We’ll do the wrapping!
G I FTS &
FOR HER
iendly!
Good Shoes
Orthotic fr
Take You Good Places
ACCESSORIES 1070 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay BC t:250.338.0903 under the same roof as
Open Monday - Friday 9-5
www.comoxvalleyecho.com
TUESDAY
COURTENAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA • December 9, 2014
PRICE: 57 CENTS PLUS GST
VOL. 20, NO. 98
HUNT FOR HISTORY
SPORTS
6. Going go
10 0.Vanier boys
services in the ‘stolen church’
get ready to play at home
GET READY TO PARTY FOR CITY’S 100TH.02 ‘MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS’ THEME FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE CENTENNIAL BASH; FREE PUBLIC EVENT ON NEW YEAR’S DAY LAUNCHES CELEBRATION. BUSINESS
KICKER4
11.Fluid Bar &
00.Call4 xxxx
Grill celebrates 10th year in business in the Valley. Listening to the customers is key to success.
xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxx 04.DEAD xxxxORCA xxxxx xxxx MOURNED; xxxxx xxxx xxxx THIEVES STEAL xxxxx xxxx xxxx TEETHxxxxx xxxx xxxx
CHRISTMAS
11.Winter Harp
returns to the Sid Williams Theatre for their acclaimed yuletide concert of Celtic, medieval and Spanish tunes
HOLIDAY CASH / ELIGIBLE OWNERS RECEIVE UP TO $1500 IN HOLIDAY CASH SIGN & DRIVE LEASING ON ALL 2015s
www.comoxvalleyecho.com
2
TUESDAY.COURTENAY, BC. DECEMBER 9, 2014
ECHO
NEWS Comox Valley Weather
Tuesday Rain. Windy. High 11°C.
Wednesday Rain. Low 9°C. High 10°C.
Thursday Showers. Low 8°C. High 8°C.
Friday Cloudy with 70% chance of showers. Low 6°C. High 8°C.
Saturday Cloudy with 60% chance of showers. Low 4°C. High 7°C.
%
1.85
For the latest Comox Valley Weather visit: www.comoxvalleyecho.com
COURTENAY CENTENNIAL
Help ring in the city’s 100th birthday Tickets will go fast for ‘Memories Are Made of This’ New Year’s Eve party in Filberg Enjoy great music, gourmet appies, desserts and champagne at midnight for a fun evening with friends. CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE City of Courtenay
The entire family is welcome to share pancake breakfast on New Yer’s Day (free advance tickets only) - plus official launch celebrations CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE City of Courtenay
The new year is just a few weeks away, and all the exciting centennial events start with a fantastic 2015 New Year celebration. Make your plans now to dance through the decades on New Year’s eve at the Filberg Centre on December 31st. Sponsored by Vancouver Island InsuranceCentres, the “Memories are Made of This” event will be an unforgettable evening to share with friends, featuring live music by Fiddle Jam, Ralph Barrat Jazz Ensemble, Kenny Shaw and Brian Temple and the Do Wops, Wendy Nixon Stothert and Swing Set, Comedy Acts, Edwin Grieve and Friends, followed by dancing with the Dukes Band. Enjoy complimentary gourmet appies, desserts and champagne at midnight. Tables for 8-10 people are available, or come on your own and you will be seated with some new folks wishing to share a fun evening. Get your tickets at
Kenny Shaw. Valley favourite will entertain, along with many others, on New Year’s Eve the Sid Williams Theatre box office or through their website, just $50 each with a no host bar available. On New Year’s Day, bring the family down to the Filberg Centre to share a traditional pancake breakfast from 10-12
noon. Tickets to this Courtenay Centennial Birthday Celebration are free and available in advance at the Courtenay RecreationLewis Centre and Filberg Centre. Space is limited, so stop down to pick up your tick-
HOPE
14473.70 17958.79 1194.10 0.8727
)25 7+(
HOLID
YS
23.03 50.38 105.38 5.02 21.38
Giving Hope Today.
Friday, December 12th
1.48% 1.95% 2.48% 2.96%
11am to 1pm Thrifty Foods (both locations)
Bring in an unwrapped toy and receive a free lunch from Thrifty’s. (Served from 11am-1pm)
Official Sponsors:
ets starting December 8. Each person can reserve up to 4 tickets, and admission to the pancake breakfast requires presenting the ticket and making a cash or food donation to the Comox Valley Food Bank. After breakfast, from
EQUITABLE BANK B2B BANK HOMEQUITY BANK
1yr: 1.610% 3 yr: 2.120% 5 yr: 2.570%
12-1pm, the official launch celebrations begin with K’omoks First Nation blessing, light entertainment, official proclamation, and announcements of the events for the year with birthday cake and refreshments, of course! Tickets are not required for this part of the event so everyone is welcome to celebrate Courtenay’s official birthday. For more information about these or other upcoming centennial events, contact the Courtenay Centennial Celebration Committee at 250-334-4441 or email 100years@courtenay. ca. This project has been supported by the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program, Department of Canadian Heritage. Ce projet a été appuyé par le Programme Développement des communautés par le biais des arts et du patrimoine du ministère de Patrimoine canadien.
80.40 54.25 66.20 52.24 40.42 35.75 26.69 11.21 23.63 39.99 56.01 16.64 19.39 34.82 17.44 46.91 26.10
Commissions, trailing commissions, management tees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Rates and prices as of Dec. 5, 2014 . Rates and prices subject to change and availability. RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. © 2014 Royal Bank of Canada. All rights reserved.
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
Denman Den nman Island ORGANIC ANIC
Chocolate Ch C hocolate Santas Santas Full M F Men Men's n s Line
from m
Badger Badger
Celestial elestial Seasoning gss g Seasonings
3P Pack k
Kiss K Ki iss My Face Fa
Olive Oil Olive Oil Soaps Soaps oaps
2.95
Holiday Teas Holiday Tea Tea ass
a box
17.95
5.99
Lo Lorna o a 90 Vcaps orna Vanderhaeghe's Va anderhaeghe erhaeghe s
9.9 95 5
Mustach che e Wax x
Reg. $19.95
3 Pack
$8.95 Value
Sex S ex S Smart mart
Reg. $12.95 .95
Also on Sale, for HIM! M! Hair pomade Beard oil Pre-Shave oil ic After-shave tonic Shave soap After shave oil
Experience E xp the miracle of Mediterranean nean ean oliv li oil d clean l olive To soften, moisturize and Each bar contains 85% pure olive oil Eac Harvested from sun-drenched Ha Mediterranean Olive Orchards in Greece! Me ee ece! Also on Sale, while supply lasts: Als ck k/$5.45 Kiss my Kis y Face Coconut Oil Soaps 3 pack/$5.45
For men and women S i l h Stimulates, enhances blood flow y Promotes sexual energy Also on Sale! Lorna's Love Lubricant
A Alter Ego o ORGANIC O Fair Trade F
Truffles T ruffles A Aura Cacia ac cia Aromatherapy A h
Made with pure il coconut oil Gluten free 8.99 Non GMO 120 g
2.95 each
Reg. $3.6 $3.65
Kicking K Horse ORGANIC C Fair Trad de Trade
Coffee Coffee ee
14. 4.9 95 5 350 g
Roasted R d in I ere Invermere
Foam Baths Foam Baths &
Mineral M ineral Bath Bath S Salts alt lts ts
Using 100% pure essential oils ou urs No synthetic preservatives, colours Safe for Whirlpools and Spas
iiampure ampure Anti-Aging Skin Anti-Aging S kin Care Care
Monika Schnarre
Truly natural Age defying d f OFF Free of parabens, s, SLS and phosphates ates
10%
4.9 4 95
Candy C andy Canes Canes
Full Line
Non-GMO Made M d in i Canada C da
Assorted A ssorted Chocolates C hoco colates ates Gift G ift B Boxes oxes
Enjoy!
Made M Ma ade in QuĂŠbec
16.95
12.95 12 5 200 g
each
Reg. $24.95
Andalou A d l
While quantity lasts!
1000 1 000 R Roses oses es Body Butter Butter er Body
Improves room air quality Cleans the air of many allergens Heated lamp surface attracts humidity, Which builds a beneficial negative ion field Just Plug into Your PC or Laptop and Enjoy! oy!
