Comox Valley Echo - January 13, 2015 by Comox Valley Echo

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com COURTENAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA • Tuesday, January 13, 2015

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over $200,000 for Sunday.

03.19 WING MAKES IT OFFICIAL FOR AIR SHOW IN AUGUST.

02.'CHICKEN LADY’, 87, GETS VILLAGE TO GIVE A CLUCK ABOUT BACKYARD HENS

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

TUESDAY.COURTENAY, BC. JANUARY 13, 2015

ECHO

NEWS Comox Valley Weather

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Tuesday Cloudy. 30% chance of drizzle in morning. Fog patches dissipating late morning. High 7°C.

Wednesday Cloudy. Low 6°C. High 7°C.

Thursday Rain. Windy. Low 4°C. High 8°C.

Friday Rain. Low 3°C. High 7°C.

Saturday Showers. Low 6°C. High 8°C.

For the latest Comox Valley Weather visit: www.comoxvalleyecho.com

Public info night on road designs The City of Courtenay is in the early design phase for several capital projects addressing aging infrastructure needs and surface repairs. The public is invited to view preliminary design plans and fill out a survey at a drop-in public information session on Thursday, January 15, 2015, between 7:00 and 9:00 pm, in the lower Native Sons Hall dining and lodge rooms (360 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay). Preliminary designs will be available for the following roadways: 2nd Street: Cliffe to England Avenues 12th Street: Stewart to Urquhart Avenues Willemar Ave: 17th to 26th Streets Piercy Ave: 17th to 26th Streets England Ave: 10th to 12th Streets 10th Street: Piercy to Willemar Avenues 15th Street: Willemar Avenue to westerly end of street Design considerations will include sidewalks, curb extensions, pavement , landscaping, boulevards, local parking needs, and cycling network linkages. Information notices are being delivered to residents living within the proposed improvement areas. The projects will be considered amongst all City project priorities in the budget process in 2015 and beyond.For those unable to attend the information session, the designs will be available online at www. courtenay.ca/projects starting Friday, January 16.

Elke Bibby has inspired a chicken movement in Cumberland.

Cumberland’s ‘chicken lady’ galvanizes village with activism Retired veterinarian seeks legalization of backyard hens in Village BY JOHN DOE Staff Writer When you grow up as the only woman in your wartime Berlin veterinarian class you learn not to take no for an answer. The determination and love of animals that has propelled Elke Bibby her entire career has also imbued her with a constitution which has inspired a wave of political activity in Cumberland around food

security – represented by a drive to make backyard chickens legal. “I like to make a statement if I feel strongly about something,” said the 87-year-old resident of Maryport Avenue, on why she has worked so tirelessly to build community support for allowing the farm animals on Village properties. “It would be so much healthier for the chickens and so much heartier for the human beings.”

Bibby smiles incessantly as she looks back over the years ﬁlled with two marriages and several children. Her kids have grown, and now she lives alone. She ﬁgured chickens would be the perfect companions. “I wanted to study them and see what they are like,” she said. “They have a small brain, but they’re intelligent.” Walking amongst the birds on her property she calls out “Yak yak yak yak, brr brr,” with affection. “They ‘Brr, brr,’ me back,” she said. “They have very good hearing.” But the local bylaw enforcer came to her door

one day about a yearand-a-half ago to crack down on the clear bylaw infraction. “I’ll give you 1 month to get rid of these chickens,” she remembers the woman telling her. “I didn’t say no or anything. Under my breath I said, ‘Only over my dead body.’” Bibby’s tenacious nature developed at a young age. As the Nazis’ grasp on power strengthened in Germany, Bibby found comfort in her cats Piefke and Schnurri. The woman veterinarian who she met when the cats were neutered inspired her. Her family was not

immune from the tyranny of the Nazis. Her own father, Carl Müller-Braunschweig, who tried to help the daughter of Sigmund Freud, who he studied under, by writing a letter of support, had his own psychoanalysis practice seriously curtailed. At one point he was supposed to take over Freud’s practice in Vienna. Instead he was asked to report any antiNazi sentiment revealed by his clients. It wasn’t easy to blaze a path in such a time. But Bibby was determined to do what it took to make a mark. (Continued on page 3)

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

MILITARY

Comox Air Show set to soar again Aug. 15 Theme this year will be ‘Saluting the Community We Serve’ to reflect local support BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff

Making the announcement. Col. Tom Dunne, Wing Commander

One of the biggest shows in the Comox Valley is coming back in the summer After a successful display in the skies in 2013, that attracted around 15,000 spectators, 19 Wing Comox is again hosting the Comox Air Show on Aug. 15. Wing Commander Col. Tom Dunne officially launched the Comox Valley Armed Forces Day that will be combined with the air show. This year’s theme is “Saluting the Community We Serve.” Dunne said it was chosen to reflect on the excellent support 19 Wing Comox has received from all the communities in the local area since the base was established in 1942. “We value the community partnership that has been established since our existence here as an

We value the community partnership that has been established since our existence here as as air station ... ” COL. TOM DUNNE 19 Wing Commander

CF-18 demo team returning. Theme will be Battle of Britain 75th anniversary. air station. From the moment workers moved into the valley to start laying fresh pavement on the runways, the RCAF has relied upon the services of the community to sustain our existence,” said Dunne. “We shop here, we worship and attend church here and our children go

to school here. So to say thank you to this community, on Saturday August 15th, we will open our doors and showcase to all the communities we call home - from Comox to Cumberland, Bowser to Campbell River and beyond – just what the 19 Wing Comox Defence Team can and do for you.”

This year’s airshow Dunne said will be a big complement to the City of Courtenay’s 100th birthday celebration. The air show will highlight military and civilian acts. Commitments are also being secured for an array of vintage and US military aircraft for the ground static displays.

Returning this year are the highly acclaimed Canadian Forces Snowbirds, a mainstay in the valley every April during the team’s spring work ups before their air show circuit begins. The CF-18 Demonstration Team, whose theme is focused on the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, will again grace the local skies. The new addition this year, which rounds out the big three in terms of Canadian military performers, are the Skyhawks Parachute Team. (Continued on page 4)

‘Chicken Lady’ has Cumberlanders giving a cluck about backyard hens (Continued from page 2) She remembers a time in veterinary school she had to fight to go on a field trip with the boys. She was even singled out to castrate a bull in front of her male counterparts. It’s this fervour she has brought to the rugged streets of Cumberland, arranging petitions and posting flyers to encourage people to get behind backyard chickens. The community has taken note. “She’s fired up about

chickens,” said Nick Ward, who publishes the community web site Cumberland Matters. “She cares deeply about them and deeply about the need for people to be able to keep backyard chickens and have eggs and food security education.” Ward’s been excited to see the way she’s managed to galvanize Cumberlanders. “I think it’s deeper than just a few chickens in the backyard,” he said. “It’s more about what

sort of community we are and how we can take the actions that allow us to be resilient and be a community that has the freedom to do things like this.” Coun. Roger Kishi listened to Bibby make her case for backyard chickens at the Village Hall meeting Jan. 7. Through her efforts Cumberland has worked to incorporate backyard chickens into its Official Community Plan, he noted. “She’s really been at

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the forefront of this,” he said, adding some properties in Cumberland are already permitted to have chickens. “The actual process we need to do is to change some of the bylaws. That’s already in the works.” One of Bibby’s twin sons, Jan Neuspiel, 53, was proud to see his mom, who has only lived in the community for five years, take such an active role in the political process. “She’s a person who,

when she says she’s going to do something she’s quite single-minded about it,” he said. “She got a little bit of a chicken movement going.” Cumberland has provided fertile ground for her activism, he added. “I’m really stoked that after a relatively short time she’s made a place for herself in this community,” he said. “It’s a small community where a person can really feel like they can have an impact. The fact that every councillor and all

the staff know who she is, is a feature of a small town. Politics at that kind of scale are very satisfying. It suits her well, because she likes to see results to her actions.” But don’t expect her to rest on her laurels, he says, at least until the bylaws are changed. Until that happens she’ll continue to amuse herself with her hens. “I like to simply watch them to simply see who is dominant,” she said. “I enjoy talking to them because they talk to me.”

