A huge failure of your Reconciliation effort in Ladysmith
Open Letter to
Premier of British Columbia: David Eby
Minister of Lands and Forests: Bruce Ralston
Minister of Reconciliation: Murray Rankin
The three of you, David Eby, Bruce Ralston, Murray Rankin, and your underlings, have spectacularly failed in your flawed attempt at forcing Reconciliation onto the residents of Ladysmith. You have destroyed the Ladysmith Maritime Society without a single nod or caring.
You have taken their “not-for-profit” assets and absconded with their revenue stream. The assets are valued at nearly SIX MILLION dollars. The revenue was close to ONE MILLION dollars per year. Over the past 35 years, the assets were built through grants and local fund-raising. The marina was developed by resident volunteers with thousands of hours logged.
You evicted the Ladysmith Maritime Society on December 31st, 2023 and gave everything to the Coast Salish Development Corporation. The Town of Ladysmith Mayor and Council were complicit in this theft. Everything was done in camera with no transparency. Are you aware that the revenue split between the Development Corporation and the band is 80%/20%? Of this almost criminal arrangement, how much of the 20% that goes to the band benefits the members of the Stzu’minus band?
Over the past year, we, the residents of British Columbia garnered 3,000 signatures in a petition asking for the Provincial Government to step in to facilitate talks among the parties. Our NDP MLA, Doug Routley disappeared after telling us that he would deliver the petition to the Legislature. Fortunately,
BC United MLA Mike Bernier did so on our behalf. You have completely ignored it!
You have replaced our Community Marina with a poorly run “for-profit” entity that does not benefit the local Stzu’minus band. You have eliminated the community programs that the Society developed, including: the Heritage Marine Museum, Kids Pirates Days, Heritage Vessel Festival, and more. Furthermore, residents can no longer enter the marina without permission or being accompanied by a moorer.
The Ladysmith Maritime Society had to take the Province, the Town of Ladysmith and the Coast Salish Development Corporation to court to ask for an injunction forcing the abovementioned entities to honour the current operator's agreement, which was to end in 2029.
They spectacularly lost when the judge refused, saying that Reconciliation would be irreparably harmed. We disagree!!!! The band would not have been harmed at all as a cooperative agreement was desired. We could have had a chance to celebrate reconciliation through dialogue and planning. This is simply…not right!!
In the Reconciliation Agreement of March 2023, there is a statement that “local residents will be minimally impacted. You have failed on that front as well.
We, the citizens, are still here and are still very upset. You have failed spectacularly and instead have divided a community.
- David Grimsted
- Tim Richards
- Rob Pinkerton
Act of Reconciliation
I have lived on native reserves all across Canada as I worked as a Federal Indian Health Nurse.
I acknowledge the heartbreak and trauma as expressed by Robert Edmond Elliott, Stz’uminus First Nation Band member, in letters to editor@take5.ca, April 2024
I also acknowledge the heartbreak and trauma as expressed by Richard Wiefelspuett, Executive Director, Ladysmith Maritime Society, which operated as a federally registered charity, with his open letter of compensation demands to the Provincial Government in TAKE 5 July 2024 issue.
I acknowledge it is the act of reconciliation that has brought about this heartbreak and trauma equally to the native people of the Stz’uminus Reserve and the Canadians of the Town of Ladysmith, so I suggest this heartbreak and trauma should fi rst and foremost be elicited by the Federal Government, as in 1982 the Canadian Government embraced in its constitution a government by discussion, and then; the Provincial Government at present will sidestep all responsibility on that premise both from the Stz’uminus Native and the Ladysmith Maritime Society. The act of reconciliation should be practiced by the Stz’minus Nation, which can then set an example of how reconciliation can work for everyone.
