WEST COAST CULTURE APRIL 2011
EARTH
DAY
Live life on your terms Our caring
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helps promote independence within the comfort of your own home environment. We help you get things done with grace and dignity so that your daily routine is as smooth and comfortable as possible. •
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april 2011
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Sunday April 24th 1pm - 3pm Children are invited to bring their Easter baskets to a lovely heritage park – Dominion Brook Park across from Panorama Recreation Centre. The Easter Bunny will have been up since dawn hiding eggs in nooks and crannies. Find them and bring them to the Easter Bunny and you’ll receive scrumptious tasty treats! Parents and Grandparents are welcome to take part in the fun. Remember to bring cameras and baskets!
~ coffee & mini donuts on site
www.PeninsulaCelebrations.ca | 250.656.4365
Sponsorship Drive Underway!
Sidney Days, Summer Sounds, Sidney Sparkles, SailPast and SO much more!
Whether you are a big business or our biggest fan, your involvement makes it all possible. Contact Peninsula Celebrations to find out more or download your sponsorship kit today! Phone: 250.656.4365
There’s never been a better time! www.PeninsulaCelebrations.ca/sponsor
Thrifty Foods Sidney 9810 Seventh Avenue Sidney 250•656•0946
Thrifty Foods Central Saanich 7860 Wallace Drive Saanichton 250•544•0980
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west coast culture
Seaside Times april 2011 First Word
What a Way to Start a Holiday!
Raincoast Update The Early Bird Catches The Herring
Veterinary Voice Bugs BUG Us!
Forbes & Marshall Chicken Little Syndrome
Sumptuous Garden I Do
Island Dish The Pleasure of Pasta
Footprints “What makes Harry Manx an exceptional performer is his ability to completely give himself over to the song in the moment, creating a deep well of emotion for the audience to draw from.” To him, it’s natural to be kind to others and to respect the natural world and the environment.
“mystical rapture” ~
p. 35
What Was the Iroquois?
Weatherwit April Weather Forecast
Smell The Coffee Customer Coffee House Etiquette
What’s Happening Community Calender
On the cover:
Earth Day, April 22nd, 2011
Entertainment Sudoku & Astrology
Last Word A Billion Acts of Green ®
6 8 14 18 23 28 39 47 50 56 58 62
FIRST WO R D
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What a Way to Start a Holiday!
ast month my wife Kristine and I took a holiday in Maui. Off we went on Thursday, March 10th. At about 8:45 p.m., while standing in the car rental line, my eyes fell on a TV that was showing the earthquake and subsequent tsunami damage that had just happened in Japan at 7:48 p.m. Maui time. The pictures were unbelievable; the ocean destroying so much, so fast. It was hard to process what I was seeing. Then I noticed the text running across the bottom of the screen: “All Hawaiian Islands are under a ‘Tsunami Warning.’” The words looked ominous, especially when tied to seeing the damage that had just happened in Japan. Approaching the car rental clerk, I asked him if the warning was just a precaution. He looked at
me and, with a serious but not panicked look, said: “I’m trying to get out of here to get my wife and son and find some high ground.” I knew this night wasn’t going to be normal.
Time to get new glasses?
Then it’s also time to get a comprehensive eye exam. Eye doctors do more than determine if you see well.They can detect serious eye and health problems that often show no symptoms at the early stages. Conditions like glaucoma and retinal tears that lead to permanent vision loss, and health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease and even brain tumours. If you do have vision changes, they’ll assess the underlying cause. A visit to your eye doctor is a vital part of your overall health.
Call a B.C. Doctor of Optometry to make your appointment today:
Central Saanich Optometry Clinic
Dr. Paul Neumann Dr. Gurpreet Leekha
Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tues/Thurs 9-6, Saturday 10-4
#1, 7865 Patterson Road, Saanichton 250.544.2210 • www.cseyecare.com 6
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Our condo was about a 45-minute drive away – a second floor unit just 30 feet from the ocean on the northwest side of the Island near Ka’anapali. We tuned our car radio to the local station and there was a real sense that this was going to be big. Mandatory evacuation from all low-lying areas was announced and everyone was advised to seek high ground as the tsunami sirens blared. As we left Kahului at 9:30 p.m. we started seeing gas stations with lineups of hundreds of cars. People were moving quickly into any place that had water and food. I wouldn’t call it panic, but the herd was on the move. About halfway to the condo we noticed a lot of traffic leaving that part of the Island. We just didn’t feel comfortable continuing and felt we should stay close to the main city in case we needed to leave if things got bad. We were both calm and talked through our options before making the decision to turn around, find food and water, get to high ground and prepare to spend the night in the car. We found a safe cul-de-sac in one of the highest residential areas of the Island, giving us plenty of options. The time was now 11:45
www.seasidetimes.ca
www.seasidetimes.ca p.m. The emergency teams on the Island were calm and organized and the information on the radio was very good and helpful. The first wave was scheduled to hit Maui at 3:31 a.m. so we settled in for a long night. Kris was an ER nurse for many years so we talked though all of the scenarios that we might have to encounter as we waited.
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At 3:30 a.m. the first wave was reported as nothing serious. We were relieved that there was no damage or loss of life. We finally left our perch in the hills around 5:30 a.m., looking for coffee and to see if the highway to the condo was open. Parts of the highway had been flooded, but the road was re-opened around 10 a.m. and we were off to start our vacation.
This Month’s Contributing Writers
Kris and I stayed calm, worked as a team and listened to each other. We decided that after this experience, we were going to be much more prepared for this type of emergency at home. It’s not a matter of if but when this will happen on Vancouver Island. My question is: “will I be prepared if there is no power or water for seven days?” If your answer is NO, go to this website for all the information you will need to prepare now for an earthquake in British Columbia: http://www.pep. bc.ca/hazard_preparedness/ prepare_now/prepare.html. Be prepared – you will be calmer and safer.
Tim Flater
Tim Flater 250.686.1144 sales@seasidetimes.ca publisher@seasidetimes.ca
Editor-in-Chief Allison Smith 250.813.1745 editor@seasidetimes.ca
Advertising Sales Patti Anthony 250.589.3690 patti@seasidetimes.ca
Arlene Antonik • Melanie Barnes • Rob Bond Jennifer Bowles • Shelley Breadner Michael Forbes • Doreen Marion Gee Chris Genovali • Ryan Labelle Linda M. Langwith • Barry Mathias Teagan McKay • Joan Neudecker Ingrid Ostrander • Steve Sakiyama Steve Sheppard • Fraser Smith • Leia Smoudianis Anne Stopps • Hans Tammemagi Virginia Watson-Rouslin • Heather Zais Seaside Times magazine is printed 12 times a year in Richmond, British Columbia by Rhino Print Solutions. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Reproduction requests may be made to the editor or publisher via the above means. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of the publisher and editor. Staff of the magazine cannot be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.
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raincoast update
The Early Bird Catches The Herring by Chris Genovali, Executive Director, Raincoast Conservation Foundation Caroline Fox has been a biologist with Raincoast Conservation Foundation’s marine conservation program since 2007 and serves as Raincoast’s lead scientist for the Foundation’s work on marine birds. After completing a B.Sc. from the University of Victoria with a focus in Biology and Environmental Studies, Caroline was awarded a M.Sc. in Biology and Ecology from Case Western Reserve University with thesis research undertaken at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. Prior to her work with Raincoast, Caroline was involved with marine research projects with the University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
After completing four years of intensive marine bird surveys in the waters adjacent to the Great Bear Rainforest, in 2010 Caroline presented some of Raincoast’s findings at the 1st World Seabird Conference held in Victoria and in our comprehensive report What’s at Stake? The cost of oil on British Columbia’s priceless coast, which we released last year on the 21st anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. In 2011, we are continuing our analysis and focusing attention on the application of this research. Caroline will be heading up the following important effort with regard to marine birds and oil for Raincoast this year. As formal interveners in the federal Joint Review Panel (JRP) process for the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project, among various marine and terrestrial issues we are focusing on for the JRP, Raincoast will address the potential impact to marine birds from proposed oil tanker traffic on B.C.’s north coast, both in terms of chronic oiling and catastrophic spills. As a consequence of her observations of wildlife at herring spawn sites along the B.C. coast during the course of our marine
Finlayson Bonet Caroline Fox, photo courtesy Rob Davey
Architecture
bird surveys, as well as coming to the realization that herring act to subsidize terrestrial and intertidal ecosystems, Caroline began a PhD program at the University of Victoria in 2009. On Vancouver Island, Pacific herring spawn each spring in Quatsino Sound. For marine birds and mammals, the herring spawn signals an opportunity to gorge after a lean winter. From the moment they are laid as eggs on nearshore kelps and eelgrass, these oily fish are a major prey species and an ecological mainstay for coastal marine ecosystems. Caroline asked whether, like salmon in coastal rainforests, spawning Pacific herring contribute a similar pulse of nutrients and energy to terrestrial ecosystems. Our research, done in partnership with the University of Victoria, seeks to trace the myriad of ecological linkages between herring spawn events and terrestrial ecosystems that have long been overlooked. This past winter, we published a peer-reviewed paper in the scientific journal Ursus that relates to one of the surprises Caroline has uncovered thus far during the course of her “Herring Coast” field work; on the west coast of Vancouver Island, black bears are denning and hibernating near the beach, just a few metres above sea level.
Dogwood Estates: A Success Story! #4 - 7855 East Saanich Rd., Saanichton, B.C. Tel: 250.656.2224 • Fax: 250.656.2279
Don’t I Deserve the Very Best? Full Selection of Accessories
Photo of gulls courtesy Guillaume Mazille.
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camosun Peninsula Properties #14-2510 Bevan Ave., Sidney 250-655-0608 • remaxsidney@vreb.bc.ca
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Craig Walters
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sagegray@shaw.ca
Our experienced agents are connecting sellers with buyers Locally and Globally Rene Blais
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Get on board and call a Remax agent today
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V
The book includes “Musts” from locals such as wine connoisseur John Schreiner’s Five Favourite Island Wineries, historical non-fiction writer Lynne Bowen’s Five Literary Places, wild bird writer Gary Kaiser’s Five Wildlife Spectacles, writer Star Weiss’s Five Sacred Places, founding executive director of the Land Conservancy of B.C. Bill Turner’s Five Gems of Preserved Properties and bohemian world traveler, psychedelic artist and carver Godfrey Stephens’ Anchorages in Paradise.
ancouver Island Book of Musts – the 101 Places Every Islander Must See is a fascinating combination of facts and history of British Columbia’s own Big Island. Victoria writer Peter Grant has many books to his credit including The Story of Sidney; Victoria – A History of Photographs and Wish You Were Here – Life on Vancouver Island in Historical Postcards. According to Grant, “Vancouver Island is a diverse land, with as much sea as land, with true rainforests on the exposed west side and places on the more protected east side where cacti grow. My list is a composite.
“It’s got many of the Islands’ superlative and unique places, for sure. It also includes some of our icons, a few places that are just plain favourites and a few that snuck in by a mysterious process.”
The book explores Island “musts” such as enjoying a fancy afternoon tea in the elegant Tea Lobby of the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria’s Inner Habour, the sweet-smelling delights of an old rose garden in June in Government House Gardens, sipping cider from heritage apples in the tasting room of Merridale Estate Cidery in Cobble Hill or discovering tidal pools teeming with starfish, pale green anemones, baby crabs and tiny fish at Botanical Beach on the open coast near Port Renfrew.
A Book Review by Anne Stopps can be reached on the MV Uchuck from Gold River and so on up to the tip of the Island. The voyage onboard is an adventure in itself!
Peter Grant’s latest book is the ultimate getaway guide to keep you busy for amazing day trips, weekends or longer vacations. Discovery is the real focus of this guide which is the perfect size to put in your pocket or toss in your backpack. This is definitely the book to take along to find at least a few (or more) of the 101 places every Islander MUST see – whether you’re a visitor, newcomer or seasoned local. Pick it up at Tanner’s Books in Sidney or online at www.amazon.ca.
Or how about visiting Cougar Annie’s Garden – the largest known pioneer garden on the West Coast. The garden was started in 1915 by Ada Annie Rae-Arthur while raising eight children with the first of her four husbands, Willie, an Englishman who was not cut out for pioneering and became more of a house husband. Hollyhock Educational Retreat Centre on Cortes Island is another great Island “must.” Grant writes: “people flock to this rural retreat for refreshment and renewal.”
Discover the tiny outpost of Yuquot (Friendly Island). Yuquot is the site of an ancient First Nations whaling base and summer village which SEASIDE TIMES
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Harbour City Kitchens: Custom-Made Cabinets Close to Home by Arlene Antonik
H
because we build the cabinets right here, our turnaround and delivery time is as quick as it gets.”
as Spring fever got you thinking about renovating your kitchen or bathroom? Does the mere thought of cleaning out your closets or garage transform you into a wild-eyed weekend warrior?
Fortunately, help is close at hand.