Divine Essence Essential Oils:: Come primarily from small artisan producers Following the traditional artisan distillation methods Featuring products certified by ECOCERT Canada, plus Wild-crafted essential oils
Prairie Naturalss
Galer au Chocolatt Galerie Fair Trade Fa
Cleanser er Eye Gel Day Cream ea am Night Cream ream Supplement
Salt S alt Crystal Crystal al U SB Lamp Lamp USB
Essential E ssential ss 10 0% OFF O il Sale Sale Oil
TruJJ y a box TruJoy ORGANIC ORG NIC
(Ask for your free e sample off Monika's iampure Night Cream) eam)
Himalayan
Divine Essen D Essence from ffr rom MontrĂŠal
Velvety soft body butter Blends l d skin k soothing h hing roserosewater with shea and cocoa butters rs 11.95 5 To smooth and 236 mL L soften dry skin Reg. $13.95 .95 Also on Sale: Andalou 1000 Roses Shower Gel el
7.95 95 5
Reg.$9.95
Coenzyme C oenzyme Q10 Q 10 100mg 100 mg DEAL!!!
9.95!! 9 60 Caps 6
Alba Hawaiian A n
Shampoo S hampo mpoo Sale! 7.49 Sale! Each
No damaging g sulpha sulphates h tes or drying formaldehydes Indulge your senses with exotic fruit + nut extracts from the Hawaiian Islands
Reg. $19.95 95
Reg. $9.65
A source e off ubiquinone one Supportss cardiovascular health Antioxidant for the maintenance of good health
2.5 2 59 9
Boulder Bo oulder Ca Canyon
Avocado A vocado O Oil il Potato Chips Chips Potato
149 g
Ligh L htly Lightly s salted G n Glutenf free N G GMO Non-GMO
Di in Divine
After A fter D Dinner inner 8 5 Mint Thins Mint T hins 8.95 200 g
Sales on while supply lasts!
www.edibleisland.ca www.edible ww w ww
Dark chocolate, soft minty y centre
477 6th St. Courtenay 250.334.3116
3
4
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
Thinking Christmas Dinner? Think Crown Isle...
BUFFET OR PLATED
CALL 250-703-5000 for Reservations
399 Clubhouse Dr, Courtenay, BC | www.CrownIsle.com
Sadness for loss of pregnant orca Scientists outraged someone stole teeth from carcass of dead whale at Bates Beach BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff The dead orca that was spotted floating near Courtenay has caused sadness and sparked anger as well. Sadness because the dead killer whale identified as J32 or Rhapsody, was a member of the endangered southern resident community. It was pregnant. A necropsy conducted over the weekend discovered that it had a full-term fetus. Deep outrage was also expressed after scientists, who were about to perform necropsy on Saturday discovered that an unknown heartless souvenir hunter has made off with some of the dead mammal’s teeth. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is following leads in the theft. Paul Cottrell, Pacific marine mammal co-ordinator for the DFO, said they are investigating and will pursue charges against whoever is responsible. One group said the theft was tantamount to poaching of elephants for their tusks for ornaments. “This is disaggregation against a nonhuman person. This is a crime against nature. It is a criminal indignity against a body and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Ocean Pacific Realty 282 Anderton Rd., Comox, BC V9M 1Y2 250.339.2021
Our hopes are just so fragile already. The last calf that survived was August 2012” HOWARD GARRETT Orca Network
Comox Valley Fisheries officer Dale Hunt and Bates Beach Resort co-owner George Bates haul a dead killer whale that was spotted by a local resident on Seacliffe Road. Founding Director and orca researcher. The results of the necropsy will take several weeks to complete. It’s still undetermined the cause of the orca’s death. But some speculated it could be while she was giving birth. The loss of the female orca was significant because there are few breeding females left among the southern pods that frequents the waters off Washington state and southern Vancouver Island. The number of
the southern pods is now down from 78 to 77. The dead orca was spotted by Sally Atton, a resident on Seacliff Road near Bates Beach. She had seen the creature bobbing up and down in the water and reported it to the DFO. “I have seen it without realizing it for the last two to three days floating up and down with the tide,” said Atton. “A fisheries man came and identified it as an orca.” Dale Hunt from the Comox Valley DFO office
with the help of one of the co-owners of Bates Beach Resort, George Bates, hauled the Orca near the shore and tethered it to keep it from floating away. Bates, a former fisheries officer who has lived in the area all his life, said “it’s unusual to see a dead Orca in the area. I was born and raised right here. I am 59 years old and this is the first one I’ve seen. I’ve seen dead seals and sea lions but never a dead Orca.” The news of the dead
250.334.6432
orca has caused quite a spectacle as it drew a lot of curious onlookers snapping away some with children in tow. “It’s sad,” said Bruce Jeffery, who was camping in the area at the time with his wife Colleen. “We want to see them alive not dead. It’s a sad sight. We were going to go whale watching but not like this.” Howard Garrett of Orca Network said news of the whale’s death was heartbreaking. “Our hopes are just so
fragile already. There was a calf born in early September that lived less than a month and that was the first calf in two years. The last calf that survived was August 2012,” Garrett said. “There should be two or three births at least per year just to hold steady. We like to see four or five per year. Instead, there have been seven mortalities and no births.” J32 was probably born in the winter of 1995, Balcomb said. She was first photographed in April 1996. She was last identified and photographed with her family on Nov. 26 east of Victoria. Only 77 members of the southern resident population remain. A healthy population would be 150 to 200, Garrett said. The population shrank to 67 in 1971 when about 50 were killed or captured. By 2003, the numbers had rebounded to 83. They have hovered in the mid-80s since.
$1099 Youth & Adults
ryanwilliams@remax.net ryanwilliams.ca
DEC 5
DEC 11
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11
Please join
MLA Don McRae
P E R S O N A L R E A L E S TAT E C O R P O R AT I O N
Dr. Sterling Desmond
TM
ACUPUNCTURE NATURAL & CHINESE MEDICINE 20 years of experience successfully treating: Osteo-Arthritic Joints, Shoulders, Back, Hip & Knees, Digestive, Respiratory, Circulation, Fatigue & Immune, Facial Rejuvenation, Stroke, Paralysis, Spinal Stenosis,
1842B Comox Ave.250.941.8777•www.EvolveWithDesera.com
and staff for our
Christmas Open House Thursday December 11, 2014 4:30PM – 6:30PM Courtenay Museum 207 4th Street, Courtenay
3OHDVH FRQ¿UP DWWHQGDQFH E\ SKRQH WR RU HPDLO WR GLDQQH OLQHNHU#OHJ EF FD
Cinema #4: “Manon” Royal Ballet Saturday, December 6th, 10:00 am (ends 12:35 pm). Doors open at 9:30 Approx. 2 hours, 35 minutes Cinema #1: “Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1” PG: Violence. Pass restricted until December 5th. Nightly: 6:40 (8:55) & 9:25 (11:40). Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 12:30 (2:45) & 3:20 (5:35) Cinema #2: “Horrible Bosses 2 14A: Coarse & sexual language; sexually suggestive scenes. Pass restricted until December 10th Nightly: 7:00 (9:00) & 9:35 (11:35). Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 12:45 (2:45) & 3:35 (5:35) Cinema #3: “Big Hero 6 2D” G Violence. Pass restricted until December 5th. Nightly: 2D 6:50 (8:50) Cinema #3: “Big Hero 6 3D” G Violence. Nightly: 3D 9:20 (11:20). Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 3D 12:40 (2:40) Cinema #4: “Penguins of Madagascar 2D” G: No warning. Pass restricted until December 12th . Nightly: 2D 7:10 (8:55) Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 2D 3:45 (5:30) Cinema #4: “Penguins of Madagascar 3D” G: No warning. Pass restricted until December 12th . Nightly: 3D 9:30 (11:15) Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 3D 1:25(2:55) Box Office Hours for Dec. 5th – 11th. Nightly: 6:00 pm – 9:45 pm. Saturday & Sunday Matinee: 12:00 noon - 3:50 pm
Show Times Dec. 5 - Dec. 11, 2014 | Campbell River, Showcase Dumb & Dumber To (PG) Nightly 7:10 & 9:40. Sat & Sun Matinees 1:10 & 3:40 Big Hero 6 3D (G) Nightly 9:20. Sat & Sun Matinees 1:30 Big Hero 6 (G) Nightly 6:50. Sat & Sun Matinees 4:00 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (PG) Nightly 6:45 & 9:30. Sat & Sun Matinees 12:45 & 3:30 The Penguins of Madagascar 3D (G) (No Passes) Nightly 7:00. Sat & Sun Matinees 3:15 The Penguins of Madagascar (G) (No Passes) Nightly 7:00 & 9:15. Sat & Sun Matinees 1:00 Horrible Bosses 2 (14A) (No Passes) Nightly 7:20 & 9:45. Sat & Sun Matinees 1:20 & 3:45 Manon (G) (Royal Opera House Ballet) Saturday Dec. 6th 10:00AM
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
EDUCATION
NIC creation touted as one of best online College project selected as top 12 finalist for award BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff You can call him North Island College’s Albert Einstein. Albert Balbon is the creator of North Island College’s Remote WebBased Science Lab that is being considered as one of the best online innovations in the world by one of the most prestigious business schools in the United States. The unique on-line lab provides students with easy internet access to high quality science lab exercises in real time. Students and educators can use lab equip-
ment and collect live data from home computers or laptops anywhere they may be. They can be at home, at school, at a coffee shop and anywhere else in the world. This innovation has garnered huge interest and it has been shortlisted by the University of Pennsylvania as one of the top 12 finalists for a Reimagine Education Award at the Wharton School of Business, an institution ranked by Forbes as the fourth best business school in America, behind ivy league schools Stanford, Chicago and Harvard. Balbon’s RWBSL went
Albert Balbon shows his creation, the computer operated lab equipment that students can access and manipulate online using laptops or personal computers.