Jan 9 - Jan 15 Jan 9 - Jan 15 Cinema #4: “The Tempest” Globe on Screen From the Globe Theatre, London Saturday, Jan. 10, 10:00 am (ends 12:35 am). Doors open at 9:30. Approx. 2 hour, 35 minutes; 1 intermission Cinema #1: “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies HFR 3D” PG: Violence; frightening scenes Nightly, except Sunday: 6:30 (9:05) & 9:35 (12:10); Sunday, January 11: 7:15 (9:50) & 10:15 (12:50) Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 3D 12:10 (2:45) & 2D 3:15 (5:50) Cinema #2: “Unbroken” PG: Violence, torture, coarse language Nightly: 6:40 (9:10) & 9:40 (12:10); Saturday Matinees: 3:25 (5:55); Sunday Matinees: 12:15 (2:45)

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Cinema #3: “Into the Woods” PG: Violence Nightly: 6:50 (9:05) & 9:45 (12:00); Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 12:25 (2:40) & 3:35 (5:50) Cinema #4: “Taken 3” 14A: Violence. Pass restricted until January 23rd Nightly: 7:00 (9:00) & 9:30 (11:30); Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 12:35 (2:35) & 3:45 (5:45) Box Office Hours for Jan. 9th – 15th. Nightly: 6:00 pm – 9:50 pm. Friday to Sunday Matinees: 11:45 am - 3:40 pm

Unbroken (PG) Nightly 6:40 & 9:35; Sat & Sun Matinees 12:40 & 3:35 Taken 3 (14A) (No Passes). Nightly 7:25 & 9:50; Sat & Sun Matinees 1:25 & 3:50 Into the Woods (PG). Nightly 7:00 & 9:45; Sat & Sun Matinees 1:00 & 3:45 The Hobbit Battle of the Five Armies HFR 3D (PG). Nightly 6:30 & 9:30. Sat & Sun Matinees 12:00 The Hobbit Battle of the Five Armies (PG). Sat & Sun Matinees 3:00 Night at the Museum Secret of the Tomb (PG). Nightly 7:05 & 9:20; Sat & Sun Matinees 1:05 & 3:20 The Tempest (Shakespeare’s Globe on Screen). Saturday Jan. 10th 10:00AM

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

NEW BUSINESS

Something good brews Gladstone Brewery committed to maintaining mid-century charm of historic building BY JOHN DOE Staff Writer Daniel Sharratt had a good job crunching numbers in Victoria as a government finance worker, but it wasn’t good for his soul. So he decided to make the move to the Comox Valley with his wife Alexandra Stephanson to open Gladstone Brewery. “I want it to have a local spirit, for sure,” said Sharratt, the more laid back of the two. “It should be a place to go in the community where you get a nice quality product you can feel good about.” This chill approach to business is complemented by Stephanson’s fastidious design aesthetic, as the transplants aim to maintain the grimy charm of the old car garage on Fourth Street near Cliffe Avenue where their craft beer lounge is located. “It’s Art Deco style,” proclaims Stephanson, motioning to the small translucent square windows that form a curve along the building’s front and the vaulted ceilings that once collected uncouth mechanic banter. “It’s historic like the post office across the street.” In order to build on the rugged atmosphere of a mid-20th century automotive shop Stephanson is working around the clock to create a space that comes across like a time capsule from 1948. That includes the colours in the bathroom,

I want it to have a local spirit, for sure. It should be a place to go in the community where you get a nice quality product you can fill good about ... It’s a lot of stress but lots of excitement.”

Daniel Sharratt and John Adair hold their new brew high as they prepare to ship kegs to thirsty beer lovers.

Left: Daniel Sharratt pours one of the first glasses of beer as the owner looks forward to opening day.

DANIEL SHARRATT Gladstone Brewery co-owner

which will match car interiors from the time period. The expensive flooring was removed to reveal the rough concrete flooring. They’ve even named their two fermentors Seale and Thomson, after Dick Seale and Joe Thomson, who opened a garage on the site in 1948. Although the first service station opened on the property in 1918, the second incarnation, Seale and Thomson Garage, reflected the changing community environment as postWorld War II car culture swept North America. And the two communal tables in the lounge were built with Douglas fir lumber from Thomson Bros. Lumber Co., the business started by the offspring of the garage owner. Head brewer John Adair, who’s been working at Parallel 49 Brewing Co. for the last two years, is committed to creating beer with just as much attention to detail. “Even though it’s local,

Bottom: Husband and wife Daniel Sharratt and Alexandra Stephanson, owners of Gladstone Brewery can’t wait for Comox Valley residents to try their beer.

it’s made to world class quality,” he said. “Beer and brewing is something I take a lot of pride in.” He’s been enjoying the opportunity to move back to Vancouver Island, and hopes the Comox Valley with fall in love with the fruits of his labour. Gladstone got a Belgian single, a Porter and a Belgian golden strong, and are looking forward to serving up pints so the

public can have a taste in the next few days. Two kegs they brought down to the White Whale Restaurant have already sold out. For now they’re putting the finishing touches on everything. “It’s a lot of stress but lots of excitement,” Sharratt said, as he lifts one of the long tables to move it a few inches into place. “It’s not a lot of thinking - just doing.”

Air Show is a go again at 19 Wing as they salute the community (Continued from page 3) The 19 Wing air show would not be complete without its own RCAF aircraft, the 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron CP-140 Aurora and 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron CC-115 Buffalo and CH-149 Cormorant. A variety of unique civilian aerial performers

have already been lined up. Currently Dan Buchanan and Manfred Radius are earmarked for a second consecutive show. Brent Handy, Anna Serbinenko and Gene Soucy with his wingwalker Teresa Stokes are among the others pencilled in. As civilian acts com-

mit, details of each performer will be profiled on the Air Show website and Facebook page at www. facebook.com/comoxairshow. The 2015 event will build upon the 2013 model of engaging community sponsorship as a platform for business to entertain customers and clients and to promote

their product and services to broader audiences. A new twist to engage the public audience has been added in the form of a poster contest open to valley residences and the military community in three age categories. Deadline for submission is Feb 28 and complete contest details can be found at www.cg.cfpsa.

ca. General admission prices are the same as in 2013 – Adults $20, Youth $10 and Vets & Cadets in uniform $5. The ever-popular box seating and executive club tickets options will be made available once again. Services to the Comox Valley Airport will remain

the same with regular passenger flights taking precedence during the show schedule. While the airport terminal will be closed all day Saturday 15 August, transportation passengers to and from a satellite terminal inside 19 Wing will be provided in the same fashion as in 2013.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

HUNT FOR HISTORY BY JUDY HAGEN

Registration for Kindergarten and Other Programs for 2015/16 School Year

Living through two world wars in the Valley I

n the past 100 years the residents of the Valley have lived through two world wars. The lessons learnt from the Great War of 1914-18 would affect actions in the next war 19391945. For those “at home” 100 years and 75 years ago there would be many differences and yet many similarities as to how they would respond to living “at war”. In January 1915, there was euphoria as Canada rallied to support the Empire. “When the great Armada of thirty-one big ships carrying thirtytwo thousand Canadians and escorted by nineteen Great Britain Battleships weighed anchor and sailed down the St Lawrence carrying our men to aid in ﬁghting the Empire’s battles...the world’s newspapers cried...Bravo Canada”. (The Review 02 Jan. 1915) The Social news for January noted that four men went to Victoria to “sign up”, John Cairns and Lucius Harmston left on January 16, Charles Grundy and William Holmes had left a week earlier. Charles Grundy would be the ﬁrst of the Valley men to die overseas and William Holmes would also die in Flanders Fields. It was also newsworthy when someone did not “sign up”. Mr. Ball, business man of Comox, would forgo a Commission in the Highlanders “owing to pressures of work.” From the 02 January 1940, issue, The Argus reported that “Canadian troops which (have) now arrived in England amount to 16,000 men. In the last war Canada sent 365,000 men overseas. Recruiting of land forces has been stopped in Canada in favour of air-training. For this purpose Canada will be of service for the whole of the Empire. Her stations will be comparatively safe on this continent with very favourable conditions for visibility and scattered population.” The Commonwealth Air Training Programme, of which Comox would play an important role, was Canada’s great contribution to the war effort. In the Great War, Can-

