Seaside Times May 2012 Issue

YOUR WEST COAST CULTURE May 2012

Lifetime of Love …

Sidney SeniorCare, Vancouver Island’s favourite home support agency welcomes a new addition to the family . . .

Sidney SeniorCare is pleased to announce the opening of Oak Bay Community SeniorCare, the newest in-home support agency to continue our tradition of consistent, quality care. Our experienced support staff will help you get things done with grace and dignity so that your daily routine is as smooth and comfortable as possible.

• personal care • meal preparation • housekeeping & laundry • shopping • indoor & outdoor maintenance • companionship & respite care • transportation & customized outings • hourly service, as well as live-ins & overnights available . . . & any other service that you may require.

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19

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h s e r f e d a M in-store daily.

Mouthwatering Good Sidney 9810 Seventh Street 250.656.0946 Central Saanich 7860 Wallace Drive 250.544.0980

The New Thrifty Foods Panini Sandwich

Made fresh in-store daily, they’re a perfect blend of tender but crusty bread, velvety melted cheeses, savoury meats, and perfectly ripe veggies all grilled to perfection!

Served HOT off the grill just for you.

Spicy Pulled Pork

Seaside Times

contents

west coast culture – may 2012 issue features

17

Saanich School District Jumpstarts Student Careers Alex Flatman – Fast Track to Metal Fabrication

34

Second Wind 34 Local triathlete Howard Edwards won't let colitis take the breeze out of his sails

Spotlight 38 Restaurant The Prairie Inn Pub –

A Neighbourhood Hub For 153 Years

Columns First Word............................................ 8 Tweet This!........................................ 10 West Coast Gardener.................... 14 Forbes & Marshall........................... 25 Weatherwit...................................... 33 Island Dish........................................ 41 Smell the Coffee............................. 49 Last Word......................................... 55

41

42

departments 9................................................. Letters 12................................... Can We Talk?

18.......................................... Footprints 26............................... Common Cents 43....................................Grey Matters 45............................. Veterinary Voice 47......... Young Readers Book Review 52...........................What's Happening 54................................. Entertainment

www.seasidetimes.ca

On the cover: Celebrating Mother's Day with a local fourgeneration family.

Oldest to youngest: Betty MacKinnon, Sheila Stelck, Simone Stelck and Lilia Hayes.

Photo courtesy www.joannway.com (see First Word pg. 8)

For Little Paws GroomingS tudio Now opeN!

… and Mike O’Brien is Back!

With his long-time friend and new business partner Carol-Marie Crofton, things couldn’t be more exciting for the dog grooming business! Mike’s 30 years’ experience in grooming and Carol-Marie’s passion for animals makes this partnership a natural fit.

“Mike is well known in Sidney,” says Carol-Marie.

“He has been an active member of the town’s business community and has groomed dogs here for over 20 years.” Located on Bevan Avenue, just off Second Street, you’ll find For Little Paws Grooming Studio in an open concept building with large windows for viewing. As an all-breed, small dog grooming business, services include bathing, brushing, nail trimming, teeth cleaning and glands.

Look for Our One-Day Doggy and Person Picture Day in May!

For an experience you and your dog will never forget, stop by to see Mike, Carol-Marie & Parker at For Little Paws Grooming Studio and find out what everyone’s talking about!

Pacific Paint Centres -3 locations!

Hillside, Keating Xrd & Millstream Victoria, Saanichton & Langford 381-5254, 652-4274 & 391-4770 pacificpaintcentres.com

open Tues through Sat 9 - 5 (last appointment at 2)

#3-2490 Bevan Ave, Sidney 778-426-2587

Here To Help You With Your Senior Real Estate Needs Over the past 10 years working with families on the Saanich Peninsula, we have been asked many questions about the best choice for empty nesters: Should we sell the family home with the large yard?

Do the two of us really need this space?

Is it time to consider a townhome or condo?

We Can Help.

Georgia & Tim Wiggins

To receive your free copy of “To Move Or Not To Move,” a book designed to help seniors with their decision making, call us now.

We will also give you a FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION to help answer all your questions.

We work closely with seniors’ financial advisors, mobility experts, seniors’ residences and home care providers.

Beautiful Sidney Town Home $575,000 Walk to Town Centre, Master on main floor

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Polo Park Condo 2-Bedroom $242,000 Open concept with sunny deck, Close to shopping

Georgia Wiggins 250-415-2500 • www.TimWiggins.com 6

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

seaside

contributors

Freelance writer & Seaside Times social media maven Doreen Gee Skilled writing helped me earn a Bachelor of Science degree, and seven years of working at the James Bay Beacon newspaper polished my journalism skills. In 2009, I won second prize in a writing competition and recently I was shortlisted for a Victoria Leadership Award. Three local books contain my colourful submissions. Writing for Seaside Times is a slice, and I'm stoked for the chance to help them shine in the social media universe. Photo courtesy www.OrangeFrogStudio.com.

"Conversations From the Past" monthly columnist Valerie Green Born and educated in England with a journalism and history background, I moved to Canada in 1968, planning to stay for just one year! Three months into my stay, however, I met my future husband and within a year we were married.

Currently working on my 17th book, I love writing for Seaside Times and welcome feedback from readers on my monthly column: email me at valgee@shaw.ca.

"Weatherwit" monthly columnist Steve Sakiyama By day I work for the Ministry of Environment as an Air Science Specialist (aka an “Airhead”) and teach Meteorology at Royal Roads University. By night I sleep … and write for the Seaside Times about the weather and the funny things in life. My wife and I have been blessed with two wonderful children and we have enjoyed life here on the Island for 22 years.

"Smell the Coffee" monthly columnist Steve Sheppard I transitioned from barista to coffee roaster and finally to the waters off Vancouver Island, which I now call home. My coffee journey started in my late 20s, and my love of fresh coffee has grown for over 20 years. I'm all about sunshine and the unique perspective living off-shore brings, because Vancouver Island appears much different when you're looking land-ward. I love writing Smell The Coffee. When life gets hectic, I simply pull anchor and head out on the water to enjoy some coffee in a paradise I know all too well.

Freelance photographer Jo-Ann Way. My focus is all about making the experience of taking a photo relaxed. Everyone is photogenic, even you, readers; you're my favourite customer! I find joy in meeting people and making connections.

This month I worked with For Paws Grooming, and last month I worked with Peter Brand of First Voices in the Can We Talk column. I look forward to every opportunity to work with Seaside Times.

www.seasidetimes.ca Publisher Sue Hodgson 250.516.6489 sue@seasidetimes.ca

Editor-in-Chief Allison Smith 250.813.1745 editor@seasidetimes.ca

Advertising Sales Marcella Macdonald & Lori Swan 250.516.6489

This Month’s Contributors Arlene Antonik • Trysh Ashby-Rolls • Jennifer Bowles Shelley Breadner • Chris Burdge • Dianne Connerly Colin Eaton • Michael Forbes • Doreen Gee Valerie Green • Dale Henley • Devon MacKenzie Susi McMillan • Eva Person • Steve Sakiyama Steve Sheppard • Geoff Smith • Hans Tammemagi Jim Townley • Jenny Waelti-Walters Jo-Ann Way • Heather Zais

P.O. Box 2173 Sidney, BC, V8L 3S6 news@seasidetimes.ca 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.

In-Room at: 250-655-9445

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The Latch

the latch inn & restaurant • sidney

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Victoria Airport/Sidney 250-656-1176

www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

7

first w o rd A four-generation family literally embraces the cover of Seaside Times this month. I wanted to find a unique, Seaside way to celebrate Mother’s Day and had the beginnings of an idea of what it might look like as a cover, but finding a fourgeneration family was the toughest part.

After many calls to clients, friends, and neighbours, my photographer Jo-Ann Way came to the rescue! And voila, here we have it: Betty, Sheila, Simone and Lilia. Yes, oldest to youngest. Look closely at Lilia, the youngest, staring at us, with the most beautiful freckles I’ve ever seen. She blossomed in front of the camera because she knew it was a special day with her family.

We all have our own unique way of celebrating this day, some with great grandmothers, some with grandmothers, others with moms and their daughters and some like myself, unfortunately without a "mom" close by. Nonetheless, we find the time to make that call – make the time to say hello and remember those special memories we share.

In this issue, I also had the great fortune to interview and photograph Mac Voisin, founder of M&M Meat Shops Ltd, on one of his stops through Victoria. From real estate to construction to building a frozen food empire,

Mac is undoubtedly one of the most down-to-earth people you could ever meet. Named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies eight times (the last six years consecutively) M&M Meat Shops is also a huge supporter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada. It’s through their annual, chain-wide Charity Barbecue Day that they have raised over $21.5 million dollars since 1989.

This year’s goal is $1.5 million, with the event taking place on May 12th all across Canada. On pages 34 and 35, you’ll meet Howard, a local 21-year-old triathlete, as he opens up to our writer Doreen Gee about how he deals with this disease on a daily basis.

Speaking of writers … as you all know, many people help to create Seaside Times every month, and we decided it was time to introduce you to some of them. In this issue, we launch SeasideContributors (pg. 7); there you'll meet some of the writers who've been with us almost since the beginning: Doreen Gee, Valerie Green, Steve Sakiyama and Steve Sheppard. Doreen has also recently taken on the position of social media maven with Seaside, and you'll be doing yourself a favour to check out her weekly blog at www.seasidetimes.ca. Photographer Jo-Ann Way is a recent addition to the team at Seaside, and her beautiful work graces our cover this month.

I hope you celebrate this Mother’s Day with someone special. I will spend it with the family: some one-on-one time with my daughter Eva and a long distance call to "Mom." Happy Mother’s Day to all!

Sue Hodgson, Publisher

May is for Moms & A Great Time For Your Garden!

We Are Full of Colour This Time of Year and Have Stunning Hanging Baskets, Containers, and Many More Marigold-Grown Products We are Local and Proud of it and We Love to Support Our Community!

7874 Lochside Drive, Saanichton 250-652-2342 www.marigoldnurseries.com 8

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

Loyalty Card

letters Seaside Times welcomes your feedback! Send letters to the editor via editor@seasidetimes.ca. Letters may be edited for space and content.

I would like to commend Linda M Langwith, author of "Catastrophic Coffee Collapse." Boy, did you ever have me fooled! I was already visualizing buying huge amounts of my favourite coffee so that I wouldn't run out for the rest of my life. Was I ever relieved when I read the words "April Fools" at the very end of the article.

Len Mulholland

Free Roasting Tours Saturdays in May : 9 - 12

Peninsula’s Only Micro-Roastery

✢ ✢ ✢ As I’m sorting stuff I’ve been looking at the covers of past issues of the Seaside Times … they’re some of the most beautiful photographs I’ve seen on magazine covers … and that leads to sitting down and re-reading the magazines. At this rate I’ll never get through my piles of files. But thank you!

Pene Horton

✢ ✢ ✢ Well I must commend whoever is in charge of the website – it has to be one of the best out there.

Keep up the excellent work as I really enjoy reading the Seaside Times when I am not in Sidney.

Cheers, John Hutchison

✢ ✢ ✢ Just wanted to say how much the members of the Sidney Sister Cities Association appreciated the article you included in the April issue of Seaside Times. We confidently expect it will stimulate significant interest in the SSCA. Seaside Times is doing a wonderful job of making its readers much more aware of activities and organizations on the Peninsula. Well done.

Bob McLure, President, SSCA

✢ ✢ ✢ I read your article in the Seaside Times: "Catastrophic Coffee Collapse" … have to admit, I read it quickly, was TOTALLY blown away … a couple days went by, I continued to feel anguished and was already building plans to stockpile my coffee beans and having ideas about constructing a green house to house the hundreds of coffee plants that I would buy. Today, my 11-year-old daughter was aimlessly snacking and the article caught her eye. "Hey Mom, did you happen to see the little clover at the bottom?

It's an April Fool's day joke! I laughed and laughed. After years of playing my fair share of April Fool's day jokes I have finally been totally taken! Kudos to you and thank you for making me appreciate my latte … although I think I might still invest in some secret bean stockpiling!!

Rebekah Hunter

Experience Coffee Roasting at the …

Free Samples During The Tour !

www.freshcup.ca

Saanichton: Mt. Newton X Rd. @ Wallace Dr.

Is Social Media confusing you?

