Comox Valley Echo - February 3, 2015

www.comoxvalleyecho.com COURTENAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA • Tuesday, February 3, 2015

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VOL. 21, NO. 10

NEWS

ARTS

10.Valley MLA

11.World Film

steps down from cabinet post

Fest opens Friday night

TRAGEDY ON THE PUNTLEDGE RIVER AS MOM DIES SEVEN-MONTH OLD CHILD CLINGING TO LIFE AT BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AFTER MASSIVE SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORT. Thinking of Building?

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2

TUESDAY.COURTENAY, BC. FEBRUARY 3, 2015

ECHO

NEWS Comox Valley Weather

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Tuesday Cloudy with 40% chance of showers.

High 8°C.

Wednesday Periods of rain.

Low 5°C. High 7°C.

Thursday Rain. Windy.

Low 6°C. High 10°C.

Friday Rain.

Low 7°C. High 10°C.

Saturday Rain.

Low 6°C. High 10°C.

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

6th Street Denture Clinic

New Patients Welcome

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331B 6th St. Courtenay

TRAGEDY ON THE RIVER

Coroner identifies woman who died Baby still in critical condition at BC Children’s, search for answers underway

BY MICHAEL BRIONES AND DEBRA MARTIN Echo Staff The woman who died after being rescued from the Puntledge River on Friday afternoon, was identified yesterday by the BC Coroners Service as Veronika Sophie Weaver.

However, still not known is how the 26-year-old woman from Comox and her seven-month old son ended up in the rapidly moving and frigid water.

The BC Coroners Service, with the help of RCMP, is continuing with the investigation.

Weaver worked at North Island College and had been with the school since the summer of 2012.

“Our hearts and thoughts are with the family,” said North Island College President John Bowman. “NIC is extremely saddened and grieving the loss of a friend and colleague. We ask that everyone respect the family’s desire for privacy.”

Weaver’s young son survived the harrowing ordeal but he is still in critical condition at B.C. Children’s Hospital. His father, who works for School District 71, is at his side.

School District Superintendent Sherry Elwood would not release the father’s name but confirmed “Doug” is a member of the district’s maintenance crew and a member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

“Our hearts go out to him, his son and his family,” Elwood said. “We will support Doug in any way that we can.”

The school district is offering support today to the

Veronika Sophie Weaver identified as drowning victim

They were floating in the water. I saw the child face down in the river. The woman was bobbing up and down.

She would surface and then go down.”

Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue volunteers search the Puntledge river Friday afternoon

JAIME LIBBY Witness who called 911

father’s work colleagues “who will need time and assistance to process this unimaginable situation.”

“Most importantly right now we will respect Doug and his family’s right to privacy as the days unfold,” Elwood said.

“We recognize that their right to grieve, to hope and to manage this terrible tragedy is paramount and far outweighs anyone’s need to know anything other than the difficulties they are experiencing.

We would ask everyone to protect the family in this way.”

On Friday, Comox Valley RCMP received 911 calls at around 2:29 from two witnesses who saw a mother and baby in the Puntledge River near Con-

Bouquets of flowers were left at the Condensory Bridge over the weekend

densory Bridge. Jaime Libby, who was walking in the area, was the first to notice them.

“They were floating in the water,” said Libby. “I saw the child face down in the river. The woman was bobbing up and down. She would surface and then go down.”

Not knowing what to do, Libby hailed a couple of vehicles asking for help.

Doug Bams stopped to find out what was wrong. Libby pointed to the woman and child in the water.

Bams dashed down to the side of the river to try to grab the woman. But he lost her when she went under.

“She would come up and down,” Bams recalled.

“I think it was still in the shallow part of the river.

Then she never surfaced again.”

A massive search ensued after RCMP were notified of the incident.

(Continued on page 3)

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

Search and rescue volunteers had a tough job helping with victim recovery

BY CINDY HARNETT AND DEBRA MARTIN Times Colonist/Echo Staff As a Comox Valley father watches his infant son cling to life in a Vancouver hospital, emergency crews who rescued the newborn and his mother from a river Friday remain optimistic.

“We’re all hoping there can be a miracle for this father and son so that they can be reunited,” said Paul Berry, search manager for Comox Valley Search and Rescue.

The newborn’s 26-yearold mother died Friday night. Her husband, who works for the Comox Valley School District, is at his son’s side at B.C. Children’s Hospital, Berry said.

The baby is just seven months old. He is the couple’s first child, Berry said.

The mother’s death and the child’s critical condition have hit Comox Valley SAR technicians especially hard.

“One thing I’ve learned from this team is we always maintain a positive outlook ... that’s what sustains this group,” Berry said. “It’s been a really emotional weekend for the whole team.”

On Friday, when 911 calls from witnesses at 2:29 p.m. reported a mother and baby floating in the Puntledge River in downtown Courtenay, first responders rushed to the scene and launched a search by land, air and water.

“When you hear a mother and child are in the river, your adrenalin starts pumping,” said Berry. “Every police officer I’ve ever known was in attendance. Firemen

were lining the banks of the shore in a huge rapid response.”

Volunteer search and rescue technicians ran from their work and classes, changed into their gear and raced to the river bank.

Berry said 20 SAR techs responded to the call and deployed to a number of locations, with the majority in the Lewis Park area.

Seven of the techs went into the water in boats near where the woman was reported last seen, he said.

With the noise of helicopter blades thumping overhead, boat propellers churning up the water and the shouts from people on the shore, some emergency responders had to work hard to fight the distractions and stay focused to follow their training,

Berry said.

What made the search so “unique” was that it was happening practically in downtown Courtenay.

“It added to the urgency and the concerns of the team. When you’re under such close scrutiny, it makes it more urgent,” Berry said.

“You have to stay focused on the river and the currents. We practice in the Puntledge all the time.

We certainly know where the eddies are and the entanglement points. We do the Ducky 500 every year, and we know where all the ducks end up”.

Berry said the current in the river runs fast on the left-hand side and there are multiple points where one could become entangled in trees, old pilings and large concrete blocks. But to the right of this eddy line, the river slows down in the middle and the water is much deeper there.

That’s where the infant’s mother was found almost one-hour and 45 minutes after she was first reported in the water. The water was dark and murky and the victim was only spotted by the overhead RCMP helicopter.

Berry, who was in his drysuit with snorkel, dove down to make a positive identification. “Only when I was right over top of her was I able to view

You have to stay focusd on the river and the currents. We practice in the Puntledge all the time. We certainly know where the eddies are and the entanglement points” PAUL BERRY CVGSAR search manager

her,” he said. “She was quite deep and only from the helicopter with an overhead vantage point would you be able to spot her against the bottom of the river.”

She was pulled into a police boat. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed on the woman all the way to the emergency ward of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Berry said.

“We like to think there’s always a chance, but she was in the water close to an hour and 45 minutes, so the chances are remote, but you do everything you can do,” Berry said.

The woman was pronounced dead in hospital at 6:55 p.m.

