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Letters Crisis for All writer responds Thanks to the readers who responded and commented on the article Crisis For All in the TAKE5/March 15 issue. First, I have no problem admitting that violence against men is a fact and violence against anyone is unacceptable. I am currently in the town of Bend, Oregon. They have banners on their main streets that say “Imagine life without violence�. Well done, I say to them. When I finished the article, a couple of people who critique my work, my editor was one, pointed out that I was omitting the area of violence that you refer to. I had thought about this aspect while I was writing and told them that I was focusing only on this part of the subject. There is violence against children, elders, gays, animals. Where do you stop? I am certainly not biased against all males and my article does not suggest this. I am sickened by a minority of men that beat women. All I am asking is that men that believe as I do take a public stand against this violence.
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Violence against anyone is wrong. We are a violent form of life and it seems to me that making things publicly unacceptable is a proven way of reducing this behaviour. - Rob Pinkerton
Homeless in Ladysmith Following are three points I would like to make regarding the Homeless in Ladysmith article which appeared in TAKE 5/March 15. It was in no way productive to slander Dave Alton. The Coroner’s Report listed Dave’s death as having been caused by exposure. No drugs or alcohol were found. I went to high school with Dave and was a friend of his, and he was not known to have used any street drugs during his high school years. - Barbara Bodaly Editors’ Note: It was not the intent of the article to cast anyone in a negative light, but instead point out the deadly consequences that arise from homelessness and the work currently being undertaken to prevent another tragedy. I personally recall Dave as a friendly polite man who always had a greeting when you met him on the street.
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So often the founders of communities are forgotten and it is with great pride and appreciation that we thank the Town of Ladysmith for erecting the clock in memory of our family. We hope more articles are written to remind people of past businessess and families that help to form our town. - Judith Hamilton Knight, daughter of Clarence, granddaughter of Jack Knight.
Neville Roper with daughters Marian and Iris on “bucket list flight” for 93 year old. Photo submitted
Heritage Downton
Bucket List Flight
In the TAKE 5/Feb 15 there was a picture of our family store, Knight’s Hardware in your salute to Heritage Downtown. We are pleased you included our family store in your photographs but the building was located from where the Knight clock currently sits to where the Royal Bank is today and not where it was shown. From 1904 till 1981 when a fire destroyed the building, our family served the community with pride and hope that some people still remember the contribution that the store gave to the community.
I would like to thank John Lamb (Search and Rescue pilot) who lives in Ladysmith. John agreed to take my father Neville Roper up for a flight for his 93rd birthday. Dad has been spending the winters in Nanaimo and Ladysmith house and pet sitting since the winter of 1996. My sister Iris and I were able to go along as well. We flew from Nanaimo Airport to Courtenay across to the Alberni Valley, loop-de-looped around the top of Mount Arrowsmith at 6500’ where we could see the ocean on both coasts, then
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back to Nanaimo, where he buzzed Iris’s house in Cinnabar Valley then down to the Ladysmith Harbour to set up for a perfect landing back in Cassidy. John really knew the terrain, and many interesting facts that he shared with us about Vancouver Island. A truly wonderful bucket-list outing for Dad, a WWII Air Force Veteran. - Marian Roper
Drivers licence hiccup So I went to get my driver’s license renewed the other day. Had my old one at the ready to present – I’m 77 I’ve done this before so I know what “they“ ask for. The young lady took my papers and then it began. “We’ll need your birth certificate!” “Oh.” say I. “I don’t have it,” and explained why. “Well,” says she, “your name is Mary Jane but it says Mary J on your license – it has to be your full name.” I’m thinking to myself…Who changed my Mary Jane to Mary J if not the licensing bureau previously when renewing my license? I’ve had one since I was able to have one. I have all kinds of ID, everything that is but my birth certificate. It had got misplaced when my husband had a stroke and we had to move. Our kids came and packed everything up – who knew what was where? My husband now lives at the Lodge on 4th for nearly two years. A visit to the RCMP, the Ladysmith Resources Centre and back to see the licensing bureau proved fruitless. Finally, my financial advisor offered to help. All this trouble caused by a missing letter of the alphabet and my name. Well a quick visit with my old guy in the Lodge, I tell him of my afternoon and he calms me down using logic like he has always done in the 51 years we have been together. Now heres’ the end of my tale. I come home and sit down to think of where my “needed” papers could be. In the past two years I have had a lot to deal with, papers here and there. I look in a very unlikely place and guess what I found? Yes, my original birth certificate of 77 years ago! I caress it gently and lay it out prepared to take it and get my drivers license tomorrow. Oh I hope they get that other letter on this one, the “essential one”. - Sally Adams
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Queen of the Rhubarb Pudding Best Rhubarb Pudding You’ll ever taste Is served up warm At the Crow & Gate They concoct this treat In the blush of spring With their own grown stalks And cake and cream “Oh hurry Spring” “Oh rhubarb grow!” My taste buds cry For pudd’ at the Crow - Ann Benson, (the old lady of Cedar) Letters to the editor are welcome but subject to space and editing. Multiple submissions will not be considered. Include name, address and phone for verification. Letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TAKE 5, advertisers or contributors. Email editor@take5.ca. or submit at www.take5.ca. Facebook. com/take5publications
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“Green” is key to economic prosperity Ladysmith’s well-deserved reputation for being green may well be our key to economic growth and prosperity. We enjoy – and brag about – being the first community in western Canada to introduce curbside organics collection in 2006. Since we introduced universal water metering in 2001, our water consumption has dropped by some 25 per cent despite population growth of 20 per cent. In 2008, we began to replace annual flowers with vegetables and herbs. The Town has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers three years in a row. We have electric vehicle charg-
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ing stations on First Avenue and at the Public Works Yard. A Sustainability Action Plan now supports our awardwinning, community-led Sustainability Vision. The Action Plan guides Council, staff and citizens by laying out specific sustainability actions, and just as importantly, it contains milestones and targets to measure our progress. As residents, we are justifiably proud of our green community and way of life. Many of us are resolved to be even more environmentally conscientious in our day-to-day lives. I drive an electric vehicle and continue to invest in green upgrades to my own home, improving energy efficiency, reducing water use and cutting down on waste. Friends and neighbours have pledged to reduce household garbage by 50 per cent, or to reduce electricity consumption. The return on our investments is two-fold, leading to lower household expenses as well as a healthier environment. A sustainable community isn’t just one that values and protects its environment. To be truly sustainable, we must be able to provide quality of life, jobs and economic opportunities to our residents and
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Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone charging his electric car. Photo: Rob Johnson
potential investors. We can enjoy positive economic growth and development because of, not in spite of, our commitment to living green and sustainably. Our very ‘green-ness’ as a community is a key marketing feature that we can, and will, use to attract new, green business owners who share our community values. The Town is laying the groundwork for this new approach in the meantime. Our new Zoning Bylaw and Development Permit Area Guidelines encourage and promote water and energy conservation, greenhouse gas reduction and local food production. When it is finished in 2016, our new Waste Water Treatment Plant will serve a population up to 18,000. Best of all, it will provide secondary treatment of our liquid waste (sewage), helping to restore the health of the Ladysmith Harbour to its natural condition. Ensuring the environmental health of the Harbour is critical for future development of the waterfront lands and will support sectors such as marine tourism and recreation, other marine industries, and the local shellfish industry. We will also be making major investments to protect and improve our water supply in the coming years. Green jobs fit with our sustainability goals while providing a real opportunity for long-term investment growth. We are on the doorstep of a time where ‘green’ can also mean ‘profit’ and this is indeed a fantastic opportunity for our future. Contact the Mayor astone@ladysmith. ca; 250.245.6403
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5 Visions in Celebration of Earth Day The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, activated millions from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with tens of thousands of partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. This year marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day it is our turn to make a difference.
BY GUY DAUNCEY Eleanor Roosevelt, the politician, diplomat and wife of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” It is by our dreams of a better future that we are inspired to make them happen. I am new to the region, having moved to the Yellow Point area last summer, so my thoughts are those of a newcomer, but my imagination is always at work, knowing the challenges we face. So when Marina invited me to write this column to celebrate Earth Day (April 22nd) I found myself imagining our region twenty years from now, and what it might take to make us worthy of Earth Day. Here are just a few of my many dreams: Long-Distance Trails. Imagine public long-distance trails for hiking and horses (not bikes), using voluntary easements through private lands as connections to public lands, as they do throughout Britain. A trail to connect Yellow Point to Cedar, passing beside Quennell Lake. A trail along the Nanaimo River, with a new pedestrian crossing in the Cedar
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area. A trail along the coast from Crofton to Ladysmith. A trail from Shell Beach through the Stz’uminus First Nation lands and Woodley Ecological Reserve to Yellow Point Park. Trails that are stewarded and protected by local people and First Nations together, which increase our love of the land and our understanding of Nature. Flourishing Farms. It is essential that the farms of our region flourish, both ecologically and financially. So let us dream that our farms will grow plentiful organic food for sale in stores, restaurants and Farmers’ Markets, and that by skillful planning, young farmers will be able to build their own houses on farmland where they can farm and raise their children. Twenty years ahead, I see the Crow and Gate and other local eateries serving the best vegetarian food alongside meat from humanely raised animals, washed down with locally brewed beer and locally grown wine. I see fruit trees on public boulevards, and many people growing food in their gardens, front and back. We’re going to need it, since California’s unprecedented drought is rapidly drying up the Central Valley—it’s just one impact of the climate crisis. Sustainable Fisheries. Our ocean used to be filled with salmon, herring, crabs, butterclams, horseclams, geoducks, prawns, mussels and oysters. In twenty years, I picture it restored to the way it was, managed sustainably in a shared agreement between the Stz’uminus First
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Educator and naturalist Jay Rastogi with group of students at Wildwood Ecoforest in Yellow Point. Photo submitted.