Important information for School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) Families School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) will be enrolling kindergarten students (Neighbourhood, French Immersion, Montessori, Aboriginal and eClasses) in district schools for attendance in September 2015. To be eligible for enrolment in September 2015, a student must turn five (5) years of age by December 31, 2015. Each child's birth certificate and proof of address must be presented at time of registration. CareCards will not be accepted as proof of birth but need to be presented at time of registration. A Passport or Landed Immigrant authorization are suitable forms of documentation in lieu of birth certificates. Kindergarten Registration: All of our kindergarten classes are full-day programs. Parents are asked to register their children at their current neighbourhood school on February 18, 19, 20, 2015 between the hours of 8:30 am and 12:00 pm. While most, if not all, students living in a school’s local catchment will be accommodated at that school, they cannot be guaranteed placement in the catchment area school and may be required to go to the nearest school having space available. To determine your English program catchment school, please visit our district website at www.sd71.bc.ca, click on “Schools” and go to “School Locator”. If you live in an area where busing is provided, and if you haven’t already done so, you need to go to SD71’s website and complete a Bus Transportation Registration Form for your child. All students travelling on School District No. 71 school buses must have a bus pass. Orientation Session for Kindergarten Programs: Parents are invited to a special evening for kindergarten. Come and join us on February 5, 2015 from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm at Queneesh Elementary (2345 Mission Road, Courtenay) where you will have an opportunity to hear about the many different kindergarten programs in our district. An educator from each of the programs will be in attendance to talk about them: • Neighbourhood (the kindergarten program in your neighbourhood school); • Early French Immersion; • Aboriginal; • Montessori; • navigate (NIDES) Interaction Class (iClass); and • navigate (NIDES) Fine Arts eCademy (FAE) Other Programs: French Immersion – held at Ecole Puntledge Park (401 Willemar Avenue, Courtenay) and Ecole Robb Road (1909 Robb Avenue, Comox) Registration only for siblings of students currently enrolled in Early or Late French Immersion is at Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary and Ecole Robb Road Elementary on February 11, 2015 from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. Registration for all other students for French Immersion is at Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary and Ecole Robb Road Elementary on February 12 and 13, 2015 from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. Inquiries about this program may be made to the Principals at Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary (250) 334-4495 or Ecole Robb Road Elementary (250) 339-6864. navigate (NIDES) Interaction Class (iClass) Kindergarten: held at navigate’s Tsolum Campus (2505 Smith Road, Courtenay) Registration only for siblings of students currently enrolled navigate (NIDES) Interaction Class is at navigate’s Tsolum Campus from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm on February 11, 2015. Registration for all other students for the iClass Kindergarten at navigate (NIDES) will take place at navigate’s Tsolum Campus from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm on February 12 and 13, 2015.

Fraser Campbell and Jack Glover. Jack was killed at Passchendaale, and Fraser’s brother, Bill, died at home of injuries received overseas. ada would give more than “man power”. In January 1915, a notice in the newspaper let residents know that Capt. F. H. Cunningham would be at the Agricultural Grounds in Courtenay on January 28th to purchase horses for military service. No light grays or whites would be considered. Those not considered were listed, but “The general requirements are that all horses shall be galloped and punched. All riding horses must be ridden for paces, special attention will be paid to eye and wind”. (The Review 21 January 1915) In 1940, the editor of the Argus, Ben Hughes who had experienced the First World War often had editorials reﬂecting on that earlier time. At the end of January he wrote that this was a “A very different war”. “Remembering the profiteering and the opportunities for shady dealing during the last war it was reassuring that we have

learnt our lesson when we look at war No. 2. Food stuffs went soaring when war broke out in 1914 and all kinds of shady people made millions while the young fellows went overseas to France. Today we were told in a headline that food prices are back to normal and in general there was a very slight rise in prices.” (January 25 issue) In the early years of each war, the community rallied to support the troops. In the Great War, the “Patriotic Associations” throughout the valley continually raised money in a number of ways to provide “comfort’ to those overseas. “Up to the Monday before Xmas, $50,000 had been collected for the Soldiers Tobacco Fund. The amount sent from here by Mr. Porteous ranks 6th in size, the Toronto Police sending the highest”. (The Review 21 January 1915) (Continued on page 6)

navigate (NIDES) Fine Arts eCademy (FAE) Kindergarten: held at navigate’s Tsolum Campus Registration only for siblings of students currently enrolled in Fine Arts eCademy Kindergarten at navigate (NIDES) is at navigate’s Tsolum Campus from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm on February 11, 2015. For registration for all other Fine Arts eCademy Kindergarten registration, please contact navigate (NIDES) administration at (250) 337-5300, Principal Jeff Stewart at jeff.stewart@sd71.bc.ca. Aboriginal Kindergarten/Grade 1 – held at Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary If your child is First Nation, Metis or Inuit, we offer a program based on cultural teachings and ministry learning outcomes. Although preference will be given to Aboriginal children, non-Aboriginal children may apply. Registration only for siblings of students currently enrolled in the Aboriginal Kindergarten/Grade 1 program is at Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary School on February 11, 2015 from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. Registration for all other students for Aboriginal Kindergarten is at Ecole Puntledge Park on February 12 and 13, 2015 from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. For further information, please call Bruce Carlos, District Principal of Aboriginal Education at (250) 331-4040. Montessori Kindergarten – registration and program held at Queneesh Elementary School (2345 Mission Road, Courtenay) Registration only for siblings of students currently enrolled in Montessori is on February 11, 2015 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. Registration for all other students for Montessori is on February 12 and 13, 2015 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. For information, please contact Queneesh Elementary at (250) 334-4089. Late French Immersion (Grade 6 entry) – registration and program held at Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary An orientation session will be held at Ecole Puntledge Park on January 22, 2015 from 6:30 to 7:15 pm. Secondary French Immersion – registration and program held at Mark R. Isfeld Secondary (1551 Lerwick Road, Courtenay) Students from School District 93 (École Au coeur de l'île) who want to enrol in School District No. 71 must apply for a cross boundary transfer by February 28, 2015. Cross Boundary Transfer Requests: Requests for cross boundary transfers for the 2015/16 year must be completed online no later than February 28, 2015 for consideration. The link titled “Cross Boundary Requests” will be on our homepage at www.sd71.bc.ca early January 2015. If you do not have access to a computer, you may use the computer in the foyer of the School Board Office at 607 Cumberland Road, Courtenay, BC. Contact: For further information about any of the programs, please contact the individual school or the School Board Office at (250) 334-5500 Allan Douglas, Director of Instruction for elementary questions or Tom Demeo, Assistant Superintendent for secondary school questions.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

Residents felt disrespected by CVRD Neighbourhood didn’t hear answers they wanted at meeting on sewer pump station BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff Comox Valley Regional District staff may have done their homework when they chose a Beech Street lot for the Comox No. 2 Sewer Pump Station but they definitely left out one important component - the sentiments of the residents living in the area. Over 70 people that attended the public information meeting organized by the CVRD last week shared that view. They all feel disrespected. They were given notice of the plan via courier and a telephone call just two weeks before Christmas. CVRD senior engineer Marc Rutten and Bruce Turner, president of Hueristic Consulting Associates, the consultant hired to find the best location for the $11 million project, had to do a lot of explaining and absorbed the anger of many. They said the criteria, technical and engineering studies, as well as the methodology applied by Heuristic do not factor the spirit of the neighbourhood, nor their views and concerns. They said they have no way of gauging that. They would not say morally if it were a good site considering the property is located in a residential area and is between two homes. They defended their decision based on the univer-

Around 70 people turned out for the CVRD public information meeting regarding the controversial $11 million Comox No.2 Sewer Pump Station. sal and accepted systems they’ve applied, which they said are adopted by other municipalities and jurisdictions. “One of the primary reasons why you have a room full of people that are really unhappy with this decision was that the stakeholders, the primary stakeholders, the residents in the area were not taken into consideration prior to this decision being made,” said Michael Smith. “Having seen that aspect, we have a process that now, in my opinion, is flawed because we’ve taken a vital element out of the process.” One resident asked the CVRD why they did not inform the residents in September when the board approved the purchase of the property? Rutten explained that the contract with the seller included a 90-day due diligence period. And at the

time, while they have secured the price for the lot, which is around $300,000, Rutten said the due diligence on the site has not been completed. “We could have walked away from the property if it didn’t meet our needs, that’s why,” said Rutten. The resident said it didn’t make sense for the CVRD not to inform the neighbourhood when they had the place secured and their financial interest already protected. “Why didn’t you tell us and why didn’t you have this discussion with us then,” the resident asked. “Why didn’t you talk the stakeholders before you were committed to it because you could have still walked away from it?” Rutten reiterated that it’s because of the due diligence factor. However, the resident said, “We should have been part of the due

Living through two world wars (Continued from page 5) They say, never under estimate the power of a woman, well never underestimate what a group of woman can accomplish and certainly during the two wars, their work, under the auspices of the Red Cross, was substantial. All during the Great War, women (and some men) were provided wool by the Red Cross to knit socks, mittens, scarves and balaclavas for the men in the trenches. They made hospital gowns, edged yards of ﬂannel for bedding, made dressings and rolled bandages. In January 1940, the Courtenay Red Cross had secured a grubby corner of the basement of Sutton’s Funeral Home on “Water Street” now Anderton Avenue. They begged the

public for more sewing machines, announcing that their workshop was “open six days a week from 2 o’clock to 5 o’clock each day” The valley groups had already after only 4months since the war, was declared, sent a ‘modest’ contribution which was listed as “399 ﬁnished articles: nine dozen bandages, 48 pairs of socks, 44 bed pads, 9 dressing gowns, 50 body bandages, 24 pillow cases, 6 sweaters, 24 Hampton pads, and 18 pneumatic jackets. (Argus 11 January 1940) “Recognizing the pitfalls of her experience in the last war Canada is facing the problem of war ﬁnancing in a forth right manner”. The Argus reported that the New War Bonds would be a good investment. “By converting

real savings into war loan bonds, the individual can make a critical contribution to Canada’s war effort and at the same time secure for himself a safe and proﬁtable investment” (Argus 11 January 1940)/ The Women’s Institute would buy War Bonds and when the war ended use the money as seed money for the ﬁrst Old Folks Home in the valley, now Glacier View Lodge. In both wars, the residents of the Valley had rallied to support their country. The Great War focused on men in the trenches and afterwards, the Valley welcomed ‘Returned Soldiers’ who took up land in the Merville Settlement. In the next war, the emphasis was on the war in the air, and in 1945, the Valley would have the legacy of an airport.