Providing simple and effective guidance for:

• Developing and

implementing your company’s social media strategy

• Setting up your blog

and developing good blogging practices

• Creating a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms

• Tracking results and

measuring your success

Call us for a free consultation 250.508.7761 Book a workshop at www.bwest.ca www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

9

tweet this!

Social Media Success Story – Victoria Wellness Professionals submitted by Chris Burdge The following is the winning entry in the Social Media Camp “Success Stories” contest from Narina Prokosch, owner of Saanich fitness studio Victoria Wellness Professionals (www.victoriawellness.com).

Social media? Just what does that mean and how or why does it impact your business? Good questions, and ones that I am sure almost anyone making forays into the social media world are asking. In fact, I am still asking those questions, but today I know some of the answers and depend on experts in the field to help with the others.

I made my first venture into social media several years ago.

Owning a private fitness studio dictated that I find out what all the chatter was about. I can’t remember how I heard about Twitter, but it seemed like a good venue to share ideas and meet the local Victoria community.

I was also interested in the ability to meet/chat with others in my field from all over the world. So, setting up a twitter account (@narinaanne) seemed like a good way to do that. It didn’t take too long and I was learning the basics of tweeting and hopefully good Twitter etiquette.

Along with Twitter, I had come to realize that a Facebook account was the next aspect of my social media campaign that I needed to learn about. Having never been on Facebook, it was a bit of a steep learning curve. Learning about personal profiles, business pages, advertising and just what/when/why and how I was to communicate is still a work in progress.

I attended the first Social Media Camp in 2010. Social media camp was an eye opener to say the least. I had absolutely no idea the field of social media was so huge and far-reaching. Yes, I dabbled a little bit and did see the value of what I was doing, but this conference opened up my eyes to just how vast this emerging field is.

Your music can be digital CD or MP3?

Your Eyeglasses?

WHICH ONE IS BETTER? WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

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personalization to the ultimate pixel!

Dr. Paul Neumann Dr. Gurpreet Leekha 1-7865 Patterson Road, Saanichton, www.cseyecare.com

I would never be mistaken for a “techie,” but I am fairly literate when it comes to computers and tend to pick up things fairly easily. The best thing about Social Media Camp 2010 was the variety of topics. Most of the workshops proved to be very valuable and each one of them provided me with information that I could implement in my business.

What I took away from Social Media Camp is that social media is here to stay. It is an important part of owning/running a business and there are experts out there to help you wade through the tons of information available and set you on the right course.

Social media devotees and marketing aces from all over North America will converge on the Victoria Conference Centre June 8-9th, 2012 to share tools, techniques and challenges at the third annual Social Media Camp.

More information and the complete two-day schedule is available at www.SocialMediaCamp.ca.

10

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012 | www.seasidetimes.ca

Don Bellamy

info@donaldbellamy.com

Beverley McIvor

bevmcivor@shaw.ca

Ross Shortreed

ross@rossshortreed.com

Renee Colonnello

reneecolonnello@remax.net

Craig Walters

craig@craigwalters.net

Jim Allan

jimaallan@shaw.ca

Lisa Dighton

Gay Helmsing

ldighton@shaw.ca

ghelmsing@gmail.com

Re/Max Realtors: Working in Your Community Jeff Bryan

Jack Barker

jeffbryan@shaw.ca

William Bird

wm.d.bird@shaw.ca

jack@jackbarker.net

Roy Coburn

roy@victoriaacreages.com

Kelly Curtis – Mortgage Architects kelly@mortgagedesigners.ca

Gaye Phillips

gayesoffice@shaw.ca

Rene Blais

renehblais@gmail.com

Debbie Gray

sagegray@shaw.ca

ca n we talk? . ............... Publisher Sue Hodgson talks with Mac Voisin,

Clockwise from left: Shawn Cote, Dave Lamsdale, Mac Voisin, Diane Lamsdale, Angela Voisin-Cote

M&M Meat Shops is 32 years in business and running strong. With over 450 locations coast to coast and with more than 500 products to choose from, did you ever expect this level of success?

No, I never thought we would enjoy this level of success.

When we opened our first store, we said “If this catches on, we could end up with 50 to 100 outlets across Canada!” I guess we were just not dreaming in technicolour yet! Ha-ha.

Was building this empire easier than when you built homes?

Building homes was a lot of fun and I very much enjoyed it. The problem is that if you do a good job on the construction, they don’t ever want to move, so I said: “I have to get into a business where we can get repeat customers.” Food was the logical choice. If people stop eating, we’re in trouble!

In the ever-changing economic times, good and bad, what potential challenges do you see M&M Meat Shops facing in the next five to 10 years?

We have always been challenged by the competition trying to copy our products. Plus, today it seems every business has expanded to "sell everything!" For example, Canadian Tire, Zellers (now Target), Walmart, Shopper’s Drug Mart and many convenience stores all sell frozen foods. Loblaws, 12

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

Safeway and other food chains now sell a wide variety of non-food items – i.e. household goods, tires, etc.

How have the needs of your customers evolved since you opened your first store in 1981, and how has M&M Meat Shops evolved to meet those changing needs?

We are always evolving. Since day one, we have been downsizing some of our pack sizes, selling more single serve items, offering more international flavours, etc. We’ve also introduced a complete line of fully microwaveable meals.

We continue to reformulate our products with the emphasis on providing healthier food items (salt reduction, etc.) and now have our biggest and best lineup of products ever.

I’m a huge advocate of the book “Purple Cow.” The reason it would shine among a crowd of perfectly competent, even undeniably excellent cows, is that it would be remarkable. Something remarkable is worth paying attention to. I think this concept connects well with one of my favorite statements you make: “Act big, even if you’re perceived as little.” Can you expand on this?

Right from day one, we believed in the theory “Think Big, Act Big, and it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

We wanted consumers to believe we were successful even when sales were dismal. We would convey the

Chairman & Founder, M&M Meat Shops Ltd. message that life and business were great, never referring to tough economic times, or bad weather, or whatever excuses retailers love to dwell on. People want to deal with successful people. They don’t normally make purchases because they feel sorry for the retailer.

I’ve had the opportunity over the years to get to know Dave and Diane Lamsdale and Angela and Shawn Cote, two of the franchise owners photographed here with you. They are both very community-minded and they do what it takes to run a successful local business. Is there an operational strategy in place for how you choose your franchise owners, or is it all about the money?

We have a very comprehensive program for evaluating franchisees to try to determine if we have a "fit." There are three basic characteristics that need to be present in any franchise organization for the franchise to enjoy success:

Most franchises require about half of the capital cost.

This down payment or initial investment cannot come from a loan or a mortgage on the house or business. This would put too much financial strain on the operation.

Grocery pricing continues to be on the increase and it’s obviously very competitive among the larger grocery chains. How has this affected M&M Meats Shops and what do you offer that’s consistently more unique than your competitors?

We compete with the chains by offering our own unique products in the right pack sizes at the right price. In today’s tough economic environment, we have moved more toward hot featured pricing to compete with the chains.

We also offer in-store sampling and weekly specials or incentives to get customers into our stores, and then show them our great lineup of new and existing products.

Firstly, the franchisee must be a team player and want to work in an environment that has corporate "rules" or "restrictions." If a franchisee is too entrepreneurial, he or she will become frustrated with a structured system.

The 24th Annual M&M Meat Shops Charity Barbecue Day benefiting the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) takes place on May 12th. How did this partnership come about?

What is your fundraising goal for this year?

Secondly, the candidate has to have the desire to make the franchise a success. We, like other franchise companies, provide the tools necessary to make the franchise successful, but then it’s up to the franchisee to do their part! So we ask: is the candidate prepared to roll up their sleeves and dig in?

In 1989 we looked at all the little-known charities across Canada. We wanted to help make the biggest impact with the least-funded cause with the most sufferers. We discovered back then that Canada had well over 100,000 sufferers of inflammatory bowel disease and there was very little money going towards research. No one wants to admit they have the disease, so there's not much awareness of it and therefore no money for research. So, we decided to help the charity by raising awareness and funds for medical research. Today, there are over 200,000 sufferers, with 9,000 new cases of IBD being diagnosed each year in Canada. Through our annual chainwide Charity BBQ Day, we have raised over $21.5 million since 1989, and this year’s fundraising target is $1.5 million.

NOTE: This year’s Charity BBQ Day is May 12th at all 455 M&M Meat Shops store locations across Canada!

Thirdly, the prospective franchisee needs to have the unencumbered funds necessary for financial success.

Mac Voisin

Chairman & Founder M&M Meat Shops Ltd. Born and raised in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, Mac graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Unable to find work in the field, he chose to sell real estate and then started a construction company with his brother Greg in 1976. In 1980, Mac and then-brotherin-law Mark Nowak (hence M&M) became frustrated with the lack of quality, convenient food products being offered in the marketplace, so they set up their first M&M Meat Shop in Kitchener. Mark left the company in 1985 to return to his law practice.

Today, there are 455 M&M stores across Canada.

M&M has received the highest awards in the food and franchise industries, and for the last six consecutive years was named one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. M&M raises millions of dollars each year for various charities across Canada, and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of Canada is their corporate charity of record.

What is your favourite meal to take home?

My favourite meals are the Lemon Pepper Sole, Beef Pot Roast, and Cabbage Rolls (unique to M&M). I love the Shrimp Party Pak as an appetizer, and the Chocolate Chunk Buttercream Bars for dessert! It’s all "So good to come home to" and it’s "Hundreds of meal ideas, one aisle!" At M&M Meat Shops, we want to create a fun food shopping experience that makes our customers say "I'll be back!"

For more information on M&M Meat Shops visit www.mmmeatshops.com or, for more information on the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada, visit www.ccfc.ca.

Photo courtesy Geoff Smith, Creative Thinking Photography. www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

13

west c oast gardener

Where Design Meets Function

Show Your Soil Some Love

by Colin Eaton After what has seemed like a long, wet winter, we finally have evidence that spring is here. I find this time of year to be incredibly magical as new life begins to pop up everywhere.

Photography by Gillean Proctor

#11 - 2075 Henry Avenue West, Sidney 250.652.5081 • cabinetworksvictoria.com

Just Food

art exhibition Contemporary perspectives on food issues and human rights

JUNE 2 - JUNE 30, 2012 MARY WINSPEAR CENTRE 2243 Beacon Avenue Sidney, BC V8L 1W9

19 Artists 38 Artworks 13 Countries Gallery Hours 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Saturday donations welcomed

Artist: Lucy Riquelime, Chile (detail)

14

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

Contact Information 250-656-3712 www.hcfsidney.ca

What triggers all this magic, and how can you ensure your flower beds have a healthy start to the Colin Eaton South Island Landscaping new season? It's important to understand that healthy soil is full of a variety of organisms. Based on DNA analysis, researchers have estimated that a single gram of soil can contain as many as 10,000 species of bacteria! These organisms are relatively dormant during our winters and become active once the soils begin to warm, and they are essential to the health of the soil and the plants within it.

In our forests there is constant deadfall that decays to provide food and shelter to the organisms in the soil. In our gardens we clean up this deadfall, leaving the soils exposed to the wind, rain and sun. Imagine those poor organisms: cold and wet or sunburned and parched with no protection because their caretaker efficiently raked everything up and trucked it all away. So, the organisms pack their bags and head for greener pastures and as they leave (or die), so too goes the health of the soil.

Now, I am not suggesting that you neglect the cleanup of the deadfall, because to do so will undoubtedly raise the blood pressure of some neighbours, but you can replace that deadfall with mulch. Not only does mulch provide the soil with a layer of protection, proper mulch will break down to provide valuable nutrients to the variety of organisms within the soil. Mulch is also excellent at retaining moisture in the soils and it keeps the weeds down. Less weeds; everyone likes the sound of that! There are a variety of mulches available – my preference is aged dark bark mulch or leaf mulch. I like it as finely ground as available because too chunky means years of natural decaying before it can provide any benefit to the flower beds.

So mulch away, and let the plants and soil know you care!

Colin Eaton is the owner and operator of South Island Landscaping. Visit www.southislandlandscaping.ca.

Have a Good Night and Sleep Well

by Susi McMillan “Sleep well,” I say as I tuck in my kids at night.

I repeat the same phrase to myself before I close my eyes. Sometimes we don't get the rest we need, and it was important for me to create the perfect sleep environment for my family. My first step was to switch to natural latex and wool pillows and a certified organic latex mattress and a wool duvet, all of them hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant.