- Vera M. Robinson
Letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. This is an open community forum. Please email: editor@take5.ca
A
CSDC audit makes sense for Ladysmith's indigenous and
non-indigenous communities
BY RUSS BARLING
Nine months ago, 120 members of the Stz’uminus First Nation (SFN) presented their Council with a petition demanding a full forensic audit of the Coast Salish Development Corp (CSDC), the company entrusted with delivering the fiscal promises of reconciliation. Their demand was rejected because audits were ‘expensive’ and because ‘housing’ issues took priority for the Band; since then, the issue has gone silent. This should be a worry to everyone living on unceded Stz’uminus land, whether indigenous or not.
For Stz’uminus members, the reasons for concern are obvious. They want to know where the money is going. In his September petition, Stz’uminus member Adam Seymour cited “concerns about … certain fi nancial transactions, expenditures and practices” for the audit demand.
One area of business that could use a little sunlight is the distribution of last year’s earnings from the New Holland Creek (NHC) Development, which is split between the CSDC and a partner. According to a recent accounting, the development returned $11m in profit to the CSDC last year, 20% ($2.75m) of which it is obligated to return to the Band.
According to the SFN’s official website (stzuminus.com), its consolidated financial statements are usually published on March 31 every year for the previous calendar year; there is no entry for 2023. So, it’s unclear whether or where last year’s NHC earnings were re-invested.
— OPINION —
What is clear is those funds have yet to be earmarked for better housing on the east side of the TransCanada Hwy, where most of the members of the SFN live.
I was invited onto the Res recently and saw no new housing starts. Anywhere. Given that some of the CSDC’s Board have been in place since 2009, that’s a poor track record for creating housing. Frankly, if the present living conditions on the Res existed in the Town of Ladysmith, we’d all be outraged.
Another bone of contention Mr. Seymour stated in his petition is the structure of the CSDC, which is only obligated to return 20% of profits to the SFN. Given that the CSDC was created to deliver the fiscal promise of reconciliation, that seems low. So, he’s right to question whether its present structure is the most effective way to do that.
Other events that illustrate the CSDC’s corporate unorthodoxy include: the fact that it hasn’t held an Annual General Meeting for shareholders (ie., the SFN) in more than a year; executive salaries and benefits are not published; and Board members who left the CSDC since its inception were never replaced.
So, why should the non-indigenous members of our community care about internal Res politics? Quite simply, because the CSDC’s in fluence extends far beyond the Res, they will be our primary partners in the myriads of projects slated for the waterfront (and elsewhere) as part of the Town’s Official Community Plan.
Investment bankers suggest an audit of the CSDC would cost $50K-$150k, depending on complexity. That appears to be a lot of money until you compare it to the $10s of millions in job contracts
that are coming its way.
As the CSDC is responsible for the success or failure of so many of our community plans, shouldn’t we know more about how it is governed? Who benefits most from its business ventures? Does the Town even know?
It was great to see at least 1,500 people attend Indigenous People’s Day at Transfer Beach on June 21. Those numbers have certainly been swelled by the spirit of national reconciliation, but let’s not confuse those events with the tangible by-products of reconciliation. It’s more than just a party.
Real reconciliation requires us to support our Stz’uminus neighbours as they rebuild their ability to self-determine their future and ensure they have the right tools to rebuild their community. And because our futures are now intimately entwined, we must back their request for a forensic audit of the CSDC. What harm would that do?
I will write Ladysmith Council to demand they support the SFN request (including fi nancially, if necessary) for a full audit of the CSDC, according to the terms set out in Mr. Seymour’s petition, and for those results to be published. You should do the same.
It would show a real commitment to reconciliation. Importantly, if everyone who attended Indigenous People’s Day in Ladysmith did the same, it would help ensure the healthy growth of our communities. Together.
Sea Life Celebration returns
Things will get gooey at the Sea Life Celebration, on August 18, says Richard Wiefelspuett, executive director of the Ladysmith Maritime Society (LMS).
Along with sea creatures in touch tanks, you may see a Paci fic geoduck at the event.
“It’s going to be reminiscent of past Sea Life Celebrations,” says Wiefelspuett, calling it “our most iconic festival, that most represents what Ladysmith Maritime Society stands for.”