One of the primary reasons why you have a room full of people that are really unhappy ... was that the residents in the area were not taken into consideration prior to this decision being made” MICHAEL SMITH Resident

diligence.” Residents also argued that while properties under the CVRD are suitable for residential including utilities, this project does not meet the criteria because of the size and the power it needs to operate the pump station. “It’s an industrial installation,” said one resident. “Your zoning doesn’t work.” Some residents suggested the CVRD should look at other sites within

the boundaries of the City of Courtenay and Town of Comox, which this pump station would be serving. It has no benefit to the Croteau Beach-Hawkins Greenway neighbourhood, which have their own septic tanks and water wells. Residents are also worried about the impact this will have on their source of drinking water because the project requires a 25-foot excavation. (Continued on page 7)

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

NEW BUSINESS

Smoking! New Courtenay restaurant specializes in barbecue fare Kansas City style BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff There’s a something great smoking in downtown Courtenay. And if you have a hankering for great tasting barbecue, then this is the place to go. Great Island Barbecue located at the corner of Fifth Street and Fitzgerald Avenue has just opened and it’s already packing in hordes of hungry patrons, salivating over its two main menu items - barbecued pork ribs and beef ribs. The new restaurant is owned and operated by Richard Vilus, who has been cooking for 16 years and had been a chef in Vancouver for around seven years. He moved to the Comox Valley from Vancouver last year in June and worked brieﬂy at Martine’s Bistro. Vilus said he saw an opportunity here and he simply went for it. “There’s a lot of decent barbecue places in Vancouver but here in the Comox Valley I saw a glaring absence of barbecue,” said Vilus. “So when I saw this space was available, I said what the heck. Now’s the time to do it.” Great Island opened on Dec. 31 and since then, simply through word of mouth and a bit of a plug from The Goat radio station, the lineup during lunch hours has been quite noticeable. Vilus said people can easily relate to barbecued food. The mere mention of

It’s really comfort food in a lot of ways ... this is more like a Kansas City barbecue because it’s sort of wet and sloppy ribs and the pulled pork as well” RICHARD VILUS Great Island Barbecue owner

barbecue does trigger an immediate hankering for this type of food. “It’s really comfort food in a lot of ways,” said Vilus. “It’s slow cooked stuff, which is like nice rich, hardy flavours to it and all. I would say that’s what draws a lot of people to it. It’s mentally satisfying to sit down to something that tastes like it’s been cooked forever and ever. It has a lot of love put into it.” It does take a while for the meat to be cooked, said Vilus. The ribs take about 4 1/2 hours while the beef briskets and pulled pork usually take about 18 hours. The restaurant menu features only a few selections. The headliners are the rack of pork ribs and beef ribs. But for those who just one to have a simple lunch meal, there’s pulled pork sandwiches, beef brisket sandwiches with side orders of slaw, buttermilk biscuits, cornbread, baked beans, onion rings, baked potato with pulled pork or beef brisket and cheddar

Great Island Barbecue owner Richard Vilus is set to serve freshly barbecued pork. stuffing. The flavours injected in the food are mostly Vilus’ concoctions. He creates them all from scratch from the rubs to the sauces right inside the restaurant. If you’re wondering where he does all his barbecuing, he’s got a special gadget for it. “Technically it’s called a modern electric oven but it is an in-house smoker,” said Vilus. “It’s a sealed box where you can put wood - hickory - on the bottom and smoke things at a very low temperature of about 225 degrees or so.” Vilus’ affinity for things grilled stemmed from the years he spent in New Orleans, where he started to learn how to cook. “But this is more like a Kansas City barbecue because it’s sort of wet and sloppy ribs and the pulled pork as well,” said Vilus. For now, the whole operation is a one-man show.

Vilus said if the business continues to grow, then it won’t be long before he would hire some people to help him out. He has plans to open up the patio during

the summer. As well, he is hoping to acquire a liquor licence and perhaps link up to the many micro-breweries that are now opening in the val-

ley. “Nothing goes better with barbecue and some ribs than a good beer or even some bourbon,” said Vilus.

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Disgruntled residents question CVRD (Continued from page 6) Some fear this would dry up their wells and significantly affect the water quality. Rutten said the station would be designed to meet the British Columbia building code. It will contain the sewer and not discharge it. He feels there will be no contamination but he could not guarantee it. There was no hydrological study done, said Rutten, because

they felt it was not important. They plan to have one done but it will take four months, which one resident asked why it was not part of the due diligence. Comox Pump Station No. 2 is a high priority in the CVRD board’s capital plan because of the environmental risk posed by the exposure of the current sewage pipeline along the Willemar Bluffs due to beach erosion. The forcemain transmits wastewater

from the City of Courtenay and Town of Comox to the Comox Valley Water Pollution Control Centre. The Sewage Commission put a temporary hold on the project for four months until staff bring forward at the next commission meeting a report that outlines options for the Comox pump and also identify any implications of moving forward with the Beech Street site selection.

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EVERYTHING FOR EVERY PET WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN? Do you know what to do if your pet suddenly collapses or is hit by a car? Or maybe he just seems “off ” and turns his nose up at his dinner. Perhaps he seems a little lethargic and is panting more than usual. In these instances you ﬁnd yourself asking, “Should I be calling my vet?” Knowing what is or isn’t a true emergency will not only save you money, but more importantly, can save your pet’s life. Whether or not your pet is showing obvious signs of sickness, it is always worth a phone call to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will either help put your mind at ease or advise you to seek immediate medical attention. What you may see as minor signs of sickness could be warning signs for a potential disaster by your veterinarian. Some symptoms that warrant a phone call to your veterinarian day or night include: Seizures, fainting or collapse, eye injuries (no matter how mild), persistent

vomiting and/or diarrhea, suspected poisonings, plant or potential foreign body ingestion, hypothermia, hyperthermia, open wounds, bleeding, animal bites, respiratory distress, straining to urinate or defecate, bloating, excessive panting and trauma such as hit by car. Signs of pain include panting, labored breathing, increased body temperature, lethargy, restlessness, yelping, aggression and loss of appetite. Some pets may seek company and comfort when suffering while others withdraw. If you notice your pet displaying any of these symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution. Once you have determined your pet is sick and in need of emergency care, it is recommended to call your veterinarian ahead of time or have a friend call for you. This gives your veterinarian time to prepare for your arrival and gives the staff time to adjust the doctor’s schedule ac-

cordingly. On weekends or in the middle of the night, never head to your veterinarian’s office without calling ahead. Your veterinarian will most likely be at home and relies on calls from an answering service to alert him or her of an emergency. It is important that you STAY OFF THE LINE. A busy signal could waste valuable time and may even be life threatening to your pet. If you have a pet with a medical condition or that is taking medications, it is a good idea to have that information handy before you call. It is also a good idea to keep an inventory of some of the medications you have around the house such as anti-inﬂammatories, pain control or antihistamines. Your veterinarian may ask you to administer some of these medications in the event of an emergency. Sometimes it can be very difficult to determine what is considered an emergency. Many people are hesitant to call their vet-

erinarian, especially if they are unsure. Please be assured that your veterinary team is there to help you. They can help you decide what the best approach will be and it is always recommended to call. Remember, it goes back to the old saying: “The only stupid question is the one never asked.”