Albert Balbon has created something unique here. We’re receiving now world recognition and that’s very special for North Island College,” RANDALL HEIDT NIC Strategic Initiatives
Exercise Studio
JANUARY 5 - JUNE 13, 2015
TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM JANUARY 5 - JUNE 13, 2015
Only 10 Spots - Registration Deadline Dec. 31st
21 weeks & 62 fitness sessions. T/TH @ 6:30pm & SAT @ 9am • 21 weeks of goal setting, nutrition and journaling • grocery shopping education • indoor and outdoor classes • strength, flexibility, balance, endurance work • circuit, yoga, pilates, buddy classes, TRX and much more Contact
if you are ready for a major change to your health, weight and fitness then this is the program for you!
#5-821 Shamrock Place • Comox • medfitmia@gmail.com Visit: www.miascorestudio.ca for schedule details or to register
(space is limited)
up against more than 400 universities, businesses, and educators from 43 different countries that applied for the Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Awards, which offers a US$50,000 prize fund to the winning entries. The award acknowledges educators and ideas that enrich how the world delivers education. Judges include executives from Google, Amazon, Cisco Systems and IBM as well as university and college presi-
dents from around the world. Randall Heidt, vice president of NIC Strategic Initiatives, said, “this is one of those cases where it is truly an honour being nominated to be in the top 12 of our category. “Albert Balbon has created something unique here. We’re receiving now world recognition and that’s very special for North Island College.” The RWSL allows students to manipulate
5
lasers, high-powered microscopes, electrons, spectrometers and more during 25 different lab experiments. The concept behind the online science lab started 10 years ago. Balbon said it was requested from one of NIC’s faculty, who was teaching a distance course on astronomy. He lived in Bella Bella. “He had no students there but he wanted to give them access to a telescope,” said Balbon, who has helped developed some of the technological advancements at NIC in the last 30 years. “He asked me if we could come up with a way of remotely controlling a telescope by students to be able to do this. We went around and asked Industry Canada, Inukshuk fund, and BC Campus to see if we could get money to help develop this. We did. And in the early 2000s we were able to start putting this together and we ran that telescope for ten years where we had students able to access that telescope for their astronomy course.” (Continued on page 7)
6
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
HUNT FOR HISTORY BY JUDY HAGEN
The early days of little St. Mary’s church in Grantham In 1914 there were only two churches in the Courtenay area. On Christmas Eve, the Presbyterians were worshipping in their new building on Union Street. Members of the Church of England had plans to build a new church about two blocks further up Union Street but were still holding services at St. Andrews’s on Mission Hill. New members of that congregation were the Jackson family who had that summer come to live in Grantham. Their daughter, Dorothy, would later write about the four years the family lived here. “That first Christmas, 1914, was the first time the family had all been at home together for 8 years. Dad and Madre drove down the seven miles to the church in the buggy and the boys and I were in the two seated-open democrat with the team. We sang carols and seasonal songs in harmony as we drove.” The Jackson family so became involved within the community and wanted a church closer to their new home. “While we were there, we had a little Anglican Church built with some funds coming from England. Father undertook to conduct the weekly services and Madre played the little hand organ. I had a little Sunday School and another farmer read the lesson. The Rector came once a month. “ Dorothy’s recollections provide a rare glimpse into church politics. The “Rector” would be Mr. E. P. Laycock who came in 1913 to replace Rev. Willemar who retired after 42 years of service to St. Andrew’s on Mission Hill. “Before the little mission church was built, our Rector met with the local
St. Mary’s church, left, along with the church rectory, has now been moved to the Merville Hall property farmers and laid before them his plans for it, explaining all the practical details. When he had finished he asked for any opinions they might have. He was a gentle, sensitive and courteous man and was taken aback when an old farmer rose up, stomped up to him and said “I haven’t heard a single word you said. It’s not that I’m hard of hearing but that I am slow in apprehension”. In 1915, the little church, located near Tsolum School, was dedicated to St. Mary. Occasionally, Rev. Willemar would conduct services there. The old farmer who had confronted Rev. Layton must have comprehended what the preacher wanted because his son would be married in the new church. Dorothy had vivid memories of the day Thomas Beech married Elsie Berkenstock. “One day there was a wedding in little St. Mary’s. The son of this old-time farmer was married to the 15-year old daughter of the woman who did the washing for the local logging camp. All went well until the ceremony was nearly over. The Church door was open on the warm
summer evening and the loggers were outside waiting for the happy couple to come out. Some ventured up on the steps and started throwing rice into the church. The Rector quietly asked the camp foreman to ask them to refrain, whereupon he stood up where he was, sitting beside the bride’s brother and called out “boys - you are requested not to throw rice into the church”. They complied but when the pair emerged, everything broke loose and the “Boys” put on a good old-fashioned charivari, greeting them with cheers and shouts, drums and tin cans.” On several occasions the Sunday service were interrupted by unwelcome intruders. “Often amusing incidents occurred at the little church. It was built a mile from our farm at the crossroads. One day three little pigs followed us to church in spite of all our efforts to shoo them home. One of our congregation had been similarly followed by his dog. Father’s sermon was rudely disturbed by squeals and angry barks coming from under the church!” In the fall of 1918, there was another amusing Sun-
day with animals in attendance. “Another time, just before we left Courtenay, Father stopped in the middle of his address and gazed in surprise out of the window, there with ears pricked forward, were three young heifers listening to his familiar voice! They had been out on range in bush country for some months and an unusually warm open Fall had kept them out long past homing time.” During the Great War, the two older Jackson sons went overseas. Farming
without them was difficult, then in the late summer 1918, fire caused by sparks from the logging engine caused so much devastation, the family decided to move to Maple Ridge. They had hoped to all be together for Christmas, but it was not to be. Mr. Jackson and Eric, the youngest son traveled with the animals, Madre, the eldest sons and Dorothy went ahead. Eric and his father were side tracked part way to Nanaimo. They had to stay with the animals to feed and water them. They were
able to attend services on Christmas and were invited to dinner. Dorothy and the other members of the family, having attended services near their new home, were invited to dinner by future neighbours in Hammond. After the war, “Merville” became a Soldiers Settlement. Grantham faded as a community. In 1921, the little St. Mary’s church was moved to be closer to the settlement where now so many members of the congregation lived It became known affectionately as the “stolen church”. It continued to be served by the ministers from Courtenay. Then after more than 3/4 of a century with a decline in attendance, the little church was closed. Recently, interest in preserving the little church has rallied community support and the “stolen” church has been again moved to a new site by the Merville Hall. When renovations are completed, St. Mary’s will again be an important focus for that community. * Thank you to Phyllis Mittlestead for sharing her mother’s memories of living in Grantham
RETIREMENT
SALE
30
% OFF
EVERYTHING
* excluding light bulbs, track and Verilux
• Dining Room • Kitchen • Bathroom • Entry • Outdoor OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE • WE’RE LOCAL...WE CARE
Tues-Fri 9:30-5:00 Saturday 10:00-3:00 Closed Sun. & Mon.
582 SOUTH DOGWOOD ST.
CAMPBELL RIVER
www.theliteshop.ca
250.287.9905
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
Mediaeval nativity play
NIC up for major innovation award (Continued from page 5) The initial concept has evolved over the years and has led to a unique hands-on science lab. Balbon has presented the technology to the White House and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, shared programming with the European Space Agency and NASA, and received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the US Department of Labor, and the Consortium of Health Employers Online. The next goal for Balbon is to make this accessible to people around the world with the quality similar to Netflix and its simple application. “The techonology is there,” said Balbon. “It’s just time and resources to be able to be put towards this. Hopefully, this trip to Philadelphia will give us more exposure and will get more people involved and become partners in this.” Balbon will be presenting his innovation on Tuesday and will find out on Wednesday if they won or not. Down the road, Balbon would also like to see this become available on smart phones. “Then we can reach a much bigger audience than having you tethered to a desk,” said Balbon. “So tablets, smartphones that would be our goal.”
7
The Camry ran over this bike while the cyclist slammed into the windshield.