On Saturday night, search and rescue workers gathered for a critical-incident stress debriefing at their headquarters, which is standard procedure across the province.

A specially trained

team is deployed to first responders needing their services.

It’s a confidential process to help first responders identify how involvement in a traumatic incident might affect them emotionally, physically and psychologically and to support one another. Basically, the team helps first responders deal with “normal reactions to an abnormal situation”, Berry said.

“There were lots of tears and second-guessing if we could have been faster or was there more we could do.”

The search manager concludes the response from all emergency services “was swift and fullscale”. Comox Valley SAR volunteers arrived within 15 minutes of being called (after the baby had been recovered).

“It’s amazing we have a community with so many volunteers - Auxiliary RCMP, SAR, firefighters.

Volunteers are really the backbone of the community,” he said.

“We did everything we could do in recovering [the mother],” Berry said.

He hopes the family finds some solace in having the mother’s body returned.

“I hope it allows them ... to say goodbye and answer some questions.”

For updates, photos please go to www.comoxvalleyecho.com

Drowning victim identified; now investigators look for the ‘why’ (Continued from page 2) Mounties on land, on water and by helicopter were deployed within minutes. The Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue crews were deployed. Courtenay Fire Rescue was also on the scene immediately.

Just twenty-five minutes after receiving the first call-out, emergency personnel hauled the baby out of the water near the Condensory Bridge and performed CPR. He was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox by ambulance,

and from there airlifted to BC Children’s in Vancouver.

But it took longer to find the baby’s mother. Weaver was finally spotted at 4:12 pm, fully submerged in the river just past the Fifth Street bridge, across from Central Builders. At that point she had been in the water almost two hours.

Emergency first responders and then hospital staff worked hard to save her life, but she was pronounced dead at 6:55 pm.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to this family,” said S/Sgt.

Kevin Mazur, Plain Clothes Commander with the Comox Valley RCMP. “Based on the evidence and information we have gathered so far, there is no indication that any third party was involved in the pair entering the water.”

Comox Valley RCMP spokesman Cst. Don Sinclair said critical incident debriefings will be held for all those involved in the search and rescue. It’s hard, he said, when you lose someone you worked so hard to save.

Nevertheless, the search and rescue effort was praiseworthy.

“The fire department, the RCMP, SAR, even the people around the area did an excellent job,” Cst. Sinclair said. “The members did an excellent job. They mobilized extremely quickly. That probably in itself helped the toddler. The (RCMP) chopper got up within minutes of getting the call - they were instrumental in locating both.”

Cst. Sinclair said police were “extremely thankful” to the two witnesses who made the first 911 call. They “will be recognized”, he said.

Now that police know the woman’s identity and that no third party was involved, the big question remains to be investigated by the BC Coroners Service - why?

BC Coroners Service spokeswoman Barb McLintock said Saturday that investigators will examine any potentially relevant factor, “which could include anything from tragic fall to post-partum depression [and] psychosis.”

- With files from Times Colonist

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Informational Seminar at Crown Isle Resort &Golf Community Copper Room On Thursday February 5th at 7:30pm This is series of workshops will explore how to costomize my way of being to ‘do’ and ‘get’ what I truely want.

To improve my relationships with Myself, Family, Job, Friends, Money and My Health.

Give more understanding of how my personallity works, what my true beliefs are and to find my hidden needs...

Speaker: Sussonne Minchini Psychosomatic Therapist Telephone 250-871-5526

Cinema #4: “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” Metropolitan Opera - LIVE Saturday, January 31, 10:00 am (ends approx. 1:45 pm). Doors open at 9:30 Approx. 3 hours, 45 minutes. 2 intermissions Cinema #1: “American Sniper” 14A Violence, coarse language.

Nightly: 6:35 (9:00) & 9:30 (11:55). Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 12:30 (2:55) & 3:25 (5:50) Cinema #2: “Strange Magic” G: No Advisory . Nightly: 7:00 (9:00) Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 1:00 (2:50) & 3:45 (5:35) Cinema #2: “Mortdecai” PG: Violence; sexually suggestive scenes; coarse language Nightly: 9:25 (11:25) Cinema #3: “The Wedding Ringer” 14A: Coarse language; sexual content; nudity Nightly: 7:10 (9:00) Nightly: 7:10 (9:00) & 9:40 (11:30). Saturday Matinees: 3:35 (5:25).

Sunday Matinees: 12:50 (2:40) & 3:35 (5:25) Cinema #4: “The Imitation Game” PG: Violence. Nightly: 6:50 (8:55) & 9:35 (11:40) Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 12:40 (2:45) & 3:15 (5:20) Box Office Hours for Jan. 30th – Feb. 5th. Nightly: 6:00 pm – 9:45 pm Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 12:00 noon - 3:50 pm

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TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 3, 2015

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

Send your questions for any of these professionals to: COMOX VALLEY ECHO, 407-E Fifth Street, Courtenay, BC V8N 1J7 or kcurrie@comoxvalleyecho.com or FAX 250-334-3172

You have mentioned Pre-Planning and pre-paying final arrangements.

What are the benefits to this planning?

WHY SHOULD I SPRAY MY TREES AND SHRUBS WITH A DORMANT KIT? Eric Toneff

Do Agencies put special packages together exclusive to their agency?

Horticultural oil and lime sulphur, the two ingredients of a dormant kit, are sprayed in late winter on bare branches after the leaves have fallen, to reduce overwintering insects and disease on fruit trees and bushes, shade trees and most ornamentals. Roses and fruit trees are especially vulnerable. A good example is the peach tree, susceptible to Peach Leaf Curl which deforms leaves and weakens the tree. Several weeks before bloom the buds will swell and the waxy scale surrounding them will crack enabling the fungus is able enter the bud and infect the tender foliage.

Spray on a dry day above freezing, a second spray can be applied in 3-4 weeks if the bud has not yet broken. Many organic gardeners consider dormant spraying an organic control because its two ingredients occur naturally. A good spray or two at the right time as a preventative will reduce the need for more drastic measures later in the season.

By pre-planning you are eliminating the need for your family to make decisions at the most difficult time. By pre-planning with Toneff Funeral Services, you are establishing a relationship with a locally owned funeral home. You are providing your family with personalized arrangements that have your approval, as well as having your financial guide lines in place.

All pre-paid plans at Toneff Funeral Services have inflation protection against future price increases. We would be pleased to meet with you, at your home or our offices, to design a plan that suits you and your family.

Yes, travel agencies have the ability to put together hosted and non- hosted groups. The most popular hosted group is a cruise. Going with a group usually gets you discounted pricing and special amenities that you would not get on your own. Going with a group does not mean you have to spend every minute with the entire group; there are lots of opportunities to go off and do your own thing.

We've created a packaged trip ourselves here in Courtenay for only 32 of our special customers so that we can travel together on this unique, one-of-a-kind trip for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Departing on July 14th, we've packaged the trip so that you can just take in ten nights in St. Andrews and London, to experience The Open Championship in St. Andrews Scotland, the Home of Golf. If golf is not your bag how about nineteen nights starting July 20th combining London and the Baltic cruise or the ultimate trip for twenty four nights, including the golf, London and the Cruise. You decide. Your new adventure is just a phone call away.

