5 - Summer 2012 - Island Times Magazine

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2 - Summer | 2012

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

GROUP OF SEVEN Art ON SALT SPRING ISLAND A rare opportunity to experience historic Canadian Art

Island SpotlightS

Beautiful Botanical Beach and Cortes Island

ALBERNI VALLEY HISTORY

Captain Stamp's first-rate sawmill

Outstanding oregano Use inside and outside of the kitchen

100

DID YOU KNOW?

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE CELEBRATES

Facts about our Island lakes and rivers

EASY ISLAND RIDER

Electric cars hit the streets in Oceanside

barkley sound whales A close encounter with a resident whale

protector of parrots Parrot Refuge in Coombs rescues over 800 birds

country luxury Hastings House on Salt Spring Island

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Island Events

One of two whale watching adventures AND a silkscreen by Sarah Robertson, member of the Canadian Group of Painters (1933) P L AY

LIVE

E AT

S T AY

SHOP

EXPERIENCE

See our events section starting on page 34

COMMUNITY

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contents

COVER PHOTO:

Indian Church, 1941 - Emily Carr.

Image Courtesy of Pegasus Gallery. www.pegasusgallery.ca.

Visit www.islandtimesmagazine.ca and enter to win a Sarah Robertson silkscreen print courtesy of Pegasus Gallery.

9

Did You Know?

There are some neat things to know about our Island lakes and rivers.

EAT Painting by J.E.H. MacDonald, untitled,1930. Pages 20-21.

Images courtesy of Pegasus Gallery www.pegasusgallery.ca.

FEATURES 6

In 1859 Captain Stamp proposed the establishment of a first-rate sawmill in the Colony of Vancouver Island.

12

Botanical Beach

This beach is a must-see with its unusual rock formations and tidal pools brimming with sea and plant life.

10

Count on Cortes

22

Barkley Sound Whales

18

The Old School House CELEBRATES 100 Years

In Qualicum Beach, the Old School House is now an active arts centre.

20

COMMUNITY

28

This annual event also kicks off the area's month-long Beach Festival.

Where the Wild Birds Are

A Stay At Hastings House

30

Sand Sculptures in Parksville

33

Farmer’s Market Listings

We are pleased there are so many.

Easy Island Rider

These new cars in Oceanside are not your average electric vehicles.

w w w. i s l a n d t i m e s m a g a z i n e . c a

2

Outstanding Oregano

This herb is a tasty addition to a lot of meals and is a natural immune system booster.

26

Pegasus Gallery

The Protector of Parrots has rescued over 800 birds since she began.

Rated as one of the top 1000 Places to See Before You Die, Salt Spring Island’s Hastings House is like no other place in the world.

25

A moment in Canadian art history.

Cortes Island near Campbell River offers some of the warmest waters of the Gulf Islands, and many great provincial parks.

14

Featured Recipe

Seafood lasagna is a Vancouver Island staple and is so delicious.

One resident gets a close encounter.

Port Alberni’s First-Rate Sawmill

32

ONLINE

34

Summer 2012 Island Events

All articles and more available online

Editor’s

teot e NoN

Contact OUR TEAM SUMMER | 2012

I am in love with this issue of Island Times Magazine! Why? There are a few reasons, but mainly it is because this is our most varied issue to date. I learned a lot while I was working on these pages. In this issue of the magazine, I was particularly happy to see the Island’s arts community represented on the cover and within the articles about Pegasus Gallery on Salt Spring Island and The Old School House in Qualicum Beach, which is now an art gallery.

Island Times Magazine Box 956, Parksville, BC V9P 2G9 Ph: (250) 228-0995 Fax: (250) 586-4405 www.islandtimesmagazine.ca

Seeing an artist’s work re-printed within our pages is a small reminder that original, amazing artwork is plentiful on the island. Fortunately, one doesn’t have to go out of their way to appreciate it. The art is proudly showcased on city murals (like those in Chemainus), in galleries, provincial parks, retail stores, and even locally owned cafes, bars, and restaurants. Farmers markets and craft fairs held throughout the year are also popular places to pick up creative pieces ranging from paintings, sculptures, greeting cards, jewellery, clothing, and so much more.

Jolene Aarbo publisher@islandtimesmagazine.ca

Although printing some of the artists’ samples in our magazine is a nice tribute to the artists’ work, it cannot create the same experience as an in-person viewing. The arts are celebrated on a daily basis on the Island, and to see some of the pieces in person is a really neat experience.

In June, I was fortunate enough to come across a gathering of eleven artists taking part in Nanaimo’s annual Art Walk at Nanaimo Centre Stage Theatre on Victoria Road. This venue was one of many that participated in hosting the event, which all-in-all had over 20 artists contributing. During the art walk, each artist was present to showcase their work and discuss what motivates them, and what mediums they choose for each piece. So, if you’re lucky enough to meet an artist, ask away! Unlike historical works of art that date back centuries, where one can only speculate what the artist was intending, interacting with island residents can solve the mystery behind local art, which can lead to one's appreciation of what we see.

Sales & Marketing

Publisher Editor

Julie McManus editor@islandtimesmagazine.ca

Writer & Photographer Dona Naylor dona.naylor@gmail.com

Marian Slayter marian@islandtimesmagazine.ca

Contributing Writers Andrew S. Brown Brenda Gough Amy Hancock David Hobson Sharon Jackson

Corinne James Anthony Matthews Rachelle Stein-Wotten Matt Whelan

The views expressed by columnists are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of Island Times Magazine.

One of the artists I met during the Art Walk mentioned retiring from her day job to fully pursue her art. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” she said – a popular sentiment amongst artists on the Island. Fortunately for the artists, there is a lot of support and interest from island residents, fellow artists, and island visitors to keep each artist motivated to create more and more pieces for our viewing pleasure. It is our hope to work closer with the region’s many artists in future issue of our magazine.

Other topics we cover in our summer issue include the history of Port Alberni’s first-rate sawmill, the emerging electric vehicles in Oceanside, and the route to Botanical Beach. We also take you to Hastings House on Salt Spring Island, whale watching in Barkley Sound, and to Cortes Island for a tour. Read even further and you will learn the benefits of growing Oregano in your garden, and where to go on the best river tubing excursion this summer.

We also take the time to remind readers about the upcoming Beach Festival held every summer in Parksville. It starts off with the highly anticipated Sand Sculpting Competition on July 14. To round off the issue, we bring another animal story to readers, and another special recipe.

I hope you all enjoy this issue of the magazine as much as I enjoyed helping put it together.

It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our advertisers and all of our talented writers. We thank you for all the continued support and input.

This is just a reminder that if anyone has a story idea they would like to share, we welcome submissions. Or, if you have any suggestions for us, we’d love to hear from you. Please email publisher@islandtimesmagazine.ca.

Thanks for reading, and have a happy summer!

Juli e nus McMa

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ALBERNI'S FIRST-rate

Sawmill T

by David Hobson

Captain Edward Stamp’s “first-rate sawmill” in the Alberni Inlet

he Governor of the Crown Colony of Vancouver Island, James Douglas, received a letter dated December 21, 1859 from Captain Edward Stamp. The Governor had heard of Captain Stamp who had moved to Victoria in 1858 and had established a commission and importing business, Stamp & Co. He

quickly made a name for himself by proposing the creation of a steamship line between San Francisco and Victoria. Douglas may also have known that Stamp had been an agent for London interests in Puget Sound, Washington Territory.

The Captain proposed “to establish a first-rate sawmill in the Colony of

Vancouver Island, capable of delivering 50,000 feet of lumber per diem, a fishery and fish-curing establishment; a patent slip capable of accommodating vessels up to 2000 tons burthen; and other projects which we hope will materially conduce to the welfare of the Colony.” The enterprise would involve the outlay of several thousand pounds and the hiring of no less than 200 labourers.

What Stamp was asking for sounded simple: 2,000 acres on the seacoast suitable for agriculture, land for a population of 300 or 400 people, and 10,000 or 12,000 acres with exclusive rights to cut timber outside the Straits of Juan de Fuca.

But, it was far from a modest proposal!

By 1859, Victoria was quickly developing into a boom town, supplying thousands of gold seekers heading for the Fraser River Gold Rush. Lumber was needed for the building boom that followed in Victoria. It was time for the colony Top: Stamp Mill in Port Alberni. Above: Captain Edward Stamp. Photos courtesy of the BC Archives Collection

4 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

to take bold action.

Encouraged by the Governor’s support for the scheme, Stamp entered into

? w o n K IT

1

Captain

Edward

DID YOU

Stamp

was

born

in

Alnwick,

Northumberland in 1814. He served in the Crimean War as captain of a troop ship, The Emu, surviving the great storm of 1854 off Balaklava, Crimea. In Port Alberni District his name is recalled in the Stamp River, Stamp Falls, and Stamp Avenue.

2

Gilbert Malcolm Sproat was born on April 19, 1834 in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. He studied for the Indian Civil Service but ended up with Anderson & Company and travelled to Vancouver Island. While working with Captain Stamp and then managing the Anderson Mill, his interests extended to the First Nations of the inlet. He published “Scenes and Studies of Savage Life” in 1868. His study was “informed, thoughtful, and a sympathetic account of these people.” Sproat became the first Agent General of B.C. in London. When he returned to B.C. he worked endlessly writing, researching, and supporting First Nations’ claims

correspondence with W.A.G. Young, the Colonial Secretary for the

for justice. Sproat died in Victoria in 1913. Sproat Lake is

colony, to negotiate the details.

named after him.

Stamp had first seen Vancouver Island as early as 1857 and had been impressed with the timber. He informed his employers, Thomson & Co., in London. The company and its partner, Thomas Bilbe & Co., were willing to provide the needed capital for the sawmill venture.

3

One possible source of timber had already been mentioned in the

life ended mysteriously when he drowned in a canoe

Secretary in Victoria, recommended Barkley Sound for logging,

accident, although there was suspicion he was murdered.

suggesting the head of Alberni Inlet as a site for a sawmill. This report

Bamfield was named for him although one of these days

may very well have reached Captain Stamp.

someone might notice the spelling error.

