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Cover Art by Maureen Reilly
Serving Port Renfrew Jordan River Otter Point East Sooke Malahat Shirley
OBSERVER Celebrating Our Rural Community Lifestyle
Dragonflies: Fast, Beautiful, Deadly Our Ancestors Had It Right Farmgate Nirvana
Vol. 10 Issue 3 July 2013
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 2617 Seaside Drive, Shirley, BC V9Z 1G7
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 $20, become 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: 6602 Tideview Rd, Sooke, BC, V9Z 1A6
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July 2013
Our Ancestors Had It Right
Learn Why
by Linda Morken
“People are fed by the food industry, which pays no attention to health, and are treated by the health industry, which pays no attention to food.” Wendell Berry
Eggs are Good for You and Butter is a Health Food
If we really are what we eat, then the above quote shows us that we’re in big trouble. With advances in medicine and all those ‘healthy’ food choices out there, we should all be doing pretty well. But, we’re not. Statistics show unprecedented increases in heart disease, obesity, cancer, diabetes (now even Type II in children), autism and mental disorders. The rise in these relatively new degenerative diseases corresponds directly with the industrialization of food.
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As food became factory products during the last century, I think we must have thought we were smarter than nature. We went from natural fertilizers to chemical ones. We traded proper preparation for shortcuts with food. We industrialized our food, synthesized it, cooked it to death, sanitized it, commoditized it, depleted the land, polluted it, abused the animals and made billions of dollars in profits for multi-national corporations that now dominate our food supply. Big Food, monoculture, and the unconscionable treatment of livestock have put us in an unsustainable, health-sapping mess.
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In our great-great grandparents’ time, before this epidemic of failing health, food was nutrient-dense with traditional fats from grass-fed animals, rich bone broths and healthy fermented beverages and condiments. An example of what the industrialization of food has done is the story of the humble condiment, ketchup. It originally was a fermented food, full of nourishing ingredients and probiotics before the Heinz Corporation changed it into a factory food in 1876. When canning and using sugars (in ketchup’s case – high fructose corn syrup) as a preservative became the standard, many highly probiotic foods were lost from our diets. Ketchup is just one of countless nourishing foods that have been processed into health liabilities.
www.westonaprice.org/portland or call (304) 724-3006
Most dietary professionals today say that we should eat a low fat diet. We’re told that processed fats (like margarine) are better for us than animal fats (like butter). Scientific evidence shows that low fat dietary advice is simply wrong and that the very foods and fats we are told to avoid are, in fact, vital to growth, intellectual development, and well-being. A chief cause of today’s health crisis is the replacement of nourishing animal fats with refined vegetable oils and hydrogenated fats.
So what can you or I do about this? How can we make our immune systems stronger and our bodies healthier? How can we be sure that children are truly nourished with what they need to grow and thrive, free of degenerative disease?
I have recently become a volunteer chapter leader for the non-profit Weston A. Price Foundation for our area. I’m not a health professional and I’m not making any health claims. I’m a grandmother with a background in farming. I find WAPF dietary wisdom to be so soundly restorative that I feel I have to share it with you my neighbours, my community. With education, research and activism, this foundation is dedicated to returning nutrient-dense foods to the human diet and intends to help people see the facts behind the profit-driven corporate spin. We humans have fed ourselves with local, grass-fed, nongenetically modified, organic, real whole foods for over 99.99% of our time on earth, or we wouldn’t be here at all. It’s this last little bit of time that we’ve been led into serious trouble, but we can turn this around with some wisdom from the past. Please see http://www.westonaprice.org/about-the-foundation/whyjoin or e-mail me at wapfwestshore@shaw.ca for more information.
One place to start is to go back to making our own fermented foods like real sauerkraut, chutneys, beverages like kefir and kombucha, and rich bone broth soups and stews. In our modern kitchens these foods take surprisingly little effort to make. These easy to digest, nourishing foods support strong immunity. Just one serving of fermented vegetables has more beneficial bacteria than an entire bottle of high-potency probiotics. Leading experts say refined sugars and high-fructose corn syrup are the biggest contributors to obesity and poor health in Western civilization. Sugar, in some form, is in nearly every packaged product. Another reason to avoid processed foods is that over 75% of them contain some genetically modified ingredients.
Linda Morken is a Volunteer Chapter Leader for Weston A. Price Foundation - West Shore
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July 2013
Dragonflies: Fast, Beautiful, Deadly by Rosemary Jorna
Dragonflies - nature’s top predator with a record 95% success rate in the hunt. For all that, they are harmless to people neither biting nor stinging, existing on a diet of insects. More than harmless as that 95% success rate makes them tops at pest control. The Capital Regional District is home to around 50 species of dragonflies if you include the 12 species of damselflies which together make up the insect order Onodata, the toothy ones. Damselflies are the iridescent threads that rest on leaves and grasses with their wings folded over their backs, moving on before you get close enough to really see them. (I might get back to them another day.)
Nymph, Darner Family, at San Juan Ridge
The adult lays eggs on or near water. A clear running stream, a muddy pond, a lake river or swamp, there is a dragonfly species for each. The eggs hatch into chunky, mud coloured, aquatic larva that bear little resemblance to the jewel-toned adults except that they too are deadly predators. Their clawed lower lip can flip out to one third of their body length in 1/100 of a second to catch dinner.
Dragonfly of the Meadow Hawk Family, Kemp Lake Road All Photos by Rosemary Jorna
Dragonflies are masters of the air; robust helicopters that hover then dart through the air suddenly changing direction, capable of reaching speeds of 96 kilometres per hour. Their extreme manoeuvrability is possible as each of their four wings has its own muscle system. This coupled with their incredible sight created by up to 30,000 ommatidia or simple eyes, linked to detect light and movement in a 360 degree field. In our time of miniaturization, this brain, eye and muscle coordination in a package less than 9 centimetres long is attracting attention from scientists interested in the development of drones. Can they create something as efficient? The order Onodata is one of the insect groups that go through complete metamorphosis. You could say they are amphibian.