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Call us

250.338.4463

What’s all the fuss recently about “Prime” rates?

How often should I replace my pillow?

What kind of service does your company offer?

Paula Granger Owner

So you’ve heard that the “Prime” interest rate has dropped... but one story says it dropped by 0.25% and the next that it dropped by 0.15%. What’s going on? First, it’s important to understand there are two different types of “Prime” rate: the Bank of Canada (BoC) Prime, which sets the interest charged when corporate banks borrow money from the BoC, and the corporate bank (TD, Scotiabank, RBC, etc.) Prime rates which are the base for all floating rate consumer and commercial products like variable mortgages, lines of credit, etc. Typically the corporate banks set their Prime rates 2% higher than the BoC Prime - this spread covers costs and generates profits.

The controversial news last week was that the BoC reduced its Prime rate from 1% to 0.75% to stimulate the economy and buffer against the negative effect of dropping oil prices... but the corporate banks did not follow. They waited a week in a competitive standoff, then only cut their rates by 0.15% and not the full 0.25%

Wellness

FUNERAL SERVICES

FUNERAL DIRECTOR

A comfortable pillow that provides the correct support is essential to a good night's sleep and should be replaced every six months. Your pillow should give you the right cushioning to position your head and neck properly. If you are using an allergy cover to protect your pillow from dust mites and body oils, then replacing it once per year would be sufficient. Of course if your pillow isn't comfortable anymore, or you are having neck pain, it's time to have it replaced. At The Home Medical Shop® we carry a wide variety of pillows; from Posture Pillows to Fibre Filled, from Memory Foam to Water Based, there's a pillow here to meet your needs. We also have a bed in our private fitting room , so you can try a variety of pillows and find the perfect fit for you.

250.338.0903 www.theHomeMedicalShop.com

We offer: Consultations: This is a great service if you are planning your landscape, need general information on plant care or if you just have no idea what to do with your garden. It helps you to avoid costly mistakes.

Garden Makeovers: We renovate existing gardens creating the "wow" factor by changing the garden shape, adding plants with color, texture, depth and form.

Landscape Planning and Installations: Working in close consultation with you and taking all your needs into account, we will produce the design that’s right for you and make your outdoor living space an extension of your home.

Garden Maintenance: We will take care of your gardens as if they were our own: Edging, weeding, pruning, etc. as needed.

Pruning: Hedges, shrubs, vines, fruit trees, ornamentals and topiary pruning as well.

Balcony, Deck and Patio Plantings: We decorate the area using potted plants, planter boxes, trellises, etc. adding color, texture, fragrance and drama. The advantages of deckscaping include softening the edges, adding colorful accents, organizing space, providing privacy, reducing glare, and adding shade.

Themed Gardens: Special plantings for nautical themes, beach themes, tropical themes, Japanese themes, rock gardens, miniature gardens, etc.

Planting of flowers for outdoor weddings and special occasions

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

Leanne OWNER

Yes, we have put together some real ‘sweet’ spa packages for this special occasion and they include some ‘sweet swag’ for your sweetie to take home.

Check them out on our website: www.level10eurospa.com/sweet-heartspecials. These packages may be purchased online or in store. Also, be sure to enter our “Sweetest Thing Contest” on www.facebook/Level10Eurospa before 5pm Feb. 14, 2015 to WIN a ‘Sweetheart Spa and Gift Package’ with a total sweetness valued over $300.00!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Q: My balance seems better when I wear my hearing aids. Is that possible?

Jennifer Frey, Registered Audiologist

A: New research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that sound information contributes to maintaining the body's stability. The study lends support to the idea that improving hearing through hearing aids may help reduce the risk of falls in older people. This research needs to be repeated and expanded to better understand the hearing/balance relationship but many hearing aid users report better balance when they wear their hearing aids.

This is another reason to have a qualified audiologist test your hearing and provide you with information about hearing, hearing loss, amplification and communication.

1.888.850.9979

250-334-0209 “A beautiful experience”

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I always seem so down in the winter, and have no energy is this depression?

Seasonal depression, or Seasonal affective disorder affects 2-3% of Canadians. It is 3 times more common in women. Symptoms start in October or November and disappear by April. It is more in northern latitudes like Canada. It is thought that a lack of sunlight in the winter leads to changes in certain hormones and neurotransmitters. Most common symptoms are poor concentration, weight gain, craving for sweets, fatigue, and sadness. It should be diagnosed by your physician. The most common treatment is light therapy from a proper light box (at least 10,000 lux) for about 30 minutes a day. Do not use a tanning bed for this purpose. Vitamin D supplements may also help. Severe cases may require treatment with an antidepressant. One can help prevent it with regular outdoor exercise and getting about an hour of time outside each day, even cloudy days. Increase the amount of sunlight in the home by opening curtains during the day and painting the walls a light colour.

I’ve had my denture for a few years now and although it looks the same it doesn’t seem to fit as well, why is that?

Should I take vitamins for my eyes to prevent deterioration?

The materials that dentures are made of are susceptible to wear and tear, the gradual changes over the years are not always very evident visually as it happens quite slowly. As the denture wears down you compensate and eventually you may be functioning much different than you were originally. When you compensate it can cause the denture to twist and rock; when this happens it may seem that the lower is more mobile and the upper could break suction.

Recent studies have demonstrated that vitamins probably aren't very beneficial in the prevention of heart disease and cancer, but some of the longest and largest vitamin and supplement studies were done specifically for the eyes, over a decade ago, by the National Institute for Health in the US. These "AREDS" studies showed that various vitamins and minerals give a modest reduction in the risk of developing one particular eye disease: macular degeneration. There is ongoing research into dosages and the role of genetics. Otherwise, anything that is good for your body should be good for your eyes - not smoking, eating healthy, using sun protection, and exercising regularly.

Probably the biggest cause of a change in fit is your own anatomy; our bodies naturally change over time and the mouth is no exception. And, when a tooth is lost the bone that previously surrounded the tooth reduces. The amount that the bone reduces, and the time it takes to do so, varies from person to person. Over the years this bone recession can have a big impact on your denture’s fit. Dentures can be re-fit to keep up with these changes, ask your Denturist how.

5

Why do I need a crown?

Dr. Colleen Clancy & Dr. Ann Lu

Dentists

There are many reasons why a dentist recommends a crown.

Sometimes, teeth develop cracks that deepen and cause sensitivity on biting. This is because the crack flexes open and closed during chewing.

A crown provides reinforcement to prevent this flexure and further deepening of the crack.

DENTISTRY

SWEET VALENTINE'S

Are you offering any special spa packages for Valentine’s Day?

TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 3, 2015

Sometimes, a dentist can spot weaknesses in a tooth that suggest the tooth is at risk of fracture.