On January 6, 1860, Stamp informed Young that he intended to

establishment – the nucleus of a town. Young replied that the conditions would be acceptable providing that the sawmill would be

4

carried into operation at once, and that permanent improvements to

contained within the red lines, is that which I have selected…”

There were several advantages to the mill site. For example, the

inlet led to the open sea, therefore, avoiding the dangerous channels

woodsman of all. Rogers logged at Alberni and Burrard

Rogers Creek and a Roger(s) Street named in his honour.

proposed sawmill. In a letter dated May 14, 1860 to the Colonial Alberni Canal and Somas [sic] River, the Timbered and Farming land

born in 1818, was considered by many to be the greatest

(Beach) short for Jerry’s Cove. In Port Alberni there is a

By this point a decision had been made regarding the site of the

Surveyor, B.W. Pearse, Esqr., Stamp provided a detailed “tracing of

Jeremiah Rogers from New Brunswick, where he was

Inlets. His name is remembered in the name Jericho

the value of 7,500 pounds would be made within the year 1860.

a seaman aboard HMS Constance in 1846. Returning in his life: trader, Indian agent, explorer, and interpreter. His

Eddy Banfield. His prophetic report of 1859, sent to the Colonial

select a good harbour and to commence his sawmill and fishing

Cornwall in about 1823. He came to Vancouver Island as 1849 he began trading on the west coast. Many jobs filled

reports of the Government Agent in (Barclay) Barkley Sound, William

William Eddy Banfield was born on the Isles of Scilly,

5

The schooner Meg Merrilies was likely named for the character in John Keats' poem of the same name. “Old Meg was a gypsy; and she lived on the moors...” islandtimesmagazine.ca | 7

ALBERNI'S FIRST-rate

Sawmill

and islands in Puget Sound and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, (which

steep slopes to the water’s edge.

would save a week’s worth of travel). Also, timber was available

By the end of 1862 Stamp and Co. began to worry about the

for water transport and the isolation of the site would discourage

supply of available timber. Luckily, they had been able to access trees

desertion from ships loading at the mill.

on the banks of Sproat Lake.

Stamp’s proposal then moved into the public domain with the

publication of the Stamp Correspondence on March 22, 1860 in the

Anderson Mill. James Thomson & Co. and Thomas Bilbe & Co. had

British Colonist. On April 2 and 3, 1860 the motion to accept the

had a working relationship with the ship-owning Anderson family of

Stamp proposal was debated in the House, the members of which

Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland for many years, starting with the

were bitterly divided. The two-day debate ended abruptly, however,

arrival of James Anderson in the firm of Thomson & Co. in 1828. In

when the Assembly realized that the Governor had already agreed

time, the company would eventually be called Anderson, Thompson

to Stamp’s proposal. The members of the Assembly were left with no

& Co. and then Anderson, Anderson & Co.

option but to pass the motion in favour of Captain Stamp’s mill. The

debate had been a farce!

company. Apparently a disagreement had arisen to which there was

Meanwhile, at Alberni Inlet, the schooners Meg Merrilies and

no happy solution. Stamp & Company ceased to exist with Gilbert

Woodpecker were bringing men, machinery, and supplies to the mill

Malcolm Sproat replacing him as manager. The Captain had retired,

site at the head of the Inlet.

it was said. The mill’s employees unanimously presented him with a

Captain Stamp and Gilbert Malcolm Sproat arrived at the site

gold watch and chain worth $250 (in 1863 dollars) as a token of their

on September 1, 1860. Stamp was to be the manager of the overall

"respect and esteem."

operations while Sproat had been sent from England to oversee

This generous act seems to contradict the impression given of

Thomson & Co.’s interests. Was trust in short supply?

Captain Stamp by many, who considered him difficult, overbearing,

Shortly afterwards (according to Sproat) they found the proposed

stuffy, quick to anger, and peppery. To others he was jovial and, above

mill site occupied as an encampment by the Tseshaht First Nation. A

all, loyal. Many thought of him as an energetic visionary and a promoter

negotiation followed with a settlement of goods worth 20 pounds

of bold ideas, although he was never able to stay with one idea very

agreed to for the sale of the village site. Any possible resistance from

long – a determined but restless man.

the Tseshahts was dampened by the presence of two loaded cannons

aboard the Meg Merrilies. The incident troubled Sproat.

lesson here.

The sawmill was completed by the end of May 1861 and was the

As for Captain Stamp, he went on to establish another export

largest and most important in the British colony. The first shipment of

sawmill on Burrard Inlet, which, when sold, became Hastings Mill, the

lumber (40,000 board feet) left for Victoria in July. This was followed

very spot where the city of Vancouver began. After that enterprise

shortly by a shipment of lumber and cured fish aboard the brigantine

failed Stamp began a salmon cannery in New Westminster. It was

Marcella to Callao, Peru [August 15, 1861]. The mill was cutting some

while he sought backers for his cannery in England that he suffered a

14,000 feet of lumber a day using a gang saw system.

heart attack and died on January 20, 1872.

After August 19, 1860 Alberni became a port of entry, allowing

ships to sail directly to the port without stopping at Victoria.

four sons, and a daughter. His wife and three of their children

continued to reside in England and finally resided in Turnham Green,

The mill was the first lumber exporting mill in what is now British

It was about this time that the Stamp Mill began to be called the

On February 3, 1863 Stamp and Anderson, Thomson & Co. parted

The mill ran out of timber and shut down in 1865. Surely there is a

Little is known of his private life. He had a wife, Maria (née Douggle),

Columbia with markets in California, England, Australia, Peru, the

Middlesex where Stamp died.

Kingdom of Hawaii, the Dutch Indies, China, and elsewhere.

Captain Edward Stamp has been called British Columbia’s first

Captain G.H. Richards (of the survey ship HMS Hecate) reported on

October 11,1861 that he found three ships and a schooner loading

industrialist – a fitting tribute to a man who first saw and believed in the future potential of Vancouver Island and the mainland.

with spars and lumber. Richards remarked that the place was evidently

Acknowledgments: My thanks to George Bird, Eric Sismey, Jan

thriving.

Peterson, The Alberni Archives, Frank Holm (AV Times), Linda Dorricott,

Lumber kept flowing out of Alberni Inlet throughout 1862. The

Roger Banfield, The Bailiffgate Museum (Alnwick, Northumberland), and

logging operation under Jeremiah Rogers, a top-notch timber cruiser

many others. IT

(and a legend in his life time) was able to find enough timber along the shores of the inlet. It was tough work, dropping giant trees with cross-cut saws, broad axes, and teams of oxen hauling logs down 8 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

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? w o n K

Photo courtesy of Dona Naylor.

DID YOU

1

by Julie McManus

Lakes & Rivers Edition EDITION

6

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year again – summer. And, during summer, we Islanders spend a lot of time doing what we do best, which is hanging around the many lakes and rivers the Island has to offer. Here are some neat things to know about fresh water dwellings.

2 3

4 5

Lakes are like fingerprints. They are all unique. The environmental conditions of a lake depend on a variety of factors, such as the watershed, geology, climate, human influence, and wildlife influence, to name a few. Each lake has its own unique shape and depth, kind of like a snowflake we’re assuming.

Who has the most salmon? Three towns claim to be the Salmon capital of the world: Ketchikan, Alaska, Campbell River, BC, and Port Alberni, BC. Who wins? It’s open for debate, but the Somass/Stamp River system in Port Alberni makes up the migration route for hundreds of thousands of mature salmon as they head for the spawning grounds.

Finding chinook salmon weighing well over 60 pounds in the area is not uncommon. Year after year, the annual Salmon Festival in September brings fishing enthusiasts from all over the world.

What makes up a lake? The ecological environment (aka “limnology”) of a lake consists of three zones: the littoral, photic, and benthic zones. The littoral zone of a lake consists of the underwater area sloping towards the shore; the photic zone is the area of water closest to the surface where sunlight is plentiful; and the benthic zone is the deepest part of the lake where sunlight cannot reach.

For years it has been said that Cameron Lake between Parksville and Port Alberni doesn’t have a known depth. It has also been said that an unidentified sea creature may also be living there. Locals around the lake have been reporting for years something massive rising to the surface and then disappearing again. Because of its size, there is doubt that it’s simply a fish or an eel, but perhaps something entirely different.

Of the 700 lakes in B.C., there are over 100 on the Vancouver Island, which is impressive considering the island’s small land mass. Find a list of Vancouver Island lakes at www.vancouverisland.com/lakes. The site also gives directions to each one, lists fishing conditions for each, and also provides dimensions. Most Islanders have heard of Sproat Lake, Shawnigan Lake, and Lake Cowichan, but the Island also has lesser known lakes like Kathleen Lake, Lizard Lake, and Junior Lake.

7

8 9

You’re never too far from a river when you’re on Vancouver Island.

Many people make use of the rivers in summer and cruise down them in inner tubes or other flotation devices. It’s a cheap activity that lasts hours. Cowichan River is most popular for this and people drive from all over to do it. In recent years the community has been concerned with the amount of trash that accumulates in the river due to the tubers, so remember to properly dispose of cans, bottles, and wrappers. Visit www.cowichanrivertubing.com.

Most people who have walked around Westwood Lake in Nanaimo are aware that the trail is exactly 6 kilometres around. But fewer people might know that Westwood Lake is a man-made lake, which technically makes it a reservoir or a water impoundment. This little valley was flooded in 1907-08 to create Westwood Lake as a hydroelectric power source. It's said that an old farm house is submerged beneath the waters at the south end.

The tiny logging community of Jordan River on the West Coast Road on southern Vancouver Island offers a terrific view of the open Pacific Ocean. Highway 14 makes its only approach to the ocean here before beginning to climb San Juan Ridge. Jordan River lies about 30 kilometres south of Sombrio Beach and is the home of the West Coast Surfing Association (also called the Jordan River Surf Club) (www. surfwsa.org). We have to wonder what its waves have over those of Tofino beaches.

The Campbell River region on the east coast has been inhabited for at least 8,000 years due to its abundance of salmon and other sea creatures such as cod, clams, oysters, and crab, which have always been a part of Campbell River’s appeal, whether for sustenance or sport.

Long known for its focus on salmon (remember, it’s in the running as Salmon Capital of the World?), Campbell River is more recently known for its high rate of sport-fishing enthusiasts. IT

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islandtimesmagazine.ca | 9

l a c i n a t o B h c a e B

by Dona Naylor

Unusual rock formations and tidal pools provide great explorations at Botanical Beach. Photo courtesy of Dona Naylor.

B

Botany Bay and Botanical Beach are on the south-west coast of Vancovuer Island close to Port Renfrew, and are well-known for their natural beauty.

efore setting out to the bay and the beach for the day, check a tide chart for Port Renfrew if you are serious about seeing the tidal pools and miniature aquariums carved into the sandstone.

It would be ideal to book your trip around a four-foot or lower tide.