Nation and local fishers with the DFO looking on, all disputes having been resolved. We need to imagine Ladysmith Harbour cleared of contaminants using ecological means, and Holland Creek restored to the incredible salmon run it once was. And we need to pray for the return of the starfish after their sudden die-off last year—another possible victim of the climate crisis due to a virus, and the warmer and more acidic water weakening their immune systems.
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Flourishing Forests. Our area used to be an unbroken forest of cedar and fir, dotted with maples. The region is still half-forested, and I dream of an ecological forestry agreement that forest owners could sign. In return for managing the forest ecologically to harvest a sustainable yield, following the ecoforestry principles that Merv Wilkinson used at Wildwood, they would be offered the skills and advice to do so while harvesting good local timber for homes and buildings. Green Businesses. In twenty years, I see a sticker in the window of every business declaring its environmental status, thanks to the Vancouver Island Green Business Certification program that started in Victoria two years ago. I see local businesses becoming Benefit Corporations, their owners adopting a new legal framework by which they commit to create a benefit for the community or the environment, as well as to make a profit. www.vigbc.ca, www.bcorporation. net. After all, as the gal sang in South Pacific, “If you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?” Guy Dauncey is an author, organizer and eco-futurist who works to develop a positive vision of a sustainable future, and to translate that vision into action. He is founder of the BCSEA, the author of nine books, including The Climate Challenge: 101 Solutions to Global Warming, and an Honorary Member of the Planning Institute of British Columbia. His website is www.earthfuture.com
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Spring Trio of Plays Yellow Point Drama Group presents a Spring Trio of One-Act Plays, April 2 to 18 at Cedar Hall. Whet your appetite for comedy and lighthearted drama as Yellow Point Drama Group (YPDG) presents threeone-act plays over three weekends from April 2 to 18. In the opening act, three umpires bat conversation around at a spring training camp. Judgement Call, written by Frederick Stroppel, is directed by well-known local actor Barrie Baker and stars Mel Frost, Ron Dale, and Devon Cathers. Next up, in Duet for Bear and Dog, a treed bear and pampered dog banter while contending with three hapless humans. The award-winning 10-minute play by Sybil Rosen is the directorial debut of YPDG member Marni Hastings. The play stars Georgiana Duval, Michael Robinson, Kyle Hughes, and William Anderson and Jessie Smith. YPDG’s spring trio wraps up with Dapper Dan, written and directed by award-winning local playwright Brian March—inspired by a 1912 tune of the
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same name—and starring Erin Elderfield, Moira Fox, Maureen Molyneaux and Brian March. Chameleon-like Dan, a porter on the Pullman Railway line in the 1930s, charms and seduces three women he meets on the train. Battle lines are drawn as each character reveals a hidden agenda. Two musicians on board (Doug Sommers and Lee Selzler) recreate the romantic music of the era. Reserved seats are available in advance by calling 250-722-3003. Tickets are also available at the door at Cedar Hall, 2388 Cedar Road. Get set for more upcoming drama at Cedar Hall when the Yellow Point Drama Group hosts Theatre BC’s South Island Zone Festival 2015 from May 4 to 8. www.yellowpointdramagroup.org.
Gothic thriller opens Ladysmith Little Theatre presents Ravenscroft, a Gothic thriller and a dark comedy that is both funny and frightening. The handyman at the Ravenscroft estate was recently killed by a fall down the stairs of the main house, only months after Mr. Ravenscroft met his end in the same manner. Were they accidents-or murder? On a snowy night Inspector Ruffing of Scotland Yard comes to question the remaining members of the household. There are ghosts on the staircase, many skeletons in the closet, and more than the Inspector bargained for. Ravenscroft cast includes Chris Ostaffy, Elizabeth Herman, and Inge Cathers,
Yellow Point Drama Group members in Dapper Dan, one of three One Act Plays in their Spring Trio playing in April. Photo submitted.
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with domino motifs and sewn embellishments.” Check out bartonandleiergallery.com
Dances with Wolfgang
Grant Leier and Nixie Barton will be featuring their new work at the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery. Photo submitted.
under the direction of Gordon McInnis. Newcomers include Kelly Barnum, Sarah Thomson, and Sheriden Collyer-Valems. This production will be Ladysmith Little Theatre’s entry into the 2015 Theatre BC Annual Regional Theatre Festival - South Island Zone. The play runs April 23-May 10. Box Office 250924-0658. or online www.ladysmiththeatre.com
Grant Leier and Nixie Barton new art exhibit Grant Leier and Nixie Barton are iconic artists on Vancouver Island known not just for their art but for their support for the art community. In April 2015 Grant and Nixie were the recipients of the well-deserved “Excellence in Culture Award in Nanaimo”. After selling their gallery and home in Cedar/Yellowpoint and moving to Nanaimo, reinventing their downtown gallery, MIXTA, in Nanaimo, they are painting again with renewed vigor for a new show in April 2015. The exhibition and sale will be at the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, April 23-26, 2015. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase our new body of work at the Waterfront Gallery,” says Leier. “I am revisiting figurative work from 30 years ago but with a dark twist, you may even see yourself. Nixie is working in encaustic and mixed media on paper, investigating landscape based imagery
The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre and Ballet Victoria present Amadeus on Friday, April 10 at 7:30pm. Ballet Victoria marries Queen and Mozart in AMADEUS. Ballet Victoria Artistic Director and choreographer Paul Destrooper chooses the genius of Mozart and Mercury as his inspiration to do that and more as dancer’s legs become piano keys and a feather becomes a baton in AMADEUS on stage at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre. Mozart’s music will blend with selections from Freddy Mercury as Matthew Cluff dances the lead role of Amadeus and Andrea Bayne becomes his muse. Destrooper has chosen to blend the music of the two masters as he feels their lives, though lived centuries apart, had many parallels. Both were notoriously innovative, both were incredible showmen and both continued to work though at a time when they knew death was at hand. “This ballet is about raw passion, about lives with flair, it is dramatic but as always, has the light touches of humour Ballet Victoria is known for. TicketCentre: 250-7487529. Cowichanpac.ca
April busy for TheatreOne There’s lots going on with TheatreOne. Running from April 15 to 18 is Miss Caledonia at VIU ‘s Malaspina Theatre. Desperate to escape the stall-cleaning, hay-baling drudgery of rural life Caledonia, Peggy Ann Douglas has a plan. Following in the footsteps of starlets Debbie Reynolds and Lee Meriwether, she will become a movie star – and start her journey to the top by winning the local pageant. Can she sing, twirl and pivot her way into the judges’ hearts, or will shaky nerves and a “Puritanical Work Ethic” sabotage her efforts? Tickets are $15-$28, available in advance from the Port Theatre at porttheatre.com or 250-754-8550. On April 12-13, TheatreOne’s Fringe Flicks presents Timbuktu at the Avalon Cinema. Set during the early days of the 2012 fundamentalist takeover of northern Mali and inspired by real people and real events, the new film from Abderrahmane Sissako (Bamako) is a searing drama about the everyday woes and resistance of ordinary people in a city overrun by extremist foreign fighters. Tickets $12 from www.theatreone.org, by phone 250-754-7587 and at the door.