Crowns are recommended for weak teeth before they fracture because then the tooth can be predictably prepared for a crown. There needs to be adequate tooth above bone in order to fit a crown. Fractures are unpredictable, and if they occur too close to the bone, putting a crown on may not be an option until a second procedure to remove bone and expose tooth is performed.

This is an added expense and complication to crowning a tooth.

Dr. Colleen Clancy and Associates #98-1742 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC V9N 2K8 Phone: 250-338-2599 Web: www.drcolleenclancy.com

I'm planning on building a house.

How will the new building code affect me?

There have been several changes in the BC building code. One of the many changes is the ventilation system. All houses are now required to have some form of fresh air to the bedrooms. There are a few different options that allow this. Everything from a simple fresh air hood to an HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) or a ducted heating system may be the right option for you. The best time to start looking at these different options is in the design and planning stages of your new home. Only Red Seal Qualified Sheet Metal Technicians with a TECA (Thermal Environmental Comfort Association) ventilation certificate can adequately design the appropriate ventilation system for your home. If you are planning on building a new home contact Temprite Climate Solutions. Our Certified team will help you start to finish.

For more information on ventilation check out tempriteclimatesolutions.com

Send your questions for any of these professionals to us by mail, email or fax Professional: Question:

COMOX VALLEY ECHO 407 - E Fifth Street, Courtenay, BC V8N 1J7 or send your question to Keith Currie at kcurrie@comoxvalleyecho.com or by fax to 250-334-3172

6

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

ECHO

OPINIONS

LETTERS

No advantage Re: The January 30 comment in your “Beefs & Bouquets” concerning Philip Round’s excellent article on Chinese immigration and the purchases of Comox Valley businesses Since Mr. Round’s article was largely based on an interview with Maggie Mah of my office (Ansley & Company), I feel a responsibility to correct some misapprehensions on the part of the anonymous complainant.

I fully appreciate your commentator’s concern about the sellout of this country to the Government of China, which in fact means the Chinese Communist Party (“CCP”). I share that concern. The writer of this “beef” alludes to our government having “sold our country out to China with trade agreements”.

Trade arrangements with China represent only a small component of our government “sellouts” to China.

When Stephen Harper approved the sale of Nexen Corporation (a Canadian energy company holding a significant stake in the Alberta oilsands) to China National Offshore Oil Corporation (“CNOOC”), he defended the transaction as simply a purchase and sale in-

volving a foreign corporation.

It was nothing of the sort. This was in fact a nationalisation of a private corporation, but it was a nationalisation by the Chinese Government (“CCP”) rather than the Canadian Government.

The CEO of CNOOC is appointed by, is subject to dismissal by, and reports to the Chinese Government (“CCP”). It is difficult to tell whether Harper was consciously striving to serve the interests of the CCP, or whether he is simply ignorant of China’s political and economic structure.

Most Canadians would be shocked to know the true extent to which the Chinese Government (“CCP”) has penetrated every sector and every level of Canadian society over the past quarter century. While not readily visible, the CCP today enjoys a significant influence over Canadian government all three levels of government and over universities, media, the business community, and even the activities of Canadian citizen groups disapproved by China.

I am currently working on a book which examines and sheds light on the chilling degree to which the CCP has

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.

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infiltrated Canada. Our law office has for years been, and continues to be, heavily involved in legal efforts to resist the illegitimate undermining of Canadian values and the purchasing of Canadian opinion leaders by the CCP. In short, your commentator addresses a legitimate concern.

However his/her anger is misdirected in this particular case. The Chinese immigrant investors who have recently purchased Comox Valley businesses, and those who are currently considering such purchases here, are not tied to the Chinese Government (“CCP”); nor are they Chinese corporations. These are small business people, likely looking to escape the repressive and restrictive domination of the CCP in China in favour of building a new life in Canada.

These are the kind of Chinese immigrants who have made such rich contributions to the cultural mosaic and economy of our country for more than a century. In time, their role in our community may mirror that of John Leung, whose history in the Comox Valley was also recently chronicled

by Philip Round.

Your commentator laments the “various enticements to encourage Chinese people to buy up

and run local businesses” and suggests that such “enticements and rewards” should instead be offered to local citizens to enable them, rather than Chinese immigrants, to purchase businesses in the Comox Valley.

There is a fundamental misconception at play here. The Chinese purchases flow from a provincial government “Succession Program” which offers Permanent Resident status to properly qualified foreign parties willing to: 1. Purchase existing businesses whose owners wish to retire, financing their retirement through the sale of the businesses they have built up over decades; and 2. Preserve the jobs of the employees currently working in those businesses.

The only “incentive” offered the Chinese purchasers is Permanent Residence/Citizenship.

Obviously, this incentive has no application to local people who are already citizens.

The Succession Program was developed by the province for one reason only: to help local small business owners of retirement age sell their business and keep it running, rather than having to close down and terminate their employees.

The approval process for

immigrant investors may take anywhere from several months to a couple of years. Any local buyers may purchase these businesses at any time.

The need for immigrant investor/purchasers springs entirely from the fact that there are no local buyers at the present time. The Succession Program is a way to preserve the local businesses and the jobs they provide.

The choice is not between Chinese buyers and local buyers; it is between keeping local people employed or closing the doors.

Finally, your commentator fires off the hip shot that “ realtors and their pro-development ilk want to develop everything in the Valley they possibly can”. Not a single one of the businesses already sold or potentially to be sold under this program involves real estate development or, indeed, development of any kind. Such purchases would not even qualify the immigrant under the “Succession Program”. The only businesses eligible for this program are small familyowned enterprises facing closure upon retirement of the proprietors. Development is no part of this picture.

Clive Ansley Fear and disgust J F Logan may fear

people who use the Courtenay Public Library, but I use it often, I’m here right now, and all I see is people of every description using computers and reading newspapers.

I sincerely doubt 95% of the public have stopped using the library because they’re ascairt of the homeless and/or disadvantaged, as Logan claims.

Let’s recall that the good burghers of Courtenay had an opportunity to build a homeless shelter, and would not.

The library is a safe place for anyone to email, read, write a resume, or use a washroom.

Those using the library are not the desperados Logan describes, but Canadian citizens, entitled to use public facilities as are all citizens.

Logan might feel more comfortable if the homeless and otherwise disadvantaged were concentrated in Lewis Centre (and has anyone asked Lewis Centre how they feel about that?) but it won’t work. They won’t use it. Would Logan force them?

“Fear, disgust, and intimidation” are more likely to result from letters like Logan’s than from our eclectic mix of library users.

Jay Cates Comox

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

7

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SALE ENDS FEBRUARY 14 Citizens of the Year: The judges couldn’t split them, so both Murray Shackel and Michele Morton were both named “Comox Valley Citizen of the Year” at the Chamber of Commerce Awards night on Saturday.

Two share Citizen of the Year Award Judges find it impossible to split long-time Valley volunteers Report and pictures

by Philip Round Special to the Echo Two long-serving volunteers in very different fields have been awarded the title Citizen of the Year by Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce - Murray Shackel of Merville and Michele Morton of Courtenay.

