Seaside Times

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WEST COAST CULTURE SEPTEMBER 2009

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SEPTEMBER 2009

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See You in September! Just Retired: Now What?

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The Regulars The First Word .............................4 Business Profiles . . 5, 12, 28

Peninsula Country Market – Turnings by Murray Salt Spring Island Apple Festival Returns

Get Out!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 What’s Happening ..........22

The Fruits of Summer Footprints ........................................24

The Rebirth of the Outhouse? Wild Horne Lakes Caves Adventure

Sudoku ................................................27 Snapshot .........................................30

Deer on the Peninsula

Zais Astrology.........................32

Failed Communications – Part V

Body & Soul ..............................36

Map Index of Advertisers

Island Dish ....................................40

* Cover by Anne Fearon-Wood – Coons Point, Galiano Island

The Last Word ........................46

Seaside Times • PO Box 2173 • Sidney, B.C. V8L 3S6 Publisher, Advertising: Tim Flater • 250-686-1144 • sales@seasidetimes.ca • publisher@seasidetimes.ca Editor-in-Chief: Allison Smith • 250-544-4022 • info@seasidetimes.ca • editor@seasidetimes.ca Website: Tige Johnson • Mosaic Internet Designs • tige@mosaicdesigns.ca Printed by: International Web Express – Island Office 888-364-2500

THE FIRST WO R D how business is comparing to last year, they generally say “OK, not great, just OK.” Given what’s happened this year to the economy, I think most are “OK with OK.” Seaside Times has had a great summer. Since the start of the magazine in 2005, it has steadily become woven into the fabric of the Peninsula. The name change, which took place in April this year, from Peninsula Times to Seaside Times, has been a hit with the readers not just on the Peninsula but in the new areas of the south Island we are now distributing to. I’m excited to let you all know that we have added eight pages to this month’s issue. This will ensure that we will always give you, the reader, lots of stories to enjoy and that our advertisers won’t feel like they are all jammed in on top of each other. So as you go through and enjoy the articles, take a look at who is advertising and consider them when you may need a service or product they offer. Another exciting development with the magazine is we will now be distributing through the Times Colonist Sunday edition, covering the entire Peninsula and the Gulf Islands (8,000 copies), on or around the first Sunday of each month. We will no longer use the blue outdoor pick-up boxes but will continue to have copies in every client’s place of business as well as the post offices, coffee shops and selected business around the Peninsula and Gulf Islands (2,000 copies in over 70 locations).

How Was Your Summer? When I moved back to the island of my birth a year ago last April from Toronto, I was looking forward to a summer or warm days and no humid nights, but instead we got unseasonably cool, wet and not a lot of sun. Well what a difference a year makes! If this has not been the best summer for weather I don’t know what is. We have enjoyed long stretches of very warm days and comfortable nights. The farms are bursting at the seams with great crops and for the most part we haven’t been crippled by the economic slowdown.

The reasoning behind our decision to stop using the blue boxes is simple: in many cases, they are now viewed as street clutter, and are dirty or filled with garbage. When the weather turns bad the magazines get wet and pick up street grime. Definitely not the image we want the Seaside Times to present! So if you are enjoying our magazine for the first time with your Sunday tea or coffee, look forward to receiving it each month through the Times Colonist. The magazine is also online at www.seasidetimes.ca. So how was my summer? Fantastic! Looking forward with optimism.

Tim Flater

When I talk to my many business friends and ask them

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Publisher

Neil Laing – 250-656-2919

Jim Laing – 250-652-2923

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So What’s in a Name? by Tim Flater According to Jim Leblanc and Scott Piercy of Sotheby’s International Realty Victoria office, the name has to reflect quality, integrity and performance, but there has to be more than just a name. Since the founding of the Sotheby’s auction house in 1744, the Sotheby’s name has earned renown as a marketer for many of the world’s most valuable and prestigious possessions. The Sotheby’s International Realty organization began in 1976, in part to serve clients desiring a complete package of estate disposition services, and soon became known for representing extraordinary luxury real estate throughout the world. Sotheby’s International Realty opened their Victoria office, serving

Vancouver Island, in January 2007 and the brand has been in Canada since 2004. The company currently has 16 agents on the Island and two on Salt Spring Island. So far this year the Victoria office is at a record pace, selling more than $60 million in property. It also has the only three sales on the island over $4 million in the past year and half (based on MLS listing, not including exclusive listings). Jim and Scott are the top agents for the island with more than $20 million in sales this year. When I asked the two of them what makes Sotheby’s different from other companies, this is what they both had to say: “memories, relationships, treasured possessions – homes are repositories of the things that matter most. “To market a distinctive home

D L O S Scott Piercy James Leblanc

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requires uncommon knowledge and resources. In the Sotheby’s International Realty Victoria office, sellers and buyers alike can find representatives experienced in offering exceptional homes. “The sales agents understand that a home, regardless of its price range, reflects the incalculable value of the life within.” You will find no doom and gloom about the economy in this office. They are very optimistic about the economy and have inventory for every buying level. So what’s in a name? I guess when its Sotheby’s International Realty, people will stop and listen because of the name, but it comes down to the people behind the name that make Sotheby’s come to life, and there is life at the Victoria office.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

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photo courtesy Ian Jansma

See You in September! by Chris Genovali, Executive Director, Raincoast Conservation Foundation I always associate September with wild salmon and with its onset I’m reminded of a particularly affecting experience I once had with these remarkable fish. The pale afternoon light that is so peculiar to autumn filtered through the trees, refracting through the

flowing water to the tessellation of river rocks below and giving the entire landscape a golden hue. A haunting wind blew up the valley, alternating gusts of comforting warmth and icy chill. The alder and cottonwood leaves floated crazily to the water, landing on the tattered

backs of the returning salmon holding in the river. My Raincoast colleagues and I sat motionless on the bank, hypnotized by the beauty laid out before us in this rainforest valley located on B.C.’s central coast. Quietly making our way through the bush there was bear sign aplenty;

Suzanne Huot photo

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grizzly tracks and fresh piles of scat seemed to appear around every corner. We followed the tracks and kept moving along down the bear trail until we came to a large side pool bordered by several downed logs. We staked out a mossy bench overlooking the pool and watched the throng of salmon make their return up the river. It’s an event that never fails to mesmerize. My salmon-induced reverie was abruptly interrupted, however, as we spotted a large grizzly wading into the river. The bear began snorkeling for salmon, sticking his snout and eyes underwater, but leaving the rest of his huge head above the surface. Raincoast’s goal is to advocate for B.C.’s first fully protected salmon runs. Currently, even runs that spawn in protected areas are subjected to commercial fisheries and can be exploited at levels up to 80 percent. Given the extraordinary ecological value of spawning salmon to terrestrial wildlife, we see this gap in resource management as a grave oversight. In addition, out-migrating juvenile salmon often must run a gauntlet of fish farms, exposed to disease and sea lice infestation on their way out to the North Pacific. There is also the specter of climate change, which poses a major threat to salmon on multiple levels.

photo courtesy Roberta Olenik

It’s important to note that salmon are not exclusively marine organisms and considerations about terrestrial conservation in a coastal environment are incomplete when the ecological influences of salmon are ignored. The concept of protected salmon migration corridors that lead to fully protected freshwater habitats is unique, but it’s something we believe will capture the imagination of British Columbians.

Canada’s new Wild Salmon Policy identifies the need for management to transcend salmon “production� alone, explicitly seeking information on how much salmon is required to sustain key terrestrial species.

Did You Know?

Research being conducted by Raincoast scientists directly addresses this question for an ecologically important group of terrestrial salmon users – large carnivores. Grizzly bears, black Fraser Sockeye – photo courtesy Chris Cheadle bears and wolves depend on salmon and play a key role in salmon ecosystems by distributing marine nutrients to other users, riparian vegetation, and in turn to the structure and productivity of the habitat that supports salmon.

Chinook salmon may travel up to 2,500 miles from their natal streams and stay out to sea four to seven years before returning to their freshwater spawning grounds. Locally, Goldstream Provincial Park has a world-class salmon spawning stream with thousands of Chum salmon returning each year.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

7

Just Retired: Now What? by Sandy McElroy

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I just retired. Now what? On Monday morning there will be no alarm clock. No busy schedule of meetings and deadlines. How will I fill my days? How will I know who I am without a business card to validate my existence? I know that I am being a bit of an alarmist and perhaps even exaggerating a little but the truth is that I really do wonder what lies ahead. All summer there has been a large clock in my head counting down the days to “R Day.� I have been envious of retired friends who are free to go camping whenever they want, but will I really want to spend all of my time camping or traveling? I am excited that retirement will allow me to spend more time with my grandkids, but soon they will be grown up and they will have less time for “Old Gramps.� Then what will I do with the freedom that retirement is supposed to afford? After more than 50 years in the workforce, this is a big change. I know that many can hardly wait to retire. However, I have very mixed feelings. Most of my life I have enjoyed working; perhaps I’ve been lucky. As an entrepreneur I have been fortunate to have built several companies and worked with many special people who have taught me a lot. My latest company, ElderSafe Support Services, started in my basement in North Saanich, grew and then was acquired by a national organization. Today it provides high quality home health care to thousands of clients in B.C. and Ontario. Do I have the drive and energy to begin another company? Perhaps it is time to spend more time doing volunteer work? There are many organizations that are always looking for committed volunteers. I do look forward to more time in the garden and fishing, but those are seasonal activities. What about the winter months? I’ve never been a joiner so bridge clubs are out, and with my wife still working, going south for the winter is not an option.