The Coventry Nativity Play - Friday, December 12 - 7:30 pm - The Anglican Church of St. John the Divine welcomes you to a costumed reading of a medieval nativity play. Performed in mediaeval costumes (courtesy of Courtenay Little Theatre) by local actors & church goers, live mediaeval music performed by Eric MacDonald & Tracy Canil. Food or money do-
nation for the Food Bank and Christmas Hampers are welcome. Door opens at 7pm. St John the Divine Anglican Church is location at 579 5th Street in Courtenay.
Cyclist hit by car while using crosswalk
Write a letter to save a life
BY DREW A. PENNER Echo Staff
Every year on December 10, Amnesty International commemorates the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Human Rights Day with a Writeathon. There is proof that our letters work. Amnesty International’s activism was a significant factor in helping many of the individuals profiled last year. Some were released or their sentences lessened. Again this year the Comox Valley Amnesty Action Circle will hold Write for Rights at Zocalo’s in Courtenay. Write for Rights is the power of one multiplied many thousand times
A 66-year-old woman on a bike was hit by a car as she crossed Anderton Avenue in Comox just after 2:30 p.m. Saturday. She smashed into the windshield of the red Toyota Camry and was rushed to St. Joseph’s General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. “She was straddling her bike but walking across the road,” said Const. Don Sinclair, with the Comox Valley RCMP, explaining she had a helmet on. “There was no sign of the driver making an
attempt to stop for the pedestrian in the crosswalk. Once struck, the bike went underneath the car and was run over.” T h e 8 8 - y e a r- o l d driver of that northb o u n d ve h i c l e wa s charged under the Motor Vehicle Act with driving without due care and attention. In contrast , witnesses told police there had been a line of southbound cars which had stopped, waiting for the cyclist to cross the road. Straddling her bike, the victim had been walking it through the intersection, police
'D\Ɩ RI &KULVWPDƖ $500 prize every day from December 1-12 sign up now at 973theeagle.com
said. Alcohol and drugs are not considered a factor in the crash. The Camry had to be towed because of the extensive damage to the windshield. Police urge drivers to be aware of all the fluid elements to being behind the wheel. “ P a y a t t e n t i o n ,” Sinclair said, nothing things can change rapidly on the community’s roadways. “It’s just just like the kids coming out from between the car scenario. It can happen in a moment’s notice. You just have to be attentive when you’re driving.”
over to make a difference in people’s lives. In 2013, around the world there were 2,373,422 actions taken for Write for Rights. Over 30,000 Canadian participants contributed to the worldwide total. There are more details about these and the other 2014 Write for Rights cases, as well as follow up for 2013 cases at Amnesty.ca. Please join us on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, between 3:30 and 5:30 at Zocalo’s to write a letter. If you can’t join us, please visit Amnesty.ca to take action on these and other cases where help is needed. FMI: Sheila, 250-335-2246 or sheilachugiak@yahoo.ca.
8
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2013
Seasons Greetings To You And Your Furry Companions!
www.vanislevet.com
Now Open Sundays!
250-334-8400
EVERYTHING FOR EVERY PET
STEPS TO TAKE BEFORE GIVING PETS AS GIFTS It’s not uncommon for families to welcome a new pet into their homes during the holiday season. Parents may give their children their first pet during the holidays, but those who choose to give a pet to someone outside their immediate family or to someone they don’t live with should consider the following advice before going through with that decision. CONSULT THE EVENTUAL RECIPIENT FIRST The element of surprise is part of what makes the holiday season of giving so special, and few things may inspire more enthusiastic responses than new pets under the tree. But however appealing you may find such reactions, it’s still best to first consult the intended recipient before buying or adopting the pet. Pets make wonderful additions to a home, but some people may be allergic to certain animals or simply not have the time or energy
to devote to pet ownership. No one wants to return an animal to a kennel, and forcing a loved to take on the unwanted responsibility of pet ownership does not make much of a gift. LET THE RECIPIENT CHOOSE THE PET Aunts or uncles may think a cute puppy is an ideal holiday gift for their nieces and nephews, but it’s best to let those youngsters’ parents choose the pet rather than going it alone. Once mom and dad have given you the greenlight to gift their kids a pet, let them decide which type of pet will become the newest member of their households. Parents may not feel their children are ready to handle the significant responsibility of dog ownership, and they may prefer their kids first receive a more low-maintenance pet, such as a fish. PAY FOR EVERYTHING Pets are expensive, even those that are adopted from
nearby shelters. Cats and dogs adopted from local shelters or even animals bought directly from breeders will need some immediate medical care, including shots and initial examinations at the veterinarian’s office, as well as food, dishes, leashes (if giving a dog), and bedding. When giving pets as a gift, men and women should fit the bill for these additional expenses, which can be significant. Recipients may not be able to afford these additional expenses, especially during the holiday season, nor did they ask to take on such a financial burden. So men and women giving pets as gifts should be capable of handling the oftoverlooked costs of adopting or buying a new pet. BE WILLING TO TAKE THE PET Some households simply are not a good match for pets. Men and women looking to give pets as holiday gifts should
be willing to take the pet into their own homes if things are not working out with the recipient. This does not mean gift-givers have to keep the
pet forever, but they should be willing to temporarily care for the animal until it finds a new home. Pets sometimes make won-
derful gifts, but men and women who are considering giving pets as gifts this holiday season should not approach such gestures lightly.
ASK DR. STACEY OF SUNRISE VETS Have you asked your doggie and kitty what they’d like for Christmas? Here’s the top 10 toys our patients whispered to us they’d really enjoy. 1. PetSafe Busy Buddy Magic Mushroom Meal Dispensing Dog Toy amazon.ca 2. Zeus Bomber Ball for Pets amazon.ca 3. Planet Dog Lump of Coal Dog Toys amazon.ca 4. Felt Cat Cave Bed etsy.com 5. Petchatz – Interactive Pet-Cam Lets You Video Chat With Your Pet When You Are Away petchatz.com 6. GoPro’s Fetch Dog Harness Cam gopro.com 7. STAR WARS Chewbacca Stick Dog Toy petco.com 8. Brainy Bones Dog Treat Puzzle brainybones.com 9. Drink Fountains petfountain.com 10. Ethical Atomic Bouncing Ball Cat Toy amazon.ca Call us. Have a safe holiday. All the best, Dr. Stacey We’re here to help with your questions. of Sunrise Veterinary Clinic in Comox Come get to know your vet. Your 1st exam with us is complimentary.