The dragonfly will spend the longest stretch of its life as an aquatic nymph. Depending on the species it will be one to eight years before it emerges. During this time it will shed its hard skin eight to seventeen times as it grows larger. One warm night, with the promise of a sunny day the mature nymph will climb out onto vegetation at the water’s edge and struggle out of its case, inflate its legs and wings and harden them off enough to fly. At this stage a dragonfly is known as a teneral; it has achieved adult size but not adult strength, hardness of skin or adult colour. As soon as tenerals can fly they often leave the water area and move some distances to the sunny edges of woods and fields where they have sunny perches to rest on and open spaces to cruise for food as they achieve full adult strength and colour. Once fully adult, they return to their water body to compete for food and the right to mate for the one to four months of this, the last stage of their lives. The cycle begins again as the females lay their eggs on or near water. Dragonflies come in different shapes and sizes and in colours ranging from solid crimson to vivid green and patterns of turquoise, blue, brown cream, orange - everything but purple. Their wings are clear or patterned. Identifying them by species is a challenge as males and females of the same species can be different colours, those colours can change with temperature and age. Watching their antics is like watching an aerial dog fight.
Vivi Curutchet
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July 2013
With a little experience you can learn to recognize which of the seven Onodata families a dragonfly belongs to: Petaltails, Darners, Clubtails, Spiketails, Cruisers, Emeralds or Skimmers by their body shape and behaviour. Dragonflies like warm temperatures and sunny days so there is nothing better than a pair of binoculars, a sunny perch and a body of water for you to enjoy the show. For more information check out nature watch; and for more on dragonflies, Introducing the Dragonflies of British Columbia and the Yukon R.A. Cannings UBC Press 2002. Also, www. naturenorth/dragonfly is one of many interesting sites with more information on dragonflies.
Sooke Sailing Association Summer Camps by Gord Fulcher
Local children (6 to 14 years old) interested in learning to sail, kayak or just be safe around the water will have a great opportunity again this year as the newly formed Sooke Sailing Association brings back the Mobile Optimist Sailing School (MOSS) for three one week camps. Last year, Sooke Sailing Association offered only one one-week camp, which filled up quickly. The sailing camp is organized by BC Sailing and is certified by Sail Canada (formerly Canadian Yachting Association). The focus of the camp is water safety and having lots of fun while learning to sail. By the end of the week the children will be able to sail on their own. The children are also encouraged to come back and assist instructing the program when they reach15 years of age . The sailing camps will be held at Mariners Village in Sooke from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, starting July 8. No experience is necessary. The kids are graded according to their skill level. Three levels are taught each week - Wet Feet, Opti 1 and Opti 2.
Dragonfly of the Meadow Hawk Family, Kemp Lake Road
The kids will learn in 7ft. optimist boats, with skills warm ups and games in the mornings, then out on the water, lunch break, and back out on the water. Kids learn the basics like wind speed and direction; balancing, steering and maneuvering a boat; leaving and returning to the dock; and different points of sail.
Email: jdfepc@crd.bc.ca
Classes are held from Whitehorse in the Yukon to Fort St. John, and Port Alberni to Gibson. The purpose of the MOSS program is to build the legacy of a sailing program in communities that don’t already have one. The cost per child per week is $250. The registration deadline is Friday June 30th. (There is a possibility of Kidsport grants for those who can’t bear the full amount.) Sooke Sailing Association’s long term goals are running the camps all summer long as well as adding bigger boats like Lasers for older children. To register go to moss.checklick.com. For more information sookesailing.com or bcsailing.bc.ca. Feel free to call Sooke Sailing Association at 778-425-4030 for information and help with registration. 5
July 2013
Reader’s FORUM
Once again it falls on the Provincial level of government to protect a park that attracts 300,000 visits each year. Sooke and Vancouver Island residents enjoy their wild surroundings, but between Sooke and Port Renfrew only 3% of the land is preserved or protected for wildlife or public use. This includes the recent CRD purchase, Provincial and Federal parks and the flora and fauna reserves.
Logging above the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail on Marine Trail Holdings’ parcels is neither the best nor the worst outcome for this property; done properly logged forests regenerate. Housing is the worst case scenario for this wilderness. Logging is not limited to the Ilkay lands as zoning has always permitted logging above the park and throughout the Rural Resource Lands.
Rural Resource Land zoning was in place when Marine Trail Holdings purchased the 7 properties above the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. It did and does permit logging. At the time, Ilkay said he was well aware of the restrictions on the Juan de Fuca parcels and had no intention of seeking rezoning. “We fully understand that it is very clear and very limiting.” (Times Colonist Oct 30 2008) Zoning was maintained when OCP Bylaw 3591 and Zoning Bylaw 3602 were adopted on March 3, 2010. The zoning did not and does not permit dense housing. Zoning allows considerable scope for development within the JDFEA without involving the Rural Resource Lands. The former TFL properties released within the Otter Point and Shirley/Jordan River Official Community Plan areas are already zoned for housing. Planning for housing has begun in both. The lands released in these two OCP areas are greater than the municipality of Oak Bay.
The Rural Resource Lands make up two thirds of the total CRD land area and lie within the JDFEA from Port Renfrew to the Malahat. In 2007, these lands had approximately 68 owners and 160 residents. By far the biggest owners were/are the Crown, Western Forest Products, Timberwest and the CRD (watershed and Sea to Sea Blue Green Belt). Use was dictated by Tree Farm Licences and the forestry regulations surrounding them. Problems began in January 2007, when Tree Farm Licences were released by the Liberal government, by Minister Rich Coleman, without consultation with or compensation for the CRD or JDFEA. The forestry companies promptly released lands for sale, and Mr. Ilkay of Marine Trail Holdings placed an option to purchase on those 7 properties and more in October 2007. The public immediately called for protection of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail from the boundary of the existing 160 metre wide park to Highway 14. The call went out to all levels of government.
The fight to stop Marine Trail Holdings from building a dense collection of second homes was as much to protect the whole of the Rural Resource Lands as it was to protect the Marine Trail. The issue of destructive logging practices is related but under provincial control. Logging is supposed to be a sustainable industry. If it is done in a way that destroys the land permanently, then every citizen of this province should be alarmed and the regulations changed and enforced. If the resource lands are replanted and properly managed these forests can do much to balance if not erase the impact of the CRD’s population growth on our ecosystem. Subdivisions in remote areas put a great strain on community resources for services and an even greater strain on the ecosystem. It is all about sustainable management of our forests to protect the climate, to protect ecosystems: protect our wilderness so it can protect us. Done properly we get to enjoy its wildlife and recreational opportunities, both of which draw people from all over to live or vacation here.
