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Photo by Ian McAllister
Serving Port Renfrew Jordan River Otter Point Willis Point East Sooke Malahat Shirley
OBSERVER Celebrating Our Rural Community Lifestyle
JDF Trail Threatened by Development MLA Takes Run at NDP Leadership No Tankers: Our decision
Vol. 8 Issue 1 March 2011
The Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society Mission Statement A group of Juan de Fuca residents formed a non-profit society to launch a news and advertising publication for the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area. We provide a forum for our rural communities to share news, exchange ideas and develop a sense of community. At the same time the publication gives businesses within and outside the electoral area an opportunity to promote their products and services and reach potential customers. We also hope to make current information about the region and its services available to the many tourists who visit the area each year. Our goal is to protect, preserve and enhance rural life. The publication will rely on community members to share their interests and points of view through articles, correspondence and photographs. We welcome articles and letters reflecting the very diverse interests of our member communities and expressing all points of view. The editorial committee reserves the right to edit for brevity, accuracy, clarity and taste. Though every reasonable precaution will be made to verify the accuracy of material submitted, the editorial committee assumes no responsibility for the content of published articles. The responsibility is that of the writers. References and descriptions of products or services are provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. We’re online! www.ruralobserver.com If you wish to submit an article for an upcoming issue of the Rural Observer, please email it to: submissions@ruralobserver.com Or mail to: Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society 6790 East Sooke Road, Sooke BC V9Z 1A6
BECOME A MEMBER or RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP! Celebrate our rural community lifestyle by helping us share stories and information about our region. Become a member of the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society today. Our fee structure is as follows - you may renew/join at the basic level of $10, become a “Friend” of the Rural Observer for $25, a “Supporter” for $50, or a “Lifetime Member” for only $100. We recommend the lifetime membership - you won’t need to remember to renew each year! The Rural Observer needs your support to keep it strong, viable and independent. Please make out cheques to the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society and mail to: J.Roots, 6790 East Sooke Rd, Sooke, BC, V9Z 1A6
Jo in U s
Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society
2011 MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL FORM
Name ____________________________________
Dr. Keith Martin
Address _______________________________________
Member of Parliament
______________________________________________
Your Voice in Ottawa
Phone ____________ E-mail ______________________ Are you able to help? _____________________________
666 Granderson Road, Victoria, BC V9B 2R8 (250) 474-6505; Fax: (250) 474-5322; martik1@parl.gc.ca
Dr. Keith Martin, MP
Return to: JdF Rural Publication Society, 6790 East Sooke Rd, Sooke, BC, V9Z 1A6
www.KeithMartin.org
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March 2011
No Tankers: Our Decision by Eric Swanson
There is a battle underway for the future of the BC coast. Oil interests, including Calgary-based Enbridge and their political supporters, plan to use our coast as a supertanker highway to sell un-refined Canadian oil to Asia in the hopes of making $2-3 more per barrel and to avoid growing US restrictions on dirty oil. Fighting back is a growing coalition of BC First Nations, fishermen, tourism operators, local governments, community and environmental groups and concerned citizens who want to protect coastal communities, economies and environments from the threat of catastrophic oil spills. Enbridge has been paid $100 million from China’s Sinopec and a group of nine undisclosed Alberta oil companies and ‘Asian market area interests’ to advance what they call their Northern Gateway proposal. Gateway would involve two 1,100 km pipelines and a new supertanker port in Kitimaat, which would welcome 225 crude oil and condensate supertankers every year to the waters north of Vancouver Island, south of Alaska, and east of Haida Gwaii – undermining close to forty years of coastal protection against this type of traffic.
Photo by Christina Mittermeir, iLCP. A Gitga’at fisherman pulls a large halibut onto his boat. Marine resources are the main source of sustenance and employment for thousands of people in British Columbia. These resources would be threatened by any potential oil spill on the coast.
That day over 500 people – myself included – packed the Kitimaat village community centre, sharing space on bleachers and in rows of chairs on the gymnasium floor. Under dimmed lights we heard Dr. Riki Ott, a marine toxicologist and former ‘fishermaam’ from Cordova, Alaska speak of her horrific first-hand experience of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, which ruined lives and continues to scar the environment over two decades later.
Closer to Home The sheer size of Enbridge’s proposal, its penetration through the Great Bear Rainforest and the number of communities affected have made it the current epicentre of the battle for BC’s coast. But closer to home, increased oil tanker shipments from Vancouver through the Salish Sea and the Strait of Juan de Fuca are of concern. About two oil tankers per week from Vancouver add to the daily Alaska-to-Washington traffic through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and further expansions are possible. This has prompted local governments like the Islands Trust to call for a review of marine safety standards and better spill preparedness.
We heard from David Suzuki, who commented that anyone denying the certainty of spills “is either unbelievably stupid, or deliberately lying to you.” First Nations leaders from across BC spoke of historical context, the livelihoods and the cultures at stake, and the need to stick together. Afterwards, around a backyard fire a councillor for one of the host First Nations commented that as he looked out from the podium that day, he was struck by the diversity of the faces looking back. Young and old, First Nations and non, those from afar and those close to home. He said that he was beginning to see a new kind of multiculturalism take tentative root in BC where people of all backgrounds are increasingly uniting to assert local control over their livelihoods and the source of life: their land, water, and air. The Kitimaat gathering demonstrated that though BC’s First Nations are taking a leadership role in the battle for our coast, they are joined by a growing and diverse movement that spans our province.
If the worst happened, if a machine broke or someone made a mistake leading to oil on the water, coastal communities like Hartley Bay and Kitimaat would be hardest hit. Not surprising then that on a hot, sunny day this past spring these two villages co-hosted a decisive gathering. People from across BC were invited to meet, eat and bear witness to a ratification of the Coastal First Nations declaration – a document signed last March by all nine northern coastal Nations that states “… oil tankers carrying crude oil from Alberta’s tar sands will not be allowed to transit our lands and waters.”
