Comox Valley Echo - March 24, 2015

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com COURTENAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA • Tuesday, March 24, 2015

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VOL. 21, NO. 24

HUNT FOR HISTORY

ARTS

6.The river was

12.The N.O.L.A.

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ISLAND GLACIERS KEEP SHRINKING.02 15.LINEUP ANNOUNCED FOR VILLAGE GATHERING NEWS

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.COURTENAY,BC. MARCH 24, 2015

ECHO

NEWS Comox Valley Weather

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Tuesday Mix of sun and cloud in the morning. 40% chance of showers in the afternoon. High 10°C.

Wednesday Showers.

Low 6°C.High 9°C.

Thursday Cloudy with 60% chance of showers.

Low 7°C. High 11°C.

Friday Cloudy.

Low 6°C. High 13°C.

Saturday A mix of sun and cloud with 30% chance of showers.

Low 7°C. High 13°C.

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

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Island glaciers receding quickly Expert says inventory done in 1970s found approximately 170 glaciers

BY DARRELL BELLAART Special to the Echo Experts say Vancouver Island glaciers are receding fast and for skiers it will likely mean shorter seasons in coming winters.

The number of Island glaciers has fallen drastically in the past few decades and scientists expect mountains will soon no longer hold ice that remains year-round.

A glacier inventory done in the 1970s found approximately 170 gla-

ciers on Vancouver Island, and “now there’s maybe a handful,” said University of Victoria geography professor Dan Smith.

Of those remaining, the Comox glacier is the largest, and “they’re not going to be around much longer,” he said.

“It takes winter snow, and cooler summers, and we’re getting the exact opposite. The volumetric losses of ice are just phenomenal.” As that loss happens, Islanders can expect less snow even at higher elevations, and a

The Comox Glacier, overlooking Comox Lake related impact on winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, tubing and sledding.

With the arrival of

spring this week, Island skiers are looking back at what could be another disappointing ski season at Mount Washington Alpine

Resort.

The ski hill was in operation Dec. 20 to Feb. 11.

Smith said glaciers are a visual indicator of global

climate change.

He said 6,000 years ago, coastal glaciers were actually advancing.

“One of the things with glaciers, they’re constantly changing,” Smith said.

“They’re kind of the canary.”

He said ice has been retreating since the 1870s.

“But in the last 30 years, the rate of retreat is just phenomenal.

“You would have to describe it as unprecedented.”

Going back 15,000 years ago, a massive ice sheet weighed Vancouver Island down and bridged Victoria to the mainland.

Some would suggest this proves Earth naturally cycles through warmer and cooler periods, a fact Smith acknowledged, but said the rate of warming in recent decades indicates climate is changing on a scale far outside the normal range.

“Now we’re seeing climate records we’ve never seen before.”

- Nanaimo Daily News

Hear speakers on new Canada-EU trade agreement Stephen Harper promotes the new trade agreement with the European Union by describing it as the most comprehensive trade agreement ever signed and points out that it’s with the largest integrated market in the world.

He tells us that it’s about much more than removing tariffs. It’s also about government procurement, regulation, professional and industry standards and investment rules. Yet most of us know little about this agreement and others that the government is negotiating.

“Will they benefit those of us who live and work on Vancouver Island?

What will their affect be on jobs, our local economies, our local govern-

ments and on our environment?” asks Alice de Wolff, chair of the Comox Valley Council of Canadians.

“Are We Being Sold Out? Jobs, Trade and the Economy” is an evening of information and discussion co-sponsored by the Comox Valley Council of Canadians and the Campbell River, Courtenay and District Labour Council. It will take place in Courtenay on Thursday, March 26, 7 PM in the Rotary Room at the Filberg Centre.

Three speakers will stimulate the discussion.

Ellen Gould is a long-time trade and policy researcher who is particularly watching a new agreement called the “Trade in Services Agreement”.

She is based in Powell

River and is associated with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

Brenda Sayers is the spirit behind the Hupac-

aseth First Nation’s court challenge to the Canada - China Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement,

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Alice de Wolff is a long

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

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Tragic accident claims the life of Mt. Washington Ski Club athlete, leader and mentor Cole Anderson, a U18 FIS level athlete from Campbell River with the Mt. Washington Ski Club was tragically killed March 21, while skiing at Whistler Blackcomb.

He was free skiing with his teammates and coach after a day of ski race training at the Dave Murray National Training Centre on Whistler Mountain.

They had just completed a challenging run on Blackcomb and were on their last run when he slipped and fell over a cliff.

He was skiing on terrain that was well within his capabilities when the accident occurred. His teammates reached him very quickly and their coach, a trained paramedic, took control of the situation and immediately called for ski patrol who arrived within a few minutes.

Despite their best efforts Cole succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Cole had been a member of the Mt. Washington Ski Club for over ten years and was a committed ski racer, representing his club provincially and nationally. He was a talented athlete who found joy when skiing.

He loved to spend time with his teammates, and liked nothing better than carving turns on the race course or in fresh powder.

He was also an emerging leader and the younger club athletes looked up to him for his skill, ready smile and easy going manner.

“The Mt. Washington Ski Club is a tight knit group of families and we are all grieving together at this time of loss,” said the club in a press release.

“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Cole’s mum and dad, Michele and Terry, who are committed club volunteers, and his sister Nicola, who

Cole Anderson, a member of Mount Washington Ski Club, loved to ski and was a leader with his club is a former ski racer and club coach, and their family.

“While it is hard to comprehend the loss of Cole, we take solace that he was doing something he loved to do with people who cared for him, and we shall cherish his memory. He was a fine young man who was looking forward to all that the world had to offer after he graduated from high school this year. He

was loved and will be greatly missed”.

“We are shocked and saddened by this tragic accident,” said Bruce Goldsmid, BC Alpine CEO. “On behalf of the alpine ski racing community, our thoughts are with the Anderson family and the Mt. Washington Ski Club. The ski racing community in British Columbia is like a family and we are all devastated by this loss.”

Courtenay staff says CVRD violated RGS guidelines

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff Courtenay staff has raised concerns about the Comox Valley Regional District making decisions on the Regional Growth Strategy without consulting the partners involved in the services.

Staff told council the CVRD unilaterally introduced a motion to replenish the reserves for evaluation of the RGS, which contravenes provincial guidelines of the RGS. The CVRD recommended a financial plan on March 5, 2015 to increase the reserves estimated at $180,000. It would have meant requisition increases for the city, from $17,332 in 2014 to $23,326 in 2015, 27,401 in 2016 and $35,551 for 2017 to 2019.

The CVRD board of directors did not endorse it after they realized it would cause taxpayers an additional burden. They reverted back to the original staff suggestion of a 2 per cent increase.

But Courtenay staff was

caught unaware by the CVRD’s proposed resolution. Director of Development Services, Peter Crawford in his report to council, stated they don’t know how CVRD staff arrived at a conclusion when no business case outlining the rationale of the review was presented, as well as a work plan, consultation and required staff resources.

The RGS legislation requires consultation to be held with all the partners on the need for a review.

Staff said that has not happened.

Crawford explained to council the regional district couldn’t introduce amendments on its own.

He pointed out under the provincial guidelines, there is no hierarchy in the RGS and every participant should be consulted and be involved in the planning process.

“Moving forward, any initiatives, any changes, it’s quite clear, that in essence, we meet as equal partners to decide on that and discuss that,” said

Crawford.

Based on the CVRD staff report on March 10, 2015, Crawford said, “it is apparent that the regional district is not following provincial directive. There appears to be the creation of a hierarchy in establishing this process and decision which is clearly contrary to this provincial directive.”