To visit Botany Bay and Botanical Beach, we recommend the 255-kilometre Pacific Marine Circle Route, which is easy to follow for a day’s drive or a weekend adventure. The route includes Botanical Beach, Botany Bay, and so much more. Access is possible both from Victoria or from up-island.

From the north of Vancouver Island it is best to access this route

10 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

by going south towards Duncan and then heading west through the pretty towns of Lake Cowichan and Mesachie Lake. Follow this road to Port Renfrew, then carry on and stop at as many beaches as you choose.

Some suggestions are Sombio Beach, Mystic Beach, China Beach (has a provincial campsite), Jordan River Surf Beach, Sandcut Beach, French Beach (also has a campsite), Muir Creek, and Whiffin Spit. Then it is on to the town of Sooke, and then finally, Victoria.

While the road from Lake Cowichan is fairly new, it is used by active logging and has some rough patches. Please allow yourself a lot of time for the drive, do not rush, and ensure your have enough fuel because

there is a long stretch without service stations. We pulled a fifth wheel and drove with caution. It was also a great drive with lots of interesting things to see along the way.

Whenever I show up at a new island destination, I am always on the search for waterfalls, tidal pools, big trees, wildflowers, rocks, and other interesting elements of nature. South-west Vancouver Island did not disappoint!

The Harris Creek Sitka Spruce is very impressive and located between Lake Cowichan and Port Renfrew. The short trail was full of pink fawn lilies and trilliums. There is also a huge tree which stands at 82 metres beside Harris Creek. The age of this giant is not known.

Fairy Lake is a lovely spot to visit or camp and popular for sport fishermen. Take note of a small bonsai fir tree, clinging to life on the lake. There are trails and places to explore all along this route. Avatar Grove is also close by.

Pacheedaht First Nations Campground on San Juan Beach in Port Renfrew was lovely. We camped on the beach and had a wonderful campfire and took a few beach hikes. At the grounds there were some electrical hook-ups, but we opted for the beach and had the place to ourselves. The First Nations band members were very friendly and helpful.

Botany Bay is unique with its unusual rock formations. The trail along the shore from Botany Bay to Botanical Beach has incredible trees in a variety of shapes that seem like they want to wrap their arms around you while they tell their story.

Our explorations at Botanical Beach, which is a Provincial Park, were delightful. The area was rich with inter-tidal life, unusual geographical features, and hundreds of species of plants and animals which have needed to adapt to the unique and changing conditions of this rugged west coast beach. It is a photographer’s paradise. Our journey then took us on to the many beaches that followed, each one a little bit different and equally lovely.

Please keep in mind that although this area of Vancouver Island is amazing to view, there are some serious considerations while visiting this area. Beware of black bears and cougars. Watch for rogue waves and strong surf as well as very slippery areas.

Beware of the route as the tide comes in quickly and may not allow you access back. And please be considerate and leave the wonderful creatures in their homes.

Lastly, we decided to go into Victoria for our last night prior to the return drive to Qualicum Beach. Coming from the seclusion of Port Renfrew and camping on the beach, to seeing side-by-side RV’s in downtown Victoria, was quite a contrast. However, it too had its unique and interesting pleasures, located on the inner harbour at Westbay Marine Village, home to Victoria’s Harbour Ferry Fleet.

Our last stop was Goldstream Park and then home. We are already planning our next trip, following the same route. I am pretty sure we missed a waterfall at China Beach.

For more information and some useful maps before your own trip, check out www.pacificmarinecircleroute.com. IT

Dona Naylor.

If the tide is high and does notPhoto permitcourtesy walkingof the beach from Botany Bay to Botanical Beach, the forested path is remarkable for its unusual and shapely tree formations. Photo courtesy of Dona Naylor.

San Juan Beach is great for long driftwood walk with extensive sand and beautiful campsites at the Pacheedaht Camping and RV site in Port Renfrew. Photo courtesy of Dona Naylor.

Michael and his yellow lab riley honour the rules and stay on leash on the forested paths to Botanical Beach and Botany Bay. Photo courtesy of Dona Naylor.

Botanical beach has tidal pools full of interesting and delightful critters!

All ages will enjoy this unique and bountiful beach. Photo courtesy of Dona Naylor.

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islandtimesmagazine.ca | 11

s e t r o C COUNT ON

by Julie McManus

Photo courtesy of Island Light Photography www.islandlight.ca.

This summer, Island Times has chosen to feature the beautiful and friendly Cortes Island, located off the central east coast of Vancouver Island. We heard the waters are especially warm around the island, which makes it a big draw for swimmers, boaters, snorkelers, and many others.

C

ortes (pronounced ‘Cortez’) Island near Campbell River on Vancouver Island is located at the entrance to Desolation Sound and is considered one of the most magical of the Discovery Islands. Although it is only 25km long by 13km wide, Cortes is home to approximately 1,000 permanent residents and has a varying terrain of placid lakes, sandy beaches, wooded areas of Arbutus and Manzanita trees, dense forests full of fir and cedar, rugged gorges, and bleached granite bluffs. Visitors may come just for the amazing scenery alone, yet Cortes Island has so much more to offer.

The island has three small villages including Whaletown near the ferry dock, Manson's Landing with shops and galleries, and Squirrel Cove a popular anchorage facing Desolation Sound with a well stocked general store, craft shop, and restaurant. Be sure to visit the Cortes

12 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

Island Museum on Beasley Road next to the fire hall to learn some of the cultural and natural history of Cortes and the surrounding areas.

After soaking up some history, a vacation to Cortes Island might also include viewing the boats and yachts at the marina in Gorge Harbour before heading out for salmon fishing (said to be legendary – these waters yield some of the largest salmon caught on the west coast of BC). For convenience there are chartered boats available for the best fishing out there. Cortes is also good for fresh water fishing (Hague Lake is particularly good for this) and the ocean beaches are famous for picking succulent shellfish when in season. Another way to get out on the ocean is to book yourself onto a guided sight-seeing sailboat trip or rent kayaks with the local adventure companies like Misty Isles and Crossing Borders.

Cortes Island is also a dream destination for picking blackberries, huckleberries, salmonberries, and thimbleberries. If you’re feeling energetic after eating all those berries you’ve found, try hiking and biking on the old forest roads to burn off some energy. Carrington Bay and Von Donop Inlet provide many trails for the more adventurous personalities, but there are many marked walks too in Kw’as Regional Park, which begin at the end of Kw’as Bay Road or from the park sign on Seaford Road near the Cortes Motel.

Don’t forget to check out the many provincial parks on Cortes – each with something unique to offer. Check your brochures for these names: Ha'thayim (Von Donop) Marine Provincial Park – a joint venture between the Klahoose First Nation band and BC Parks, Manson's Landing Provincial Park, Smelt Bay Provincial Park, Hague Lake Regional Park, Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park, and Read Island Provincial Park on the southern tip of neighbouring Read Island (access via Whaletown or Manson's Landing).

Feeling hungry again? Top up with a picnic lunch of fine, organic foods offered at one of the island’s many locally owned shops, general stores, restaurants and cafes.

Accommodations on the island range from private holiday rental properties, B&B’s, beach houses, resorts, lodges, campgrounds, and a motel. One of the Island’s biggest draws is its numerous beach houses on the waterfront, ocean view cottages, and romantic hidden cabins where you can truly experience the scenery for which the island is renowned. Check out all the accommodation options by visiting www. cortesislandtourism.ca where you can find locations to house individual kayakers, intimate gatherings, large family reunions, and corporate retreats.

If you want to take your relaxation to the next level, Canada's Lifelong Learning Centre, Hollyhock is also on Cortes. At Hollyhock you will find various workshops, conferences, and restorative getaways, which may include ethnically inspired meals, naturalist guided walks, meditation and yoga, relaxing bodywork sessions, outdoor hot tubs, kayaking, sailing adventures, and tours of their fabulous organic garden.

Accessing Cortes Island can be done a number of ways,most popular is via a ferry boat. First, catch the ferry in Campbell River. In ten minutes you will arrive at Quathiaski Cove on the west coast of Quadra Island. A 15-minute drive across to the east coast of Quadra brings you to Heriot Bay – the ferry terminal for the 45-minute ferry trip across Sutil Channel to Cortes Island. For a more direct route, water taxis also operate out of Campbell River to Cortes. The cost is divided amongst the number of passengers. People with their own boats can also launch at Lund on the Sunshine Coast. If you’d rather fly by seaplane, direct flights to Manson's Landing are available during the summer from Vancouver. Or take the Cortes Connection Shuttle Bus from Campbell River instead of driving.

There is a lot more to Cortes that we cannot fit on these pages, so we urge you to explore for yourselves! Visit www.cortesislandtourism. ca where you will find links to local activities, events, accommodations, shops and restaurants. IT Read this article and more at www. islandtimesmagazine.ca.

Send your comments to comments@ islandtimesmagazine.ca.

Photo courtesy of Dona Naylor.

Photo courtesy of Island Light Photography www.islandlight.ca.

Photo courtesy of Island Light Photography www.islandlight.ca.

Photo courtesy of Ester Strijbos.

Photo courtesy of Ester Strijbos.

islandtimesmagazine.ca | 23 islandtimesmagazine.ca | 13

y r t n Cou y r u Lux LIVING THE

by Dona Naylor

HASTINGS HOUSE on SALT SPRING ISLAND

I

t’s been rated by best-selling author Patricia Schultz as one of the 1000 Places to See Before You Die. Salt Spring Island’s Hastings House is like no other place in the world.

A member of Relais & Châteaux, an association of the world’s finest hoteliers, chefs, and restaurateurs that has set the standard for excellence in hospitality, and eight-time Grand Award Winner in Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report, Hastings House Country House Hotel offers some of the most luxurious lodging and finest cuisine on Salt Spring Island.

From the moment you arrive you can’t help but be in awe of the peace and tranquility of the 22-acre waterfront resort located close to the village of Ganges.

Its natural and human-inspired beauty is like a breath of fresh air.

While you are greeted with genuine, warm hospitality, you are also made to feel like a VIP. Manager Kelly McAree said they provide an experience that is both refined and relaxed and they believe in upholding classic traditions.

“Everybody who comes here is an honoured guest and we give them the VIP treatment,” he says.

The resort provides the finest quality in everything they do.

Whether your accommodations are in the stately Tudor-style Manor House, the restored historic Post Cottage, or any one of 18 distinct suites, you’ll be captivated by the ambiance of this pastoral estate and impressed with the impeccable, personalized service throughout the hotel.

The elegant rooms offer views of Ganges Harbour, rolling meadows, or the flower-filled gardens.

14 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

Each room features a fireplace, cozy eiderdown duvets on luxurious beds, fluffy robes, over-sized towels, and elegant toiletries; many have private balconies and deep soaking tubs as well.