The twin accolades, sponsored by Canadian Tire, were presented at the Chamber’s 40th annual community awards event held at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay on Saturday.

The evening gala was themed ‘Midnight in Gotham’ and included a champagne reception, four-course meal for around 250 guests, and a silent auction.

A host of local businesses sponsored the awards and the night’s various activities.

(Continued on page 9)

Dressed up for the occasion: This year’s theme for the Chamber of Commerce 40th annual community awards was ‘Midnight in Gotham,’ and no couple entered the sprit of the evening more than newly-elected Courtenay Councillor Bob Wells and his wife, Michelle. They swept in to the Filberg Centre from their Batcave fully attired in Batman and Robin costumes -- but as there was no sign of the Batmobile in the parking lot, the caped crusader and his sidekick must have winged their way in.

Holy smoke!

Downtown Courtenay 231 5th Street, 250-338-2624

8

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

Robert Mulrooney

Russ Wigle, B Comm

Senior Investment Advisor

Associate Investment Advisor

HollisWealth (a division of Scotia Capital Inc.)

HollisWealth (a division of Scotia Capital Inc.)

MONEY MATTERS SOLID RISK ASSESSMENT, NOT FORTUNE TELLING, THE WAY TO MANAGE PORTFOLIOS

PLANNING FOR FUN IN RETIREMENT

By Wilfred Hahn At this time of the year, many economists like to issue their annual forecasts. Will 2015 be as rewarding – or challenging – as last year? The trouble is that forecasters as a group are notoriously wrong in their projections. Yet some assessment of future conditions is imperative. How, then, can money managers proceed as responsible asset stewards? At HAHN Investment Stewards we also forecast prospects for asset markets. However, we do this somewhat differently than may be the norm. We’d like to explain how.

As a starting point, we sweat the risks as well as opportunities.

What is risk? It’s anything that can lead to a paralyzing decline in portfolio value or a diminution of future potential returns.

Janice Armour BBA, CPCA Remember when the perfect picture of retirement was a grandmotherly woman and a grandfatherly man sitting on a porch knitting and whittling away their sunset years? Well, maybe that was once an accurate depiction of retirement but it certainly isn’t today.

Today’s retirees are active and looking forward to many years of excitement, fulfillment and fun!

What have you got planned for retirement – travel to terrific locations, RV-ing across the continent, volunteering for your favourite charity, adding to your education, or even starting a new business?

Whatever your retirement plans, you need a few things to make your retirement dreams come true: good health, a positive attitude and, of course, money. That’s why you’ve built your retirement savings for so many years – because you know your good financial health is essential if you want your third age to be as wonderful, personal and fun-filled as you wish.

Sure, you’ll have to use some of your nest egg income to cover essential expenses for food, health care, utilities and other everyday living costs. But how you choose to use the rest of your money is entirely up to you. The key is to make sure you have enough money to fund your essential needs and fun interests – whatever they may be -- for all your retirement years. And that takes planning – the same kind of planning that went into building your retirement nest egg in the first place.

Your retirement financial plan should make sure your hardearned investments last longer and go farther. It should ensure a steady, predictable cash flow that will cover all your expenses. And that means being very selective about your investment options.

Talk to your professional advisor about the best ways to cash in on the retirement of your dreams – and keep them well-funded for life.

Want to know how ready you are for retirement and how to get the most out of your retirement years? Go to www.investorsgroup.com and take the interactive Investors Group Retirement Readiness™ Quiz. It’s a great way to assess your emotional, financial, social and physical preparedness for retirement. And don’t forget to have fun.

This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc. (in Québec – a Financial Services Firm), and Investors Group Securities Inc. (in Québec, a firm in Financial Planning) presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments. Contact your own advisor for specific advice about your circumstances. For more information on this topic please contact your Investors Group Consultant.

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RISK SCENARIOS Viewing the prospects for 2015, therefore, we will want to identify the key risks. By definition, any such risk will not be certain to cause a consequence over any certain period of time.

Nevertheless, it remains important to identify these risks against which to compare opportunities. Each quarter, the HAHN Investment Policy Committee defines and ponders a set of scenarios (sometimes as few as four and at other times, as high as eight), each of which appear to have a material probability of occurring.

We do not rely on any one scenario but rather seek to diversify portfolios against the dominant risk potential of these scenarios.

Doing so helps us ensure that we avoid the mistakes. Doing that successfully alone ensures an attractive investment track record over time.

IDENTIFYING POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Another methodical discipline that we carry out is the identification of what we call “significant events.” This helps ensure that we will be ready for the possibility of a change in a given scenario in advance. That may sound easy, but in practice it isn’t. The natural behavioural tendency is to avoid change and to assume that the status quo will continue. Such a disposition to financial markets will almost certainly lead to misjudgments and finally also to grudging changes that are much too late.

2. Geopolitics unhinged: Viewed from the present, few observers ever believe that major geopolitical conflicts are likely.

However, a review of history reveals that the signs of impending conflict were always evident at the time and were apparently ignored. Nevertheless, even though near-term predictions are unreliable, the potential impact upon financial markets is not small.

3. China continues to slow: Often forgotten is that the most remarkable “world demand shock” for building supplies occurred over the past few decades. The most populous nation in the world (with plus 1.3 billion people) boosted its consumption and world trade share by tens of times. In the process, this nation moved from a home ownership rate of nearly 0% to over 70% in the space of two decades. This one perspective alone suggests that resource commodity prices will be in the basement for some time to come.

4. New monetary policies: Many economists (some of these holding prestigious posts) are saying that government deficits no longer matter and that because sovereign nations with their own currency can never go bankrupt (because they can print fiat currency), the future of money looks bright. It is a new “make your own reality” orthodoxy that is clearly gaining centre court. But how will these play out in the end for investors?

It is these kinds of factors that are weighted as part of our scenario analysis. We will pursue our disciplines, methodically evaluating risks using the methods described above. We then maximize opportunities by exploiting the broadest spectrum of asset types and asset classes around the world, dynamically shifting asset exposures as we seek to buy risk when it’s cheap and sell risk when it’s expensive.

Courtesy Fundata Canada Inc. © 2015. Wilfred Hahn is Chairman and Co-CIO of HAHN Investment Stewards. This article is not intended as personalized investment advice.

318 A Duncan Ave., Courtenay (Corner of Duncan & 3rd St.)

FOUR KEY RISKS IN 2015 Viewing our scenario for 2015, there is as usual no shortage of risks to assess, many of these with worldwide implications. To illustrate, we list just four of such potentially momentous factors: 1. Oil price collapse: As seems to happen at least once every 10 to 15 years, oil prices have collapsed (falling some 50% during 2014). While consumers may celebrate lower energy prices, it is also true that the global oil trade drives enormous fund flows.

Consumer gains will be offset by the loss of demand for global financial assets. There are both positives and negatives.

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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 Jan.30, 2015 . 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. © 2015 Royal Bank of Canada. All rights reserved.

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

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Don’t let opportunities get away Call today and get the support you need.