The ranks of the movement now include the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union, the Wilderness Tourism Association, the Union of BC Municipalities and MLA Juan de Fuca individual local governments from Victoria to Haida Gwaii, hundreds of independent businesses, prominent Canadians like Margaret Atwood and Bruce Cockburn, over 65,000 people who have signed the petition 800 Goldstream Ave, Victoria, V9B 2X7 against oil tankers at www.notankers. 250 391 2801 ca , and 80% of British Columbians overall as estimated by independent john.horgan.mla@leg.bc.ca polling. www.johnhorgan.com continued on page 4
John Horgan
Your Rural Voice in the Legislature
JH-RurObs-0909.indd 1
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9/24/09 12:41:00 PM
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Together we’ve achieved significant gains towards new federal law that would forever ban oil tankers from our north coast. In December, NDP Member of Parliament Nathan Cullen introduced a House of Commons motion calling on the government to implement a ban. The motion passed 143 to 138. Only our Conservative MPs voted in favour of oil tankers. The Harper government is free to ignore the motion, but a powerful precedent was set by a majority of our Parliamentarians. Days later Vancouver Liberal MP Joyce Murray tabled Bill C-606, a bill to legislate a north coast oil tanker ban. Ms. Murray’s bill uses language that is more resilient than previous attempts, and it is this bill that we hope to push forward in 2011. Enbridge, some of BC’s Conservative MPs and some provincial leadership candidates are saying that a decision on tankers should not be made until a review process is completed. Don’t be fooled – the outcome of these reviews is virtually guaranteed, the scope limited, and the panel of quasi-judges used incredibly includes zero representation from BC. Forget the process. British Columbians would bear the brunt of risks, it should be up to us to decide and, on the coast, minds are made up. No Tankers: it’s our decision. To help ban oil supertankers forever on our north coast, please consider doing two things: Ask every one of your friends, family, and co-workers to sign the petition at www.notankers.ca We’re winning because we’re many and we’re coordinated. Get ready to vote. A federal election could come as soon as spring. Consider making the future of our coast a votedetermining issue for you. Eric Swanson is the Director of Dogwood Initiative’s No Tankers program. You can learn more about the issue at www.notankers.ca
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Readers’ FORUM
♫ A Rural Fundraiser 2.0 ♫ by Kelly Nakatsuka
Juan de Fuca Trail Threatened
Many of you came out to make the music fundraiser in East Sooke a success last Fall. We had a great night in October at the Community Hall when Lola Parks, Maureen Washington, and The Rhythm Minors played a wonderful concert in support of The Rural Observer. Thank-you again for your generous support. And we’re happy to announce that we’re going to have another concert this Spring.
Juan de Fuca Provincial Park is a Class A park, a narrow band of trail from China to Botanical Beach. The primary role of the park is “to protect a highly scenic and unique shoreline area between Sooke and Port Renfrew along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The park encompasses a wide spectrum of natural values from forest to wildlife that must be protected and managed to reflect the purpose for which it was created. The Juan de Fuca Provincial Park provides a protected habitat and natural corridor for many larger species of west coast mammals such as cougar, deer, black bear, wolf, otter, seal and sea lions.” (Juan de Fuca Provincial Park Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan March 2003)
Aidan Knight was originally scheduled to play the show in October but due to unforeseen circumstances, he was unable to do so. The young musician from Victoria has happily agreed to come and play show with us on Saturday April 9th. It will again take place at the East Sooke Community Hall, underneath the fire hall on Coppermine.
The trail lies within the Pacheedaht Nation’s traditional territory. In 1889, telegraph lines were strung along the coast to connect Victoria with light stations. As communications changed, the section known today as the Juan de Fuca Marine trail became overgrown.
If you haven’t had a chance to hear Aidan’s music yet, he is truly one of the bright young lights on the Canadian music scene. His music is regularly receiving airplay on local stations as well as national radio. He was one of the featured performers in the national CBC Television broadcast of the recent Western Canadian Music Awards in Kelowna. And he has already toured a good chunk of our very large country on numerous occasions.
In the 1960s the Sierra Club of Victoria began lobbying for the re-creation of the telegraph trail. Everything came together with the Commonwealth Nature Legacy of 1994, created to commemorate Victoria’s Commonwealth Games. Outdoor enthusiast groups, area Chambers of Commerce, municipal & provincial governments, First Nations, the YW/YMCA, Lester B. Pearson College and, in this area, Edward Milne Community School and the Juan de Fuca Marine Park Development Group worked together. Several parks were created as a lasting legacy of the Games: The Gowlland Range, Mt Finlayson, Tod Inlet , Glencoe Cove, Haro Woods, Panama Hill and, “the 45- kilometre Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, a recreational & environmental asset of world significance.” (A Heritage of Green Space ; The Commonwealth Nature Legacy 1994) This fragile ribbon of park had a buffer since, at the time, lands between Highway 14 and the ocean were in a Tree Farm Licence with the forest renewing itself. The situation changed with the release of the Tree Farm Licences in 2007.
Speaking as a broadcaster and music programmer myself, Aidan’s ability to create well crafted, and well-written folk-pop songs is years beyond where it should be at his young age. And having seen him perform now on a number of occasions, he has a wonderful stage presence with an infectious enthusiasm for music... and life in general. Said a little simpler, the kid puts on a great show! Please come out and join us with Aidan Knight and guests on Saturday April 9th. Once again the proceeds of this event will go to support the operations of The Rural Observer. There will be food available for purchase and we plan on having another fantastic night of music and building community.
Now, Marine Trail Holdings has purchased seven parcels of land above the wildest and narrowest portion of the trail. They propose to build over 250 vacation homes and support buildings within 100 metres of the trail. This is more housing than the neighbouring community of Port Renfrew has built in the history of its settlement. The proposed development would ruin the wild character of the trail forever.