The Gardens, maintained by two full-time gardeners, are filled with flowers, herbs, and vegetables, and are deserving of a tour. McAree admitted that while the gardens are beautiful they also play an important role at the resort.

“Everything you see growing here comes from our gardens. It is rotated continually throughout the year. We start with our seedlings fairly early in the year and we also store some of our over winter plants in the greenhouse,” he says.

If you have time, wander through meadows filled with grazing sheep and the woodlands with views of the bustling harbour.

Bonny O'Connor and Jerry Parks, owners of Hastings House, have generously opened their grounds to showcase some exquisite sculptures. In addition to the pieces at Hastings House, a sculpture trail has been created in the park just off Churchill Road.

As you meander through the wooded trails, you will find creative pieces of artwork among the trees. You can view the wonderful installations during the weekly guided tour of the hotel pieces and enjoy the Churchill Sculpture trail at your own convenience.

With little touches, including each guests' name printed on a card attached to the door of their suite, fresh cut flowers in the rooms, cappuccino machines, filtered water, and wine glasses, the experience and ambiance at the resort is second to none.

You can indulge your palate from morning to night, starting with

Photo courtesy of Brenda Gough.

by Brenda Gough

Rated by best-selling author Patricia Schultz as one of the 1000 Places to See Before You Die, Salt Spring Island’s Hastings House is like no other place in the world.

a complimentary wakeup hamper delivered to your door and a hearty English breakfast served in the Manor House.

High tea is included and served in the living room of the Manor House each afternoon at 3:30pm.

The best food always begins with the finest ingredients and exquisite multi-course dinners that are changed each day are served in the dining room or verandah both with spectacular views of Ganges Harbour.

Rated as one of the best restaurants in B.C., Hastings House dining is a refined yet relaxed experience featuring the freshest local meats, seafood, herbs, and produce from the estate gardens and orchards.

Shelley Kobylka, head gardener since 2000, conjures up a display of colours, textures, and wit throughout the gardens.

Guests with a special interest in gardens should ask at reception if Kobylka is available to give them a tour, or to spend a moment sharing with them her wealth of knowledge.

Hastings House has its own kitchen gardens for fresh flowers, vegetables, greens and herbs, as well as orchards for soft fruits and berries. Having home-grown produce at his fingertips each day allows Chef Marcel Kauer to plan the menu daily, according to what is in season.

Each year he consults with Kobylka to plan the next year’s crop. They also harvest a cornucopia of produce from island farms.

Chef Kauer’s daily menus are complemented by an award-winning wine cellar focusing on the best of B.C. wines and gems from around the world. Hastings House has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence many times for its remarkable wine list. To enhance the dining experience of the most refined palates, they offer wines that complement the sumptuous meals.

Whether your taste runs to first-growth Bordeaux, iconic Aussie

Shiraz, or California Cabernet, Italian Super Tuscan, or delicate German Riesling, you will find them on the list alongside interesting but less well known offerings from Spain, France, Italy and B.C. Chef Kauer’s regionally inspired continental-style cuisine is at the heart of every stay at Hastings House. Every dish is prepared imaginatively but simply, allowing guests to savour the fresh ingredients.

The village is a ten-minute stroll away from the estate or you can take a ten-minute cruise to the centre of shopping and galleries aboard a passenger shuttle from the marina next door.

If you would like to head off for an adventure on the water, why not try out an onboard hands-on workshop on crab lore? The educational excursion will show you how to tell males from females, which ones to cook, how to pick them up safely, and later back at the dock, how to clean them.

After returning to shore, guests take their catch of Dungeness crab back to Hastings House for dinner the following night, along with a recipe book packed full of crab dishes, and a handy tool for measuring crab size.

The next day, Chef Kauer will demonstrate the best way to cook and dress the crustaceans before he creates a culinary masterpiece of a crabthemed dinner to celebrate the catch.

The two-night Crab Catch package runs from May 1 to September 30 and McAree said this year he and other staff, including the chef, have been certified to conduct the crab tours.

The stately Manor House was built in 1938-40 by Warren Hastings to replicate his family’s 11th century home in Sussex, England, using natural stone and native woods from the property. He and his wife Barbara lived on the property until 1978. islandtimesmagazine.ca | 15

Chefs Water ACROSS THE

Hastings House Country House Hotel and Dining Room is pleased to present the 2012 Chefs Across the Water Series in which distinguished chefs from the Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands participate in a series of gastronomic island adventures.

Top B.C. Chefs have been invited to prepare multi-course dinners in the Hastings House Dining Room incorporating the best of Salt Spring Island seafood, livestock, and Hastings House Country House's own garden's freshest fruits and vegetables, carefully paired with wines and cocktails to perfectly complement their courses.

Proceeds from the series go towards the Salt Spring Agricultural Alliance's new project – a produce cold storage facility to further enhance island farmers' infrastructure for a sustainable farm community on Salt Spring Island.

This year's chefs were invited by their Relais & Chateaux partners in the area, The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, The Wedgewood Hotel & Spa in Vancouver, and Sonora Resort on Sonora Island.

Chef Nicholas Nutting of the Wickininnish Inn prepared his five course dinner on June 11. Chef Lee Parsons of The Wedgewood Hotel & Spa will be offering his five course dinner September 17, and Chef Terry Pichor of Sonora Resort will be preparing his five course dinner October 16.

Seating times for each event is 7pm with limited seating available for these amazing opportunities to enjoy fine cuisine from some of the finest hotels in the world.

The five course dinners are $100.00, with wine pairings available for $40.00, per person, plus tax and gratuities.

To reserve call (800) 661-9255.

Photo courtesy of Brenda Gough.

The heart of the Hastings House – the original residence – now hosts the dining room, kitchen, the Snug, and the living room, with its large Inglenook fireplace where guests are welcome to enjoy a good book or game at any time of day.

The fireplace is a reproduction of a type found in Tudor homes in Sussex. The stones for the fireplaces and chimneys were all quarried on the estate’s own land.

The wood floors are of end-grain fir, random width, fastened with black boat nails. The iron hardware for hinges on the doors and iron window frames were made by the local blacksmith. The hand split shakes for the roof were made locally as well.

A clay pot Mr. Hastings had brought from England is buried beneath the hearth “to keep the witches away.”

Four other historical buildings comprise the Hastings House Resort.

Of special note is The Farmhouse, which was built around the turn of the century and was long thought to be haunted because of its colourful history. It was converted into a workshop after the Manor House was built, and finally into a pair of two-storey premier guest suites in 1980.

McAree confessed there are some helpful spirits at the estate.

“Without sounding too crazy…I have heard my name called in the kitchen a few times when I am the only one around. It is usually in the form of reminders…for example Mrs. Hastings as we refer to her reminds me to wash my hands when I am cooking. Stuff like that.”

In 1980, Warren Hastings sold the property to Shan and Donald Cross of Calgary, Alberta, who turned the estate into an elegant hotel. Fifteen years later the current owners purchased the property with the goal of maintaining the courtesy and charm of Hastings House. Since then, the dining area in the Manor House has been expanded to accommodate dinner guests who are not staying overnight.

Seven new Hillside Suites, including the Somerset Premier Suite, have also been constructed on the hillside above the Manor House located at 160 Upper Ganges Road.

There is a minimum stay of two nights during July and August and long weekends. Check in is any time after 3pm and check out time is 11am. Staff will happily store baggage for early arrival or late departures.

Complimentary transportation to and from the ferry and float-plane docks is available. IT

To reserve call toll-free: (800) 661-9255.

Visit www.hastingshouse.com for more information.

Read this article and more at www.islandtimesmagazine.ca.

Send your comments to comments@islandtimesmagazine.ca.

16 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

Photo courtesy of Brenda Gough.

Enjoy the fall season Photo courtesy of Brenda Gough.

Photo courtesy of Brenda Gough.

October 1st - 31st at Hastings House.

islandtimesmagazine.ca | 17

s r a e Y 100

by Corinne James

FROM OLD SCHOOL HOUSE TO ARTS CENTRE in qualicum beach

A

The Old School House, circa 1819.

ELISSA ANTHONY

PATRICIA CARROLL

nother milestone is being marked by the building at 122 Fern Road West. The existing building is celebrating one hundred years of active service. As a point of interest, this beautiful late Edwardian structure was the fourth school to be used in Qualicum Beach. The first school in 1896 was located on the corner of Memorial Drive and the Island Highway, both of which were "wagon trails� in those days. It closed because of reduced population. In 1907 the Jones family, with their 11 children, turned an old house on their property into a school. When it burned down in 1910, the chicken house was cleaned up and used so that the students could complete the term. The next term’s classes were conducted in a house between Second Avenue and Fern Road while our current building was under construction.

The new school opened on August 24, 1912 with two classrooms, two teachers, and 41 pupils from grades one to eight. In 1952 a second building was completed in a separate location for use as a high school. In 1976, when the new elementary school was built, the school board moved its offices to 122 Fern Road. In 1985 the building was vacated and put up for sale. The Town of Qualicum Beach purchased the land and building for $50,000.

Restoration then began on the building which is now The Old School House Arts Centre. The dedication and support of numerous volunteers and the community as a whole have created a building in which we can take

LISA DANESIN

LESLIE GREGORY

ELSIE GRIFFITHS

pride. It has been 25 years since the Arts Centre opened. Our three galleries provide a beautiful venue for visitors to appreciate and buy works of art by professional artists from B.C. Visitors have the opportunity to get a first-hand perspective of the creative process by watching our Resident Artists at work in their studios.

Their mediums include watercolour, acrylics, pastels, pottery, silversmithing, and photography. The painters include Elissa Anthony, Patricia Carroll, Cindy Mersky, Lisa Danesin, Dave Davies, Elsie Griffiths, Leslie Gregory, Ann Holtby Jones, Jacqueline Smith, Elena Travanut, and more.

The high-quality work and craftsmanship of 150 Vancouver Island artisans make the Gallery Gift Shop the perfect place to find a special piece.

Music On Sunday, our ongoing concert series, has become an important Vancouver Island cultural attraction. Concert-goers enjoy an eclectic range of genres such as jazz, classical, folk, blues, and world music by professional musicians from across North America and abroad in an intimate gallery setting.

The Old School House Arts Centre invites everyone to a spectacular, event-filled extravaganza on July 28 to celebrate the 100th birthday of our grand old building. The event opens on the grounds of TOSH on Saturday morning at 11:00am with the annual Grand Prix d'Art painting race. Artists will be working "en plein air", painting their pictures based on scenes around the lovely and quaint town of Qualicum Beach. Saturday visitors can browse leisurely through the all-day Art in Action feature, which is an interactive arts festival that will involve arts and crafts people of all levels and mediums.