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I have always been committed to lifelong learning, but courses tended to be taken with a goal other than the simple act of learning in mind. Perhaps now there will be time for the astronomy or literature courses that I never had time for while working and raising a family. Rebalancing time while maintaining a self identity that allows me to feel like a positive, contributing member of society seems to be the dilemma that I face as a newly retired person. A wise friend once told me that if you have your health there are phases of retirement. The first stage focuses on volunteering and travel. The next affords a period of acceptance and consolidation. He is still in the second phase so I guess that I will have to figure out the other stages myself.

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Perhaps I really need to start one more business‌or go fishing!

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If you have suggestions to help Sandy ease into retirement he can be reached at: mcelroy@pacrim.ca.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

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Peninsula Country Market – Turnings by Murray To continue our series of monthly introductions of the many interesting vendors at the Peninsula Country Market, this month we are featuring “Turnings by Murray.� Murray Matheson first became acquainted with a wood lathe in Grade 7 in Montreal over 60 years ago, and it has awarded him great pleasure ever since.

right after the Second World War. Their apprentices needed a further week’s work to finish their course

While working as a geographer for the B.C. provincial government, the lathe gathered considerable dust, but when he had a chance to do a little turning, Murray soon realized what a great stress reliever it was. On retirement, he and his wife Peggy moved to Central Saanich and soon a workshop was built, designed to house the equipment for professional woodturning. Murray built a special bowl lathe which he could use to demonstrate the techniques at early markets. His horizontal lathe castings were machined at Burrard Shipyard

and all military contracts had been canceled. It is designed for floor lamps and other large items. Murray was at the very first Peninsula Country Market in 1991 with his familiar birdhouses and stools. These handled step stools have gone across Canada and beyond, and the most familiar remark we hear is “I couldn’t

live without my stool�– what a testimonial! All Murray’s pieces reflect his artistic ability as well as his skill. His trademark salad bowls are made up of wood pieces laminated together in a brick laid pattern before being turned. It saves at least 35 percent of the wood, which makes them environmentally friendly as well as especially attractive. In addition to the birdhouses, Murray makes distinctive birdfeeders, which appeal to both birds and people, plates, small bowls, lamps, tables and candle sticks based on an old Art Nouveau design and various whimsies. Wherever possible Murray uses local woods and tries to show people the unique features of each kind of wood. As for Peggy, she calls herself “The Appreciator� – sometimes too full of ideas, but always helping with display and the marketing of Murray’s creative works.

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Press 1… Press 2…Press… zzz Try calling just about any business and a voice says “press one” if you want this, “two” if you want that, “three” if you want…but you get the message. When you’ve run through the options, the voice asks if you want to return to the main menu and start over. By this time you may just want to cut your throat. With or without Muzak, you stay on the line. It’s not a good idea to doze off during the options in case you miss the one you need. When you do Press Whatever, you’re connected to another voice-answering machine which says firmly that So and So is not available, so please leave a message and… “Please hold…” sings the Voice. So you hold.

With every $25 donation towards the Aquatic Complex Elevator Fund Raising, you will be entered to win a

First Down the Slide Pool Party*.

Now think back to the early days when you twirled a little handle on the side of the wall-mounted telephone and you immediately reached an Operator. She called you Honey or Dear and promptly put you through to whomever you were calling. If you had an emergency and were talking on a party line, 10 people would offer you advice, including the operator, while she dialed the police, the ambulance or the hospital for you. If you’re tired of all the pressing you have to do in order to leave a message or contact someone in this life, think how it will be when you get to the Pearly Gates and find a phone booth instead of St. Peter. You pick up the phone and a voice says, “Welcome to Heaven. Press One for service in English. Press Two for the language of your choice. Press Three if you are alone. Press Four if you have family with you. Press Five if you have a pet. Press Six if you are expecting someone to meet you. Press Seven to enter. Press Eight to step back for 10 seconds. Press Nine if you’ve changed your mind. To return to the main menu, Press the Star key.” All this pressing takes practice…next time you’re asked to Press One in this life, be grateful. Regard it as training. You’ll be a pro when you arrive at the Pearly Gates and find St. Peter has stepped out for a minute.

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“National Defense. If you are reporting a missile sighting, Press One. If you can actually see the missile, Press Two. If it’s heading your way, Press Three. If you want to talk to a live operator, Press Four. If it’s too late, Press…whatever. Thank you for your call. To return to the main menu, Press…”

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If you’re trying to connect with a government department, you may stay on hold forever. There seems to be a dearth of telephone answering personnel in our government. “Hello, hello!!!! Is that National Defense? I want to report a missile sighting…”

Donations support the elevator installation alongside Panorama’s new waterslide. This will assist in funding what will be the first waterslide in North America that will allow people with mobility challenges to share in the enjoyment of a waterslide ride. All donations can be dropped off at Panorama Recreation Centre and will be eligible for a tax receipt. *Enjoy the first ride down the waterslide with 20 of your family and friends for a 1 hour pool party. Pool Party to occur between Oct. 2 - 5, 2009. Date and time to be arranged with the Aquatic Coordinator, Dustin Ray-Wilks. Draw will take place on Oct 1st, 2009.

by Pene Beavan Horton www.seasidetimes.ca

www.panoramarecreation.ca 1885 Forest Park Dr. North Saanich 250.656.7271 SEPTEMBER 2009

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Green Village: Sidney’s New One Stop Eco Shop with his sister and brother-in-law in establishing Green Village. The first thing customers will notice upon entering the store is the delicious smell of chocolate, which is made and packaged locally in the “Cacao (ka-cow) Cabin� on the owners’ property. After tasting this amazing raw chocolate anyone could see why the demand calls for a batch every four days. Staff at Green Village admit to eating the chocolate for breakfast, a ritual some customers may soon adopt!

by Emily b Emil Olsen Sidney’s new One Stop Eco Shop, Green Village at 2380 Beacon Avenue, is the place to go for those looking to improve their health and lifestyle. Inside you’ll find a wide range of eco products and a line of 100-percent organic and fairtrade “Superfoods� that are mineral-rich, nutrient-dense snack foods high in antioxidants. The store has just

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about everything from Solar Back Backpacks to a Waste Free lunch station. Co-owners Greg and Lindsey Firestone and Chris Elliott emerged on Sidney’s business scene earlier this year when Chris moved west from Montreal and created a partnership

: M P R P EK I I I V Your One Stop Eco Shop!

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The Earth Friendly Cleaning Line will fit into the lives of many of us living in small spaces. The store is a refill station, so anyone concerned with packaging waste can eliminate their worries here. Testing done on the efficiency of the cleaning products was of primary concern, as some newer earth-friendly products can fall short of customer expectations, and staff will be sure to assist with any questions that may arise. The beauty of the refill station is the ability for customers to buy smaller amounts in the beginning stages and find the products that best suit their needs after a trial period. For those who bring their meals to work or school, try the wastefree lunch station. You can pack your lunch in reusable stainless steel dishes and drink from a stainless steel or durable glass straw. Onya brand reusable shopping bags condense into a small hand-held pouch that can easily fit into any purse, glove compartment, or bicycle bag. There are also mesh weigh-bags that come in a set of four. You can separate your fruit and veggies for weighing either in the produce section or at the grocery checkout, eliminating the need for small plastic bags. The highlight for many customers

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Since 1999

Your local source for sportswear and shoes: just might be the Solar Backpack. This solar powered eco-tech carryall charges cell phones, GPS devices, PDAs, digital cameras and iPods. The backpack is lightweight and handy to bring camping or on a hike.

running • walking • yoga • tness • swimming

Jana Cline, an employee of Green Village, is a raw foodist so she can answer your questions about the raw and super foods supplied at the store. She will show you the raw food/dessert books and vegan/gluten free diet information. It’s been said Jana can make a raw carrot cake to rival any baked version around!

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Baby Care products are coming soon to accompany the Natural Organic Body Care line, and if you’re thinking about your garden don’t miss the Kitchen Composter and fertilizers made from donated food waste from local restaurants. Green Village hours are 10 to 5 Monday to Saturday and 10 to 4 Sunday. For any additional information visit www.greenvillagesidney.com. And stop by and try the raw chocolate; it comes highly recommended!