Mayor Larry Jangula also expressed concerns about the RGS budget.

The city’s contribution is around 40 per cent.

“Basically they’re asking us to collect money that has no work plan, no laid out formula for what they’re going to spend it

on,” said Jangula. “I think that’s not a good way to spend people’s tax dollars. Secondly, one of the other reasons they want to collect extra money in reserves is because of potential lawsuits the regional district may encounter because of zoning or applications for zoning that they have. And it frustrates me. So I asked if they get sued on something then we have to pay 40 per cent? The answer was yes. I find that a little frustrating.”

Councillor Erik Eriksson said he finds the whole thing “eerie” and added that this was an unnecessary duplication of

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“When we talk about we do this and go over there they do that, they are we,” said Eriksson. “That’s the deal here. What’s wrong is, the reason we have a regional growth strategy is we have four jurisdictions and each has its own official community plan. The regional growth strategy is to figure out some way to ameliorate the conflict that’s caused by having four different community plans. The regional growth strategy is really the official community plan of the whole community. We really are one community.

We should be working towards a single jurisdiction

so we don’t have these unnecessary conflicts.”

Chief Administrative Officer David Allen said they do their best to work with CVRD staff but on occasions, strict timelines drive them in different directions.

“We don’t intentionally go out of our way to tread on each other’s toes,” said Allen. “But at the same time if we see something that we feel may impact the city in some manner and if we believe our council members are not fully aware of the implications of a decision they’re about to make then we will take it upon ourselves to inform them.”

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

Cumberland considers 1.4% property tax increase

BY DREW A. PENNER Echo Staff Village management sat down with Mayor Leslie Baird and Cumberland councillors to consider the next steps for the mountain community March 20, going through the draft 20152019 budget item by item.

The all-day meeting looked at short and longterm plans and proposed a residential property tax increase of 2 per cent.

“It was a really good day,” said Michelle Mason, the Village’s financial officer, commenting on council’s Community of the Whole decision-making session. “This is their first year together and I thought they moved through the plan very fast, but they also made sure they understood everything really well.”

The unusually high $13.2 million budget covers $4.4 million in operating costs and $8.5 million in capital purchases, as well as debt obligations.

Cumberland’s financial plan includes a $2.8 million sewer and water project along Dunsmuir Avenue (2/3rds of which would be funded by the federal government), $2.1 million for Bevan Road corridor upgrades and more than $680,000 for the Comox Lake Road slope reconstruction, which has already been completed.

This is a marked change from the $4.21 million operating and $2.6 million capital budgets of 2014 – which was considered high at that time.

The Village expects to rely on government funding for almost half of its revenue in 2015, in the form of landfill payments as well as Building

Administration and council delved deep into budgetary matters March 20.

Canada and other grants (estimated to raise about $5 million of a total $11.1 million). Property taxes make up 20 per cent of expected revenues followed by services and fees and borrowing proceeds (both at 13 per cent).

Two projects that have been put on the back burner because of uncertainty are improvements to Cumberland’s network of dams and the skatepark project.

Cumberland #2 Dam design work will move forward, but little else, as experts investigate the system in the wake of the recent flooding and boil water advisory in the Comox Valley. Officials have been awaiting the test result from contaminated soil beneath the location chosen for the Cumberland skatepark.

With the mill rate set at 4.24 per thousand dollars of assessed property, the municipal portion of taxes would go up 1.4 per cent for the average family (or 2.6 per cent when factoring amounts from

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This is their first year together and i thought they moved through the pla very fast, but they also made sure they understood everything very well.”

MICHELLE MASON Village financial officer

other taxing authorities – not including homeowner grants and utility fees).

Since total utility fees are expected to ding each family with an extra $21 on average in 2015, the net tax change is estimated at a 3.5 per cent increase.

But some homeowners could be facing a larger than average fee hike based on home assessments going up in the Village.

Values of existing properties in 2014 jumped $15,720,250 (for a total assessment increase of $26,064,451).

The budget would mean an increase of 2 per cent across all property class-

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es. Coun. Roger Kishi said some people have been asking him to fight any tax increases, but he noted council has made it a priority to put money away into reserves to prepare for challenges ahead.

“That’s why we’re seeing those big increases,” he said referencing the 850 per cent general surplus reserve increase last year. “Council has made a decision to put more money into those reserves.”

Mason said it’s important to weigh reserving money for the future with making things easier on the average home or business owner.

“It’s a balance,” she said. “You want future taxpayers to pay what they’re going to use at that time, but at the same time you don’t want to increase taxes all in one year by 10 per cent.”

The budget also features $50,000 to build a welcome sign, with staff selecting the less expensive of two design options.

While the sign would

include timber frame construction, it features an aluminum face estimated around $15,000 instead of the shapeable HDU material, which would likely cost north of $40,000.

Cumberland is looking at implementing a multiyear Bevan Road Maintenance Plan that would improve the corridor with crushed gravel and more defined ditching and pay for yearly maintenance. At this point the road is difficult to grade because of large boulders in the road, staff said.

Mayor Leslie Baird suggested grading the road

at least once a year before bad weather starts.

Under the current plan the Village is considering building new sidewalks in 2016, but CAO Sundance Topham noted this could be moved up to 2015 if council wishes.

“When we went to school traffic wasn’t an issue,” Mayor Baird said.

“The more and more people that are moving here and the more the houses, there is issues. People are walking on the roads because there are no sidewalks.

“It’s becoming more and more dangerous because people driving do not stop for kids. They don’t stop for anybody.”

A 2015 pedestrian program could include more solar-powered crosswalk lights and fresh sidewalks along Windermere Avenue and beyond, said manager of operations Rob Crisfield.

The general government section of the budget includes a 25.5 per cent increase for council operations, which has an assumption of a five per cent wage boost built in, to be discussed during an upcoming review.

The public will have their chance to have a say during the March 30, 2015 Village Hall meeting at 7 p.m. It is expected to move forward for first reading April 13.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

Petitions sought for local governance review Task force needs to secure 5,000 signatures from voters

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff A task force is out securing signatures that would determine if there is a desire in the Comox Valley to restructure the region’s current governance model.

The group that was formed by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce is hoping to get 5,000 signatures from voters in the regional district. So far the group has already garnered over 2,000 signatories.

The objective is to conduct an independent study to determine if the governance of the Comox Valley is structured in a manner that best satisfies the political, cultural and public services the community needs in order to meet the challenges that growth brings.

According to the chamber of commerce the regional governance model does not serve the major-

ity of districts well.

“The fine-tuning of the regional governance structure to meet the needs of particular areas is too short term an approach and longer-term solutions are required,” the chamber stated.

“The regions need to be treated fairly and appropriately and review this important governing body and its role is needed.”

The task force consists of non-partisan members from various sectors in the community. It adheres to the review process outlined in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs Review and Program Guide titled “Managing Changes to Local Government Structure.”

In order for the review to be initiated, the task force has to collect the support of at least five per cent of registered voters in the region, which includes City of Courtenay, Town of Comox and Village of Cumberland - as well as

Electoral Areas.

Among those advocating for one government is Courtenay councillor Erik Eriksson, who signed the petition.

“Things are changing,” said Eriksson. “Our communities are closer together than in the past.

Right now the people in the Comox Valley are thinking in terms of ‘we’re one valley.’ It’s worthy of looking enough whether or not we should have one government for the Comox Valley.”

Eriksson supports this initiative because he has encountered duplications in Courtenay council and the Comox Valley Regional District.