After I had addressed possible allergens I thought I was done, but there was so much more to consider.

In my quest for the perfect sleep I reached out to the local Sidney health community and consulted with three amazing women who shared some of their knowledge with me.

"According to Statistics Canada, one in every seven Canadians aged 15 or older have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep," shares Dr. Marita Schauch of the Peninsula Naturopathic Clinic. A lack of sleep puts you at a greater risk for anxiety, heart disease, lowered immunity, high blood sugar levels and obesity. She adds that a lack of sleep can cause your stress hormones to become unbalanced, and insomnia often comes in times of stress. Our bodies produce more stress hormones, including cortisol, which should be lower in the evening.

Registered Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist Mikiala Christie of Health Within TCM & Acupuncture Clinic notes that in order to sleep well it is essential to focus internally. The most important first step, she says, is to check your breathing. Most of us pant or breathe shallowly, and this can stimulate the sympathetic system (fight or flight response) which increases stress hormones that can prevent a sound sleep. She suggests a regular, daily meditation practice or simply being aware of the tension that you hold within your body and finding ways to breathe more deeply. Secondly, Mikiala recommends exercise to further deepen the breath and diffuse stress levels.

Dr. Kristen Bovee of the Peninsula Naturopathic Clinic emphasizes the importance of diet for sleep. For example: caffeine causes a release of stress hormones and adrenaline and can remain within your bloodstream several hours after consumption. She suggests foods high in tryptophan such as chicken, turkey, beans and legumes. Tryptophan increases serotonin levels in the brain which are then converted to melatonin, your sleep hormone. Tryptophan is best combined with a whole grain such as brown rice or oats in order to transport it more easily to the brain.

Bed frame designed and made in Sidney, B.C. by Riverbank Design. Natural bedding available at West Coast ECO HOME.

It became clear to me that aside from allergy triggers, I needed to make sure that my family and I were helping our immune systems by dealing with our stress levels.

Doing this means our immune systems will be stronger and our allergies will be less. Now, before we go to sleep we rest easier knowing that by managing our stress levels, eating well and reducing our allergy triggers, we have done the best that we can to sleep well.

If you want to learn more, join us at our "Sleep Well" Health Talk: May 30th, 7 p.m. at 2348 Beacon Avenue in Sidney.

Susi McMillan is Co-owner of Riverbank Design and Partner of West Coast ECO HOME. hanging baskets • perennials • annuals • herbs small trees • cut flower bouquets • pottery

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6536 West Saanich Road, Saanichton 250.896.8338 www.patiogardensvictoria.ca www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

15

Saanich School District Jumpstarts Student Careers – Alex Flatman

by Devon MacKenzie Alex Flatman always loved shop classes in high school, so it only made sense that when his career coordinator at Claremont Secondary mentioned there was an opportunity to do his work experience at the Victoria Shipyards, he jumped at the chance.

At the end of tenth grade, having just turned 16, Flatman began work at the shipyards over the summer months and loved it. “I went in for a two-month period over the summer, just to get a taste of what the shipyards were like, and the rest is history,” said Flatman of his early career choice.

The following summer, he returned to do more work experience. When the school year started again in September, he concentrated hard on his grade 11 and 12 school work, maintained good grades in his academics and achieved a 97% average in his secondary school apprenticeship classes. By February of last year, he’d completed all of his grade 12 courses early and was hired on as a full-time Metal Fabricator apprentice. “[At the shipyards] there is such a variety of different applications for metal workers. From working on submarines, to making pieces for armoured vehicles and making equipment used for avalanche prevention, there’s so many opportunities to learn new things,” said Flatman.

Now that he has completed the Secondary School Apprenticeship program through Claremont, Flatman has three more years to go working as an apprentice at the shipyards and attending the British Columbia Institute of Technology for his theory work before he gains his Red Seal Journeyman Metal Fabricator certification.

Through his years at Claremont and now at the shipyards, Flatman’s passion and drive for what he does hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“Alex was a pleasure to have in class: he was always mature, enthusiastic, achieved top marks and always had his applications and paperwork for the apprenticeship program in on time,” said Claremont career coordinator Garry Arsenault.

“He is so mature and he treats everything like someone way older than 18,” said Trevor Hill, Flatman’s supervisor at the shipyards.

School District 63's Secondary School Apprenticeship program (in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Industry Training Authority of B.C.) features a wide range of trades from hairstyling to meat cutting, available to students in grade 10 and up. The apprenticeship program provides students with an opportunity for personalized learning that allows them to receive technical training, and work as legitimate apprentices on a part time basis, as part of their high school education package.

Flatman’s advice for anyone considering the program is to gain as much experience as possible in the field in which you are interested. “Any work experience you can get in the field you want to work in, do it. Experience is the key to eventually landing a good job,” he said.

For more information on how to get involved as a student apprentice, or as an employer sponsor in this or any other career program in the Saanich School District, contact the career coordinator at any Saanich secondary school. For an overview of the trade training opportunities offered by the Saanich School District, be sure to view the promotional YouTube video, “Jump Start Your Career” at http://www.youtube.com/user/saanichcareers.

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012 | www.seasidetimes.ca

17

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Conversations from the Past – Rosanna Todd

by Valerie Green

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down and talk with some interesting characters from Greater Victoria’s past?

If so, wonder no more. In a series of upcoming “interviews,” imaginary conversations will be conducted with some well-known (and some lesser-known) men and women from Greater Victoria’s colourful history. Although these conversations are merely creative figments of my imagination, they are all based on fact.

Rosanna Todd was stepmother to two children and mother to four of her own.

She had a notable career as a teacher before becoming the second wife of 19th century Victoria industrialist, Jacob Hunter Todd. Far ahead of her time, she reinvented herself as a “second wife” and proved that being a mother is one of the most important careers a woman can have. (Interview conducted in 1929.)

Interviewer: Tell me about your early life, Mrs.Todd.

Rosanna: I was born in England, the ninth child of Josiah and Mary Ann Wigley. Both my parents came from wealthy, influential backgrounds. We lived comfortably and were all well-educated. Later, my father made some bad investments and lost everything, so he went to South Africa to try and recoup his losses.

I: What happened?

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R: His plans did not work out but he decided to stay there anyway. Sadly, it split our family up … my mother stayed in England and some of my siblings joined father. Mother then decided on Canada and some followed her. I was only 18 but I took care of my younger siblings after mother left. Later, I also left for Canada where I became a governess and then a teacher. By 1863, I was able to open my own school. Eventually I moved to Brampton, Ontario, and taught at the Brampton Ladies' School.

I: Tell me how you met Mr. Todd.

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SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

R: After his first wife died, Mr. Todd came east to find boarding schools for his son, Charles, and daughter Sara. We met and eventually he asked for my hand in marriage, but first I wanted to be sure that he loved me and was not simply

looking for a mother for his children. Once he had convinced me of that, I agreed to marry him. At first, we lived on Johnson Street in Victoria – but I wanted no reminders of his first wife – so eventually he built a new house for me. During the first years of our marriage I suffered three miscarriages. I thought I would never be able to bear a child. I was already in my late 30s.

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I: Oh dear, how sad.

R: Eventually my first son, John Lancelot, arrived.

Mr. Todd and I had gone out for a buggy ride that day when I suddenly went into labour and he had to assist with the birth – right on the side of the road!

I: How amazing! And then I believe you had another son and two daughters?

R: Yes, Albert Edward was born two years later, followed by my two daughters, Mai and Nellie.

I: Education for your children was very important to you?

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R: Indeed it was. Our sons attended Upper Canada College in Toronto. We wrote letters to them every Sunday and insisted they write back every week. Our two girls attended school in Dresden, Germany, and became accomplished in many of the arts. They Sidney-by-the-Sea: married two of the Gillespie brothers.

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R: Yes, I am. Charles was a businessman like his father.

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Rosanna Todd became a widow in 1899 and lived on until 1931, at which time she was 92. In keeping with her position in life, her children built her a much grander home on Shasta Place, off St. Charles Street, but Rosanna was never truly happy there, preferring the simpler life and spending time with her children and grandchildren or working in her garden.

Valerie Green is an author and historian and can be reached at valgee@shaw.ca.

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www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

19

Diamond Jubilee High Tea at SHOAL Centre This year Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 60 years as the British reigning monarch, and Sidney plans to mark this auspicious occasion with a Diamond Jubilee High Tea hosted by the SHOAL Activity Centre.

Activity and Rental Coordinator Anna Hudson has been planning the event, on Wednesday, June 6th, since February.

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“We held a wonderful Royal Wedding Gala last April, in honour of the marriage of Kate and William, and it seems only fitting to celebrate this royal occasion as well,” she said.

The High Tea will feature a menu by SHOAL Food Services Chef Don Bottcher and will include Royal Tea Sandwiches, Crown ‘n Cranberry Scone, Palace Squares, Queen Lemon Tart and Coronation Strawberry Garnish. Town Crier Kenny Podmore will be on hand, in full regalia, to escort guests to their tables, and will open the festivities with an official “Cry” he composed exclusively for the Coronation Anniversary.

A fashion show by Heritage Productions, a local nonprofit group, will highlight the six decades of the Queen’s reign, from the 1950s to the present. Gloves and hats are optional for those who plan to attend, “but we hope people will get into the spirit of the event,” says Anna, “the way they did for the Royal Wedding Gala.”

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The Queen and the Royal family have put hats in vogue, and this is an opportunity to wear hats ranging from fascinators to full-scale creations.

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

Anna always likes to build in a few surprise touches at SHOAL events, and Kenny is hoping to have some memorabilia on hand from the royal collection of the former Victoria Wax Museum.

As a tribute to the 60th anniversary, the tea will be limited to 60 tickets. If demand is heavy enough, a second tea will be held Wednesday, June 13th. Tickets are only $20 for this special event, and can be purchased by phone or in person at the SHOAL Activity Centre, 10030 Resthaven Drive, Sidney. Call 250-656-5537.

Breakthrough Technology to Freeze Away Body Fat CoolSculpting™, an innovative technology designed by Harvard medical scientists that freezes away unwanted fat, is now available exclusively at MD Esthetics Medical Laser & Skin Rejuvenation Centre, making it the first medical practice on Vancouver Island to offer this breakthrough in non-invasive fat reduction. CoolSculpting™ has been featured on numerous mainstream TV programs including: Dr. Oz, The Doctors, The Today Show and Good Morning America, Extra!, Rachael Ray Show, The CBS Early Show, E!News and numerous others.

“CoolSculpting™ is an exciting new approach that is non-invasive and has shown significant results in clinical studies for removing fat without the potential risks and downtime of invasive procedures,” said Dr. Milkovich, MD Esthetics Medical Director.

“We have found the procedure to be extremely effective, especially on resistant localized areas of "reserve fat" called belly fat, back fat, love handles, muffin tops, post-pregnancy pooch, saddle bags or the spare tire. CoolSculpting™ is comfortable and our patients are highly satisfied.”

Approved by Health Canada, CoolSculpting™ gently chills the unwanted fatty bulges, thereby inducing a natural, controlled elimination of fat cells. Based on science developed by the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, this breakthrough is based on a vast body of research that demonstrates that fat cells are more susceptible to cold and are selectively, painlessly and permanently destroyed. Starting several weeks after the procedure, cooled fat cells begin a process called “apoptosis” and begin to shrink and disappear. The body proceeds to naturally and gradually eliminate the cooled fat cells, reducing the thickness of the fat layer.

“Within several weeks of your first treatment, you will notice the fat in the treated area has lessened considerably and your clothes will fit better. The CoolSculpting™ procedure is for people who have stubborn body fat that diet or exercise alone does not seem to help,” said Dr. Banks, MD Esthetics Medical Director.

“Good candidates have noticeable bulges in certain areas they’d like to get rid of. Unlike many other methods of fat reduction, CoolSculpting™ involves no needles, surgery or downtime. Patients can resume their normal activities immediately afterwards.”

During the procedure, a non-invasive applicator delivers precisely controlled cooling to the treatment area, thereby specifically targeting fat. A typical procedure takes only one hour and patients spent that time reading, working on their laptops, watching a movie or simply relaxing. Patients can have additional procedures for more pronounced effects if they desire. On average, each CoolSculpting™ procedure results in a 20 to 25% reduction of fat in the treated area.

Patients can start to see results as soon as three weeks following treatment, with the most dramatic results occurring over a period of two to four months in most patients.