250-339-6555 www.sunrisevet.ca
12 DAYS of BARKING GREAT DEALS Of CHRISTMAS 2014 December 13-24 (Different Deal Everyday)
SAVE 25% to 75% On select items
795 Ryan Road,
2400 Cliffe Avenue,
Courtenay (beside Superstore) ........ 250.338.0424 Courtenay ................................. 250.338.0455
46-1760 Comox Ave. Comox (Lower Level Comox Mall) .... 250.339.2272
All of us at Tsolum Vet wish all of our wonderful clients and their pets a very
Merry Christmas this Holiday Season and a heartfelt. Thank You for Your continued patronage throughout the year! Please join us at our clinic for some Christmas Cheer, delicious treats, and a petting zoo while enjoying the warmth of a bon fire
Saturday. Dec. 13 from 10:00 – 2:00 • Petting Zoo! • Complimentary Nail Trims
See you there! Unit B, 6635 Island Highway North Merville
778-428-6401 www.tsolummobilevet.com
2056S South Island Highway, Campbell River ........................... 250.923.5881
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
9
HOME CARE
New effort launched to help seniors Organization aims to make life ‘Better at Home’ for the most vulnerable elderly BY DREW A. PENNER Echo Staff Seniors in need are now getting a helping hand thanks to a new United Way program meant to help the elderly continue to living in their own residences. Better at Home was officially launched in the Comox Valley Dec. 4 but staff members have already been working to get things going for months. “The project was initiated to help the frail or isolated senior,” said project coordinator Sheena Campbell, explaining that even the smallest things can have a huge impact on residents’ lives. “Really it’s as simple as telling someone we can clean their bathroom.” The provincially-funded effort will provide non-medical services such as light housekeeping, yard work and minor home repairs. There is a fee involved,
but it’s calculated on a sliding scale based on income. Local contractors, paid staff and volunteers work together to aid as many shut-ins and disabled seniors as possible. Better at Home is being rolled out in 68 different British Columbia communities. “The difficulty in the Comox Valley is our mix of urban and rural,” Campbell said. “The needs are somewhat different.” The Comox Valley region received $100,000 in start up funding for the initiative. Future funding will be based on need, something that bodes well for the sustainability of the local incarnation, according to the chair of the organization. “Our area has a very large senior population,” Butch Leslie said, “the largest in the province,
The project was initiated to help the frail or isolated senior. Really, it’s as simple as telling someone we can clean their bathroom.” ELSA TULLOS City Colleges spokeswoman
Project coordinator Sheena Campbell with Bill and Bonnie Moore, of Moore’s Cleaning. in fact.” The community consultation process was so successful because the United Way was looking for solutions that were tailor-made for each community, said Jody Macdonald, a community developer who worked
on the project. “You can really get a good pulse of the community,” she said. “You get stronger resulting partnerships that are more sustainable.” A local advisory committee was set up for the Comox Valley Region
with a mandate to provide services from Oyster River to Fanny Bay and on Hornby and Denman Islands. Leslie has been working with the Hornby and Denman Community Health Care Society, which had experience
not only providing the “home assist” services imagined by Better at Home, but also quasimedical “home support” tasks such as making meals and giving medication. “This is a vital thing to do really,” he said. “This is a building block. We need to go a lot further.” The Better at Home consultation process led to the group being asked to spearheaded the project here. (Continued on page 10)
Royal Canadian Legion Courtenay Branch
Wishes to Thank • The many members of the business community who, in so many ways, supported our Poppy Campaign and Remembrance Day activities whether by donations, discounts, services or accommodations for our Poppy distribution, • the many members of the public and service clubs for their unprecedented support of the Poppy Campaign and their record attendance at the cenotaph ceremony, • 19 Wing, Comox for their technical and logistical support and their participation in the Remembrance Day activities, • The City of Courtenay and C.O.P.S for their logistical support, • Army and Air Cadets along with their ofÄcers and parents for their active participation in the tag days and their participation in the cenotaph ceremony, • R.C.M.P. members and retirees for their participation in the Veterans’ Breakfast, the parade and cenotaph ceremony, • Scouts and Guides for their participation in the cenotaph ceremony along with our Legion-sponsored hockey team for their active assistance following the Veterans’ Breakfast, • School District 71 for their logistical support, school choir for their participation in the cenotaph ceremony, schools for providing art work to decorate the branch on Remembrance Day, for their participation in the poster and literary contests and for welcoming veterans to their own Remembrance ceremonies, • Legion Padré Kevin Elsasser for his participation at the Veterans’ Breakfast and for leading the cenotaph ceremony, • Maj.Gen. Col.)ret) Jon Ambler for acting as guest speaker at the Veterans’ Breakfast along with invited guests for their active participation, • Courtenay Legion Piper and Colour Party for their participation in the parade and cenotaph ceremony, • The management, staff and volunteers within the Branch for their dedication, energy, patience and support throughout the Poppy and Remembrance period, and • Finally, those veterans who, in so many ways, inspire us to soldier on.
We Thank You
10
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
CHRISTMAS
Join in celebrating life amidst the holiday season Hospice Society offers a free special Blue Christmas service if you’re suffering grief and loss during the festive time You are warmly invited to join in a gentle atmosphere of respect and compassion at the “Celebrate a Life & Blue Christmas Service” to be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday December 13, at Comox United Church located at 250 Beach Drive, Comox. Here at the Comox Valley Hospice Society we are aware that the holiday season can be a particularly painful time following the death of a loved one and that some family traditions will be forever altered. The expectation that we feel joyous during the holidays can make the hurt of loss seem even more painful. This, coupled with the traditional focus on families, celebration and togetherness can feel overwhelming and may lead to a sense of feeling numb and disengaged.
This is a normal part of grieving and the happiness of the season may make the burden of loss seem even harder to bear. Grief is different for everyone and for every family and questions may arise about how to ‘survive’ the holidays. This can be a draining time of year and those who are grieving may already feel short on energy. Taking care of oneself and giving permission to grieve is a kind gift we can give to ourselves at any time, and even more so through this tender season. If you are feeling a sense of loss or longing and wish to honour: the lives of your loved ones in remembrance; or those who are ill, or wish to be with others at this tender time of the year, consider
joining us for this gentle celebration of life amidst this holiday season. Together we will join in acknowledging that many in our community have lost loved ones and that a part of grief is celebrating the lives of those who have died whether the loss is recent, long ago, near, far or has touched you in any way. This free non-denominational community partnership event will begin at 1:00 pm and will provide a safe, quiet space for you to join with others who may be grieving in our community. Trained staff and volunteers will be present before and after the service and you may want to talk with them or, you will be perfectly free to remain silent with your private thoughts and feelings. Tears, laughter, shar-
The ‘Celebrate a Life & Blue Christmas Service’ offers a unique ceremony of remembrance while being with others in whatever way feels of most comfort to you. For more information call Comox Valley Hospice Society at: 250-3395533.
When seniors are ‘Better at Home’ (Continued from page 9) “We were the only group in the Valley that did home support and home assist,” he said. “We’ve tested a lot of things and we’ve learned a lot as we’ve gone through these stages.” Leslie said it might be a challenge to help seniors with transportation issues and home support on a Valley-wide basis, but said the organization will be looking to expand services
where it can. Things like chopping firewood to fixing stairs can make all the difference to people who might otherwise have to go into a nursing home. “That’s the kind of stuff that really undoes people,” he said. “This will allow more seniors to be able to stay living at home and not have to go into care.” Bill and Bonnie Moore with Moore’s Cleaning say that the proof is in the pudding.
“Lots of ‘em don’t even want you to go home after,” Bonnie said. “Everything for handicapped people is really expensive.” “They need help badly,” Bill chimed in, pointing out he’s dealt with plenty of at risk seniors who say they’ve been scammed by unscrupulous business people when they needed a hand most. “We’re here to help people. We’re not here to take advantage of people.”
CA$H
318 A Duncan Ave., Courtenay (Corner of Duncan & 3rd St.)
24 HR Service 250-338-8026
ing, private reflections and prayer will all be respected. Everyone is welcome and a softly orchestrated program of music, readings, silence and ceremony will be followed by an invitation to share homemade food and beverages after the service. “Those we love we never lose, For always they will be, Loved, remembered, treasured, Always in our memory”. - Anonymous
s (OT WATER TANK REPLACEMENT s $RAIN CLEANING mUSHING s 0OLY h"v REPLACEMENT s 6IDEO INSPECTION terranovaplumbing.ca
Lori Ste. Croix Investment Advisor UÊ/ - ÃÊ UÊ,,-*ÃÊ UÊ/>ÝÊ* > } UÊ,, ÃÊ UÊ ÃÊ UÊ/>ÝÊ- i ÌiÀÃ UÊ-Ì V ÃÊ UÊ `ÃÊ UÊ ÕÌÕ> Ê Õ `Ã
2250-338-2702 5
REWARD$ CRIMESTOPPERS WILL PAY CASH REWARDS FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST OF PERSONS INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN THE COMOX VALLEY.
1-800-222-TIPS VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
www.comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca
Air-Fare F & 3 Nights ht
Accommodation Provided Draw Date January 15th 2015
Full Contest Details Available Online
IslandsBestHomes.ca/LasVegas
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
11
SID WILLIAMS THEATRE
Beloved holiday concert Winter Harp returns to the Sid on Dec. 11 One of the country’s most joyous annual traditions, Winter Harp, a world-class ensemble known for its sold-out houses and standing ovations, returns to the Sid Williams Theatre on Thursday December 11 as part of the theatre society’s 2014 - 2015 Blue Circle Series. Winter Harp is a concert experience that has captured the spirit of the season in a gloriouslyevocative way. It has been the must-see ticket on the holiday calendar for more than two decades. On stage, Winter Harp’s outstanding musicians and singer, clad in beautiful medieval attire, perform a collection of music that ranges from familiar carols to Celtic, medieval, world and Spanish tunes. At the theatre performances, backdrops of cathedral and snow set the stage for the golden Celtic and classical harps, drums, tambourines, temple bells, flutes and an assortment of beautiful ancient and rare instruments, including the ethereal-sounding bass psaltery (the only one like it in the world), the organistrum (an early form of the hurdy-gurdy) and the Swedish nyckelharpa. Winter Harp 2014 Artists include: Kim Robertson (celtic harp, voice), Janelle Nadeau (pedal harp, voice), Roger Helfrick (voice, harp, guitar), Lauri Lyster (percussion), Jeff Pelletier (flute, bass flute, wooden piccolo), Joaquin Ayala (nyckelharpas, bass psaltery, organistrum, symfonie), and Lori Pappajohn (Winter Harp director). Says Lori Pappajohn:
“It is our great pleasure to present the 22nd year of Winter Harp. It is a true honour to again bring our special concert of music, songs and stories, and to share the wonder of the Christmas season with Western Canadian audiences. “We welcome people of all backgrounds to join us in this unique and joyful celebration of the season.” This year also marks the re-release of Lori Pappajohn’s debut CD Songs of the Heart, first issued in cassette form in 1993 (few people had CD players then!). “At the time I was touring with my trio Harps International. People loved our rendition of Danny Boy, so I put together a recording of beautiful folk songs -- including that iconic tune,” says Pappajohn, who plays both harp and flutes on the recording. These soul-stirring melodies on harp and flutes mix with the soothing sounds of nature (ocean, rain, loons) for an uplifting CD that comes straight from the heart. Favorites include Greensleeves, All Through the Night, Shenandoah, Amazing Grace and She Moved Through the Fair. Tickets for this Blue Circle Series performance are $44 for members, $49 for general public, $34 for students and groups of 10 or more. Members can add this show to a 4 or more pack for just $34. Purchase in person at the Ticket Centre Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, by phone 250.338.2430, or online at sidwilliamstheatre.com.