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April 1-4 1-4, 7:30pm, “Project Johnny Cash”, Chemainus Festival Theatre, 250-246-9820 1, 10am, Mass, St. Joseph’s Church, 9735 Elm St. Chemainus 250-246-3260 1, 5:30pm, Men’s or Ladies Night alternating Wednesdays check with Cottonwood Golf Course 250-245-5157 1, 7:30pm, Live Music call for details, Fox & Hounds 11 High St. 250-924-1747 2-4, 7pm, “Spring Trio” 3 one act plays, Yellowpoint Drama Group Cedar Community Hall 2388 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3003 2, 2pm, 9 & Dine enjoy 9 holes of golf and a delicious 3 course meal every Thursday Cottonwood Golf Course 250-245-5157 2, 6pm, Holy Thursday Mass, St. Joseph’s Church, 9735 Elm St. Chemainus 250-246-3260 2, 7pm, Maundy Thursday with Healing Pathways, Ladysmith First United 250-245-2183 2, 7pm, Maundy Thursday The Last Supper with Jesus, Foot Washing, the Stripping of the Altar and the Labyrinth, St. Johns Anglican Church 2, 7:30pm, Holy Thursday Mass, St. Mary’s Church, 1135 4th Ave. 250-245-3414 3-4, 2pm, Afternoon Tea in the farm kitchen, Hazelwood Herb Farm 250-245-8007
5, 7:30am, Sunrise Service at Blue Heron Park Followed by breakfast at St. Philip, St. Phillip Church, Cedar 1797 Cedar Rd. 5, 7:30am, Ecumenical Sunrise Service at Transfer Beach followed by breakfast, St. Johns Anglican Church 314 Buller St. 5, 8am, Cedar Swap Meet, Cedar Community Hall 5, 9am, Easter Sunday Mass, St. Mary’s Church, 1135 4th Ave. 250-245-3414
11, 8:30am, St. Joseph’s School Annual Garage Sale, 9735 Elm St. Chemainus 250-246-3191 11, 9am, Ladysmith Sportsmen’s Club Watershed Clean up, Bush Creek Hatchery 250-245-3690 11, 9am, Pancake breakfast, Chemainus Seniors Centre, 9824 Willow St. 250-246-2111 11, 10am, Rainwater Harvesting, Cedar Heritage Center, 1644 MacMillan Rd. 1-888-828-2069
5, 10am, Holy Eucharist of Easter and Dressing of the Flower Cross, St. Johns Anglican Church
11, 1pm, Wilf Hatch Drawings (Apr-May) @ Nanaimo Museum. Artist will be on site Nanaimomuseum.ca or 250-753-1821
5, 10:30am, Easter Sunday Service, Ladysmith First United, 250-245-2183
11, 8:30pm, Live Music call for details, Fox & Hounds 11 High St. 250-924-1747
5, 9am, Easter Sunday Mass, St. Joseph’s Church, 9735 Elm St. Chemainus 250-246-3260
11, 1pm, TheatreOne – “Snow White” final presentation in its Just Kidding series, Malaspina Theatre 250-754-7587
7-10, Spring Clean Up Week, Town of Ladysmith, 250-245-6445 7, 11:30am, The Nanaimo/Ladysmith Retired Teachers’ Association April luncheon, Cavallotti Hall 2060 E. Wellington Rd. 250-390-4222 7, 1pm, Chemainus Garden Club meeting, guest speaker - Terri Perrin of “Fine Art of Intention” Feng Shui, Calvary Baptist Church, 3319 River Rd. 250-246-1207 8, 9:30am, Chemainus Sketch Group. We are so much more! Join us, as we welcome our guest artist, Carolyn McDonald, Fuller Lake Arena
11, 1pm, Spring Trio 3 one act plays, Yellowpoint Drama Group Cedar Community Hall 2388 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3003
April 12-18 12-13, 7pm, TheatreOne’s Fringe Flicks presents “Timbuktu”, Avalon Cinema Tickets $12 from www.theatreone.org, 250-754-7587 and door. 12, The Great Shake-Out milkshake contest, Stelur Eatery, 341 1st Ave. 250-924-0024
8, 5:30pm, Men’s or Ladies Night alternating weeks Cottonwood Golf Course 250-245-5157
12, 10am, Edible Wild Plant Workshop, learn about what you can and cannot eat in the forest, Wildwood Forest, ecoforestry@gmail.com
8, 7:30pm, Live Music call for details, Fox & Hounds 11 High St. 250-924-1747
13, Spring Clean Up Week, Town of Ladysmith, 250-245-6445
3, 3pm, Good Friday Service, St. Joseph’s Church, 9735 Elm St. Chemainus 250-246-3260
9, 2pm, 9 & Dine enjoy 9 holes of golf and a delicious 3 course meal every Thursday Cottonwood Golf Course 250-245-5157
14, 6pm, Youth Film Camps April Dates, 1975, Haslam Road, Nanaimo 250-714-2555
4, 10:30am, Ladysmith Lions Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Transfer Beach kids up to 8 years old
10-11, 2015 Spring Home & Business Show Aggie Hall 1110 1st Ave. 250-245-2112
4, 7pm, Easter Vigil Mass, St. Mary’s Church, 1135 4th Ave. 250-245-3414
10-11, The Great Shake-Out milkshake contest, Stelur Eatery 341 1st Ave. 250-924-0024
4, 8:30pm, Live Music call for details, Fox & Hounds 11 High St. 250-924-1747
10, 7pm, “Spring Trio” 3 one act plays, Yellowpoint Drama Group Cedar Community Hall 2388 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3003
3, 10am, Good Friday Stations of the Cross, St. Phillip Church, Cedar 1797 Cedar Rd. 3, 10:30am, Good Friday Service, Ladysmith First United 250-245-2183
April 5-11 5-11, 7:30pm, “Project Johnny Cash”, Chemainus Festival Theatre, 250-246-9820
10, 7:30pm, “Amadeus”, a fusion of classical and contempory dance, Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, 2687 James St. 250-748-7529
5, 7am, Sunrise Service followed by pancake breakfast, Ladysmith First United Transfer Beach 250-245-2183
11, 8am, Eagles #2101 Rummage Sale, 921 French St. Coffee $ Muffins $1, no early birds 250-245-2247
14, 6:30pm, Reading and Signing Event by local author Joan Mettauer Dia Arctic Sky, Ladysmith Library 15-18, 7:30pm, Theatre One presents – “Miss Caledonia”, Malaspina Theatre at VIU 250-7458550 15, 9am, Blood pressure clinic, Chemainus Seniors Centre, 9824 Willow St. 250-246-2111 15, 5:30pm, Men’s or Ladies Night alternating weeks Cottonwood Golf Course, 250-245-5157 16, 1:30pm, Advanced Care Planning info session, Eagles Hall, 921 1st. Ave. 1-888-701-4242 16, 2pm, 9 & Dine enjoy 9 holes of golf and a delicious 3 course meal every Thursday
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Cottonwood Golf Course, 250-245-5157
21, 6pm, Youth Film Camps 250-714-2555
16, 6pm, 4th Anuual Spring fashion Show to benefit Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd.
21, 7pm, Annual General meeting Ladysmith & District Historical Society, Frank Jameson Sport Plex Program Room 250-245-0100
16, 7pm, Spring Edible Garden Series – Hardy Figs & Unusual Edible Permaculture Trees Devmurti Khalsa, Figs for Life, 314 Buller St. at 3rd Ave. tkts available at Salamander Books
22-25, 8pm, “Bus Stop” by William Inge playing at Bailey Studio, 2373 Rosstown Rd, nanaimotheatregroup.com
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26-30, 7:30pm, “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie, Chemainus Theatre, 250-246-9820 26, Spring Art Tour, various locations in Ladysmith, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 250-245-1252 26, 12pm, Barton Leier Show exhibition and sale at the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery 250-245-1252
16, 7:30pm, 3 Show Series – “Grim & Fisher”, Cowichan Theatre 250-748-7529
22, 5:30pm, Men’s or Ladies Night alternating weeks Cottonwood Golf Course 250-245-5157
26, 2pm, Chemainus Classical concert – “4 Strings, 88 Keys, 1 Reed”, St. Michael’s Church, 250-7488383
17-18, 7pm, “Spring Trio” 3 one act plays, Yellowpoint Drama Group Cedar Community Hall 2388 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3003
22, 7pm, Annual General meeting of North Cedar Improvement District, North Cedar Fire Hall, 2100 Yellow Point Rd. 250-722-3711
26, 2pm, “Bus Stop”by William Inge playing at Bailey Studio, 2373 Rosstown Rd, nanaimotheatregroup.com
17, 7pm, 28 storytellers, one Epic Weekend. Hear the “Odyssey” over 3 days, Cavalloti Hall, 2060 East Wellington Rd. www.aroundtowntellers.com
22, 7:30pm, Live Music, Fox & Hounds, 11 High St. 250-924-1747
28, 6pm, Youth Film Camps April Dates, 1975, Haslam Road, Nanaimo 250-714-2555
23-25, 12pm, Barton Leier Art Show, an exhibition and sale at the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery 250-245-1252
28, 6:30pm, Spring Edible Garden Series – Local Water & Food Security Laurie Gourlay, Van Island & Coast Conservation Society., Ladysmith Library tkts available at Salamander Books
17, 7pm, Wee Tipple Party a fundraiser for Crimson Coast Dance Society, Grand Hotel 4898 Rutherford Rd. tkts $ 75 250-716-3230 18, 9am, 28 storytellers, one Epic Weekend. Hear the “Odyssey” over 3 days, Cavalloti Hall, 2060 East Wellington Rd. www.aroundtowntellers.com 18, 11am, Bridge Tournament, Chemainus Seniors Centre, 9824 Willow St. 250- 245-5184 18, 11 am, FREE Symphony Community Day, Port Theatre. Musical Instrument Zoo, Meet the Composer, Symphony Rehearsal 250-754-8550 www.vancouverislandsymphony.com 18, 1pm, Spring Trio 3 one act plays, Yellowpoint Drama Group Cedar Community Hall 2388 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3003 18, 7:30 pm, “From Pierre with Love” with the Vancouver Island Symphony and guest artists, Port Theatre 250-754-8550. www.porttheatre.com 18, 8:30pm, Live Music call for details, Fox & Hounds 11 High St. 250-924-1747
April 19-25 19, 9am, 28 storytellers, one Epic Weekend. Hear the “Odyssey” told, Cavalloti Hall, 2060 East Wellington Rd. www.aroundtowntellers.com 19, 7pm, Festival of Lights AGM, 1163 4th Ave. 250-245-5888 20, 7pm, Ladysmith Council Meeting, City Hall
23-25, Ladysmith Little Theatre presnts “Ravenscroft” by Don Nigro, 250-924-0658 23, 2pm, 9 & Dine enjoy 9 holes of golf and a delicious 3 course meal every Thursday Cottonwood Golf Course 250-245-5157
28, 7:00pm, Ladysmith Camera Club - Forensic Photography with RCMP Constable Dave Giles Hardwick Hall 228 High Street, Ladysmith, www. LadysmithCameraClub.com
23, 5pm, Ready Set Learn, dinner, fun activities, St. Joseph’s Elementary School 9735 Elm St. 250-246-3191
29-30, 8pm, “Bus Stop”by William Inge playing at Bailey Studio, 2373 Rosstown Rd, nanaimotheatregroup.com
24-25, Spring Art Tour, various locations in Ladysmith, for more info visit Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 250-245-1252
29, 5:30pm, Men’s or Ladies Night alternating weeks check with Cottonwood Golf Course, 250245-5157
24-25, 7:30pm, “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie, Chemainus Theatre, 250-246-9820
29, 6pm, Cranberry Fire Protection District annual general meeting, South Wellington School 1536 Mortden Rd.