With more than 178,000 treatments performed worldwide, CoolSculpting™ is proven safe and effective for helping you get back the body shape you desire. For more information or to view actual results, visit www.lookamazing.ca.

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SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

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fo rbes & marshall

Spanx Alot

by Michael Forbes It’s a combination of protein, fat and water and it promises to help you melt away 20 pounds in 10 days.

If you’re a desperate bride looking to shed those last few pounds before your wedding, this is exactly what you’ve been looking for. If you’re a groom and you’ve had fears of carrying your new bride over the threshold only to have your knees buckle, leaving an imprint of your startled face in the drywall, this may also seem like a good idea. Wait, I neglected to mention that this magic elixir is fed to you through a tube which is inserted through a nostril of your choice and slid down your throat into your stomach. It’s the controversial K-E diet and it seems to be attracting despairing brides looking for ways to make sure they fit their fantasy dress in time for the big day. With that kind of dedication, I’m assuming she’ll also drink her champagne toast through an IV.

is the male thing to say. As a man, I haven't been exposed to the same pressures to be attractive. Unlike a woman, I really haven’t had the air-brushed celebrities and their unrealistic body image rammed down my throat like an ill-advised feeding tube. When a man gains weight, he either goes about losing it or he accepts that he is, in fact … fat. A responsible woman would advise the bulging bride that losing weight should be a gradual process in the months leading up to the wedding combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise. As a guy, I would tell her not to worry about it: it’s nothing that a bigger dress size and a little duct tape for the wobbly bits can’t fix!

Forbes & Marshall are the hosts of Ocean 98.5’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.

If brides are willing to go to such desperate measures, they may want to consider what those extreme fighting knuckle draggers do before a pre-bout weigh in. It’s called Weight Cutting. Hours before, they work out intensely while wearing garbage bags. Under a doctor's supervision, they lose gallons of sweat which causes a huge drop in weight. If brides were to do this, I’d like to see them put on their wedding dresses and fight each other in a cage match, where the winner gets her nuptials paid for. If you see this on pay per view, and you will … remember it was my idea.

Fad diets with promises of dramatic weight loss have been around since the dawn of time. No doubt you’ve heard of Atkins, Southbeach, Grapefruit and of course the ever-popular tapeworm larvae. When my wife was young, she remembers her mom being on the cabbage soup diet.

Lisa says her mother gave her a spoonful once and it tasted as if she let a pair of dirty sweat socks simmer in puddle water for a few hours. After a week, the only thing mom lost was a few pounds of cabbage down the garburator.

Isn’t this why God invented Spanx? Yes, that certainly www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

25

co mm o n cents

Estate Planning: Not Just For the Rich

by Dale Henley

Dale Henley, Partner Henley & Walden

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“Nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes,” is a quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin. It has been over 200 years since those words were originally penned and, although we may not yet be able to control these inevitable events, a lot has changed in the way we plan to deal with these two certainties of life.

Not long ago, most people’s assets were straightforward – a house, a bank account and maybe some savings bonds – all of which could be dealt with by a simple will.

Today our individual financial worlds have dramatically changed with the introduction of investments like RSP’s, RIF’s, TFSA’s, mutual funds, stocks, bonds and a myriad of life insurance products including annuities and guaranteed income funds … all of which are intertwined with more layers of taxation than Mr. Franklin could ever have contemplated when he wrote his words.

Your legal professional, working with your financial advisors, can develop an estate plan which not only reflects your wishes and protects those persons and things that are important to you, but also incorporates strategies to minimize taxes for your estate and your heirs. While some taxes are impossible to avoid when you die, there are ways to minimize these costs and still maintain control of your assets while you are alive. These strategies might involve special tax effective provisions within your will, beneficiary designations outside of your will or even the use of trusts, which are no longer the exclusive domain of the rich.

Estate planning is not just about how your assets will be distributed when you die. It is also about planning for the management of your assets if you are unable to make your own financial decisions and providing for the appointment of someone to make decisions about your health care if you are unable to.

Estate planning is about you and your family and those people and things that matter in your world, and the reward to you is peace of mind. All of which leads to another saying attributed to Ben Franklin: “if you fail to plan you are planning to fail.”

For more information visit www.henleywalden.com.

26

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

The Geezer Gang Goes on a Drug Run

by Hans Tammemagi We were a rough-looking bunch, and heads turned as we revved the engines of our hogs and rumbled off the ferry at Swartz Bay terminal. Well, OK, so we were only 10 older guys (aged 53 to 78) from Pender Island out to enjoy a sunny day of exploration on our scooters, which were mostly little 50-cubic-centimetre putt-putts, although a few ranged up to 400 CCs in engine size.

From Mill Bay we headed along back roads, exploring the farmlands and rolling hills of the Cowichan region. We stopped to pick blackberries, sample vintages at the Cherry Point Winery and enjoy sea views, forest glades and quiet little towns. On uphills, the slower scooters fell behind, only to catch up on the next long downhill. We were discovering that scooters are the perfect means of transportation (and fun!) on Cowichan’s winding and scenic roads.

At Brentwood Bay we caught the ferry to Mill Bay. Lined up, our 10 “hogs” caught the eyes of fellow passengers, as did the motley, grizzled riders. We wore improvised motorbike apparel for protection against possible falls. Some sported gardening gloves, one wore rubber boots, a few had leather jackets, and one bravely – or perhaps foolishly – wore sandals and a T-shirt.

At Cowichan Bay we stopped for lunch and then some of us wandered through the Maritime Centre, a delightful museum with a pier extending far into the bay and many models of boats from yesteryear. Others went looking for pasteon tattoos so we could improve our image as bandito bikers. Too soon the sun started to lower in the western sky, and we headed back to catch the ferry from Crofton to Salt Spring Island.

Landing at Vesuvius Bay, we separated for we were running late and had to race to catch the ferry to Pender Island, which departed from Long Harbour on the far side of Salt Spring. The faster bikes roared ahead, while the slower ones puttered across the Island as best they could.

When a lady asked what we were doing, we tried to look as tough as possible and responded: “We’re the Geezer Gang from Pender Island, and we’re doing a drug run.” When her eyes opened wide, we hastened to add: “Yes, we’re going to bring back a haul of multivitamins, Geritol and Viagra.” She smiled with relief.

Fortunately, we all arrived on time and roared aboard the Queen of Nanaimo. As we guzzled coffee in the sunshine on the top deck, we geezer bikers smiled, laughed and regaled nearby passengers with tales of our adventures. We were already planning our next outing, perhaps to Galiano Island. But next time we need tattoos.

From Swartz Bay we headed along the Pat Bay Highway, struggling to keep up with the fastflowing traffic. We took the first exit and then the fun began. The smell of freshly mown hay hung in the air as, single file, we passed farms, an occasional church and a clutch of houses and caught glimpses of the sea. Although most of our motorbikes only had torpid top speeds of about 70 kph, this was perfect for enjoying the winding back roads. We leaned into the curves, felt the wind blowing past and pictured ourselves as Easy Riders. Our leisurely progress perfectly matched southern Vancouver Island’s go-slow character.

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Celebrate Mother's Day by 4/10/2012 9:59:27 AM

our mother is unique in every way, so why would you get her the same old gift?

Celebrate what makes her one of a kind with something special from one of Sidney's great shops. Whether it's a gift for the home, a pretty piece of jewelry, that great blouse she's had her eye on or a puzzle she can share with the grandkids, Sidney's diverse range of stores has everything you're looking for to thank your mom for always being there.

Shop local and stay connected to the merchants in your community – all year round!

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Local Foodie Fest Season Starts in June!

by Jim Townley For many on the Saanich Peninsula, the idea of fresh local food is well personified by the weekly crowd that gathers each Saturday at the Peninsula Country Market from the first weekend in June to the middle of October on the picturesque Saanich Fairgrounds. The market is entering its 21st season, and for many locals it has become a weekly "foodie fest" that truly inspires them to create great dishes at home for their families. Each week customers come to the field and get most of their weekly produce from local farmers, as well as other unique food items that you will only find on this field.

Over the past few years, the membership of the Peninsula Country Market has worked hard to create more than just a local shopping experience for residents: our vision has worked toward becoming a "weekly community gathering place." What many people don’t realize is that, when you add up the number of weeks it runs, the Peninsula

Country Market is the the third-largest outdoor event in Central Saanich! This year we plan on lots of sunshine, fresh air and some new vendors on the field to bring some additional variety. We’ll continue to be dog-friendly, have easily accessible free parking, and we might even have some youth volunteers available to help you with your bags to the car! In addition, some "Community Gardening" ideas are likely to the make it to the field this year, which should engage you in new and interesting ways.

With every market there needs to be one constant each season, and that's Mother Nature – we hope she is kind to local growers as we leave the La Nina weather system behind.

We look forward to seeing you on the field starting Saturday, June 2nd at 9 a.m! For more information on the Peninsula Country Market visit www.peninsulacountrymarket.ca.

Jim Townley is president of the Peninsula Country Market Society.

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Computer Problems?

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“We have known John Howey as a computer expert for over six years. His assistance in solving our computer problems has been so helpful, saving us money and time in his prompt reply to fix any conflicts. John is an honest and sincere person and always has an answer for your concerns at a reasonable price.”

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SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

weatherwit

May Weather Forecast

by Steve Sakiyama Spring has sprung, the flowers have riz, I wonder where my lawnmower is.

The first sound of spring is … the drone of lawnmowers. Last month as their sounds echoed in the air, I was reminded of the used lawnmowers I’ve owned in the past, all purchased in near-dead condition at spring garbage (oops I mean garage) sales.

Lawnmower #1 was electric with an extension cord.

I learned to whip the cord around to avoid running over it, like a yard-cowboy version of Will Rogers doing rope tricks with his lariat. Unfortunately the cord was a bit too short to reach the far regions of our lawn, so I would run and push the mower toward the unreachable area. The cord would pop out, but the momentum would carry it and cut the grass out there.

Lawnmower #2 cost $10, had wobbly wheels and spewed volumes of grey smoke. While cutting the lawn I appeared as a shadowy garden gnome, hunched over in the enveloping fog as I wrestled to push the thing forward. With black soot smeared on my sweaty face I looked like I spent a day in the coal mine, rather than experiencing the pleasantries of yard maintenance.

Lawnmower #3 cost $15 (I splurged). It was so hard to start that one time in frustration I gave it a mighty pull with both hands. The cord snapped, sending me tripping backwards and, despite a stylish Triple Lutz, I fell with a “whumphff” into the cushy rose bushes. Even with the technical error the ice-dance judges awarded me a mark of 9.8.

Today I have a new mower that looks like it washes and folds laundry, but unfortunately it remained dormant until

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mid-April due to a colder and wetter March, a result of La Nina’s fading influence. While we shivered, the rest of Canada experienced record warm temperatures – something meteorologists referred to as “March Madness.” This coolwarm difference between the West and East was the result of a “wave” pressure pattern. While we were in the trough of the wave (low pressure), the regions east of us were in the crest (or ridge of high pressure) – resulting in cool and wet weather for us and warm and dry weather for those in the crest. These pressure patterns (called Rossby waves) are a result of the spinning earth trying to equalize the energy difference between the cold poles and hot equator through atmospheric motions – a complex, beautiful choreography that would be a “10” in the eyes of the ice-dance judges.

Well, let’s cut to the chase for the May forecast. Cooler than normal temperatures are more likely, probably La Nina’s last laugh before it takes a summer vacation.

Precipitation-wise there is no bias to wetter or drier conditions, so I’ll go with normal rainfall. Since gardens come into their spectacular glory during May, my sentimental forecast is for sunshine every weekend – perfect weather for gardening and garage sales.

Hey, anyone selling their old lawnmower? ~ Weatherwit If you have a lawnmower for sale, or questions/comments about the weather, send them to weatherwit@gmail.com or post them on my blog at weatherwit.wordpress.com.

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www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

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Second Wind; a Journey of Hope There is a special kind of grassroots courage that is highly underrated: the steely determination to get back up and continue on when life throws you head-first on the floor. Howard Edwards is an accomplished athlete with a bright future. His life came crashing down around him with the onset of a disabling illness called ulcerative colitis, but he has risen to the challenge of dealing with this agonizing and uncomfortable condition. Howard is enjoying a second wind, and his hopeful message shines with the healing light of human caring and support.

by Doreen Gee

have been through the same things as me.” He is grateful to the people who listen to him, tell him ways to get better and give him precious information. His message is clear to anyone hiding and suffering: “Reach out!