BICYCLE RENTALS! Right across from Tanner’s Books: 2443 Beacon Ave., Sidney, BC, Tel: 250-656-6161

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SEPTEMBER 2009

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Fall Culinary Passion With Chef Michael Ringland by Lisa Makar, General Manager, The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa I know that most people don’t look forward to the fall as it signifies the end of summer. But for those of us in the Food & Beverage industry, fall is one of the best times of the year. The tomatoes, the mushrooms, duck and rabbit‌it’s a season of culinary delights! This month I decided to share a bit of the fall culinary passion with you. I thought you would enjoy gaining some insight into a professional – Haro’s Executive Chef Michael Ringland. Mike is a local chef who has been with The Pier since 2008. He came to us from the likes of Zambris, the Marina and Cassis Bistro where he also focused on creating fantastic food with the finest of local ingredients. What follows is our interview. Mike, what ingredients are you looking forward to most in the upcoming months? “The squash, chanterelles, any mushrooms really, and braising greens. I prefer to just see whatever

we get from the farmers and start cooking from there. We just got local figs in and they are beautiful – it’s easy to get inspired with such great products from our own back yard.�

What are some of your favourite dishes to cook and eat at home over the fall season? “Wow, there’s so much to choose from! Scallops are always great and I especially like venison. I like to do more braising of meats in the fall. And just roasting local autumn vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper – keep-

ing it simple and letting the natural flavours speak for themselves. I cook for my kids, Jailyn and Jessa, so simple is always good for the whole family.â€? What can diners look forward to at Haro’s in September and October? “We’ll definitely bring back the braised shortribs. They were a huge hit last year and have so many applications for both lunch and dinner. We will also have incredible root vegetables from Saanich Organics so I’d like to do some kind of a pavĂŠ that we we’ll serve with some fresh sablefish.â€? What inspires you? “Really it’s all about the ingredients; having such great product makes my job easy. We have great partners: Saanich Organics, J@C Herbs, Babe’s Honey, Island Farmhouse and Moonstruck Cheese, just to name a few. They do an amazing job of producing quality ingredients that rival food anywhere else in the world. My thanks to them and the other farmers!â€?

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Mondays Wild BC Salmon, Quinoa Cakes & Grilled Vegetables

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2538 Beacon Avenue, Sidney 250-655-9700 www.sidneypier.com/haros

Salt Spring Island Apple Festival Returns Feel more in control of your future through sound financial advice. Talk to an RBC advisor. To talk to an RBC® advisor, visit us today: Sidney branch, 2464 Beacon Avenue, 250-655-2567. Open 6 days a week. The advice of an RBC advisor will help you feel confident in these uncertain times, by maintaining your focus on the long-term. Together, you’ll create a plan – one that encompasses not just retirement, but all your goals. The strong relationship you build will help you stay confident every step of the way.

The 11th Annual Salt Spring Island Apple Festival will be taking place Sunday, October 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its theme will be “Celebrating Heritage Apples: Travel Back in Time.” Heritage apples refer to any apple variety that was growing before 1900. These apple varieties were all chance seedlings and as such grew without any human intervention. The Salt Spring Island Apple Festival is your chance to visit Apple Heaven while still on earth! This is a very unique, diverse, exciting organic Apple Festival. It’s farm based, connecting visitors to the organic farmers on Salt Spring. They are your best guarantee of food quality and good health plus your best food survival strategy.

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Participants choose to visit those orchards that interest them, based on a map showing locations & descriptions of each. The suggested starting location is Fulford Hall at Salt Spring’s south end. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under twelve. Tickets are available only on festival day at Fulford Hall and outside the Ganges tourist info centre.

New & Used Gear For: Sport Commercial Fishermen Sailboaters Powerboaters

Festival proceeds will go to: • the development of a juicing facility on Salt Spring; • an annual $500 bursary given to someone on Salt Spring to support practical learning in the field of organic agriculture; • supporting the education of a third world child; and • up to $100 will go towards thanking a local who has made Salt Spring a better place to live. Salt Spring Island was among the first areas in B.C. to grow apples (1860) and now grows over 350 varieties of organic apples. It is home to the Salt Spring Island Organic Apple Coop and is the Organic Gardening Capital of Canada. www.seasidetimes.ca

FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS OVER 20 YEARS SERVING SIDNEY 2527 Bevan Avenue, Sidney t 250-655-3101

www.theboaters-exchange.com SEPTEMBER 2009

15

Get Out! – Saturna Island by Frank Gee

less than a round of golf! Contribute to the local economy by grabbing some lunch items at the Saturna General Store (great sandwiches and cookies!).

Things to Do

The Get Out series is aimed at reminding us how lucky we are to live on southern Vancouver Island – one of the most diverse and livable places on earth! All my adventures are from the basis of a family with pre-teen kids. Get out and enjoy! Saturna Islanders may curse me for suggesting their island as a destination, but at the risk of infringing on

their tranquility‌almost half of the island is within Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, verifying it is a very special place. The short ferry trip sets up a relaxed holiday mode, but you have to plan for this day trip. The 8:25 Saturday morning ferry and 3:55 or 8:55 return trips allow for a variety of leisurely days. And it’s a deal; the $60 cost is

– October 3rd Call for information and reservations

7120 West Saanich Road, Brentwood Bay, B.C. 250-652-5044 www.bistrocache.com 16

SEASIDE TIMES

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A leisurely drive to East Point. Watch for feral turkeys! The Strait of Georgia, eagles, seals and Orca are on the viewing list at the point, a short walk. Park and head off, left of the buildings, towards the point itself. The drying effects of the winds contribute to the grassy area and hold the forest at bay. It is a moderately fragile area, so stay on the trails. East Point offers classic photo opportunities: the distinctive red and white building, flowing grass (which turns golden early in the summer), blue skies and white puffy clouds make for picture-perfect cover shots. Bring binoculars to look for seals relaxing on the nearby islets or Orca searching for food in the turbulent waters of Boiling Reef. The wind- and water-sculpted sandstone cliffs, below the foghorn building, are fascinating. You can take a closer look, but watch the tide! When the tide is low the exposed rocks display an array of seaweeds, muscles, barnacles, and sea stars; these are very fragile so try to walk on solid rock. A picnic lunch at Winter Cove. This is a well known shelter for boaters and a treasure for us land-based explorers. It offers tables, washrooms, room to play and a walking trail to motivate you to keep exploring. Saturna Winery at Thompson Park. The drive there is partly gravel, and the STEEP hill down to the

west side of the island is impressive (use your car’s lowest gear to save your brakes!). The winery is a typically relaxing island experience. Thompson Park offers up a gorgeous beach with lovely swimming and a rope swing for the kids. Narvaez Bay. Considered a boater-kayaker campground, Narvaez is a great short hike! The area is pastoral with old fruit trees and fences reminding us of earlier farming times. The bay is a tranquil place, home to a classic Arbutus and Douglas Fir forest. You can also enjoy Echo Bay (to the right, at the bottom of the hill). For more walking and a big view try the Monarch Head loop, from the parking area. Mount Warburton Pike (497 m) Be warned – this is a bit of a drive up (emphasis on up!). Google ‘Warburton Pike’ for the University of Calgary’s site to learn about Mr. Pike’s extraordinary adventures. My minivan hasn’t got much clearance, but the dirt road is

not a problem when dry. You may even encounter the herd of feral goats (they were domestic, but are now wild). A warning though – don’t venture out onto the grassy slope if it is wet. Aside: I have to note that many challenges face Parks Canada in maintaining and even restoring the habitat and natural balance of Saturna Island and the surrounding marine areas, so we need to play a part. Tread carefully, pack out your garbage and remember the Gulf Islands are often at high fire risk. Use both the Gulf Islander and Gulf Islands National Park Visitor Guides to help you find your way and to learn more.

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The Cedarwood Inn and Suites – Your Home away from Home 9522 Lochside Drive, Sidney, British Columbia t t XXX UIFDFEBSXPPE DB www.seasidetimes.ca

SEPTEMBER 2009

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The Fruits of Summer by Linda M. Langwith September is the perfect month – still warm and sunny enough to fool one into thinking summer will last forever. The farmers’ markets are brimming with goodies and the joys of U-Pick are still available for those who like to get their fingers juicy and sample as they go. The hedgerows are heavy with plump blackberries, one of nature’s perfect freebies. Be sure to carry a few containers with you when out for a drive or a cycle so that you can stop for a little picking and snacking.

currants. Just use whatever you have on hand.