Harbour City Kitchens, located at 2189 Keating X Road, has the largest showroom of display kitchens on Vancouver Island. Here you can wander around and discover new ideas and trends that would look fantastic in your own home and help get trouble spots organized. “Over the past 10 months, we’ve completely updated our showroom,” says co-owner Scott Philipchalk. “Our 10,000-square-foot design centre showcases the latest trends and colours in kitchen and bathroom. We are the largest manufacturer of residential custom cabinetry on the Island and
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Harbour City Kitchens is family owned and operated by brothers Tim and Scott Philipchalk who were practically born into the business. Their grandfather Peter, a cabinet maker, established Island Craft Woodworkers in Sidney. Their father Bob opened his own wood-working business in Victoria in 1982 and, over the years, his sons learned the business on the job. In 1995, Harbour City Kitchens moved its growing company to the Keating X Road location where there was space to expand the showroom and the 55,000-square-foot manufacturing plant. Shortly after the move, Scott, Tim and business partner Craig Bryden purchased the business from Bob. It’s fun to imagine one of these dream kitchens as our own but let’s face it, the number of decisions to be made in making the fantasy a reality can be intimidating. To assist, designers are on staff to discuss the various designs, trends and options and
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the step-by-step process to make it all happen. “We offer full service from start to finish,” Scott advises. “Although our main focus is making cabinets and wood products, we can assist our customers through our retail partners in areas such as counter tops and major appliances and recommend subcontractors in plumbing and lighting to cover all the elements of putting a kitchen together.” What are some of the latest kitchen design trends? “Our customers and builders are pushing for higher-end materials that are both functional and efficient, especially in smaller spaces,” Scott notes. “People are well informed now through magazines and TV shows on the diverse products available in home renovations and changing trends. While natural wood finishes are always a classic choice, white cabinets and black-andwhite kitchens have gained in popularity.” Craig Bryden is in charge of the manufacturing plant where, alongside the cabinets, other wood products are made including entertainment centres,
theatre wall units, crown mouldings, walk-in closets, kitchen cabinet accessories such as drawer organizers and appliance lifts and, to help our weekend warrior cleaning up the garage, adjustable shelving and storage containers. The manufacturing plant has a fully-automated finishing line which allows items to be painted, stained or glazed on site which also speeds up completion and delivery times. For the do-it-yourselfer, Harbour City Kitchens offers a “Cabinets Direct” program for those who wish to pick up stock cabinets from the warehouse and install them themselves. Altogether this well-established business has 75 employees working in sales, manufacturing, installing and delivery. Many live locally and have been with the company for years. If you want to freshen up your kitchen this spring and buy local too, drop into Harbour City Kitchens and visit their brand new display showroom. Inspiration and “kitchens you feel at home with” are only a short countryside drive away!
2189 Keating X Road 250.652.5200 harbourcitykitchens.com www.seasidetimes.ca
Kitchens You Feel at Home With
Kitchen • Bath • Storage • Closets april 2011
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veterinary voice
Ticks
Bugs BUG Us!
Locally, tick season is nearing its end, but it’s just starting in other areas of Canada.
by Shelley Breadner, DVM The mosquitoes have come out with the mild weather, and most insects will surge in numbers soon. As interesting and essential as they are in our world, most of us think … ugh: BUGS! We can be grossed out or we can take action to keep the pests off our pets, and prevent many diseases in doing so.
Fleas These are the main irritating insect for animals living on Vancouver Island! Adult fleas live on our pets and lay their eggs there. The eggs fall off and complete their life cycle in the environment (your bed, their bed, the couch, carpet, etc.). They are not discriminating and will live on your cat, dog, child and you, biting and feeding on blood. Fleas (and lice) can spread diseases such as bartonella (“cat scratch disease”), mycoplasma felis and other blood-borne diseases. These can be difficult to diagnose and can result in chronic illness. When animals chew at the flea bites, they can ingest the flea and become infected with a tapeworm. Flea bites cause significant irritation. Restlessness, distress, scratching, skin inflammation and hair loss all occur as a result of flea bites. Treatment is managed by use of various medical products with high safety margins. You must remember to treat all the pets in your house for fleas in order for flea control to be effective!
COV P E E
Easter Parade Plush
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Denman Island Chocolate Bunnies
Ticks sneak onto your pet and glue themselves on the skin. They feed on blood and potentially transmit serious diseases such as lyme disease, anaplasma, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and more. Daily checks of your pet in tick season are imperative. There are a number of medical products to prevent tick infestations; please consult your veterinarian about the best one for your tick collector!
Lice Luckily, these critters are very specific about where they live. Dog lice on dogs, horse lice on horses, human lice on humans, etc. Although not very common in dogs and cats, they are much more likely in guinea pigs, rats and other small rodents. Lice can also transmit some blood-borne diseases as well as cause anaemia when in high numbers. Persistent topical treatment is necessary to eliminate infestations.
Internal Parasites These are not insects, but still undesirable as they can cause illness, and some are transmissible to humans. Prevention is best. Art Glass Chickens & Rabbits
The Sweetest Things …
MARKET 250-656-2547 10940 West Saanich Road, North Saanich Fun-Felt Easter Baskets
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Gummies
Dark & Milk Chocolate Eggs
Regular, Sugar-Free & Chocolate-Covered Jelly Bellies www.seasidetimes.ca
Turkish Delight … and more!
IB Art Store Seaside ad 3.75x4.925.pdf
Infestation often occurs through ingestion of infective stages. Examples of sources include eating rabbits and rodents, ingesting faeces in environment, contaminated soil and ingesting fleas. Regular checks of faecal samples through your veterinarian are advised, along with appropriate worming medication.
12/4/10
12:55:54 PM
IslandBlue’s Art Store Now Open in Sidney
Heartworm Disease C
This parasite lives in the heart chamber of dogs and cats and causes heart failure. It is transmitted by mosquitoes. The main risk areas include the Okanagan Valley, Manitoba, Ontario and eastward, most of the U.S., Mexico and many tropical countries. Prevention is so simple, and treatment is very involved. Consult your veterinarian for medication if you are travelling with your dog or cat! M
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Excited to be part of the Art Community of the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands.
K
Remember, some medications are suitable for dogs but not for cats. Some health issues (eg. seizures) prevent the use of many medications. Seeking medical advice from your veterinarian is the best plan for finding the right preventive treatment program for your pet. Both you and your pet will sleep easier!
Island Blue Print Co. Ltd. Downtown: 905 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8V 3K3 Tel: 250.385.9786 Sidney: 2411 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC V8L 1X5 Tel: 250.656.1233 Website: www.islandblue.com Toll Free: 1.800.661.3332
For more information visit www.breadnervet.com.
Proud Supporter of the Victoria Symphony Similar to a great symphony, Rhino’s success is conducted through the harmonious performance of its experienced people, world class technology, in-house finishing and colour management “know-how”. For outstanding print and an exceptional customer service experience that will help to power your business forward, call us right here on the Island.
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3/21/11 2011 4:43:04 PM april 15
Pacific Paint – Where Green is More Than a Paint Colour
For nearly 20 years, Pacific Paint Centre has been providing customers with top-of-the-line products and unbeatable service. Gene Ewanyshyn purchased the first location on Hillside Avenue in the early 1990s and has since opened two other locations. The second site, on Keating X Road in Central
by Leia Smoudianis Saanich, just celebrated its 14th anniversary on March 15th and the newest location on Millstream Road in Langford is proving to be a contractor favourite. The success of Gene’s business is largely due to the dedicated
Pacific Paints - 3 locations! Hillside, Keating & Millstream Victoria, Saanichton & Langford 381-5254, 652-4274, 391-4770
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staff. The three managers: Shona at Hillside, Terri at Keating and Natalie at Millstream, are committed professionals with expert knowledge of the products found in their stores. All staff have a background in interior design, art or professional painting. Their professional knowledge and experience as long-term employees translates into the unsurpassed customer service found at Pacific Paint Centre locations. In addition to their knowledge of products, the staff members are able to consult customers, provide decorating advice and, if necessary, they are able to refer customers to qualified decorators. With the semi-annual sale coming up in mid-May, there is no better time to check out the variety of products available. At Pacific Paint Centre, environmental sustainability is an important factor taken into consideration when deciding which products to carry. The Benjamin Moore line of products that bear the Green Promise logo exceed the stringent standards for environmental safety and have low or no VOCs while still providing superior performance. VOCs are volatile organic compounds that negatively affect air quality which can lead to human illness. The Benjamin Moore lines of
paint with low VOCs are safe for both families and the environment and emit a low odour that does not compromise air quality. All Green Promise paints are quick drying, supremely durable and available in any colour. The staff members at Pacific Paint are able to do custom colour matches in order to create the perfect colour for you. Natura interior paint by Benjamin Moore is the most environmentally safe paint offered by Pacific Paint Centre. Natura has the lowest total emissions of any paint on the market and has zero VOCs, even when tinted. This product is available in primer, flat, eggshell and semi-gloss finishes. Another safe product found at Pacific Paint Centre is Aura interior paint. Aura is Benjamin Moore’s finest paint and provides premium performance, maximum durability and intense colour depth. This product features a very low amount of VOCs and a faint odour. This paint is self-priming, never needs more than two coats and is available in matte, eggshell, satin and semi-gloss finishes.
One more product that features low amounts of VOCs is Ben by Benjamin Moore. This premium quality interior latex paint is easy to use and available in a primer and in flat, eggshell and semi-gloss finishes. In addition to these great products, you can use Aura Bath & Spa interior paint and Benjamin Moore Ceiling Paint to finish the job. Both paints
are durable and have low amounts of VOCs. These environmentally safe, high quality products are designed for consumers’ lifestyles and budgets and are becoming a client favourite at Pacific Paint Centre.
If you’re planning on renovating a room in your home, go to one of the three Pacific Paint Centre locations. There you will find friendly staff who can help you pick the right colour for you room and the right line of paint that will suit your family’s needs. With a variety of products and price ranges to choose from, you will find exactly what you need at Pacific Paint Centre.
The
Ladybug Boutique at Mattick’s Farm
250.658.3807 • www.ladybugvictoria.com 117 - 5325 Cordova Bay Road, Victoria, B.C.
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forbes & marshall
Chicken Little Syndrome by Michael Forbes Forbes & Marshall are the hosts of 98.5 The OCEAN’S popular morning show. They are one of the few married morning show teams in Canada and have two children, Noah and Adam. Join Forbes & Marshall weekday mornings from 5:30 to 10:30 a.m. The year 2012. Well, December 21st, 2012 to be exact, is when some say the ancient Mayans predicted the world is supposed to end. You may think it’s a lot of hot air and hype but I bet you six bucks that at the very least it’s in the back of your mind right now. Who were these people and why – 5,000 years later! – do they have so much credibility? Well, they looked at the stars, were good at math and liked to sacrifice people to the gods. OK ancient Mayans, you kind of lost us on the “killing of people so your crops would grow better” thing. I think the same people that made up the Mayan calendar theory were also the ones who fooled everybody into thinking that there was a brand new astrological sign called Ophiuchus! Good one … . The fact the world is ending next year is just one of many times a religious zealot, cult leader or psychic has predicted our doom. In fact, there are have been at least 220 predictions about the end of the world in the past 500 years. One of my favourite “end times” stories comes from the land down under. A group of Australians stood huddled around at 9 a.m. on a Thursday morning in March of 1991. They were told that the world was kaput and that Jesus would walk across Sydney harbour and take them to heaven. When 9:14 a.m. rolled around they began to fidget. By the time 10 o’clock arrived they realized it was all a big mistake. They would have all just went home and made brunch
if these Einsteins hadn’t given away everything they owned … including their homes. Put another chump on the barbie mate! The interesting thing about the Aussies is that the world wasn’t ending; they were just convinced it was. They got to live another day and probably spent it wandering around homeless with a sheepish look on their face trying to remember who they gave their toaster oven to. When I think of this, I wonder how that experience changed them? Gosh, you would hope they learned something from it. Agreed: there is lots to get worked up over on this planet that would make a person fearful about an end … natural disasters like the horrific tsunami in Japan last month seem to be happening more these days. Throw in a global recession and the decay of common decency and you can understand why some think the future is bleak. Maybe it’s not the world outside ourselves that will ever end. Perhaps these external challenges are exactly what we need to nudge our internal world in a new direction, to reinvent the universe that we’ve carried around within us all of our lives. When we lose our livelihood we find courage. When we see indecency we discover morality. When we see tragedy, we uncover our compassion. Our planet is not going anywhere because of all the hidden treasures that she has to offer. Some of us just need to accept her gifts.
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Should you incorporate? When starting a business, most people have three major objectives: limiting their personal liability, advantageous tax planning and control over decisions. There are a number of business structures available but unfortunately no form of business organization achieves all three main objectives. Sole proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership and corporations are the most commonly known vehicles of business organization. Each has its own specific advantages and disadvantages and more than one vehicle may be suitable in any given situation. A popular option for business owners is a corporation. A corporation is a separate legal entity which has the right to enter into contracts, hold property in its name and sue or be sued. Some of the advantages of using a corporation are: its potential immortality, limited liability of shareholders, ease of transfer of shares, separate legal entity status apart from its shareholders and possible tax advantages.
www.henleywalden.com
Dominique Alford of established Sidney law firm Henley & Walden has extensive experience in Corporate and Commercial law matters. If you have any questions with respect to your business structure, proposed or current, Dominique would be pleased to meet with you at your convenience to discuss your individual situation.