“If an issue comes out that concerns the entire Comox Valley, you have to go through every single jurisdiction to see what the government at the time thinks about it,” said Eriksson. “Whereas if we have one single government, it’s kind of one-stop

shopping.” The last time an attempt to amalgamate City of Courtenay, the Town of Comox and certain parts of Areas A, B, and C was in 1999. It was unsuccessful.

There have been past governance reviews that led to successful provincial action such as the splitting of the Comox Strathcona Regional District into two in 2007. It led to the creation of the CVRD. If sufficient signatures are collected, the task force will initiate a request for a study to have a joint committee established to oversee the review process as outlined by the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Petitions are available to be signed or picked up for distribution at the Chamber of Commerce office and can be downloaded from www.comoxvalleychamber.com. Only original signatures on hard copies of the petitions can be accepted.

EAO evaluation of Raven Coal application reveals missing information gaps Coalwatch applauds public access to evaluation comments

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff The reason Compliance Coal Corporation withdrew its environmental assessment certificate application was not due to what it claims as the spreading of “misinformation” about its proposed Raven Coal Mine.

CoalWatch Comox Valley Society chair John Snyder said Compliance pulled out because its second application submitted on Jan. 30, failed to provide clear and vital information on a number of significant issues.

This was revealed in the 62-page draft application evaluation comments tracking table released by the provincial government.

“In a nutshell, this latest Compliance Application failed to include the required information on many facets of the Raven Coal Mine Project from

Fanny Bay to Port Alberni,” said Snyder.

“A lot of the missing information included key issues of concern raised by the public for the past 5 years, and for whatever reason Compliance has once again failed to adequately address these key concerns in their Application.”

Compliance’s application was being evaluated for completeness by the EAO during a 30-day evaluation period when on March 2, the company

withdrew the Application from the evaluation process.

The EAO evaluation of Compliance’s Application was to determine if the required information that was missing and identified in the EAO’s rejection of the initial Application on May 16, 2013 was included in this second Application submitted to the EAO on January 30, 2015.

The missing information included items such as: hydrogeology/groundwater, socio-economics,

public health, public consultation,marine environment baseline studies, Aboriginal interests/ rights/consultation, and potential effects of the proposed Project and proposed mitigation.

CoalWatch feels this EAO Application Evaluation Comment tracking table gave greater insight into the “missing information” identified by the EAO. “CoalWatch believes the public is well served by having access to the Application evaluation comments, and we applaud the EAO for making this information available to the public,” added Snyder.

“At the end of the day, I think this latest Compliance Application withdrawal in some way calls into question Compliance’s credibility and competency and adds to the reason for the lack of social license for the Raven Coal Mine Project.”

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

HUNT FOR HISTORY WITH JUDY HAGEN

River was the artery of Courtenay Natural and vital supply route for goods and people took a lot of dredging to keep open

J

oseph McPhee the “Father of Courtenay”, believed that “cities of consequence” developed along rivers, and certainly the economic growth of Courtenay was determined by the river which provided a natural route for supplies from Vancouver and Victoria.

As early as the 1890’s, shipping came up the Courtenay River to the end of navigation which is the site of the Fifth Street Bridge.

In 1914, the year before incorporation, local merchants were well aware of the river as an important component of their business.

The Review Newspaper, (21 May 1914), reported that the Board of Trade was “taking up the question of the river” because the coastal steamer “Fingal” had been damaged when it hit a sunken log. The cost of repairs to the shaft, propeller and rudder would be an astronomical $600.

“Steamship companies have informed us that this is the last straw and they will absolutely refuse all freight to this place until the river is clear of sunken menaces,” declared a letter written by the Board to their MP, H.S. Clements, admonishing him, “This looks to us like a case of absolute neglect on the part of the Government as the amount that has been lost in damages to shipping in the past few months would more than pay for the clearing of the river.”

Although there was a wharf at Comox and at Union Bay, Courtenay was fast developing into the important business centre for the whole valley as evidenced in that letter from the Board of Trade: “In a very short time this district will be up against a shortage of feed and other heavy freight probably tying up building operations and increasing the cost of all heavy material at least four dollars per ton.”

From the late 1890’s the dredging of the Courtenay River occurred on a regular schedule keeping the channel cleared for shipping. A vibrant river economy developed along the banks from the delta

Dredging work on the Courtenay River (Fifth St. bridge in the background on the left). Photo courtesy of the Courtenay and District Museum 982.29.1

to the bridge. A government wharf was built just below the bridge on the west side of the river.

Here barges unloaded goods and took on cargo being sent out of the valley.

Alongside that wharf was McPhee’s loading wharf for Central Builders. A third wharf on the west bank was built for the Vancouver Milling Feed Store whose competitor, Brackman and Ker Milling was located directly across the river at what is now Simms Park. In later years a fifth wharf, built by Charles Simms would be erected next to the B&K warehouse.

Other small enterprises would develop that aug-

mented the river industry.

There were two ship builders. Paul Hellan and Captain Lloyd, who also ran the tug that brought the larger vessels up the river, ships such as the “Grainer” which carried the cereal feed grain, hay seeds, fertilizer and other agricultural supplies to the B&K warehouse.

At first the Vancouver Barge & Transportation Company made only a weekly trip tying up at the Government Wharf on Friday, but by 1927, there was enough freight to require a twice-weekly service.

A short lived industry was the Cannery which opened in 1933 near what is now the 17th Street Bridge. It was anticipated

that Comox Valley grown fruits and vegetables could be canned and sold locally as well as being shipped away but it was not profitable and the Cannery closed before the War. While Fields Sawmill is a recent memory, other mills have been located on the river starting with Pidcock’s which was built on the west bank before there was even a bridge.

Later, a mill would be built near the delta but burnt down in 1912. On that site in 1927, Sam McLeod opened his Lumber and Shingle Mill boasting that he only hired local men.

Until there was a ferry service to Hornby Island, Albert Savoie came over in a little boat he had built to carry cargo, but soon he was agreeing to carry passengers too.

For Islanders, who had no other way to come to town, the cost of $1.50 (round trip) was a bargain even if they had sit on the boxes and bales of cargo.

Small dredges had been used for many years to clear the channel, but in 1929, the most ‘modern’ of equipment came to be used along the river.

The Argus newspaper (12 September 1929) gave front page emphasis to the machine that was to work the river for the next 5 months: “As the channel is to be taken out five feet below the low water mark, for the length of the river and the width of the eight feet, the dredge will be a familiar sight for many months it is likely that its crew of six will have an appetite to eat their Christmas dinner in Courtenay.”

The steam shovel to be used had a pressure of 125 pounds and was far superior to any machine that had been used in the river over the past three decades.

“For the past two weeks, a gray barge with the red arm of a derrick standing above it and funnel belching smoke has been a fascinating feature off the wharf on Mills Street. It is the big dipper dredge clearing the eighty foot channel.

“With its length of a hundred feet and breadth of forty, it is about the size of a good city lot.

It is the second largest dredge of the North Western Dredging company

and the first of its type to ever come up the river.

“Before this we’ve had the clam shell or orange peel clay dredge which is all very well for loose gravel or rocks but there is a good deal of clay and gumbo mud to be sliced out at the upper end of the river and the lighter dredges could make no impression on it whatsoever.”

After the Second World War, goods were being shipped in by trucking companies. Less and less was being barged up the river.

A way of life slipped away slowly, some would say it went out with the tide.

Today, a canoe or a sailboat or other small craft may sometimes be seen on what was once a waterway of so much industry and importance to the economy of the City of Courtenay.