Tickets will be available soon. $20 adults. $10 for children 16 and under. The music will start at 7:30pm. For more information or to reserve your tickets, contact me, Kelly Nakatsuka at kellynak@telus.net, Janet Caplan at jcapl@telus.net, or Charlotte Senay at 250-642-7282
It is ironic that in the moment that we are speaking of the legacy of the 2010 Olympic Games the legacy of the 1994 Commonwealth Games is in danger. Rosemary Jorna. Otter Point Note: There will be a public information meeting on the Marine Trail Holdings proposal on March 3 at Edward Milne Community School starting at 7 pm. For information on the proposal go the CRD Reports Library and open the Juan De Fuca Land Use report for Feb 15 2011. There may be paper copies at the JDF Electoral Area Office. Call 250 642-1500. For information on effects of the development go to www.protectourparks.ca To express your views email: jdfinfo@crd.bc.ca 5
March 2011
In Memoriam
Thomas Charles Cross Sept. 11, 1924 - Jan. 18, 2011 Shirley Pioneer and former Lightkeeper At Sheringham Point
Dedicated to Preserving and Protecting since 2003
WWW.SHERINGHAMLIGHTHOUSE.ORG 6
March 2011
Calendar of Events for Shirley
Unless otherwise indicated, events are held at the Shirley Community Hall
Shirley Fire Department Practices held Thursdays 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Chief Donovan Ray –250-6462107 Shukokai Karate for all ages Mondays, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Alida – 642-4631 Hatha Yoga Tuesdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m. To Register: sarahlouisericher@gmail,com Shirley Quilters and Crafters Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. All welcome Nia Dance/Movement Thursdays, 6:45-8:00 p.m. movingmelody@gmail.com or 250-646-2995 Soup and Sandwich Lunch Sunday, March 20, 2011 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
♫ Musical ♫ Fundraiseri n support of the Rural Observer Saturday April 9th in East Sooke
*SEE ARTICLE ON PAGE 5
Shirley Community Association Annual General Meeting Wednesday, March 9, 2011 7:30 pm. Shirley Spring Craft Fair Sunday, April 10, 2011 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Call Fern: 250-646-2009 Shirley Fire Protection Society Meeting Sunday, April 10, 2011 2 p.m. at the Fire Hall Soup and Sandwich Lunch Sunday, April 17, 2011 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
French Beach COOKING SCHOOL
Shirley Community Association Meeting Wednesday, May 11, 2011 7:30 pm
"Wild" Cooking Classes Use berries, herbs, mushrooms, flowers, & greens, Make pastry, cheeses, sushi. Hands-on demos. Winter Classes $40/class Join me in Shirley! Check out class dates at: www.frenchbeachcookingschool.ca Marcie Gauntlett marcichka@xplornet.com (250)646-2772 7
March 2011
country road snaking its way through this rural community. I don’t often see many people: maybe the occasional hiker and periodically a stray dog. Not far from Bill’s, in front of a pleasant looking grey and white house, a hand- painted wooden sign announces a garden shop within. Another few bends in the road bring me to Ragley’s Market and, in season, to Vivi’s flower stand. The driveway is marked by another prettily painted wooden sign. Just beyond, on the opposite side of the road, six or seven large brown cows casually graze in a field. I can see the roof tops of a barn and house on the far side of the pasture.
The Road Home
The road home then takes me past a pond, choked with bulrushes and enclosed by a white wooden fence. This is a spot where, each autumn, I come upon carrion-eating turkey vultures. I travel on up a hill where I see a rustic log house and a cedar garden shed. I recall a red car sitting somewhere around here in the midst of some very tall grass. The car is no longer visible. Was it removed or is it now completely buried in the overgrowth?
by Janet Caplan
East Sooke Road is unlike any other road I’ve driven home. I used to follow roads home in Montreal and then Hamilton, Toronto and later, Edmonton. Roads home took me from downtown centres to suburban neighbourhoods. They might take me down multi-lane highways with traffic that stopped and started every few minutes. I might follow a series of side streets to avoid clogged road arteries. At times I might travel my road home on a crowded bus where I was unable to see out the windows, or underground on a subway, completely unaware of my surroundings.
I continue along my route which now borders beautiful East Sooke Park on one side and Anderson Cove on the other. I glance toward the water and the boats that are anchored in this hideaway. Up a hill I go and along a stretch of road spotted with the outlines of houses barely visible down long driveways. Unused letterboxes, replaced by our Canada Post issued communal mailboxes, sit at the entrances to several of these drives.
And now I live in East Sooke and I love the road home; it’s comforting, it’s long, it’s winding. The road home is lined with evergreens: cedar, Douglas fir, spruce and hemlock. Clusters of tall trees arch over the roadway and form a ceiling. The sun never quite makes it through and so I may pass patches of frost on a cold winter day, oversized puddles on milder, drizzly January afternoons or drive through darkness on an otherwise sunny, summer morning.
Before long I arrive at my intersection where I turn left, then take a right before reaching my own house part way down the street. With a magnificent view of the Sooke Basin, it is a fitting culmination to a scenic ride home.
Although a turn off Sooke Road onto Gillespie automatically puts me in an ‘almost there’ frame of mind, it’s only when Gillespie ends at its T intersection at East Sooke Road that I feel I’ve reached my road home. I turn right and pass Bill’s Food & Feed which carries, as any good general store should, virtually everything.
These are a few of the highlights or markers along my journey. I tend to ignore the potholes that may or may not get fixed each spring and I’m very mindful of the narrowness of the road; maybe that’s part of its charm. I suppose if you’ve lived here or in a similar community throughout your life, this trip would not seem exceptional. I, on the other hand, will never get over the fact that my road home passes a saltwater bay, cows and a farmers market; that it is engulfed by enormous cedars and fir trees and that I can breathe in their scents through my open car windows.