25, 9am, Nanaimo Gladious & Dahlia Society Tuber Sale, Country Club Mall, 250-722-2109 25, 5pm, St. George’s Pub Night dinner & dance, Chemainus Seniors Centre, 250-246-2111 25, 7:30pm, Harry Manx, mysticssippi blues man, Port Theatre 125 Front St. 250-754-8550 25, 8:30pm, Live Music call for details, Fox & Hounds 11 High St. 250-924-1747
30, 2pm, 9 & Dine enjoy 9 holes of golf and a delicious 3 course meal every Thursday Cottonwood Golf Course, 250-245-5157 (left to right) Wed. Men’s & Ladies Night Cottonwood Golf Course
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10, Amadeus, Cowichan Performing Arts Center
26-30, Ladysmith Little Theatre presents “Ravenscroft” by Don Nigro, 250-924-0658
25, Harry Manx, Port Theatre
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Chamber of Commerce Spring Home & Business Show, April 10-11. Discover new businesses, get expert advice and enter the many booth draws. For information call 250-245-2112.
Ladysmith Community Clean Up Join friends and family in the annual Community Clean Up event which begins with Earth Day April 22 and continues to April 25. Clean Up activities run from 9am-4:30 pm daily. This year the focus is on improving the pedestrian corridor between the town and waterfront. On April 20 the Scouts will tidy up Transfer Beach (as their fundraiser), then on April 22 volunteers will work between Transfer Beach Blvd. and the heritage rail artifacts on Oyster Bay Drive to clear brambles and debris from public pathways, open sight lines to the waterfront, remove graffiti from the locomotive and rail cars in Heritage Park, and generally restore community pride. Many local organizations are coming together to make this event a success. Ladysmith Rotary, Ladysmith Maritime Society, Ladysmith Historical Artifacts Committee, Ladysmith Fire Rescue, RCMP, Ladysmith Senior Secondary, Scouts of Ladysmith, and Ladysmith Arts Council are just a few. How can you get involved? Register today at facebook.com/LadysmithCommunityCleanUp
Dance for playground Grab your dancing shoes on May 2 for a fun night while helping the Ladysmith Kinsmen rebuild the Transfer Beach Playground. The Alf Carter Band featuring Special Horn Section with sisters Karen Lonsdale and Barbara Stewart will be playing at the Aggie Hall. A roast beef dinner, refreshments and surprises are included with your ticket. Pick one up at the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce or 49th Parallel Grocery Store.
Youth Volunteer...Past, Present and our Future The BCAHA Youth Volunteer Conference hosted by the Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary, takes place May 1-3 at the Eagles Hall, Ladysmith. Over the three days there will be a variety of seminars that participants can take part in. This is a province wide conference held every two years, to provide networking, communication, and possible future career choices in the Health Care field. For more information visit www.bchealthcareaux.org
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Ride across Canada
Victoria City police department photo, c. 1898: This woman was charged with being an “inmate in a house of ill-fame. Explore Ladysmith’s “red-lights” at LDHS AGM
Red lights in Ladysmith Aimee Greenaway of the Nanaimo Museum and Patrick Dunae of VIU will present an illustrated talk on ‘houses of ill-fame’ that flourished from the 1870s to the 1920s at the Ladysmith & District Historical Society’s Annual General Meeting, April 21 at 7 pm in the Frank Jameson Lower program room. Using police reports and other records from local archives, they’ll provide anecdotes and photographs of these places, along with sketches of people connected with them, including women who were successful entrepreneurs. Their talk links to a new exhibit at the Nanaimo Museum called “Red Lights and Roulette.” Interested in learning more history? Visit the Ladysmith Museum open Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 4pm in the month of April, with a return to regular hours in May.
Home & Business Show Mark your calendars for the Ladysmith
The Communities for Veterans Foundation (CVF)’s Ride Across Canada is kicking off. On April 13, veteran Paul Nichols of Quesnel and his wife Terry will leave Victoria on a cross-Canada horseback ride to raise awareness and funding to support veterans and to say thank you to the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country. Ladysmith is one of those communities, and the Fox and Hounds is hosting a fundraising Pie and Pint starting at 7:30pm. Once the ride gets going, Paul, Terry and their crew will spend roughly 200 days on the road, travelling from Victoria to Saint John’s, Nfld. Ladysmith’s Cathleen McMahon will be accompanying them. To learn more about the ride, www.communitiesforveterans.com, for information about events on Vancouver Island contact Cathleen McMahon at 250-668-3338 or email cvf-events@ mmgrp.ca.
Hike for Hospice Hike for Hospice is May 3. Last year the Hike raised $33,000 for Hospice care for 750 people across Cowichan to support programs such as bereavement support group, or therapeutic touch treatments. Once again Hike for Hospice will follow the trails at Providence Farm with a tasty BBQ and a surprise or two to follow plus incentive prizes for fund-raising efforts. Please register your team at events. cvhs@shaw.ca or call 1-888-701-4242. You can also visit www.cowichanvalleyhospice.org for pledge sheets and online fund-raising.
Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary Riding High Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary is riding high these days. They sponsored Josepha, a therapeutic horse, at Providence Farm’s Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association. They donated $2,600 towards care of the horse Josepha brings joy to people with special needs.
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Bishop Gary Gordon will attend Mass at St. Joseph’s School’s 50th Anniversary
St. Joseph’s Schools turns 50 St. Joseph’s School is marking its 50th Anniversary in a big way on Sunday, April 19. At 10 am, students, parents, parishioners, staff, alumni and friends of the school will gather in the gym for a special Mass of celebration with Bishop Gary Gordon. Mass will be followed by light refreshments and shared recollections of the school’s vibrant history. In September 1964, four teaching nuns and 118 students filed into four classrooms newly-constructed by volunteers. It was the beginning of an educational ministry that has influenced many individuals and families. The school’s facilities and programs have expanded over the years, thanks to the efforts of parents, teachers and local community members, and with the ongoing support of the Diocese of Victoria. The current population of 140 students is drawn from Nanaimo, Stu’minus, Cedar, Ladysmith, Halalt, Penelakut, Chemainus and Crofton. The school prides itself on helping students develop their academic, artistic, spiritual and athletic gifts in the context of a Christian environment. The universal right to human dignity and respect for self and others form the foundation of the school’s faith-based program. Principal Bern Muller extends a warm invitation to anyone who would like to attend the gathering on April 19. “It’s a time to reflect on and celebrate our journey as a school: where we’ve come from, and where we’re going together.”
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On the Garden Path:
Saving Seeds for Food Security BY CAROLYN HERRIOT It’s amazing to think that only 100 years ago almost everyone in the community was involved in some sort of agricultural activity or another. Small farms proliferated, market gardens and small holdings were everywhere. People raised livestock and grew seasonal fruits and vegetables because there weren’t any supermarkets stocking produce from all over the world. Vancouver Island used to produce 85 per cent of the food consumed on the island in fertile valleys from Cowichan to Port Alberni in a mild temperate climate that is perfect for year-round food production. Today we have a new work force - a generation of young people who desperately want to grow food and farm, because climate uncertainty makes it vital that we bring our food back home. Definition of food security: Making sure your neighbours are fed! Twenty-five years ago my concerns about the increasing takeover of small seed businesses by corporate interests, and the subsequent dropping of heritage varieties you could save seeds from, motivated me to become a seed saver. So I established ‘Seeds of Victoria’ and got busy with Seedy Saturdays all over the island. Last year however, I left my seed garden behind when we moved to Yellow Point. Once the dust had settled I discovered that we had moved buckets full of seeds that represent many years of selecting heritage varieties for high yields in our local Zone 8 climate. We’ll need plants that produce plentiful yields if we are going
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to feed ourselves in the future. But what makes them SO valuable is that you can save seeds from all of the ‘tried and true’ varieties, and if they volunteer they will come true to type, so there will be free food in abundance! That’s when I realized that there was another way of spreading valuable, open-pollinated seeds so that communities can be food self-sufficient in future - in the form of heritage food plants. Last fall I had the idea for the name and this spring I set about creating a flashy logo to promote it, and now I would like to introduce you to a new concept in growing food and a fun way to get food seeds back into our hands IncrEdibles! plants you can save seeds from for future food security. www.incredibles.vision APRIL GARDENING TIPS For plentiful greens seed or transplant lettuce, salad mixes, kale, chard, spinach, oriental greens, mustard greens, parsley and coriander. Choose open-pollinated varieties and allow some to go to seed for free food in abundance! To reduce shock, harden indoor seedlings off outdoors by day and indoors at night for a week before planting them in the garden. Organic Fertilizer 4 parts seed meal (non-gmo alfalfa, canola or soy) or fish meal (non fish farmed) 1 part dolomite lime 1 part rock phosphate 1 part kelp meal Add to soil mix in planters to boost food production in confined spaces. If soil fertility is questionable work into garden soil before seeding or transplanting. Prevent tomato seedlings from getting root bound by potting on once second set of true leaves appear. Keep birds away by hanging flashy tinfoil plates from stakes in susceptible areas. Slug control: Lay a plank of wood down and check underside
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weekly for egg masses and hidden slugs.Watch out for bean weevil damage that appear as notches on leaf edges. Dust plants with diatomaceous earth to prevent further damage. Little green caterpillars - leaf rollers, webworms, winter moth or codling moth larvae -- for severe infestations spray leaves with Bacillus thuringiensis Bt, available from garden centres.