Gone are the chug chugs of little boats, the whistles of coastal ships, the whine of the sawmill machinery and the endless sound of a dredge cleaning up the river so ships can continue to navigate up the Courtenay River.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

7

City Centennial celebration you can wear Limited edition souvenir t-shirts now on sale For those wanting to share in the festivities of this year’s Centennial Celebrations or who collect local memorabilia, the new limited edition Courtenay Centennial T-Shirts are now available for sale. The t-shirts can be purchased at the Lewis Centre and the Florence Filberg Centre for $20 including tax.

All of the proceeds from the t-shirt sales, as well as other Centennial fundraising initiatives happening throughout the year, will be added to the Comox Valley Foundation Centennial Legacy Endowment Fund. Like other endowment funds administered through the organization, the money that’s donated is invested in perpetuity.

The income that’s generated by the fund each year is then allocated to charitable programs and endeavours that enrich the lives of local residents.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Centennial Legacy by donating to the fund may do so through the Comox Valley Community Foundation website www.cvcfoundation. org.

Updates on other fundraising initiatives can be found on the City of Courtenay website at www.courtenay.ca, or on Facebook and Twitter using the official hashtag #Courtenay100.

For more information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and business sponsorships, contact the Courtenay Centennial Celebration Committee at 100years@courtenay.ca or by calling 250-334-4441.

This project has been supported by the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program, Department of Canadian Heritage.

Courtenay’s centennial committee shows off the souvenir t-shirts available to buy now

Don’t miss Citizens of the Century nomination deadline The next centennial date to add to your calendar is March 31, 2015, which marks the deadline for nominations for the Citizens of the Century Awards, the prestigious awards that will honour those who have made a significant contribution

the City of Courtenay since it was incorporated as a Municipality in 1915.

The Citizens of the Century Award is sponsored by the Canadian Western Bank.

To be eligible, a nominee must have volunteered for a number of years to ben-

efit the citizens of Courtenay and not their own personal or family endeavours.

Nominations for the Citizens of the Century can be submitted online, and should include the person’s name, the time period during which they

volunteered, and a brief description of the personal merits or contributions to the community.

FMI: www.courtenay.ca/ centennial or contact the Centennial Celebration Committee by email at 100years@courtenay.ca or call 250-334-4441.

More than ordinary!

Sincerely, Mark, Ana, Family & Staff!

8

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

There’s life after Target Pharmacist Chris Sutton is taking his entire staff to open a new pharmacy not far from the old one

BY DEBRA MARTIN Echo Staff When one door closes, another one opens, goes the old saying.

In the case of local pharmacist Chris Sutton, doors literally closed in his last two jobs, as pharmacist in Zellers and then Target.

Now, he’s opening a new door, to his own independent pharmacy, and taking his trusted crew of associates with him.

Chris has a devoted clientele who he hopes will follow him to his new location opening next week in the Glacier View Plaza, behind the Tim Hortons and Shell station.

There’s easy and ample parking at the new Courtenay Pharmacy. And a few new additions in facilities and services.

This hasn’t been particularly easy for the 1989 University of Alberta pharmacy grad. But he wanted to keep this particular crew of pharmacists and assistants, because they work so well together.

Chris had been a pharmacist at the Comox Rex-

all store for seven years before going to Zellers.

When that store closed, he took a year off, doing some relief work, before taking on the challenge at Target.

He found out Target was closing when everybody else did.

Using a real estate agent contact in the business network group he belongs to, he put out the call that day to look at available commercial properties. By the afternoon he had six possibilities to explore.

But the location behind Tim Hortons, next to Dulux paints, was by far the best.

Chris, looking somewhat like HGTV’s Mike Holmes in his work overalls and t-shirt, took a bit of time out from helping with the construction at his new location a few weeks ago to explain what he plans.

There are two private consultation rooms, so you can talk to a pharmacist without the entire store hearing.

Or get an innoculation, and other services within the pharmacists’ scope of

The new Courtenay Pharmacy, has ease of access and plenty of parking practice.

A feature of the new store will be a wall at the back with shelves of locally-made products - such as soap, lavender oil and more.

Chris also plans to have an “Artist of the Month” gondola at the front featuring the works of local artists who’d like to have their art displayed for sale.

He believes in giving back to the community, citing his volunteer work as a coach and executive member for seven years with the Comox Valley Raiders youth football club, something he had to give up when he became too busy with work.

They’ll also have even more freedom now to place special product orders for clients, something they couldn’t do at Target.

His partner pharmacist Mike Dilfer, an “import” from Oregon State University, also knows about doors closing, having worked at Safeway.

(Continued on page 9)

Chris Sutton, left front row, with his trusted crew of pharmacists and assistants

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

9

Local artist joins campaign to save Mack Laing’s legacy Brian Scott paints iconic homes and donates works to heritage society

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff A well-known Comox Valley artist has joined the fight to save the original home of Hamilton Mack Laing.

Expressionist Brian Scott has created two stunning paintings that feature the former residences of Mack Laing - Shakesides and Baybrook.

It’s his way of preserving the legacy of the former owner of the two historical homes that are now destined for demolition by the Town of Comox.

Scott, whose many prized art works reflected on the history and culture of the valley, asked why these heritage homes are not being saved. He endorses the mission of the Mack Laing Heritage Society, as he believes they are vital historical components of the region and British Columbia.

Scott cited as an example, Canada’s only Nobel Prize winner, author Alice Munro, who resided at the Baybrook home at the height of her writing career.

“The fact that Alice Munro is our only Nobel Prize winner (in literature) and she stayed there for around 30 years, what an

endorsement to the community,” said Scott Scott donated the two paintings and prints to the Mack Laing Heritage Society, the group that is heading the campaign to save Baybrook. The society will be selling them.

There’s also a plan to get a limited number of the prints signed by Munro.

The proceeds will be used to defend Mack Laing’s legacy and assist in the fulfillment of the wishes stated in his will.

Scott was critical of the town’s insensitivity to this issue. He felt, after visiting both the Mack Laing homes, the town’s intention was to keep the location for use by only a few people.

“It’s like a private enclave for rich people,” said Scott. “It should be opened. We should have access down there.”

The story of Mack Laing, his work, all the events in his life, and his association with some of the historical figures in Canada and North America should come out, said Scott.

“The power of story telling,” said Scott. “We think we’re all this hi-tech stuff.

Kids are fascinated by this stuff. You start talking about it, they would want

Vancouver Island artist Brian Scott, (wearing a hat) presents two paintings of the heritage homes of Hamilton Mack Laing to the Mack Laing Heritage Society. The members of the MLHS that accepted the donation were Loys Maingon, Fred Newhouse and Kate Panayotof. to know where their roots are. This anchors kids when they know where the community is coming from.”

Loys Maingon of the MLHS said it’s the destruction of “cultural anchors.”

“It’s all very nice to tell people ‘oh we have First Nations,’” said Maingon.

“First Nations have their own culture, we have ours.

They are complementary but we can’t alienate our own children to this culture. And this is the sad part of this tragedy.”

Comox council has recently decided to proceed with the plan to tear down the Mack Laing houses and revert the properties into a natural park. They postponed this action in 2013 upon the request of the MLHS. However, staff had deemed the MLHS plan to be unworkable.

The MLHS, after eval-

New pharmacy opening next week (Continued from page 8) He has a particular interest in natural remedies and nutritional counselling, an interest he was not able to pursue in the corporate setting.