I move on. The narrow black-topped road runs along an ocean bay and winds its way up and down hilly terrain. It is a true
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East Sooke Community Calendar East Sooke Volunteer Fire Department Fire Practice Thursdays 7:00 p.m. New Volunteers Welcome Chief Roger Beck 642-4411 East Sooke Fire Protection And Emergency Services Commission Third Mondays 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Public Welcome Chair Layton Engwer 642-4411 East Sooke Community Association e-mail: briarglen@islandnet.com East Sooke Rural Ratepayers Assn. E-mail: bmcusack@islandnet.com Yoga Classes East Sooke Fire Hall training room Wednesdays & Fridays 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. For Info: 250 891-1788 Karate Classes For All Ages East Sooke Fire Hall training room 1397 Coppermine Rd. Tuesdays 7:00 pm Instructor: Armin Aielopp 642-3926
The Spirit of Spring by Roselyn Caiden
The groundhog is likely to be found basking on a smooth rock near his den, revelling like the rest of us in the warmth of an early spring. Signs of new life are everywhere; snowdrops cluster under fir trees, daffodil shoots pierce through old leaves and the new crop of nettles is up—a luminous spring green rich in iron, copper, calcium and chlorophyll. For the intrepid wild herb gatherers, nettles, when ingested either steamed or as an infusion (dried herb steeped 4 hours), will nourish your adrenals at the deepest possible level. For us, spring is the time of new ideas budding, along with that restless energy that wants to get things started. Now! You may be off and running with a new project but end up gnashing your teeth in frustration when an obstacle gets in your way. The wildflowers, like the groundhog, naturally wait until conditions are right to emerge into the light of day, and they also continue to grow around the weight of fallen branches. When we are in too much of a hurry to get things done we can forget to pay attention to the natural rhythm of life. It is slower than we think. With every season change nature waffles for a while with that in-between stage. A bit of spring mixed in with winter and then a bit of winter mixed in with spring, until finally one day, one we all recognize, spring has well and truly sprung and the land is fully alive with its warmth, lush greenery and flowering trees. Season change, especially moving from winter into spring, can be a wobbly time health-wise as our energy system emerges out of the depths of winter. If you have missed out on adequate rest time during the winter months or have jumped too quickly into spring mode, you could have difficulty making this transition and be experiencing fatigue and a vulnerability to colds and flus. Early spring is a good time to revitalize with some energy work to open your inner pathways for growth, renewal and launching your creative ideas. Roselyn lives in Metchosin where she has her healing practice offering acupuncture, shamanic healing and meditation classes. For more information, please visit: www.sacredpath.ca
Doug Read Licensed Realtor 25 years experience~15 years *Selling* in *East Sooke* Put my local Knowledge & Experience to Work for You. Doug Read Pemberton Holmes Real Estate 250-361-7939 or 250-642-2705 or toll free 1-866-536-7169 email: info@dougread.com web site: www.dougread.com
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March 2011
Sustenance for the Soul by Sarah Nakatsuka
Something exciting happens when the year turns over and in the weeks following. This phase between the holidays and the beckoning of spring is often a time of newness. I find myself co-creating and envisioning with my husband. I go to yoga class, and we write intentions on pieces of paper and place them on the mirrors at the front of the class (I love this metaphor - instead of seeing our faces in the mirror, we see reflections of what we value most!) People everywhere talk about their fresh ideas, sometimes on the heels of returning from vacation, sometimes as a simple expression of turning the calendar pages, or the hint of spring nearing. This is one of the gifts this season offers us. It says, “The return of the light nears, and so does a renewed sense of possibility. What will you do with that possibility?” It’s a beautiful opportunity really. And one that inevitably summons this question: “OK, so I want to make some healthy shifts in my life, but how do I do that without getting back into the ‘same-old same-old’ routine half way through the year?” Understanding the nature of change is a place to start. Psychology sees two kinds of change: First-order change, and second-order change. First-order change is about making adjustments within an existing paradigm, like doing more of the ‘good’ stuff, and less of the ‘bad’ stuff. It operates only on the level of content. Second-order change, on the other hand, occurs on a systemic level. That is to say, the paradigm itself shifts, which makes way for a change that is sustainable: a transformation! We go beyond the level of content, and shift things from the bottom up. This is the kind of change we are looking for when taking steps toward fulfillment. Here’s the thing: in order for our paradigms to shift, we need to be open to seeing and experiencing ourselves in a new light. So my first consideration is: What is the experience, or state of being I am stepping into? You can do this for yourself. Is it a state of Joy, of Groundedness, of Fun? Is it a sense of Aliveness, Worthiness, Connection? When we
THIS VIBRA N T L IF E Connect. Grow. Thrive.