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ASK DR. STACEY OF SUNRISE VETS IN COMOX Yay! You have a new puppy and kitten. Ok so what’s really important to give them the best chance at living along healthy life? As well as vitamins and minerals in proper proportions, a certain type of fat found in mom’s milk and fish oils called DHA is one of the most important nutrients to have for brain development. Not all pet foods have this added. You must feed a higher quality puppy and kitten food and not adult pet food. Check the ingredient list on the side of the bag if DHA is there they’ll name it. You’ll want to make sure your little one’s teeth are coming in properly, bones are growing right, you’re treating for worms at regular intervals, and of course vaccines for diseases like distemper and parvovirus. This is what we do at our veterinary hospital. You’ll want to make sure your little one socializes with other puppies and kittens. Doing this in the first year will prevent fear, anxiety and aggression later in life. Sign up for our complementary weekly puppy kindergarten classes. Call us. We’re here to help with your questions. All the best, Dr. Stacey Come get to know your vet. of Sunrise Veterinary Clinic in Comox Your 1st exam with us is complimentary. 250-339-6555 www.sunrisevet.ca

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

ECHO

OPINIONS

LETTERS

Thanks to kind and generous folks On behalf of the Fanny Bay Fire Department I would like to thank all those kind and generous folks who stepped up and assisted us in dealing with the tragic loss of our department member and friend Paul Bally. We received messages and support from Fire Departments both local and distant, Government Organiztions as well as many people not connected with our department but who are friends and neighbours. I would especially like to mention Chief Martin Eckervogt and the members of the Haines Junction Volunteer Fire Department in Haines Junction, Yukon Territory who sent a generous donation to the family along with their condolences. It is difficult to adequately express gratitude for actions above and beyond the call of duty but then, that is what ﬁreﬁghters do every day. Again thanks everyone. Michael J B Smith Chief

Water, water everywhere Boil water advisory in effect. I took a quick look at my calendar and noticed that the date is January 6, 2015. The twenty-ﬁrst century. We live in what is continually referred to as the “ﬁrst” world, so how is it possible that we are told that in order to live a healthy existence, we should boil

our water before drinking it? This isn’t supposed to be Mexico, Central Africa or some town a mile or so downstream from Chernobyl. A few weeks ago we landed a washing machine on a comet. I can stand in the woods and Skype a friend in Australia. We have 5 second bacon for God’s sake, and yet we can’t build in some kind of filtration system that will relieve us from a bit of mud and debris that floats down a creek into the lake. Yes I know, we should feel lucky that we don’t live in Abergaferfeegostan or some other place where everyone is a goat herder and they drink from inverted cow bladders filled with rancid water from a hole in the earth. Well you know what, I don’t care about Abercrapostan. That’s the same argument people use about gas in France. Too bad it’s expensive there, I don’t care, because I don’t live in France. I live in Canada, North America. We have it good here no doubt about it. Cars and grocery stores, jet planes, indoor plumbing, video games and garage doors that be closed from 3000 miles away with a cell phone. But a filter system for one of the most essential things in life, ah, no. How complicated can this be to build or buy a way to prevent this from happening.

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 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

I don’t mean this to be a whine, although it certainly sounds like one. I simply wonder if it’s possible. One can only drink so much beer. Douglas Kerr Courtnay

No end to homelessness There will never be a solution to homelessness! There is no way to modify the human spirit of wanderlust or defying conformity;be it intended or altered by drugs and alcohol. There will always be people,mostly the young and disaffected who do not want to resign themselves to a responsible life. By the same token,there will always be older people who defy logic and or societal kinship and will ﬁnd whatever lifestyle suits there lack of work ethic or ability to slough off their lives. Now before all you naysayers state that there are people who through no fault of their own,end up needing assistance and guidance,I say that is why we have a benevolent social welfare system,to provide for those folks who deserve and need help. If you believe that most of these people would accept gainful or meaningful employment,then all you have to do is look at the disaster of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program,that has totally abused the concept ,in order to fulﬁll all kinds of so

called service jobs so that they can get their start in Canada and immediately apply to bring their families(wives,children and parents)into the country and apply for Permanent Residency. There will always be freeloaders in society.There will always be abuse of available social assistance.As long as these two conditions exist,so called “homelessness” will exist. Don’t let the politicians or deceived charitable people tell you otherwise,its pure fallacy! So lets quit the rhetoric,deceit and waste and provide resources where they are needed and get those members of society who continue to abuse the rights of deserving citizens back to being contributing members of our world! JF Logan Courtenay

Who are the jihadists? We have all heard P.M. Harper condemning the “jihadist” killings in France. My question is: What is the difference between a “jihadist” and the Government of Saudi Arabia? - both kill by beheading on a fairly frequent basis. - both violate the principles of religious freedom and freedom of speech. - both treat women like chattel and with less respect than their car or camels. P.M. Harper fails to men-

tion Osama Bin Laden and almost all of the 911 terrorists were Saudi. P.M. Harper fails to mention Saudi Arabia continues to fund “jihadists” around the world. Now the Saudi government is “ﬂogging” to death, a blogger, Raif Badawi, by 50 lashes per week for 6 months because he “insulted Islam”. Mr. Badawi’s family ﬂed Saudi Arabia and now live in Quebec. What has Canada done to protest this outrage and violation of Human Rights? Where is our much heralded “ambassador of religious freedom”? While Saudi Arabia beats Raif Badawi to death, a week at a time, the Government of Canada assisted a Canadian company in selling $10 Billion worth of armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia. Let us not forget the Saudis have the most reactionary Islamist country in the world and gave us Al Qaeda and ISIS. P.M. Harper needs to join Amnesty International in speaking out against the murder, in slow motion, of Raif Badawi and stop treating Saudi Arabia like some “enlightened good guy country”. Perhaps our M.P. John Duncan could go have a chat, with P.M. Harper or John Biard about this E. A. Foster Comox

Give mining its due I’m

wondering

how

much gold, silver, copper and other valuable metals were purchased this past Christmas in the form of jewellery and electronic devices? I suspect it was in the billions of dollars globally. But how many consumers ever stop to think about the monumental effort that went into bringing those metals and manufactured goods to the consumer marketplace? Before anyone can buy jewellery and electronic devices, someone needs to locate the geological deposits that contain these metals hidden in the vastness of planet Earth. Those metals then need to be separated from the rocks that contain them and reﬁned to a suitable state of purity. And before that, the mine operators have to jump through a series of regulatory hoops before producing even a single ounce of gold, silver or copper. What will it take, then, for consumers to start making the connection between the consumer goods they desire and enjoy and the mining industry that produces the raw materials essential to these consumer goods? How many of these people hypocritically denounce mining while coveting and acquiring the products that mining makes possible? Give mining its due for all of the amazing things and the comforts it provides us with. Donald Leung Burnaby, B.C.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

DISTILLING

Vodka makers pick sweet recipe Wayward Distillation House uses organic honey for first batch, working now on gin BY DREW A. PENNER Echo Staff r With a brand new still crafted by Steven Cage, from Duncan, and more than 6,400 lbs of honey at the ready, the husband and wife team of Andrea and Dave Brimacombe are trying to do something both out of the ordinary and utterly phenomenal at the same time. They’ve begun turning organic Vancouver Island honey into tasty vodka with an eye to becoming a mainstay of local liquor consumption. Wayward Distillation House opened its doors on Dec. 13 and the owners say they are pleased with their early success. By the end of January they hope to have a line of gin on offer alongside the Vodka. But the biggest problem right now

is keeping up with the demand for their unique product. Plans are already in the works for a line of seasonally changing vodka infusions created with locally grown produce and products. They’re working in partnership with Royston Roasting Co. and Harmonic Arts Botanical Dispensary to develop these new products. “Basically we’re going to be taking everything that’s in season and infusing it into our vodkas,” Andrea said, describing the method of blending the unique elements from items such as cedar tips, coffee beans and juniper berries into the mix. “You’re letting it soak for a period of time to get the colours and the flavours out of it.” Watch Dave describe the complex distillation

Andrea and Dave Brimacombe turn honey into vodka and hope to put out a line of gin within a month.

Dave Brimacombe checks out the stock of organic honey

process while gazing up at shiny columns with giant levers for controlling bubbling liquid and you might be fooled into thinking you were in the presence of a 19th century inventor describing a brand new technology at the dawn of an exciting age. And you wouldn’t be entirely wrong. After all, we are entering a new era for spirits in British Columbia. As with other newbie liquor makers in the Valley, the Brimacombes point the finger squarely at the province when asked why they have been able to make a go of it so far. “The government was making it very difficult to have a financially viable craft distillery,” Andrea said, adding they began to get wind of changing opinions in Victoria, which encouraged them to act on their desires.

