured ďŹ rst on the backs of a very strong seasons.

The U14 Girls and U15 Boys needed to win their last game. In an exciting game against Cowichan scoring late the U14 Girls went on to a 3-0 win to overtake Saanich Fusion FC to

win the league by two points. A convincing 5-0 win over Cowichan from the U15 Boys secured their lead to win the league by three points over Gorge/Lakehill.

Teams now turn their focus to league play downs starting Feburary 14/15. Game times and locations can be found at www.riptidesoccer. ca.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015 Twenty--four Comox Valley runners competed with 480 others in the second of the Island Series races at Cobble Hill last Sunday (Jan 25th). The weather was cloudy, damp and about 10 degrees, in other words a perfect day for a fast 10 km run. And run fast they did. First place overall, and ﬁrst place in his very competitive age group (3034) was claimed by the CVRR’s very own Derek

Vinge, with an awesome time of 32:46. First place ﬁnishes in their respective age groups were also accomplished by Vince Brotherston (5054), Roger Plamondon (55-59), Roslyn Smith (6569) and Ken Richardson (70-74). Placing a very close second in his age group (6064) was Wayne Crowe. Danny Keyes completed the medals for the day with a third place ﬁnish in

the 55-59 age group. Just out of the medals, but with great times, were 4th place ﬁnishes by Les Disher (60-69) and Marion Bryan (40-44) and a 5th place ﬁnish by a very delighted Sheila Van Gisbergen. The Road Runners next Island Series challenge is the Cedar 12K taking place just south of Nanaimo on February 8th. Complete results can viewed at CVRR.ca.

CV Road Runners set the pace

Local minor hockey supports VIAHA’s fan-free weekend proposal Drastic action aims to send a message to stop verbal abuse of officials and players BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff The Comox Valley Minor Hockey Association is supporting the idea of a fan-free weekend to eliminate the problem of spectators abusing on-ice ofﬁcials and players during minor hockey games. It has become such a serious issue the Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association is considering this action. This was the message of president Jim Humphrey to all affiliated associations on the island including the Comox Valley. CVMHA president Win Hunter said the valley is not exempt from this type of abusive behaviour stemming mostly from parents. “We do have this problem as well,” said Hunter. “It’s threatening our game and it’s got to stop.” Hunter said there were

occasions where he had to ask a spectator to leave for abusing the officials. And when the spectator refused to leave, Hunter had to stop the game until the person left. On-ice officials can be as young as 12-years-old and are still learning how to officiate. To become a target of abusive comments said Hunter only discourages them and makes it difficult for the valley association to recruit future referees and linesmen. “You talk to any parent of a young referee or a linesman, in our association and many others, they’ll tell you this is just awful,” said Hunter. “People sit in the stands and they get emotional. It’s unacceptable.” Should the VIAHA proceed with its fan-free weekend proposal, the minor hockey games would be restricted only to players, on and off ice officials,

team officials, MHA presidents, game supervisor, VIAHA officers and staff. Referees would be instructed not to start games until all spectators have left or to stop the game should spectators access the arena during the game. Should spectators refuse to comply, the referees would have the teams leave the playing surface, thus cancelling the game. If the game was to be cancelled, VIAHA would conduct an investigation to determine the affiliation of the spectator(s) and rule accordingly. “The abusers are probably only one per cent of the people that come and attend the game,” said Hunter. “Ninetynine per cent of them are ﬁne. They’re enjoying the game and they’re not yelling and screaming at anybody. But to get their attention, you’ve got to ban

Can we help?

the many in order to get the message through and change the culture.” The majority of the island minor hockey associations are supporting the spectator-free weekend. The VIAHA is reluctant to pursue this direction but feels it might be necessary to discourage abuse from parents and other hockey fans. “They understand that the vast majority of parents and other fans are supportive and positive toward players and game officials,” Humphrey said. “However, a very small minority feel they have the right to verbally abuse and harass young men and women, frequently little older than the players in the games they are officiating.” The institution of spectator-free weekends could occur during upcoming minor hockey playoffs, he said.