TEL: (250) 656-7231
201-2377 BEVAN AVE. SIDNEY, B.C. V8L 4M9
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april 2011
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Hidden Treasure at Georgie’s Café by Doreen Marion Gee
How do you separate the good eateries from the rest? They always have the best ingredients and the freshest food, giving their patrons a high quality eating experience. Georgie’s Café is one of those places. It is off the beaten track but well worth the trip. This delightful establishment is a charming combination of a café with real homemade cooking and a tea and gift emporium boasting unique treats and exotic teas from all over the world. This is a food and tea lovers’ paradise, and equally impressive is the staff’s emphasis on ethical and black I flavoured black I green I flavoured green I high antiox I decaf I rooibos I flavoured rooibos I oolong I organic I herbal
Georgie’s Tea Emporium • 100+ Premium Loose Teas • Groups & Individual Tea Tastings
• Tea Accessories, Chocolates, Gifts, Greeting Cards • Tea Leaf Reading
250.479.0497
Suite 2-4649 West Saanich Rd., Saanich, BC V8Z 3G9 Open Weekdays 7:30 am - 5 pm / Saturday 8 am - 5 pm / Sunday 9 am - 4 pm
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fair food production practices. George (Georgie) Anne Boychuck (pictured at right) has been the proud owner of Georgie’s Café since 2004. A trained chef, Georgie worked in various places in Vancouver before she came to the Island to stay. She loved working in the rehab section of the Womens’ Hospital on the mainland where she met women that were recovering from addictions. She always saw their humanity first, their demons second. It’s that kind of personal touch that Georgie brings to her café, where she wants her customers to feel welcome. She loves the social connections with her customers. “We have fun! It is a very relaxing place here,” she says with a radiant smile. Chomping down on a piece of Georgie’s own lemon ginger cake, I know that only one thing makes cake this sinfully scrumptious: butter! I was right. With Georgie’s country baking and homemade food, only the best will do for her valued customers. This is good hearty food
that pleases the stomach and comforts the mind. Georgie only uses the freshest produce and she tries to buy local and organic whenever possible. The bread for her sandwiches has to be the highest quality, from a producer in Vancouver. They make sandwiches in-house, have delectable homemade soup and lasagna, great breakfast muffins and offer deli salads. This experience is like being a child again and savouring mom’s heavenly home cooking! In 2008, the Tea Emporium was launched. Georgie is 50/50 partners with Darrell Jolly in this new exciting venture alongside the cafe. The Tea Emporium, which Darrell runs, makes the whole establishment spacious and elegant. This is a mecca for tea aficionados. There are over a hundred Premium Loose Teas to choose from for purchase. Huge gleaming tins carry black tea, green tea, rooibos, organic, herbal and everything under the sun. Darrell is serious about his tea: “Our brand is excellent! “ He is delighted to have tea tastings, afternoon tea and tea leaf readings with Manda. Unique gifts and gourmet jellies and jams tease the café’s patrons and the entire establishment is imbued with a warm, relaxed and sublime atmosphere where the artistic décor enchants and pleases. With the Internet, many people are aware of injustices around the planet and want to know that their food comes from places were workers are well treated and well paid. At Georgie’s Café and Tea Emporium, humane coffee and tea production is respected. I was excited to hear about Darrell’s travels to impoverished countries with the International Rotary Club, where he helped on a project to bring clean water to a village. Darrell puts his humanitarian views into practice at the café with ethically grown fair trade coffee. This is a business with a social conscience. It is a treat to find an eating establishment that serves genuinely good food. Add in a magical tea oasis and fair food production and you have a little bit of heaven off the beaten track. Photos courtesy Doreen Marion Gee. www.seasidetimes.ca
TIRED of Your Outdated Doors?
Update your existing doors and give your home a whole new look Installations also available Call James @ Windsor Plywood for a free estimate 250.216.3916 april 2011
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sumptu o us garden
I Do
DO plant for your environment. Use Rob Bond (pictured) and business natural stone outcrops to your advantage partner John Doyle are the proprietors as hardscape. Or, if you have a lowof Doyle & Bond Home and Garden on by Rob Bond lying wet area, plant a bog garden. West Saanich Road. Their goal is to create stunningly beautiful spaces for home and DO plant for your zone. A few highgarden. With The Sumptuous Garden, landscape designer maintenance specimens are OK but the majority Rob spreads his of your plants should be born survivors. knowledge and DO enrich your soil before planting a new passion around bed. Add plenty of organic matter or even the Saanich sand if your plants require good drainage. Peninsula. DO mulch your garden to reduce the number of weeds and the amount of water needed. I like groundaged fir mulch for this purpose.
When my friend showed me a gardening magazine festooned with post-its for her spring planting, I had to read her the riot act: her choices would drop dead in that garden. So I rattled off my “Gardening DO’s” to save her time, money and a load of grief:
DO start pruning and training new trees and shrubs while they’re young.
DO have a garden plan. Without it, a garden looks as if it had been designed by a committee (the only animal in the world with 12 legs and no brains). A plan provides the structure to complete your garden in well-orchestrated phases. DO set a budget for your garden. Grand ideas provide sweet fantasies, but reality sets in like a bad hangover. Best to be realistic from the start.
DO walk around your garden often. This is a fave on my To Do list. It allows you to appreciate the ever-changing beauty of your garden and detect problems early on. Finally, DO walk around your garden at night. Enjoy the form and textures you’ve created without the distraction of colour. It adds a whole other dimension to the joy of gardening.
DO pick a garden style that complements your home. Home and garden should meld. For example, Craftsman homes work well with an informal West Coast look (pictured).
Photo of Rob courtesy Jeremy Feguson; photo of West Coast garden courtesy Carol Clemens.
Affordable Room Makeovers Done in a Day
A Great New Peninsula Partnership:
Styles By Stacey Staging and Re-design Stacey Kaminski 250.208.5025
ReMarkable ReDesign & Home Staging Inc. Tracey Jones 250.812.1625
www.remarkableredesignstaging.com SEASIDE TIMES
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april 2011
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Eat Dessert First
“Art is the dessert of my life and I now feel complete and true to my inner self,” says Odette LaRoche. After raising a family, she went on to fulfill her long awaited desire to be an artist. Although always attracted to all forms of art, Odette’s
Odette Laroche
Gallery
first real painting experience began at age eighteen. Self taught until 1999, she graduated from Victoria College of Art in 2002. In the fall of 2002, Odette opened a small gallery near Port Sidney and later moved to her present location upstairs by Fairway Market in Sidney. “I could have stayed at home and painted in my spacious studio; however, I also love people,” she explains. As fate would have it, various budding artists began asking for help with their work and soon a teaching career evolved. Odette’s life is enriched with painters from all walks of life – they have evolved into fine artists that enjoy working together under her mentoring. Some of her students have been taking lessons from her for over two years. Eventually Odette was approached by several parents who wished to enroll their children in a weekly art workshop and the Sidney Art School for Youth (SASY) program was born. “Several children have committed themselves to art. It is most rewarding to work with the youth and adults only to see their portfolios develop,” Odette says. SASY and adult students study “The Old Masters” and employ their painting techniques. Self expression is evident while at the same time the students learn painting techniques with special attention to drawing, colour and composition.
Fine art by local painter Odette LaRoche #203 - 2527 Beacon Avenue Sidney, BC 250.655.8278 info@odettelarochegallery.com www.odettelarochegallery.com 24
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Students review the works of George Seurat’s “Pointillism” and the mixing of colours optically as well as the Impressionist and Modern artists and sculptors. Students gain a full spectrum of techniques. Children’s 3D art releases the imagination with a tactile art experience that reinforces the act of painting and produces many interesting forms. Sculpture in clay, found objects and other materials is also taught. The children and adult artists develop a body of work and portfolio. Annual solo and group shows for all the artists exhibit their www.seasidetimes.ca
“Aruba” by Odette LaRoche
development and success with rave reviews. Last July Andy, a student, had a solo show and was featured in two newspapers. Both the children and adult students have proudly sold some of their exquisite work. Take a 15-minute relaxing vacation to view engaging, dramatic, living seascapes, landscapes and portraits in realism and abstract (by Odette) in her welcoming gallery, see artists at work and perhaps sign up to unleash and enjoy your creative spirit.
knickerbockers.ca • pandora.net
SASY and adult sessions are limited to four students in a group.
7103 West Saanich Road • Brentwood Bay, BC • 250.544.8211
Gift with Purchase • April 1ST–16TH Receive a sterling silver COMPOSE post set (a $25 CAD retail value) with your PANDORA purchase of $75 or more*, or receive a sterling silver COMPOSE hoop set (a $50 CAD retail value) with your PANDORA purchase of $100 or more*.
“If the desire is there I can teach anyone how to draw and paint – children and adults alike,” says Odette.
*Before taxes. Compose dangles are not included. Good while supplies last, limit one per customer.
Upcoming shows featuring Odette’s students’ work include the adult group show at Serious Coffee in April and a SASY show at Odette Laroche Gallery (203 - 2527 Beacon Avenue) in July.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,507 • © • All rights reserved • PANDORA.NET
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The opening reception for Odette’s solo art show and sale – “The New Paintings” in oils – is on June 4th from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Odette Laroche Gallery. For further details contact Odette at info@odettelarochegallery.com, 250-655-8278 or visit www.odettelarochegallery.com.
BHUTAN & INDIA 2ND ANNUAL HOSTED TOUR
“The Last Place on the Roof of the World” Highlights: 7 nights in India, 10 nights in Bhutan; Old Delhi; Taj Mahal; Jaipur; visit a development site in Delhi; Taktsang Monastery (the Tiger’s Nest); all meals in Bhutan. Your host Barry Mackey has invested has invested over 42 years of his life and career in international relief and development including 25 years of residence in South Asia.
$5,499
18 days Departs Nov 7, 2011
FREE Travel Talk: Join us for a presentaion on May 10, to learn more about Bhutan. Please RSVP. Sidney 105–2506 Beacon Ave. | 250.656.0961 Colwood 1913 Sooke Rd. | 250.478.9505 Victoria 3617 Shelbourne St. | 250.477.0131 1.800.409.1711 merit.ca CDN$, pp, dbl occ. Land only. Single supplement $1225. Hosted based on minimum 16 passengers. ON–4499356/4499372 | BC–33127/34799/34798 | QC–7002238 | Canadian owned.
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april 2011
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The Bleue Coyote Bar & Grill – An Innovative Take on the Neighbourhood Pub by Leia Smoudianis 19th, the pub offers music bingo on Friday nights and live music entertainment every Saturday night. All games (including pay per view) are shown on 12 big screen HD televisions and the Bleue Coyote is the only pub in the area that shows Ultimate Fighting
The Bleue Coyote Pub has redefined the traditional pub experience and revamped it into a one-of-a-kind experience that includes superb
home-style cooking and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Under new ownership, the Bleue Coyote has evolved into a destination known for its fantastic food and great entertainment. On February 18th, Jeremi (pictured at right) and Rebecca Burrows took over full ownership of the Bleue Coyote Pub and since then the couple has been working hard to provide the pub’s patrons with high quality service and products. Both Jeremi and Rebecca have extensive experience in the industry, with Jeremi having managed popular spots like the Sticky Wicket, the Penny Farthing Old English Pub, Hugo’s Brew House and the Monkey Tree Pub. Rebecca brings valuable experience to the table from her past employment at the Sticky Wicket, Fireside Grill and management position at a Cactus Club Cafe in Vancouver. Jeremi and Rebecca have used their knowledge from working in the industry to create an exciting new experience at the Bleue Coyote. As of February 26
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Championships. Recently Jeremi and Rebecca added a games room in the pub that offers a pool table and dart boards along with Keno, lottery and pull tabs. These recent changes add to the revamped pub experience you will find at the Bleue Coyote. In addition to the great entertainment, patrons can enjoy high quality home-style cooking. On March 8th the pub launched a new menu designed by executive chef Adam Gicas. Adam has been a Red Seal chef for seven years and brings valuable experience from his employment at places such as the Beagle Pub, the Four Mile House Bar and Grill and the food services department at the University of Victoria. All the items on the new menu are made from scratch with the best quality ingredients. The extensive menu offers something for every palate from healthy and delicious salads to mouth-watering burgers and steaks. One new item that has risen to popularity is the Wild Halibut Salad. The salad, tossed in honey vinaigrette with pickled beets, feta cheese, roasted
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sunflower seeds, sweet onions and finished with a pan-seared premium halibut fillet, has been a widespread choice for those looking for a healthy meal. Another popular item is the Halibut Soft Taco with flash-fried, panko-battered halibut, shredded cabbage, salsa, sour cream and fresh lime. For those who love poutine, the Bleue Coyote offers six different takes on the traditional dish. The Albertan Poutine with double-smoked bacon, spicy ground beef, cheese curds and gravy is sure to satisfy the poutine-lover’s appetite! For the people who are feeling adventurous and love a challenge, the Phatty “B” Burger (pictured at left) is the right choice. This outrageous burger comes with two charbroiled eight-ounce patties and is topped with cheddar, mozzarella, onion rings, four strips of bacon, lettuce, tomato, sweet red onion, pickles and a Buffalo chicken wing along with a side of your choice. Bragging rights are included. To wash down your delicious meal you can choose from among the 16 draft beers – including local micro brews – and an extensive liquor selection. Upcoming events in the summer such as car and motorcycle show n’ shines and a customer appreciation open house in April are always shown on the large marquee in front of the pub, so if you’re driving down Wallace have a look and see what the Bleue Coyote is offering next!