“There had been talk of relaxing laws.” So the pair decided to indulge a love developed on whisky tours around Great Britain, while hoping for an economic landscape similar to the one they witnessed emerging in Washington State. And then the 2013 Craft Distillery Agreement allowed Wayward to become a reality, thanks in particular to the elimination of a prohibitive 168 per cent markup that would have applied to their product - Unruly Vodka. The concoction has made their landlord Gary Woods a popular guy, as he’s stocked his own liquor cabinet full of the substance and was able to give some of it away for Christmas. “I really like it,” he said, of the bottles that come with an intricate design on

the bottle labels. Wayward Distillation House is located at 2931 Moray Avenue in Courtenay and is open from 12-6 p.m. seven days a week for tastings. The Brimacombes are having their release party at the White Whale Restaurant Saturday, January 17 at 7 p.m., where attendees can try different food-vodka pairings as Blue Rose Revival plays live music.

don’t have to be a Facebook user to access this page.) The IB Diploma programme takes place during the Grade 11 and 12 years. Students apply for admission into the IB Programme during their Grade 10 year. Younger students may wish to investigate

Highland’s honours courses at the Grade 10 level in order to prepare for their entry to IB, but such courses are not mandatory. Highland will be holding a public meeting for all students and parents interested in learning more about the IB Programme

on Thursday, January 15th at 7pm in Highland’s MultiPurpose room. For more information about the IB Programme, check out www.highlandsecondary.ca or contact Andrew Black, Highland’s IB Coordinator, at andrew. black@sd71.bc.ca.

Basically we’re going to be taking everything that’s in season and infusing it into our vodkas. You’re letting it soak to get the colours and flavours out of it” ANDREA BRIMACOMBE Wayward Distillation House

EDUCATION

Are you IB material? Info session Thursday Are you an academically focused student with a strong desire to succeed? Are you willing to work hard now to ensure future success? Do you want to share your courses with like-minded classmates? Are you planning to attend college or university? If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then Highland Secondary School’s International Bac-

calaureate (IB) programme is for you. As an IB student, you will receive an internationally recognised and academically rigorous programme designed to prepare you for the challenges of post-secondary education. You will work with classmates equally determined to succeed and you will be taught by experienced teachers with specialized IB training. You will learn how to prepare university level research papers and

design and carry out scientific experiments of your own devising. You will contribute to your community, develop your skills in a second language and investigate other cultures and ways of thinking. H i g h l a n d ’s I B P ro gramme is now about to enter its fourth year. Out first graduates are now in universities across Canada and are reporting success in their university studies. Read their accounts yourself at www.facebook. com/HighlandIB. (You

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

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MONEY MATTERS New Year’s financial resolutions you really can keep

By Robyn K. Thompson, CFP The New Year is a time to turn over a new leaf: Get fit or lose weight or somehow improve yourself. That’s commendable, but these are mostly forgotten by, say, mid-February! But there is one set of resolutions you can make – and keep pretty easily: financial resolutions. And I don’t mean the same old boring stuff like “spend less” or “cut back on credit cards.” That just doesn’t work! When you resolve something vague like, “I promise to spend less in 2013,” that’s a resolution that you’re almost certainly bound to break, probably sooner rather than later. So when I offer up

some “financial resolutions,” I mean realistic courses of action that you can start taking right now – and not have to break in three or four weeks. Making a promise, say, “to not spend more” just won’t work, because there’s no goal. Do you mean no more than $1,000 per week? Or more than you’re spending now? Or what? You can see how easy it is to break this type of “resolution.” Set some goals Instead, resolve to set some financial objectives. For example, promise yourself to set aside some fixed amount from every paycheque, and put it into an investment account. It’s even easier if you arrange with your bank to make an automatic transfer from your chequing account. That way, it’s like another regular deduction from your pay, except it’s one that goes directly towards increasing your wealth. Make the amount realistic. Some advisors think you should save 10% of your income.

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I say set aside whatever you comfortably can, but do it consistently. Over time, it can really add up. Make a plan Next, resolve to make a plan. I don’t mean a “budget” (although a budget should certainly be part of your plan). I mean assess your financial priorities. Write them down. Are you saving for a down payment on a home? Are you setting funds aside for retirement? Do you need funds for a vacation? Or a new car? All of these require a plan – even if you start with a list on one of those kitchen “to-do” pads. That way, you can set priorities, and assess what resources you have available. Allocate assets properly A third resolution is a must for those who already have some investments, whether in an RRSP or a Tax-Free Savings Account. And that is: Make sure your overall investment holdings reflect your tolerance

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for risk. Clients have come to me claiming to be ultra-conservative investors, but with portfolios chock-full of equity mutual funds. Hardly low-risk! Your financial advisor should have a questionnaire to help you draw up a realistic risk profile. Using such a profile helps you rebalance your portfolio to just the right mix of safety, income, and growth assets that will truly meet your needs – and let you sleep nights all year long.

Robyn K. Thompson, CFP, is president of Castlemark Wealth Management.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

HELPING A FAMILY

Saturday fundraiser for Sunday reveals heart of community Treatment drive tops $200,000 BY DREW A. PENNER Echo Staff

Cash donations, a bike draw and a silent auction brought in $15,000. An online auction added $19,000 to the tally.

In a particularly heartfelt moment Brodie Dawson covered a song by Dennis, causing many to sing along.

Cyrus Dennison was overwhelmed by the community support for his mother, who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The Cumberland Brothers thrilled the crowd with their homegrown folk.

Hundreds of people packed the Waverley Hotel Saturday, for a night of music and dancing, contributing to a fundraising effort that has now topped $200,000 for a woman with an aggressive brain tumour. Sunday Dennis, a local musician who owns the Sock Soirée in Courtenay, has been diagnosed with Glioma, a type of cancer that spreads rapidly, but hopes to take part in an experimental study at the University of California, Los Angeles. The streets of Cumberland were lined with cars as “Bright Light for Sunday” attendees queued outside the capacity venue for a chance to be part of the action and to pitch in to cover the around $300,000 required to pay for travel and American medical bills. Cash donations, a bike draw and a silent auction brought in $15,000. An online auction added $19,000 to the tally. Corwin Fox, Pamela Tessmann, Marc Atkinson, Kevin Jay Flesher, Casey Ryder, The Cumberland Brothers, Willowicious, The Moon Band, Helen Austin and Bobby Heron took to the stage to support Dennis, who has made a name for herself on Quadra Island and in the Comox Valley as a giving and caring individual. “She shares her time and her music,” said Shea Wilson, who has been friends with Sunday for almost 20 years, noting the outpouring of community energy was phenomenal. “Everyone was so generous and so positive. It couldn’t have gone better. People were just opening up their wallets and bidding on auctions.” Meaghan Cursons, one of the organizers, said Bro-

die Dawson’s choice to play a cover of Sunday’s song Bloom was a highlight of the night. “The bar got really quiet and people sang along,” she said, noting the whole fundraiser went off spectacularly. “It was really intense emotionally, but also a very joyful celebration.” Christy Vanden, Dawson’s guitarist, said Sunday is someone who has woven the community together in many interesting ways. She is a perfect example. Her first date with her fiancé Benedict Leonard was at the inaugural open mic night at the Sock Soirée. “It was kind of a special night for us and for Sunday,” she said. “I didn’t really realize it at the time, but that was the starting place.” Alan Jossul, from Courtenay, said he feels for Sunday, given his own battle with multiple sclerosis. “I think I may have a sympathetic synapse,” he said. “I wish her all the best in her treatment.” It’s not going to be an easy road for Sunday and her family. W h e n h e r 1 7 - y e a rold son Cyrus Dennison learned his mom had a brain tumour his sense of normalcy was totally shaken. “It hit me in waves,” he said. “It was almost like ‘Welcome to the Twilight Zone.’” He was surprised that his mom, someone who lives a very healthy lifestyle, could face such a serious health issue. “She doesn’t eat any gluten,” he said. “It can happen to anybody.” But the G.P. Vanier student has been overwhelmed by how much the community has come alongside his family in a very difficult time. When he threw together a musical fundraiser at

Take time to really appreciate your family and be thankful to be living here healthily and happily with the people that love you” CYRUS DENNISON Son of Sunday Dennis

school, strumming a few chords at lunchtime, he was able to raise $1,000 within 30 minutes. “The reason I started to play guitar is because of my mom,” he said. “When I was a kid she always surrounded me with music.” The future is murky, so he’s trying his best to stay positive. “Right now I’m just thinking of the present,” he said. “The next step frightens me a bit.” After all, he knows how important this cancer treatment will be to his mom’s future. “If there’s one cell left it kind of spreads like a plant,” he said. “Four years later it could pop up again.” The way it’s been described to him is the doctors will train the white blood cells to attack cancer cells in his mom’s body. Working coat check at the Waverley fundraiser (he’s too young to hit the dance floor at the licenced facility) Dennison was clearly thrilled by the optimistic vibes being spread by the many people in attendance. He’s decided to enjoy every moment he can with his mom and only hopes everyone else can remember to embrace that attitude, as well. “Take time to really appreciate your family and be thankful to be living here healthily and happily with the people that love you,” he said. “And if you get

headaches you should d e f i n i te l y ge t t h e m checked out.”