Last summer, Marine Harvest Canada’s salmon barbeque cooked up $31,000 of support for local charities from the Comox Valley to Port Hardy. Marine Harvest Canada is now booking fundraising events for the 2015 summer barbeque season. If your charity or society is interested, please see our guidelines and application at www.MarineHarvestCanada.com

34 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Herb wants you! VISAS’s Herb Bradley Challenge fund-raiser set for Sunday, Feb. 15 There’s still time to register a team for the 2015 Herb Bradley Challenge which takes place on Mount Washington, Sunday, February 15th. Over the years many Vancouver Island businesses and families have supported this annual event by entering a team for a fun day on the slopes. The Herb Bradley Challenge (HBC), named after the founder of the adaptive snowsports in the Comox Valley, is Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports’ (VISAS) main fundraiser. Proceeds from this event support adaptive snowboard and ski programs for 500+ participants each season. “This fundraiser,” said Brian Gorman, organizer of the 2015 HBC, “provides the dollars to run our Winter Sports Festival, the racing program, and upgrade our adaptive

ski and snowboard equipment.” With the generous support from Peter Gibson and his team at Mount Washington, VISAS’ program has grown to be one of the biggest in western Canada, offering people with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities, the opportunity to get out each winter and have fun on the slopes and trails. “To join in the fun on February 15th just round up three people willing to attach themselves to skis or snowboards and navigate down a gentle slalom course” added Gorman. “No experience is required.” The entry fee is only $300 and includes lift tickets for the day and lunch, and includes a charitable donation. “Each team will be allocated one of our smiling students for the race. And the team closest to their guesstimate time is the winner,” added Gorman.

“The short race takes place in the morning and you have the rest of the day to enjoy the mountain experience.” Are you a business owner looking to reward employees with a team building experience on the slopes? Want to get together a group of friends and family to support a great cause, then consider entering a team in this year’s Herb Bradley Challenge. For more information on the Herb Bradley Challenge contact Brian Gorman at (250) 2186335, email: givebrianahug@gmail.com. For additional information and/or to download a HBC registration form, just click onto www. visasweb.ca. And check out VISAS’ exciting promotional video on its homepage, join VISAS’ Facebook page, and view highlights from this year’s festival at VISAS’ Flickr.

Scenes from the previous Herb Bradley Challenge Fundraisers.

TransaTlanTic/Med & More This week

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Tickets: Blue Heron Books & Benjamin Moore House of Color Before Jan 24th: Early Bird Table of 8 Discounts: • Thursday $350 • Friday/Saturday $385

For more info: 250-702-7057 Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise Community Projects L’Arche Comox Valley Comox United Church

pril 7th is the date you will ﬂy to Fort Lauderdale and spend one night before you board Holland America’s newest ship (which I love and just spent a week on), the ms Nieuw Amsterdam. This 26 night sailing crosses to Horta, Gibraltar, Malaga, St Tropez, Monte Carlo, Florence, Rome, Naples, Taormina, Corfu, Dubrovnik and Kotor before an overnight in Venice. $4499 CAD gets you a desirable high category balcony stateroom, a small onboard credit (which I recommend you use in their Tamarind, Pinnacle Grill or Canelleto specialty dining restaurants), roundtrip Vancouver air, the one night 4 star hotel in Florida and all taxes. What a deal for 27 days! This requires quick action, as the price could change at anytime. If South Paciﬁc is more up your alley – we still have space on our ms Oosterdam Sydney to Vancouver itinerary on April 13. This 26 night package includes a deluxe 4 night pre cruise tour in Sydney, air, a nice onboard credit and all taxes in a mid

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category balcony stateroom for $5699 CAD pp. If you want the 38 night Auckland to Vancouver package (no tour in Sydney), this is $6849 CAD leaving on April 1st. Our fall ms Noordam (Sept 29) sailing from Vancouver to Sydney is on sale for a couple more weeks only at $4999 CAD – including your return air, a small onboard credit, the 25 night cruise, 2 nights post cruise in Sydney and all taxes for a high category balcony. We’ve also still got some great deals on spring 6 to 13 night coastal cruise getaways – please ask us for details! Please call CruisePlus at 250-390-0220 or toll free at 1-877-722-2202 or visit us in Lantzville (Nanaimo north) for more information on any cruise. We’re open 7 days a week except for stats. For the ﬁrst look at our deals, please remember to sign up for our emails at

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36 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