The Auditor General’s report of July 2008 laid out exactly how the Campbell government failed to act in the public interest. The government should have addressed this before the TFLs were released. Compensation packages provided to other BC communities when their TFLs were released around the same time suggest that the park should have been expanded; lands for treaty settlement should have been provided; and Muir Creek should have been thrown in. The Campbell Government failed to act in the public interest. Efforts have continuously been made locally to protect the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. The CRD is the only level of Government that responded to public outrage by purchasing 2,350 hectares of lands at Jordan River, Sandcut, Weeks Lake and lands in the Sooke Hills, including Charters River, when these lands were re-offered in March 2009. The CRD parks budget is tapped out until 2016.
My wish is that the Clark Government works to increase park lands within the JDFEA and to enforce and improve forestry regulations in British Columbia. Carbon at Risk: Unprotected Old-growth on the South Coast and Vancouver Island http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/publications/scbcreports/carbon-at-risk/at_download/file “Despite the huge loss of old-growth forests in the southern parts of the coast, there remain significant areas of unprotected oldgrowth rainforest scattered across tracts of Vancouver Island and the South Coast of British Columbia, two regions with an overall significant lack of old-growth protection resulting in a high risk for species loss.” By Jens Wieting and Dave Leversee Emissions Impossible? British Columbia’s Uncounted Greenhouse Gas Emissions By Jens Wieting and Colin Campbell http://www.sierraclub.bc.ca/publications/scbc-reports/emissionsimpossible/at_download/file Rosemary Jorna Otter Point, JDFEA 6
July 2013
The 2013 Sooke Fall Fair: “Our First 100 Years!”
by Candace Linde, 2013 Past President, Sooke Fall Fair Association
Our Fall Fair is deeply rooted in agriculture, with Sooke rich in farming, fishing, mining and forestry. We continue to showcase agriculture in our historical Community Hall, as well as many handcrafted items families have worked on this past year. The Sooke Fall Fair will also proudly showcase its heritage with a special cookbook, Quilts of Valour, interactive family activities like homemade ice-cream and bread making, displays of agriculture antiques, equipment, toys and our ever popular Pet Parade. There will be special centennial Keeper Trophies for the new theme classes, so watch for the catalogue coming out next month. Don’t miss out on this highlight of the century in the heart of Sooke on Saturday, September 7th, doors open at 1 p.m., opening ceremonies and ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. Sunday September 8th begins with an old fashioned pancake breakfast at 9 a.m., and then the displays in the hall will open at 10 a.m. The 51st pet parade begins at 11 a.m. with a decoration station, clowns, wagons, bikes, skateboards and a multitude of animals with lots more entertainment throughout the day until 5 p.m. . Check out our website at www. sookefallfair.ca for specific information on class entries, schedules and updated highlights. See you at the Fair!
P.S. We are happy to share Phoebe Dunbar’s recipe for Salmon Cakes, which will be included in our heritage cookbook.
Salmon Cakes Submitted by Phoebe Dunbar
What to do with leftover salmon or too many pink salmon caught off Sooke in the odd numbered years? Make up some salmon cakes! These cakes are delicious, keep well for lunch or supper the next day and go well with fresh garden greens or salads. Pinks have never tasted so good. 2 cups cold mashed potatoes 1 cup cooked salmon (Or cooked rice) 1 egg 1 medium onion chopped fine Fresh lemon juice – to flavour Handful chopped parsley Bread crumbs (or make your own with a rolling pin and whole wheat crackers) 2 tbsp oil for pan fry of the cakes In a large bowl (we use a glass bowl), combine mashed potatoes, cooked fish crumbled (we bake extra fish in foil on the BBQ), onion, egg, pepper, a little salt, parsley. Form into a thick patty; dredge it in bread crumbs or flour. Fry up in a pan on medium heat, with olive oil, for a few minutes until crispy brown. Enjoy!
Highlights ‘Old Fashion’ Icecream Making & Antique Displays Special Keeper Trophies for Special Heritage classes
*See information in the catalogues in stores soon
Look for the Heritage Cookbook on Sale
CONTRIBUTE TO THE RURAL OBSERVER
If you have an activity of a rural nature in the Juan de Fuca area that you would like covered, please send it to us. We cannot promise to print every article, but we try to, if and when space allows. Email us! submissions@ruralobserver.com
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July 2013
On Our Cover
Stinking Fish Artists Open Doors Year Round by Angela Menzies Just when you thought the Stinking Fish Studio Tour couldn’t get any better, the artists have decided to open their studios year round. Since 2001, the Stinking Fish Studio Tour has been a self guided tour of working artisan studios. If you haven’t familiarized yourself with this art group yet then you are in for a treat. If you already have, then you know what I’m talking about: bright, whimsical acrylic paintings, landscapes in oil, watercolours, bricolage and mosaic art, recycled objects, sweet felted and hand embroidered pillows, wearable felt textiles, delightful lino cut prints, exquisite tapestries, metal sculptures, functional and decorative pottery, fine woodworking, hand painted silks, abstract paintings, hand pulled prints and artisan crafted jewellery. Phew! If that all sounds like a mouthful, that’s because it is. I have often heard, during our studio tours, someone lament: “I just don’t have enough time to see everything!” Traditionally, the studios were only open for ten days each summer. This year, 26 artisans are open year round by appointment (please call
Yin Yang Koi; Silk Painting by Maureen Reilly, Pebble Art Studio
ahead to assure availability). This year, you’ll have more time to appreciate and collect art. Come and meet the artists in a more personalized and relaxed visit. You’ll be able to see how various working studios operate and how each artisan creates. You’ll finally have the time to ask a million questions or to simply enjoy a cup of tea with us. We’d love to meet you and show you what we do! The Stinking Fish artists will also gather this summer for a gallery exhibition of our works at The Metchosin Art Gallery. From July 11th – August 14th our show, entitled, “Ten Thousand Hours”, will present one-of-a-kind artworks that showcase the dedication, life’s work and passion of the artist. Gallery hours are Thursday to Sunday, 12-5 p.m. The gallery is located at 4495 Happy Valley Road.