FOOD SPeCiALS Mondays – Halibut & Chips $10.95 Tuesday – Burger & A Pint $9.95 Wednesdays – Victoria’s Best! 35¢ Wings Thursdays – Great Pizzas $7.95 Fridays – “Happy Appies” 2 – 6 pm Steak Sandwich $10.95
Photos courtesy Duncan Cavers.
Saturdays – Roast Beef Dinner $9.95 Sundays – Pot Pies $7.95
Friday Nights Saturday Nights Music Bingo Live Music! Mon - Sat 11 am - Midnight Sundays 9 am - 10 pm 7100 Wallace Dr., Brentwood Bay 250.652.3252 • bleuecoyotepub.ca www.seasidetimes.ca
april 2011
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by Jennifer Bowles
SHINE IT UP SHINE IT UP
ew things in life are more gorgeous than the supple, tender taste of fresh made pasta. Have you ever seen fresh pasta made? There is a sensuousness and delicacy that it requires as you gently pull the “sturdy but needs to be treated like a lady” dough together. Run it through the machine … watching it expand and fall strand by strand on your fingers into angel hair on a floured surface. Thicker strips of fettuccini begging to be cooked al dente all coil in unison waiting to see what will be the sauce of their dreams! Rectangular sheets rolled long, pausing while they are perfectly pocketed with king crab and ricotta filling finished with 2 column x 4” ad • 3 3/4” x 4” • 8” ad 17-74 a toasted sage andSerene brown butter sauce that melts Rose Chain Belt in your mouth like no ravioli you have ever tasted. EXCUSE ME – I will be right back … .
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2 column x 5” ad • 3 3/4” x 5” • 10” ad Satori Long Necklace, Satori French Wire Earrings Satori Short Necklace, Leverback Earrings… New Satori spacious surroundings Satori Bracelet moving next door
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The P leasure of P asta
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Serene Rose Chain BeltI’m back. away Mario Batali’s photo). Okay.
A few years ago my husband and I were in Parksville and we went up to Coombs Market. Being the foodies that we are, we got it in our heads that we were going to make fresh pasta. Seeing that we were staying at the quintessential motor inn, with no kitchen facilities (none) it posed a challenge. But we were determined! We had a barbecue on the lawn and a coffee table … good enough!
Scalloped Pleasures
Here is the best part: it was dead easy. If we can make fresh pasta in a motel room, on a coffee table, with only a barbecue to boil the water, you can make it anywhere. Now, where do you get
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the equipment? Well, here are your choices: 1) Cadillac Version – If you have a KitchenAid® mixer, you can order the “pasta attachment” online at www.amazon.com or check out The Bay on the top floor where all their kitchen gadgets are. It will run you between $150 and $200. This is the best electrical one in my opinion, and if you love to bake or decorate cakes, it is a dream for rolling out fondant. I know that the other major mixing machines: Cuisinart ®, Hobart ® etc., have attachments as well if that is your unit of choice. 2) Budget Version – hand cranked. You can pick these up just about anywhere: Italian Deli downtown, Zellers or Walmart. You want to make sure that it is metal and has a solid feel and good little suction cups on the base. Plastic pasta machines don’t work. Now that you have your machine, here is the recipe: 3 cups all purpose flour a good pinch of salt 5 large eggs On a clean countertop put the flour in a mound and make a large well in the middle. Lightly beat the eggs and pour into the well. Using a fork, begin incorporating the flour and eggs – this may take some time but continue until a loose dough forms. Using your hands, knead the dough until smooth and uniformly incorporated. Wrap in plastic film and refrigerate for 30 minutes. When it’s time to make the pasta, get your machine set up (you’ll need plenty of room) and have some flour on hand for dusting. Cut off half of the dough and flatten it enough to fit through the rollers on the pasta machine (be sure to have it set on the largest setting). Feed the lightly-floured dough into the rollers, fold in half and roll again at the largest setting two or three times. After each subsequent pass set the rollers to the next lowest setting. Once you have the pasta to the desired thickness, the world is your oyster: cut, shape or stuff it any way you choose! But remember, when you cook it, fresh pasta takes a maximum of 2-3 minutes for that perfect “bite” – anything more than that and you have a pre-school experiment in a pot. Looking for the perfect sauces or fillings? Email me at fabfoody@ gmail.com and I will send you a whole bunch! Enjoy!
One Week SAle! A p r i l 16 t h - 23 r d , 2011 Reduced Deposit Pinnacle Grill Lunch $50 Shipboard Credit on Balconies
Ask Abou BCAA t Membe Benefitsr
Onboard Coupon Books Valued at $300 Per Person
BC Reg No. 2550-6
Expedia CruiseShipCenters Mt. Doug – 250.477.4877 mtdoug@cruiseshipcenters.com Sidney – 250.656.5441 sidney@cruiseshipcenters.com
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april 2011
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Nourish your body & soul Daily Spa Savings | 20% Monday - All 60 minute body treatments 20% off Essential back treatment, Caribbean therapy scrub treatment, Rosemary mint body wrap, facials and massage
Tuesday - All waxing services 20% off Wednesday - Massage, 60 or 90 minute, 20% off
We are proud to carry Aveda products
To book your appointment Call 250-655-9797 Open Monday – Saturday 9 am - 6 pm
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Home and Garden Home and Garden
Seeds, Plants & Gifts Galore! 30
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6666 West Saanich Road Brentwood Bay (beside Butterfly Gardens)
778-426-4436 • doyleandbond.ca
Arts Organization Showcases New Work Are you curious about how art is created? Skilled artists will demonstrate their expertise during the weekend and answer any questions you may have.
by Melanie Barnes Springtime in Sidney means regattas, flower shows and fine art at the Mary Winspear Centre. The Saanich Peninsula Arts & Crafts Society (SPAC) will showcase the art of local painters and crafts people on Saturday, April 30th and Sunday, May 1st. Admission is only $4. Friday evening (April 29th), our patrons have the opportunity to exclusively view and purchase art while meeting the artists over wine and canapés. You can become a patron by dedicating $125 to SPAC, $100 of which is credited towards a purchase of art in Gallery I. We like to treat our patrons royally! Patrons are recognized both in the program and on a poster in the foyer. The show will also feature the outstanding work of guest artists: Cowichan Valley potter Margit Nellemann and abstract painter Carolyn Kowalyk. Margit finds inspiration in recreating the recurring and stunning lines of nature in her work. Her love and respect for the clay medium is reflected in a minimal use of glazes. Carolyn is fascinated with abstract art. Her work is described as soft textural painting with lots of colour and blended areas. For years, both have had work juried into the Sooke and Sidney Fine Art Shows, with Carolyn’s work capturing a “Best in Show” in 2010 in Sidney. Their work will be located on the stage Saturday and Sunday. All of the work in the SPAC Show is “fresh,” having been created within the last two years, and has not been seen in any other shows. The artists choose their best work for the show then jurors select the outstanding pieces for awards. Remember Maximillian, the lovable animatronic cow by David Gray? Be prepared for more “show-stealers!” SPAC is proud to have 38 new artists join the group this year – that translates to new and exciting work for the viewing public.
Speaking of flowers, past show’s floral presentations have brought huge accolades and our multi-talented artists will once again perform their magic! Enjoy the show, then vote for your favourite piece. Last year, sculptor Gord Langston won this coveted award. Unique artworks, created by SPAC artists, are offered as door prizes (on display in the hall showcase) and are drawn prior to show closing. Mark your calendar and plan to attend this vibrant show, now in its 58th year in Sidney, the town that celebrates the Arts!
April 10 & 23, 2011 14-night San Diego to Vancouver Obstructed ocean view from $1,397* CDN pp.
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In addition to the main gallery, there is Gallery II where smaller, often more affordable works are available. Here you will typically find fine jewelry, woven items, pottery, cards, matted original paintings and original sculpture.
Ask Abou BCAA t Membe Benefitsr
BC Reg No. 2550-6
Expedia CruiseShipCenters Mt. Doug – 250.477.4877 mtdoug@cruiseshipcenters.com Sidney – 250.656.5441 sidney@cruiseshipcenters.com
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april 2011
31
Your Home Can Be Your Pension
I
by Fraser Smith
f you’re a normal Canadian homeowner, odds are you are concerned that you will last longer than your money. Almost everyone you know who is no longer a teenager has the same concerns. The older you get, the more it pops into your head. Ask me – I will be 73 in June. There is a way to relegate this issue to the back burner of your mind. You will then have more time to decide whether the flowerbed will be geraniums or petunias this year. Look at it this way: in the financial life of most families there are two bookends that anchor the years that we work for a living. The left-hand bookend is established when we buy our home. The right-hand bookend is our pension. This is the fund that we require to supply the cash we are going to need to live on during the 30-odd years we are going to be unemployed during our retirement. Because we don’t know when we are going to expire, how can we know if our pension will be adequate? There’s the rub. Our home is our largest and proudest possession. We leverage everything we have at a very tender age in order to have a nest with a roof for ourselves and for our babies. Many first-time buyers even borrow the down payment in order to make it happen, never mind borrowing to get the mortgage. It’s a bit terrifying to begin with for most, but amazingly, as time passes, our fear turns to pride in the decision we made. Our pride turns to amazement as we watch our investment grow over time. We like being proudly amazed. Feels good. You may know people who are in fact so amazed at the power of real estate that they have taken some equity from their home as a down payment on a second house. They deliver a cheque to a realtor, financial planner or mortgage broker. Their agent leverages the down payment from the first house and arranges a mortgage with a bank to finance 100% of the second house. Borrowing $100,000 from their principal residence for a down payment on the investment house generates another $300,000 from a bank so we can own a $400,000 rental house. Now we have two houses. If one house is good, isn’t two houses better? You may know people who keep repeating the process and now have multiple pieces of real estate. Do
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we think the family that has leveraged the equity in their various homes in this manner over the years is concerned about their future pension? Highly unlikely. The second home is now a small, unincorporated business. It has been 100% financed with a 25% down payment borrowed from the equity in the principal residence that was sitting there doing nothing for you in any event. Equity that is not put to work for your family will just sit there like a lump and moulder for the whole of your working life, not even earning interest for you. It is equity, but it is dead. Wealthy people got that way because they figured out that they would never get rich on a pay cheque. Like most people, their money ran out before the month ran out. There was nothing left at the end of the month to invest to make the pension grow. The wealthy know that you get wealthy using somebody else’s money. That’s why they applauded when you used somebody else’s money to buy your first house. You leveraged like crazy, you got your house and it’s the best investment you ever made. It’s the financing method that made it work for you. All the wealthy people around you, and most of the businesses in the country also use the bank’s money in the same way to leverage their ability to raise a down payment to get a mortgage to increase investment. If you have equity, you can make it work for you with modest risk. There is some risk in most everything we try to do to protect our future, but there is even more risk in doing nothing. If you do not prefer real estate, what about using some of your equity to start a business of your own? Business people understand that debt is just one of their tools to building wealth. They do not fear it, but they also don’t use it unless it is for growing their wealth. (And because they observe that rule, the government of Canada allows them to deduct the interest expense on their investment loans. You can do the same). If your own business is not in the cards, why not consider using some of your home equity to raise a down payment so you can get a mortgage for your own Personal Pension Plan (PPP)? When organizing your own PPP, you will finance your pension the same way you financed your home. You will get a down payment for your pension by taking it
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from the equity in your home, and the bank will give you a mortgage for your pension in the same fashion they gave you a mortgage for your house.
matched by my employers over the years, I receive less than $1,000 per month. That’s the maximum there is for me. And for you. There is more bad news. This modest sum is then taxed by the government at my marginal tax rate of say 40%. That means that the government gives me $1,000 each month as a CPP cheque, but then takes back 40% in taxes, leaving me with $600 per month.
If your existing pensions are of the registered variety, you cannot get monthly payments until you retire. But your PPP is not registered, and starts sending you your monthly pension cheques immediately.
The solution to the pension problem is to replicate the great success you had in financing your home when you used the bank’s capital to buy your house. If the pension systems are failing to perform, finance your own personal pension plan the same way you financed your home.
Instead of trying to build yourself a pension by putting a little bit away each month, consider the fact that public and private pension plans have failed at almost all levels, and are not likely to be fixed by government in our lifetime. Too many baby boomers beginning to retire presents a problem, made worse because they are also living longer. These are intractable problems for current pension plans.