East Sooke Counselling
FREE PHONE CONSULTATION
Vibrant Ceremonies Vibrant Seeds
250-642-4074 Sarah Nakatsuka BA, RPC Registered Professional Counsellor Interfaith Officiant
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www.thisvibrantlife.ca March 2011
On Our Cover
approach change this way, we are already beginning to see ourselves in a new light, we are working from the ground up, and opening to expansion, rather than closing ourselves down with expectations and results. Once we have the overall state of being, we can enter the fun part of coming up with steps that align with it. One of my favourite ways to take steps toward goals or values is to cultivate simple, consistent practices that feed the soul. In the ceremony field, we call these ‘sustenance rituals’. If you are stepping into Vitality, a sustenance ritual might be simply taking time daily to breathe in the oxygenated air outside. If you are stepping into Fun, you may want to create a dedicated unstructured play-time in your day (that’s right, let the child in you explore and have fun!). If you are stepping into Joy, ask yourself what brings you joy and find one simple step that aligns with that - If nature brings you joy (hello!) perhaps exploring a new part of this gorgeous rural landscape becomes a weekly practice; if your partner or friends bring you joy, perhaps you want to practice letting them know what you love about them. If you are stepping into Peace, you may want to set time aside each day for reflection, writing in a journal or sitting quietly. My own sustenance rituals are becoming simpler than ever. One of my personal favourites is practicing gratitude. Starting a daily gratitude journal opened up a whole new world for me. Who knew I could find so much delight in something as simple as bubbles. Yep, bubble bath, foam on top of my latte, sea foam, or bubbles blown from those plastic wands, it doesn’t matter. When I see bubbles, I smile. They are tiny moments of joy and gratitude that had I not reflected on them, would have passed me by. Perhaps tonight I will write in my gratitude journal that I am grateful for my gratitude journal. Sarah Nakatsuka is a Psychotherapist (EAST SOOKE COUNSELLING), Interfaith Officiant, passionate seedsaver, & founder of THIS VIBRANT LIFE centre for sacred living on Vancouver Island. For more information, please visit www.thisvibrantlife.ca
Photo by Ian McAllister, iLCP and Pacific Wild. A Brown bear photographed in the Great Bear Rainforest, along the north coast of British Columbia. www.pacificwild.org
Pharmacy service the way it is meant to be…..over 20 years of service in the communities of Sooke, East Sooke, Otter Point, Jordan River, Shirley, and Port Renfrew, ( and even for our customers who have moved to Victoria and still use our service ). Pharmacy practice to benefit the needs of OUR community and more importantly….. with PEOPLE in mind. Talk to our pharmacy staff about how we can confidentially transfer your prescriptions to our location.
PEOPLES DRUG MART
Helping people live better lives
642-2226
Ron Kumar Pharmacist/Owner
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March 2011
Successful Year For JDF Community Trails Society submitted by Sid Jorna, President
The Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society had a successful year in 2010 - attaining a membership of 105, the highest number yet since its incorporation in February 2005. In the fall, Society members provided over 100 hours of volunteer work clearing deadfall and trimming salal on area trails to maintain access. More windfall occurred over the winter, and work parties will be organized this spring. Society members can be proud of the role they played in encouraging officials to secure the waterfront property from Sandcut Creek to Jordan River and the additional lands for the Sooke Hills parks complex. While primary credit goes to Regional Director Mike Hicks, the Capital Regional District (CRD) and The Land Conservancy (TLC), the Community Trails Society provided key input at the critical time. This shows the value of gaining information on trails, mapping and generally knowing how the community uses the land. The Society was successful working with the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission arranging trails and rights-of-way. Under the request of the Society, the Parks Commission is working to formalize a right-of-way through the private property on the western boundary of the Priest Cabin Park in Shirley. This will allow continued access to the Matterhorn hiking trails from the Priest Cabin Park. The Society also proposed the trail system centered on William Simmons Memorial Park in Otter Point. The system is under construction with many agents contributing to its success. Michael Volk and the Sooke Business Park owners have nearly completed the agreed on trail from William Simmons Memorial Park to the entrance of the Broom Hill trails. The Butler Trail, which links to the William Simmons trails, is now complete. It runs through the new housing development, The Woods at Otter Point, and is the contribution of Kable Atwel’s development company. The Society contributed funds and information for the kiosk to be erected at the parking lot and trail head for this emerging trail system. William Simmons Memorial Park will have its formal opening on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Equestrian members of the Society have been active in planning horse trails and horse trailer parking in some CRD regional parks including Aylards Farm in East Sooke Park and at the top of Harbourview Road. The Society worked with the Sooke Saddle Club and the Horse Council of BC to get funding to build facilities for horses in William Simmons Memorial Park. The parking lot in this Otter Point community park accommodates horse trailers and the newly established ‘Panama Rail Trail’ (named after the Panama Rail Company that operated in the Poirier Lake area in the 1930s) will allow horses and leads to a rest meadow where there is a hitching post, manure bin and picnic table. South Vancouver Island is experiencing growth and change. There are many documents expressing the vision of residents 12
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for their communities. It is only through the continued participation of residents as the vision is interpreted and made concrete that the vision will become the reality. The Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society is one of the many societies that identifies and tracks a recognized need in the community and helps to fill that need. At this time the Society is an advocate for trails and green space. Society members are active with the development of a new OCP for Otter Point. Many members took part in the Otter Point community mapping session in November and the public ideas forum and workshop in February. The next OCP workshop at John Muir School will be on April 9. During 2010, members of the Society wrote and spoke up to support the CRD Parks policy of no motorized vehicles in current CRD Parks except on designated roads. People expect access to the back country. When the privately owned forestry lands were managed as Tree Farm Licences, policies for public access were in place, but this is a new era. The Society supports the principle that forestry roads should be open for public use but it is not its mandate to negotiate for such use. Another challenge facing south Vancouver Island is the pressure on the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. The Provincial government created the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail on June 6, 1994 as “a recreational and environmental asset of world significance.” [The Commonwealth Nature Legacy: A Heritage of Green Space.1994.] The issue of rezoning approximately 236 hectares of private property for development above this trail needs careful examination for its environmental and economic impact on the trail and surrounding communities. In September 2010, the proposal was for 279 vacation homes, 13 caretakers’ cabins, and two lodges. The full report on this or any changes to Marine Trail Holdings proposals to the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee can be found in the CRD document library under ‘reports’. As well as advocacy and some stewardship of trails, Society members go on scheduled hikes on the first Saturday of every month. These hikes are very popular with more members, new members and guests showing up every month. For more information about hikes, trails and the Society, go to www.jdfcommunitytrails.ca
Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission The Commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 5pm, Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Office, #2 – 6868 West Coast Road Public Welcome to Attend For more information, visit www.crd.bc.ca/jdf/parks. For meeting confirmation or enquiries, please call 250.642.1500.