“That’s going to have to be an evolution,” says Mike, who said any such services offered would be approached “collaboratively” with the client’s doctor.

“There’s a lot of room to work with physicians.

I think there’s a gap there

that can be filled.”

Mike, too, is confident that most of their regular clientele will follow them to the new pharmacy.

And, with the emphasis on being locally owned and offering locally made products, he thinks the community will support the new venture.

“All of our regular folks are coming with us as far as we can tell,” he added.

The other members of the team include Chris’ wife Elaine, also a pharmacist with extensive

hospital experience who can assist any clients undergoing chemotherapy, for instance; pharmacist Merleen; and assistants Christine, who also works in Cumberland and Erin, “the do everything person.”

“This team just works too well together to break up,” said Chris.

The last day for the Target pharmacy will be March 28, with the new Courtenay Pharmacy opening on Monday, March 30 at 8 am.

uating both properties, wants to save Baybrook as it is in better condition than Shakesides and an engineering report indicated it could be renovated.

The society has been raising funds for it.

The MLHS suggested that part of the renovation cost could be derived from the trust fund left by Mack Laing.

But the town contends that could be a legal issue as Mack Laing’s will that included $45,000 was for his Shakesides home.

(Continued on page 11)

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24 2015

ECHO

OPINIONS

LETTERS

Misleading article on Denman case I am writing in response to your March 12, 2015 article: “Denman legal dispute escalates in landowners’ fight with Islands Trust,” to provide accurate information and context on an issue spanning over a decade.

The Local Government Act requires local governments in B.C. to protect property and public safety by regulating development ‘on land that is subject to hazardous conditions.’

On Denman Island, an area known as the Komas Bluffs is prone to land slips and erosion. In 1988, the Denman Island Local Trust Committee (DILTC) created a Development Permit Area (DPA) to protect development within the Komas Bluffs area.

Certain activities, such as tree removal, building construction and drainage alteration can cause slope failure and threaten the security and safety of buildings, roads and people.

Therefore, these activities within this DPA are only allowed by permit supported by advice from a qualified geotechnical expert.

Mr. Ellis and Mr. and Mrs. Stoneman (Stonemans) own land within the Komas Bluff DPA. For reasons that are hard to understand, Mr. Ellis altered the land at

the crest of the bluff, cut down and pushed over trees without permits, causing significant slope failure on his own land.

The Stonemans have built a house, drainage works and excavated the bluff area without permits in this same area, risking further land slip and erosion.

After repeated advice to Mr. Ellis and the Stonemans to obtain permits, and after exhausting all attempts at a reasonable resolution, the DILTC sought a court injunction requiring compliance and remediation.

So far, the DILTC has defended five counterclaims, claims and petitions by Mr. Ellis and the Stonemans.

These cases have been argued in courts at length and cover a gamut of issues from the validity of the bylaws to the conduct of staff, trustees, Mr. Ellis and the Stonemans.

The courts have repeatedly found that the bylaws are valid and reasonable, passed and enforced for proper purposes under the Local Government Act, and do not impair the right to farm.

In some of the proceedings, the court required both Mr. Ellis and the Stonemans to pay special costs to the DILTC. Throughout the process,

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

Islands Trust focused on finding a reasonable resolution and reached a settlement of costs with Mr. Ellis.

The Trust is now collecting those costs so that Trust Area taxpayers are not paying for the actions of Mr. Ellis and the Stonemans.

They can still do the right thing by following the permit requirements and paying their costs.

The article is misleading when it states that parties “have won the right to move forward with claims the local Islands Trust Committee unfairly refused to allow them to develop their properties.”

The court struck the majority of the paragraphs in Mr. Ellis and the Stonemans’ recent claims, largely for not disclosing a valid cause of action against the Islands Trust.

This was the second time that the Stonemans’ claims were struck for this reason.

The court did not rule on the merits of their claims but merely gave them 90 days to try again.

When local governments do not regulate development on unstable slopes, there is a real risk to life and property.

The Islands Trust’s actions are focused on protecting the safety and security of its communities.

Peter Luckham

Chair, Islands Trust Council

FULL CLASSROOM TIME This is a response to the letter by Linda Weinberg, “A misguided policy,” in the Echo of February 6, 2015. She asks for a written justification for the removal of two half days per month from the education of the children in School District #71 Comox Valley. The letter summarized a concern of many parents and family members who have to stretch their resources to provide child care for their children every other Wednesday afternoon.

This year the Comox Valley, Canadian Federation of University Women (CV CFUW) along with other BC clubs took on a project titled FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND POVERTY. Clubs were asked by our BC Council to gather stories from parents, grandparents, friends, aunts and uncles about childcare. These documented that a coordinated plan for available and affordable child care services needs to be a priority for government. These stories spoke strongly of barriers faced for finding such available and affordable child care.

It is difficult to find child care under any condition let alone having to find it also for every second Wednesday of the school

year. The members of CV CFUW are supporting the request of Linda Weinberg for information and going one step further.

A second concern, and perhaps the more important, is the loss of educational instructional time in the classroom on Wednesday afternoons.

We encourage the School Board of School District #71 to reinstate full Wednesday school time for students. Adding a few minutes to each day does not make up for the two hours of dedicated instruction time.

Please, members of the School Board, will you reinstate full classroom time for students on Wednesdays in the 2015-2016 school year?

Gail Nasadyk On behalf of CFUW Comox Valley.

LOSS OF VALLEY HERITAGE With regret I have cancelled the generous offer

by Evelyn Gillespie to participate in the “Authors for Independent Bookstores” day at the Laughing Oyster Bookstore on Saturday 2 May 2015.

Anyone familiar with my four Comox Valley books will appreciate my love of the history and heritage of the valley: Hamilton Mack Laing: Hunter-Naturalist (1985), The Wilderness Profound (1995), Is-

land Timber (2000), and Mountain Timber (2009), all of them published by Sono Nis Press.

I simply cannot believe that Mack Laing’s two houses in Comox are to be demolished despite the honest and unselfish efforts of the Mack Laing Society to preserve them.

Any house can be preserved if the will exists to do so, and excuses can always be found for demolition. Dedication and effort are always required to preserve our cultural heritage.

In the last decade I have seen a good many Comox Valley landmarks destroyed through civic neglect or arson, including the Courtenay Hotel, the Lorne Hotel, Leung’s store, Palace (Bickle) Theatre, the Currie (Radford) farmhouse on Balmoral Road, and now Mack Laing’s two houses.

All these buildings were of provincial and arguably national importance.

With the loss of the Lorne and Courtenay hotels, the nineteenth century has been expunged from the Comox Valley.

This destruction amounts to cultural vandalism.

Why should I celebrate books, history, and heritage with a community that consistently destroys what I have tried to protect and perpetuate?

Richard Mackie

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

11

Edible Island invites all athletes and fitness enthusiasts to the BAR Exam An exciting opportunity to sample, free of charge, a wide variety of sports and protein bars - and to win cool prizes On March 27th from 3 - 7pm, Edible Island will hold its first annual BAR EXAM - a chance for Valley residents to come to Edible Island and sample a large selection of nutrition bars such as Clif, Vega, Solo, the local Comox Valley Greens Bar, and the popular Rumble Energy Drink from Victoria.

Attendees can bring their appetite as well as their questions, since Edible Island has invited a naturopathic physician

who specializes in sports medicine.

Dr. Jennifer Dyck will be available for free fifteen minute oneon-one consultations.

There will also be product representatives and our on-staff nutritionist on hand to answer questions and give information on the bars.