Get support with the CCFC. Attend their events.”

Howard’s hockey career came to a grinding halt when he became ill with ulcerative colitis, a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Colitis is an inflammation of the colon’s inner lining, resulting in severe and bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and nausea.

Howard talks candidly about the hospitalizations and the dreaded “flare-ups,” the “scariest thing that I had ever experienced.” One Christmas he indulged himself in turkey and gravy and spent a month on his back. The illness took Howard hostage: “It's miserable! You never know when it is going to strike. You are always selfconscious. It's hard to go on dates or be social.” And that washroom must always be within running distance.

With hard work, Howard started to get better. A new vegetarian diet low in fat and high in nutrition keeps him well. Mezavant, a very effective anti-inflammatory medication by Shire, is “his saving grace.” Stress is an aggravating factor in colitis and Howard manages it as best he can. Howard sings the praises of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC). Their wonderful caring support has been the biggest factor in his recovery from colitis: “It is very comforting to know that they

As a triathlete (sponsored

by Rider's Cycles), Howard has taken on the new challenge of endurance sports and he loves it: “There is nothing like riding along the waterfront and looking out and seeing the mountains.

That is just incredible! Everything is coming together.” He is upbeat: “There is hope. You can have colitis but you can still go out there and do the things that make you who you are.” Howard invites anyone to contact him who needs a listening ear – email h.edwards9@me.com.

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SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

According to the CFCC, Canada has among the highest reported rates of IBD in the world, afflicting more than 200,000 people. The CCFC has invested $71 million into major medical research projects and is one of the world’s leading sources of non-governmental funding of IBD research. M&M Meat Shops are a major fundraiser for the CFCC. Over the past 23 years, they have raised more than $21.5 million for IBD research. Their annual barbecue (May 12th this year) and other local CCFC events are listed at www.ccfc.ca.

LeSSoNS

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ToUrS

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reNTALS

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rePAirS

It takes a lion’s heart to rise up and get your second wind, and at 21, Howard Edwards won’t let colitis take the breeze out of his sails. The human kindness and support that he has received along the way makes it all possible.

For more information, email Nadine King, President of the Victoria Chapter of the CCFC, at naking@shaw.ca or call 1-800-387-1479.

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Registered Massage Therapy at Haven Spa Join us in welcoming Allie Brown, RMT with this special May Feature: From May 1 – 31, enjoy 2 full hours of registered massage therapy for only $169!

Arrive early and enjoy complimentary use of our eucalytpus steam room!

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www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

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s k r o w b e W b m o c y ign e s e n o D b H e W l a c Lo

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When you communicate we understand.

That's how we build lasting relationships.

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When you need us we are there.

Phone, email or face-to-face.

It's Studio Tour Time!

by Jenny Waelti-Walters May is studio tour month in Saanich. Hundreds of visitors wander into studios, gardens and carports to look at art and the people who make it. Visitors poke about, ask questions, fall in love with a painting, a necklace or a pot and buy it as a gift or a treat for themselves.

Cleaning and tidying studio space is a huge job. When working, we all tend to spread stuff around, leave halffinished projects everywhere and drop whatever we're done with, concentrating on the creative process. Now, everything has to be picked up, sorted, hidden, or displayed attractively.

We spend the year making what we offer. People work at different speeds – months for a weaving; weeks for a carving, making a mosaic, or a kiln full of pots; days for a run of prints. Some people make art daily, some fit their art around their day job, some work in concentrated bursts.

Exciting results often emerge unexpectedly from mess.

Creativity is unpredictable, and, in this climate, so are sales.

Fortunately, we are all happy to show off our work, share our skills and passions and engage you in our activities, so never hesitate to visit us because you fear pressure to buy.

The Scattered Artists – scattered, that is, from Cedar Hill to Swan Lake, print 4,000 brochures each year. Like other studio tours, we have an electronic version and each artist has a page on GoBC (www.scattered-artists.ca), so many visitors check us out first and arrive with a downloaded map.

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For some artists, weather is a key factor, as some depend on outdoor space to show their wares. Anne Swannell (pictured), a member of the Scattereds who makes mosaics, puts hers out on the deck. “Rain doesn’t bother them at all,” she says. It’s no different than tiles in your bathroom getting wet. It just runs off!” But those who work on paper (almost every artist has cards for sale) or with fabric, or who make delicate objects, find wind and water are devils of destruction, so they wouldn’t dream of putting their work outdoors. Still, the public often likes to see how artists live and how they decorate their homes, so going indoors gives people a chance to “rubber neck” which is part of the fun!

The last thing the artists do is dash around the neighbourhood, hammer in hand, putting up signs and attaching green balloons. Then Scattered Artists are ready for visitors and to deal with whatever the weekend might bring!

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SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

Sidney Shows its Big Heart on the Big Bike!

30 people on a giant bicycle? Yes! You read that right, and it's all for a great cause. On June 25th, the Heart & Stroke Big Bike will be rolling into Sidney for a day of fun and fundraising. Teams will be donning costumes, blasting their favourite tunes and pedaling through the streets of Sidney to raise funds and awareness for the fight against heart disease and stroke.

So what is it like to ride the Big Bike? Town Councilor and Big Bike Team Captain Kenny Podmore says: “The fun part is just that, having fun, laughter and knowing you can do this while at the same time supporting others who have gone through a life-changing experience.” Podmore will once again be captaining the Sidney Pier Hotel team this year.

Last year, the Big Bike in Sidney raised an amazing $15,083 towards life saving heart disease and stroke research and health promotion initiatives. The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing

their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy.

The 2011 top fundraising team was Curves. They raised a total of $4,479 and showed great team spirit by dressing in red and wearing an assortment of hats, boas and scarves. These efforts helped them tie The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa as winners of the Spirit Award, given to the team that best exemplifies the Big Bike spirit. Points are awarded for things such as wearing costumes, bringing your own music, holding kickoff events and online fundraising.

So far, the teams signed up to ride on June 25th are Curves Sidney, The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, Sidney Rotary Club, Resthaven Lodge, Scott Plastics, Holmes Realty and the Lions Pride made up of members of the Galiano and Sidney Lions Clubs. Interested in organizing a team, volunteering or donating to the event? Contact Jeremy at the Heart and Stroke Foundation office: 250-382-4035 or jloveday@hsf.bc.ca.

Whatever the Occasion …

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Liquor Store Good Spirits. Great Value. 9 am - 11 pm 7 days a week Friend us on Facebook – Liquor Express

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Saanichton: 2134 Keating X Road 250-652-4400 Tillicum: 3170 Tillicum Road 250-384-0060 Yates: 759 Yates Street 250-384-4136, ext. 3 Follow us on Twitter – @liquorexpressbc www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

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It’s been a tavern, a hotel and a grocery store. It has provided food and lodging for weary travelers passing through the Saanich Peninsula by stage coach on rugged roads or by rail on the Victoria and Sidney Railway.

It has been rebuilt, renovated, redecorated and restored.

Since 1859, the Prairie Inn has stood proudly at the corner of Mt. Newton X Road and Wallace Drive, ready to welcome locals and travelers needing to quench their thirst and their appetites.

Renamed the Prairie Inn Neighbourhood Pub

The Prairie Inn Pub – A Neighbourhood Hub For 153 Years

by Arlene Antonik

Stop By & try our Great New MeNu!

250- 479- 6612 Tuesday: Pasta $11.95 Wine from $4.25/glass

The Latch

the latch inn & restaurant • sidney

Wednesday: Burger & Beer $13.95

Gluten Free Buns & Bread Available!

Sunday: Prime Rib $18.95

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in 1974, this Saanichton landmark, with its wraparound veranda and upper balconies, has long been a local gathering place to meet family and friends in a setting full of history and heritage.

Today’s visitors can choose a table in either the pub or the restaurant which operate side by side on the main floor of this charming building. There’s also a glassenclosed patio with views of nearby daffodil fields.

The pub features two pool tables with framed hockey jerseys and other sports memorabilia hanging 38

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

Open Tues - Sun For Dinner

2328 Harbour Rd, Sidney

250.656.4015 www.latchinn.ca

on the walls along with 20 flat screen TV’s. One wall features five screens where patrons can follow a variety of sports all at the same time. While the NHL playoffs are on, all the action of every game can be seen here – it’s your hockey playoff headquarters!

Sixteen taps draw cold beers including those from local craft breweries such as the Lighthouse Brewing Co. and Phillips Beer. Vancouver Island wines are well represented on the extensive wine list and mixed drinks are limited only by your imagination.

On the restaurant side, historical paintings hang on the wood-paneled walls in several adjoining rooms and pioneer artifacts are on display, including a hand-carved bellows beside one of the original fireplaces.

Popular menu choices include housemade dinner pies, chicken borscht soup, sirloin sliders, bangers and mash made with sausages from Orr’s Butchers in Brentwood Bay, and Prairie Fries.

Prairie Fries?

“These have quickly become a customer favourite,” Jamie explains. “They are our take on poutine with mixed cheeses, bacon and gravy. Our goal is to offer delicious food in generous portions at low prices. We want people to feel they can come here for a quick, satisfying meal with regular favourites and new items to choose from along with our daily specials.”

Zanzibar Taste What the Peninsula Has to Offer

Join us for Mother’s Day:

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Dinner Reservations Recommended

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Open 8am - 9pm 7 Days a Week

www.spitfiregrill.ca 250-655-0122 • 9681 Willingdon Rd, Sidney

The Prairie Inn is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner with brunch on Sundays.

On May 13th – Mother’s Day – brunch and dinner will be extra-special, with Jamie presenting long-stemmed roses or carnations to each of the ladies to honour them on “their day.”

“We like to give back to the community we have been part of for so long,” says Jamie.

“We support all kinds of community events, local sports teams and Cops for Cancer and contribute to many fund-raising campaigns. We also sponsor the Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club and the Prairie Inn Hockey Team. We want to be a good neighbour.”

Next time you feel like going out for a bite or a beer, this neighbourhood pub stands ready to welcome you as it has welcomed its guests for over a century and a half. www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

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Check out These Great Peninsula Restaurants!

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island dish

Headin' South: Louisiana Stuffed Crab

by Jennifer Bowles If there' s one thing most palates can agree on, it's the unctuous taste of fresh crab. Plucked fork-tender from its glistening shell, and painted with warm butter, the faint sweetness and richness of the meat will linger in your mouth like a heavenly echo. This month we are going to delve into a Louisiana classic: stuffed crab! Seriously easy and seriously flavourful, this dish tastes incredible and bats a thousand on the presentation front. Pair this crowd pleaser with a bright spring salad and you can rest easy knowing you and your fellow diners will be in West Coast heaven.

This dish pairs wonderfully with a fresh spring salad. Seek out a peppery arugula for your base and toss in a few crunchy asparagus tips, spring herbs and any colourful spring veg. The dressing is the fantastic Lemon Vanilla Vinaigrette!

A few things you need to know if you're taking the live-crab route: Yes, Mr. Crab will meet his demise at your hands or you can avoid the "situation" and have the fishmonger dispatch your meal-to-be. If you've chosen to be the dispatcher, rest easy knowing he had a good life and he knows he's tasty.

Wine Pairing Suggestion courtesy of Dave Gartley, Gartley Station: Classic pairings with crab are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis or Brut Champagne. The challenge with this menu is choosing a wine that will complement the entrée and stand up to the high acid content of vinaigrette salad dressing.

One strategy is to treat each course separately, or serve the Sauvignon Blanc with the salad and Chardonnay with the crab.

If one wine has to do, then choose a very acidic Sauvignon Blanc or a dry and acidic sparkling wine like Champagne or Vino Verde. Personally … I would go with the Brut Champagne.

This recipe should suit four, so you'll need four whole crabs (or the canned equivalent). *Editor's note: a great local spot to pick up fresh cab is Satellite Fish Co. at the end of Beaon Wharf in Sidney!* Keep in mind that this dish is served in the shell, so however you prepare it, be sure to keep these aside or ask at the fish shop for some spares.

How to: Boil your largest pot full of water, enough to submerge the crabs two at a time. Throw in half a lemon, half an onion, a big tablespoon of cayenne pepper and a generous pinch of salt. Bring it to a rolling boil and in they go for about 15 minutes. From here, I am going to go 21st century and guide you to the thousands of "how to" videos on YouTube that will help you get the cooked crabmeat out of its shell. Keep in mind: if you want to go fresh but don't want the dirty work, you can always ask your fishmonger for any assistance.