Kissing Booth by Angela Menzies
Look for our iconic “Stinking Fish” signs hanging at our art studios from Sooke River Road through East Sooke and into Metchosin. You can also reach individual artists by phone or email. Find us at www.stinkingfishstudiotour.com for downloadable maps and artist information. You can also find maps at the Sooke Museum, East Sooke Country Grocer, Metchosin Country Store and Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
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July 2013
“Art should tell the truth.”
- Jan Johnson by Catherine Keogan, Sooke Fine Arts Show Manager
Among the art submissions pouring into the 2013 Sooke Fine Arts Show, jurors will be looking for those that make a statement about our human society and the dramas of our shared existence: a piece to take home the Jan Johnson Memorial Award for Social Commentary. Prior to his passing in November 2011, Jan and Mary Alice conceived of the Sooke Fine Arts Show award to offer a platform for artists to explore the use of art for social commentary. Its first recipient was sculptor Grant Watson, for his 2012 sculpture entitled Big Hat, No Cattle (below). Three masked figures faced outward, holding red herrings. The piece spoke to the lies and sleight-of-hand that seems to be today’s business norm, said the artist. Grant Watson had the good fortune of knowing Johnson as a friend and collaborator. “Jan’s work spoke to me because it was honest and brave, informed and experienced,” says Watson, “raw in its intention, yet somehow neutral in judgement.” Born in Wisconsin, Jan Johnson turned to art after serving in the Vietnam war. He created pieces that were in turn poignant, painful,
Vancouver Island's Premier Summer Arts Event
satirical and whimsical, using powerful symbols and mythical figures to expose injustice and reveal the frailties of human nature. Jan’s studio and showroom to this day remain just as he left them: a phantasmagoric odyssey of human passions, embodied by metal and found objects. Walking into his showroom is like entering a medieval smith’s dollhouse. Axes and splitting mauls have been fashioned into the hazardous heads of thin, seated figurines. Grenades are turned into birds, and half-inch steel soldiers portage a vessel filled with the privileged. “Jan used a lot of myths and allegories,” says Mary Alice Johnson of her husband’s work. “Art was how he dealt with the horror of the war, the stupidity of it.” Jan’s voracious reading of religion, philosophy, poetry and economics underpinned the often-complex themes of his work; and his ever-present sense of humour would in turn soften the harshness of his commentary, or lend it a searing irony. “He would take a twist on the sacred and make us laugh at our passions,” explains Mary Alice, “the blind passions that infringe on other people.” To make a donation to the Jan Johnson Memorial Fund or to find out more about the Sooke Fine Arts Show, call 250-642-7256 or visit www.sookefinearts.com.
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375 pieces of Original Artwork by Local Island Artists Live Music, Artist Talks & Demos
Purchasers Preview Thurs July 25 • 7-10 pm
Art Show & Sale
Fri July 26 –Mon August 5 Open Daily at 10 am SEAPARC Leisure Complex
www.sookefinearts.com
July 2013
Animal Tracks – Part II by Dale Read
RIPLEES RANCH
This article is the second in a series on tracks of animals that live in our area. Members of the weasel family will be described – mink, marten and river otters. These fascinating predatory animals have long, lithe bodies, and this characteristic is reflected in their tracks. Often tracks show up in a 2-2 pattern, as described in Figure A. The back feet land in almost the same spots as those just vacated by the front feet; the result is a slightly elongated set of prints.
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Mink are common here, usually near water. These dark-furred creatures may be about 40 cm long and weigh one kilogram. Their diet includes fish, frogs, small rodents, birds, eggs chickens and insects. Their paws have five toes each and the back ones are slightly larger than the front ones. Paw width may be 2 cm. The trail width is about 6 cm, and the distance between sets of prints can be about 30 cm, depending on the rate of travel. If conditions are favourable, individual toe prints can be discerned. In addition to the 2-2 pattern, tracks may be in groups of three or four if the animal is not travelling too fast (Figure B).
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July 2013
Marten are surprisingly common on southern Vancouver Island. They are similar in shape to a mink, but are often slightly larger. The fur is a lighter brown, and a faint orangecream patch may be visible on the throat. Marten are usually found in upland areas and often climb trees. Their diet includes squirrels, mice, other small rodents, birds, and in the summer they will eat blueberries. Their paws are slightly larger than those of a mink and are more heavily furred. Otherwise, the tracks of these two animals are very similar. The best way to differentiate between them is to note the habitat. River otters are fascinating. They are large; the length may be one metre from tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, and the weight may be 10 – 12 kg. They feed mostly on fish, but also on frogs and many other small creatures. Look for tracks near the sea shore, lakes and streams. However, they explore and may turn up in places kilometres away from any water. Their feet are webbed, the hind ones more than the front ones. In addition to the 2-2 pattern, tracks may be in a 4-4 series. Track width may be 4 to 6 cm, with a trail width of 15 cm (Figure C). Note that the webbing between the toes is often detectable. Sometimes the tail drags and leaves a print. Such a ‘tail trail’ is a sure sign of an otter!
Building the Natural Healthy Home Conventional modern homes are often built with little regard for the health of the occupants. Off-gassing occurs from many of the toxic manufactured materials used and everything is sealed up tight inside an airtight plastic vapour barrier. Conventionally insulated stick frame construction is generally inadequate and thousands of dollars are spent on unsustainable heating fuels. There is a better way. “Natural Building” is a return to using less processed materials put together in such a way as to promote the good health and comfort of the occupants. Clay, straw, stone and timber are some of the basic materials used in creating “breathable” thermal mass walls and healthy indoor environments. Another thing missing in modern contractor built tract housing is the sense of community and self reliance resulting from the old-fashioned way of people coming together in the spirit of co-operation to raise the frames of their neighbours’ homes together. Attending a natural building workshop is an excellent way for prospective home owners, builders and designers to get a feel for the process of creating a healthy home, while learning and sharing with like-minded people.