While you’re looking after your business, who’s looking after your financial affairs? Without the proper advice and support, opportunities will pass you by.

Insurance products and services distributed through I.G. Insurance Services Inc. Insurance license sponsored by The Great-West Life Assurance Company. Trademarks, including Investors Group, are owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.MP1609 (02/2014)

Janice Armour, BBA, CPCA Consultant 22-1599 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC V9N 2K6 Ph. 250-338-7811 Janice.Armour@investorsgroup.com

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

9

RESERVE Your Spot for VALENTINE'S Day 250-871-7292 (Continued from page 7) Chamber president and CEO Dianne Hawkins said the Comox Valley was home to some “pretty amazing citizens and businesses,” and this year’s judging panel had had quite a task in selecting the various category winners from more than 50 nominees.

And Chamber chair Helen Furgale added it was inspiring to see so many people and businesses who had clearly made a difference nominated, and reminded guests they were also proud as a Chamber to be “celebrating 40 years of honouring our community’s finest.”

It’s unusual for two people to be named Citizen of the Year -- it has only previously happened five times since the awards began in 1974.

But this year Murray Shackel and Michele Morton were both considered to have made such outstanding contributions to the community over so many years it was decided to honour both of them.

Murray Shackel has been involved in charitable and community work for decades. He started with 4-H, and was the leader of the Mountain Range Riders for about 11 years, working with children and animals almost every spare moment he could find.

He organized many charity rides to raise funds for the Child Development Centre, which remains a cause close to his heart, and he joined Black Creek Lions where he has put in countless hours down the years to help children with disabilities.

He has also been closely involved with the Merville Community Hall, donating time to repair and maintenance of the building and to community activities there; and in Courtenay he has become one of the characters at the July 1 Canada Day celebrations each year as the guy who gets the cadet canon organized so it can be fired to mark the Ducky 500 race on the river.

As the judges remarked: “Murray is one of those rare gems who believes that service to others is the responsibility of each one of us, and he continues to live the role out daily.”

Receiving the award on Saturday night, Shackel - now in his late 70s - said he would go on doing what he had to do as long as he could, because there was always a need to raise more money to help kids.

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Michele Morton’s family came to live in the Valley 55 years ago, and she graduated from the old Courtenay High School in 1962. She left the area to complete her education but returned in 1973 as a Registered Nurse.

Over the years she served in various roles with the Girl Guides, was involved in setting up the Glacier Heritage Power and Equipment Club, and was a director and president of the Comox Valley Exhibition Association (Fall Fair) for many years. For more than five years she has also been a volunteer usher and team leader at the Sid Williams Theatre.

But her first love remains the 60-piece Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, with which she has volunteered since it was founded with just 17 musicians ten years ago. Morton has been its president for the past eight years, working alongside concert master Blaine Waldbauer. “At one stage we put our heads together and decided Blaine would take care of the music and I would take care of everything else,” she commented. “We’ve come a long way, but I couldn’t have done it alone. It is wonderful to work with a great bunch of volunteers -- they are what make our communities go.”

GLACIER VIEW SECONDARY AND ABORIGINAL EDUCATION SERVICES are proud to showcase their new 24 passenger bus. The new bus will provide a low cost transportation option for students to embrace learning opportunities outside the classroom. Glacier View Principal, Murray McRae states “As progressive work continually transforms our education system, we understand the enormous learning potential that exists in our community and surrounding environment. Having access to a safe and affordable transportation option opens up numerous educational

opportunities for our students that are often out of reach”.

The students and staff of Glacier View Secondary and Aboriginal Education Services would like to extend a huge thank you to the ongoing generosity and support of our community sponsors pictured (left to right): Murray McRae - Glacier View Principal, Rod McLean - Brian McLean’s, Gail Martindale - Aboriginal Education Services, Jeff Ackinclose - Thrifty Foods, Mike Finneron - Speedpro Signs, Terry Rennison - Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club.

THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION COURTENAY BRANCH 17’S Mike Handel and Frank Burden presented a donation for $5,000 to Lynn Dashkewytch, St. Joseph’s

Hospital Foundation, to support the expansion of the Cancer Care Unit at St. Joseph’s

The other award winners Eleven other awards were presented on Saturday night, and more details of the winners’ achievements and photographs will appear in Friday’s Echo. In summary, they were: Business of the year: Level 10 Eurospa.

Small business of the year: Pantuso Dance.

Agricultural business of the year: Hollie Wood Oysters.

New business of the year: CanWest Mechanical Inc. Business leadership: Linda Oprica (Ascent Coaching).

Youth leadership: Maddy Monteiro (Mark R. Isfeld student).

Young entrepreneur: Allison Mackenzie (Dark Side Chocolates).

Not-for-profit organization: Glacier View Lodge Society.

Heritage recognition award: Comox Valley Child Development Association.

Customer service: Darilyn Keene (Ally Cuts, Cumberland).

Chamber President’s merit award: Bob Scales.

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Family Day is February 9!

Fit in some family time on family day at the CVRD’s sports and aquatic centres. Skate, swim, play together.

Everyone welcome swim, aquatic centre 1-4:30pm Everyone welcome skate, sports centre 1:15-3:15pm & 6:30-8:30pm Visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/rec or call 250-334-9622

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10

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

McRae steps down from cabinet to help an ill family member

2nd anual Valentines for Veterans display seeks local card submissions

ECHO

etc.

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff Comox Valley MLA Don McRae has had to step down from his cabinet position to allow him time to take care of a family member who has health issues.

The stresses emerging from home, compounded by daily challenges he faces as a cabinet minister, McRae said, led him to seek the blessing of Premier Christy Clark to resign as Social Development minister and was granted the request.

“I spend a lot of my time, when legislature is not sitting, visiting stakeholders around the province,” said McRae. “It’s a really important job as cabinet minister.

But at some point you realize what family values you want.

“You want to make sure you’re there for your family and when there are some issues at home you want to make sure you’re looking after that. Family health is super important to me.”

Although McRae’s been

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Comox Valley MLA Don McRae relieved of his cabinet duties, he said his job as Comox Valley’s MLA will continue.

“I want to be a good constituency MLA,” said McRae. “I was very fortunate to have a situation where I can carve off a portion of my working job and get to spend more time and be supportive to my family.”

McRae said he regrets he won’t see the completion of the initiatives and policy work that have been set in motion to better serve the residents of British Columbia.

“I’d love to be there to see those changes through,” said McRae. “That being said, I think those changes are well

enough along that they will happen without me.”

McRae, 45, and his wife Deanne have two young daughters, Gracie and Chloe.

The health concern is not related to them, McRae said, but involves another family member.

“I want to be there to better support that individual,” he said.

Clark will promote Michelle Stilwell, a rookie MLA and former Paralympic gold medalist, to take over as minister of social development and social innovation.

McRae was Vancouver Island’s lone voice at the cabinet table and Stilwell is the only other Liberal MLA from the Island.