CODES COUNTRY LANES Bowling highlights from Codes Country Lanes: Monday AM - Ed Farrant 141, Arnie Auerbach 222, Georg Railian 191, Roy Brekke 221, Gloria Frederick 172, Arnie Morrison 253, Pat King 229, Bob Van Nes 211, Barb Lane 218, Nick Tjart 202. Monday PM - Rick Rodriguez 258, Grace Rodriguez 234, Erma Wilson 235, Rita Grill 179, Barb Boyce 160, Ivan Ally 203, Lucille Smith 180, Rick Kroeker 229, Bill Tower 232. Monday Youth - Celine Rousseau 67, Benoit Rousseau 58, Lucien Rousseau 101, Morgan Grout 70, Jack Frisen 104, Ava Friesen 85, Brycen Burgess 245, William Derksen 136. Tuesday Brekkie - Marilyn Shetterly 157, Jane Wedge 215, Barb Potruff 170, Laurie McWillis 202, Fran Patton 214, Brenda Searl 187, Pat Fish 167, Joyce Boon 168. Tuesday 12:30 - Garry Pearson 124, Judith Munro 121, Allison Bennett 109, George Andrews 154, Ev Andrews 221, Ed Schievink 89. Tuesday Adult - Eric McWillis 256, Liz Royer 181, STEVE ROYER 304, Ed Carefoot 268, Ross McWillis 238, George Ghinis 215,

Brian Booth 262, Cynthia Taylor 230, Jill Comeau 200, Bill Brundige 215, Sharon Shepard 192. Wednesday 9:30 - Gerry VanAchte 200, Grace Coulter 191, Pat Ailles 182, Betty Gilchrist 180, Ria Tjart 214, Leona Miller 176, Dave Stacey 235, Heather Abraham 226, Paul Riley 179, Andre Melancon 227, Laurie Aucoin 227. Tuesday/Wednesday CRA Brian Mitchel 178, Daniel Erb 145, Dave Roberts 143, Leona Wagner 139, Linda Christie 138, Larry McCooey 157, Clayton Heid 145, Karen Slater 128. Wednesday Adult - Wayne Wilson 224, Scott McLellan 223, Ken Bird 229, Rick Granneman 223, Bruno Bagden 240, Melanie Owen Johnes 210, Tom Nurse 260, Sandy Nurse 234, Brian Booth 290, Tannis Pond 196, Dave Pond 205, Al Gavel 216, Sontina Espey 239, Debbie Raithby 223, Gord Potruff 232, Brenda Arabella 211. Thursday Golden Age - Alan

Edwards 197, Grace Rodriguez 201, Rick Rodriguez 255, Bob VanNes 247, Bob Sharp 203, Arnie Morrison 227, John McLean 243, Linda Meers 199, Vicki Bailie 198, Kelvin Davis 192. Thursday Adult - Lorne Sutcliff 275, Janet Butler 210, Paul Zorz 233, Anne Bodnar 223, Jordan Austin 220, Darrell Funk 210, Kevin Gurnham 197, Lorne King 268, Duwanne Granneman 205, Candace McLellan 218, Rose Stenenbaugh 248, Stve Robson 251, Ed Carefoot 204, Aggie Aucoin 226. Friday 9:30 - Bert Brown 220, Roy Brekke 233, Ji Bennett 223, Anna Delucry 211, George Sand 217, Nick Tjart 216, Ev Andrews 222, Joyce Unsorth 229, Minnie Frame 223. Special O - Rose Fletcher 150, Jamie Benntt 181, Randy Bates 163, Gary Thompson 174, Trevor Carter 159, Clint McColl 188, Michael Campbell 202, Clayton Heid 176, Marilyn Shetterly 170, Linda Cade 181, Mathew Strachin 190.

Double gold for Levins His near-record mile alone would have made for a notable night, but Cam Levins wanted to go one better. The distance runner from Black Creek, won the mile at the New York Armory Track Invitational on Saturday night, posting a world-leading time for this season that was just shy of the Canadian indoor record.

Less than 30 minutes later, he won the two-mile race, overtaking Olympic silver medallist Galen Rupp of the U.S. on the ﬁnal lap. The 25-year-old, who won bronze in a thrilling 10,000-metre race at last summer’s Commonwealth Games, ran three minutes 54.74 seconds in the mile just missing Nate Brannen’s Canadian record.

Bridge club news Comox Valley Duplicate Bridge Club results: Monday, January 26 A1. Jack Bradshaw Carole Bradshaw 2. Slava Simice - Barrie Turnham B1. Glen Parsons Dave Proctor 2/3 Roger Lucas Mark Lawrence Bob Dugas - Dave Livingstone Thursday, January 29 A1. Dave Proctor Glen Parsons 2. Darryl Pippin Mark Lawrence B1. Dave Proctor Glen Parsons 2. Darryl Pippin Mark Lawrence C1. Darryl Pippin Mark Lawrence 2. Daphne Welsh Karin Franzen Our club is located on Nordin Street across from the Comox Mall under the newly renovated Museum and Art Gallery. We offer guaranteed partnerships, so if you’re visiting or your regular partner is away, make sure you come out to play anyway. If you don’t have a regular partner, I’m sure you’ll meet one. Our Website is www.