Any of these weasel family members may turn up in surprising places. The reader may wish to detect their presence with a ‘tracking station’. Such a station may be prepared with a one cm layer of wet sand or mud. Groom it regularly, bait it with fresh food, and expect to be rewarded with frequent visits from fascinating animals.
For a more thorough discussion of this topic, join us for a free public lecture by renowned natural builder Robert Laporte of the EcoNest Company on July 10th at the HUB in Duncan (2375 Koksilah Road) or on July 11th at the Juan de Fuca Library in Colwood (1759 Island Highway). Both locations 7 to 8:30 pm.
Again, the author wishes to acknowledge that much useful information for this article was obtained from the book How to Read Animal Tracks & Sign, by Paul Rezendes, Camden House, 1992.
Keary Conwright is a natural home designer and builder living in Otter Point www.kcnaturalhomes.com
www.econest.com
Doug Read Licensed Realtor 26 years experience~18 years *Selling* in *East Sooke* Benefit from my LOCAL EXPERIENCE and LOCAL SERVICE. 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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July 2013
Light Keeper’s Journal: History of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse
characteristic of diaphone foghorns. The first foghorn at the Sheringham Point Lighthouse was a two-tone diaphone, which means that there were two notes in the sequence instead of just one. It was installed in 1925, after a Canadian Pacific Railway passenger liner had a close call in the fog with the offshore reef near Sheringham Point. The original foghorn ran on a diesel engine housed in the foghorn building, which still stands today on the water-side of the lighthouse.
by Rebecca Quinn
Anyone who lives near the waterfront will tell you that there is nothing quite like the lonely sound of a foghorn as the mist rolls in on a grey day. Today, lighthouse foghorns are becoming practically obsolete due to the affordability and widespread use of GPS technology, and sadly the low and solemn note of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse foghorn no longer resonates across the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Interestingly enough, some lighthouses’ foghorns were so loud that their keepers were actually paid extra in order to compensate for being deafened every time it got foggy. Yet Elanie Bruton, daughter of former light keeper Jim Bruton, says that having grown up with the sound of foghorns since the age of two, it never really bothered her. She says that the operation of the foghorn was a very important part of the light keepers’ lives and jobs. “My room was down in the basement of the house,” Bruton explains, recounting her days spent at Sheringham Point, “and if I was asleep and the fog rolled in and the horn didn’t come on I would wake up and feel that the fog was in - it changes the whole atmosphere.”
The foghorn is actually a Canadian invention - John Pell Northy perfected and patented the diaphone and, in 1903, founded the Diaphone Signal Co. in Toronto (Also known as the Canadian Signal Co.). The company manufactured several models of diaphone foghorns that were used around the world. The two-tone diaphone was common in lighthouses throughout the USA and Canada. Based on the ideas of a musical pump organ, a diaphone uses an air compressor and a piston to develop the deep and powerful sound. A low pitched whump noise as the high pressure air is cut off to the horn portion is
Randall Garrison, MP ESQUIMALT–JUAN DE FUCA Constituency office is now open to serve constituents: address: hours: phone: email:
A2–100 Aldersmith Pl, Victoria V9A 7M8 10am–4pm, Monday–Thursday or by appointment 250-405-6550 fax: 250-405-6554 Randall.Garrison@parl.gc.ca
We are here to assist constituents with Federal government programs and services.
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And you thought history was boring... This will change your mind. Available now at the Lighthouse Store (www.sheringhamlighthouse.org) A History of the Sheringham Lighthouse authored by Rebecca Quinn. A History of the Sheringham Lighthouse is a full colour, detailed history of the land, lighthouse, and the light keepers and their families. For the first time, in one place, Sheringham Lighthouse history is told in an interesting and fast paced narrative. Over 30 historic and current photos of the light keepers, the structure, maps, and more. Order your copy today. The lighthouse comes to life in this 20 page book. $5.00 plus shipping ISBN 099186440-9 The book is made possible with the generous assistance of the Juan de Fuca Economic Development Commission. Printing by Digital Direct Printing Ltd. , Design, layout and art by Noella LeDrew
Eventually the foghorn at Sheringham Point was equipped with a fogdetecting mechanism and came on automatically. “Even now,” Elanie says, “the fog will roll in when I’m asleep, and I know it’s there.” The distinctly eerie, but somehow comforting sound of the foghorn at Sheringham Point is sadly missed, as the lighthouse would be if it were to no longer part of the heritage of the Juan de Fuca. Please help the SPLPS save this wonderful piece of Canadian history. Now available from the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society (www.sheringhamlightouse.org), A History of the Sheringham Lighthouse, researched and authored by Rebecca Quinn and volunteers of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society, is a 20 page, full colour booklet covering the illustrious history of the lighthouse at Sheringham Point. Featuring over 30 photos, maps, journal entries, biographies of the light keepers, their families, info on the junior light keepers, the land purchase, the building of Sheringham Point Road and formation of the Society, the booklet is a fun and interesting read for everyone.
Calendar of Events for Shirley
Shirley Fire Department Practices on Thursdays 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. To volunteer –250-646-2107
Nia Dance/Movement Thursdays, 6:45-8:00 p.m. Sundays 10:00 -11:15 a.m. (No classes in August) movingmelody@gmail.com or 250-646-2995
Shukokai Karate for all ages Mondays, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Alida – 250-642-4631
Shirley Women’s Institute 3rd Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. stephaniecroft@hotmail.com
Pilates Mondays, 10:00 -11:00 a.m. Saturdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. svakayoga@gmail.com 250-646-2651
Shirley Fire Commission Meeting 3rd Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m.
Unless otherwise indicated, events are held at the Shirley Community Hall
Yoga Tuesdays, 6 – 7 p.m.
Shirley Day Sunday, August 18, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Fun! Food! Festivities! More info: Mary - 250-646-2554 or marydunn@shaw.ca 13
Shirley Community Assoc. Meeting Wednesday, July 10th 7:30 p.m. Shirley Farmer’s Market Sundays 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to end of Sept Christopher Lucas 250-905-8817 or 778-528-2888 shirleymarket@gmail.com Shirley Quilters and Crafters Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. (Not meeting July or Aug) Shirley Fire Protection Soc. Meeting Tuesday, Sept 10, 7:30 p.m. Shirley Community Assoc. Meeting Wed., Sept. 11th, 7:30 p.m.