If you find these concepts interesting, please give me a call at 250-656-7077. It would be my privilege to give you more detail. There are no fees here.
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idere a d foto Mwhat Cana go If you will take a minute to I r im noeuvre dia plem entati should b mortg n family e on b that age o y ev has n the think is the most important website on the ery a con ir ho This me. venti excit taneo o in nal g fin usly ancia planet, you will be knockedtaout by conv what l s you x re erts fund mortg trategy s s, sh perio im a g u e o ld of th rtens inter find there. e mo est to clear the rtg a
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“That is one of the most unusual things I have ever seen,” exclaimed Harry Manx as we both watched a seagull carrying a huge bright orange starfish in its mouth as it swam into Fulford Harbour. What a heavenly moment in my life – sitting with musical royalty while relishing a shimmering sun on aqua in a picture perfect harbour. As we talked at the Rock Salt Restaurant on Salt Spring Island, I was mesmerized by the soft spoken artist whose sweet silvery music has thrilled audiences all over the planet. Harry Manx has no equal because his music is so wildly unique that it traverses all boundaries into an exotic unknown. Behind the beautiful other-worldly music is a complex man and poet whose well crafted words are meant to inspire and move your soul. Harry Manx’s music goes beyond mere art and his audiences are treated to a transcendent human experience. Oozing charm and warmth, Harry Manx treated me to a wonderful two hours on that chunk of rocky paradise. With a mellow voice and soft chuckles, he had an air of worldly serenity. His kind blue eyes sparkled through a tanned bearded face as he talked about his life. Nine years after emigrating to Canada from his Isle of Man birthplace, Manx started his career when he was 15 in the blues clubs of Toronto. As a sound man, he worked with some of the blues legends. Harry travelled to Europe when he was 20 and then spent the next 27 years as a busker all over the world, playing his own magical solo style on street corners and in bars and theatres from Europe to SEASIDE TIMES
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Orr’s Family B u t c h er s
Continued from page 35
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Manx’s experience in India forged his unique and complex style. His music is an exquisite tapestry of Indian spiritual melodies woven with soulful blues. During his overseas sojourn, Manx studied music in India with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, a master of his invention – the 20-stringed Mohan Veena. This guitar-sitar hybrid is Manx’s signature instrument. With Bhatt as mentor, Harry learned a new slide guitar style and intricate esoteric Eastern ragas, the basis of Indian composition. Harry talked excitedly about his own very original fusion of western and eastern tradition. His Indian fans loved the addition of blues tones to his Indo flavour, so he decided to treat Western audiences to lilting Eastern exotic harmonies infused into the blues. The result is Harry Manx’s beautiful hypnotic music that combines Western blues soul with Eastern mystical grace to raise the listener into into a realm of ecstacy. The winds of mindful spirituality meet the s.com sley of soulful longing. Therein you will find Harry bo river ers’ Cho ice nsum Co Award Manx’s untamed “Mysticssippi” one-of-a kind music.
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www.seasidetimes.ca
perspectives about the natural life. To him, it’s natural to be kind to others and to
respect the natural world and the environment. “My music is geared towards the heart and not people’s minds,” explained Manx. His music is meant to inspire people with universal themes like love and forgiveness, but his haunting lyrics are also meant to comfort us, lessen our load and assure us that we are not alone. This is more than entertainment. Harry’s music is a healing transcendent experience. Harry Manx has emblazoned his own musical path. He is a virtual one-man band (with the occasional guest musician). In his earlier days as a busker, his head held cymbals, his feet beat the drums, his fingers strummed a guitar and his mouth worked an accordion. Small wonder his solo concerts hypnotized large crowds on street corners all over the world. They knew that it takes considerable talent and versatility to play so many instruments at once with such finesse.
With ongoing successful tours all over the world, Harry Manx has definitely made his mark in the musical arts scene. Many awards decorate Harry’s shelves from his “nine albums in eight years” manifesto. Manx’s resumé boasts six Juno nominations, seven Maple Blues Awards and the Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Solo Artist (2005). In 2007, he won the Great Canadian Blues Award from CBC Radio and recently, Harry received a Juno nomination for Best Blues Album of the Year for Bread and Buddha (2009). Listening to his latest CD, Isle of Manx, I float blissfully with the exquisite rippling music of Manx’s sitar and ancient Indian chants of True To Yourself. Many of his pieces start with waves of dreamy sitar melodies, putting the listener in a meditative trance. But his lyrics are soul food: “Sew him a coat of mail to make it all alright” (Coat of Mail, Isle of Manx) shows Harry’s deep understanding of life’s slings and arrows. Today’s music sometimes seems white washed, corporate, sanitized – all the same. Therein lies the secret to Harry Manx’s overwhelming popularity: he is a maverick in a cookie cutter musical world. But more than that, his music has substance, beauty and depth. Perhaps his best testimonial is a fan’s posting on YouTube : “Brilliant guitarist. Beautiful person.” Harry Manx’s rapturous music will make you clap but his words will move you to tears. On Tuesday, April 12th at 8 p.m., Harry Manx will be playing at the Farquhar Auditorium at the University of Victoria. Come and be amazed. For further information visit www.harrymanx.com. Photo of Harry Manx, this page and on table of contents, courtesy Doreen Marion Gee. Photo of Harry, previous page, courtesy www.harrymanx.com. april 2011
37
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FOOTPR INTS
What Was the Iroquois? by Joan Neudecker One hundred years ago, everyone who lived in Sidney, on the Gulf Islands or at any small town between Sidney and Nanaimo knew exactly what the call “The Iroquois is coming!” or “The Iroquois is leaving!” meant. It was a major happening. It was entertainment. Everyone knew someone who worked on her, traveled on her or shipped goods aboard her. In fact, the SS Iroquois was held in about the same esteem as the B.C. Ferries are today – some praised her, some criticized her. However, when she sank, it was as if the end of the world had come. Sidney, originally part of unincorporated North Saanich, came into being in 1891 when the Brethour brothers decided to put their farms and skills to better use. A townsite was laid out beside the sea. Two companies were enticed to build along the waterfront: the Toronto and British Columbia Lumber Company and the Victoria and Sidney Railway Company (V&S). A government wharf and a V&S wharf were constructed. Operational by 1895, the V&S carried people and shipped goods between Victoria and Sidney. People came to Sidney, built homes, established shops and found employment. By 1911, twenty years later, there were about 500 residents, 40 businesses, a hotel, a Chinatown, a school, a doctor, a telephone service, several churches and two more industries: a cannery and a brickyard. Sidney was on the map. The SS Iroquois first came on the scene in April, 1900, when T.W. Paterson, the building contractor of the V&S Railway, had her built specifically to extend the services of the V&S to the Gulf Islands and as far north as Nanaimo. Other steamships had been tried on this run but this was the first dependable, scheduled one. In 1903, the Iroquois was sold to part-
ners Captain Albert A. Sears and Anderson Munro, master and purser respectively. For eight years, the Iroquois was a lifeline for Gulf Islanders and a pleasurable experience for Sunday excursionists. On April 10th, 1911, during a fierce southeaster, the Iroquois sank, 15 minutes after leaving the wharf in Sidney and in full view of nearly all who lived there. She was a sound, well-kept ship with approximately 32 aboard, including passengers and crew. She had a very competent, if short-tempered, captain who insisted the weather was not the worst he’d ever set out in. Captain Sears had done this route at least 3,000 times before but, this time, Iroquois went down in about 30 metres of water, halfway between Shell Island (Ker Island) and the shore of Roberts Bay. Passenger lists were not enforced at that time but, from all accounts, about 20 perished. Only 10 men and one woman survived. The sinking of the Iroquois was probably the biggest disaster ever in Sidney. In 1977, the underwater site of the Iroquois was discovered. The anchor at Bevan Park, the propeller at Iroquois Park and a few items in the Sidney Museum were brought up in 1980. The site is protected by the B.C. Heritage Conservation Act. Unfortunately, so few people today know about this tragedy. To learn more, watch for The Sinking of the Iroquois: Facts and Fiction by Joan Neudecker.
april 2011
39
Burkmar Automotive – It’s All in the Family
H
by Arlene Antonik enry Simpson would be proud. A hard worker himself – a Saanich Peninsula pioneer farmer who built the Prairie (Tavern) Inn in Saanichton in 1859 and operated a post office and a general store amongst other entrepreneurial endeavours – he would be pleased to know he still has descendants working and living on the Peninsula in 2011. One such descendant is Mike Burkmar, Henry’s great-great-grandson, who owns and operates Burkmar Automotive, a full-service vehicle repair and maintenance shop in Central Saanich. “In 1969 when I was eight years old,” Mike reminisced, “I started helping out my Dad at his Esso service station and, when I turned 13,
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I started pumping gas, was added to the payroll and actually got paid. I worked there through high school and then apprenticed at the station while finishing up my journeyman automotive mechanic course at Camosun College.” “During our family’s 50 years with Esso, the station moved from Shelbourne Street (formerly Ruby Road) and McKenzie Avenue, to Quadra and McKenzie (University Heights Esso), and then to Cordova Bay Road, where it was the last of that neighbourhood’s service stations.” Last summer, Esso decided not to replace the aging fuel tanks and the Cordova Bay station was closed this past January. “I started to look around for a new place to locate,” Mike said. “I didn’t want to be too far away as I was hoping our clientele would follow us to our new location which has mostly happened. We’ve also been part of the Peninsula community for a long time, our kids went to school here and my mother (Henry Simpson’s great-granddaughter) continues to live in this area after the passing of my Dad in 2007.” Mike found his ideal location at 6809 Kirkpatrick Crescent, off Keating X Road, and opened his new shop in October 2010. Dave Kitching, who has worked with Mike for the past 15 years, www.seasidetimes.ca
continues to bring his mechanic’s expertise to the business. There is an apprentice working in the shop and sometimes Mike’s 17-year-old son helps out, largely motivated by saving up for his first truck! Although the shop doesn’t have gas pumps anymore, Burkmar Automotive offers electronic diagnostic scanning and full service repairs and maintenance on all makes and models of cars and trucks. Mike brought one of the hoists from the Cordova Bay shop and has added two more. “Our clients like bringing their vehicles to us knowing that we can diagnose the problem, make repairs, and install new equipment such as tires or brakes or even wiper blades right here. There’s no need to buy parts from one place and go to another for installation or – Mike added with a knowing grin – try to do it yourself.”
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service. “I learned from the best: my dad always said if you give good service customers will come back,” said Mike. “That’s what we try to do.” If needed, Burkmar Automotive will pick up vehicles and have a loaner car for customers that are stuck without a ride. Considerable business comes to the shop from Victoria Premium Automobiles which sells new and used high-end European cars such as Porsches, Jaguars and BMWs. Mike’s brother-in-law manages the business and, in keeping with the family theme, enlists the services of Burkmar Automotive for its service and warranty work. The shop is warranty approved for all makes of new cars and trucks and is also certified under the Ministry of Transportation’s Vehicle Inspection Program to undertake inspections on vehicles from out of province for insurance purposes. “My roots go back a long way in this community,” Mike noted. “Some of my customers may even be aunts and uncles or cousins I don’t even know – part of Henry Simpson’s legacy from the 14 children he and his wife Adelaide raised on the Peninsula.” If you think you might be related – or even if you’re not – Mike would like to have you come around to his one-stop shop to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape!