cvdbc.com and our email is playbridge@shaw.ca For more information, please contact Linda Marinus at (250) 3382544. D’Esterre Duplicate Bridge results: Results for Tuesday, Jan. 27 (10 tables): N/S - 1. Phil Sandford and Maureen Olafson; 2. Tom Dugdale and Jeanette Baron; 3. Clark Graham and John Petzinger; 4. Daryl Pippin and Mark Lawrence. E/W - 1. Dianna Rickson and Evelyn Ware; 2. Colin Park and Grace Whetter; 3. Daphne Welsh and Ann Cook; 4. Doug Poole and Trish Heyland. Results for Friday, Jan. 30 (8 tables): N/S - 1. Phil Sandford and Maureen Olafson; 2. Chuck and Lorraine Hodson; 3. Jim and Joan Boase. E/W - 1. Daphne Welsh and Karin Franzen; 2. Grace Whetter and Betty Fountain; 3. Peter Harding and Pat Cutt. Results for Sunday, Jan. 31 (13 pairs): 1. Tied, John and Lynn Godfrey, Doug and Penny Poole; 2. George and Trish

Kirkwood; 3. Neil Jackson and Jean Tait; 4. Tied, Harvey Piercy and Ann Cook, Keith and Evelyn Ware.

THE DART BOARD COMOX VALLEY PUB LEAGUE MIXED DARTS POSITION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

A Division Crty Legion Black Cats Crty Legion DA’s Cx Legion Beer Pigs Comox Legion Bulls Hitters Comox Legion Misfitz Griffin Gang Elks FunGi’s Griffin Darts of Hazzard

Pts 100 85 82 74 73 73 62 27

January 27 Results Beer Pigs 4 - FunGis 5 Darts of Hazzard 3 - Griffin Gang 6 Misfitz 0 - Blackcats 9 D.A.’s 5 - BullsHitters 4 Ladies Hi Score: Jenny Nylund 140 Men’s Hi Score: Jim Lilie 140 Ladies Hi Checkout: Kerry Edwards 70 Men’s Hi Checkout: Dwayne Bennett 133 180s: Glen Litchfield 1, Laurie Bull 1

for all the details, go to

FEATURE LISTINGS 719 6th St. Courtenay Downtown location is great. If you want a character home with 4 bedrooms, hardwood floors & a park across the street, this home is for you. the roof is 11 years old, and the perimeter drains were done last year. With some sweat equity, opportunity is knocking. New R40 insulation in the attic Jan 2015, oil tank replaced Jan 2015.

$269,900 MLS # 386199

3381 Kentwood 940 View Avenue 931 Thorpe Ave LT 1 ROSS AVE

Old country charm. 2 acres of great soil for a market garden or bring your horse, the 6 bedroom home has all its original character from 1967, plus 220 amp service, heat pump, a small greenhouse.

You should live here! Features awesome view of the Comox Glacier and Beaufort Mountains.

FANTASTIC VIEW LOT ideal for walkout basement - great homes around you and a beautiful view of the Comox Glacier

A little ocean view could be yours with the right floor plan, at 0.34 of an acre, you have lots of room for your toys.

$409,900

$199,900

$125,900

$99,900

MLS #374860

MLS #379809

MLS #380037

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

38 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

CARRIERS WANTED EARN $$$$$$$$ COURTENAY Substitute needed for Rt 7119 Downtown Business Area COMOX Rt. 2118

– Comox Ave, Mack Laing, Baybrook, Orchard Park Dr.

VALLEYVIEW Rt. 3114

– Evergreen, Mantle, Zeballos, Malahat

COLEMAN ROAD AREA Rt. 4106

– Loxley, Avonlee, Sea Terrace

MIRACLE BEACH Rt. 6111

– Seaview Road

SINGING SANDS AREA Rt. 4102

– Wilkinson, Singing Sands

No Collection Required Call COMOX VALLEY ECHO 250−334−4734 or drop by 407−D 5th Street, Courtenay

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

TEXT YOUR TIP ANONYMOUSLY! Along with our 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) line, tipsters can report information via our secure WebTips application at www.comoxvalleycrimestoppers. bc.ca and now we accept anonymous tips via Text Messaging.

TEXT CVCSTIPS TO:

CRIMES

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40 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 6, 2015

SALE CONTINUES TO THURSDAY FEB.12

Watch your Comox Valley Echo Every Friday Anderton Ave, Como[ 339-1224