July 2013
Summer Hikes by Sid Jorna
The following are some hikes planned by the Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society. The public is more than welcome to join us on these hikes. For reference to difficulty levels see our website at www.jdfcommunitytrails.ca
Great Coffee Maccha and Black Chai Freshly Baked Pastries Scrumptious Savouries Weekend Brunch Satisfy your Rumblin’ Tum at Shirley D Open WIFI
778-528-2888
Saturday July 6: Shields Lake Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society Hike. Meet at 9 a.m. at the upper parking lot at the Sooke Potholes for a 15 km return hike to Shields Lake, an elevation 420 metres. This is a single track forest trail with good footing. At this time of year there is a parking charge of $2.25. Bring lunch, water and dress for the weather. Contact Rosemary Jorna at sid2767@shaw.ca, or 250-642-2767. Saturday July 13: Thetis Lake to Francis King Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society, sponsored by the Juan De Fuca EA Parks and Recreation Commission. The Thetis Lake hike is 15 km rated a difficulty level 3. The terrain is up and down but there is little elevation gain on this hike. The footing is good everywhere, and there are some beautiful forests, rock outcroppings and mosses. Meet at William Simmons Park, parking lot at 9 a.m. (Sooke Business Park, 3220 Otter Point Rd.) Contact jdf.cts@gmail.com Saturday August 3: JdF Marine Trail Segment Juan de Fuca Community Trails Soc. hike to do one segment of approximately 10 km of the JdF Marine Trail. Details have to be finalized so please consult our web site at www.jdfcommunitytrails.ca for details. Saturday August 10: Mt Manual Quimper Juan de Fuca Community Trails Soc. sponsored by the Juan de Fuca EA Parks and Recreation Commission. This hike is approximately 10 km with an elevation gain of 540 meters. It is rated as a difficulty level 3+ because of the elevation gain. All trails have reasonably good footing. Meet at William Simmons Park, parking lot (Sooke Business Park, 3220 Otter Point Rd) at 9 a.m. to car pool to the trail head. Info at jdf.cts@gmail.com Saturday Sept 7: TBD Please check our website at www.jdfcommunitytrails.ca closer to the time. Saturday September 14: Charters River to Grassie Lake Juan de Fuca Community Trails Soc. sponsored by the Juan de Fuca EA Parks and Recreation Commission. This hike is approximately 12 km rated at difficulty level 3+. Meet at William Simmons Park, parking lot (Sooke Business Park, 3220 Otter Point Rd) at 9 a.m. to car pool to the trail head. This is a steadily uphill hike to an elevation of 420 meters. The trails have good footing although there are sections of washed out road characterized by loose rocks. Enjoy Grassie Lake with its colourful water lilies. For more info, contact jdf.cts@gmail.com
John Horgan
MLA Juan de Fuca
Your Rural Voice in the Legislature 800 Goldstream Ave, Victoria, V9B 2X7 250 391 2801 john.horgan.mla@leg.bc.ca www.johnhorgan.ca JH-RurObs-1306.indd 1
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July 2013
Farmgate Nirvana: Farm Tour set for Sunday, August 18th
Sooke Region Food CHI Society
Farm Tour 2013
by Sooke Region Food CHI
Sunday, August 18 ◆ 11am–5pm
Veggies, fruit, critters, crafts, friendly farmers and their families, oh my! Sooke Region Food CHI Society’s Farm Tour returns on Sunday, August 18, with a self-guided tour of some of the region’s most scenic, charming and productive farms. The fundraiser ($12 for adults, kids under 12 free) runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.
rain or shine Self-guided tour of 10 unique farms So much to see and learn! Tickets $12, ages 12 and under free. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Peoples Drug Mart, Double D Gardens, Westburn Garden Centre, Sooke Country Market, The Stick in the Mud Coffeehouse, Dig This (Fort St.) and Moss St. Market.
Following well-received tours in 2010 and 2011, the Farm Tour took a year off last fall as the Society’s volunteer board focused on the Harvest Feast at Sunriver Community Garden, one of the season’s hottest tickets in the Sooke region.
www.sookefoodchi.ca
Tickets will be available starting in early July at various locations across the southern island, including the Sooke Country Market and Victoria’s Moss Street Market (both on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
Now the tour is back for a third time with an emphasis on working farms and a routing that stretches east from Happy Valley Lavender Farm in Metchosin as far west as Silver Cloud Farm on the Otter Point/Shirley boundary.
2013 Farm in Tour All participating farms are featured the new and colourfully Size:CHI 3.5"Farm x 2" Guide. It lists 29 local revamped 2013 Sooke Food farms along with info on area restaurants, farmer’s markets, food box programs, education, foodCHI banks, Rebergardening Creative for Sooke Food community gardens and more. Check it out and learn more 250-383-5255 about the Farm Tour online at www.sookefoodchi.com.
Along the way participants are invited to detour to eight other area farm gates: Eagle Paws Organics, Ragley Farm, Mrs. Lewers Farmhouse, T’Sou-ke Nation Ladybug Garden, ALM Organic Farm/Full Circle Seeds, Barefoot Farm, Orveas Creek Organics and Tugwell Creek Farm & Meadery. “It’s a great day out for anyone interested in the farming workstyle and life behind the scenes,” says lead organizer Keeley Nixon, one of Food CHI’s directors and a farmer herself at ALM Farm.
Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
“Our hosts will be greeting visitors and showcasing the everyday tasks like cultivating, composting, transplanting and harvesting that it takes to produce food locally,” adds Nixon, who helped create and run the first two editions of the tour with Mary Wolfe and Sandy Reber.
The Commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 3pm, 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.
Ticketholders are encouraged to pack an appetite. Freshly prepared food will be available at several of the stops. And everyone is invited to bring a stack of shopping bags to carry home a bounty of fruit, veggies, crafts, teas, wool, eggs, orchids and other local products available for purchase at the height of the growing season.