april 2011
41
Royal Wedding Fever Comes to Sidney Can’t afford the plane fare to attend the upcoming Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton? Don’t worry. Behind the scenes one local Royal-watcher has been busy organizing events to celebrate this momentous occasion right here in Sidney. The soon-to-be Royal Couple have announced that, rather than gifts, they would like people to give to charity. This giving nature inspired our own Kenny Podmore (Sidney town crier and councillor), who decided that a local celebration was a fitting way to honour this generous couple. Kenny (pictured) approached Mayor Larry Cross to see if the week of April 24th - 30th 2011 could be proclaimed as Royal Wedding Week in Sidney. Mayor Cross agreed and a proclamation will be decreed. The wedding will take place on
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Friday April 29th at 3 a.m. our time, so Kenny decided to organize a wedding breakfast that will take place between 9 and 11 a.m. that morning. The response has been extraordinary! As a result the wedding breakfast has sold out, but a second sitting; a wedding brunch, will take place at 12 noon at the Mary Winspear Centre. Doug Stuart of Stonestreet Catering is putting on an amazing English Royal Breakfast and Brunch with all the trimmings and Thrifty Foods has donated wedding flowers to enhance the festive atmosphere. It is hoped that a recording of the Royal Wedding will be shown. Kenny Podmore would like to acknowledge Heritage Productions, a group of ladies that share a passion in vintage clothing and support many community events and will be supporting the Royal Wedding events in Sidney. Call Heritage Productions at 250-381-4675 for further details. These are community events, not fundraisers, so tickets are priced at just $20 to cover catering and room rental. Guests are being encouraged to wear their best finery. Uniforms and medals are to be worn and Union Jack flags will be flying. Tickets, which are limited to 100 for the brunch, will be available from Stonestreet Café, 2505 Beacon Avenue in Sidney from April 1st or www.seasidetimes.ca
from Kenny (250-655-4631). After getting these events organized, Kenny contacted Judy Wiggins, manager of the Shoal Centre, to inform her of the plan. Judy decided to add to the festivities and hold a Royal Wedding Eve Dinner at the centre on Thursday, April 28th. Tickets will be $25 and are available from the Shoal Centre (250-656-5537). To get the whole town in the spirit of the event, Kenny hopes that Sidney merchants will get involved by decorating their businesses in red, white and blue. A further unique and special occasion will be taking place on April 29th at 11 a.m. in Beacon Park. Kenny is inviting couples to come and renew their wedding vows – a marriage commissioner will be on hand to perform this beautiful ceremony and bridesmaids and pageboys are encouraged. After the ceremony everyone (if they wish) can join the brunch at noon. Just contact Kenny for more information. Panorama Recreation will be offering patrons tea and cookies at the recreation centre between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on April 29th. In addition, people who are wearing the Union Jack or wedding attire on April 29th will receive free admission to the Centre’s drop-in activities for that day. Sidney is well-known for its celebrations and this will be yet another to remember! april 2011
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The Magic of Wassail
he buds on the cider apple trees are beginning to swell with the warmer days of spring. Soon a haze of pink will fill the field that looks over the sparkling sea below,
by Linda M. Langwith and the orchard mason bees will be at their important work of pollinating the blossoms, full of promise for a bounteous autumn harvest, thanks in no small part to the Festival of Wassail that took place on a bright cold January afternoon
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at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. The tradition of awakening the fruit trees and blessing their health goes back to medieval times in the cider growing regions of south England. Fires were kept to burn away harmful insects, cider was poured on the trees and toast hung from the branches as gifts to the birds while the Wassail king and queen and their followers strode noisily through the orchards to frighten evil spirits away and rouse the trees from their winter slumber. Cups of hot mulled cider were raised high with shouts of “Wassail” – good health. At the farm, upright logs burned and glowed in the weak winter sunshine, their smoke curling over the orchard in a beneficent grey swirl. People drifted in and out of the main building onto the balcony, sampling ciders, snacking on toast dripping with raclette, writing wishes on colourful paper squares and hanging them on the small apple tree potted up for the occasion. One wished that “mummy and daddy will get together again,” while others wished for “good health” or “good fortune” or “that Tom will ask me to marry
Liza Glynn Update him” – perhaps he did just that, in the cider orchard, for wonderful things can happen at Wassail. Being such an ancient English festival, it seemed perfectly fitting that the Island Thyme Morris Dancers, bells jingling, made their appearance in a spirited group of dances, using sticks, wooden swords and large white handkerchiefs, accompanied by musicians on drum, squeezebox and guitar. Their energy was infectious, and there was plenty of toe tapping and clapping from an enthusiastic audience ready to enter into the fun. The dancers were followed by a Mummer’s play put on by a group with the quirky name of Quicksbottom Morris. The characters included a Green Man completely covered in leaves, representing a vegetation spirit, a Devil dressed appropriately in red and sporting the usual horns and forked tail, a Dame – traditionally a man dressed up as a woman, and the Doctor who comes to the rescue with a magic potion when the Dame is killed by the Devil. The line blurred between audience and players as everyone was caught up in the action, warning the Dame of the danger she faced and calling for the Doctor to save her. Good triumphed over Evil of course and we breathed a collective sigh of relief when the Dame rose from her deathbed full of health. Then came the Blessing of the Tree. A large jug of last year’s cider was poured on the roots of the Wishing Tree while we all shouted “Wassail,” then followed the King and Queen of the festival, in this case the farm owners’ children, out into the orchard as they banged sticks together to awaken the trees. The branches were soon festooned with pieces of rye bread – winter food for hardy birds, and we finished up at the shed that held the secrets of the cidery. Tall metal vats from France gleamed in the late afternoon sunshine, rubbing shoulders with bourbon-infused oak barrels and mysterious glass carboys, while Wassail did its magic on all of us.
For those readers who enjoyed the story “Liza Glynn’s Fight For Freedom” in our February issue, we have a great update for you: Liza, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, underwent CCSVI (the Liberation Treatment) recently. Surgeons found two twisted (blocked) veins that were straightened and cleaned. Liza already has complete movement in her right arm and her feet look normal, without the swelling and discolouration she had before. More improvements will be gradual and continuous. The Liberation Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis seems to stop the development of further MS attacks and in some cases improves mobility. In the February article, writer Ada Serson appealed to the community on behalf of Liza for donations to a fundraising effort that would hopefully make it possible for her to undergo the surgery. Thank you to all who helped.
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weatherwit
April Weather Forecast by Steve Sakiyama Lost in Translation. Sometimes I ask people for directions purely for the entertainment value. “Excuse me, can you tell me where the Poise-On Buffet restaurant is?” “Oh dear, dear … not that place. After eating there I had cramps and severe diarr … ” (Stop! Sorry I asked.) “Go over-yonder and then a hoot and a holler down the road.” (A hoot and a holler? Where are we – Oklahoma?) “It’s just a few clicks down the road.” (A few clicks? Am I listening for crickets?) “Take heading of 243.989 degrees for 1.243 kilometres until you reach coordinate five, niner, niner, bravo, tango … (Just my luck, I ask an air traffic controller). “Go three lights and turn right, then go two lights and turn left. Hold it … sorry … go two lights this way, turn left, then go three lights … d’oh … wait! Go straight, then right at the seventh light, yes that’s it … or is it?” (Drive away! Hurry before he hurts himself.) “Take Lula-Wakimuli Road, turn right on Waki-Lulamuli Avenue, then left on Muli-Wakiwaki Street. (In
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Hawaii, you get lost in all the vowels). The weather has taken some strange turns this winter, hasn’t it? Due to the influence of La Nina, my winter forecast theme has been “a greater chance of cooler and wetter conditions.” Now February was definitely cooler (it was the sixth coolest on record), and although it was drier (10% less precipitation than normal), we had double the amount of snowfall than average. By the way, the big snow on February 25th spoiled the debut of all the flowers that were getting prettied up for the annual flower count. How inconsiderate. Precipitation is a many-splendored thing, making it a challenge to forecast. It has many forms (like rain, snow or hail), and intensity (light drizzle, heavy rain) and can depend so much on location, location, location – giving forecasters frequent heartburn. For Rolaids relief forecasters have some wiggle room by providing an additional descriptor: Probability of Precipitation (affectionately called “POP” by meteorologists). A POP of 70% means that over the forecast period, there is a 70% chance that precipitation will occur at any point in the forecast region. In other words,
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there is a 70% chance that precipitation will fall on you. For April, is the direction toward a greater chance of cooler and wetter again? According to long-range forecast models, we can expect this theme to continue through the spring as our friend La Nina, although weakening, will still hold a grip on the equatorial Pacific. Nothing to worry about though, as April is a month of renewal and hope so my sentimental forecast for Easter Sunday is a clear eastern sky with a beautiful sunrise – symbolic of these uplifting life-themes. Of course I’ll need all the hope I can get so I can find that new restaurant I heard about. Can anybody give me directions to the ThighTanic Big Buffet restaurant? I’m lost (as always), but I know I’m making good progress. ~ Weatherwit. Directions, questions or comments? Email info@seasidetimes.ca. For a Victoria weekend weather forecast blog, visit www.weatherwit.wordpress.ca.
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An Easter Story For the Little Ones by Ingrid Ostrander had pink, one had blue, one had green, one had yellow, one had orange and one had purple. At first, the boys had a lot of fun but after two days of painting, they were getting a bit bored with their jobs.
Mr. Easter Bunny was getting worried: it was only three days before Easter and he still had many more orders for Easter baskets. He didn’t know how they would all get done this year. Some of the helper bunnies had caught a bad cold and could not assist him. He had already recruited his whole family: the little girls were carrying the eggs to Mother Rabbit who stood by the stove to boil them. All the boys had to paint Easter eggs, and each had a different colour to work with: one had red, one
Mr. Easter Bunny had to do special painting, like letters for the children’s names. On some eggs, he painted little picture or just pretty flowers. Grandma and Grandpa Rabbit were doing up the baskets with green or mauve stuffing and bows. Then they put inside Easter eggs, candies and chocolate bunnies. They had done up so many baskets that their garage was full from back to front and the baskets and eggs were stacked right up to the ceiling. Still more orders came in and poor Father Rabbit became more and more worried. How could he possibly keep his little family from
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getting too tired to finish the job?
Each night, they just gobbled down some carrots and then quickly snuggled down to sleep in their bunny-nests. Early in the morning, their labours began anew. They had no more time to play or sing – they did not even giggle or laugh anymore. Robin Redbreast was flying by to see what was going on in the rabbit family home. He saw that all the bunnies were working, working, working away at those Easter baskets without stopping for anything. Then the little robin flew all over the forest to tell the other animals about the bunnies. They all came over to the great meadow near the bunnies’ home and tried to think of how they could help their good little friends. They knew that they could not paint eggs or dress up the baskets, but they wanted to cheer the bunnies up – so the grasshopper suggested that they should make a concert – that should make everyone happy!
So Mr. Grasshopper was given the conductor’s baton and all the animals made a big half-circle on the meadow. “A-one, a-two, a-three! A-one, a-two, a-three! A-one, a-two, a-three!” the grasshopper first pointed to the robin who sang tirilirilee! Then the mice chimed in with squeak, squeak, squeak! The grasshopper pointed next to Mr. Brown Bear who went hummm, hummm! Now it was the Coyote’s turn who went keeoww, keeoww! And so it went on and on. At first, the rabbit family did not notice the concert that was played for them; soon though, Mother Rabbit was humming: one-twothree! one-two-three! Before they realized it, all the bunnies were singing and working to the sound and the beat of this special music. They did not feel so tired any more and pretty soon their work was finished. The other animals offered to help Mr. Easter Bunny deliver the baskets and he gratefully accepted their offer. That is why sometimes you may see a bird fly away, just when you find your basket with Easter eggs. Maybe even your teddy bear was helping? Who knows about magic things!
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smell the coffee
WEST COAST CULTURE
A Distinct Place With Distinct Businesses and a Distinct Lifestyle Needs a Distinct Publication TUR E AST CUL 0 WES T CO MAY 201
Customer Coffee House Etiquette
WEST COAST CULTU RE NOVEM BER 2010
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by Steve Sheppard
201 1
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I recently met for coffee with a barista friend of mine, and her stories of how ignorant some customers can be brought back memories of my barista days. I know, many of you are shocked that I wouldn’t subscribe to “The Customer is Always Right” mentality … well people, it’s the new world now and the updated version of that saying is: “The Customer Needs To Be Educated.” There are no classes that teach people how to buy things, just classes on how to sell things, so most people meander around thinking what they do is OK. Below are some things to consider next time you go into your favourite coffee house. Avoiding these missteps will make it easier on the staff next time you’re in, because it’s never the barista’s fault when you jump out of bed on the wrong side.
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Bad coffee etiquette is when you: • Stand in line talking on your cell phone. It’s even worse when you’re using your outside playground voice: nobody wants to hear your conversation. Worst of all is staying on the phone while you try and order, make change and pick up your drink!
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P
eople from all walks of life, from grandparents to politicians, love drinking coffee but it’s the “Average Joe-sephine” who makes the brew popular in Canada. While there’s diversity in the kinds of people who drink coffee, there is no room for bad coffee house etiquette.
• Get to the front of the line and become indecisive. Figure things out while you’re a couple of people back in line! • Try and make exact change, rummage through your purse or pocket for a couple of minutes and then
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realize that you aren’t even close. It’s even worse to reach into the tip jar and try to complete the rest of your purchase with the staff’s tips … Totally Tacky! • Order your coffee using Starbucks language when you’re not at Starbucks. It’s even worse to try and tell a barista how a drink is made if you really don’t know, but think you do.
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• Dump hot coffee in the garbage cans. The staff has to clean up the mess once the hot coffee melts through the bag. When you order, simply ask for room for cream. • Order coffee by saying “I would like a cup of coffee” … and then expect the barista to sort out the rest telepathically. There are too many coffee choices these days, so be more specific and helpful. • Ask for table service and then not leave a small tip. Most coffee houses today don’t offer table service and their prices reflect that. Note: This of course doesn’t apply to the elderly or those with mobility issues.
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• Order a coffee, then tell the barista you’re running late. Even worse is when you tell them you can’t wait and ask how long the drink is going to take to make. Being late is your problem alone … not the Universe’s. • Bring coffee or food in from another establishment, sit down and use the Wi-Fi, or meet a friend without getting something from that coffee house. Even worse is when you leave garbage behind … that one’s a no-class move. • Lastly, turn those pesky cell phone ringers off. The coffee shop may be public but your ringtone and conversation, most likely, is of no interest to the other patrons. Baristas always appreciate the customers who bring their “Customer A-Game” every day, and if you ever want to see your drink started as you walk in the door and be ready by the time your change reaches the palm of your hand, avoid the above etiquette errors and watch the service levels go up … “magically” of course … Steve out.
Your support is vital to our future growth. Please sign our petition at your Peninsula Co-op location.