The Winter Harp ensemble brings its Christmas program to Courtenay on Dec. 11
BUSINESS
Fluid Bar & Grill enters 10th year of service despite the odds BY DREW A. PENNER Staff Writer Brandon Guile has a list 38 entries long that sits in his office he never wants to end up on. The owner and director of operations of Fluid Bar & Grill in Courtenay keeps track of every business that has gone under in the Comox Valley since he started -- and that doesn’t even include Cumberland. “If you don’t continually evolve and change, you’re dead,” he said, looking out over the urban lounge space along Cliffe Avenue that emerged from the site of a 1970s-era McDonald’s. “Every year that you make it through in the restaurant business is a
celebration.” On Dec. 14 Fluid will enter its 10th year of service. To thank customers who have supported the local business along the way they’ve launched a new menu and are featuring a $10 appies special all weekend. In some ways it’s surprising the restaurant hasn’t ended up on his ever-growing list, considering all the factors that have seemingly conspired to make running a quality food and beverage establishment difficult. Guile pointed to three factors that have particularly hurt independent restaurant owners hard over the past few years. BC’s flirtations with the HST tax system, a more than $2 increase in the minimum wage and the new .05 drinking and driving limit each took a
Brandon Guile says the key to survival in the restaurant business is to check your ego at the door and listen to your customers.
chunk out of the lounge business’s bottom line, he explained. “How do you absorb
that?” he said. “It’s never been harder to run a restaurant.” (Continued on page 13)
MERRY CHRISTMAS & SAVE WITH AERO ART UNTIL DEC 31ST
50
%
OFF
• • • • •
Hats Sweaters Sweatpants Polos Hoodies (Pull over & Zip Up)
40
% $ FFFF
OO JACKETS
5
T'shirts
located at #1-678 Anderton Rd, Comox | 250-339-6635
12
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
ECHO
OPINIONS
LETTERS The Friday December 5 edition of your paper carried a letter from Mr. Erik Kay, in which he “strongly advised CVRD to put in place Sunday transit”, saying that in a modern world there is no reason buses shouldn’t operate on a Sunday, thereby giving people an alternative to using their cars to get around. Mr. Kay is quite right that a modern urban community should have transit operating on weekends, including Sundays, and that is the case right now in the Comox Valley. CV Transit operates six transit routes on Sundays -- buses numbered 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. The routes cover Courtenay, Comox, and Cumberland plus south to Fanny Bay. While trip frequency and span of service are less than weekday service, this is reflective of the decreased demand for transit on Sundays and the need to use our transit funding efficiently. Through the Comox Valley Transit Future Plan, the community identified the key priority being increased frequency during weekday peak commute times on main corridors. In addition, the short term priorities developed through this plan included implementing additional Sunday service on main corridors, and we hope to be able to implement that additional Sunday service
over the next few years. Michael Zbarsky Manager of transit and sustainability Comox Valley Regional District
NO ROOM FOR COACH Ronna-Rae Leonard wrote last week unveiling her plan to guide and control the new City Council from the sidelines. Apparently she sees herself as the coach of the new team. The full impact of the recent election does not yet seem to have registered with Ms. Leonard. There are three new tombstones on the political Boot Hill at Maple Pool. Former councillors Ambler, Anglin, and Winchester all went down to ignominious defeat as a direct result of their participation in the last council’s obstinate and ill-advised effort to close Maple Pool and evict all its tenants. Almost all those who made the last council dysfunctional and ignored the clearly expressed wishes of Courtenay voters were terminated by those voters. When the dust finally settles, it will likely become clear that Ms. Leonard’s defeat in the contest for the NDP federal nomination was directly attributable to the disenchantment of many NDP members with her role on a Council which relent-
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
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR lessly pursued closure and eviction at Maple Pool over the past four years. Another tombstone in the Maple Pool Boot Hill? The November 15 election constituted the clearest possible repudiation of the incumbents who had thumbed their noses at the electorate for the past three years. The newly elected council enjoys the clearest possible mandate to begin representing the voters who elected them and to end the nonsensical attacks on Maple Pool. Ms. Leonard has no role to play in the new administration. She was part of the political clique which hobbled Mayor Jangula throughout the past three years. Numerous appeals were made to the public to return a council which would support Mayor Jangula’s leadership and allow him to lead effectively; the public responded by doing precisely that. Courtenay has no opening for a puppet master pulling the strings of mayor and councillors from the sidelines. Paul Deeton Courtenay
Production Manager Ryan Getz 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
MAYOR IS ENTITLED I write in response to the letter from Donovan Carter in this paper on
November 28 last. In Mr. Carter’s opinion, David Frisch is entitled to be appointed as a CVRD Director because he topped the polls for Council in the recent election. I have no criticism of David Frisch whatsoever and it would appear that he might well have what it takes to make an excellent councillor. Topping the polls does not, by any rule of governance lead to an automatic appointment as one of Courtenay’s directors on the CVRD. These appointments are made at the discretion of the Mayor and are subject to endorsement by council. The qualifications the mayor considers are unlikely to include how any councillor ranked at the polls. A given candidate, including Mr. Frisch, may have excellent credentials to sit on council, while not necessarily being the most qualified individual to serve as a Director of CVRD. Mr. Carter has concluded that on the basis of vote totals between the Mayor and Mr. Frisch, Mr. Frisch has been given a greater mandate than Mr. Jangula, since Mayor Jangula received a lower vote total in a field of two than did Mr. Frisch in a field of
thirteen. This reasoning is fundamentally flawed on too many levels to address here. Suffice to say that Mr. Carter is comparing “apples and oranges”. Our Mayor is entitled to make his own decisions regarding appointments and does not need to heed the advice from this newly arrived governance tutor. Bill Verburgt Courtenay
ETERNAL VIGILANCE Ordinarily I would not respond to protestations of a federal Tory bag man but in this case Mr Dick Clancy needs a reprimand for his hypocrisy and specious innuendo about me. In his letter to the editor (The Echo, Dec 2) Mr Clancy shows ignorance about the function of democratic process at City Hall. He responds to my letter in which I vigorously encouraged the Mayor to “...support the appointment of Councillor Frisch to the CVRD Board of Directors.” Mr Clancy’s ignorance shows when he suggests the Mayor makes the appointments to committees. The Mayor does not appoint Council members to various committees. It is a decision by a vote of Council after what should
be a transparent attempt at consensus. Council is not a parliamentary form of government. Hypocritically Clancy says because I did not, “... stand for office in the recent election.” my support for Frisch was, “...an attempt by the unelected... to take control of our local government.” By his own standard Clancy is guilty of sedition as he did not, “...stand for office in the recent election.” therefore his support for Jangula is an attempt, “...to take control of our local government.” As for specious innuendo Clancy said, “...I know (Carter) associates with Jon Ambler and Ronna Rae Leonard.” I have provided the Echo editor with my e-mail exchange with Mr Ambler in which he requested my active campaign support and I declined to give it. I told Ambler I would not be marking the mayoral ballot. As for Ms Leonard, I had never spoken to her or met her and she could never identify me in Mr Clancy’s fantasy line up of all the usual suspects. The foundation of fair and functional democracy is the eternal vigilance of the good citizen. Donovan R Carter Courtenay
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
13
Watch out for the water as storms hit BC Hydro has about two metres of wiggle room left in it reservoir, but the Crown corporation is warning that select areas of Courtenay could flood Tuesday and each of the following mornings. Two sub-tropical storms have caused worry since they proved to have more punch to them then had originally been forecast. “Unfortunately the storms are now much stronger and may hit the Comox watershed hard,” said BC Hydro spokesperson Stephen Watson in a release. “BC Hydro is concerned about these storms and the potential for flooding.” High ocean tides taking place in the morning is another aggravating factor adding to this picture. Now, BC Hydro is forecasting average daily water inflow averages to the reservoir between 350 m3/s and 320 m3/s on Tuesday and Wednesday (for an hourly peak of up to 700 m3/s)
Comox Valley Emergency Program, City of Courtenay, Comox Valley Regional District and
JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS Fresh Free Range Turkeys 10 - 30 lbs Hams Bone-in or Boneless Fresh from our Smokehouse
While lounges across BC all have to contend with such issues, the difficulty is compounded in the Comox Valley. In Vancouver or Victoria the .05 blood alcohol content regulations don’t hit as hard, since ample public transit is available. The lack of buses and taxis at key times in Courtenay hurts diner traffic and encourages those who drive to think twice about having a third or even a second drink, he noted. “That’s where we make our margins,” he said.