Opus Art Supply is sponsoring a kids’ hands-on art tent.

The fifty-piece Nanaimo Concert band will take the stage on the celebration grounds at 12:00pm. The Nanaimo Concert Band is proud to be known as Canada's oldest continuously operating concert band. The band is recognized as one of the finest groups in the country.

Taiko drummers have been invited from Japan to offer workshops for children, teens, and adults throughout the final two weeks of July, and all workshop participants will perform as part of the July 28 Taiko Drum Concert at 2:00pm.

The painting race ends at 2:00pm, at which time artists and visitors will reconvene at The Old School House Arts Centre for the judging, exhibition of the paintings, and presentation of the awards. There will be a cake-cutting and then a participatory concert at 4:00pm featuring two of those unique and historically important electronic instruments known as theremins. In the evening there will be a dinner and dance for the entire community. This “Dinner Under the Stars” will be held outside the Arts Centre with live music provided by a seven-piece band. Everyone is invited to join us for any of these events. IT

The Giftshop at the Old School House Art Centre.

A gallery at the Old School House Art Centre.

Visit www.theoldschoolhouse.org or call (250) 752-6133 to view upcoming events, workshops, and more about this Qualicum landmark.

Read this article and more at www.islandtimesmagazine.ca.

Send your comments to comments@islandtimesmagazine.ca.

Grand Prix D'Art Painting Race (John Mortenson). Photo by Sandy Gray.

ANN HOLTBY JONES

CINDY MERSKY

JACQUELINE SMITH

DAVE DAVIES

ELENA TRAVANUT

t r A y r o t s i H A MOMENT IN CANADIAN

by Anthony Matthews

F

ounded in 1972 by the late Reg Ashwell, the Pegasus Gallery of Canadian Art, located at 1-104 Fulford-Ganges Road on Salt Spring Island, continues to showcase some of the finest historical and contemporary Canadian and Northwest Coast art in the region.

In the current exhibit, AJ Casson and the Group of Seven, the gallery has brought together a selection of remarkable paintings and works on paper by Casson and other members of the Group of Seven and their circle. Works by Lawren Harris, Tom Thomson, J.E.H. MacDonald, Edwin Holgate, Franz Johnston, AY Jackson, and others will be on showcase alongside the popular contemporary work by Salt Spring’s own Randolph Parker. The exhibit runs until July 11.

Building collections for 40 years, Pegasus Gallery offers important investment quality Canadian art, both painting and sculpture, including works by the Group of Seven, Robert Pilot, the Limner Group, Painters Eleven, WJ Phillips, Sybil Andrews, the Beaver Hall Group, Sorel Etrog, and Cornelius Krieghoff. The gallery also represents fine local contemporary painters and sculptors as well as contemporary and historical Northwest Coast Native art, carving, and baskets of the Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian, Salish, and Kwaquitl tribes.

Scholarship is important to us at Pegasus, and recently the gallery instituted a monthly programme of informal, yet informative talks designed to create a dialogue and understanding

20 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

of art appreciation and collecting. Held on the first Thursday of each month from 6 to 8pm, the 'First Thursday’ talks present a unique facet of the art world. Come and learn more about Canadian Art movements, First Nations art, how art is created, and how the art market operates. Visit our homepage at www.pegasusgallery.ca for info on our upcoming events and talks.

A fine painting needs a fine frame, and we operate a fullservice frame shop to complement the fine art gallery. Pegasus Gallery Framing is located near Long Harbour and Robinson Road on Salt Spring. Located across the road from the artist studios and showrooms of Merchant Mews, the framing gallery offers custom, archival framing of your fine art and family mementos. We also provide custom crating and worldwide shipping. Our restorer can clean and repair your aged, dirty, or damaged artwork, and we provide safe, secure, long- or short-term storage of your valuable artwork while you are travelling or away from home. Give us a call if you have any art-related questions. We might just be able to make your day.

When on Salt Spring, stop by and say hello, visit our exhibits, and enjoy the gallery ambiance. Everyone is welcome.

IT Summer hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm.

Visit www.pegasusgallery.ca for more information and event listings.

Read this article and more at www.islandtimesmagazine.ca.

Sarah Robertson Print, "Ice Cutting" c. 1948, 20� x 25� Sampson-Matthews Silkscreen.

Print valued at $1,200. Go online to enter to win. Visit www.islandtimesmagazine.ca.

The Pegasus Gallery of Canadian Art is excited to kick off a very unique opportunity to present a 40th anniversary summer exhibition schedule with A. J. Casson and the Group of Seven Canadian Artists. This historic event is a rare opportunity to preview famous Canadian art on beautiful Salt Spring Island.

Walter J. Phillips Installation, Pegasus Gallery.

Diana Dean Installation, Pegasus Gallery.

Peter McFarlane Shapeshifters Installation, Pegasus Gallery.

Photos courtesy of Matthew Maran: www.matthewmaran.com.

e s o l C nt ers

u o c En

by Amy Hancock

T

IN BARKLEY SOUND

hey could see the blow hole spray off in the distance indicating there were Gray whales feeding in the area, just as they expected. The engine of the whale watching Zodiac boat is cut well over 100 metres from where the first whale was spotted. Excited to have spotted these feeding whales in Barkley Sound near Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island, these keen observers sat back and got ready to enjoy the show.

They were about to get a lot more of a show than they had ever anticipated.

“We were whale watching near the western shores of Barkley Sound," says Brian Congdon of Subtidal Adventures, who has been operating whale and wildlife tours in Ucluelet for over 30 years. “Then suddenly one individual whale decided he wanted to play and swam right over towards us.”

There the whale stayed, up close against the Zodiac turning his head upwards so his giant eye could look at the people on the boat. I guess you could say this curious and friendly Gray whale was "people watching." Weighing over 35 tonnes and measuring over 15 metres, this magnificent creature came close enough for his new friends to reach out and touch him.

“This hardly ever happens,” shares Congdon. “Not only did the whale allow us to reach out and touch him, he kept coming back for more. He was obviously aware of his position next to the boat and even rubbed against it a little bit to scratch the barnacles on his head.”

It was spring time when Congdon and other local whale watching operators started to be approached by the whales. Congdon mentioned it was always the same whale that comes to the boat and sometimes he brought a friend. The whales continued to act that way for several weeks after the first encounter. His experience in identifying individual whales allows Congdon to think he may have seen this

12 22| | islandtimesmagazine.ca islandtimesmagazine.ca

friendly Gray whale before.

“We had an experience like this one about 15 years ago and I think it might actually be the same whale,” he says. “It was the same time of year and this individual kept swimming up to our boats. I will have to look at my old photos and see if I can identify him.”

Gray whales are migratory animals. Each spring 20,000 Gray whales migrate from the warm breeding and nursing grounds in Baja, Mexico towards the nutrient rich seas near Alaska and beyond where they feed. Many of these whales stop for the season in Barkley Sound to feed on spawning herring and other food sources. Several individual whales are identified year after year as resident Gray whales.

Sometimes these identified whales are not spotted for a couple of seasons, but as it seems, this friendly individual may have returned to our little piece of coastline.

“Close encounters like these are just the icing on the cake for wildlife viewing. We get a close swim-by maybe once a year if that but to actually have a whale physically come over and hang out is pretty rare and it only happens every five years or so,” says Congdon, adding that “we cut our engines at 100 metres and if anyone wants a closer look, it’s totally up to the whale.”

The whale was so close to the boat that passengers could see barnacles that were living on the whale’s skin opening and closing as they fed on microscopic plant life in the water. Little hairs could be seen on its wet, cold skin and that mysteriously warm eye, tilted upward to make contact with its admirers, gave them the experience of a lifetime.

“People are so incredibly moved by this experience,” concludes Congdon. “It is just amazing.” IT For more information, or to book your own whale watching tour, email info@jamies.com or call (800) 667-9913.

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o n a g e r O

by Andrew S. Brown

NATURALLY BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

A

n herb garden is able to bring beauty to a yard, nutrition and flavour to the kitchen, and even provide medicine for our bodies. While planning an herb garden, one of the first plants to consider should be Oregano. It is found in recipes throughout the globe, as it grows well in most climates, and is a perennial eliminating the need of yearly planting. Most naturopaths, as well as other healthcare professionals, also recognize the herb for its medicinal and health benefits.

Oregano is most commonly recognized for its distinct flavour in pizza, pasta sauces, and mexican dishes, and you will occasionally see it in slightly more “exotic” foods like curries. Their are several different types of oregano that range from a mild to an intense, almost spicy flavour. The leaves are usually purchased dried, which with some varieties will actually enhance the herb’s flavour, though fresh leaves are preferable for taste and nutrition.

Besides its great taste, oregano is rich in nutrition and is recognized for its medicinal properties. It is very high in vitamin K, and is a good source of manganese, iron, fibre, and calcium. It is also a potent antioxidant. For medicinal use, a concentrated form of oregano can be purchased from health food stores known as “oil of oregano.”

Traditionally, it has been recognized for its antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial use. A few drops of oil diluted in some juice or water can help to eliminate soar throats, colds, respiratory infections, sinus congestion, digestive problems, and strengthen the immune system. The oil is quite potent, and it is advised to follow the directions on the bottle closely, as a larger dose can cause discomfort during urination. As with anything, it is important to consult with a health professional, especially if you are pregnant or anemic, as it may reduce the ability of the body to absorb iron.

When planting oregano in the garden, the easiest way is to purchase a small plant from a garden store, though more varieties are available from organic seed companies as seed stock. Choose a

A SUPER VEGETABLE

planting area that gets a lot of sun, and has fairly dry soil with good drainage. It needs very little maintenance, and within a few years will develop into a plant that can reach up to 20 inches, and supply you and your neighbours for the year. To store, either dry it and place in an air-tight jar, or freeze into ice cube trays in individual portions. IT Read this article and more at www.islandtimesmagazine.ca.

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islandtimesmagazine.ca || 21 15 islandtimesmagazine.ca islandtimesmagazine.ca | 25

s e r u t p l u c S INSPIRING

by Julie McManus

CANADIAN OPEN SAND Sculpting COMPETITION IN PARKSVILLE

S

ummer on Vancouver Island wouldn’t feel like summer at all without the annual Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition. The competition kicks off a two-month-long stretch of events in Parksville that make up the Island’s very popular Beach Festival. This year, events take place between July 14 and Aug. 19, so there is plenty of opportunity to check out the sculptures from the competition now in its 30th year.