Summer Pudding Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutes Serves 6 ¾ cup of strawberries ¾ cup of raspberries

When surveying the contents of your freezer, full of a summer bounty of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, you may regret getting carried away at your favourite U-Pick farms. Pies and cobblers might seem the obvious solution but why not go for something just a little different that’s sure to impress family and friends for that special September get together you are planning? A Summer Pudding is the perfect way to showcase the fruits of our island and is simplicity itself to make. You might want to substitute other berries for the ones listed below, such as redcurrants or black-

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SEASIDE TIMES

Place all the berries except the strawberries in a pan with ½ cup of water. Simmer until the berries start to collapse, about five minutes, then remove from the heat. Halve the strawberries and add them to the pan, then add ½ cup of sugar. Taste and add a little more sugar if you feel the need. Cool the fruit. Line a one-litre pudding basin or plastic mixing bowl with the bread, starting with a large circle of bread on the bottom of the basin. Cut the slices in half, dip the edges in the juice from the fruit and overlap them upright in the basin. Pile the fruit in the middle of the basin and add some of the juice. Top with the remaining bread slices, cutting to fit and remembering to dip the edges in the leftover juice.

¾ cup of blueberries ¾ cup of blackberries ½ cup of white sugar 8 slices of white bread, crusts removed

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Cover the top with clingfilm and then place a plate that will just fit inside the basin on top of the clingfilm. Put a couple of cans of soup on the top to act as weights, put the basin on a tray to catch any drips and refrigerate overnight. Remove the clingfilm, invert on a serving plate and serve with some of the leftover fruit and sweetened whip cream. A great way to remember summer!

SEPTEMBER 2009

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Open Air Market Enter ballots at the Peninsula Country Market for your chance to

42�

WIN

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Ballots available at community partners

Draw Date September 26th Call Now 250-216-0521

... brings you

what’s happening | sept. 2009

Until September 6

Nancy Alexander Art Exhibit Community Arts Centre, 9565 5th. St. (at Weiler) Tulista Park, Sidney Open daily 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 250-656-7400 Free admission.

Sundays until September 6 Peninsula Celebrations Society Summer of Rockin’ Sounds Concerts

Sidney Beacon Pavilion, Beacon Park, 2 - 4 p.m. 250-656-2229, sshields@telus.net Sunday afternoon concerts featuring bands such as Paul Wainwright, Fat Hat Cat, Kumbia and The Naden Band.

Until September 21 Gallery by the Sea

Fish hut, bottom of Beacon Avenue www.sidneybusiness.com Annual display of paintings by local artists. The public votes for their favourite by ballot boxes located in the Cannery breezeway, Historical Museum, Laroche Gallery and the Arts Centre in Tulista Park.

September 6 & 12

Matheson Lake Canoe Adventure (5+ years) Matheson Lake Regional Park (Metchosin), Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 1 and 8 p.m. 250-478-3344, www.crd.bc.ca/parks The lake’s waters are surrounded by steep banks of lush forest, giving this park the feeling of wilderness. Let’s see what we can discover. Canoe equipment and instruction are provided and no experience is necessary. You must pre-register: cost is $15+gst per person (15 years and older); $8.50+gst per person (children 5-14 years and non-paddling adults). Five years and older.

September 12

September 14 - October 18 Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts Printmakers Show

Community Arts Centre, 9565 5th. St. (at Weiler) Tulista Park, Sidney Open daily 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., 250-656-7400 Free admission.

September 19 Mayne-ly Up

Mt. Parke Regional Park, Mayne Island 1 p.m. 250-478-3344, www.crd.bc.ca/parks Meet in the parking lot at the end of Montrose Rd. Join a Mayne Island naturalist to explore hidden treasures on the way to the summit. The views are the best in the Gulf Islands. All ages welcome.

September 19

Peninsula Garden Club Fall Plant Sale Mary Winspear Centre, 9 - 11 a.m. 250-655-4946, newtonh@telus.net There will be master gardeners present to answer questions and give advice and the items offered will come from some the best gardeners on the Peninsula.

September 19 - 20

Salt Spring Island’s Annual Fall Fair Farmers’ Institute, 351 Rainbow Rd., Salt Spring Island 250-537-4448, www.saltspringmarket.com Much loved by young and old, locals and tourists alike, the annual Fall Fair is Salt Spring Island’s oldest community event, and the one with the most heart! Cost is $5 for adults (about $8 for a two-day pass), children about $3, children 6 and under free.

September 26

Workshop: Writing Stories For Young People 539 Downey Road, North Saanich, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 250-727-5638, yetsa@shaw.ca Facilitator Sylvia Olsen will help you free up your inner storyteller! Cost is $75 and includes lunch.

In Love With Sidney Fashion Show Mary Winspear Centre, 2 - 4 p.m. 250-655-6417, www.marywinspear.ca All tickets $20 each.

September 13

Salt Spring Island Terry Fox Run Salt Spring Elementary, 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. start 250-537-9507, www.terryfox.org 2009 Walk, Run, Bike, Wheel to raise funds for Cancer Research. 5K & 10K routes, 1K fun run.

September 27

Annual Saanich Heritage Bus Tour Leaving from Pearkes Recreation Centre, 12:45 p.m. 250-475-1775 (ext. 3478), www.saanich.ca Organized by the Saanich Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee, this is an annual opportunity for the public to witness some of Saanich’s nest heritage and see what is being done to restore and promote it to the public. Cost is $28 plus GST and will include tea and refreshments.

Seats on Sale at the Mary Winspear Centre with shows that make you cry, dance, laugh for hours and give you the opportunity to be proud.

Sarah Gordon bought a seat. “I realized that my granddaughter, who loves to dance, needs to have a great place to show me how well she dances,” she said with a smile.

The Theatre again needs your help in providing a place that allows our community the opportunity to interact, view and appreciate all the wonderful culture our citizens create.

Spirit of the community lives here…the Mary Winspear Centre. Buy your seat in the Charlie White Theatre and support the perfect place to showcase local culture and performing arts.

Technology has surpassed our current capacity and we need to upgrade equipment in order to provide ongoing state-of-the-art productions.

Your seat is on sale!

Visit the Mary Winspear Centre and Charlie White Theatre at www.marywinspear.ca , call 250-656-0275 or drop by in person at the top of Beacon Avenue to find out more information about leaving your legacy.

In 2001, prior to the Mary Winspear Centre grand opening, people like the Godfrey Family, Louise Robertson and the Saanich Firefighters realized that they have an opportunity to leave a legacy and purchased a seat in the Charlie White Theatre. The proceeds assisted in building the Theatre and created a space for human interaction, celebration, ceremony and a place for artistic expression.

The Mary Winspear Centre; where human spirit cultivates…by the sea.

This Could Be You!

In response to the firefighters’ seat purchase and in respect of fire victims, seat 911 was created in the Charlie White Theatre and the plaque that is mounted stands as a memorial of the effort undertaken to stop avoidable tragedy. Next time you are at the Theatre look for seat number 911 and ponder the inscription.

To advertise in Seaside Times, contact Tim Flater, Publisher sales@seasidetimes.ca

The Charlie White Theatre provides the community

I bought a seat…

We bought a seat…

because I want to do my part to help continue the Mary Winspear Centre legacy

to recognize our community organization

I bought a seat…

We bought a seat…

to honour the memory of a loved one

to help build a healthy and vibrant community

I bought a seat…

We bought a seat…

because I believe in our community

to support the growth of art and cultural events in this community

I bought a seat… because I want to honour the memorial aspects of the Memorial Park Society lands

SEASIDE TIMES

2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, B.C. V8L 1W9 Tel: 250-656-0275 Fax: 250-656-0271 www.marywinspear.ca

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Don’t be left standing… Seat Yourself! Seat Sale Extended

Inscribe your name on a seat in the Charlie White Theatre at the new

SEPTEMBER 2009

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Special Local Citizens Throughout History by Valerie Green A few months ago, while on a Barrack Obama euphoria, we were reminded that there are still inspirational leaders in the world. Now, therefore, might be a good time to take a look back in history at some of our own outstanding citizens nearer home.

est pride in what he had accomplished by instigating the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Campaign which became a worldwide fund raiser for cancer research. In addition, his contributions to civic politics should not be overlooked. Then there was Josiah Bull, an extraordinary policeman back in the 1930s, who numbered both rich and poor among his friends. His inborn gift for public relations enabled him to deal with people from all walks of life and he was long remembered as “one of the best men the police force ever had.�

Lt.-Gov. George Pearkes was an exceptional gentleman who served from 1960 until 1967. Pearkes and his wife Constance were the first two citizens to be honoured by the Municipality of Saanich with the Freeman of Saanich Award. The lieutenant-governor’s military and political careers were also well-known; he dedicated himself to his community and could often be seen in his Tattersall Drive garden talking with people and listening to their problems.