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Wild Interactions: Wildlife & Roads
Wildlife Assistant at the centre. “It is difficult to emphasize to the general public how important it is to respect speed limits and slow down in areas with wildlife corridors and when on roads edged with wildlife habitat. It is critical to be more cautious at dawn and dusk, when wildlife are most active, and in wet or snowy weather conditions – for both driver and wildlife safety,” adds Danni.
submitted by Wild ARC
Driving a vehicle is treacherous enough with our wet west coast weather, but we all know that winter can be even worse, as it brings slippery conditions and decreased visibility, giving drivers a good reason to slow down and be more careful when behind the wheel. Traffic always poses a risk to wildlife that lives and eats near roadsides, but in the colder, darker months it is even more important to take your time, watch your speed and be aware.
It may come as a surprise that every year, especially in the winter months, Wild ARC admits a large numbers of owls that have been hit by vehicles. One of the reasons for this increase is that when the ground freezes, birds of prey such as the Barred Owl tend to hunt close to roads as their prey often find garbage or food scraps on or close by these roads. Owls will then hunt near the road, and they become so fixated on their hunt that they may fly right into traffic without being aware of the danger of oncoming cars. Once they have caught their prey, owls will frequently sit on the road to digest their meals, and they do not always move for cars as they become very full and drowsy.
Wild ARC receives hundreds of calls every year about wild animals – both mammals and birds - that have been hit by vehicles, and are admitted for rehabilitation. Melanie Gordon, a Wildlife Rehabilitator at Wild ARC, says that last year more than 10 animals admitted each month had injuries related to known vehicle impacts. “That does not include wildlife admitted with unknown causes of injury; for instance animals found on the ground or on a road. These animals could have also been hit by a car, we just do not know for sure as they were found after the fact and then brought to us,” Melanie says.
Reducing speed and being aware of the surroundings is the best thing drivers can do to lessen the possibility of hitting a wild animal. Keep an eye out on road edges and ditches where wildlife often sit and wait to cross. Keep in mind that many wild animals travel in groups so if you slow down for one, wait a moment or two to see if there are more to follow.
“We see everything from owls to gulls, in addition to the usual suspects like deer and raccoons, because they have either been hit by a car or have flown into a car,” explains Danni Smith,
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March 2011
Dreaming And Scheming My Way Out Of Winter by Bonnie Coulter Well that was enough winter for me. I cannot wait to get back at the garden in earnest. I have spent the worst part of this winter sitting by the fire with stacks of gardening books piled high around me. I like to call this time research and development, while the Mister tells all comers that I am dreaming and scheming my way out of winter. In order to move forward, I have to take stock of my garden’s performance last year. So I compile a long list of should haves and could haves with an eye to improving the garden in design and presentation. That very long list has taken on the pallor of a New Year’s resolution list itching to be discarded.
Top of my shortened and reasonable list this year to get done by the beginning of March: Helebores - cut back the dying leaves to expose the flowers buds Roses - prune shrub roses to shape and reduce bulk; prune tea roses down to 8 inches; and touch up the climbing roses to cut out dead and diseased. Clean up any leaves for previous growth to control. Spray - Dormant oil on roses and fruit trees on a sunny, calm morning with no rain forecast for 24 hours. Ferns - cut the evergreen ferns close to crown without damaging the emerging heads. This is best done early as it is much more time consuming by the beginning of March. This chore brings big reward for effort. Mahonia aquifolium - prune out the old stems after flowering as the new basal growth will be more vigorous. Hydrangeas - clean up all the dead flower heads and spent leaves and shorten stems. Note, cut the H. Annabelle to the ground as it blooms on new wood. Weeding - get a jump on spring weeding and clean up and have more time to enjoy the garden this summer. Prune small tree seedlings at the ground if pulling roots is going to damage surrounding plants. Dig deep to remove all of the buttercup and dandelion roots. This year I will use the tiger torch on the gravel drive to heat and kill the thousands of conifer seeds that germinate. Last year saw me on my knees in the gravel practising curses and fainting spells days on end. Rhododendrons - need all leaf litter removed. Slugs and Snails - need to be baited early as the young ones eat more than the old ones. Just ask anyone with teenagers! Compost - needs to be turned. Sow - sweet peas and poppies where they are to bloom. Poppies especially do not transfer well. Clematis - tidy up any dead branches back to vigorous growth and don’t cut into old wood or they just may decide to die. Watering - although it rains almost every day, under the eaves are very dry and of course they have crowded many customers into those spots. Cotinus coggygria ‘royal purple’ (smoke bush), Philadelphus (mock orange) and Sambucus racemosa ‘Sutherlands Gold’ look best when cut back hard every year. Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (coral twig dogwood). This was my big addition to the garden last year. By big I mean 15 plants that were 2 feet tall and wide. I put them in for winter interest and wow, they delivered in spades. Now I just have to have the courage to pollard them; that is cut them right to the ground so they produce many fine straight twigs for next winter’s show.
This year, we have been fortunate. While others were crushed we didn’t get enough snow to do any damage save a few small branches off the fine Japanese maples. The wind is what got us. The trees along the waterline stand as naked as Lady Gaga and the garden is heavily mulched with conifer boughs. After the initial clean-up is done I will start my spring ‘roll call’. Who is missing, who is screaming for a better location and who has been voted out. I will move, divide and even give away the annuals that are giving their neighbours a brutish time. In come the pansies, bachelor buttons and primroses to fill in the bare spots until the last risers show up. This spring I will be looking for a spot to squeeze in a new acquisition; the exquisite, winter/spring flowering, Hamamelis, ‘Jelena’ (Witch Hazel) covered with coppery flowers that will warm your face if you get close. She will most likely get the sunny spot that will, no doubt, be vacated by the Acacia tree, the latest victim of this gardener’s persistent zone denial.