Parksville's Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition will take place at the Parksville Community Park on July 14 to 15 with the exhibition open until Aug. 19. Last year, events proudly organized by the Parksville Beach Festival Society, received a total of 82,784 visitors and generated over $36,000 worth of charitable donations for the community.

Sculptors came from as far as Mexico and the Netherlands to compete against local talent in the hopes of qualifying for the World Championship of Sand Sculpting in Florida.

Sand sculptures are one of those things that must be seen to be fully appreciated. Once you’ve checked out the massive sculptures, stop by the Lions Adventure Park – a must for younger members of the family to visit.

Tennis courts, ball parks, a lacrosse box, skateboard park, covered picnic area, and a large field for kite flying are all nearby. The beach itself offers a beautiful view with its long sandy beaches. Pack a lunch, or stop by one of many food vendors to satisfy your appetite while taking part in the Beach Festival.

Gates will remain open until 9pm throughout the exhibition. Admission to view the sand sculptures is a suggested donation of $2.50 per person. Please note that due to liability issues and potential damage to the sculptures, dogs must stay outside of the sculpting zone. IT For more information visit www.parksvillebeachfest.ca Read this article and more at www.islandtimesmagazine.ca.

Send your comments to comments@islandtimesmagazine.ca.

26 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

s Event MORE THINGS TO DO DURING THE BEACH FESTIVAL

HARVEST

by Ken Cameron

CELEBRATING 20 SEASONS!

ALL SHOOK UP featuring the songs of Elvis Presley ®, book

by Joe DiPietro

NOISES OFF

by Michael Frayn

(contains strong language)

Summer By the Sea Street Market on Craig Street

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR® DREAMCOAT lyrics by Tim Rice, music

by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Each Tues. Until August 28 6:30 - 9:30 pm

CHICKENS

by Lucia Frangione, music by Royal Sproule, Lewis Frere, Mark Lewandowski and Jason Bertsch

Kite Festival

WINGFIELD’S FOLLY

by Dan Needles, starring Rod Beattie (Bonus Show!)

Sat, July 21 and Sun, July 22 9 am - 5 pm

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Quality Foods FireWorks Sat, August 18 at approx. 9:45 pm

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2012

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islandtimesmagazine.ca | 27

Photos courtesy of Matt Whelan.

d l i W

s d r i B where the

by Matt Whelan

the protector of the parrots & the parrot refuge in coombs

are

W

endy Huntbatch looks lovingly into Iago’s jetblack eyes and says, “You’re beautiful.” Iago stares back, blinks, cocks his feathered head and says…well… nothing.

Not that he couldn’t, of course, he’s a 16-year-old Moluccan cockatoo with an extensive vocabulary. He is one of more than 800 birds that have found themselves under Huntbatch’s tireless care at the World Parrot Refuge in Coombs. Iago joins many other species at the refuge, including hyacinth macaws, scarlet macaws, African grey parrots, budgerigars, cockatiels, conures, parakeets, lovebirds, and many more.

Photos courtesy of Matt Whelan.

Photos courtesy of Matt Whelan.

“You had bone cancer, didn’t you?” asks Huntbatch, searching for a response from Iago. “But you got better didn’t you?” she answers for him. Iago, clearly, is in no mood for banter.

He is also not the only survivor of cancer at the refuge. Huntbatch herself has been battling her own illness.

Diagnosed with multiple tumours in June of last year, she’s been undergoing intensive chemotherapy treatments.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she says. “Besides, what would God want with an old lady with 800 children?”

Then she turns, and begins a tour around the 24,000 square feet of corridors and flights (huge cages that allow the birds room to fly) that make up the shelter as she does her rounds – talking to staff, clipping claws and dealing with conflicts between birds, which break out with alarming regularity. The noise of the shrill, grating screeches of hundreds of wild birds in a closed room is truly staggering. Most visitors’ ears are packed with orange earplugs.

During a brief decibel drop, Huntbatch sings out a single highpitched tone. As soon as she stops the same note drifts effortlessly back from the beak of a double yellow-headed Amazon parrot.

“One of her lives was spent with an opera singer,” she explains.

Another bird, a blue-and-yellow macaw, lived for 22 years with a Chinese couple. It dips and raises its zebra-striped head, emitting indiscernible syllables at high volume.

“She speaks Mandarin,” says Huntbatch. “I don’t.”

Another bird was the previous possession of a restaurant owner in the Yukon who taught it how to swear. When he couldn’t stop the bird’s foul-beaked outbursts, which began to put customers off their meals, it was left to live outside in a cage in the freezing weather.

Huntbatch smiles as she describes how some people stole the bird and brought her to the refuge.

The personalities of these birds, their intelligence, their complexity, and depth of character quickly become apparent.

So why have so many been spurned?

“Most people just don’t realise the responsibility and work involved.

They become overwhelmed by the noise and the dust; a lot of people get asthma," says Huntbatch.

The refuge in Coombs – one of the largest of its kind in North America – has become the last haven for many wild birds that would otherwise continue their ride on the “pet-go-around.” Around 66 million birds are believed to be floating from owner to owner in Canada and the United States, and the illegal trade of wild birds was until recently second only to that of drug trafficking. Grimly, it has now been pushed into third by human trafficking.

The sanctuary receives a little of its annual budget of $550,000 through government grants and the rest through donations, fundraising, and admissions. It offers a “Home For Life” for surrendered birds in the interest of stemming the trade of wild birds. Once a parrot is handed over to the refuge, it cannot be reclaimed, and a contract is signed stipulating that the animal will not be bred or sold on.

Huntbatch explains that offering up birds from the refuge to new homes would only feed into the very system of profit and neglect that she’s trying to suppress.

At the sanctuary, the birds are able to integrate into flocks, fly with relative freedom, and will never again be subject to abandonment by a human owner.

Huntbatch says that parrots will often go through as many as seven homes in the first ten years of their captive life.

“If you put a human child through seven foster homes in ten years he will not be a well-adjusted person,” she points out. “Parrots are highly intelligent living beings and the results are the same.”

As the tour comes to a close, a bright green macaw swoops down from the reams of driftwood strung from the ceiling, grabs Huntbatch’s bright red hair in its claws and begins to tear it from her scalp.

“They’ll take anything they can,” she manages to explain while suffering this avian attack, “even my hair if I’m not careful!”

Several staff members come quickly to her rescue with broomsticks and frightening screeches of their own. Seconds later, the birds have been shooed, Huntbatch’s hair is back in place, and so is her composure.

“It’s not mine you see,” she explains. “The chemo, it kills everything.

Everything. Look, I’ve got no eyebrows.”

The chemotherapy succeeded in ridding her of her hair, but also of the two tumours in her liver, and in shrinking those in her lymph glands.

Having recently finished her latest rounds of radiation treatment, she will soon find out if she is rid of them altogether.

Huntbatch is optimistic.

“I’m the Wendy Lady,” she says, referring to the immortal character from the Peter Pan story. “We live forever.” IT Volunteers and sponsors are always welcomed.

To learn more about the World Parrot Refuge and how to help, visit www.worldparrotrefuge.org or call (250) 248-5194.

Read this article and more at www.islandtimesmagazine.ca. islandtimesmagazine.ca | 29

Mark Beuerman, manager of ForeverGreen Electric Cars (pictured right) with a GEM e4 LSV (also below). Photos submitted.

y s a E r e d i R ISLAND

by Rachelle Stein-Wotten

THESE ARE NOT YOUR AVERAGE ELECTRIC VEHICLES

T

Photo submitted.

30 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

he windows are down and the moon roof open. Mark Beuerman, shades on, maneuvers through the Fire and Ice Festival in a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) in sun-splashed Qualicum Beach in May. Curious festival attendees eye the car while a group of 20-something boys brandish a thumbs up.

“See, those guys love it,” Beuerman says, reciprocating with a smile.

“You always get head turns – people are wondering what the heck you’re driving. ‘Is that thing legal? Can you drive it on the road?’”

Yes, you can drive it on the road, Beuerman explains. The manager of ForeverGreen Electric Cars in Parksville waxes lyrical about LSVs. These aren’t your average electric vehicles. Compact, 100 percent electric and road legal, LSVs, or Neighbourhood Electric Vehicles, are a special class of EVs originally developed for short trips outside gated communities.

Climate change and individual efforts to live lower-impact lifestyles are expanding the role of these leisurely locomotives.

They’re called low speed vehicles for a reason: LSVs top out at 40 km/h,

What We Say: If you’re thinking of swapping out your current vehicle for something a little more electric, the province of B.C. has an incentive program for electric cars called CEV for BC - Clean Energy Vehicles for B.C. Point of Sale Incentive Program (www.cevforbc.ca/clean-energy-vehicleprogram) that provides as much as a $5,000 deduction off the pre-tax sticker price for some vehicles. The Low Speed Vehicles mentioned here are not eligible for the program as of yet, but other 100 percent electric cars are. There are an increasing number of options out there when it comes to making the switch to electric, so do your research carefully. The two most important things to consider are how you will be using the vehicle, and what you can afford. As the market for electric vehicles grows, the needs and wants of consumers will likely speed up product innovation and enhance government incentives. and are only certified to travel on roads with speed limits of 50 km/h or less. Are LSVs too slow for even laid-back Vancouver Island?

“Vancouver Island is probably one of the only places in Canada where these really make sense because of our climate.” Beuerman and owner Ron Chiovetti started selling GEM-brand LSVs in 2011 as a sister company to Isle Golf Cars.

GEM cars aren’t the sleekest or hottest looking. Depending on the model, from a basic two-seater (the e2) to a flatbed utility truck (the eL), they look like an over-inflated golf cart.

Weighing less than 1,360 kg, LSVs differ from full-size electric cars like the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i MiEV. LSVs don’t go as fast, and are not required to pass as many safety features. While LSVs have standard safety features like seat belts, they are not manufactured or tested for frontal impact, rollover protection, head restraints, and side door strength. Transport Canada does “not encourage” the use of LSVs on public roads.

“It’s challenging because they allow [LSVs] but they make statements like that,” says Beuerman.

The light traffic and slow pace in Qualicum Beach reduce safety concerns. LSVs can automatically travel on roads posted 40 km/h or less. Towns and cities must pass a bylaw for roads posted up to 50 km/h.

In 2008, Oak Bay was the first island community to allow LSVs to travel on 50 km/h roads. Qualicum followed soon after and later so did Esquimalt, Colwood, Ucluelet, Tofino, and Campbell River.