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Trellis at Garden Path
Carolyn Herriot is author of ‘The Zero Mile Diet, A Year Round Guide to Growing Organic Food’ (Harbour Publishing) Grand Opening at The Fern & Feather on Sat. April 24, 10 am - 6 pm. Mention this article and get one FREE IncrEdibles!
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Green and Beautiful Based in Yellow Point, GNB Builders Inc., are award winning builders whose homes are not only physically stunning but practical. Each home incorporates green features that not only save precious resources such as water and energy Heidi and Greg Bianchini, GNB Builders. Photo Marina Sacht. House photos: Artez Photography
but add to the comfort of the owners. Celebrating 10 years in the Ladysmith area with previous years in Victoria, they are currently expanding their offices in Yellow Point. One of their recently completed homes in Yellow Point embodies some of the best features in mid-sized homes. “We walked around for the first weeks pinching ourselves,” write the owners. “The home is beautiful and included everything we wanted. GNB’s Greg and Heidi Bianchini make an exceptional team.” Besides the stunning views of Ladysmith harbour, and living in a forest setting after 30 years of life in a Vancouver suburb, the couple’s favorite features include the “scale and livability of the home. “We feel we right sized the home. It covers all our needs without the extra space we don’t require.” They particularly appreciated the “quality finishing, the drywall, casings, woodworking that was done impeccably. And the final look of our kitchen and mas-
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ter bathroom.� Greg is also pleased with the kitchen, calling it one of his favorites. The Platinum Built Green Home nestles on a five acre property set back from the bank overlooking Ladysmith harbour. It has huge curb appeal. Efforts were made to integrate the home into its natural setting. Benjamin Moore Turmeric and Butternut stain pick up the colors from the environment: grasses, Arbutus trees and natural stone. Care was taken placing the home, running power and water from the road to ensure the natural setting was preserved and
power lines were out of sight. Power and water run down the entire driveway to allow for lighting, a future gate and for watering gardens. The interior of the home shows a creative use of space, and architectural and finishing detail. Working with the client’s budget Greg and Heidi ensured all their needs were met within 2776 sq/ft; two offices, large master with view, open living area, and two guest rooms. Traditional finishes with crown moulding and arches provide elegance while blending with clean lines. The ocean view and nature setting is further enhanced.
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The house is very liveable with level entry and entertaining areas on main floor with an office off the front entry. A large covered deck provides for year round use and the extra-large garage means more space for hobbies and includes a small workshop. The upper floor contains bedrooms and a second office with views so stunning it may be hard to concentrate on anything else. GNB Builders is a certified Built Green Builder by Built Green Canada. Green features of the home are many, earning the house an Energy Efficiency rating of 84. Metal roof and leaf guards on gutters are installed for rainwater collection and three 1300 gallons tanks are placed under the back deck with access from side and out of view. The home is built “Solar Ready”. Energy use is minimal. Heat is collected from a low emission, efficient wood fireplace direct to air handler for distribution. All windows, doors and appliances are Energy Star. A Heat pump and HRV ensure indoor air quality and efficiency, low VOC paint, low formaldehyde products add to comfortable living. A permanent recycling center is a helpful feature that all homes would benefit by. “Our custom home completely surpassed any of our initial expectations,” says the owners. The following contractors participated in this month’s Home Challenge: GNB Builders 250-245-5717 Bedrock Redi-Mix 250-245-0240 Victoria Truss 1-800-561-1556 SB Windows 250-746-9570 United Carpet 250-758-4664 Cornerstone Tile 250-756-9996
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RDN “Area ‘A’ Complete a survey by April 7, 2015 and be entered to win a $100 gift certificate to a local restaurant of your choice. Input after still welcome and valuable. The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is asking, by way of completing a survey, for your help in updating the RDN’s Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP). Simply go to the RDN website: www.rdn.bc.ca and right click on the appropriate listing under Highlights/Recent Updates. The full web address is: http://www.rdn.bc.ca/cms. asp?wpID=224#survey. The survey is confidential and completing the answers to the 18 questions posed takes about five to 10 minutes to complete. The results of the survey will assist the RDN in: 1. Setting new targets and updating the current Solid Waste Management Plan. 2. Exploring ways to continue to divert materials from entering the landfill and to safely dispose of the waste that does not lend itself to recycling or composting. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE is the predominant theme. A review of the current SWMP conducted by a consultant in 2013/14 revealed that 69 per cent, by weight, of curbside collected material is diverted through various recycling and composting activities, 67 per cent - more than two-thirds – of the remaining waste headed to the landfill is composed of materials that can be recycled, composted or otherwise diverted. This suggests a huge opportunity exists to remove this material and thereby extend the life of the landfill. The remaining lifespan of the Cedar Landfill is estimated to be 2037. If the region were able to divert 80 per cent (versus current 69 per cent) of the curbside collection from the landfill then, based on current waste projections, the operating life would extend to about 2043. While this may seem like a partial good news story, the provincial govern-
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ment recently increased the stewardship of landfills from 50 years to 100 years following closure. Additionally, increasing regulatory requirements for siting, construction and operation of landfills suggests that identifying, proving and obtaining necessary approvals for potential alternative sites could take 10 or more years. All choices have challenges for local government. The current funding for landfill operations is based on tipping fees charged to users. As one diverts more and more waste from the landfill, the total monies derived from tipping fees is reduced. Once these funds fall below the fixed costs attached to the landfill, local government is faced with how to bridge the funding gap. The primary options appear to be to raise the tipping fees or to use tax dollars. While the first option appears to be the most obvious solution, there are pitfalls attached. Some regional districts on the Island have opted to send their waste to either Cache Creek in the B.C. Interior or to a landfill in Washington State. While the tipping fees at the Cedar Landfill are about $125 per tonne, the U.S.A.-based site is providing containers and transportation off the Island to the site at a cost of about $95 per tonne. This pricing is not only causing problems for Island-based communities that operate landfills. Metro Vancouver is faced with an even greater challenge as the pricing offered on the Lower Mainland is much lower as ferry fares are not applicable. In 2014, Metro Vancouver established a bylaw that was intended to control the flow of waste, that is, once the waste has entered the system it would remain within the system. The B.C. Ministry of the Environment (MOE) refused to provide assent to the bylaw. Whether or not there remain additional ways to manage the waste flow and meet the expectations of the MOE is one of many issues to be explored. Again, it is imperative that the RDN obtain input from all stakeholders. I urge
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you to take this opportunity to provide your thoughts. Comments or questions? alecmcpherson@shaw.ca
CVRD Area H Yellow Point/Cedar Watershed Management Plan: In TAKE 5/March 2015, I mentioned that the Cowichan Valley Regional District staff is working with a wide range of partners to develop a watershed management plan for the 41 km Yellow Point/ Cedar watershed. The staff was successful in receiving funding from Environment Canada for the important first step in this process. The watershed, which includes mainly residential and agricultural land and many rare ecosystems, is characterized by its mild, Mediterranean-like climate. It contains trees like Douglas fir, Garry oak and arbutus plus large numbers of species at risk. There are no significant lakes in the watershed; however, the topography is undulating and the location and importance of the key wetlands and permanent and ephemeral riparian areas is not clearly understood. With a lack of natural surface water storage, the area is more susceptible to periods of drought and flood. The effect of climate change in conjunction with population growth is expected to apply additional stress to critical ecology and supporting riparian ecosystems. The integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) will provide the community with important information to manage the watersheds valuable water and ecological resources and ensure that all future decisions are based on best available information to allow the community to flourish in the future. The first phase of the project will focus on building a high resolution base map for the watershed upon which all other information will be draped and preliminary strategic planning will take place. The first
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phase is currently underway and will result in high resolution 3 dimensional maps of water courses, ecosystems, land use and other important variables. Three key steps will be undertaken: build, refine and verify the GIS modeling based on field verification, provide a set of analytical and interpretive maps and work with the CVRD and Partners. Small teams of two will be field validating the maps in early March, 2015 to ensure that the mapping is as accurate as possible. Look for them and give them an encouraging hoot if you can. The second phase will involve a community watershed planning process led by CVRD staff and the Area H Director. I also stated that the Regional District is soliciting volunteers to participate in the first phase of the project which involves field verification of the GIS modeling maps currently being developed. Unfortunately, the contact number that I provided is incorrect; the correct number is (250746-0227). Thankfully, the email contact information provided in the article was correct. Again, you can
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contact Kai Rietzel by email (info@ cowichanlandtrust.ca). Islands Agricultural Show: The 2015 Island Agricultural Show, sponsored by Comox, was held February 12th and 13th. The show was a great success, with volunteers coming from not just Comox, but from the Cowichan and other South Island areas. And most importantly, the attendees were from all over the entire Island. While the weather was not ideal, it was warm enough outside to enable some livestock to be displayed. It is estimated that more than 450 children attended the show and along with their parents, enjoyed the animals. The exhibitors booths were sold out and the exhibitors were able to make contact with new customers and meet new members of the farming communities on Vancouver Island. The feedback we received from exhibitors, speakers and the attendees was generally positive. All those comments will be incorporated in the planning process for the 2016 show. Thank you
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to Comox for sponsoring the show, to the volunteers, exhibitors, and attendees who together made this show successful. The 2016 Islands Agricultural Show will be held on February 12th and 13th at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds. I look forward to seeing you there. I anticipate that the sessions will sell out fast, so please register early. BC Agricultural & Climate Change – Regional Adaption Strategies Update: The BC Agricultural & Food Climate Actions Initiative started a number of years ago. It began with workshops involving many local people, including about 40 participants. The goal of the works shops was to develop adaptation strategies for local producers. Because a number of participants came from North Oyster/Diamond, I want to give a brief update on the status of the project. Following the completion of the workshops, background research and workshop results were compiled into a set of draft strategies. Based on feedback from the Advisory Committee, these drafts
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were refined and finalized. Priorities, goals and action plans have been set and we have begun work on implementation and monitoring. Because space is limited, I will provide further information in a future submission.