Moving Ahead by Giving Back www.peninsulaco-op.com or call 250-652-5752 www.seasidetimes.ca
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Via Choralis and Viva Youth Choir Concert Via Choralis and Viva Youth Choirs will present conductor Nicholas Fairbank’s Sea Cantata concert on April 9th at 7 p.m. at St. Aidan’s Church and April 17th at 2:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth’s RC Church. Via Choralis is an auditioned 40-voice chamber choir on the Saanich Peninsula. Founded in 1999, they perform an eclectic repertoire that ranges from medieval chant to contemporary works. Via Choralis generally presents three major concerts throughout the year, one of which is usually with orchestra, at St. Elizabeth’s Church on Third Street in Sidney. One of the choir’s mandates is to promote the performance of gifted young singers through bursaries, scholarships and performance opportunities. Membership in the Viva Youth Choirs, now in their 22nd year, is open to all children in the Capital Region between the ages of six and eighteen. Viva’s goals are to provide an all-round choral education to its members through weekly rehearsals and public performances, developing self-confidence and discipline and musical ability and spreading the joy of music making. The artistic director for both choirs is Nicholas Fairbank. For this concert he has united the two choirs for the first performance of his own Sea Cantata, a 30-minute work for the combined choirs with a 25-piece professional orchestra. Also on the program will be songs of Aaron
SEA CANTATA by Nicholas Fairbank (première) Choral Fantasy op. 80 by Beethoven Winds of Kananaskis by Jared Richardson
Copland, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with Jennifer Mitchell, piano, and 17-year-old Victoria composer Jared Richardson’s Winds of Kananaskis. This project brings performances of live music to Greater Victoria, enriching the lives of the performers, their families and the community. The singers are challenged to develop commitment, confidence and self-discipline and to bring joy to themselves and to their audiences. Tickets ($20/$10) for both concerts will be available at Tanner’s Books (Sidney), Ivy’s Bookshop (Oak Bay) and Long & McQuade (Victoria), from members and at the door. Further information can be found at www.viachoralis.ca and www.vivachoirs.ca.
April 9, 7:00 pm St. Aidan’s Church 3703 St. Aidan’s Street, Victoria
Performed by Via Choralis Chamber Choir, Viva Youth Choirs & orchestra Nicholas Fairbank conductor Jennifer Mitchell piano
April 17, 2:30 pm St. Elizabeth’s Church 10030 3rd Street, Sidney
Tickets: $20 (regular), $10 (18 & under) Available from Tanner’s Books, Long & McQuade, Ivy’s Book Shop
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april 2011
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Pender Island Youngsters Fiddle Around by Hans Tammemagi
I
t was a warm Sunday evening on Pender Island and I was wedged into an exuberant crowd at the Community Hall. What drew us was a concert by the young violinists of the Island. The concert was the outcome of a unique phenomenon. Instead of playing with cell phones, iPads and modern gadgets, young kids are drawn to music, more specifically, to the violin, not an easy instrument. Twenty-seven children ranging in age from four to 15 are involved, probably the highest
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number of young violinists on a per-capita basis of any community in Canada. And they’re good! Enraptured, I listened as the young violinists played more than 20 pieces which included a mixture of classical and fiddle music. Each piece was greeted by thunderous applause. The crowd loved the concert because the music was of high quality. It was also delightful to watch the youngsters as their expressions wandered from utter
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concentration to complete distraction to happy laughter back to concentration. The guiding hand behind this musical magic is Denny Goertz, a prodigy in his own right. Goertz, age 41, began playing the violin when he was four years old. He received his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Victoria and taught until recently at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He moved to Pender Island in 2001 and started to teach violin to young Penderites shortly after. Clare Mathias, a past director of the Pender Island Choir and formerly a professional singer, said: “Denny is devoted to bringing music to young people. He’s a huge inspiration and has a wonderful way with children. He should be called the Pied Piper of Pender.” When I asked Finlay Pogue, age 13, why he plays the violin, he said: “I like the sound it makes … it’s cool.” Finlay plans to play music for the rest of his life. He and a friend are putting together some songs and he hopes to play gigs in the future and maybe even make a CD. I watched a practice at the school as Goertz taught six students. The children were obviously enjoying themselves as they played together under Goertz’ enthusiastic but firm coaching. Goertz uses the Suzuki method that strives to create “high ability” and beautiful character in its students through a nurturing environment. Everything was played by ear and memory, I noted; not a single sheet of music was present. “This way they learn to play by emotion and feel, not mechanically,” Goertz explained. After the practice I spoke with Anna Oudman, age 11, who has been playing the violin for six years. “I started studying the violin because my parents made me, but now I’m happy because it’s fun.” She has recently started playing the trumpet so she can be part of the school band. “I’m not sure what I’ll do in the future,” she said, “but I want to continue the violin.” Shyly, she added, “I prefer fiddle music to classical.”
As I spoke to the young musicians, it became clear that music has become an important part of their lives, providing direction and values. All those I spoke to plan to continue playing for the long term. Some, such as Cole Dine and Ava Powelson, have already turned “professional” and earn pocket money by busking at the Farmers’ Market. As I left the concert under a full moon, I quietly mused how pleasant it is to live in a small community. Even here, truly remarkable things can happen. It only takes one person with vision, drive and talent. Thank you Denny for inspiring these youngsters and making Pender Island the Young Violinists Capital of Canada. See information on the Pender Island young violinists’ concert in our What’s Happening section on page 56.
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What’s Happening – April 2011
Sundays Till June 19 Big Slick Poker Tour
Prairie Inn Pub, Saanichton, 7 p.m. info@bigslick.ca, www.bigslickpokertour.ca If you register before 6:30 p.m. there is a registration bonus. No money, no buy-in, no fees. Collect points throughout the season to win a seat in the regional final and Canadian Open. Provincial finale winner wins a seat in the World Series of Poker. Prizes every night. Play as much as you want with side games to collect more VIP points.
until May 21
Sex in the Salish Sea Aquarium Exhibit Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, Sidney Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 250-665-7511, www.oceandiscovery.ca “Sex in the Salish Sea” is the aquarium’s latest theme, focusing on reproductive methods of animals in our local waters. Discover how plumose anemones clone themselves, why perch bear live offspring, which fish lays an egg known as a mermaid’s purse and how barnacles prove that size matters. New aquarium exhibits feature the mating behaviours of marine life and explain how certain habitats are critical for the reproduction and growth of animals in the Salish Sea. The program is family friendly and knowledgeable Oceaneers are on hand to answer questions.
April 4
Canadian Federation of University Women (Saan. Pen.) Bridge Afternoon Fundraiser Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church 9296 East Saanich Rd., Sidney, 12 - 4 p.m. www.cfuwsaanichpeninsula.org Lunch, prizes and friendly fun. $60 per table; call 250-479-6488, 250-652-6581 or 250-656-2145 for tickets. Supporting the CFUW (SP) Education Trust Fund providing scholarships, bursaries and awards for local Peninsula women students.
April 9, May 14
North Saanich Farm Market Spring Markets
April 10
Saanich Pioneer Society “Talks and Tea” Log Cabin Museum, 7910 Polo Park Crescent, Saanichton, 2 p.m. 250-658-8347, www.saanichpioneersociety.org “Snippets in Abundance.” Beth Haugen-Dekkers will share stories about James Douglas, gold, God, the Saanich and the Douglas Treaty settlers in the Land of Plenty.
April 13
Peninsula Chamber Island Savings 2011 Crystal Awards Blue Poppy Restaurant, Butchart Gardens 250-656-3616, www.peninsulachamber.ca The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce presents the Crystal Awards to recognize and honour entrepreneurs and businesses right here in our own backyard. Awards categories include “Business of the Year,” “Contribution to the Community” and Entrepreneurial Spirit.” Tickets to this black-tie event are $79 + hst and include dinner and access to the Gardens before the event.
April 16 Spring Fair
St. Stephen’s Church Hall, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 1000 block Mt. Newton X Rd., Saanichton 250-652-4311, ststephens1862@shaw.ca Alive & well! Re-energized! Celebrating Spring! Featuring award-winning dahlia tubers, baking, books, children’s corner, collectibles, Easter bonnet contest, gently used items, plants ‘n pots, a fabulous silent auction, refreshments and lunch. ALL proceeds to Outreach Program.
April 17
Torque Masters Meet & Greet Theo’s Place Restaurant, Sidney, 12 - 4:30 p.m. Car Classic Cruise Meet & Greet. Dinner after at Theo’s Place about 5 p.m. Let ALL of your car friends know so we break our old record of 40 cars. Prize Draw (to be determined) for those that bring out a hobby car/truck/vehicle. Be There or Be Square!!.
April 18
St. John’s United Church Annex, 10990 West Saanich Rd., 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. www.northsaanichfarmmarket.com
Companions of the Quaich Dinner & Tasting
Seasonal produce, locally raised meat, eggs, seeds and crafts.
Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, 7 p.m. 250-658-1109, wuhrer@shaw.ca
Islay or Not? Islay single malt whiskies are considered by connoisseurs as the ultimate in nose-taste complexity. Graeme Macaloney, a Scottish fermentation engineer, will introduce four whiskies ranging from lightly and moderately peated whiskies accessible to most palates and conclude with a heavily peated Whisky of the Year. Dinner & tasting $60, dinner only (designated drivers) $50.
April 18
Victoria Storyteller’s Guild Meeting 1831 Fern Street, Victoria, 7:30 p.m. 250-477-7044 www.victoriastorytellers.org Celebrating spring with stories! These meetings are open to all (admission $5; students $3). We share stories and welcome new members.
April 23
Young Violinists Concert Community Hall, Pender Island, 7 p.m. 250-208-0277 or 250-629-2030 Twenty-seven Pender Island children ranging in age from four to 15, all taught by Denny Goertz, will play a mixture of classical and fiddle music.
April 29 - May 1 All You Need is Love! Peninsula Singers Concert Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney April 29 & 30 @ 7:30 p.m. May 1 @ 2 p.m. 250-656-0275, www.marywinspear.ca www.peninsulasingers.ca In All You Need Is Love! you’ll hear tunes penned by some of the greatest composers of the 20th century. Tickets are $11 for kids under 12 and $22 for adults. No hst!
April 30
Peninsula Garden Club Annual Spring Plant Sale Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney 9 - 11 a.m. 250-656-5843 Find plants grown by local gardeners for local gardens! Master Gardeners in attendance to answer questions. Everyone welcome!
Sidney Museum 2011 Quilt Exhibit This year’s 2011 Quilt Exhibit, running April 1st through 30th at the Sidney Museum, will hold over 70 quilts from a local community quilting group: “The Moxie Quilting Madams.” This year’s exhibit will be showcasing a rare, finished “Dear Jane” quilt (pictured). The quilt is sewn from 225 different patterns, originally pieced together in 1863 by Jane A. Stickle. This hand-pieced pattern has become a classic worldwide with its non-traditional, geometric blocks and triangles, creative in its composition and innovative in the originality of its design.
Doug & The Slugs
with special guests The Archers Saturday, May 28th @ 7:30 p.m. All Tickets $43 + hst
Don’t Miss The “Gotta Make My Feet Move” Party Atmosphere of This Canadian Band!
Mary Winspear Centre
250-656-0275 • www.marywinspear.ca
Sponsored by: Alliance Beauty Co. Inc.
The exhibit will feature more than 70 quilts, wall hangings, tea cozies, table runners and more throughout the Museum. The oldest quilt in the show, “Initial Quilt,” is made of flour sacking and was sewn in 1935 by local resident Nellie Griffith Seaton and friends. Each block is hand embroidered by friends and family. “At age 94 Nellie added a new border and backing,” Jean, Nellie’s daughter, said. Another quilt is made from 250 silk ties. It measures 85 by 65 inches and uses the pattern “Shooting Star” from Nickel Quilts by Pat Speth. There will be a self-guided tour with each quilt labeled with information as well as some members of the quilt group who have offered to be on hand for demonstrations and to offer information. Groups may pre-book tours; if you would like to see the live exhibit of hand quilting in action call 250-655-6355. Samples will be available to pre-booked visitors to work with.
Coming to the Star in April!
www.starcinema.ca
This quilt Exhibit will be one of the largest quilt exhibits ever on the Saanich Peninsula. The public, quilters of all skill levels and school groups are welcome. Admission is by donation.
250.655.3384
Your cosy local cinema has...
Great Movies! Great PoPcorn! Great Prices! Sidney’s 9842 Third Street, Sidney, BC
Photo courtesy Colette Thompson. SEASIDE TIMES
Emerald Isle Motor Inn Victoria Airport Area
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Sudoku Puzzles 5
Middle of the Road
6
8 9 2 3 4 8 1 8 7 6 8 1 3
4 1
8
6 2 3 5 3 7 2 5 1 4 3
Puzzle by websudoku.com
1 8 3 4
Hardly Simple
1
3 6 8 3 2 3
6 7 Keep Your Brain Healthy
9 3 7 6 5 9
2 1 5 8 7 6 4 1
Puzzle by websudoku.com
The Alzheimer’s Association recommends doing puzzles like Sudoku to strengthen brain cells and the connections between them. Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square. * Sudoku Solutions can be found on page 52.