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

OPEN HOUSE AT WALDORF SCHOOL The Saltwater Waldorf School is having an open house 6-7 pm on Thursday, Feb. 5.

Meet the teachers and tour the school. Come learn about Waldorf programming from early childhood up to grades level. We are currently taking registrations for Preschool, Kindergarten and Classes 1 - 7 for the Fall 2015/16 school year.

The school is at 2311 Rosewall Cres., Courtenay.

FMI: 250-871-7777 or saltwaterschool.com

The HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial (HAMM) will once more be host to Valentines for Veterans at their location in the Comox Centre Mall for the upcoming Valentines Day Month.

This annual event provides members of the community a way to show their appreciation for Canada’s veterans and those currently serving in the Canadian Forces in times of war, local disaster relief, and peace time operations. What better way in February than with a Valentine?

“Last year the public participation in this event was amazing. We had two local school classes and one service group bringing in enough signed valentines to fill one of the three display panels alone,“ Lewis Bartholomew, HAMM Executive Director, stated. “I am hoping to see more local companies, churches and school groups participating this year in addition to individuals and families showing their gratitude to our community’s veterans

of all ages.” To participate simply bring a home made or “store bought” valentine addressed to “the veterans” or “to those who serve our country” with your valentine message (if you have a specific veteran in mind, you can also address that valentine to that person specifically) into HAMM located at the Blue Arch Entrance of the Comox Centre Mall between now and February 14.

Valentines collected at the museum will begin to be on display in the main hallway in front of HAMM from February 1 through February 28. There is no charge to add your valentine to the display.

Every person bringing a valentine into HAMM between now and February 14 can enter the drawing for a free I WILL REMEMBER T-Shirt from the HAMM Footlocker Gift Shop.

HAMM is open Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm.

Admission is free (donations accepted) For more information visit: www. alberniproject.org or call

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

11

Award-winning quartet performs Friday at Merville On Friday, February 6th, at the Big Yellow Merville Hall, get set for non-stop fun as Canada’s award winning quartet, The Fretless, tour the west coast with their first stop right here in the Comox Valley, hometown to one of the fiddlers, Trent Freeman.

The Fretless is a new approach to folk music that is quickly gaining high acclaim around the world.

The Fretless recently won Instrumental Album of the Year at the 2014 Western Canadian Music Awards and Ensemble of the Year at the Canadian

Folk Music Awards for their second album - both awards they also won in 2012 for their debut release Waterbound. Having been together for only three years, The Fretless has already toured extensively across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

This tour hits many of the bands favourite spots, including a hometown or two, but also ventures into brand new territory. The Fretless is very excited to perform for the first time in both Oregon and Washington.

Having grown up in the Valley, fiddler Trent Freeman, is now based out of Toronto and Vancouver but he loves bringing his musical bandmates back to his roots and the band loves it as well as some of their most enthusiastic fans reside here.

With The Fretless, Trent is joined by Canadian fiddle champions, Yvonne Hernandez and Karrnnel Sawitsky on violins, and Eric Wright on cello.

Doors open 7:00pm, the show starts 7:30pm. Tickets $18 adult/$10 youth and will be on sale at The

The award-winning quartet, The Fretless, perform Friday night at the Merville Hall Music Plant in Campbell River, Blue Heron Books in Comox and Long & McQuade in Courtenay.

At the door, $20 adult/$12

youth.

This concert is aimed to raise awareness of the historic Stolen Church which now rests proudly on the

Merville Hall grounds, awaiting restoration.

Call Craig, 339-4249, for more details or visit: www.thefretless.com

Climate change session Feb. 5 Comox United Church and the Comox Valley Unitarian Fellowship are sponsoring a six session course on The Climate Change Era. The fifth session, entitled A Covenant for the Comox Valley will take place on Thursday, February 5, from 7-9 p.m. in the main hall of Comox United Church, 250 Beach

‘Becoming Bulletproof’, a heart-warming documentary, shows Friday night

Opening night of film fest features two documentaries The 24th World Community Film Festival gets off to a start this weekend with two films on opening night Friday, February 6, 7:30 pm. at the Sid Williams Theater.

The night begins with stunning images of the Pacific coast in the film, Reaching Blue. A writer, an oyster farmer and an ocean scientist expose new changes found in the Salish Sea, linking each of us to the world’s oceans.

Twenty-two cinematographers contribute beautiful imagery from deep-sea submarines, advanced ocean research vessels and drone cameras, to expose the changes our coastal waters face.

Joy and persistence triumph over adversity in the award-winning documentary, Becoming Bulletproof. One of the most heartwarming films we’ve screened, it tells the story

of a group of people with disabilities from across North America who come together to take part in an ambitious indie film production of a western movie - complete with saloon brawls, showdowns at a poker table and evil villains. It’s the fruit of ideas that two brothers and their wives put into action through an inclusive film project they run in Hollywood every year. Inside the often-comical filmmaking process we witness vibrant human bonds and powerful insights.

Opening night usually sells out, so get your tickets!

On Saturday choose from over 25 films shown in 4 different downtown venues and watch First Nations, environmental and social justice issues explored with hope, passion, and creativity.

When not viewing films,

visit the Bazaar in the Upper Florence Filberg Centre where community groups will be on hand to give out information or to sell merchandise related to the various issues raised during the festival.

It’s also a great place to relax and have a tasty snack cooked up by our friends from Elevate the Arts. Admission to the Bazaar is free.

Tickets are now on sale at the Sid Williams Theater Box Office, 250-3382430 or toll free 1-866898-8499, or order online www.sidwilliamstheatre. com Festival weekend pass is $35. Opening night Friday - $14, Saturday (including evening) - $25, Sat night $10. Youth under 20 - $3.

Some low income passes are also available.

See: www.worldcommunity.ca and for film schedule.

Drive in Comox. Cost by donation.

The Comox Valley needs a Covenant - an agreement on how the valley should be developed with some basic principles to guide the development.

Why? Because our valley is on the cusp of fossil fuel developments that would radically change it.

The session will be led

by Mike Bell.

He has MA degrees in Communications and Theology.

He was a friend and fellow monk with Thomas Berry, geologian and the Father of the New Cosmology.

For further information contact Mike at 250-8903671 or mikefbell@shaw. ca

12

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

CARRIERS WANTED No collection required. Great exercise!

GEORGIA STRAIGHT JAZZ SOCIETY

Arrowsmith Big Band returns Feb. 5 We grow from strength to strength. Two weeks ago Thursday’s performance by Herb Alpert Tribute band was the best ever supported in the nine years of Georgia Straight Jazz Society’s regular concerts, and more than 100 music lovers enjoyed this festive night. Last week jazz fans were treated to cool west coast music, with wonderful vocals by Swing Street featuring Jackie Z. From those two diverse performances we introduce another great shift: Big Band music. Yes, this is the full eighteen-piece band, and boy, these are among the best around.

The Arrowsmith Big Band says it’s delighted to be returning to the jazz club at The Avalanche Bar on February 5.

They may be delighted: we’re downright excited, because they always treat us to a range of great music, from classic numbers of the 40’s to some of the most contemporary compositions: music of the 21st century.