CVRD Area G Saltair centre operation plan An ad hoc committee in Saltair is continuing to prepare for the operation of the old Mt Brenton School as an activity and social centre. The group is composed of John Silins, Debbie Neil, Tim Godau, Doug Orr, Grace Predy, Peter McCallum, Sean Jonas and Dave Key. There will be a survey sent out to the community listing the possible activities and social events that could be done at the centre. This will give the committee a better idea what the community wants and where to start. Meetings also will be held to further involve the community in the running of the centre. It will be called a brainstorming session or a planning charette. It is hoped that the Saltair Centre can be mostly self sustaining financially without too much involvement of operational tax dollars. From a capital point of view we have gained federal gas tax grants that can be used to improve the physical structure of the building like the furnaces and the roof without local tax money. Tim Godau and Doug Kay already have done some maintenance and Dave Key built some beautiful handrails for the entrance to the building. We hope that most of the activities will be led by volunteers with small donations of $1 or $2. If an outside instructor comes in they can charge more and return some of the money to the centre. Some of the rooms may be leased to community groups as well. And of course, the Inquiring Little Minds nursery school will continue to lease four or five rooms. There is a whole lot of planning to do yet before the official opening or moving forward with definite plans as a centre. The group has looked at several other models like the North Oyster Community Centre where volunteers run the centre which is the very old North Oyster School. They preserved heritage
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and got a centre as well. Then there is the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre where the CVRD operates the programs and maintains the buildings but they have a much bigger budget than we do. They bought the Elsie Miles School next door to the community centre and it is run as a daycare. Our group also visited the” The Hub” at Cowichan Station where they lease the building and property from the school board for $1.They did big renovations with local donations to run their centre. It was a huge undertaking raising about $600,000. The Saltair group has two more centres to visit for ideas, Honeymoon Bay Hall and Forbes Hall on Thetis Island. This committee wants to be fully informed before moving forward. Debbie Neil one of the group went to a workshop called Enterprising Non Profits in Duncan to get a better idea on setting up a non profit organization. The group went to “The Gathering” at Shawnigan Lake to see what community enthusiasm can be like and to hear what their community is doing to strengthen their trail system. Water committee We have formed a water committee to meet with the town of Ladysmith on our shared water supply at Stocking Lake. We hope to open the dialogue with our partner the Town of Ladysmith to ensure a safe and secure water supply from Stocking Lake and Creek for years to come. We share water licenses with the town. The members of the water committee are John Silins, Tami Edwards, Jim Whittaker, Lynne Smith, Greg Taylor and Diana MacTavish. Meetings Ahead The Saltair Ratepayers will have their Annual General Meeting on April 23rd. They will have their annual elections and talk about several topics. A few are the water upgrades, parks and the water committee. A second meeting will be sponsored by the CVRD with a target date of May 7th at the Saltair Centre depending on availability of speakers. The topics will be: 1. Burning bylaw for Saltair. 2. Transit service possibilities. 3. Kitchen waste program 4. Saltair Centre update and 5. Question Period. We hope to see you there with your questions and comments.
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Time Will Tell Let’s take a leap of faith, and say we’re going to live forever. Here on Earth that is. The Hereafter can wait while we make Earth our garden of heavenly delights. One has to dream. I like mine big and fathomable, so indulge me on this one. Somebody, somewhere found the gene splice and DNA key, and we’re all immortals. Just like that we got what we wanted. We’re here forever. So, what do we want to do with ourselves, and where to begin? Well we’re gonna party for awhile that’s for sure. I mean we’re not just here till the cows come home, we’re here till the end of time - an infinite number of years lie ahead, so long as we don’t fall off a cliff or something. Or have a car crash, get stabbed in a mugging, drown in the river, have a bolt of lightning smote us from above, or maybe a chicken little moment with a meteor ....well, y’know, there’s a lot of ways to go. But suddenly, going is a whole lot more costly, there’s a lot more living to lose by having an accident. So maybe we get a little more cautious, consider our livers before partying too much. Maybe not sign up for that green
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chain or that job cleaning out chemical tanks, or that tour of duty on the front lines so we can get our university tuition paid for? And what about having kids? I mean you’ve got all the time in the world. Do you really want to rush into having a baby when you’re in your mid-twenties? What if your son or daughter doesn’t move out, forever? For that matter, how are you going to relate to your beloved? Y’know, the one you married and promised to stay with through sickness and in health, till death do us part?
“You’re only here for a short visit. So don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.” - Walter Hagen That’s a long time, forever. I’m betting there’s going to be a whole lot less fighting if we stand to live with the consequences, forever. A fat lip can heal, but; lose a finger, break a leg, get a head injury, sever your spinal cord? There’s a lot of paybacks that we’re not going to be able to avoid in our personal lives, and then of course society’s going to have to adjust to a world where self interest has to be weighed against the common interest. I mean who wants to go to war if they’re risking being around for eternity? And who’ll be allowed to start a war that risks everyone’s immortality? How will we learn to live with one another, with all our foibles and eccentricities and just plain differences? We’ll have as much time as we want to dream, and pursue our hopes and wishes
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for a better life, but it might take awhile to figure out just what we want. What we all want. Quite likely the lust of power brokers, and money-love of the uberrich, will teater and totter for awhile before going the way of ego-driven delusions of grandeur. We’ll all be in the same boat, so let’s get comfortable. Our lives, worth so much now, will be infinitely more valuable. And to keep living we’ll need to consider a lot of things we tend not to give much thought to now. Like the 7 billion people we share the planet with, and the 1.5 planets it presently takes to provide the resources we use. Interesting times for sure. Human nature, somewhat stubborn at the best of times, even irascible when we don’t get our way, may need to accommodate a lot more of its nature side. Not go all jungly organic like, but y’know, have respect for the greenspace, agriculture, fresh water and all the wee creatures, great and small. Our friends and fellow beasties on Spaceship Earth may be more important to our common future than we’ve been willing to admit until now. Who knows maybe they’ll evolve and teach us a thing or two ...if we live forever that is. And let them live long and prosper. Just a crazy thought eh. But what if we decided to plan and act as if we were going to live forever. Maybe get a head start on sussing out those elusive questions of why we’re here, and what life really means? Maybe find that eternal flame that keeps us warm and cozy in a vast universe that stretches beyond our comprehension, yet kindles our heart and soul so we want to know what’s out there, and who we are, and what we can be? Maybe even realize we don’t need to be immortal to know what makes us humans more than the sum of ourselves? So fellow mortals, happy travels this Earth Day, every day!
Laurie Gourlay and Jackie Moad have worked all over the place, travelled some, and had the pleasure of fellow earthlings involved with environmental, social justice, women’s and community groups. Now, feet in the mud, eyes to the sky, they farm 20 acres organically, and seek local solutions to global challenges naturally!