Zais Astrology – April 2011 by Heather Zais (heather_zais@telus.net) Aries (march 21 - april 19) A positive presentation is the road to success. You have what it takes to rise in the ranks or take over. Others are willing to give you the reins or financial backing as they know it will benefit them as well.
Libra (september 23 - october 22) Mate or partnership matters are in focus. New or renewed arrangements need to be drawn up or completed. Settle any legals. A low key approach dissolves other’s aggression and puts things back in perspective.
Taurus (april 20 - may 20) Work around limitations. Time is on your side so you don’t have to push the river. Do what you must for others. See how it adds to your own plans. Keep details to yourself until you are sure of the direction.
Scorpio (october 23 - november 21) You have what it takes to navigate uncharted waters. Others display some jealousy over this ability. Your inner strength pulls weaker factions together to work as a team. You will get the credit you deserve.
Gemini (may 21 - june 20) Your hopes and wishes are unfolding in positive ways. You can count on the help of powerful friends or associates. They know a winning horse when they see one. You have knowledge or expertise they want.
Sagittarius (november 22 - december 21) Your intuition is stronger now and you can play a hunch personally or financially. You are optimistic about future results with the sun on your ruling planet Jupiter. Mercury is retrograde, so check all details.
Cancer (june 21 - july 22) Your popularity rises as others see your worth. A choice of surroundings can be part of what is offered to you. Make sure you get everything in writing or there can be some confusion about who said what.
Capricorn (december 22 - january 19) Stay the course with home or family matters – changes are coming. Moves affect you or those close. Financial influences bring a more positive conclusion to everyone’s benefit. Ease into alternate arrangements.
Leo (july 23 - august 22) A holiday or time abroad gives you the space to contemplate your future. The sun on Jupiter brings you luck with your plans. They may be grand but you can pull them off. Arrange to meet to fine-tune the details.
Aquarius (january 20 - february 18) Your optimism gets you out and about looking at new opportunities and directions. Your mind is strong and more focused on forward motion. Make connections that advance your position. You can succeed.
Virgo (august 23 - september 22) As you review the past to see where changes could have been made, you will find ways to recoup some of it. Keep plans to yourself until you have it in motion and the benefits will be higher for everyone.
Pisces (february 19 - march 20) Liquidate or change your financial and investment strategy. Make sure you go through the proper channels and protect information from those wishing to ride on your coattails. Buy, sell or trade with confidence.
Peninsula Singers Present All You Need is Love! How many ways can you say “I love you” in song? One estimate says over a billion and counting, but in spite of this formidable mountain of songs, Glenda Korella, conductor of the Peninsula Singers, has come up with a carefully selected repertoire of love songs sure to please everyone. In All You Need Is Love! you’ll hear tunes penned by some of the greatest composers of the 20th century – from Irving Berlin to the Beatles and from music from the Pajama Game right up to Sting. In addition to songs about love lost and found, the battle of the sexes and a mother’s love for her child, this concert will also feature a lovely ode to man’s best friend in Canadian singersongwriter Connie Kaldor’s “I Love That Dog.” Featuring soloist Heather Carpenter, the song is one of Kaldor’s most-requested and can be found on two of her CDs. “You can see that we love our dogs by just walking around Sidney or Victoria,” says Korella. “We have an amazing number of dog parks, vets, dog groomers and pet food stores. So, I thought: we should add a love song to our furry friends. Based on the dog population around here, I’m quite sure it’s something our audience will love.” One of the Peninsula Singers’ newest soloists, Heather brings an impressive resumé including theatre in plays ranging from Chicago to Sunny Side Up. She has several movies and television commercials to her credit and has done voiceover work. “I’m honoured to sing with such a great group of talented people like the Peninsula Singers,” says Heather. “Since I’m the ‘mother’ to two pugs named Ula and Peaches, I think I can get into the role!” As usual, the spring concert will turn the spotlight on a young artist, this SEASIDE TIMES
by Virginia Watson-Rouslin
time the Singers’ own accompanist for the past four years, Alyssa Hait, who took on the role when she was just seventeen. A major in music education at the University of Victoria, Alyssa has achieved high marks, participated in choral groups, euphonium bands, conducted the Arbutus Middle School band and managed to keep up her grades. “We will miss Alyssa after she graduates,” says Korella. “But I know that she’ll instill her love of music in school kids and help create the next generation of musicians or audience members!” All You Need Is Love! will include the Singers’ trademark choreography,
a good dose of humour, costumes and the debonair Master of Ceremonies Jim Kingham. Backing up Alyssa will be bass guitarist Lynell Korella and percussionist Terry Erskine. Profits from the concerts go to support the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation’s Music Therapy Program. The audience is also invited to bring non-perishable items for the Sidney Food Bank. Thrifty Foods, Marlin Travel and the Peninsula News Review are concert sponsors. Concerts take place Friday, April 29th and Saturday, April 30th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday May 1st at 2 p.m. Tickets are $11 for kids under 12 and $22 for adults. No HST! Tickets are available at the Mary Winspear Centre box office or by calling 250-656-0275. Box office hours are Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information visit www.PeninsulaSingers.ca. Photo courtesy Tom Watson.
Comfort Food Comfortable Surroundings Your Place On The Bay
Open Mic Night Every Friday! Take Part or Just Enjoy Sunday - Thursday 11 am - 4 pm • Friday - Saturday 11 am - 8 pm 250.544.1565 • 799 Verdier Avenue, Brentwood Bay (beside the Mill Bay Ferry)
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Origin of Hot Cross Buns by Linda M. Langwith The origin of Hot Cross Buns is a culinary mystery worthy of Brother Cadfael. The cross on the top suggests a Christian basis, especially as they are normally eaten around Easter. Wherever they came from, enjoy this fun recipe. 2 ½ cups white flour, divided zest of one lemon 3 tsp. quick-rise yeast ½ tsp. nutmeg ¼ cup white sugar ¼ tsp. cloves 1 cup milk 1 tsp. cinnamon ¼ cup butter ¼ cup chopped glace mix 1 egg ¼ cup seedless raisins Topping: icing sugar and cream Mix 1 ¼ cups of flour, the yeast and sugar in a large bowl. Add spices and lemon zest. Heat milk and
butter until just hot. Stir hot liquid and egg into dry ingredients. Mix in enough of the reserved flour to make a soft dough. Add more flour if needed. Turn onto a floured board and knead till smooth, adding the raisins and glace mix. Form into a ball, cover and let rest in a warm spot for 10 minutes. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces, roll into balls then slightly flatten into a bun shape. Place on a greased baking tray, cover with parchment paper and let rise in a warm spot until double in size, approximately ½ hour. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Brush buns with beaten egg. Bake in oven until golden. Mix icing sugar and cream to a thick consistency and pipe a cross shape on each bun when cool.
Tender Care Nannies & Manpower Services Ltd.
Murray Coell
MLA Saanich North and the Islands
Office: F-2412 Beacon Avenue Sidney, BC V8L 1X4 Toll Free: (866) 655–5711 Phone: (250) 655–5711
www.murraycoellmla.bc.ca
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Sidney ’s Pet Centre & Aquatics For Everything Your Pet Needs
250 -656-3314
#4-9769 Fifth St., Sidney www. sidneypetcentre.com 60
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Gulf Islands Disc Park by Barry Mathias Did you know you can play a competitive game with any number of people, using acres of land, without having to pay a joining fee, book ahead or worry about the cost of the individual sessions? Doesn’t that sound inviting? Add to these benefits the fact that you can wear what you want and the only essential piece of sporting equipment can cost less than 15 dollars. Welcome to North Pender’s Gulf Islands Disc Park. For those who have never played, the aim of the game is to throw sturdy frisbees at distant targets called pins. To quote the Professional Disc Golf Association: “The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc.”
The Pender park was originally conceived in 1980 by Alex Fraser, Dave Wilson and Doug Keating and the initial course was completed in 1987, although improvements have continued over the years. Alex Fraser is still the moving spirit behind the evolution and management of the disc park, which initially began as a single nine “hole,” then became an eighteen, and in the late nineties became a 27-hole course. One of the annual highlights is the Pender Classic, an international three-day event, in the last weekend of May.
owned by the Magic Lake Property Owners’ Association, who gave the initial permission for the disc golf park, it is now incorporated into Pender Islands Parks Commission, although run by an enthusiastic volunteer group of Pender disc golfers. There is a rustic “golf club” providing a covered area for seats, a notice board and a detailed map of the course, painted in 2004 by local artist, Steve Larouche.
In the early days, the course was relatively unknown and chocolate lilies, sea blush and blueeyed marys grew in abundance. Thanks to last year’s wet spring these flowers were still in evidence when I walked the park. Chuck Harris (pictured), one of the older players (who admits to being more than 80) said: “There is a danger the course could become too popular.” Chuck and many others have been pressing the CRD
to allow a disc golf park to be set up in the Greater Victoria area.
At the moment, apart from a course on Salt Spring, there are no others until you reach Nanaimo and Comox.
“The course at the Juan de Fuca was closed because of overuse and the consequent damage to the environment,” Chuck said. “There is a great need to establish another course to allow more people to enjoy this wonderful sport and spread the load.” He noted there was plenty of spare space, owned by the CRD, near the Hartland Landfill. The American, “Steady Ed” Headrich, considered to be the “Father of Disc Golf,” would be amazed to know that there are now more than 3,000 courses on the American continent, of which 87% are free. Photo courtesy Kelly Irving. Visit www.kellyidesign.com.
We Specialize in:
Lessons | Tours | Rentals | Repairs
In the early days, you aimed at tone poles: metal clad poles about five feet high, which rang out loudly when hit. In recent years new designs have been installed which resemble fountain basins with chains hanging down, and the aim is not merely to hit them, but to land the disc in the bowl. There are definite areas from which you throw and each site indicates the distance and direction of the next pin, together with its par score.
The disc golf course is set in a forest of mature, tall trees in acres of steep, rocky hills and damp valleys, and is one of North Pender’s gems. Situated in Magic Lake Estates, the most densely inhabited area of the Penders, the disc park is one of the larger green spaces. Originally
Atlantis Kayaks | Nimbus Kayaks | Hellman Canoes 250.665.7411 | www.pacificapaddle.com | Brentwood Bay www.seasidetimes.ca
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last word
A Billion Acts of Green ® “In recognition of the power of millions of individual actions, Earth Day 2011 will be organized around A Billion Acts of Green ®: Personal, organizational and corporate pledges to live and act sustainably” ~ www.earthday.org. With events such as the recent earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan, February’s earthquake in New Zealand and other natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, it’s sometimes easy to forget that our planet is merciful and life-giving as well as destructive. There are many theories that it is humans who precipitate these events: our actions are damaging the earth and thereby changing weather and temperature patterns.
By now, we all know how important it is to incorporate green living into our daily routines, and it’s equally important to celebrate the earth. Earth Day is April 22nd, 2011, and there are lots of great ideas for how to get involved on the website www.earthday.org. Some elements of this year’s Earth Day campaign include Athletes for the Earth, which brings the voices of Olympic and professional athletes to the environmental movement; The Canopy Project, which supports global reforestation; and a convention of 200 of the world’s entrepreneurs to solve climate change and create a new green economy.
Locals can celebrate at the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites, which is hosting its First Annual Earth Day Celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 21st. There will be a barbecue with South Park Family School, and children from grades 1-4 have designed Earth Day posters to be displayed at the event. A donation of $3 per person is encouraged; proceeds will go to the Earth Day Foundation. For more information call 250-361-5664. Editor-in-Chief
“shaggy-dawg” dog grooming
Horse-assisted therapy
Proudly Serving The Peninsula Since 2001
High-End Atmosphere, Small-Town Service!
The healing power of horses as partners in traditional approaches to therapy is unmatched. Whether attending in a group or as an individual, the experience is every bit as fun and motivational as it is effective. Individual and group sessions available. Previous horse experience is not required to participate. Provincial funding assistance (based on eligibility).
Forward Equestrian and Wellness Centre Poplar Lane 6309 Old EastRoad, Road, Central Saanich 1944Farm, Meadowbank Saanichton
(250) 588-2583 • www.forwardequestrian.com 250-588-2583 • becky@forwardequestrian.ca • forwardequestrian.com
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C2-7060 West Saanich Road Brentwood Bay • 250.888.4476 www.shaggydawg.ca april 2011
Sidney introduces a brand new service for seniors
“You can’t turn back the clock. But you can wind it up again.”
Call (250) 656-7176 for more information.
Saanich Peninsula Arts & Crafts Society 58th ANNUAL
FINE ART EXHIBITION & SALE door prizes
APRIL 30 - MAY 1
demonstrations
MARY WINSPEAR CENTRE
2243 Beacon Avenue • Sidney • BC
painting pottery sculpture
fibre arts jewellery fine crafts
Saturday APRIL 30, 10 - 6 • Sunday MAY 1, 10 - 4:30 Admission : $4.00 (accompanied children free) free parking