The band is based in Oceanside, and has among its members some of the best regional jazz players on the Central Island. Soloists include Oceanside players Dan Craven (tenor

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VALLEYVIEW Rt. 3114 – Evergreen, Mantle, Zeballos, Malahat Rt. 3133 – Sterling Pl, Sterling Cres., Kinross Pl. CUMBERLAND Substitutes Rt. 9103 – Dunsmuir & Derwent COLEMAN ROAD AREA Rt. 4106 – Loxley, Avonlee, Sea Terrace MIRACLE BEACH Rt. 6111 – Seaview Road The Arrowsmith Big Band is next up for the jazz club on Thursday night at the Avalanche sax), Claudio Fantinato (alto and soprano sax) and Dave Stewart (trumpet), as well as Nanaimo’s Greg Bush (trumpet) and Barry Miller (piano) and Courtenay’s own Paul Nuez on trombone.

Originally formed in 1975, the band has enjoyed several incarnations over the years. For the last 12 years or so the band has concentrated on big band jazz from established and emerging arrangers. For this visit to The Av, the band has selected around 20 charts in a wide variety of styles, from gentle big band ballads to driving swing.

Established arrangers such as Frank Mantooth,

John LaBarbera, Bill Holman and Sammy Nestico will be featured, as well as contemporary arrangements by the current arranging wunderkind, Gordon Goodwin. Canadian writers are not left out: the sets will include charts

by Rob McConnell, Pete Coulman and Vancouver’s own Bobby Hales.

This week you’ll discover two new faces in the sax section: Caleb Boorboom (yet another amazing young player from Oceanside) on alto, and subbing on baritone sax Rob Alsop from Ladysmith. Newcomers in the trombone line up are bass trombone player Will Oxland from Nanaimo and (subbing for

yet another snowbird band member!) Courtenay’s Jeff Agopsowicz.

If you keep reading about how successful the jazz club has become, or heard friends giving an excited account of how good the music is, why not treat yourself to a shock?

Find out for yourself just how fortunate you are to live in a community offering you an opportunity to experience an evening of great live jazz music of all genres (over 40 shows each season) for an entry price of $10 for members, $12 for non-members. For more information, please visit www.georgiastraight jazz.com or see us on Facebook.

Philosophers’ Café asks the question “Does the Bridging Employment book have a future?”

Services Is the book important?

UNESCO considers book publishing an essential element of the cultural health of a country.

But is the book doomed?

Must it change form? Will it be supplanted by the internet and electronic devices? Will our children read? Are there enough of us that still want to read a paper publication to make it a viable enterprise?

Come to the Philosophers’ Café as Trevor McMonagle - teacher, editor and bibliophile - leads a discussion on the future of the book.

Once a month a speaker will introduce a theme to the Café, and then all who attend can join in respectful, non-partisan conversation, or just sit back and listen.

You are welcome to propose topics and introduce them at future Cafés.

Themes should be of broad interest and nation-

Call Comox Valley Echo • 250-334-4734 or drop by 407-D 5th Street, Courtenay

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Services Includes: • Individual sessions with empathetic, professional counselors • Practical help in overcoming the impacts of abuse or violence

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW

• A welcoming safe place to develop confidence and practical skills

Trevor McMonagle

• Workshops to prepare you for work

al significance, and have an element of controversy to them.

As with each Café, Trevor McMonagle will have just 10 minutes to introduce the topic, and then the floor is open for 50 minutes of moderated discussion.

When: Wednesday, February 4, 7:00-8:00PM Cost: Free Location: Comox Quality Foods Café (in the solarium) 2275 Guthrie Road, Comox, BC V9M 4G1 More Info: peter@peterschwarzhoff.ca

• Assistance in exploring career options

Feb 20 - Apr 11 Tickets from $25

• Peer support

What you bring: • The desire for good work or education/training • Readiness to participate

1.800.565.7738

And best of all...

chemainustheatre.ca

• It’s free and tailored to your needs and interests

Interested?

Call 250-897-0511

NEXT WORKSHOP SERIES Begins October 21st

Luxurious Theatre Getaways from $122 per person

For more information call Alisa at 250-897-0511 Part of the Employment Program of BC The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

“Ring of Fire” is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), 570 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2100, New York, NY 10018.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

Visit us online: www.comoxvalleyecho.com

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.FEBRUARY 3, 2015

Capilano University Singers hosted by Cantiamo for evening of classical music The Comox Valley will welcome national and international award winning Capilano University Singers under the direction of Lars Kaario on Friday February 6th, 2015 for an evening of unforgettable classical music. The concert will feature works by Poulenc, Durufle’, Saint-Saens and Charpentier as well as selections

from Faure’s Requiem.

Cantiamo Chamber Ensemble is pleased to once again host this dynamic group of young singers at St. George’s Church on Friday February 6th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or at Laughing Oyster Book Store in Courtenay.

WIN Canucks Tickets 10 New Mouth Watering Meals at Lunch

for $10

Wine, Wind, and Sea

Full NHL Coverage on Centre Ice

361 Hunt Road playtimegaming.com HAPPY HOUR KICKS IN ON GAMEDAY!

250.334.2222 Willie Desjardins

YOUR TOTAL FLOORING SOLUTIONS!

Captain Canuck

One

Enter to WIN! 2 tickets to the

Canucks/Stars

www.unitedfloors.ca

(250) 338-5511

Utica Comets

Rail FREE Decks!

BOOK NOW!

game on

Saturday, March 28 362 10 St, Courtenay,

COMOX VALLEY

www.40knotswinery.com

LP CONSTRUCTION

plus! $100 dinner gift certificate and overnight accomodation Find the answers to the skill testing questions inside the ads.

Write the name of the advertiser as the answer to the question below.

02-03

Ryan Millar

Trevor Linden

How many times have the Canucks advanced to the Stanley Cup finals?

How many Canuck jerseys have been retired?

Building in the Valley for over 80 years MON-FRI 7a-5:30p | SAT 8a-5p | SUN 9a-5p

Central Builders’ 610 Anderton Ave. Courtenay Tel: 250-334-4416

Serving the Valley since 1924.

Jim Benning

How many teams did former Canuck Captain Stan Smyl play for?

Your Name: Address: Phone # Submit your ballot to:

Email:

Comox Valley Echo Newspaper 407D Fifth Street, Courtenay V9N 1J7

Contest closes

March 25, 2015 @ 4 pm

• Service & Maintenance Division • Plumbing • Heating • Gas Repairs • HVAC • Hot Water Tanks

Mark Messier

You’re Busy... We’re Fast!

MONDAY - SATURDAY 8AM - 6PM

COURTENA: t $03/&3 0' 5) $-*''&

Call 250-338-8026 Three

250-871-8700

Dallas Stars

FLEET CARDS ACCEPTED Call for details!

Chicago Black Hawks

Courtenay 250-334-3621

Four

Toronto Maple Leafs

Roger Neilson

Daniel Sedin