♫ Musical Fundraiser ♫ in support of the Rural Observer Saturday April 9th in East Sooke *SEE ARTICLE ON PAGE 5
Happy gardening to you! 15
March 2011
The Big Shake-Out BC
by Jeri Grant
Hey Juan de Fuca residents, did you take part? January 26th was the largest earthquake drill in Canadian history, with some 419,727 participants including the Juan de Fuca Emergency Program and School District 62 Elementary and Middle Schools. The emergency program was able to test communications with participating schools in the event of an emergency.
Home Preparedness Checklist – Excerpt from: Earthquakes What to do? IS YOUR FAMILY PREPARED? http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/_fl/pub/rthqks-w-t-d-eng.pdf Before an earthquake: Go through your home, imagining what could happen to each part of it, if shaken by a violent earthquake. Check off the items that you have completed in this list.
If this had been a real earthquake would you know what to do? Drop, Cover and Hold on. 1. Find out what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. 2. Make a family emergency plan, so that everyone knows what to do and where to go in case of an emergency. 3. Get an emergency kit, so that you and your family can be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Planning for an earthquake will also help prepare you for many other types of emergencies. Go to http://www. getprepared.gc.ca/_fl/rthqks-eng.pdf to view or download the new Guide to Earthquakes. The Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca is George OBriain at 250.642.2266, fax at 250.642.2023 or email jdfemerg@telus.net . The Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director is Barb Broster at the same telephone contact information.
- Teach everybody in the family (if they are old enough) how to turn off the water and electricity. - Clearly label the on-off positions for the water, electricity and gas. If your home is equipped with natural gas: tie or tape the appropriate wrench on or near the pipe, to turn off the gas, if necessary. - Repair loose roof shingles. - Tie the water heater to studs along with other heavy appliances (stove, washer, dryer), especially those that could break gas or water lines if they shift or topple. - Secure top-heavy furniture and shelving units to prevent tipping. Keep heavy items on lower shelves. - Affix mirrors, paintings and other hanging objects securely, so they won’t fall off hooks. - Locate beds and chairs away from chimneys and windows. - Don’t hang heavy pictures and other items over beds. - Closed curtains and blinds will help stop broken window glass from falling on beds. - Put anti-skid pads under TVs, computers and other small appliances, or secure them with Velcro or other such product. - Use child-proof or safety latches on cupboards to stop contents from spilling out. - Keep flammable items and household chemicals away from heat and where they are less likely to spill. - Consult a professional to find out additional ways you can protect your home, such as bolting the house to its foundation and other structural mitigation techniques. - If you live in a mobile home, you can leave the wheels on the mobile home to limit its fall. Or, you can install a structural bracing system to reduce the chance of your unit falling off its supports. Ensure the awning on your home is securely supported and fastened to the unit. For information on the best way to brace your unit, contact your local mobile home dealer or a mobile home owner’s association. This information was produced by Public Safety Canada in collaboration with: the Canadian Red Cross, Natural Resources Canada, and the St. John Ambulance.
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March 2011
Kids’ Fun
by Tricia Pincombe of Sooke Montessori School
Great ideas for Children and You Cookie Cutter Painting Use cookie cutters with paint as you would a rubber stamp and inkpad. This is a great way to have your youngster practise patterning or make your own wrapping paper. Kitchen Worm Bin Rubbermaid bin, tin pie plate, newspaper, leaves, Red Wrigglers.
First make a hole in the bottom of the bin so water can escape and some small vent holes near the top (cover with mesh or cloth to keep flies out if needed). Use four small pieces of wood to hold the bin off the ground and place the pie plate under the hole to catch the access water. (Great for watering plants) Tear lots of newspaper into narrow strips, mix with wet leaves that are starting to break down. The bin should be ¾ full of this soft mixture. Add water to keep a moist environment, and then add worms. Keep bin in a quiet dark place(under the sink) and once a week burry kitchen compost. After three months you can harvest your black gold. Add newspaper, leaves and water as needed. If worms are happy they will multiply and eat all the waste. Worms are interesting creatures and I’m sure your child would love to learn all about them especially if you are sharing your home with them.
A Miniature Garden This is a project that will take
a bit of planning and prep work but is well worth the effort and also makes a great gift for that person that has it all. Items needed: a medium potted plant, one that resembles a tiny tree works great but any will do. Next plan with your child how it will look, start by searching around the house for small items, chairs, animals, tiny bird house etc, use these items to create a “scene”. Moss for grass, stones for a patio, sand for a beach … the possibilities are endless. Re-pot the plant to the side of the pot so you have an area for the “scene”. Your mini garden can become quite a hobby, your child can rearrange items and look for new items on walks to the beach or forest.
“Shamrocks” Simply use watered down white glue to adhere three green fabric or rice paper hearts to clean rocks. Paint over the hearts with the glue mixture and let dry. If you keep your shamrock outside a coat of varnish may be in order.
17
March 2011
From the desk of John Horgan, MLA Juan de Fuca Why I am Running to be Leader of the BCNDP It’s a question that I suspect every politician asks themselves at some point in their career: do I have what it takes to be a leader - in my community, in my constituency, in my party or even in my province? What strikes me however is that this question appears to be looking in the wrong direction. The more appropriate question we should ask ourselves is whether we really understand what matters to our constituents and whether we have the passion, the pragmatism and the patience to work with interests from across the political spectrum, with the goal of building a better future for our province. I believe that I have the ability to listen to what British Columbians are saying, the patience to help competing interests find common ground and the skills to help translate that agreement into practical solutions. As the MLA for Juan de Fuca, I’ve spent the past six years meeting with a broad spectrum of people, listening to their concerns, working to find solutions, and speaking out clearly on their behalf. It has been tremendously fulfilling work. Whether it’s my constituents or the people I meet from every corner of this province, they all tell me the same thing: they want political leaders who take their concerns seriously and tell them the truth.