Finally, there are prizes to be won - such as three $50 Mountain Equipment Co-op gift certificates, sports themed gift baskets, and much more.

“The Comox Valley has

Drop in to Edible Island on Friday and sample tons of sports bar products, win prizes, get a free consultation

Artist donates works for Laing Society (Continued from page 9) Under the terms of Laing’s will, “the funds will be used for improvement and development of his Shakesides home as a natural museum, 25 per cent of the cash realized to be used for capital improvements to the dwelling house, and the remaining 75 per cent to be invested by the town, the income earned thereupon to be applied towards the annual operating expenses of a natural history museum.”

Maingon said they’re not asking for taxpayers money to fund the renovations. The society’s first fundraising dinner and auction raised in excess of $7,000. They are hoping to get at least over $10,000 for Scott’s paintings and prints.

Meanwhile, another well-known writer, Richard Mackie, has also ex-

pressed his anger over the decision to demolish the Mack Laing homes.

Mackie has authored a number of Comox Valley books because of his love of the history and heritage of the region. They include: Hamilton Mack Laing: Hunter-Naturalist (1985), The Wilderness Profound (1995), Island Timber (2000), and Mountain Timber (2009), all of them published by Sono Nis Press.

“I simply cannot believe that Mack Laing’s two houses in Comox are to be demolished despite the honest and unselfish efforts of the Mack Laing Society to preserve them. Any house can be preserved if the will exists to do so, and excuses can always be found for demolition.

Dedication and effort are always required to preserve our cultural heritage,” said Mackie in his letter to the society.

“In the last decade I have seen a good many Comox Valley landmarks destroyed through civic neglect or arson, including the Courtenay Hotel, the Lorne Hotel, Leung’s store, Palace (Bickle) Theatre, the Currie (Radford) farmhouse on Balmoral Road, and now Mack Laing’s two houses. All these buildings were of provincial and arguably national importance.”

Mackie refers to them as “cultural vandalism.”

The author was scheduled to participate in the “Authors for Independent Bookstores” day at the Laughing Oyster Bookstore on May 2, 2015. But he cancelled it.

“Why should I celebrate books, history, and heritage with a community that consistently destroys what I have tried to protect and perpetuate,” Mackie said.

Brant Festival Events at Deep Bay Marine Field Station viu.ca /deepbay | deepbay@viu.ca | 250 740 6611 Dinner Lecture Series 2015 The Sea Among Us March 26 – Dr. Doug Bertram Apr 9 – Dr. Rick Harbo Apr 16 –Stewart Muir Apr 23– Dr. Andrew Trites Apr 30 – Dr. Paul Harrison Dinner: 5:30pm Lecture: 7:00pm Advance tickets only March 14 – April 10 The Birds – Redux A Fine Art Print Exhibition by Caroline James

so much to offer in fitness, recreation, team and individual sporting activities,” said Sue Clark, Edible Island’s co-owner.

“We see an abundance of athletes of all abilities engaging in their training everyday, many of whom

have a bar or power snack tucked into their pocket to fuel their efforts. This event is the perfect opportunity for our valley’s athletes to come in and try a bunch of bars....and maybe even win a prize.

It should be a lot of fun.”

Correction In Tuesday’s Echo, March 17, 2015, in the report regarding the transferring of the Nanaimo RCMP’s Operational Communications Centre to Courtenay, it was inadvertently stated the North Island 911 Corporation has a contract with the RCMP OCC in Courtenay to perform the initial answering function, and also supply funds for staffing. The North Island

911 Corporation does not contract with the RCMP nor pay for staffing.

For the North Island 911 coverage area, the initial answering point for emergency calls is E-Comm, which then directs the call to police (dispatch out of the Courtenay OCC), fire (Campbell River fire is dispatch) or ambulance (to BC Ambulance in Victoria for dispatch).

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

GEORGIA STRAIGHT JAZZ SOCIETY

Some trad jazz with N.O.L.A. Nighthawks this week For those people who have been asking when we’re going to get some more traditional jazz and the music of New Orleans, this is your week!

Andrew Homzy’s N.O.L.A Nighthawks return to the Avalanche stage this Thursday evening at 7:30.

People who attended the performance last September will remember the amazing night when the Av was packed; the place went wild with excitement generated by the amazing music; the dancers were out, and we were introduced to each tune with a short history lesson about the origins of the next number.

“What you heard last time was our debut performance,” Andrew told me in an interview last week.

“Since then, we played a Jazz Vespers at the church in Mill Bay, where we interacted with the minister in exploring the spiritual and celebratory side of the music - for example my arrangement of St. James Infirmary used the Bach chorale as a prelude.

“In Nanaimo, I recently produced a concert/dance at the historic and elegant Dorchester Hotel which attracted an audience of 200 people - a large majority of them were not jazz aficionados.

“We also did a parade complete with a 2nd line contingent carrying decorative umbrellas and our Grand Marshall throwingout beads to the audience.

“While my mission is to focus on the Art of jazz, we did acknowledge, in this case the party-band aspect of The Big Easy as well as the popular dance music - R’n’B and funk which had such a great influence on North American popular music. The buzz after that event was incredible.”

For their return to the Avalanche, Nighthawks will play at least a half dozen new pieces mixedin with what have become their personal and most popular favourites.

The band is even considering playing a piece

by Thelonius Monk which has a bayou connection.

“Our personnel remains the same, with the excep-

Andrew Homzy’s N.O.L.A Nighthawks return to the Avalanche stage this Thursday evening at 7:30. tion of Claudio Fantinato on clarinet. (For most, this is a real surprise since Claudio is recognized as star performer on the

sax.)

“This Thursday Claudio will be featured on a piece called ‘My Inspiration’ which was composed for

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(Continued on page 13)

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

13

BATES BEACH FARM JAZZ SERIES

New jazz combo performs Friday night at The Little Red Church in Comox The Bates Beach Farm Jazz Series continues this Friday evening at the little Red Church in Comox with the Comox Valley’s latest Jazz ensemble “Centerpiece Jazz” This exciting new 5 piece Jazz Combo, is loaded with talent with all first call local musicians, including a recent arrival to the Comox Valley, keyboardist, Bela Vernon, who, until recently, resided in Los Angeles recording and performing with jazz giants such as Pat Matheny, Maynard Ferguson and Moe Kofmann.

You will be treated to the dynamic vocals of Charity Munro, a versatile performer who specializes in a variety of genres, including Celtic,R&B, Pop and Jazz. Charity’s smooth vocal tone and ability to engage an audience are exceptional.

On Bass is veteran David Stevenson whose skills cross a broad range of musical genres. David brings strong credentials to the stage which include performances with the likes of PJ Perry and Louise Rose.

On Drums is Brian McNiff, a lifetime musician who has toured extensively with a variety of bands, throughout Canada and the USA. On Alto Sax, EWI and Clarinet is local favourite Rachel Fuller. an honours music graduate from Southampton University, with international touring credentials. A master soloist, Rachel has appeared in numerous local bands and wowed audiences with her high end performance skills.

Opening acts are a special feature of the Bates Beach Jazz Series and

Spring Fling and Easter Things We hope you can join us at the Courtenay Museum for our annual spring event on Saturday, March 28 from 11am to 2pm. Admission is by donation with half the proceeds going to the Shamrock Gumboots 4-H Club.

There is a lot of family fun planned within the three hours.

You can meet lambs, kids (baby goats), ducks, geese and chickens - all courtesy of the Shamrock Gumboots 4-H Club.

We will also be visited by the Hot Chocolates Rabbit between 12 noon and 1pm and he will be handing out delicious Easter chocolate.