6 tbsp of good olive oil ¾ tsp pure vanilla extract

Spring into May and Moms. Happy Mother's Day! ENJOY!

Free Roasting Tours Saturdays in May : 9 - 12 Experience Coffee Roasting at the …

Peninsula’s Only Micro-Roastery

Here is what you'll need for four stuffed crabs. ½ pound crab meat ½ green pepper ¾ cup bread crumbs spoonful of flour

3 tbsp fresh lemon juice salt and pepper

½ onion 1 stalk celery ½ tsp cayenne salt & pepper knob of butter 1 beaten egg large dash Worcestershire

Sauté the veg in butter until translucent and remove from heat. In a bowl combine flour, salt, cayenne and ½ cup breadcrumbs. In another bowl mix crab meat, egg, vegetable and worcestershire sauce. Mix in the dry ingredients to combine until everything binds together nicely. Divide the mix between the four crab shells and sprinkle with the remaining bread crumbs. Bake in a 350° oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown!

Free Samples During The Tour !

www.freshcup.ca

Saanichton: Mt. Newton X Rd. @ Wallace Dr. www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

41

Just Food Art Exhibit Loving Caregivers

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We provide the training. CPR and First Aid certifications a plus but not required. Duties may include bathing assistance, feeding, dressing, warm companionship, homemaking, transportation and some incontinence care. Must have a valid drivers license, clean driving record and a reliable car.

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SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

Almost a billion people don't have enough food to live active and healthy lives. Together we can make a difference!

During the month of June, a unique touring art exhibition will be held at Sidney's Mary Winspear Centre from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

Nineteen artists from 13 countries were commissioned to create artworks by reading two declarations that have been passed by the United Nations and two texts from the Old Testament Scriptures. The theme is the right to food and global hunger in our world today. This commissioning resulted in 38 original artworks that portray contemporary perspectives on global food issues and human rights. The name of this art exhibition is Just Food.

Is food ever "just food?" Food isn't only something to be prepared and consumed: it's essential for human life. Without food there is hunger, conflict and death. With food there is vitality, community and celebration. Is food always just food? Food is not always justly accessible. Access to food depends on fair and efficient systems for production and distribution. The food insecurity for many people around the world indicates that our food systems are unjust. Is the abundant food available to some of us just food, when it is not equally accessible to others? The hope is that with this exhibit, all will be informed, equipped and motivated to exert themselves and their communities toward the goal of ending hunger – that just food will become just food.

We invite you to come and experience this contemporary original art (some of which is for sale) that is both beautiful and compelling. Admission is by donation and all proceeds will go to the Canadian Food Grains Bank to help reduce global hunger.

For more information, email office@hcfsidney.ca or call 250-656-3712. Artwork: top – Food is a Human Right, Bert Monterona; Untitled, Jairo Alfonso Castellanos.

Artwork, table of contents page: Charity of the Sons, Ovid Charlette.

grey matters

Elder Abuse Explained

by Trysh Ashby-Rolls Elder abuse is any act or omission that harms a senior, jeopardizes their welfare or health, in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust.

The abuse can happen at home, in the community and in residential settings. Statistics estimate four to 10% of seniors experience some type of abuse, which can be described along a continuum from threats and neglect to physical and sexual acts and rackets targeted at seniors.

As we age, our hearing isn't as sharp, but yelling and verbal intimidation cause emotional pain and distress, as does someone who ignores us. Anyone who prevents a senior from seeing their friends or participating in favourite activities is committing a psychologically abusive act.

Sexual abuse, neglect or outright abandonment by caregivers is obviously abusive and it's shocking to know that some seniors are touched inappropriately, coerced into watching pornography or sex acts, or made to undress for no reason.

Neglect and abandonment of elders constitutes over half of all reported cases of elder abuse. Older people often require a great deal of time and attention, but failing to meet a caretaking obligation, either intentionally or based on ignorance and denial, must be reported. Force, along with hitting and shoving, inappropriate over- or under-medication, restraints or confinement must be closely questioned.

You'd think we'd all be wise to the typical financial rackets perpetrated against seniors. We've seen them all on the evening news: “prizes” an elderly person has won but must pay money to claim; phony charities and investment fraud.

Financial exploitation hits where it hurts most – in the pocketbook. Unauthorized use of an elderly person’s funds or

property by a caregiver or outside scammer is a crime. Keep your personal cheques, credit cards, bank account numbers where no one but you can find them. If possible, don't let anyone see your signature. It's surprising what we can succumb to when we're alone, vulnerable and needy.

Our bodies weaken as we get older. Wear and tear, lack of financial resources and stress all take their toll over a lifetime and we simply can't do what once we could. We have to ask for help. It's important, however, to remember that trust is earned. Just as an advertised wonder drug can be too good to be true, so can a helping hand. Pass your intuitive radar over any new “friend” who seems too kind to be true.

Mobile Nursing Footcare Services Glenda Bruce RN., BScN

with over 34 years in health care

If you require assistance with your footcare, you may consider a nursing footcare professional.

Be Good to Your Feet and They Will Be Good To You Services Include: ° Foot bath and inspection of feet ° Assessment of general health status ° Clean, cut and filing of toenails ° Non-invasive care of corns and calluses ° Non-invasive care of dry, cracked heels ° Moisturize and massage feet ° Client teaching ° Client referral, as required Cost per session $50 Cash or cheque accepted

Footcare

By Glenda 250-812-4009 • glenda.bruce@shaw.ca

It may not be hearing loss A FREE video ear exam can help you find out! This simple procedure can detect: - Excessive earwax - Perforated eardrum - Ear infection - Abnormalities in the ear canal These conditions are common.

Call Beltone today for an appointment!

Watch the process as it happens!

FREE

Video Ear Exam and Hearing Test

Sidney 2359 James White Blvd.

Better Hearing Through Professional Care

www.beltone.com

(250) 655-3310 Registered under the College of Speech and Hearing Professionals of BC

www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

43

Seaside ad Jan 2012.pdf

1/19/12

4:59:10 PM

Life is Better When You’ve Been Kissed by the Sun!

IslandBlue’s

Sidney Art Store

• Artist Paints • Drawing Materials • Children’s Art Supplies • Art Studio Equipment • Art Papers & Canvas • Craft Supplies • Specialty Gifts

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

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www.islandblue.com 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

SAANICHTON

#102-1931 Mt. Newton X Rd. 250.652.8343

VICTORIA

Vancouver Street between Yates & Johnson 250.386.4826

www.cabanatan.ca

A Boarding Kennel that loves your pets as much as you do.

Where Friends & Stories Meet

A 1912 Heritage Building Nestled in the Heart of the Prospect Lake Community …

7 days a week 8 - 4, Fridays till 8!

250-590-4912 ❈ 5303 West Saanich Rd, Victoria 44

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

• Comfortable, clean & healthy fresh air environment • Quality, nutritious foods • Exercise yards up to one quarter acre • Feline “Cuddle Time” • K-9 Playschool course • All managerial staff “Certified Kennel Technicians” • Recommended by veterinarians • Full grooming services available

2918 Lamont Road, Saanichton 250-652-2301 www.puppylove.ca • info@puppylove.ca Just minutes from Victoria Airport & BC Ferries Terminal

veterinary voice

Dogs Do the Darndest Things!

by Dr. Shelley Breadner Have you every seen your dog eating something disgusting? Or gone to hug him only to discover that he smells revolting? Despite our lack of appreciation for these antics, they are normal canine behaviours.

Dogs that eat stools are generally not deficient in their nutrition. Dogs evolved to scavenge for food, and stools appear to be included. The feces of herbivores (rabbits, deer, horses, etc.) contain B vitamins and amino acids. Dogs do not get parasites from eating droppings of herbivores, but can obtain them through the ingestion of dog and cat feces, or from eating other raw animal flesh. The best method of controlling coprophagia (the eating of stools) is by keeping your dog on a leash while out on walks.

Combining prevention of access and training your dog to “Leave It!” using positive reinforcement methods can work very well. This begins long before meeting delicacies such as other pets’ stools. “Leave It” begins with teaching our dogs to bypass boring objects for more desirable items such as fabulous food treats. This is gradually built up to leaving more interesting objects on command, in exchange for high value food treats from you.

Rolling in smelly, rotten items is also normal behaviour for dogs. They use this behaviour to disrupt the scent left by another animal or to acquire the scent of another.

They even groom themselves through shedding during a roll. There is definitely the beautiful approach to life that dogs take: If It Feels Good, Do It! Ahhh, nothing like back scratchin’ on the cool, fresh grass of spring!

Rock eating or ingestion of other non-nutritional items is called pica. Quite often there is extreme selectivity by the dog on the objects involved. Puppies will often ingest small bits of gravel or dirt as they explore their world. Generally

this is not a problem, but bigger rocks can get lodged in the intestinal tract and require surgery. Some adult dogs will have a propensity for eating rocks, and after the second or third incident, we think we should install a zipper in their belly in order to get the rocks out easier next time round. Dogs and cats will eat objects that have our smell on them, from dental floss (severe hazard for cats in particular) to socks, underwear, TV remotes, bottle caps, erasers and more. These behaviours are not normal, and prevention is the best method of control.

If you find your pet with something they should not have, try not to panic and chase them to grab it. Puppies learn that your behaviour results in novel items being forcibly snatched away from them. They quickly learn to avoid you and run off with the item in question. They also learn that this works to get your attention, and will use this method to interrupt your favourite television show, among other things. They ARE smarter than we think!

Remember: stay calm, find something more valuable than what they have, and trade them for it. If you have bigger problems with your pet ingesting inappropriate objects than this, we need to talk!

More information can be found at www.breadnervet.com.

Sidney ’s Pet Centre RAW PET FOOD NOW AVAILABLE! Non-Medicated, Hormone-Free Meat & Certified Organic Vegetables

#4-9769 Fifth St., Sidney 250-656-3314 www. sidneypetcentre.com www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

45

Family Owned & Operated For Over 50 Years • Free Rx Delivery • Compliance Packaging at No Extra Charge • Walkers, Crutches and Canes for Rental and Sale • Certified Fitters of SIGVARIS Compression Stockings • Fast, Friendly Service When Catching a Ferry

Sidney Pharmacy LTD. 2425B Bevan Avenue, Sidney 250-656-0744

Plants  Shrubs  Garden Gifts & Ornaments  Trellis  Arbors  Pots, Pots & More Pots!

We Have a Great Selection of Natural Stone, Soil, Compost & Bark Mulch

Now Open Sundays!

Open Tues - Sat 9-5  1780 Mills Rd, Sidney  250-654-0400

From a Dream Vacation to a Short Business Trip, We Have the Expertise to Handle All Your Needs Our Full-Service Agency Offers: • All-inclusive packages • Cruise Planning • Wedding & Honeymoon Gift Registry • All Travel Insurance Needs

Maria, Gerri, Linda, Jocelynn, Catriona, Susan

2468 Beacon Ave, Sidney 250-656-5561

www.marlintravel.ca/beaconavenue

We’ve Got It & We’re Here to Help You Find It! For All Your Spring Improvement Needs, From Lawn Care to Home Renovations!

2356 Beacon Avenue, Sidney 250.656.2712

Free Coffee Roasting Tours Saturdays in May The old world tradition of coffee roasting comes together with innovation and sustainability during the month of May at Fresh Cup Roastery Café in Saanichton on the Peninsula. During May, Fresh Cup will offer tours every Saturday from 9-12 for those coffee enthusiasts who want to see what sustainable coffee roasting truly looks like.

Fact: Victoria has more coffee roasters per capita than any other city in Canada. The Roastaire™ from Fresh Cup is the newest entry to the Specialty Coffee Market and what makes this "Made in Canada" technology so unique is the closed-loop method used in the roasting process which reclaims and reuses the heated air. In addition, the Roastaire is closed to the environment 85% of the time, dramatically reducing overall emissions. This environmentally friendly approach to coffee roasting opens up new possibilities for where this technology is used in urban settings, and will revolutionize the standard coffee house.

Drop in to one of the upcoming Saturday roasting tours, during which Roastmaster Mel will provide you with some coffee samples so you will have the chance to experience the flavour differences between a medium, dark and very dark roast level. Who knew something free could taste so good!

For more information on the tours email info@freshcup.ca.