ORDER TODAY FOR PICK-UP
Rainwater accumulates on the ground at Maple Pool Campsite Monday. In order to compensate the company has been spilling water at maximum rates. Flooding can begin to occur at 600 m3/s. Mike Fournier, Emergency Program Coordinator for the Comox Valley Emergency Program,
visited Maple Pool Campsite Monday prior to the heaviest precipitation. The owners of the trailer park said they don’t expect to have any issues with flooding. Residents themselves expressed a variety of opinions about the rain, with some won-
dering about the impact the river would have if the river does rise significantly and others not all that concerned. BC Hydro plans to release high flows at low tides and low flows at high tides and has already begun a dialogue with
Fluid’s celebrates 10th anniversary with specials (Continued from page 11)
Emergency Management BC. The public is asked to stay away from the Puntledge River.
“That’s five bucks a head off the bill.” A bigger challenge these days is the dearth of young people in the community to provide a solid labour pool. With a lack of nightlife as the Comox Valley continues to age collectively it can be hard to find good staff, he says. “There’s nothing for the young people to do because it’s been squashed,” he said. “There’s no reason for the young people to stay.” Jobs in the forestry sector and particularly those geared around the oil industry continue to
BOGO EVENT ON NOW! Buy one service get second one of same or lesser value at half price!
• Mini Manicure • Hair Colouring Service • Mini Pedicure • Hair Cuts • All Waxing Services Pre-Xmas Sale - while supplies last 50% off all in store products! Don't forget gift cards to pamper your friends and family!
lure youth far afield. That leaves restaurateurs to fight it out in the remaining labour market. “It’s an Island-wide epidemic,” he said. “The whole ‘everybody going up north’ thing is killing us.” In the last year Fluid has lost eight staff members to Alberta. “We’re all chasing the same people,” he said. “I’ll have a decent line cook come in and they’ll be out one night and somebody will poach them.” But Guile says this doesn’t faze him. After all, his main job is to lis-
By John
Longenbaugh
ten to his customers. What he’s discovered is the Comox Valley’s deep passion for local food (all of Fluid’s seafood is certified Oceanwise), the need for a place where people of all ages can congregate and a desire for quality menu offerings. They recently brought back the cob salad with Grains Bakery focaccia bread, due to popular demand, for example. “You can’t have vanity or ego in this business – it just doesn’t work,” he said. “Restaurants that stand the test of time listen to their guests.”
Cloud Vitamins
Cloud’s mission is as simple and pure as its ingredients - help people achieve happier and healthier lives by making them comfortable and safe in the beautiful skin they're in. Each of Cloud’s unique vitamin skincare products offers unique healing and protective properties to treat and limit the effects of time and sun exposure.
Luxurious Theatre Getaways
HELD OVER
BY POPULAR DEMAND
from $134 per person
until Dec 31 Tickets from $25
1.800.565.7738
chemainustheatre.ca 1782B Comox Ave Comox, B.C. (250) 339-5050 Ryan Hollett, Leon Willey
David Cooper Photography
14
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
Natural Pastures wins awards for producing finest cheeses Cheese from across Canada vied for top honours at the recent British Empire Cheese Show and judges awarded Courtenay’s Natural Pastures Cheese high marks and prizes in several categories at its November 13th presentation. In its 87th year, the event is hosted by the Central Ontario Cheesemakers’ Association and is the oldest and longestrunning cheese competition in Canada. Natural Pastures’ rich tasting semi-hard Boerenkaas cheese took third place in the firm cheese category. Known for its slightly zippy taste and robust flavour, it is the workhorse in Natural Pastures’ stable of cheeses. “It’s delicious in soups, salads, omelettes, casseroles - tasty on the cheese plate and great with either red or white wine,” said head cheesemaker Paul Sutter. The company’s Buffalo Paneer continues to please judges as it gained a place in the winners’ ring in its second cheese judging contest. The
paneer took silver in the fresh cheese category. Used as a cooking cheese because it keeps its consistency when heated, the paneer has a creamy mild finish and slightly nutty flavour. Its taste and texture enhances any curry dish and is delicious stir-fried with fresh vegetables. Natural Pastures Operations Manager, Doug Smith, believes that the success of their Buffalo Paneer is because of the freshness and simple nature of the unaged cheese. “It’s not salted and is made from 100 percent buffalo milk.” For its buffalo cheese, Natural Pastures uses
milk produced by water buffalo from Courtenay’s McClintock Farms in addition to two other small herds on Vancouver Island. Compared to cow’s milk, water buffalo milk is pure white, smoother, thicker and tastier. Buffalo milk has significantly more calcium and protein than cow’s milk and, although it has a higher fat content, contains much less cholesterol. Natural Pastures’ Comox Brie and Smoked Boerenkaas also had solid showings - both placing fourth in their divisions. In all, ten of the submitted cheeses placed in the top ten spots in their categories.
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
SAVE BIG NOW 2014 CLEARANCE! THANKS BC FOR MAKING THESE THE NUMBER 1 SELLING VEHICLES
Save up to:
$2,500
2014 Honda Civic EX
Save up to:
$3,000
Save up to:
15
When they are gone, so are these OFFERS!
$3,000
2014 Honda CRV EX
2014 Honda Accord Touring V6
!Ask us How we can SAVE YOU MONEY on YOUR NEW 2014 Honda!
‡In order to achieve $0 down payment, dealer will cover the cost of tire/battery tax, air conditioning tax (where applicable), environmental fees and levies on the 2015 CR-V LX 2WD, Civic DX and Fit DX only on behalf of the customer. ΩLimited time weekly lease offer based on a new 2015 CR-V LX 2WD model RM3H3FES. ¥1.99% lease APR on a 60 month term with 260 weekly payments O.A.C. Weekly payment, including freight and PDI, is $69.89 based on applying $400.00 lease dollars (which is deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes). Down payment of $0.00, first weekly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $18,171.40. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 120,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. †Limited time weekly lease offer based on a new 2015 Civic DX model FB2E2FEX. €2.99% lease APR on a 60 month term with 260 weekly payments O.A.C. Weekly payment, including freight and PDI, is $44.90 based on applying $600.00 lease dollars (which is deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes). Down payment of $0.00, first weekly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $11,674.00. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 120,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. *Limited time weekly lease offer based on a new 2015 Fit DX model GK5G3FE. #2.99% lease APR on a 60 month term with 260 weekly payments O.A.C. Weekly payment, including freight and PDI, is $39.97 based on applying $875.00 lease dollars (which is deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes). Down payment of $0.00, first weekly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $10,392.20. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 120,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. ‡‡$500 Consumer Incentive Dollars “Holiday Bonus” (“Holiday Bonus”) available on any new 2015 Civic and new 2015 CR-V models, purchased or leased and delivered by January 2, 2015 and can be combined with advertised lease and finance rates. “Holiday Bonus” includes GST and PST, as applicable. Visit a participating Honda dealer for eligible products & services applicable to “Holiday Bonus” redemption. Offer ends January 2, 2015 and is subject to change or cancellation without notice. £For more information about the 2015 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year® award, visit http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/2015_honda_cr_v_is_the_motor_trend_suv_of_the_year/ **MSRP is $27,685 / $17,245 / $15,990 including freight and PDI of $1,695 / $1,495 / $1,495 based on a new 2015 CR-V LX 2WD model RM3H3FES / Civic DX model FB2E2FEX / Fit DX model GK5G3FE. License, insurance, registration and taxes are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. ‡/Ω/¥/†/€/*/#/**/‡‡ Prices and/or payments shown do not include a PPSA lien registration fee of $30.31 and lien registering agent's fee of $5.25, which are both due at time of delivery and covered by the dealer on behalf of the customer on the 2015 CR-V LX 2WD, Civic DX and Fit DX only. Offers valid from December 2nd, 2014 through January 2nd, 2015 at participating Honda retailers. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details.