The Elasmosaur mascot will be mak-

ing an appearance for fun photo opportunities. And, the popular Gillian from Detailed Face Painting will be here to paint faces for a small fee.

Don’t forget to bring along your decorating skills to join in the colouring contest. Other games include a Dinosaur Egg Hunt with a twist and “Guess How Many Treats” contest. There will be Easter prizes, balloons and door prizes.

The Courtenay and District Museum is located 207 Fourth Street in downtown Courtenay.

For more details either call 250-3340686 ext.5 or check out the Museum website at www.courtenaymuseum.ca.

THANK YOU You will be treated to the dynamic vocals of Charity Munro when Centrepiece Jazz performs Friday provide local musicians of all ages with the opportunity to perform. Friday’s opening act performance will feature 15-year old vocalist, Nicole Borowicz, a student of Highland Secondary. Nicole will be accompanied on guitar by fellow student, Josie Young.

The Bates Beach Farm Jazz Series is made possible by the generous Volunteer and Financial support of the Obal family (Grace, Mike and

Ben). All performances are family friendly with a concession offering tea, coffee, soft beverages and goodies. Net profit from the concession is matched by Sunwest RV for the benefit of veterans with PTSD. Doors open at 7:00 and performance begins at 7:30. Tickets at the door $12 and $10 advance, available at Bop City in Courtenay and the Red Carpet Boutique in Comox.

Comox Valley

Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful support you gave us during our spinathon on Feb. 28th at the Comox Rec Centre. Through your generosity we were able to raise $30,000.

In just one day to help financially disadvantaged kids. Special thanks to Glen at the Rec Centre for coordinating this event.

Nighthawks at Thursday jazz club (Continued from page 12) Andrew added, “Our charming vocalist - Brian Whitty, OCV - is a permanent band member and he will be featured in two new songs, one of them an original composition of mine called: ‘Frenchmen Street’. This will be a world premiere performance.”

As you can see, this is no ordinary evening - even

by the Jazz Society’s standards.

Get there early if you want to sit with friends in a favourite place in the lounge.

If it’s really busy by the time you arrive, help yourself to one of the stacked chairs and find yourself a place to fit. This will be a popular event. As well, the three course dinner options will be

available, so why not come out and discover why it is that Courtenay has the best jazz scene on Vancouver Island?

Like we were told by a visiting performer two weeks ago, “Everyone knows that as far as jazz is concerned, Courtenay is where it’s at.”

Admission is $10 for members and $12 for nonmembers.

All funds raised will be donated to the Comox Valley's Jumpstart Program. Donations can be made at the local Canadian Tire store.

278 North Island Highway, Courtenay

250-338-0101 •www.canadiantire.ca

14

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

‘Rock the Boat’ with Elizabeth May Green Party leader talks Saturday British Columbians are becoming increasingly frustrated with the Harp-

er Government, said Sue Moen, CEO for the North Island - Powell River Fed-

eral Green Party Association.

“If you are frustrated with politics as usual, it’s time to “Rock the Boat” with Elizabeth May and the Green Party of Canada,” said Moen.

Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for the riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands, has been named “One of the world’s most

influential women” by Newsweek magazine.

She will be speaking to local residents at the Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River on Saturday, March 28th from 4:30 to 6:30pm.

The newly formed North Island - Powell River Federal Green Party Association is on the move, having recently been officially

recognized by Elections Canada.

The new Executive has been busy providing monthly newsletters to members and outreach sessions across the riding.

Moen added that she is “thrilled that residents in the riding will have an opportunity to meet Elizabeth May up close and

personal”. In order to keep this event as intimate as possible, tickets are limited.

With the Green Party now polling at over 21% in British Columbia (EKOS), the upcoming 2015 Federal Election could be a real breakthrough, as they could hold the balance of power in parliament after the election.

WIN Canucks Tickets Wine, Wind, and Sea 361 Hunt Road playtimegaming.com HAPPY HOUR KICKS IN ON GAMEDAY!

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

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Who was the first non Canadian to serve as Captain of the Canucks?

What arena do the Canucks play home games at?

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.

Trevor Linden

Canucks first ever draft pick Dale Tallon was traded to what team?

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

Email:

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

Contest closes

March 25, 2015 @ 4 pm

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

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

WHAT'SON In the Comox Valley 24 TUESDAY COURTENAY LEGION • Will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday March 24 starting at 7:00 p.m in the George Swift Memorial Hall. Agenda items will include: Executive Committee Vacancy, Annual Auditor’s Report, Proposed expenditures, Request for Special Use Expenditure from Poppy Fund.

PEARL ELLIS GALLERY IN COMOX • Presents: “PEARL ELLIS GALLERY MEMBERS’ SPRING SHOW & SALE” From March 10th-29th. Open Tues - Sat from 10 am - 4 pm, Sun 1 - 4 pm, Closed Monday. Free Admission. Located at 1729 Comox Avenue. FMI and to see a virtual gallery of the current show go to www. pearlellisgallery.com ROYAL PURPLE DROP-IN BINGO • Every Tuesday night, 7 p.m., at the Elks Home on Sixth St. COMOX VALLEY WOOD CARVERS • If you are interested in any type of wood carving please join us at the Royston Community Hall every Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 3 PM for a day of carving and learning about carving. No experience necessary. FMI call Al at 250-331-0156 or Jim at 250339-5350.

VANCOUVER ISLAND BRAZILIAN EMBROIDERY STITCHERS • Meet every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Black Creek Community Hall. Please bring a bag lunch. FMI: Darlene 897-1345.

25 WEDNESDAY ASPEN PARK ELEMENTARY EXPO • Are you interested in local business, small home based businesses, or crafters/ hobbyists? Wanting to meet some new people in your community? Then we have the event for you!! Aspen Park Elementary is hosting an Expo featuring a variety of local businesses keen to showcase their products. Along with the Expo you may find your next favourite read at the used book sale, pick up a treat at the bake sale, or win one of the many door prizes available. Admission is by donation and all proceeds benefit the Aspen Park Parent Advisory Council. So, come on out on Wednesday, March 25th from 3-6pm at 2250 Bolt Ave, Comox (Aspen Park Elementary) and join in on the fun and excitement!

FREE MEDITATION CLASSES • Will be held every Wednesday from 6 to 7 pm at the Courtenay Libray, 300 6th Street, in Courtenay. For more information call us at (250) 954 5040 or visit our websites at www.freemeditation.ca or www.unescocenterforpeace.org/partners/.

PLAY BRIDGE • Every Wednesday at 7:00 pm at the Royston Hall, 3902 Old Island Hwy and Royston Road. FMI: 250-3341883 or roystonhall.com and on Facebook at Royston Community Club COMOX LEGION • Wednesday is Beer and Burger night, $10.00 per person 5.00 pm until 6.30 pm.

the Kitty Cat Prevent a Litter Society’s Annual General Meeting. You will find out more about the work we’ve been doing in the past year, and about some of the plans for the coming year. A new Board will be elected as well. Come and share stories with other volunteers & friends of the Society over coffee & light snacks after the meeting. Thursday, March 26 at 7PM. The Meeting Room at the Lewis Centre, 489 Old Island Highway

27 FRIDAY POETRY AND PROSE READINGS • Comox Valley Writer’s Society and the Courtenay Public Library invite the public to our Monthly Reading Series. New and published writers will read their work at the Courtenay Library Events Room from 11:45am to 1:15pm on Friday, March 27th, 2015. For more information and to sign up to read please call 338-0965. Everyone is welcome. This is a free event, refreshments will be served.