Beuerman says many communities are receptive to LSVs but don’t realize they need to pass a bylaw. Councillors he’s talked with like the idea of using them as shuttles for tourists.

Though the bylaw has been in effect in Qualicum Beach since 2008, few LSVs are on the roads today. ForeverGreen has sold four in the seaside town.

The few LSVs owners on the Island are happy with their purchases; however, and are enthusiastic promoters.

“I would never trade it,” says Jordan Schley. Schley lives in Qualicum and has four LSVs, three from ForeverGreen.

Schley installed a charging station in the Qualicum Foods underground parking lot last year at his own expense. His company, QBGreen, promotes sustainable living in Qualicum and he’s partnered with local businesses that advertise on his cars. He’s garnered enough support to install a second charging station at the beach.

Schley believes towns that have passed the bylaw need to lead the way. “I think [Qualicum] should buy five of them for themselves.

“It would be more of a recognizable, fun, low-speed, greener town.”

Beuerman thinks LSVs are part of the transportation future.

“There are lots of applications where we can use them to save starting our gas cars and burning oil.”

BC Ferries uses LSVs at their terminals and Beuerman says airports are interested in using them to transport luggage.

Beuerman says people are often apprehensive about battery range, but they shouldn’t worry.

Depending on the model, an LSV runs 30-40 km on a full charge.

Topping up the battery between travels can extend that – Beuerman says he’s done 60 km in a day this way.

LSVs plug in to a standard 110-volt outlet. It takes about eight hours to charge a completely depleted battery. An optional fast charger kit can charge a battery 80 percent in one hour.

Ever played a racing video game? You’ll have a similar experience driving an LSV. Flip a switch on the dashboard to low or high speed, release the parking break and step on it – generously. The pedals are about as responsive as a game controller.

“It’s fun,” says Schley. “I can take the doors off.... I can go to work here in Qualicum and if I want to go play nine holes after work I can take that same car and go play golf.”

Schley estimates he uses his LSV nine times out of ten. He still owns a gas-powered vehicle for out of town trips.

“It’s meant to be a neighbourhood vehicle,” notes Beuerman.

“The biggest thing is you don’t have to start your gas car to do your local errands. It’s the old 80/20 rule. They say 80 percent of your runs are done within 20 kilometres of your house or 20 minutes from home, so it’s to eliminate starting your gas car to do all your short runs.”

Cost-wise, an LSV is priced way below a mainstream electric car, ranging from $8,800 to $13,500, while the Nissan Leaf starts at $38,400.

Beuerman is optimistic more municipalities will pass the bylaw, particularly smaller communities like Parksville, Sayward, and Gold River. “That’s where this needs to work, where no one’s in a hurry and people want to go green.”

Schley sees zero downsides to LSVs. “I love the town I live in and I think it’s cool that we have the opportunity to [reduce the town’s ecological footprint]. I think if you don’t have to drive your gas car, than go electric.” IT Visit www.forevergreenelectriccars.com to learn more.

Read this article and more at www.islandtimesmagazine.ca. islandtimesmagazine.ca | 31

d o o f a e S sagna La

by Sharon Jackson

The Vancouver Island Diet

T

he Vancouver Island Diet means not only eating food produced on the Island (by becoming a locavor), but supporting our local farmers, fishers, and food producers by providing them with a decent livelihood. It means taking the trouble to seek out producers of all kinds of products that we use on a daily basis and making the very political decision to shop locally. It means asking the managers of local stores to clearly label where foods and products are from on the Island.

To date there have been several successful programs such as Fruit Save, a program to collect uneaten fruit off local trees and deliver it to the food bank; community gardens; Field to Table run by Cowichan Community Kitchens; Plant Education and Food Chain, a component of Cowichan Green Community's Food Futures Cowichan program, and Grow a Row, a program to encourage home gardeners to grow an extra row for the food bank.

The Food Action Coordinating Team in Ladysmith completed its study on Food Security in 2007 and made many useful recommendations around access to grocery stores, packaging, inadequate home storage and cooking equipment, and the lack of community policy on Food Security.

But more needs to be done. Local governments are working with farmers' organizations and the rest of the community to make food security not just a dream, but a reality. For instance the City of Duncan may be requiring future developers of multi-family residential developments to build in food production areas on the property. This could be fruit trees or raised garden beds or grapes, but either way the land will have to be set aside.

The website www.vancovuerislanddiet.com is an attempt to make the search for local producers and farmers easier. You will be able to search out producers by product. For now, we leave you with this one tasty recipe from the website: Seafood Lasagna.

32 | islandtimesmagazine.ca 18 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

INGREDIENTS:

8 lasagna noodles

1 1/2 cups cottage cheese

1/8 tsp pepper

1 lb shrimp

2 tbsp butter

2 eggs - beaten

2 cans mushroom soup

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1 cup chopped onions

2 tsp basil...more if desired

1/2 cup white wine

1/2 cup grated cheddar

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 tsp salt

5 oz crab meat or halibut

DIRECTIONS: Pre-cook the noodles. Use a 9" x 13" pan. SautĂŠ onions and add cream and cottage cheeses, egg, and spices. Spread 1/2 mixture over noodles. Combine soup and seafood, spoon 1/2 over cheeses, and repeat. Sprinkle with parmesan. Bake at 350 F for 45 min, top with cheddar, and brown under the broiler.

Let sit for 15 min. Enjoy!

For more information on the Vancouver Island Diet & Recipes visit www.vancouverislanddiet.com. Visit www.islandtimesmagazine.ca for even more recipes and articles.

Send your comments to comments@islandtimesmagazine.ca.

VANCOUVER ISLAND SOUTH ISLAND

Moss Street Market

Saturdays to October 27th 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Moss & Fairfield, Victoria www.mossstreetmarket.com

Farmer's Market s

Salt Spring Island's Market in the Park

Saturdays to October 27th 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Centennial Park - Saltspring Island www.crd.bc.ca/ssiparc/market.htm

North Saanich Farm Market

Saturdays to September 29th 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM 10990 West Saanich Rd., Saanich www.crd.bc.ca/ssiparc/market.htm

Sooke Country Market

Saturdays to September 29th 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Otter Point Rd across from Eustace, Sooke www.sookecountrymarket.com

Sooke Country Market

Saturdays to September 29th 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Otter Point Rd across from Eustace, Sooke www.sookecountrymarket.com

James Bay Market

Saturdays to September 29th 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM OCorner Menzies & Superior, Victoria

Metchosin Farmer's Market

Saturdays to October 28th 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM 4450 Happy Valley Road, Metchosin www.metchosinfarmersmarket.blog.com

Goldstream Station Market

Saturdays to October 27th 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Bryn Maur Road (off Goldstream), Langford www.goldstreamstationmarket.ca

Victoria Downtown Farmers' Market

Wednesdays to October 31st 12:00 AM to 5:00 PM 560 Johnson Street, Victoria www.victoriapublicmarket.com

Woodwynn Farms Farm Markets

Saturdays to September 29th 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 7789 West Saanich Rd, Saanich www.woodwynnfarms.org

CENTRAL ISLAND

Port Alberni Farmers' Market

Saturdays to November 24th 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM Harbour Quay, Port Alberni vickilee@telus.net 250-723-7472

Nanaimo Downtown Farmers' Market

Fridays to October 5th 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Pioneer Waterfront Plaza, Front St., Nanaimo www.nanaimofarmersmarket.com

Errington Farmers' Market

Saturdays to July 28th 10:00 PM to 1:00 PM 1390 Errington Rd, Errington www.erringtonfarmersmarket.ca

PARKSVILLE Street Market

Tuesdays to August 28th 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM Craig Street http://www.parksvillechamber.com

parksville Orange Bridge Market

Saturdays to September 29th 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM 716 E Island Highway, Parksville www.parksvillechamber.com

Qualicum Beach Farmer's Market

Saturdays to December 29th 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM 644 Memorial Avenue, Qualicum www.qbfarmersmarket.com

Lantzville Farmers' Market

Saturdays to September 29th 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM 7113 Lantzville Rd, Lantzville www.lantzvilleurbanag.blogspot.ca

Cedar Farmers Market

Sundays to October 28th 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 2313 Yellowpoint Rd, Cedar www.cedarfarmersmarket.com

NORTH ISLAND

Comox Valley Farmers' Market

Saturdays to October 27th 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Headquarters Rd., Courtenay This is a listing of just some of the www.comoxvalleyfarmersmarket.com/ events on Vancouver Island.

Pier Street Farmers Market Visit harbourliving.ca in Campbell River for even more events your events Sundays to October 14th to events@ islandtimesmagazine.com 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM www.pierstreet.com/id1.html

North Saanich Farm Market

Saturdays to September 29th 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM 10990 West Saanich Rd., Saanich info@northsaanichfarmmarket.com 250-656-1236 www.crd.bc.ca/ssiparc/market.htm

Quadra Island Farmers Market

Saturdays to September 29th 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Quadra Island Credit Union, Quadra Island www.facebook.com/quadramarket

COWICHAN The Duncan Farmers Market

Saturdays to October 27th 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Downtown Duncan www.duncanfarmersmarket.ca

Chemainus Wednesday Market

Wednesdays to September 12th 11am-4:30pm Waterwheel Park www.chemainus.bc.ca

Honeymoon Bay Outdoor Market

Bowen Road Farmers' Market

Saturdays to October 6th 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Southshore Road, Honeymoon

Gabriola Island Farmers Market

Sundays to October 7th 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 4485 Trans Canada Highway at Koksilah Road www.southcowichanfarmersmarket.com

Wednesdays to October 10th 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo www.bowenfarmersmarket.com Wednesdays to October 13th 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM 575 North road, Gabriola Island www.gabriolaisland.org

This is a listing of just some of the markets happening on Vancouver Island.

Visit harbourliving.ca for even more.

South Cowichan Farmers Market

islandtimesmagazine.ca | 33

SUMMER 2012 —ISLAND EVENTS

Visit Adventuress WIlderness Tours www.adventuress.ca to book your kayaking adventure.

ISLAND Adventures Chemainus Theatre: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat BROADWAY MUSICAL Showtimes rUN UNTIL SEPT. 1, 2012

Follow Joseph's journey from slavery to freedom as one of Egypt's most powerful men. Full of fabulous music, show-stopping dancing, and raucous fun, hits include "Close Every Door", "Any Dream Will Do" and "Poor, Poor Joseph". Recommended for ages seven and up.

For show times, visit www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca or call the Chemainus Theatre Festival at (800) 565-7738.