Sidney Museum Lego Contest Update The results are in! This year, the Sidney Museum and Archives hosted a Lego Creations Competition to coincide with its 7th Annual Lego Display. Contestants were asked to create an original Lego model and submit a picture of it to the museum’s Facebook page. There were 59 different entries, each one totally unique and including everything from tanks to towers, space battles to shark attacks, and racecars to pyramids. The creativity and originality was amazing!

After creations were posted to Facebook, the public was able to vote by "liking" the pictures. The photo with the most votes won and Coady, who created an awesome fire truck, was this year's winner with 413 votes! Coady won a Lego set and will have a picture of his creation featured in next year’s Lego display. Congratulations Coady! Next year the museum hopes to expand the Competition and include more prizes and categories, so start building!

If you didn’t get a chance to see the Lego Exhibit, mark it on your calendars for next year – it runs annually from January 2nd to March 31st. You can view this year’s contest entries at www.facebook.com/SidneyMuseumArchives, where you can also see photos of past and current exhibits and stay up to date with what’s on at the museum.

46

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

y ou ng readers b o o k review

Earwig and the Witch,

by Diana Wynne Jones Reviewed by Eva Person, 9

Are You a Young Reader That Loves to Curl Up With a Good Book?

Earwig lives at St. Morwald’s Home for Children. She is very good at getting everyone to do what she says. Earwig’s best friend is Custard.

As usual, today is the day when people who want to be foster parents come to see which children they might want to take home. But today was a different day, an odd couple came: Bella Yaga, the witch, and Mandrake. Earwig tried to make herself look unlovable, since she wanted to stay at St. Morwald’s. However, Bella Yaga chose her and Miss Briggs said Earwig had to go.

Earwig wanted to learn magic but she soon found out that Bella Yaga just wanted her as a servant. Earwig’s only friend was Thomas, the talking cat. They both didn’t like Bella Yaga so they made two potions in secret – one to protect themselves from Bella Yaga giving them worms, and the second to give Bella Yaga an extra pair of hands, just like she wanted. Earwig ended up getting worms but not like you might think. She was able to put them through a magical hole, which let to Mandrake's room. Mandrake got mad at Bella Yaga for giving Earwig worms, which changed everything.

One year later, Earwig has got everybody to do what she wants, she gets to go back to school and Bella Yaga teaches her magic like she wanted.

You’ll find this book full of magic and mischief, and hopefully there will be a sequel.

New Releases – Available at The Children's Bookshop: Big Nate Strikes Again, by Lincoln Peirce Chomp, by Carl Hiaasen Crunch, by Leslie Connor Door in the Forest, by Roderick Townley Extraordinary Education of

Nicholas Benedict, by Trenton Lee Stewart Fear, Michael Grant Kate & Pippin, Martin Springett One and Only Ivan, Katherine Applegate Penny and Her Song, Kevin Henkes You Will Be My Friend, Peter Brown

Do You Want to be Published?

Then Seaside Times is Looking For YOU! We have launched our “Young Readers Book Review & Contest!”

Each month Seaside Times will have a selection of titles from Tanner’s Books to choose from If you’d like to write a review and have it published, please email editor@seasidetimes.ca Enter to win! Of the 10 new releases listed in the review each month, tell us your favourite and why on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SeasideTimes) and you could be the lucky winner of that book! www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

47

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$1000 Initial Fee $140/month for UnlIMITed GolF!

Details at www.glenmeadows.bc.ca 1050 McTavish Rd., Sidney 250-656-3136

The Denture Clinic Full & Partial Dentures Dentures Over Implants Relines & Repairs No Referral Necessary All Dental Plans Accepted New Patients Welcome Free Consultations

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July 13, 2013

142nd British Open Golf Explorer Voyage 11 Nights aboard Azamara Quest sailing from Dublin to Hamburg Includes 5 Rounds of Golf in Three Different Countries

Ronald A. Postings, R.D. Robin Postings, R.D. SIDNEY 250-655-7009

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48

SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

View these pieces and more on our website

www.theoldattic.ca

Weds - Sun 10-5 • #26 - 6782 Veyaness Rd Victoria • 778-426-1660

smell the coffee

New Uses For Our Beloved Cup

The Trusted Name In

real esTaTe

by Steve Sheppard Oh how I wish I was 32 again …

I always laugh at the saying: "If I knew then what I know now" which I often insert during one of those "Aha!" moments in life. While we can’t turn back the hands of time, we can continue to learn new uses for our "Beloved Cup of Steve" … why should "Joe" get all the attention?

He never writes these columns!

Coffee is the second-mostconsumed beverage in the world behind water, and I am always amazed at the uses for one of the world’s most versatile plants, behind hemp of course, which I personally believe is number one in this category.

The fact you can run hemp oil in the crankcase of your car helps it to out-rank coffee as I don’t think that coffee works all that well for this purpose … although, I have had some Charbucks coffee that was thick and nasty enough to try (couldn’t resist).

OK, below are some cool new uses that you can use coffee for in no particular order: 1. Fertilizer – Coffee grounds can be combined with soil to make a good fertilizer for acid-loving plants, and also to keep snails and other garden pests away.

2. Exfoliate Skin – The same properties that reportedly enable coffee to reduce the appearance of cellulite can smooth and tighten

your skin, and the texture of ground coffee will buff away dead skin cells, too. Make your own coffee-based scrub by combining a tablespoon of coffee grounds with half a tablespoon of olive oil and, optionally, a drop of your favorite essential oil.

3. Vermin Composting – Red wriggler worms, the sort used in vermincomposting systems, love coffee almost as much as we do.

It's not really clear why, but if you want a thriving community of worms to devour all of your kitchen waste (and those nasty little things really are amazingly efficient), be sure to add used coffee grounds to their bedding on a regular basis.

4. Secret Ingredient – Just a little hint of coffee can be the ingredient that becomes your undisclosed "magic touch" in foods like chili and chocolate cake. Use a little bit as a marinade for steaks and not only will it make them unbelievably tender, it'll also provide a hint of deep, smoky flavour.

So, aside from increasing your metabolism, accelerating digestion, preventing age-related diabetes, reducing the risk of cirrhosis to the liver, improving memory, increasing your ability to think and reducing the risk of colon cancer by up to 25%, we are reminded that our daily cup is more than just that … Steve out.

Gay Helmsing – RealtoR® 250-360-7387 ghelmsing@gmail.com ulTImaTe IN luxury

From the moment you step into your private elevator that takes you right into the front hall of your oceanfront condo, you will be impressed.

Spectacular oceanfront views, 2,600 sq ft offering the best in workmanship and design. All this within two blocks of Sidney’s vibrant shops and restaurants.

Offered at $1,400,000

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RE/MAX Camosun Burkmar Automotive …

Where Family Tradition Meets Modern Technology

“Premier Auto Service” Complete Auto Care on ALL Makes and Models Full Diagnostic Capabilities

BURKMAR Automotive SERVICE I PARTS I REPAIRS

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250.652.5066 • burkmarauto@shaw.ca www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

49

A Saanichton Institution Spelt’s has been providing high quality service since 1971. The business has evolved over the past 41 years and for the last 23 years Ron and brother Dave Spelt have been operating the modern Shell gas station and convenience store.

In 1996 Ron added a coffee shop and sister Angelee soon joined her brothers to manage it, offering the best fresh donut selection in town and delicious Level Ground coffee roasted right in Saanichton!

She and her staff (with some second and third generation Spelts) also serve muffins, great soups, sandwiches and more!

The modern gas pumps and four pay points inside help Spelt’s staff to service their customers fast and efficiently so they can focus on providing the “Fast, Fresh and Friendly” cornerstones for their business.

Back in 1971, when a car drove through Saanichton, Ron would stop and wave because he usually knew who it was.

Nowadays, there are a lot more people in the area but Spelt’s is a still a great place where you can meet friends day and night.

at the corner of Wallace Dr. & East Saanich Road

Capital City Yacht Club Diamond Jubilee Tea On April 1st, the Capital City Yacht Club celebrated the Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of Queen Elizabeth's reign.

The Club's Ladies Auxilary hosted a “High Tea” with traditional sandwiches and sweets, champagne cocktails and, of course, tea! The afternoon kicked off with members of the Ladies Auxiliary dressed as Royal Family lookalikes with “Kate” being the master of ceremonies.

In a room filled with guests donning fancy fascinators, “Kate” reminded the group that while no one would doubt that Queen Elizabeth II considers herself British, she has expressed that she is not just the Queen of Canada but she also "feels" Canadian. When her majesty left California to visit British Columbia in 1983, she remarked that she was "going home to Canada" the next day.

At this CCYC event the “Queen” arrived in a Royal Coach drawn by a 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee vintage tractor. The “Queen” was then escorted to the clubhouse

by Sidney RCMP Constable Brian Fletcher and CCYC Commodore Dale Pearson, up the red carpet lined with awaiting guests, an honour guard in Busby hats, members playing bagpipes and drums and Royal Family members that included “Fergie,” “Camilla” and “Princess Anne.”

Abby and Jenna Forsberg of Brentwood Bay had the honour of presenting flowers to the “Queen.”

Butlers with Bobby hats poured the traditional tea and the “Queen,” with her entourage of “Ladies in Waiting,” performed a song and dance act dedicated to “Prince Philip.”

Queen Elizabeth has dedicated her life to her subjects, and at her Coronation in 1953 she promised to govern her people "according to their respective laws and customs." Queen Elizabeth has kept her promises of service to her subjects, so it is natural that her Diamond Jubilee is being celebrated throughout the world by her people, including Canadians, who offer their loyalty, respect and affection in return.

For information on another Diamond Jubilee celebration, happening June 6th at Sidney's SHOAL Activity Centre, see story page 20.

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SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012

Spring Cleaning For Body and Soul

by Dianne Connerly Spring, with its fresh warm breezes, budding flowers and newly-green leaves, provides an irresistible impulse toward renewal. Let this impulse spur you to make changes that will improve your health and refresh your mind. For instance:

A

ED N

UST ’S TR A I R O

G

OFIN

RO ME IN

VICT

· Try one new approach at dinnertime this week – maybe experimenting with a vegetable you've never tried, or serving a meatless meal, or preparing a low-fat version of an old favourite. · You know all those old clothes hanging in the back of the closet that you haven't worn in 12 months? Chances are you'll never wear them, so pack them up for your favourite charity, then give your closet a good airing-out. · At least once a week, take a walk on a route that gets you close to nature. Observe the changes in the landscape as spring unfolds. · Switch to lighter-coloured clothing, especially in garments worn close to your face. It will boost your mood and make everything seem lighter and brighter. · Look for excuses to sneak a bit of outdoor activity into your daily routine: the dog needs a romp … there's a rummage sale several blocks away you could walk to … the local botanical garden beckons for a lunchtime stroll … pull a few weeds that are starting to crop up in your flowerbeds. · When the weather allows, serve a meal on your patio or deck after setting the table with a tablecloth and/or placemats and using a floral centerpiece. Soft music in the background can add a touch of class. Fresh surroundings can make even the simplest meal more enjoyable.

Ask us why there’s never been a better time to repair or replace your roof.

250-652-1818

www.admiralsroofing.com Job #A112-13087 Client: AdmirAls roofing PubliCAtion: seAside times trim siZe: 3.75" x 4.925" PrePAred by: eCliPse CreAtive inC. @ 250-382-1103

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Now Open Sundays!

11 - 4pm

PET FOOD PLUS

ly new r u o PET FOOD PLUS Visit novated e r store

Your body, mind and soul have been refreshed, so go ahead and enjoy yourself this summer when you are "on the road again."

Dianne Connerly is with TOPS, a nonprofit, affordable weight loss support and wellness education organization. To find a local chapter call 250-743-1851, 1-800-932-8677 or visit www.tops.org.

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www.seasidetimes.ca | may 2012

51

What’s Happening – May 2012

Saturdays in May

and maximize yield. The session will cover how to start and maintain a container garden, which soil mixes and fertilizers work best, the do’ s and don’ts of watering, how to choose the best varieties and how to trellis your favourite vining vegetables.

Join us for this fun hands-on workshop, take home some veggie starts and start your own container garden. HCP members $30; non-members $42.

water, firing the kilns with peat and storing their casks in warehouses exposed to the surrounding sea. We will taste four whiskies, hopping from isle to isle. Three-course dinner included. Members $60, guests $70, dinner only (designated drivers) $50.