Nora Lindsay, a woman far ahead of her time in the political arena, was dubbed “the first lady of politics� on Vancouver Island. Nora dedicated her life to looking out for the underdog and trying to put right whatever was wrong. Certainly one of the most influential Saanich Archives 1992-017-001 As a vibrant, community-minded and dynamic local businessmen of the Saanich Police Officer, Josiah Bull. lady, she achieved much for her fellow 20th century was Geoffrey Vantreight, man, including campaigning for what Junior, who passed away on May 13th, would ultimately become the B.C. Ferries service from 2000. Of all his many achievements, he found great-

Sidney ’s Pet Centre & Aquatics

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SEASIDE TIMES

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Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen. Another extraordinary business man was Lum Young Chow who started out at the turn of the 20th century as a houseboy in Victoria and went on to become the well-respected owner of one of the area’s largest Chinese export-import houses. His son, Ed Lum, was a one-time mayor of Saanich.

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A particularly charismatic photographer named Hannah Maynard, whose family name is remembered in a street near Cadboro Bay village, achieved an incredible record of the times in early British Columbia through her photographic material. She also became the official photographer for the Victoria Police Department in the

“Is there something in the water here‌which generates so much talent and leadership?â€? ~ Valerie Green 1890s and many of her “mug shotsâ€? of criminals of the day are still on record. In more recent years, this area has produced a plethora of exceptionally talented and community-minded people – David Foster, Nelly Furtado, Atom Egoyan, Silken Laumann, Chris Hunter and Steve Nash – to name just a few. Many of these folks were honoured in Saanich’s Centennial Book 100 Years 100 Stories published in 2005, and are just a mere smattering of what Saanich and district has produced over the past 100 years.

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Is there something in the water here, one wonders, which generates so much talent and leadership? If the trend continues, one can only assume that this must be the case.

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Meanwhile, it is good to know that there are still people in the world (and indeed within our own community) who can aspire to greatness and, at the same time, inspire others by their good works. Valerie Green is a local author and historian and can be reached at valerie_green@telus.net.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

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The Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula and the 2009 Sidney Fine Art Show Committee are pleased to invite you to the

FRIDAYY AND SATURDAY 9 AM-9 M-9 PM SUN SUNDAY 9 AM- 5 PM Meet the he Artists

Saturday da Evening 6 - 9 pm m FABULOUSS DDOOR PRIZES EVERY DAY!

$5 ADMISSION or $10 for a 3 day pass

Sudoku Puzzles September 2009 Keep Your Brain Healthy The Alzheimer’s Association recommends doing puzzles like Sudoku to strengthen brain cells and the connections between them.

Instructions 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 43.

Middle of the Road

4 3 5 4 3 8 2 9 6 1 8

7 1

5 9

5 9

6

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8 8 3 5 6 7 3 4

Back to School! Hardly Simple

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8 1

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SEASIDE TIMES

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SEPTEMBER 2009

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Be Naturally Curious at Mineral World doubt about the driving passion behind this enterprise which is much more than a retail store. “We want everyone who visits here to be intrigued by science and learn something new, especially about rocks and minerals and fossils,� Cindy added. Colourful displays of science kits, puzzles, books and toys compete for attention everywhere in the store. Cindy demonstrated the Rattleback, which defies the laws of physics by slowing its own momentum and changing direction. The Hoberman Sphere is a jumble of flexible joints that opens up large enough for small children to crawl into, and “Painless Learning Placemats� make it easy for kids to consume facts about the Solar System or (surprise) rocks and

by Arlene Antonik

minerals along with their breakfast bagels.

“The natural world is a fascinating place�, said Cindy Paquette, general manager of Mineral World located at Seaport Place in Sidney. The spark in her eye leaves no

Probably the best known feature at Mineral World is the Scratch Patch which is a huge draw for children and treasure-seekers of all ages. Here you can run your hands through multi-coloured, semi-precious stones including citrine, amethyst and tiger’s eye. Choose the ones you want and take them home with you in a collector’s bag. There are two gold-panning pools which reveal sparkling iron pyrite or Fool’s Gold to those who swirl the sediment just right. Mount Baker and the Salish Sea provide a stunning backdrop for the outdoor Scratch Patch set in 1,800 square feet of garden space. The indoor Scratch Patch allows treasure hunting year round and birthday parties to proceed unimpeded by inclement weather.

It’s a science centre, gift shop, bookstore and kids’ playzone combined. Search for gemstones, pan for gold, collect seashells, discovery unique rock and fossil specimens and learn fun facts about earth science, all while enjoying the beautiful waterfront at Sidney-by-the-Sea.

Open 364 days a year! 9891 Seaport Place, Sidney (beside the Sidney Pier Hotel)

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Moms may not have thought of having a “science themed� birthday party for their daughter’s next big day, but Cindy has! There is a special jewellery-making area where girls can make friendship bracelets, using semi-precious stones and silver findings. As staff assist and pass on information about how the various stones were formed, science sneaks in and becomes fun. Each guest returns home with an “I made it!� bracelet and a bag of candy pebbles. For adults, there are jewellery-making parties held in the evenings at the store. Each participant designs and creates her own pendant gemstone necklace complete with beads and sterling silver accents and clasps; conversation pieces all. If you aren’t inspired to make your own, Mineral World offers unique jewellery from around the world such as amber from Poland, lapis lazuli from the Middle East,

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One side of the store houses the Earth Science Interpretive Centre. Budding scientists can determine for themselves the answers to questions such as can rocks float, or how much does a gold bar weigh? They can hold a mosasaur tooth embedded in rock from the Cretacious period (144 to 65 million years ago) or feel the ridges in the exo-skeleton of a trilobite from the Cambrian to Permian eras (520 to 250 million years ago). Did you know that trilobites possessed the first visual system on the planet; compound eyes similar to those of modern day insects?

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When Cindy took over management of the store in September 2008, she introduced changes to better reflect her vision of a science centre focused on rocks and minerals. “We choose items for the store that are interactive and engaging and that contribute to our customers’ experience,� she noted. “There is something here for everyone.�

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The store is full of unique gifts and collectables. Where else could you purchase an amethyst, crystal-filled geode from Brazil, a banded onyx bowl from Pakistan, or a Himalayan salt crystal lamp?

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malachite from Africa and, closer to home, B.C. jade and pink rhodonite from Vancouver Island.

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Albert Einstein famously said: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.� Be passionately curious. Visit Mineral World and learn something new. Above photo: Cindy Paquette with the Hoberman Sphere, courtesy Arlene Antonik. Other photos courtesy Mineral World.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

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SNAPSHOT Snapshot is dedicated to showcasing the visual side of life on the West Coast. Send us your snapshot of family, friends, parties, pets, nature and of course all the embarassing moments captured for all to see! Send high resolution (300 dpi minimum) digital photos to editor@seasidetimes.ca

Clockwise from top left: Busy Bee – Arlene Antonik • Orca Quartet – Del Elgersma (centre) Beacon Pier – Anne Fearon-Wood • Fun at Sidney Spit – Deborah Twemlow In a Flap – Marion Wilk • Coast Guard Cruising – Elaine Strong

The Village of Brentwood Bay by Oddny K. Joelsson Village living is everything it’s cracked up to be if you are fortunate enough to find the right township that meets all your criteria. My quest started one year ago when I could no longer tolerate the claustrophobia of city living and the pleas from my body due to an unhealthy and stressful lifestyle. It was nature’s call for transformation and it was time to make a move; a big move. At first I balked – what, just pack up and go? Where? Was I mad? The “what ifs� plagued my sensibilities and yet excitement tugged at my curiosity. I perused the pros on my list and they outweighed the cons. It was official: time to put down the pencil, take a deep breath and commence with preparations for my journey. I mentally outfitted myself with padding like that of a goalie before the big game, assuring myself that the pain of change would be worth the risk of career and financial adjustment. I imagined myself on horseback: Tally Ho! My hunt for that special haven took me as far as Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Nova Scotia was cozy and very much like Vancouver Island and Newfoundland offered a multitude of terrains, haunting scenery and abundant greenery, but neither filled me with that sense of home. I returned to Vancouver deflated: what now? I shared my disappointment with a good friend who had recently moved to Brentwood Bay. She asked me why I felt the need to go so far away to live on an island; why not just move to Vancouver Island? I suddenly felt like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Was home really at my fingertips the whole time? Was it just a matter of clicking my heels together and taking a short ferry ride? There was only one way to find out, so I loaded up the old station wagon and set out on a tour to find that special place.