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Easy Wild Edibles I love to grow food, but for reasons I can’t fully express, food that I gather in the wild pleases me and satisfies in a way that food grown in the garden just does not. What is it about wild food’s that is so captivating and satisfying? Perhaps, it is the surprise of coming upon plants or mushrooms when you least expect them or the anticipation of a special treat – akin to the anticipation of the find on an Easter egg hunt. This is only partly true because even known berry or nettle patches where I don’t expect surprises satisfy this part of my being. Because many know of my interest in wild foods, I am frequently asked about
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my favourites? My usual answer is there is so many it’s difficult to decide. It’s a little like playing favourites with kids or siblings. (Favourites may change daily.) Recently this question was asked perhaps one time too many and I replied without thinking – the ones at hand. In an instant I recognized in my quick retort I had in fact hit on a core truth. Like desert my favourite is the one in front of me! Similarly my favourite wild edibles are the ones most accessible. The one’s which are abundant, easy to find, pick and prepare. Sure I like ones which take effort to dig, clean, roast, grind and simmer, but the ones which frequent the dinner plate most frequently are the easy edibles. These include both wild and naturalized plants. For salads I really enjoy miners lettuce and chickweed. Both grow well in the cool temperatures of late winter and early spring. I start harvesting them in late February. Both are tender and sweet. If you like bitter greens (like arugula) in salads add some small tender leaves of dandelions or the peppery tasting leaves of peppercress. A few leaves of sheep sorrel add a lemony flavour. Sorrel leaves can also be used to flavour soups or make refreshing lemonade like drink. (Sorrel like spinach is high in oxalic acid so should be used in moderation or not at all if you have trouble with kidney stones. For most people it is not a problem and collecting enough of these small leaves for that to happen would require admirable patience.) For cooking greens, stinging nettle is Clockwise: Salad made of Miners Lettuce, Douglas Fir, Miners Lettuce, Yerba Buena. Photos courtesy of Jay Rastogi
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an early season favourite. Its distribution is widespread and it is easily accessible. Nettle can be cooked in a variety of ways. Steamed with a little bit of salt, oil and garlic is perhaps the easiest, but it can also be used with great effect in casseroles, soups (cream of nettle), or curries. I prefer it to spinach in these types of dishes because it does not go slimy. Later in the summer I switch to lambs quarter and amaranth greens. Both can be steamed and eaten as a vegetable. I also like to steam and blend both of these greens and add them to yoghurt (with salt and spices) for a refreshing green side dish to go with a hot curry. The steamed and blended greens can also be added to flour dough for unusual looking breads. Bigleaf maple blossoms are perhaps the easiest of any wild plant to collect. If the blossoms are low enough it is possible in just a few minutes to gather enough to feed a family. I’ve tried them in a variety of ways and have settled on using them in quiche. Fill a piecrust with blossoms. In a separate bowl mix eggs, spices, milk and cheese and pour over the blossoms. Bake at 350 F until done. Spring is not the best time for edible wild mushrooms species – with two exceptions. Morels are delicious and
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highly sought after. They grow on the ground and are usually associated with older fruit trees (this seems to be a mycorrhizal species), or associated with disturbance such as where soil has been disturbed or where fire has passed through the previous year. Oyster mushrooms grow on dead trees or logs – in our area usually on alder. When the conditions are good (moist and above freezing at nights) they can be prolific. They are also delicious and are also one of the easiest to grow at home. Fruit are perhaps the easiest of wild foods and blackberry – especially the exotic Himalayan variety is widely picked. In addition it is easy to find patches of salmonberry, thimbleberry, salal, blueberries and huckleberries. All are great fresh and can also be frozen or canned. Wild strawberries are a bit more difficult to find in abundance, but the flavour of even a few ripe ones will stay in your memory for a long time. For drinks there are a multitude of options. My favourite plants for herbal infusions are yerba buena, Douglas-fir needles, grand fir needles, blackberry leaves and licorice fern root. In addition to the joy of being in nature, collecting wild plants sustainably and with respect adds to ones knowledge of the landscape and helps demonstrate our reliance on nature. Whether we gather plants or not we are reliant on nature (the human economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of nature said some wise person). Foraging simply makes the connection more obvious. Jay Rastogi is a naturalist, hoticulturalist and educator living in Yellow Point. Reach him at ecoforestry@gmail.com
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go, “That’s one humdinger of a porta potty you got there.” Quite simply, the Island Corridor crew is backing the wrong train. Why use a real train to attract tourists, when a model train will suffice? Model trains are far more fun and way less hassle. Take derailments for example. A real train goes off the track and it’s national news. A model train suffers a derailment, it’s,
Model trains are the way to go My best ideas occur around 2:30 am, usually in the environs of a toilet. For whatever reason, my brain is exceptionally lucid at that hour and in that venue. (The smell maybe?) And unlike many people, I remember these nocturnal gems, just in case you’re wondering where this idea came from In my previous column I was a little hard on the “Save the Budd Car” crowd, the group that wants to lavish millions of dollars on the E&N railroad for a leisurely trip to Victoria, just in case anyone needs reminding why the automobile was invented. You might have got the idea from reading that last article that I don’t like trains. Nothing could be farther from the truth, I love trains. Trains are good. And yes they can, if properly employed, be used to attract perceptive American visitors, who, resplendent in matching sun visors and fanny packs, will stare up at the Bastion, scratch their bald spots, and
“Quite simply, the Island Corridor crew is backing the wrong train. Why use a real train to attract tourists, when a model train will suffice?” “Oops!” And you reach over and fix it. And cheaper. It’s way cheaper. A spectacular Lionel O gauge layout could be built for as little as half a million bucks, less if our steering committee doesn’t order the wine package at lunch. This is chump change for a railway magnate, a tune up for a Budd car. First we need a location. What better than the newly renovated train station. As to their existing tenant, Fibber McGees, they’ll have to go. We’ll strike at the crack of dawn, when restaurateurs are at their lowest ebb, and cart them off North of town where they can better be appreciated. If a few kegs of beer go missing in the process, don’t be sur-
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prised. We turn the place into a train store with an immense Lionel layout where tourists can buy trains —and this is the important part-- for a small fee, run the trains themselves. Dumb idea? Not really. My dentist paid good money to push a pile of dirt around with a D9 Cat; another friend dropped significant coin to drive a Ferrari on a track. Ten or twenty bucks to run trains is nothing. Plus there’s a celebrity aspect. When celebrities aren’t booking blueberry enemas, or naming their kid Sage Moonblood, they have hobbies. Frank Sinatra had a million dollar train collection, now owned by Jimmy Pattison. Rod Stewart’s layout measures 125 feet by 23 feet, and Neil Young actually owned part of the Lionel Company. He also helped them develop hand held controls and realistic train sounds, which are not only matched to the speed of the train but also include authentic communication between train and control tower. Example follows: TRAIN: This is outbound 561, call name Big Unit, still waiting on those donuts. Over. CONTROL TOWER; Er, donuts? But let’s back up a bit. This is a little embarrassing, but I’m 67 years old and still want a model train. I realize many men pass through the train stage before they reach my age, but they would be the guys who had a Lionel train as kids. I had a much cheaper brand X set, a car-
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toonish caricature made out of tin. Any more unrealistic and it could have been a burrito with windows painted on the side. Not much is known about the model train bug, but it is believed to be like the cold sore virus. It can go dormant for years then unexpectedly, just when you think you’ve finally reached adulthood, pop up. The first time this happened I was 25 and it was Christmas. I bought a small train set for my 5 and 7 yearold nieces, justifying the purchase by thinking, “This is exactly what they need at this stage of development.” You see, up until then, they thought that a train was Barbie’s cape. It was around that time they started to associate the word weird with uncle. The problem is space. Six Lionel cars and an engine run 8 to 10 feet. The only room long enough for that length of train would be the living room. How was I going to explain to the cat his new name would be Choo-choo, and he’d be losing his couch? Then there’s the money issue. Who wants a cheesy starter set? I want the finely detailed stuff, where diesel engines start at $500 and steam engines can go up to $2400, and that’s just for the engine. Factor in the cars, tracks, transformer, switches, and it gets expensive. And that’s before the marriage counselor and psychiatrist bills start rolling in. But if we had a clubhouse… This is why E&N supporters should scale back to O scale, Lionel size. If things work out there, we’ll get them a real size caboose to play with, see if you make a profit on that. In the mean time, rest assured that there are men out there standing in front of their toilets at 2:30 in the morning, lucid of mind, with seat in the up position, lending their support.
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If you’re still unconvinced, think of the publicity. I can see the headlines now: COMMUNITY SPENDS 500 GRAND ON TOYS. MAYOR UNDER INVESTIGATION. I mean, this side of Rob Ford, you just can’t buy this kind of publicity. Some will come to see the trains; others to see the nutballs who funded it. And speaking of trains, something you should order by the trainload is Pasqua Valpolicella Villa Borghetti. A regular $12 red, now on sale for $10, that drinks like $18. Available by the case only. Product number 131003. Delbert Horrocks is a co-proprietor at Mahle House Restaurant. Follow him at Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com
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Nettles up! BY KAHLEE KEANE Stinging Nettle - Urtrica spp Description: Deeply toothed, dark green leaves grow opposite on a four sided stem of this native perennial. Small green flowers hang in clusters from leaf axils. Stinging hairs are found on leaf and stem. Ethical Wildcrafting: Leaves are harvested before the flowers develop. To harvest cut the whole stem leaving two inches or so above soil line, being careful not to disturb the shallow root system. The roots are harvested in the fall of the second year. The seeds are harvested when ripe. Physiological Action: Alterative (enhances the process of nutrition; repairs bodily tissues and promotes healthy
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changes in the organism). Diuretic(stimulates urination specifically aiding the elimination of uric acid). Lymphagogue (stimulates activity of the lymph system). Nutritive(nourishes and sustains life). Tonic(nourishes and tones the tissues, specifically those of the urinary system). Rudolph Steiner, scientist and mystic, advocated biodynamic sprays made from nettle to increase vegetative growth, particularly in dry weather (it also makes an excellent aphid spray). Biodynamic gardening uses ‘companions planting’ of nettles to increase the volatile oils in such plants as valerian, mint, sage and rosemary. You will find the potency of many plants increases measurably when planted near nettles. Nettle leaf is high in organic iron, chlorophyll, potassium, calcium, magnesium, silicic, folic and panthothenic acids, vitamins A B(1 &2)C K. This highly nutritive content is helpful in correcting anaemia as well as leg and uterine cramping. Your red blood cells and liver are nourished by long term use of this herb and the vitamin K content prevents postpartum hemorrhage and bleeding In my experience nettle tea makes a great spring tonic. Gather a few spring leaves while wearing gloves and a longsleeved shirt, make an infusion for drinking, or steam the tender leaves as a potherb. Kahlee Keane, RootWoman is an eco-herbalist and educator living in Ladysmith. Visit www.thestandingpeople.com Pam Anderson. Photo courtesy of Carol Anderson ©Emma Dunlavey
Our “Lady” Pamela Anderson BY ROB JOHNSON Many of the residents of Ladysmith don’t know who Lady Smith was or how our town ended up being named after her. Even fewer know that a Ladysmith born and part time resident with land holdings here, has recently also been given the title of “Lady”. In October of 2014, Pamela Anderson, Ladysmith’s Centennial baby in 1967, and of Baywatch fame was recognized for her “activism in defence of animals and especially marine life in our oceans”. This honour was bestowed on her by the Imperial House of Montenegro. She received the title of “Grand Dame of Montenegro”. The term ‘Grand Dame” is the female equivalent to becoming a “Knight”, allowing the recipient to be called “Lady”. Unfortunately, most people are unaware of Pamela’s role and the recognition she has received for her environmental and social activism. Nor do they know that she has been active in working with PETA for most of her life and received the first “Linda McCartney Memorial Award” from Sir Paul McCartney for her work in animal rights protection. Pamela has worked tirelessly in a campaign against the “Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporation” for what she feels about their poor handling of some 750 million chickens a year. She presently has gotten the attention of Russian President Vladimir Putin which resulted in the stopping of the importation of seal products into Russia. This is a major win for her as Russia had been taking 90 per cent of the seal
product from the Canadian seal hunt. Pam has participated in many fund raising events to support many worthwhile causes. In 2013 Pamela was to run the New York Marathon as part of Sean Penn’s charity team where she and her bother raised $75,864.00 for Sean Penn’s Haitian Relief fund. She had never run a marathon and but she struggled and completed it despite the skeptics. One of those that doubted her ability to complete that marathon was Ellen DeGeneres, who afterwards had Pam back on her television show to congratulate her. Lady Pamela’s work covers a wide range of issues that affect our environment. She has travelled the world raising environmental issues by bringing her name and its fame to shine light on issues from protecting the biodiversity of the oceans off the coast of Vancouver Island to protesting the deforestation of the rainforest (the lungs of the Earth) world-wide. She has shown that she is more than a just figurehead, she has done her part hands on, including cleaning cages with the California Wildlife Centre where she often volunteers. Pam recently created the “Pamela Anderson Foundation”, in order to “support organizations and individuals that stand on the front lines in the protection of human, animal, and environmental rights”. As Pam says, it was created “for our planet and life within it”. If you want to know more about her Foundation you can check it out at www.pamelaandersonfoundation.org Once Pam’s building development on her property in Ladysmith is complete, it is hoped that she will include a home for herself. Our town is called Ladysmith after Lady Smith, but that we may also have a more modern resident with the title of “Lady” in our Town.