QUALITY FOODS CANADIAN OPEN SANDSCULPTING COMPETITION & EXHIBITION JULY 14 to AUG. 19 The Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition is a world class event for Master Sand Sculptors and is an official qualifying event for the World Championship of Sand Sculpting in Fort Myers Beach, Florida! Master Sand Sculptors travel from all corners of the globe to participate in our remarkable competition and exhibition in Parksville, British Columbia, Canada. Sculptors have 24 hours over three days to create their masterpieces from just sand and water (and a lot of ingenuity)! This event kicks off the Parksville Beach Festival, which runs until Aug. 19. For more information, visit www.parksvillebeachfest.ca.

34 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

July 9 - August 11 Evening: 7:30pm, Sunday Matinees: 2pm (250) 752-4470 Village Theatre , 110 West 2nd Avenue, Qualicum www.b2btheatre.com

Silly Boat Regatta

July 15, 8am to 3pm Maffeo Sutton Park, 50 Arena Street, Nanaimo (250) 753-0251 Ext. 227 www.sillyboat.com

2012 Nanaimo Marine Festival and International World Bathtub Race July 20 - July 22 Various Venues - Nanaimo (250) 753-RACE (7223) www.bathtubbing.com

Parksville Lions International Kite Festival

July 21 - July 22, 9am to 5pm (250) 248-3796 www.members.shaw.ca/parksvillekitefest

Seussical - The Musical

July 28 - July 29 Fri. - 7pm, Sat. & Sun. - 2pm & 7pm Bailey Studio, 2373 Rosstown Rd., Nanaimo (250) 713-9708 www.nanaimoartsalive.com

Free Summer Concerts Series

Wednesdays, August 1 - August 29 6pm to 7:30pm Nanaimo

2012 AAC National Dog Agility Championships

Bard to Broadway Presents: Becky's New Car

August 4 - August 5, 8am to 5pm Beban Park Sports Field, Nanaimo http://nationals2012.trialentry.com/

The Kulth Music Fest

July 28 - July 29 Ukee Days Fairgrounds 160 Seaplane Base Rd, Ucluelet (250) 726-7772 ext 236 www.ukeedays.wordpress.com

July 11 - August 18 Evening: 7:30pm Sunday Matinees: 2pm Village Theatre, 110 West 2nd Avenue, Qualicum (250) 752-4470 www.b2btheatre.com July 20 - July 22 Coombs Rodeo Grounds (250) 752-5083 www.thekulth.ca

Ukee Days!

30th Annual Filberg Festival

August 4 - August 6 Fri. - Sun. 10am - 6pm, Mon. 10am - 5pm (250) 334-9242 / (250) 339-2715 www.filbergfestival.com

Coombs Bluegrass Festival 2012

August 2 - August 5 (250) 752-0383 Coombs Rodeo Grounds www.coombsbluegrass.com

Thunder in the Alberni Valley drag races 2012

Sat., August 11, Sun., August 12 Port Alberni Regional Airport www.albernidragracing.com

VIEX 2012: Picture Yourself at the Fair!

August 17 - August 19 Beban Fairgrounds 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo (250) 758-FAIR (3247) www.viex.ca

Kidfest

Sun., August 19 10am to 3pm Parksville Beach www.kidfest.ca

Alberni Pacific Railway's 2012 Steam Specials at the McLean Mill

Saturdays through October 20 McLean Mill National Historic Site Smith Road, Port Alberni (250) 723-1376 www.alberniheritage.com

This is a listing of just some of the events on Vancouver Island. Visit harbourliving.ca for even more events Submit your events to events@islandtimesmagazine.com.

Coombs Fair ON Sat., Aug. 11 to Sun., Aug. 12 FROM 8am to 5pm First held in 1913, the Coombs Community Fair has been celebrating agriculture in Oceanside for almost 100 years. Visit any number of fair exhibits, from animals classes through domestic science, horticulture and arts & crafts, with categories for all ages. Enter that prized homemade jam, show off your flair with cake decorating, try out a new craft, grow the prettiest flower, there are plenty of choices.

Wander through our animal barns, learn about 4-H skills, pet the bunnies, chickens, and more. Special events unique to the fair include a wacky gardening hat contest, chicken and duck races, and a demonstration garden. Fair entry books are available at locations throughout the district, by calling (250) 752-9757 or via download from www.coombsfair.com. You'll find the fair on Ford Road in downtown Coombs, turn at the Coombs General Store. islandtimesmagazine.ca | 35

SUMMER 2012 —ISLAND EVENTS

Bard to Broadway Presents: Hello Dolly!

SUMMER 2012 —ISLAND EVENTS

Photo courtesy of Dona Naylor.

ISLAND

Adventures

54th Annual Comox Nautical Days Festival August 4 - August 6 This year's Nautical Days will feature favorite Nautical events like the Bullhead Derby, Canoe Jousting, Dragon Boat Racing, and the Build, Bail & Sail Race, as well as an exciting lineup of entertainment on the main stage, and fun kid's activities. There will be more than 100 artisan and craft booths where you can find all sorts of locally crafted works of art, and over a dozen food booths to keep your tank topped off throughout the weekend.

Nautical Days Festival-goers can start each day with a pancake breakfast, enjoy upbeat stage entertainment every afternoon, and groove the night away at Captain Cracker's Family Dance. It's all happening at Marina Park, 1809 Beaufort Avenue, Comox. Visit www. comoxnauticaldays.ca.

Victoria International Buskers Festival 2012 From July 20 to July 29 we welcome you to what has quickly become one of the world’s most prominent street theatre festivals. Performers from Australia, the UK, South America, the US, and across Canada will converge in Victoria for ten days of incredible fun. The event is a family-oriented, free-to-attend festival presented on mostly outdoor stages across downtown. Tips to busker hats are welcomed and appreciated. Call (250) 590-8709 or visit www.victoriabuskers.com to learn about the perfromers and all events.

36 | islandtimesmagazine.ca

Pier Street Farmers Market in Campbell River

Sundays through to October 14 10am to 2:30pm Pier Street, Campbell River www.pierstreet.com

Hornby Festival

August 2 to August 11 (250) 335-2734 www.hornbyfestival.bc.ca

45th Annual Salmon Festival

August 11 - August 12 Nunn's Creek Park, Campbell River (250) 287-2044 www.crsalmonfestival.com

The Big Time Out 2012 Music festival

August 18 to August 19 Cumberland www.thebigtimeout.com

Comox Valley Exhibition 2012

August 24 to 26 Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds Headquarters Rd., Courtenay (250) 338-8177 www.cvex.ca

30th Annual Filberg Festival August 4 to August 6 61 Filberg Rd., Comox (250) 228-4452 www.filbergfestival.com

FolkWest 2012

August 11 to Aug 12 1014 Caledonia Avenue, Victoria http://folkwest.ca

2012 Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival

August 18 to August 19 Victoria Inner Harbour www.victoriadragonboat.com

Little Shop of HorrorS

August 11 - August 12 Mcpherson Playhouse #3 Centennial Square, Victoria www.bluebridgetheatre.ca

FILE FORMAT: Illustrator CS5.5 CLIENT: Comox

LANGUAGE REVIEW:

PROOF OUTPUT AT: 100%

STUDIO MANAGER:

FILE PREPARED AT: 100%

STUDIO ARTIST:

This is a listing of just some of the events on Vancouver Island. Visit harbourliving.ca for even more. Send your own listings to events@islandtimesmagazine.com.

DOCKET#: 12-CVA-035

Cadboro Bay Festival

August 12,11:00am to 3pm Cadboro-Gyro Park Sinclair Road, Victoria www.saanichsunfest.ca

COLOURS: CMYK

CREATIVE DIRECTOR:

C M Salt Spring Music Festival 2012 K Y August 11 to August 12 Various Locations - Salt Spring Island www.saltspringmusicfest.com

Create travel memories with YQQ. Friendly, personalized service and daily direct flights to Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.

www.comoxairport.com islandtimesmagazine.ca | 37

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CRAIG

BAY

OCEAN VIEW PENTHOUSE FOR SALE Rarely available ocean view penthouse, jewel of "The Onyx" in the prestigious Craig Bay Seaside Village. Located mid Vancouver Island, BC north of Nanaimo. Stunning and spacious with incredible ocean, mountain and sunset views with 1757 sq. ft. and 3 separate terraces that will impress. Worry free lifestyle living at the Multi-million dollar Craig Bay Beach Club Recreation/Club House Facility. World Class Golf, three marinas and walking trails minutes away from this beach front Oceanside paradise.

Unparalleled expansive windows, 11 ft ceilings, rich granite state-of-the-art kitchen, Bose sound system and 2 stall secured underground parking.

$879,000

401A-1325 CAPE COD DRIVE, PARKSVILLE

GARDENS

2 BEDROOM + DEN UNITS FOR SALE Stylish Interior Design Fine Finishing & Fixtures Granite Countertops Secure Underground Parking Fitness Facility Garden Areas Home Warranty NO HST

V I R T UA L TO U R S , V I D E O S , F LO O R P L A N S , B RO C H U R E S A N D M O R E O N L I N E Starting at

$262,900

297 HIRST AVENUE, PARKSVILLE

More listings, photos, videos, community information & more at www.parksvillerealtor.ca

Ken Aarbo - kenaarbo@sutton.com Jolene Aarbo - aarboj@sutton.com

WHITECAP CAP Parksville

Oceanside

1 3 5 A l b e r n i H i g h w a y, P a r k s v i l l e

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250-248-8801

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Celebrating 40 years -

1972 to 2012

Enter to Win

Sarah Robertson Silkscreen - 'Ice Cutting' c. 1948, 20” x 25” Valued at $1200.

Go Online to Enter. islandtimesmagazine.ca

A.J Casson, Algonquin Lake

Lawren Harris, Algoma Lake

Tom Thomson, Northern Lighrs

A.J Casson, Black Fish Bay

The Pegasus Gallery of Canadian Art is excited to kick off a 40th anniversary summer exhibition including original artwork by the Group of Seven.

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· Established Fine Art Specialists since 1972 · Contemporary Canadian Art · Canadian Historical Art · Native Artwork · Insurance Appraisals · Custom Framing · Crating and Shipping

Explore our Passion for Historical Canadian Art

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Specializing in rare oil silkscreens on paperboard issued by the National Gallery of Canada, 1942-63, produced under the art direction of A J Casson.

PEGASUS GALLERY of CANADIAN ART Seaside at Mouat's, #1-104 Fulford-Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, BC., V8K 2S3 250-537-2421 • info@pegasusgallery.ca • www.pegasusgallery.ca