Parksville was my first destination, then on to Campbell River, Quadra Island, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Mill Bay and finally Brentwood Bay. My decision was made and that day I arranged to rent an apartment and my daughter, who was also eager for change, joined my caravan. “Ah, the village of Brentwood Bay.� I can’t help but say it aloud with an Irish accent and a Scottish fling. There is something magical and healing in the air here. At times it is a place of heavy mist and rainbows; or are these conditions just a diversion to conceal a playground of leprechauns and fairies? Is there truly magic at work here? I say aye. The villagers themselves are proof: watch them closely and you can see it dancing in their youthful gaze. There is a conjuring of warmth and aliveness enveloping the fields and livestock while they graze amidst the Garry oak trees and under an open sky. Freshly cut grass, flowers and ocean combine to provide an aromatherapy that cannot be recreated anywhere else, and when inhaled, immense relaxation and contentment possess you. A crucial element of this village is the wizardry of the local farmers and their gift for producing and raising amazing vegetables, fruits, eggs, honey and other delicacies. Without their contribution and presence, the joyous anticipation of receiving fresh treats from the land would only be one of those stories from the old days. Ah, the village of Brentwood Bay, my new home: friendly, ease of crowds, slow pace and relaxing atmosphere. I take a bite of a beautiful farm-picked tomato sandwich, survey my natural and peaceful surroundings, and lift my coffee cup: “Cheers to the enchanting village of Brentwood Bay.�

Rick Shumka Realtor, Victoria, BC

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Zais Astrology SSeptember eptem 2009 by b y Heather Hea eath Zais (heather_zais@telus.net) Aries A riiess march 21 april m arcch 2 1 - ap p 19 A fo foc focus cuss on nw work or health healtth will will cause you consider you to co on making makiing g cchanges hang of lifestyle. li esttyle life e. For Fo or some of this has of you yo ou thi hiis h as been a long lo ong time time ime coming. co Once On e yyou ou u get get started, st itt will wililll be be easier eassier than ha you ha had had first rsst thought. thou th ought. The full moon uence mo n infl i flu uen nce shifts emotional emo m concerns c nc co ncerrns to t a deeper deep de epe er level. lev evel e el. Deal Deal with wit ith h any any issues that tha are holding back. Consult others ho old lding g yo you u ba b ck. k C onsul ultt wi with o thers if needed. ther e Time me out is okay, don’t neglect responsibilities. okay ok ay, but but do b don’ n t ne glec l ct re resp spo sp onsi sibi billities. i Taurus april aprilil 20 - mayy 20 20 Your attitude towards social/romantic activity becomes more serious. The need for security is stronger now. Look at the long term when choosing a mate or partner. Each step you take needs planning this month. Investigate more than one avenue or approach for better success. You want to branch out but also hold onto the ground you’ve gained. You can have it both ways with a balance of the head and the heart. Gemini may 21 - june 20 You feel a need for some relief from responsibility. Your sign is ruled by mercury giving you a desire for freedom of movement. Travel is good for you – short or long. Sometimes you make better decisions when you are away from the “problem” or issue. With you ruling planet in retrograde after the 6th, you can sell or unload to your heart’s content. Avoid any binding contracts until the 29th when forward motion resumes. Cancer june 21 - july 22 You reconnect with people or places. There may be some duties attached, by choice or otherwise. Collect related data or documents. Separate things and pack up what is past or done with. Plans are subject to change under the influence or retrograde mercury after the 6th. Let your “gut” feelings be your guide through choppy emotional waters – yours or others. Use the 29th as a timeline on when to take practical action. Leo july 23 - august 22 A focus on mate or partnership matters will see some changes in the structure of the relationship. Clear up any grey areas to improve understanding. The way you react can influence what information they feel they can give you. Make it easier for them. In any case, do not get involved in any financial dealings that are not rock solid. Take time to get to know who you are dealing with or check their track record. Virgo august 23 - september 22 Time is on your side. You don’t need to overwork yourself to prove how valuable you are. The right people are aware of it. You can show your inner strength by taking a prominent

or leadership role. Others will hardly notice the positive influence you have in the workplace or your cost-cutting measures. Emotions fluctuate up and down with relationships of all types. Put them aside until the end of the month. Libra september 23 - october 22 You like to weigh both sides. This month you will be doing that more than usual. Some big decisions include others as well. Take a long look inside to see what you really want – if anything. Time alone or at a secluded spot will be helpful. This way you will not be swayed by others’ expectations. If you don’t want the past to repeat itself, then move past it. Like the song says – what will be, will be. Scorpio october 23 - november 21 You want solid gains with your hopes and wishes. This is possible through the help of those in key positions. Look them up and go for coffee or lunch etc. It will be good to see each other no matter what the eventual outcome. You have more opportunities coming your way in any case – near or far. You will have a chance to pick up where you left off. Look at homes or properties of interest to you. Sagittarius november 22 - december 21 Stay the course in career or ambitions – slow and steady wins the race. You can use diverse methods to achieve your goals. Keep plans to yourself so others won’t get in your way. You have earned the rewards or praise that comes your way now; be gracious. Visit or rub elbows with those of power or influence. Avoid any sudden moves or changes of direction this month. Take time out for love and romance. Capricorn december 22 - january 19 Dealings over distance will benefit you in the long run. Do what needs to be done. You still have luck with finances. Avoid a clash of egos if there is no benefit for you. Your thinking is influenced by emotion under the full moon. Your interest turns to mate or partnership matters. Patience pays off with stubborn or aggressive behavior. Mercury in retrograde motion this month buys you some time – take it. Aquarius january 20 - february 18 You will be naturally impressive on many levels this month. Others will be attracted to you automatically. Enjoy the attention. Some of these connections can be opportunities in disguise. Look past the charming overtures if it sounds too good to be true. You may experience some déja vu or flashbacks that twig memories. This can show you a pattern. Private talks or investigations are worth the time and effort. Pisces february 19 - march 20 The full moon in your sign this month adds fuel to your already intense emotions. Mate or partnership matters come to a head. This can have a positive or negative result depending on the circumstances leading up to it. You are more focused on getting what you want in relationships – and you can. Plan together for the long term. It can be like a dream come true. You will feel renewed.

The Dog Days of Summer by Wendy Hacking In the waning days of summer do you like a quick roll under the lawn sprinkler to cool off followed by a ferocious shake from head to tail? I do, but my favourite way to cool off is a lick of ice cream dripped from a melting cone onto my long, pink tongue. My name is Treasure Spacely Sprocket, but you can call me Sprocket. I pretend to be a dog, a dachshund actually. In reality I am the master of my domain. My dad-human says that I’ve set my ass in a butter tub. Being three inches from the ground has its advantages. I can quickly spy bugs, slugs and what my mum-human calls “droppings” and get them down my hatch before my mum-human can protest. “Oh, Sprocket,” she’ll say. “How can you eat that?”

usually decide to whine at my humans to play ball with me. Mostly I never drop my ball when they say: “Drop it, Sprocket,” except when I drop it on my dad-human’s newspaper. Which is in his lap. My dad-human throws my ball as far away as he can. My legs may be short but I can cover a lot of territory for a ball. If I want to. One time I found a vole instead of my ball and dropped it on my dad-human’s newspaper. Boy, can he yelp. Then it’s time for a nap with one eye open, so to speak. That’s so I can be sure not to miss: (a) food dropped on the floor (b) food left unprotected by my dadhuman’s chair (c) food being unwrapped in the kitchen (d) food being discussed by my humans, and (e) LUNCH TIME! After my 42-second lunch it’s time for another nap until it’s time for my 42-second dinner. Mostly I play and nap, nap and play and we go for a

“Easy,” I think. “Want to see me do it again?”

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When the sun comes up in the morning I communicate in the traditional way to my humans, with a crescendo of whines and yips, that I’ve had enough sleep and want to go out.

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After eating my breakfast in 42 seconds – my dad-human clocked me – I get to go outside again. I’m pretty full of bugs by this time so I SEASIDE TIMES

And then it’s time for my favourite part of the day. Bedtime. My mumhuman lets me fall asleep on her lap and then my dad-human tucks me into my very own bed. Both my humans tell me to sleep well and “don’t let the bedbugs bite.” Bugs? In my sweetest of dreams.