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& plumbing. We come to you. Call Ken 250-2100756
FOR SALE 2001 FORD TAURUS – mileage, 184,050, asking $2,980.00 please call 250-245-5440 if no reply please leave a message FOR RENT OFFICE SPACES Downtown Ladysmith, modern, reasonable rent or lease. 250-245-3395 5 BEDROOM 2000 sq. ft. apartment available March 15/15 above Friesen’s Rentals on Cedar Rd. call 250-722-2737 for details. HELP WANTED TAKE 5 PUBLICATIONS is looking for a community minded person who has good organization and communication skills and enjoys working with the local business community. This is a permanent part-time sales/office position possibly leading to full-time. Sales, office, bookkeeping, computer skills and experience helpful but not as important as enthusiasm. Please email your resume to editor@take5.ca or drop it off to the TAKE 5 office at 622 First Ave., Ladysmith from 9:30-4pm Monday to Friday before April 10. WANTED LOVE BAROQUE MUSIC? Play the harpsichord or keyboard? Join our trio (flute and bass). We provide the spinet. Call Laurie 250-245-9121
MID-ISLAND HOME SUPPORT since 2009. Personal assistance and house cleaning available. Bondable, licenced, certified and insured for your safety and ours. For the best rates around please call 250-924-2273 (CARE) BARNACLE BILL’S CHARTERS Fishing, prawning, crabbing and sightseeing. Call 250210-0787 or 250 245 4185 EDUCATION SENSE OF PLACE YOUTH PROJECT LTD at North Oyster (Lic#KRIS-9MPPYV) Full day kids camps, Before and After School nature programming, arts/crafts, hiking, building, music, games etc! Full or part time, drop-in spots, subsidy welcome www.senseofplaceyp.com patti@ senseofplaceyp.com or 250-667-1222 HEALTH & BEAUTY ISAGENIX DISTRIBUTOR - Get Lean & Healthy Fast - Less than $5/ meal. Our protein shakes are amazing! - No Gluten, Wheat, Barley or Trans Fat. www. taketimetoday.com Suzanne Deveau 250-245-8407 BOWEN TECHNIQUE is a gentle soft tissue remedial therapy that resets the body to heal itself. Useful for joint, back and neck pain, frozen shoulder, asthma, chronic fatigue and many other problems. For information and appointments call 250-245-7738. Lilja Hardy FMBAC in practice since 1994. www.bowtech.com TAI CHI - For mental and physical health. Beginner class starts September and February, Mondays, ongoing class Wednesdays. Both classes 10am-12 noon, Cedar Heritage Centre, 1644 McMillan Road. $20/mo. Sara 250-245-1466 or www.nanaimotaichi.org
BUSINESS NEED HELP WITH MARKETING? Call TAKE 5 for a free consultation. We can help you design a marketing plan within your budget. 250-245-7015 SPECIAL EVENTS PHOTOGRAPHY Don’t trust just anyone! We have years of experience from weddings, family portraits to glamour and corporate clients. Free photo book included of your images. Email for quote and portfolio. marinasacht@yahoo.ca or call 250-245-9165. FOR ALL YOUR SEWING NEEDS – bedding, window treatments, couch & chair covers, cushions, pillows, special accessories and décor, dressmaking and alterations – what ever comes to your mind, Elke 250-618-1172 or info@ egrstudios.com KEN’S MOBILE MARINE SERVICE, over 25 yrs licensed Marine Mechanic, repairing & maintaing diesel, inboard, outboard, stern drives, electrical
HOME & YARD PAINT & SAVE OPTION- Do it yourself, with a little help from a pro. Together we can make your job more affordable and accomplish a great look.
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Making the world a brighter place for over 25 years. Call Harvey for more information please. 250-245-2174 INTERIOR PAINTING - Refresh your walls... and your spirits! Careful, respectful work. Attention to detail. Help with colour choice. No job too small. Reasonable rates. Kari 250-245-2751 NEWLIFE YARDWORK and PAINTING – Lawn mowing, weeding,power washing, rubbish removal, gutter cleaning. Prompt, courteous, reliable service for your home or business. Contact Terry at 250-668-8383 or newlifeyardwork@gmail. com
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General, event, windows, we’ll even make your bed! Great for families, seniors, single parents, construction companies, office cleaning, flexible service schedule. Alicia 250-709-1364 NEED YOUR LAWN MOWED? Experienced local student, friendly & reliable with own vehicle, mower & weeder, very reasonable rates, satisfaction guaranteed call Ladysmith resident Connor 250-245-5518 THE HAPPY GARDENER. Weeding, digging, raking, cutting back, etc. I also do Window Washing and Odd Jobs. Cheerful and Conscientious. Call David at 250-618-9217
ISLAND KING RENOS LTD. - Kitchen-BathTile-Backsplash-Countertops-Flooring-DrywallPaint-Siding-Fences-Decks INTERIOR and EXTERIOR. Quote by JOB not by the HOUR. www.islandkingrenos.com 250-924-4924
SASSA’S HOME AND GARDEN CARE. No job too big or small. Affordable honest work. Duo team. Cleaning, Gardening Painting, and Gutter Cleaning. Outside and inside your home or business. 250-924-4735 or 250-218-4735
QUALITY RENOVATIONS Big or small. 25 yrs exp/journeyman, affordable. For free estimate call Lars. 250-616-1800
RAISED GARDEN BEDS, planters, railings, decks, benches, woodsheds, greenhouses. Enhance your enjoyment of the home and yard you love. Namaste Home Improvements, 250245-2751 (see display ad in Home & Garden section).
DARREL ESSAR RENOVATIONS Over 30 years experience, certified journeyman carpenter. No job is too small, from fences, decks, tile work, hardwood flooring, painting, drywall etc. For free estimate call Darrell 250-714-3823 AJ’S HOME CLEANING top to bottom service.
BOOK-PUBLISHING? Need help with your book project? From idea to the book shelf, call for a quote. Affordable and professional service. TAKE 5 Publications, 250-245-7015
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PETS KITTY KORNERS CAT HOTEL - Purrsonalized Quality Kitty Care. Daily health checks, experienced with special needs kitties. Reasonable rates. Available 24/7. 2 km north of Nanaimo Airport. Take a virtual tour www. kittykorners.com 250-740-KATS (5287) HOME BUDDIES - PET & HOUSE CARE since 1994. Licensed, Bonded, Insured. Professional, kind-hearted, experienced and reliable. Pet First Aid and CPR Certified. Certified Security Professional, Animal Care Aide certified, VIU. For loving care and security, Peggy Wildsmith- 250245-0151 PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SERVICE: leash ‘em & walk ‘em with Marlena. Insured and bonded. Animal First Aid and CPR. Service for all pets including dog walking, home care visits, overnight with pet in your home and much more. As my love is yours! 250-246-3394 TOO CRAZY BIRDY HOTEL , travel with peace of mind, parrot boarding in a home setting, birds and only birds, budgies to macaws, nightly rate $5,$10,$15, sml,md, lrg. Prebooking visits welcome. Diana and Kip Slater 250-722-2201 www.toocrazybirdyhotel.com PET PHOTOS from $50 onsite. 250-756-8892
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