May 12

Victoria Storytellers Guild Evening

May 10

St. John's United Church Annex 10990 West Saanich Road, 9:30-12:30 www.northsaanichfarmmarket.ca

Haro's Restaurant & Bar, Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, 11:30 a.m. www.peninsulanewcomers.ca

Expect to find seasonal veggies, eggs, mushrooms, baked goods, meat and crafts, and of course seeds for the home gardener.

Come out and meet your neighbours and support our local farmers.

1831 Fern Street, Victoria (park on Begbie) Doors open @ 7:15 p.m.

Stories begin @ 7:30 p.m.

250-477-7044, www.victoriastorytellers.org

Roastery Tours Fresh Cup Roastery Café 1931 Mt. Newton X Road, Saanichton, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

250-652-5678 Come and experience the old world tradition of coffee roasting. Free admission; stop by anytime between 9 a.m. and noon; fresh coffee samples for tour participants!

Peninsula Newcomers Luncheon

We are a non-profit organization assisting women new to the area to integrate into the community and to establish social contacts.

Our guest speaker is Sylvia Olsen, a historian specializing in First Nations/Caucasian relations in Canada. Sylvia has lived, worked and raised her children in the Peninsula's Tsartlip First Nations community. We will be hearing about Working With Wool, her latest book and one of Vancouver Island's most compelling stories: the history of the Cowichan sweater.

May 11

Victoria Riding For The Disabled Association Benefit Concert Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora Ave., Victoria, Doors open @ 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. showtime 778-426-0506 TheVictoria Soul Gospel Choir, over 50 voices behind the dynamic Motown veteran, Checo Tohomaso.

These uplifting singers bring joy to the concert stage and their concerts are exciting for all ages.

Opening act Canadian blues guitarist Bill Johnson.

Tickets $20 adults, children and seniors $15.

Available (cash or cheque only please) at Munro's, Ivy's Books, Newport Realty, Christian Book Store, or by calling the number above. All net proceeds go to support the Victoria Riding For The Disabled Association.

May 12

Horticulture Centre of the Pacific Container Vegetable Gardening 505 Quayle Rd., Royal Oak, 1 - 3 p.m.

250-479-6162, www.hcp.ca Linda Petite will teach you how to grow a wide variety of beautiful vegetables in containers and how to utilize vertical gardening to save space

North Saanich Farm Market

May 12 - 13

Saanich West Studio Tour 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. http://www.gobc.ca/tours/ saanich-west-studio-tour-2012_33 This event invites visitors to combine a tour of Saanich in the spring with visits to seven studios where 18 artists and artisans will display their work. Six of the studios are in scenic locations, surrounded by woods or overlooking attractive vistas in rural Saanich. Also part of the tour are sponsors Georgie’s Café and garden supply house Urban Oasis. The tour route will be marked by yellow roadside signs. A tour map is available online at the address above.

May 13

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay 250-652-8222, www.butchartgardens.com Conversation + Flowers + Lunch = Great Memories. Enjoy your time together with a special Mother's Day Afternoon Tea in the Dining Room Restaurant. $33.95 per person plus hst, plus admission cost to The Gardens.

Reservations recommended.

May 14

Companions of the Quaich Isle Hopping Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, 7 p.m.

250-658-1109, wuhrer@shaw.ca Isolated from the Scottish Mainland distilleries, the western isles have produced their own unique whiskies, drawing on local barley and

May 21

The Victoria Storytellers Guild welcomes you to hear and tell stories. Admission $5 adults, $3 students (includes tea and goodies).

May 23

Gary Fjellgaard in Concert With Saskia and Darrel The Centre, 1229 Clarke Rd., Brentwood Bay 250-652-4611, 250-655-9438 Juno Award Winner and Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Gary Fjellgaard on tour with old friends with whom he shared many years on the road: “Saskia & Darrel.” Come on out and help us celebrate his amazing talent and career that spanned many, many decades. Wherever this trio performs, they leave behind a percentage of their ticket sales to aid historical restorations, upkeeps for senior centres, community hall projects and so on. Partial proceeds of this concert will be left behind for The Centre. Tickets $15; available at The Centre or Brentwood Bay Pharmasave.

May 27

Beginners Birding Basics (Guided Walk 9+) Island View Beach Regional Park (Central Saanich), 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

250-478-3344, www.crd.bc.ca/parks Ever wanted to bird watch? This is the time of year when courtship and territory disputes fill the air with song. Learn what to look for, and how to use binoculars and field guides. Bring binoculars if you have them. A spotting scope is provided.

Meet at the picnic shelter on Homathko Road, off Island View Road.

For details on other events happening in your community, visit www.mypeninsula.ca

In 2012, an estimated 788 men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, and 114 of those men will die from the disease. Early detection and treatment improve the chances that men diagnosed will survive.

The Westcoast Motorcycle Ride to Live raises awareness by staging huge rallies focused on the fight against Prostate Cancer. This annual event involves a motorcycle ride and poker run with opening and closing festivities.

Participants are encouraged to collect pledges that are then donated to help fund prostate cancer research, education, support and awareness programs.

The Vancouver Island Ride to Live (VI-RTL) is the local chapter. It is an all-volunteer organization centred in Victoria. Since 2010, when VI-RTL held its first Ride, the local event alone has raised $180,961.

The proceeds have helped to fund the excellent work of the Victoria Prostate Cancer Centre and research underway at the University of Victoria.

The VI-RTL can proudly say that every nickel raised through registration fees and pledges is used here in the fight against prostate cancer, and we are growing. This year, Westcoast Motorcycle Ride to Live events will be held in Victoria, Vancouver, Chilliwack and Kamloops. It is the only motorcycle ride in support of prostate cancer in Victoria this year.

S

Westcoast Motorcycle Ride to Live 2012

into Sum g n m i er w

Panorama Recreation is excited to offer over 50 exciting camps this summer! To accommodate the interests, needs and abilities of all of the youth in our community, we’ve carefully designed our program selection so that you can customize your very own summer camp experience. Visit www.panoramarecreation.ca for more camp details.

2012 Camps

Join us on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 starting at Steve Drane Harley-Davidson. Poker Run. Lunch. Great prizes. Great ride. Great cause.

Visit our website at www.viridetolive.ca for more information or to register. What’s raised on the Island, stays on the Island.

Papardelle’s Pasta Nights

Join Laura in the farm kitchen for an exciting night of wonderful gourmet pasta, salads and bread. Enjoy savouring the flavours!

Cooking Demonstration and Tastings!

May 15 Pancetta & Walnuts with Lemon Garlic Pasta May 22 Goat Cheese & Chard with Organic Whole Wheat Pasta May 29 Garden Spinach Angel Hair Pasta with Local Mussels $20 per night • 8 people max. • Phone & book ahead

Snowdon House – 1890 Mills Rd, North Saanich 250.658.3419 • www.snowdonhouse.ca

250.656.72 www.panoramarecreation.ca

Casual Grillhouse with a Friendly Bar

Roast Beef Dinner

$15 every Sunday available after 5 pm

Open 6:30am - 9pm Bar open till 11pm 4670 Elk Lake Dr, Victoria (next to the Howard Johnson Hotel)

250.658.8989 SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012 | www.seasidetimes.ca

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Sudoku Puzzles Hardly Simple

4

3

1 9

6 2 1 4 6 6 3 5 1 4 8 7 3 9 5 4 6 7 9 8 4 4 3 7

Puzzle by websudoku.com

9 7 4 3

4

Exceedingly Evil

3

2 3

9 5 2 9

6 5 Keep Your Brain Healthy

8 6 4 2

1 7

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7 5 9 2

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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 51

Zais Astrology – May 2012

by Heather Zais (heather_zais@telus.net) Aries (march 21 - april 19) You will find it easier to convert assets and increase income this month. Look at the long term for best results.

Some paperwork needs to be completed before moving on to the next stage or project. You are on a prosperous roll now.

Libra (september 23 - october 22) Take care of private, hidden or joint matters, especially anything related to finances, taxes or estates etc. You need to feel calm or in control. Get legal help if needed. Take time out to enjoy the benefits after it's all settled.

Taurus (april 20 - may 20) Put yourself out there in a personal way as others want to connect with you. Share your creative ideas with those who have shown an interest. Your talents and abilities are considered unique. Plans can be moved forward easily.

Scorpio (october 23 - november 21) As relationships progress make sure you are still on the same page; you don't want this to become an issue down the road. Decide who will be in charge of what, so there won't be any misunderstandings. Partner or marry.

Gemini (may 21 - june 20) Investigate or do the groundwork. It will be important in areas you hope to advance – personally or professionally. Settle issues with others so you know who will be with you for the long haul. Pay attention to health issues.

Sagittarius (november 22 - december 21) Circumstance will require decisions with occupation, health or dependents. Don't take on more than you can handle. Stick with what you know instead of "jumping ship" just for the excitement. The grass is not greener.

Cancer (june 21 - july 22) Your hopes and wishes are highlighted this month. Get together or make contact with those who are well connected as they can help you advance more easily. Have a clear vision of the path you want to follow or goals.

Capricorn (december 22 - january 19) Look at ways to have some fun or display your creative talents. Get together with those of like mind or the ability to compare notes. Age is not an issue in relationships as it is "maturity" that really counts in the end.

Leo (july 23 - august 22) Focus on your status, responsibilities and ambitions as one will affect the other. Your popularity is on the rise as others notice your leadership qualities. They feel they can place their trust in you, and they can. Stand firm.

Aquarius (january 20 - february 18) Make decisions regarding home or base of operations. Property or estate matters may influence the outcome. In any case, you need the right environment to feel comfortable. What you say or do can be surprising to others.

Virgo (august 23 - september 22) Matters related to distance could involve travel or taking care of things personally. Be adaptable to any changes that occur. It can feel like a holiday or learning experience. In any case, the eventual results will be positive.

Pisces (february 19 - march 20) You will be on the go more than usual. Attend meetings, gatherings or events that are important.

Your plans will be advanced by your efforts and staying the course.

Adapt to any changes that can't be avoided; resolve issues.

last w o rd If all goes well, by the time you read this we will have adopted a friendly, goofy shepherd/husky/mutt puppy named Elliot. We have our second "meet and greet" with him tomorrow, and my fingers are crossed that it will be a success – we just need to introduce him to the resident "alpha dog" (our landlords' standard poodle), and as long as they get along we're good to go.

We've been casually looking for a dog for a month or so now, feeling that if it was "meant to be" we'd come across the right fit. Our search has taken us to the SPCA multiple times, and to the local pound and dog rescue websites.

While I don't think there's anything wrong with buying a dog from a reputable breeder, I am more interested in taking the SPCA/Pound/Rescue Society route. This is generally not the way to go if you're looking for a purebreed dog: I don't think we've come across one so far. If someone has purebred puppies, it seems, they want purebred dollars.

Local rescue societies include: Broken Promises, Victoria Adoptables, The Nana Foundation, Greater Victoria Animal Crusaders and Big Heart Rescue. Many of them have websites where you can view the animals available for adoption. The application process is lengthy, but I think that ensures only those seriously interested will apply.

There are many animals out there waiting for their "forever homes." The benefit of adopting from one of these societies is that the animals are fostered, in a home, often with other dogs, cats or children. This means that when you meet them, you are seeing their true self.

You also have the opportunity to talk with the "foster parents" at length and learn everything about the animal, good and bad. While the goal of the people at the rescue societies is, ultimately, to find homes for these dogs and cats, they also want to ensure the best match, so none of them end up back on the adoption block again.

Allison Smith,

Editor-in-Chief

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timescolonist.com SEASIDE TIMES | may 2012 | www.seasidetimes.ca

55

it may be our 5 year anniversary,

but it’s all about you.

thanks to you it’s been an amazing 5 years We’ve welcomed thousands of guests since opening our doors May 1, 2007 but we couldn’t have done it without on now until May 15, 2012. Stay, dine and spa with rate and specials just for you.

Stretch out in casual comfort complete with luxury bedding, snug robes, and a relaxed seating area. Perfect for a getaway close to home or those “extra” out-of-town guests.

from

$129

per night

Enjoy relaxed seaside dining and fresh, new spring menus at Haro’s Restaurant, and Haven Spa retail products.

20%

CALL 250-655-9445 FOR RESERVATIONS o availability.

Haro’s dining discount is valid for dinner only (excluding alcohol), reservations and proof of residency required. Taxes and gratuities not included.