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This usually results in my dad-human yelling, “Shut up, Sprocket!” which wakes up my mum-human who glares at my dad-human for waking her up and then she says: “Okay Sprocket, I’ll take you out.” Works every time. You’d think they’d catch on. Out we go and I sniff around for bugs, etc. (see above) while my mum-human says, “Just do it, Sprocket.” I NEVER do it when she says that. I do it when I’m good and ready. You’d think she’d catch on to that too!

walk to the mailbox so that I can eat bugs, sniff for my dog friends and eat more bugs.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

33

The Rebirth of the Outhouse? Browsing around on eBay the other night (is that still window shopping?), a book called Build Your Own Privy caught my eye. Broadening my search, I found books on outhouses, photos posted by proud outhouse owners, outhouse plans, “knives of all kinds for whittling in the outhouse,� cross-stitch patterns on an outhouse theme and even corn cob buckets (“Back in stock: our most popular item!�), for the traditionalists among us. No longer common, outhouses nevertheless hold an enduring place in our thinking: they figure prominently in childhood memories of camp, the cottage, the farm and grandma’s backyard (some of my earliest memories involve stretching to pull the chain in the outhouse at the bottom of Nan’s narrow garden in England’s industrial Midlands). We race them, tip them over and, like mousetraps, try to build better ones. From a mid-island septic tank service’s site I learned that decorative cut-outs in privy doors (“ventilators�)

by Martin Blakesley – typically crescent moons for women and stars for men – date from Colonial times, when few people could read. A 2008 article entitled Proud of Our Schoolhouse Privies recommends humorist Chic Sales’ 1929 book, The Specialist, recently found in a Sidney bookshop. A tongue-in-cheek speech by a man gifted in the design and construction of outhouses, it offers a recipe for success. Locating your outhouse at the end of a straight path and beyond your woodpile, Sales says, will ensure that your wood box should be full by noon. Everyone who goes out there will bring back a few sticks for the woodbox. Bashful women encountering a man on the path will appreciate the opportunity to stop short, grab an armload, and save face. Making sure your door faces east and opens in, rather than out, makes it possible to sit with the door open half-way on a nice, sunny day and,

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if you hear footfalls on the path, kick it shut with your foot and avoid being truly “caught with your pants down.� Cutting the holes square with hard edges, he advises, ensures that no one, particularly hired help, sits longer than four minutes. The current recipe for human waste treatment goes pretty much like this: Take a clean and potentially valuable resource – water – and a potentially valuable resource – human waste – and mix them together to pollute the water and virtually eliminate the fertilizer potential of the human waste. Then, either pay dearly to separate them again, or discharge the mixture into rivers and oceans. In this time of exponential population growth and heightened awareness of the need to both conserve and renew our natural resources, we might look at ways to return to that time (a mere 100 years ago), when our cities’ sewer systems were dedicated to management of surface water, and “night soil� was harvested, processed and returned to the “day soil� as fertilizer. The new generation of outhouses suggests that high-tech one-and two-holers will continue to take the rough edges off “roughing it� by providing more environmentally-friendly and aesthetically pleasing replacements for the cob-webbed, “hold your breath� outhouses of the past, as well as viable alternatives to modern indoor toilets and the “not in my backyard� premise upon which our modern sewage systems are founded. If it’s true that, annually, one person’s five-gallon flushes move a mere 165 gallons of body waste, whilst contaminating about 13,00 gallons of fresh water, then outhouses may be an idea whose time has come and gone and now come back again.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

35

Fall Into Yoga This September

by Cathy Hanan It’s been nearly a decade since I tried my first yoga class. I was living in Australia and attempting to keep up with a group of local surfers – girls who appeared to have been given surfboards as toddlers. Before hitting the waves they would start with a few minutes of yoga on the beach to stretch and focus. I began

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tagging along to the local yoga studio and was hooked instantly by the combination of stretching, strengthening and relaxation rolled into one noncompetitive class. It appears I’m not alone. In 2005 it was estimated 1.4 million Canadians were practising yoga on a regular basis and another two million were planning to try a class within the next year. Many are initially drawn to the practice as a form of exercise, but after a few classes begin to realize the benefits stretch far beyond exercise. Regardless of style, all yoga classes take time to focus on releasing muscular tension, correct breathing, balance, posture and inner body awareness. From relaxing beginner classes to faster-paced workout styles, students are always encouraged to leave their competitive spirit at the door and work at the level they are at today – an environment many find refreshing.

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Like me, many people are finding the benefits of yoga take them beyond the studio, church hall or community centre where they attend classes. Office workers who spend long days sitting begin to notice their posture improves and their back and hips ache less – or, when they do ache, they use simple stretches and breathing techniques to relieve the tension. Athletes are turning to yoga in greater numbers, using regular practise as part of their training. In addition to increasing flexibility, yoga provides athletes with the tools to tune into their own bodies, identifying stiffness and tension before it becomes a major injury. Seniors are finding the combination of stretching and strengthening in yoga class helps increases balance and flexibility while stabilizing the major joints and helping to prevent falls. Even students and teens are flocking to yoga classes to release stress, increase focus and temporarily escape their high-tech world. Many report using breathing techniques they learned in yoga class to help prepare them for exams or stressful situations. Here on the Saanich Peninsula, yoga is growing as fast as this

summer’s crop of sweet corn, and just like our local produce, there are a huge variety of styles to sample in the area. Yoga enthusiasts can now try hot yoga, Iyengar, hatha, vinyasa flow, yoga fused with dance or pilates and a variety of speciality classes for everything from injury recovery to art yoga for kids.

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The increasing appeal of yoga is the range of styles for every age and every body, and the acceptance of where you are at today is key.

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Ask around; you’ll be surprised how many people around you practise yoga and how many options are available near you. Finding yoga didn’t help me gain much ground on those surfer girls (that’s my competitive side coming out), but it’s given me so much more. A teacher once told me we practise yoga so we can put our own socks on when we are 80, so from now on, instead of attempting to “hang 10� on my surfboard, I’ll stick to hanging 10 toes off the end of my yoga mat.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

37

Wild Horne Lakes Caves Adventure by Sheri Rypstra Vancouver Island is home to 1,050 caves. Most are found in the Quatsino Formation Limestone deposits of northern Vancouver Island, some are sea caves, but many belong to the Horne Lake Caves by Qualicum River and were first discovered in 1964. One of these caves boasts a length of 4,000 feet. Several years ago I joined friends in early May to explore the Horne Lake Caves. It was the first expedition of the season. “Wet and Wild Spelunking Adventures� now run from January through April. After meeting our guide and checking equipment, we hiked half an hour up the mountain to River Bend Cave, a perfect example of a karst limestone cave. The metal door, installed in 1971 to keep the calcite formations in pristine condition, had been underwater and the rusty lock proved stubborn. There is a strict rule in this cave not to touch anything – the formations in Main and Lower Main Caves have been largely ruined with muddy boots and oily fingers, and since calcite is essentially transparent, succeeding layers deposited only lock in the brown stain. The worst case scenario occurs when the formations stop growing.

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Being spring, the “river� gushed through the bottom of the rock-strewn cave. To get into the next room we needed to crawl through the overgrown creek in a curved passage 10 feet long and only 2.5 feet high. I was challenged to keep my camera dry and quickly became soaked.

“Later, we had the unnerving experience of watching our guide get stuck!â€? near the cave’s mouth could be likened to his tongue. This cave is a maze of tunnels and being a first time spelunker, I could easily imagine getting lost. Within, we climbed up a waterfall and viewed another. The water droplets, suddenly appearing in our lamps from the darkness above, sparkled and dripped ever steadily downwards. Later, we had the unnerving experience of watching our guide get stuck in Toothpaste Tube. The narrow passage led to a small dead-end room and required one to deflate the lungs in order to squeeze through. Our accomplished guide did this feat without a hiccup, but failed to take into account the weight he had gained since Christmas. His derriere had become stuck! Managing to eventually wiggle free, he made the return trip to join us. Watching this demonstration while wet and chilled in the 8° air, our zest for adventure waned and none of us were willing to try. Lower Main Cave is picturesque, with the river flowing out: a shorter cave that ends in sand. At one point, dedicated cavers removed a considerable amount of sand, hoping to find an opening into Main Cave, but to no avail. I have always meant to return and try the extreme expedition that includes a rappel down a seven-storey vertical pit, but have yet to do so. There are familyorientated and self-guided tours as well (not for children under five years old though). Anyone interested in spelunking at Horne Lake Caves can visit www.hornelake. com for more information.

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Exiting River Bend Cave, we descend the mountain and proceed to explore Main Cave. The river used to flow out of Main Cave, but now leaves Lower Main Cave. The air however, still exits here, and standing at the entrance I could feel the cool breeze leaving like the steady exhaled breath of some forgotten Giant. A muddied calcite bridge

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While in this smaller room, we turned out our lights. There is nowhere darker. At prompting from our guide, we first moved our hand up to and away from our face. Nothing. Pitch Black. Then we moved our hand back and forth in front of our face and remarkably we “saw� a black flickering. In reality there was nothing to see, but the brain refused to accept this and projected an image of flickering. A very weird and unsettling effect of utter darkness!