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

WinterJam 100: Festival Director’s viewpoint Some personal ramblings on the great shows booked to date ... BY DOUG COX Artistic Director Last year’s WinterBites Festival was our inaugural winter event and it was a good one. We received accolades in regards to the event lighting up what was otherwise a grey January for many folks. Tickets sold well and our valley became alive with music after the holiday celebrations. This year, it’ll be happening again. As the guy who gets to book the music for WinterJam, I try to book a diverse lineup of world class talent that will attract an audience from all over B.C. I dare say, you can’t even ﬁnd this kind of a January celebration in bigger cities like Victoria or Vancouver. Our valley is vibrant and alive as can be seen at WinterJam 100. Here’s a brief overview of who’s coming to WinterJam 100 for the uninitiated.See you on the danceﬂoor! Guitar Galore - Rick Vito & Billy Burnette - Sat Jan 17th

Corey Harris

Martha Redbone

Billy Burnette

at the Native Sons Hall A show for fans of the electric guitar featuring two players who have contributed so much to modern music history. You have heard these guys on recordings with artists like Fleetwood Mac, Little Richard, John Prine, John Mayall, Brenda Lee, Roger McGuinn, Bonnie Raitt, Roy Orbison, John Fogerty Jackson Browne, Dolly Parton and Bob Seger just to name a few! Don’t miss a chance to come see these two fantastic players strut their stuff.

Nominations accepted until

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Sunday Soul - Martha Redbone & The Sojourners - Sun Jan 18th at the Native Sons Hall A double bill to die for! Martha Redbone’s music ﬂows equally from her own unique, award-winning blend of Native American elements with funk and her deep roots in Appalachian folk and Piedmont blues favored by the matriarchy that raised her on a rich sojourn from Clinch Mountain, Virginia to Harlan County, Kentucky and beyond to Brooklyn’s Dodge City-esque

mean streets. She stole the show at MusicFest a couple of years ago and we are thrilled she’s coming back. The Sojourners, of course, are Vancouver’s stunning Afro-Canadian gospel trio. Their core message of social justice draws from the inspiration of the quartet and jubilee groups of the 30s and 40s; and of course the ongoing themes of the civil rights movement. Any chance to see the Sojourners should not be missed! Acoustic Blues - Corey Harris - Weds Jan 21st at Crown Isle Corey is perhaps the most important young Afro-American champion of the acoustic blues. (Continued on page 14)

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

Major Country Performer Coming to the Valley

A look at WinterJam acts (Continued from page 13) But his music goes way beyond that. Some of his imaginative compositions are marked by a deliberate eclecticism; other works stay true to the traditional blues formula of compelling vocals and down-home guitar. With one foot in tradition and

Michelle Wright, will be performing an all ages show at the Sid Williams Theatre on January 24, during WinterJam100. Wright was the first Canadian artist in the modern Country music era to have a top 10 hit in the US and to win the Academy of Country Music Top New Female Artist award. She was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011. Tickets at winterjam.ca or via the Sid Williams Theatre.

the other in contemporary experimentation, Harris is a truly unique voice in contemporary music. His intimate show at Crown Isle will be a rare chance to see this great Artist up close on Vancouver Island. Tickets and further information available at www.winterjam. ca

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ECHO

etc. STARTING A MARKET GARDEN Are you interested in ramping up your garden into a money-making venture? Market gardening can be a proﬁtable business if planned with the right combination of vegetables and labour-saving techniques. Let Arzeena Hamir, from Amara Farms, take you through a self-assessment to ensure that the right model of market gardening ﬁts you. Sunday, January 18 from 10am 4pm $50 per person Contact the Black Creek Community Centre to register (250-337-5190)

TRANSFORMING LOSS WORKSHOP A new course, Transforming Loss, will run for 8 sessions, beginning Tuesday January 20th at 3:30 pm. Open to people of any or no faith affiliation, People living with the loss of a loved one, a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness, a chronic disease, the loss of a job, the erosion of one’s abilities, or loss of hope for a just and sustainable world -might beneﬁt from participating in this program. Whatever burdens that people carry, at times we all face the challenges of isolation, pain, fear, and grief. The intention is to help participants change their relationship with pain and loss. It will combine spiritual teachings, movement and presence skills, expressive arts and ritual. Facilitated by Denise Nadeau and Wendy McNiven , Transforming Loss will be held at Comox United Church (250 Beach St.) Cost for both is by donation. Preregistration is required. For more information about the programs, see http:// movingwithspirit.blogspot.ca . To register, e-mail wmcniven@ uuma.org or dnadeau@shaw.ca .

DROP-IN GROUP OFFERED TO MEN Comox Valley Transition Society is offering a free weekly drop-in group for men on Monday nights from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm starting January 19th, 2015, at 491- 4th Street in Courtenay (entrance and parking at the back of the building.) The group is facilitated by two experienced counsellors who will support men in respectfully managing the challenges they face in their relationships with others (ie. their partners, expartners), their relationship with work (ie. job stress, balancing work and family needs), and their relationship with themselves (ie.

self-criticism, discouragement). Suitable for men seeking a nonjudgmental forum to deal with the pressures of everyday life. No referral is necessary, just a desire for positive change. Conﬁdentiality is respected. For more information, please call 250-897-0511.

Small Business Association meets Jan. 15

VOLUNTEER TO BE A LITERACY TUTOR Would you like to help an adult meet a learning goal? Tutors are needed to assist adult learners with a variety of needs including reading, writing, math, basic computer skills and English As A Second Language. Learners come from all walks of life and range in age from 19 to 85. If you are patient, ﬂexible, have a sense of humour and a desire to help others achieve their goals, please consider volunteering as a literacy tutor with the Comox Valley Adult Learning Centre. Training session is offered at the end of January. Call Marcella at 250-338-9906 or email marcella@cvalc.ca for further information.

REGISTER FOR FUN IN 4-H PROGRAMS Comox Valley District 4-H is now taking registration for the 2015 year. 4-H is an youth organization that is open for youth from the ages of 9-21 years old. Members in 4-H learn public speaking, animal husbandry, and many other projects and community service. There are 3 clubs in the Comox Valley. Comox Valley Calf Club: Members learn how to look after, raise and show either dairy or beef cattle. Shamrock Gumbooters: members learn how to look after, raise and show the following animals: dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, pigs and can also do non animal projects like crafts, sewing, adopt a grandparent. Hot Shots: members learn the basics of photography and have a food project. FMI Contact: Comox Valley Calf Club: Trina at guntertrina@ gmail.com. Shamrock Gumbooters: Janet at suretrek@hotmail.com Hot Shots: Carter at carterpower@shaw.ca

ALL WELCOME AT RHODO MEETING The North Island Rhododendron Society (NIRS) will kick off the new year Tuesday, January 13 with one of the club’s most popular programs-its annual panel of gardening experts. NIRS meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at the Comox United Church. Doors open at 7pm with the business meeting starting at 7:30pm.

Cumberland Fire Rescue raised $644.78 plus food donations for the Comox Valley Food Bank over the January 4th weekend during their second annual Christmas tree burn. It was a great success says Lieutenant Mik Lund, shown here handing the cheque over to the Jeff Hampton, president of the food bank. Cumberland Fire Rescue thanks Thrifty Foods & Quality Foods for their support with the donations of hotdogs and hot chocolate which were consumed by the hundreds of bonfire enthusiasts. Also in the picture is fire fighter Kent Foreneau.

Free Emergency Preparedness Program Experience has shown that after a disaster, it may take three or more days for emergency services to reach many of the neighbourhoods and individuals. The NEPP program is designed to provide information, training and skills necessary for individuals and neighbourhoods to be self-sufficient after a disaster. FREE, NEPP programs are scheduled at the Comox Fire Station on January 16, February 20 and March 20, 2015 (two hour session 10 am to noon), Sessions are free. Contact the Comox Community

Centre at 250-339-2255 to register. Recognizing and responding quickly to someone having a heart attack or choking can mean the difference between life and death. Comox Fire Rescue is also offering a FREE, CPR (A) courses. CPR A, AED covers the skills needed to recognize and respond to cardiovascular emergencies and choking for people age eight and over including performing one person adult CPR. Sessions also covers the use of public access Automatic External Deﬁbrillators (AED).

The FREE CPR (A) programs are scheduled at the Comox Fire Station on January 16, February 20 and March 20, 2015 Sessions start at 1 pm and are three hours in length. Contact the Comox Community Centre at 250-3392255 to register. Contact the Comox Community Centre at 250-339-2255 to register. Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner states: “I am so pleased that we are able to offer this important training to our citizens. Having more people training can save lives and make us a safer community”.