16
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
Vanier senior boys just short again at Chilliwack tourney The Vanier Varsity boys had their second tournament of the season in the friendly confines of the brand new Chilliwack High School with its beautiful new gym and the excellent second gym we used for pre-game shooting. The visit was similar to the last tournament in Duncan in that the boys lost their first game again, by only 1 basket, and it was a game that was very winnable, but due to having a young squad and missing two key grade 12’s because of injury, we squandered away a 10-point lead and lost in the closing seconds. First game was against a top 3A team from Kamloops, Valleyview. A very well coached and skilled squad they made up for their lack in size compared to us with guile and excellent skills in ballhandling. Their continuous trapping also threw our boys off their game and they just couldn’t take good care of the ball- 29 turnovers. Needless to say, our young squad learned lots, and a bonus to not having all your starters is that more younger players get to play and learn the ropes early in the season. Anders Storgaard (22 pts), Tyler Knopp (18 + 16 rebounds) and Chase Hobenshield (12 pts) were the primary highlights in this game, and helped show us we have some depth in scoring. Final score: 63-66.
Second game was against Kelly Road from Prince George, and all our Towhees (10 of 13) who were healthy got to play this game. The first half was closer than we wanted but the Kelly Rd. boys were feisty and giving a good battle. Luckily our defense, our best attribute this time of year, shut them down the second half and they only scored 14 points. The Towhees created many turnovers and ended up defeating them 95-45. Leading the way with his best game to date was Tyler Knopp with 37 points and 15 rebounds. Anders added 18 with 8 assists, while Brandon Balon chipped in 13 pts. Big Chase Hobenshield shot 100% adding 8 points. In the 3rd game for 4th place the Towhees faced Sahali from Kamloops, a perennial top team in the 3A. Everyone played again and the defense was the key holding Sahali to only 41 points while the Towhees ended with 58. Tyler Knopp had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Anders 11 pts. and 13 rebounds and Chase Hobenshield added 12 points. Brandon Balon gave up his body drawing 3 charges, with 3 steals, 3 assists and 6 points. Next up is the Gus Vesterback Tournament, .our first home games. All 4 teams will be close in abilities, all are well coached, and it should be a good start to our home
On Sale Now $150 A $173 value. No Expiry Date. Tax included
Available in the golf shop daily until Dec 24th
Call 250-339-4444 1718 Balmoral Ave
For excellent results, check our website and contact a broker today!
What are you doing with your vessel? For excellent results, call us!
1-877-448-0010
#6-1025 Lee Rd., Parksville
THIS WEEK’S FEATURE
www.pacificboatbrokers.com
Vanier in action, going for the score, at Chilliwack (Peggy Street photo) schedule this season. The tournament starts on Friday, Dec. 12 featuring senior boys and girls teams, 2:30 pm - Girls, Dover Bay (Nanaimo) vs Kwalicum 4:15 pm - Boys, Reynolds (Victoria) vs Maple Ridge 6 pm - Girls, Vanier vs Eric Hamber (Vancouver) 7:45 pm - Boys, Vanier vs Eric Hamber Saturday, Dec 13
8:15 am - Boys, Eric Hamber vs Reynolds 10 am - Boys, Maple Ridge vs Vanier 11:45 am - Girls, Eric Hamber vs Dover Bay 1:30 pm - Girls, Kwalicum vs Vanier 3:15 pm - Boys, Eric Hamber vs Maple Ridge 5 pm - Girls, Eric Hamber vs Kwalicum 6:45 pm - Boys, Vanier vs Reynolds 8:30 pm - Girls, Vanier vs Dover Bay
Isfeld boys third
RYAN BEAUCHAMP WAS RECENTLY PRESENTED the President’s Award by Comox Valley Lacrosse Association’s outgoing president, Colleen Houlihan. The President’s Award is presented to the graduating midget player who best exemplifies sportsmanship and dedication. Beauchamp is a multi-sport athlete who is a Grade 11 student at Mark Isfeld and hopes to further his lacrosse career at the collegiate level.
10 ROUND PUNCH CARDS
Isfeld Senior boys basketball opened up its season this past weekend with a 3rd place finish at the Parkland Invitational in Victoria. In the first game against Notre Dame of Vancouver the Ice won 62-55. The Ice led throughout the game with a 38-24 lead at the half. Noah Kaefer led the team in scoring with 24 and Nic Xylinas added 22. In game 2 the Ice played a physical Kwalikum team and lost 47-37. Unable to control the defensive rebounds and keep Kwalikum off the glass the Ice
were badly outrebounded. Noah Kaefer lead the team in scoring with 19. In the third place game Isfeld beat the Ballenas Whalers 60-37. Isfeld led throughout with 18-10 at the end of the first, 33-16 at the half and 43-22 after the third quarter. Leading scorers for Isfeld were Noah Kaefer 25, Davis Malton had 12 and Nic Xylinas scored 10. Kaefer was selected to the All Tournament team. Isfeld hosts it own tournament this weekend with games starting at noon on Friday and going all day Saturday.
“B.C.’s Largest Pre-Owned Vessel Brokerage”
DETROIT EXPRESS This 2005 Seaswirl is a fishing machine, that comes with a new trailer. Only 400 hours on engine since new. Detroit Express is equipped with a 220hp Volvo Penta 5 liter inboard/outboard. Sleeps 2-3. This package has real value.
NEW!
Stk#LF4484
$
43,400 (CAD)
CARRIERS WANTED No collection required. Great exercise! Call Comox Valley Echo • 250-334-4734 or drop by 407-D 5th Street, Courtenay COURTENAY
SUBSTITUTE NEEDED FOR RT 7119 DOWNTOWN BUSINESS AREA Rt. 7107 Rt. 8102
– Grieve to McPhee, 13th to 17th – Urquhart, Tull, 27th, Stewart COMOX SUBSTITUTE NEEDED FOR DEC - BECTON ROAD AREA Rt. 2112 – Aspen, Meadowlark, Towhee, Merrelet Rt. 2132 – Cooke Ave. Rt. 2103 – Beach, Beaufort, Murphy, Beaton VALLEYVIEW Rt. 3114 – Malahat, Zeballos, Mantle, 9th St. E., Evergreen Rt. 3135 – Hawk Dr., Whiskey Jack, Swallow Rt. 3127A – St. Andrews Way, Nevis Place Rt. 3136 – Blue Jay Place Rt. 3134 – Birkshire, Dover Pl, Tudor Pl COLEMAN ROAD AREA Rt. 4106 – Loxley, Avonlee, Sea Terrace
Earn extra $$$$ for all that fun stuff that mom won't buy!
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
17
18
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
CARRIERS WANTED EARN $$$$$$$$ COURTENAY Substitute needed for Rt.7119 Downtown Business Area Rt. 7107 – Grieve to McPhee, 13th to 17th Rt. 8102 – Urquhart, Tull, 27th, Stewart COMOX Substitute needed for Dec - Becton Road Area Rt. 2112 – Aspen, Meadowlark, Towhee, Merrelet Rt. 2132 – Cooke Ave. Rt. 2103 – Beach, Beaufort, Murphy, Beaton VALLEYVIEW Rt. 3114 – Malahat, Zeballos, Mantle, 9th St. E., Evergreen Rt. 3135 – Hawk Dr., Whiskey Jack, Swallow Rt. 3127A – St. Andrews Way, Nevis Place Rt. 3136 – Blue Jay Place Rt. 3134 – Birkshire, Dover Pl, Tudor Pl COLEMAN ROAD AREA Rt. 4106 – Loxley, Avonlee, Sea Terrace No Collection Required Call COMOX VALLEY ECHO 250−334−4734 or drop by 407−D 5th Street, Courtenay
19
20 www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.DECEMBER 9, 2014
hasCOOLStuff No Press Board
Made in BC
Table Top Billiards Game
Made in BC, Solid Maple Magazine Table
Price $39
100% Top Grain Leather Swivel Chair
Price $199
Price $799
All-Wood Bedroom Suite. Set includes; Queen Size Bed Frame, Dresser, Mirror, Chest & 2 x Night Tables
Price $2199
Made in Canada since 1946, Chrome Dinette
Price $1799 Set
Made in Canada, Sofa with Reversible Chaise Lounge, comes in 3 colour choices; Chocolate, Vanilla or Coffee!
Made in Canada, Sofa & Love Seat, (one only)
Price $899 Both Pieces
Solid Wood Butterfly Leaf Table & 4 Chairs
Price $799 Set
Price $649
Solid Oak & Glass Howard Miller Curio Cabinet
Solid Wood Drop Leaf Table & 2 Chairs
Price $799
Made in BC, 5 Drawer Chests (No Press Board!), Lots of Colour Choices
Black or White Owls
Price $329 Set
Price $25 Each
These are just a few examples of the hundreds of items in stock
Made in BC, Two Sided Flippable Mattress Set
Price $799 Queen Size
Made in Canada, Large Sectional with Chaise Lounge
Price $1099
Price $199 Each
Open Sunday: 11am to 5pm | Open Monday to Thursday: 9:30am to 5:30pm Open Friday: 9:30am to 3pm | Closed Saturday