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SEPTEMBER 2009

39

Behind the Apron by Jennifer Bowles Over the past few months I have been writing the Island Dish column – but who am I to comment on food you may ask? Well, with a bit of time invested in food and restaurants; 23 years to be exact, I have worked in all aspects of “the industry” from club, pub, bartending and catering service through to owning my own excellently reviewed fine dining restaurant. Speak to anyone in my shoes and you will hear many similar horrifying and hilarious service stories. It’s a part of the business – and you have likely heard many of the same questions and wonderings about what really happens on the other side of the apron. I have fielded hundreds of questions, some so frequently they are begging to be answered – so here are my top 5! 1) I am not a fan of (insert ingredient here), at restaurants so I say I’m allergic to them, then I know I won’t get it with my meal. Sure this works – but you are costing everyone else in the restaurant. The kitchen will almost always accommodate your dislikes or allergies if you ask. They are here to make you happy! Be aware that the kitchen usually has to remove someone from the line to prepare the special request and everything will shift when the flow is altered. If you don’t like something just say so; allergies are taken very seriously in a kitchen and those who have them understand it could potentially mean a longer wait. 2) Why is there a problem when I ask to sit at a particular table? Sometimes an issue – sometimes not. The host or hostess has worked fastidiously to arrange and manage the seating plan for the meal service – accommodating reservations, special requests and ensuring no server is slammed. Sticking to the plan is key to maintaining the “flow” so all guests are served in a timely manner. Yes you can ask, but be understanding if there is some resistance – it’s for everyone’s benefit!

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Simple – a closed menu = ready to order; open menu = still thinking. If you want a little leisure time before ordering just let the server know when you are seated. This is one request that is very easy to accommodate. Keep the visual cues in mind (they are pretty universal) and everything should go at the pace you want. If you have limited time –

don’t hesitate to tell us. 4) Why is my food taking so long? This one can have a number of answers – worst case, an inept server or cook – most likely case is a busy restaurant. There are many steps between the order being placed and the food arriving at your table. If just one step is missed or mistimed everything can collapse down the line. If you are feeling your order has been lost in transit just ask your server immediately but politely. If there is an issue they should definitely tell you where the bottleneck is – and if it’s excessive you may be offered a complimentary drink to bide the time.

5) How much do I tip? This is the big one – the most asked question and the touchiest to answer. Tipping should be a reflection of how you felt about your dining experience. Unhappy? – you have the right to reflect that in the tip. If you loved the food and didn’t love the service – say so when tipping; the cooks get the tips too! If you couldn’t stand the food but the server bent over backwards to make the experience great anyway – tell them and tip them appropriately. If you really want a number then stick around 15-20 percent for a positive experience and 0-10 percent for a not-sopositive time, but never hesitate to say either way; happy guests mean repeat business!

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SEPTEMBER 2009

41

Deer on the Peninsula lounging on golf courses, chewing up fairways. They are not all that vigilant when crossing roadways and sometimes cause deervehicle collisions.

by Robert Alison Many people have a real fondness for deer. They are tame and trusting; the epitome of benign gentleness. Fawns are cute and cuddly and antlered bucks are magnificent animals. But, when deer occur in urban areas, they sometimes make themselves unpopular by munching on garden plants and ornamental trees and by

Tame habituation to humans is a recent development in deer behaviour, researchers confirm. Absence of natural predators in urban areas allows deer to thrive, and their numbers are soaring. They seem to know they are protected urban wildlife, and they rarely show much fear of humans. At first glance, most deer look pretty much the same. But, actually, we have two kinds of deer on the Saanich Peninsula. The black-tailed deer is easily distinguished by its large mule-like

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ears and black-tipped tail. Whitetailed deer have smaller ears and a white-tipped tail, which flashes like a flag when they run off. Blacktails occur mainly west of the Mississippi River, a western version of the whitetail, which predominates in the east. Nobody is quite certain how white-tailed deer came to be on Vancouver Island; they aren’t supposed to be here. Our local whitetails are one of many subspecies of the eastern whitetailed deer, whose range has been expanding recently. In some parts of our local area, both species occur together, mingling in mixed groups. Elsewhere, one or the other species occurs exclusively. Blacktails usually prefer higher elevations, especially open coniferous forests and shrubby places, while whitetails like forest edges and brushy sites. One curious thing about deer is that local herds have a stratified social structure. There are dominant and subordinate individuals, comprising a social-rank pyramid. Dominant mothers produce dominant offspring; dominant families are the royalty of each herd. One buck usually tops the local social structure; female fawns are at the bottom. Every animal in the group knows its social place. As in human societies, there is much jockeying for social position. Female deer, called does, are exemplary mothers, doting over their fawns and shepherding them watchfully. Fawns often remain with their mothers for over a year. Antlers are prominent features of male deer. They start to grow in summer, reach full size by September and shed in winter. Their size is partly determined by

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Opposite page: black-tailed deer. Above: white-tailed deer.

genes and partly by the nutritional quality of the diet while they are growing. Does select their partners on the basis of their antler size. Each antler branch is called a tyne; generally, an antler gains one tyne per year. Give credit to deer. They are extremely adaptable, capable of pioneering into new areas and thriving under a variety of conditions. They like living among us, and seeing them makes our lives somehow richer.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

43

Failed Communications – Part V by Joseph Fasciani Ten years ago, while reading Arnold Toynbee’s Civilization on Trial, Ian had come across a passage that seemed to presage what he now knew as his professional life. It also summed up what he had come to appreciate as the myriad of details that individually seemed insignificant, yet when compounded became the destiny of a nation. �The things that make good headlines attract our attention because they are on the surface of the stream of life, and they distract our attention from the slower, impalpable, imponderable movements that work below the surface and penetrate to the depths. But of course it is really these deeper, slower movements that, in the end, make history, and it is they that stand out huge in retrospect, when the sensational passing events have dwindled, in perspective, to their true proportions.�

now they trusted her much more than the U.S. Army advisors and military they encountered far more frequently than the few Canadian soldiers they’d met. She decided to tell the Dreamer clan leader that Canada also had a clan of Dreamers, but so small that they were really unknown to the rest of the country. And in fact this was the truth, for remote viewing was much the same as dreaming. One night after an especially good shared local dinner, as the tea was poured and the elders were settling in, Virginia made a proposal without clearing it with Ottawa. “We Canada Dreamers would like to share our visions with you, and your visions as well, so that we may better learn how to meet your needs and hopes for a better life,� she said.

Two weeks after he’d received Virginia Lee’s message about the Dreamers clan, Ian got another one, far more exciting in its implications than her first. She wrote that she had spent all of that time with the Dreamers, and

After a round of spirited discussion, the elders were soon in agreement that this could be a good thing, and stood to shake Virginia’s hand on it, a rare event indeed! Ian would synchronize his Canadian fellows and women to match the sleeping time in Afghanistan, and rapport would be established from what the Dreamers sent. Of course, they saw themselves as Dreamers, not Senders, but for Canada’s Twelve Apostles, it was the same thing. As the Dreamers never knew beforehand what subjects would arise during their night, it was agreed there would be neither a pre-selected theme nor an effort to define an issue or subject beforehand. It was to be a unique intercontinental somnambulistic mission, a roll of the psychic dice, and may the best, most beneficial vision win!

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This completely original development so aroused Ian that he felt a bubbling sensation rise in himself, so much so he felt he must share it with someone. But the only person he could trust not to be a security risk was Aileen, and to do so would mean that he’d have to explain the whole network of “Failed Communicationsâ€? that until now was Canada’s best kept leading edge, the Avro Arrow of communications and prescience. What to do, what to do‌perhaps the best tactic was to choke it down, sleep on it as he must, and wait until a related result was in, when he could share this with Aileen without compromise. In October’s issue – the conclusion of Failed Communications.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

45

THE LAST WO R D

Dreams Really do Come True! This month, my editor’s dream came true – we added eight pages to the magazine! I hope this is as exciting for our readers as it is for me: the magazine is growing faster than we could have hoped and because of that I am now able to give you even more interesting articles to read every month.

through fresh eyes in her article on page 31. We’re also lucky to have Frank Gee and Cathy Hanan join the Seaside Times as monthly columnists. Frank’s column, Get Out! (page 16 this month) aims to give everyone ideas for great unique day trips to take with your family.

In this issue, we’ve got five great new writers for you to enjoy. This is Emily Olsen’s first “writing assignment� in a while, and she did a wonderful job telling us about Green Village, a new Eco Shop in Sidney (page 12). Valerie Green joins us with a piece about different local citizens of note (page 24) throughout history, reminding us (as if we needed it) that this area produces some people of amazing talents! Valerie comes to the magazine from Peninsula News Review, and will hopefully share the “historical historical beat� (aka Footprints) with Carole Pearson.

Cathy Hanan’s column, Body & Soul (page 36 in this issue) will explore unique and interesting mind and body practitioners on the Peninsula every month. Cathy has worked as a travel writer in Australia as well as for Island Home and Style magazine. I’m always interested in hearing from our readers, whether it’s to give feedback, submit articles or photos or give us information on community events. me at editor@seasidetimes.ca if you Please email m have something for me; I’d love to see it!

Sometimes we need reminding what a beautiful place we live in, and Oddny K. Joelsson, a recent transplant to Brentwood Bay, lets us view the Peninsula

Editor-in-Chief

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SEPTEMBER 2009

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