Small Business AssoThe Comox Valley Small Business Association, now in its 18th year in the Valley, is hosting a meeting on Thursday, January 15, 2015. The meeting is held the Filberg Center, lower level (Evergreen Room). The meeting will start at 5:30 pm. There will be networking from 5:30-6, and then the educational portion of the meeting starts and runs until 7pm. The featured presentation, to be presented by marketing veteran, Carolyn Touhey, is “The Top 15: Marketing Tips to Soar In The New Year.” In the spirit of the “12 Days of Christmas” and the usual new year’s “’Top’ this and ‘Top’ that” lists, Carolyn will present her “Top 15” recommendations to help you start or grow your business in 2015 and beyond. Carolyn Touhey is owner of SmartBiz Strategy and has been a marketing consultant for more than 25 years. She specializes in helping entrepreneurs and non-proﬁts market creatively and cost-effectively. There is no charge to attend this networking meeting as a guest for up to two meetings per year. The dues to join the group, which meets on the ﬁrst and third Thursdays of the month (except December, July, and August) are $95 per year.

Health is your greatest wealth Enjoy a free info session Jan. 14 from local weight loss firm Join Samudra Weight Loss Wednesday January 14th at the Crown Isle Golf Course - Silver Room - for an informational on The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method. Owner and coach Kristin Bjarnason says “this is a 4 phase program featuring one-on-one coaching and balanced lifestyle education so you can maintain your results after dieting. Learning how you can sustain a stable weight, after losing your excess pounds, will be the true measure of your success”. Reception at 6:30. Presentation at 7:00. Samudra Weight Loss opened for business February 2011 and while clients have been shrinking business has been steadily growing. The weight loss method has been gaining interna-

tional attention over the past 27 years for a combination of long term health beneﬁts and successful weight loss rates. To date clients at this locati on have lost over 7,500 pounds. A local physician commented: “Given the global scale of obesity, diabetes and associated hypertension, Samudra Weight Loss is a business our community can be proud of”. Bjarnason says “this is a unique weight loss approach that targets fat and protects muscle and is endorsed by medical doctors. Through the weight loss journey our clients are supported weekly by trained and compassionate coaches and our clients love the results they quickly achieve”. Join in and enjoy tasty

Lee Bartlett, Samudra client, before and after samples, a free body composition analysis, enter for door prizes, and have some fun! If you are unable to at-

tend call Kristin for an individual consultation @250-334-7008 www.samudraweightloss.com

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.JANUARY 13, 2015

New business has swim clinic

Annual learn to run clinic offers chance to commit to active lifestyle in 2015

PACE Multisport, a new coaching business in the Comox Valley is launching their business with a Learn To Swim Clinic starting Tuesday, Jan. 13 from 8-9pm this week at the Sports Centre Pool. NCCP Competition Certiﬁed Triathlon Coaches, Leanne Gray and Lynda Magor will be conducting swim sessions until early March. The two coaches plan to run an Adult and Youth Triathlon Clinic from March until May to encourage people in their training for a variety of local and Island Triathlon events,

including the Shoreline Orthodontics Tri-K. Other endeavours in the works are regular indoor bike training sessions which will enable athletes who have their own indoor bike trainer to come together and train in a group format for a coached workout. These workouts will begin at the end of January. Anyone interested in some of these new activities or registration for the clinics, should contact pacemultisport@gmail.com or check out PACE Multisport on their Facebook page.

Comox Valley Road Runners will take you through the steps If committing to a healthy and active lifestyle is part of your vision for yourself in 2015, the Comox Valley Road Runners can help. The annual Learn to Run Clinic has helped hundreds of people improve fitness and establish a simple, affordable fitness routine based on running or walking. The 2015 Clinic, which begins January 17, is a fun ten-week clinic geared to people of all fitness levels, from couch potato to novice runner to the lapsed runner who wants to get back on track. Held at 9 am every Saturday, each session includes a guest speaker on topics such as nutrition, motivation, and injury prevention. After the presentation

participants break into pace groups based on current ﬁtness levels and personal goals, and will go for a 30 minute run, walk, or walk/run. In his second year as the Clinic Coordinator Fred Bigelow is looking forward to supporting the participants with the hugely positive transformations that result from a relatively modest commitment to personal health and ﬁtness. “Like the runners and walk/runners I trained with over the years, it is amazing to watch folks punch through goals that only a few weeks before they never would have thought possible.” The clinic culminates in a 5K Fun Run on March 21st, which gives participants a chance to “go the

Our hope is that participants will all become happy runners and walkers and that they’ll adopt fitness and a healthy lifestyle for life.” FRED BIGELOW Clinic cooordinator

distance” and also serves as a graduation ceremony to wrap up the clinic. To register, contact Courtenay Recreation or drop by the Lewis Centre. Registration forms are also available at Extreme Runners and can be submitted there as well. The cost is $55. The registration fee includes the clinic manual and running log,

a technical t-shirt, coaching and support, and the camaraderie of others challenging themselves in a similar way. “Our hope is that participants will all become happy runners and walkers,” Bigelow says, “and that they’ll adopt ﬁtness and a healthy lifestyle for life. No matter what level of ﬁtness people start the clinic with, they invariably end it with an enormous sense of accomplishment”. Following the clinic, many participants join the many groups that meet on the trails, on the roads, on the track, and even in the pool to carry on their running and walk running - it’s such a fantastic way to experience the best of what the Valley has to offer.

Learn about adventure kayaking trips with Island company at next Paddlers Club meeting Jan. 15 “Imagine waking one morning to the sound of a humpback whale’s blow as it swims past your ocean side tent. Later that same day watch in awe as a pod of orcas swim past your kayak as a bald eagles swoops down to catch a salmon. This can all be experienced on a kayak tour with Kingﬁsher Wilderness Adventures.” Andrew Jones, Kingﬁsher’s owner and expedition director will be guest speaker at January’s monthly meeting of the Comox Valley Paddlers Club. Open to the public, the meeting is held Thursday, January 15 at the Lions Den in Comox at 7:00 P.M. The CV Paddlers Club

Get up close with the whales Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures photo has a Trip List each spring created by members that volunteer to coordinate weekly short social paddles, weekend excursions, day paddles and longer camping trips with multi day paddles. Members of the club have a wide range of experience and learn from each other but winter meetings are meant to educate and expand paddler’s knowledge of their

chosen sport. Periodically the club is treated to an indepth presentation by a Kayak Tour Company. For many members a guided trip with an expedition company is on their ‘ bucket list’. Andrew Jones has a multimedia presentation drawing on his 20 plus years of experience kayaking along British Columbia’s beautiful coast with

highlights from Kingfisher’s Orca Waters Base Camp in Johnstone Strait and from Gwaii Haanas National Park in Haida Gwaii. Based on northern Vancouver Island, Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures offers multi-day guided kayak tours of Vancouver Island, the Great Bear Rainforest, and Haida Gwaii. Members, potential members and guests can attend the meeting at the Lion’s Den, 1729 Comox Ave. in Comox, under the Pearl Ellis Art Gallery. For more information, email comoxpaddlers@ gmail.com or search www. comoxpvalleypaddlers.ca or www.kingfisher-adventures.com

A Ladies Open Darts Tournament is planned for Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Comox Legion. “Must like music”. Check in 9.30 a.m. COMOX VALLEY Toe Line Doubles PUB LEAGUE MIXED DARTS 10 a.m. Singles will follow. POSITION A Division Pts Entry fee $10.00 1 Crty Legion Black Cats 78 2 Crty Legion DA’s 71 per player per event, 3 Cx Legion Beer Pigs 68 total payout both 4 Comox Legion Misfitz 63 events. 5 Comox Legion Bulls Hitters 60 Prizes for High 6 Griffin Gang 60 7 Elks FunGi’s 49 Score and High Out 8 Griffin Darts of Hazzard 19 on the day. Pre-registration, January 6 Results at the bar, or, phone/ Beer Pigs 5 - D.A.'s 4 e-mail, if you can’t BullsHitters 3 - Black Cats 6 Misfitz 6 - Darts of Hazzard 3 make it in to pre Griffin Gang 7 - FunGis 2 register. Deadline, February Ladies Hi Score: Joanne Scott 138 20th. Men’s Hi Score: Al Oelke, Glen Light lunch will be Litchfield, Bill McPherso, Howard Bull, available. Laurie Bull, Brian Wilcox 140 Ladies Hi Checkout: Joanne Scott 85 FMI 250-339-2112 Men’s Hi Checkout: Dave Wellington 97 dcwillington@ 180s: Glen Litchfield 1, Laurie Bull 1 gmail.com

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