They want leaders who are open about the challenges we all face and not afraid to admit when they are on the wrong track. People don’t want flashy gimmicks, fake slogans or high-priced ad campaigns. They want an honest, hard-working government that puts people first. That’s not what they have today, and I don’t expect it’s going to change when the BC Liberals choose a new leader. Under my leadership, New Democrats will offer a real, practical alternative to the BC Liberals. Not a list of grievances, but an agenda for change. Our environment and our economy do not stand in isolation, they are inextricably linked. British Columbians want a government that protects our ecosystems and our natural resources, develops them wisely and ensures these resources benefit the public interest as well as provide jobs for the local people. I know from speaking to many British Columbians that they want real environmental protection that is based on balanced, scientific principles. They want development and investment projects to continue, but they also want to ensure that these projects and investments are honestly examined and judged on their economic, environmental and social merits, not in isolation, but with regard to the cumulative impacts. People want a government that makes investments in our young people to ensure that they have the skills needed to thrive in our modern open economy and to help attract the kind of investment that will allow the economy to flourish. They want a government that is committed to providing viable, accessible, quality public health care for all its citizens. British Columbians want their government to develop a credible, workable strategy that ensures that as BC prospers, our most vulnerable citizens are not left by the wayside. To address poverty you need a plan with measurable outcomes and a multiyear commitment to success. People want government to get serious about addressing poverty and homelessness and they are tiring of the BC Liberal insistence that the best way to address the minimum wage is to ignore it. The past six years has taught me that MLAs can do more. Politics must move out of the backrooms and boardrooms to our community halls and kitchen tables. We must stay connected with our communities and do our best to listen to their views -- even when we disagree with them. There have been times during my career that I have been brought around to a new and better point of view, simply because I was determined to listen. It is that skill that I believe we need here in BC now more than ever. Although I will be traveling around BC over the next few months, my office remains open to serve you. If you have concerns about provincial programs or want to contact me about local issues send an e-mail to john.horgan.mla@ leg.bc.ca John Horgan, MLA Juan de Fuca
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March 2011
The Rural Observer’s publication schedule for 2011 is as follows: May 5th, June 30th, September 1st and November 17th.
A Sea of Bloom Floral Designs p.13 250-642-3952 Alice McLean Pottery p.10 250-642-3522
Deadlines for submission of articles and photographs are: April 6th for the May issue; June 3rd for June; August 5th for September; and October 20th for November.
Arnet Fencing p.10 250-391-0801 Board Walk Designs p.18 250-391-0000
If you would like to submit an article or photograph please send to submissions@ruralobserver.com. Enquiries are welcomed by our editorial staff, so if you have an idea for a story or a photograph of high quality and resolution that you think would work on our cover, please call 250 646-2528.
Custom Digging p.10 250-413-7685 Doug Read - Pemberton Holmes Realty p.9 250-642-2705 Dr. Keith Martin, MP p.2 250-474-6505 East Sooke Counselling p.10 250-642-4074 East Sooke Fire Protection Commission p.9 250-642-4411 Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p.4 250-642-5277 Force of Nature Landscaping p.4 250-686-6920 Fotoprint p.2 250-382-8218 French Beach Cooking School p.7 250-646-2772 From the Garden... at French Beach p.13 250-646-2177
♫ Musical Fundraiser ♫ in support of the Rural Observer Saturday April 9th in East Sooke *SEE ARTICLE ON PAGE 5
Numa Farms p.15 250-474-6005 Otter Point Electric p.12 250-588-4324 Pacific Rim Dental Centre p.17 250-478-4114 People’s Drug Mart p.11
250-642-2226
Pure Elements Hair Design p.14 250-642-6452 Ragley Farm p.17 250-642-7349 Rural Observer - Advertising p.19 250-642-1714 Sacred Path Healing p.9 250-889-8717 Sage Garden Services p.15 250-217-8797 Sarah Richer Hatha Yoga p.7
Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p.7 250-480-8295 James Craven & Associates p.5 250-744-9455 JdF Emergency Program p.16 250-642-2266 JdF Ground Search and Rescue p.4 250-642-1085 JdF Parks & Recreation Commission p.13 250-642-1500 John Horgan - Juan de Fuca MLA p.3 250-391-2801 Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p.14 250-478-0422 Markus’ Wharfside Restaurant p.2 250-642-3596 Mosaic West Consulting Services p. 8 250-642-0399
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Pres. Soc. p.6 250-646-2528 Sooke Harbour House p.13 250-642-3421 Tale of the Whale p.14 250-642-6161 Victoria Alarm Service p.10 250-721-0266 Vivi’s Flowers & Ducks p.8 250-642-1714 Walk, Sit & Stay - Dog Walking p.9 250-642-0458 Westside InstaPrint p.7 250-478-5533 Worklink p.14 250-642-3685 Wren House Garden & Shop p.17 250-642-0874
Noella LeDrew, Graphic & Web Design p.19 250-889-4100
Vivi Curutchet
Advertising Sales Ph: (250) 642-1714 Email: advertise@ruralobserver.com
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March 2011
Join us in East Sooke at the Community Hall Saturday April 9, 2011
for an
Evening of Music featuring singer and songwriter
Aidan Knight
Doors Open: 7:00 pm Music starts: 7:30 pm Tickets:Â Adults -$20.00 Children 16 and under - $10.00
For more information or to buy tickets, contact:
Kelly Nakatsuka at kellynak@telus.net, Janet Caplan at jcapl@telus.net or Charlotte Senay at 250 642-7282 IN SUPPORT OF THE RURAL OBSERVER 20
March 2011