N E W WEBSITE! o t t e rp o int e le c t ric . c o m
OTTER POINT ELECTRIC C LAYTON F I S CHER E LECTRICIAN /O WNER
bonded licensed insured •
EC Lic. No.99330
250.588.4324
•
FSR No.98873
otterpointelectric@gmail.com
THANK YOU
This year’s organizing team is guided by a Food CHI board led by 2013 president Anita Wasiuta. Funds will go towards the society’s various initiatives, which include the Sunriver garden and the Sooke Farmer2Farmer Mentorship Network.
Thanks for hiring local trades people 15
On behalf of the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Regional Director, Mike Hicks for his generous grant-in-aid to the Rural Observer. Heartfelt thanks go also to Society members, donors, contributors, advertisers and volunteers who have supported and sustained our rural paper through 10 years of publication. We appreciate your ongoing interest and assistance, and hope to continue producing the Rural Observer for many years to come. Thank you all!
July 2013
From the desk of John Horgan, MLA Juan de Fuca Well here we are, weeks after the provincial election, and people are still asking me “what happened?” Readers will know that pollsters and pundits had been predicting a change in government for months prior to the vote on May 14 - in fact they were still predicting change just hours before the close of voting.
input from a wide cross section of our community. One of the biggest challenges we will face is the lack of representations from Southern Vancouver Island in the BC Liberal government. I have worked well with government members in previous parliaments to ensure issues of importance to our area are well understood. I have already begun meetings with local Mayors and Councils to ensure we are all focused on the key priorities from Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island. My hope is that we will return to the Legislature at some point during this summer as there is much work to do. We have the yearly Estimates process to attend to and the passage of a budget that the BC Liberal government insists is balanced. We shall see.
Despite the earnest prognostications of the political class, voters clearly made up their own minds and were guided by a host of different variables. What are the policies and platform of the various parties? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the leaders, the teams around them and the professionalism of the campaign - local and provincial? Who among the local candidates brings the skills and experience to best represent community concerns? The list of inputs can be lengthy, but the final decision belongs to the individual voter, here in Juan de Fuca and across British Columbia.
As your Member of the Legislative Assembly, I have the responsibility of advocating for the rights of my constituents, bringing local issues to the attention of government and seeking solutions for positive outcomes. I divide my time between my community office and the Legislature. It is a busy job to be sure but one I thoroughly enjoy. I am hopeful constituents will continue to contact my office with ideas.
After months of jockeying, endless advertisements, and millions of dollars raised and spent, the people decided to stand pat. At the dissolution of the 39th Parliament of British Columbia, the Liberal Party held 45 seats, after the election they hold 49. New Democrats held 36 seats before the election, after they hold 34. Independents were at 4 seats prior to the vote and now hold only one. And for the first time, a Green member was elected to sit in the Legislature. Not much change for all of that, but the voters are always correct.
As your MLA, I commit to be available and accessible. Whether on the bus, at the playing field or in the shopping centre, I am here for you. I will be asking questions and working for solutions to the many issues affecting our community. It will be a privilege to serve the people of Juan de Fuca over the next four years and I will continue to push for a government that is open, honest and transparent in the way it deals with issues affecting you and your family.
I am honoured to have been re-elected in Juan de Fuca and very much look forward to serving the people of our area to the best of my ability. There will be many issues that will emerge over the coming months and I intend to do my best to consult and seek
John Horgan, MLA Juan de Fuca
CRITICAL TIMES REQUIRE QUICK ACTION Please act today to Preserve and Protect our Lighthouse at Sheringham Point. The federal government is in process of making decisions about heritage status of the lighthouse, land and access for Sheringham Point. Without your immediate action, the site may be lost forever. The Society has submitted all the proper paperwork and now it is up to the Federal Government to decide whether or not the land and structure are protected under the Lighthouse Heritage Act. Please go to: www.sheringhamlighthouse.org and click on “Take Action”. Send an email to the decision makers. It’s easy, fast, and will help make the difference. YOUR HELP TODAY WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.
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July 2013
From the desk of Mike Hicks, JdF Regional Director
There has been a lot of activity throughout the Juan de Fuca in the past few months. Here is a brief summary:
those firefighters in hard to reach areas and eliminate blind spots where members weren’t able to get page-out calls. The construction of our new JDF Administration building located in Otter Point has started. The 4,500 square foot rancher will sit on three quarters of an acre and provide space for JDF Building Inspection, Planning, Parks, Emergency Services, Search and Rescue, Regional Director and a spacious meeting room. The office’s location is at the entrance to our beautiful 6 hectare (15 acre) William Simmons Park.
Vancouver Island Library has started construction on the $80,000 re-fit of the Port Renfrew Recreation Building. The new library, adjacent to the Post Office, will offer a current selection of books and magazines, public computers, Wi-Fi and access to the complete Vancouver Island Library service. Completion is planned for July of this year. You might remember the Marine Trail Holding’s re-zoning application just west of Jordon River. After a tremendous amount of public engagement, the zoning request to build a resort/ cabin development on the 600 acres was denied. The owner has now started logging, which will no doubt affect the pristine nature of the Juan de Fuca Trail and Pacific Marine Circle Route. Although resource extraction is supported, I will continue to press Provincial Parks to purchase this property in hopes of preserving the unspoiled nature of the existing Juan de Fuca Trail and Park.
Financing for the 1.5 million dollar project is provided by the CRD building fund. Combined interest and principal payments should be equal to or less than our current rent payments, and we should own our building outright in 15 years. The building should be ready to occupy this December. East Sooke residents have voted “Yes” on their referendum to replace their old 3-bay fire hall with a new 6-bay hall. The new 2.2 million dollar building will be constructed on a one hectare parcel with site preparation slated to start in late summer. Willis Point has started construction on their $200,000 building structure which will provide space to repair and house their fire trucks and firefighting equipment.
CRD Parks are in the process of establishing the Jordon River Park, which was purchased from Western Forest Products. The lands stretch from Sand Cut Creek to the Jordan River. At the time of purchase, the CRD Board publically stated that they might not keep all land purchased and could possibly sell lands deemed surplus to Park needs. While the Board determines possible surplus land, CRD Parks have started consulting with the Jordan River Community Association concerning a development strategy for the Jordon River Park.