1OOTH KIWANIS ANNIVERSARY JUNKTIQUE • Kiwanis International was founded just 100 years ago in 1915. It is to be found in more than 80 nations and geographic areas. Membership in Kiwanis and its family of clubs is nearly 600,000 members strong, they annually raise more than US$100 million, and report over 18 million volunteer hours to strengthen communities and serve children. Kiwanis International shares the same founding year as the City of Courtenay. The Kiwanis Club of Courtenay is proud to fly the Kiwanis flag on one of the flag poles outside City Hall for the week beginning March 23rd. The Club will be holding a 100th Anniversary Junktique in St. George’s Church Hall on Friday March 27th from 6.00p.m. to 8.00 p.m. and Saturday March 28th from 8.00 a.m to 11 am.

CYCLING • Come join us on our Friday rides. We are a road cycling group of active adults and members of the Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society (CCCTS) www. cccts.org. At 10am (except in the months July and August when the start time changes to 9AM because of the heat). We meet at the Filberg Centre’s lower parking lot, 411 Anderton Courtenay, before setting off on a bike ride. We cycle at a medium pace of 20 kph for a 35 to 80 km ride and break along the way for refreshments. See www.cccts.org under tabs Day Rides/Comox Valley for the schedule or email bikehikepeople@gmail.com COURTENAY LEGION • Meat draws every Friday, 5-7 pm.

COMOX LEGION • Meat draws every Friday, 3 p.m. Open to all Legion members and signed in guests. Friday is still drop in darts night 7.30 pm toe line, $2.25 per person.

28 SATURDAY COMOX VALLEY FARMERS MARKET • 9-12 every Saturday at the Native Sons Hall, Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay.

FMI: www.comoxvalleyfarmersmarket.com COURTENAY LEGION • Meat draws every Saturday 2-5 p.m. in the lounge. Dancing to Gord Kruger and friends.

COMOX LEGION • Meat draws are held every Saturday 3 p.m. plus Ace of Spades draw.

26 THURSDAY “ARE WE BEING SOLD OUT? JOBS, TRADE AND THE ECONOMY” • An evening of information and discussion about corporate trade deals. Co-sponsored by CV Council of Canadians and Campbell River, Courtenay and District Labour Council. Guest speakers include Brenda Sayers and Ellen Gould. 7-9 pm Rotary Rm, Filberg Centre, Courtenay.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING • Join us at

15

30 MONDAY CRIBBAGE • Every Monday night, 7:00, at the Royston Hall, corner of Old Island Highway and Royston Road. No need to bring a partner. FMI: 250-334-1883.

LADIES AUXILIARY DROP-IN BINGO • Comox Legion Ladies Auxiliary Drop-in Bingo, upper hall. Doors open 6 pm, bingo 7 p.m. All money goes to charities.

Nahko has gained a reputation for his uplifting musical energy.

Atmosphere Gathering releases line-up for Cumberland festival Wide range of musical and artistic talent invited to Village Park in August

BY DREW A. PENNER Echo Staff Organizers of Atmosphere Gathering have revealed the initial list of live musicians, bass music scientists and artistic presenters who will take part in the cross-genre dance festival Aug. 14-15.

Nahko and Medicine for the People, Rising Appalachia, Fort Knox Five and David Starfire have been selected to headline three stages during the all-ages spectacle, with Humans, Plantrae, Kaminanda, Michael Fraser and Mat the Alien rounding out the release.

“We’re just really excited,” said Vig Schulman, of Cumberland Village Works, which is putting on the event with Little Island Productions. “The response has just been really encouraging.”

The festival is returning to Cumberland following the inaugural year, which brought A Tribe Called Red, Oka, Chali 2na and Tanya Tagaq to the community.

“We felt really strongly about going back to the park,” he said.

“It’s very much an all-ages community-based event. That’s what fits best into the park.”

The Librarian, Erica Dee and adham shaikh were part of the festival last year and will return for the second installment.

Schulman said the artistic community has jumped on board and is already helping to organize the event, adding many Cumberland businesses will be incorporated into the planning

After Rising Appalachia touched down in Cumberland last year, Atmosphere organizers realized they needed the group on this year’s bill. for the event.

It will be the first time playing in the Village for David Starfire, a California-based producer with a world and bass music fusion that has won him gigs alongside Daft Punk and the pyramids of Giza.

The same goes for Fort Knox Five, an established electronic act with latin, jazz and reggae influences planted firmly in the urban sphere.

After Rising Appalachia laid down a noteworthy performance at the Waverley Hotel last year, Atmosphere Gathering organizers decided they just had to have them on the bill for their 2015 festival.

“They’ve got an awesome

socially-active following in the States,” Schulman said.

“They’re a really big deal in that circuit.”

He hopes the gospel-esque edge to their explosion of fullon band sound will provide the perfect balance to the multiday event this year.

Similarly, Nahko and Medicine for the People has garnered a similar reputation.

“He’s definitely into the spiritual and personal healing of music,” Schulman said, referring to the leanings of the lead singer, who is of Apache, Puerto Rican and Filipino origins. “The music is amazing but the feelings he inspires at festival are uplifting.”

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

CARRIERS WANTED EARN $$$$$$$$ COURTENAY Rt. 7125 – Salsbury, Bood, Barford Rt. 7134 – Salsbury, Mills, Rachel, Houlgrave COMOX Rt. 1125 Rt. 2107A Rt. 2118 Rt. 2142 Rt. 2112A

– Daye, Hudson – Downey, Wallace, Gladstone, Comox Ave. – Comox Ave, Mack Laing, Baybrook, Orchard Park Dr. – Murrelet, Plover Court – Arbour Village - 680 Murrelet

COLEMAN ROAD AREA Rt. 4106 – Loxley, Avonlee, Sea Terrace Rt. 4107 - Coral, Fern, Kingfisher, Mariner, Avonlee MIRACLE BEACH Rt. 6111 – Seaview Road MISSION HILL AREA Rt. 5108 – Muir, Oakridge, Cherryridge, Mapleridge, Poplar Rt. 5124 – Walbran, Nit Nat, Mission Rd. VALLEYVIEW SUBSTITUTES NEEDED

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

www.comoxvalleyecho.com TUESDAY.MARCH 24, 2015

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ISLAND HOME FURNITURE Formerly Merit Home Furniture Courtenay

NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE Dear Valued Customer, and service for items purchased from Merit Home Furniture Courtenay.

On March 30th, will be moving to a new location under a new name ISLAND HOME FURNITURE in order to serve you better!

Our new building with our exciting new name ISLAND HOME FURNITURE is located directly across the street at 2966 Kilpatrick Avenue (former Liquidation World).

You can expect the same great service you’ve enjoyed over the past 10 years, from need at your New Favourite Store ISLAND HOME FURNITURE. We have a Fresh New Look and Fabulous New Products. port for purchases made at Merit Home Furniture Courtenay, prior to March 30, 2015. Simply come into our new ISLAND HOME FURNITURE store and our New System.

NEW STORE, SAME STAFF

Target

ISLAND HOME FURNITURE Great Canadian Oil Change

Chad’s Restaurant

(Old Liquidation World Building)

Walmart

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Old Merit Location

MOVING SALE! Take advantage of our 12 Months No Interest No payments, and Hugely Discounted Prices!

2966 Kilpatrick Ave Salvation Army

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During the transition phase, we must blowout our entire stock in order to save on moving costs, so everything is heavily discounted at the current Merit Home Furniture Courtenay location.