Malahat residents are considering a change to their OCP which would allow accessory suites on most residential properties and detached accessory suites on properties larger than one acre. This change would bring them into line with Otter Point, Shirley and East Sooke, and hopefully provide affordable housing for family members or a mortgage helper for residents.
CREST has installed a paging repeater on a BC Hydro site in Shirley, which extends coverage and will make a huge difference for fire and rescue personnel relying on pagers to call them out for emergency services. The new service will hopefully reach
Have a great summer.
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Septic System Inspections Help! I think I need to get my septic system inspected and I have no idea who to call or what to expect. Are you losing sleep wondering if your septic system actually works, or worse yet...what it might cost you? At Septic Savvy workshops we have heard this concern from many residents on septic. Fear not. The CRD Septic Savvy program is here to help you navigate an inspection. Ron Hein, Manager of the Onsite Wastewater Registration Program for the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC), walked us through a typical inspection to address typical concerns, fears and misperceptions. He cautioned, “..investing in a baseline inspection and regular maintenance schedule might cost a few hundred dollars...ignoring it can cost you thousands.” Don’t know where your system is? Has it been largely ignored? Is it showing signs of malfunction? Thinking of selling the place? You might consider getting an inspection. So what does that look like? The system in question was a 1960s job, whereabouts and condition unknown: the owners had only been there a few years and had no previous maintenance records. Not to worry - the modern inspector relies more on laptops, and pipe cameras than backhoes. Within a few hours Ron had located the long-buried distribution boxes and laterals; it was then time to test the components and flow. Much to the relief of he owner, the old system was actually working relatively well - not to bad for a system in its mid 40s! When I expressed my shock at the clean bill of health, our practitioner compared the old system to a car “Changing your oil is inexpensive - if you don’t, you’re probably not going to be driving very long. Same with septic systems - get a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP) to create a maintenance plan and stick to it - you’ll get many years of inexpensive, reliable treatment ...I’ve seen functioning systems as old as seventy-five years...I’ve also seen two year old systems malfunction when improperly installed. Somebody’s done some maintenance here.”
to view the list, or call the ASTTBC Customer Information Line at 1.877.456.7697. A recent survey revealed that typical costs for inspections on Vancouver Island range from $350 to $650, or $60 per hour plus travel. Compare that to the cost of system repair or replacement which can range from $20,000 to $40,000, or more, and you will see the value of inspections and regular maintenance and monitoring of your system. Perhaps the most effective way to prevent problems is to understand how your system works and how to care for it. Call the CRD if you’re interested in registering for a free two hour workshop in your area, or if you have questions about your system. We’re happy to send you a free household information kit and our website has a wealth of information on this subject. www.crd.bc.ca/septic For questions or workshop registration please call 250.360.3030. Capital Regional District, Environmental Sustainability PO Box 1000, 625 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2S6 T: 250.360.3110 F:250.360.3270 T: 800.663.4425
“So where to from here?” asked a beaming home owner. “Well, first thing I would Do,” replied Mr. Hein, “...is remove that apple tree you’ve planted over top of the field - the roots can crack pipes.” Oops! “Other than that, just keep up with the maintenance plan I wrote for you.” The next big question is, “who do you trust?” A ROWP is the best person to contact for a septic system inspection. They are highly trained professionals, carry the correct equipment and must conform to a strict code of ethics. In fact, all ROWPs can be investigated by ASTTBC if concerns or complaints are received. For a list of qualified ROWP inspectors Maintenance Providers, Planners and Installers go to: wastewater.asttbc.org/c/finder.php
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FREE
INFORMATION FOR THE ASKING
Our advertisers are happy to provide any information about their products or services. Please feel free to use the phone numbers below to contact them directly.
Alice McLean Pottery p.8 250-642-3522 Aristos Mail Tech Inc. p.2 250-384-7678 Custom Digging p.7 250-413-7685 Digital Direct Printing Ltd. p.2 250-388-7082
Riplees Ranch Holistic Pet Food p.10 250-208-9460
Doug Read - Pemberton Holmes Realty p.11 250-642-2705
Rural Observer - Advertising pp.4,19 250-642-1714
East Sooke Yoga p.11
Sheringham Point Lighthouse Pres. Soc. pp.13,16 250-646-2528
250-642-2142
Envirotemp Refrigeration p.18 250-893-4530
Shirley Delicious Cafe p.14 778-528-2888
Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p.13 250-642-5277
Sooke Fall Fair p.7 sookefallfair.ca
Honestly Tea p.12 250-646-2425
Sooke Fine Arts Society p.9 sookefinearts.com
Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p.14 250-480-8295
Sooke Region Food CHI Farm Tour p.15 sookefoodchi.ca
James Craven & Associates p.17 250-744-9455
Tale of the Whale p.12 250-642-6161
JdF Emergency Program p.5 250-642-2266
The Stick In The Mud Cafe p.6
JdF Parks & Recreation Commission p.15 250-642-1500
Victoria Alarm Service p.4 250-721-0266
John Horgan - MLA, JdF p.14 250-391-2801
Vivi Curutchet - Architectural Drawings p.11 250-624-1714
Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p.7 250-478-0422
Walk, Sit & Stay - Dog Walking p.10 250-642-0458
KC Natural Homes p.20
Weston A. Price Foundation p.3 304-724-3006
250-642-0535
250-642-5635
Kimmel Massage Therapist p.12 250-646-2865
Westside InstaPrint p.9 250-478-5533
Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p.9 250-642-7620
Zig Reders Renovations p.10 250-642-7881
Mosaic West Consulting Services p.10 250-642-0399 Noella LeDrew, Graphic & Web Design pp.2,19 778-528-2282 Numa Farms p.7 250-474-6005
The Rural Observer’s Publication Schedule for 2013:
Otter Point Electric p.15 250-588-4324 Perfect Grade Plumbing p.18 250-532-8678
October Issue - Oct. 3, 2013
Race Rocks Automotive p.5 250-478-1920
December Issue - Dec. 5, 2013
Randall Garrison, MP p.12 250-405-6550
Vivi Curutchet
Advertising Sales Ph: (250) 642-1714 Email: advertise@ruralobserver.com
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