The Sea Life Celebration introduces families to the wonders of sea life in and around Ladysmith Harbour and Vancouver Island. Created in 2017 under Shirley Blackstaff ’s leadership and with the support of the LMS Board of Directors, the annual event introduces young people to the magic and wonder of the sea life in local waters.
Join the LMS for a day at the Beach from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and learn about and interact with sea life in touch tanks. Marine biologists will be able to answer your questions. This event also provides music, art, games, and stories designed to appeal to children of any age. New for this year is a scavenger hunt on the
beach.
“We have some professional face painters coming, so it’s going to be similar to past events, but it’s not going to be held on the docks,” said Wiefelspuett. Instead, the Sea Life Celebration has been moved to the Sportsmen Shelter at Transfer Beach Park following the loss of LMS’s community marina last year.
The society hopes to offer harbour tours during the event and is working out the logistics of that.
The 156th Cowichan Exhibition Provides Fun for the Whole Family
The Cowichan Exhibition, happening September 13th-15th, is celebrating its 156th year! This year promises to be as exciting and engaging as ever. Inspired by the children’s book “One Smart Sheep”, the theme suggests loyalty, friendship, and lively colours, which will be evident as you walk through the Hall Exhibits and take in the décor!
The mainstage will feature an exciting lineup of musical performances including Thick as Thieves (formerly Row of Crowz) and the Gordon Lightfoot Experience on Friday night. Saturday night features the Porter Brothers, Maxwell Smart, and Eagle Eyes. The stage will also be home to talented local dance groups from Carlson’s School of Dance, Kathy White Dancers, and the Celtic Rhythm Dancers.
Of course the real starts of the fair are the animals!
You can look forward to equestrian performances and marvel at the various 4-H projects and animals on display, as well as Poultry in Motion.
There's a host of activities planned so visit the website for more information at www.cowex.ca, or follow on Facebook and Instagram for the most updated news and announcements.
Summer Shop Campaign
The Ladysmith Downtown Business Association is returning the Summer Shop Campaign, where people can enter to win one of five $200 shopping sprees with LDBA Bucks. This will launch the weekend before Ladysmith Days and will fi nish in August. The Beer Fest Fundraiser returns! The beloved Beer Fest Fundraiser returns and takes place on September 21st at the High Street
Ball Park. Early Bird tickets will go on sale the week after Ladysmith Days. A link will be sent to the members before they go on sale! The LDBA works together with the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Ladysmith to enhance and develop Ladysmith’s business community.
Community Gaming Grants support local sports
Almost $20,000 in funding for four organizations in Ladysmith and Chemainus was distributed as part of the $25 million in Community Gaming Grants that will be shared among 736 organizations that deliver sports programs or services across BC that will improve the quality of life in their communities. The Community Gaming Grants Program distributes up to $140 million worth of grants annually to not-for-profit organizations across British Columbia. These grants help approximately 5,000 organizations to deliver ongoing programs and services in their communities.
BC NDP MLA Doug Routley says grants for local not-for-profits will support sports organizations so that people can stay active and healthy in Ladysmith and Chemainus. “Not-for-profits like the Cowichan Valley Minor Hockey Association and the Ladysmith Baseball Association are amazing resources for our community,” says Routley.
“These organizations provide awesome programs that encourage health, teamwork, and community spirit, and Community Gaming Grants help make sure they can keep bringing our communities together through sport.”
Other recipients include Fuller Lake skating Club, $7,500 and LadysmithChemainus Swim Club Society.
Stage 4 Outdoor Sprinkling Ban Implemented
Effective immediately until further notice, all Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Water Service Areas are under Stage 4 watering restrictions. On July 18, the provincial government elevated eastern Vancouver Island to Provincial Drought Level 4 due to low river and stream flow levels and below-average groundwater levels in some regional aquifers. The continued warmer and drier-than-seasonal conditions forecasted by Environment and Climate Change
Children enjoying touch tanks at past Sea Life Celebration. Photo: Bob Burgess
Canada will likely further impact water levels throughout the rest of the summer. As a result of these conditions, the Province is asking local water providers to implement increasingly stricter watering restrictions.
Stage 4 restrictions help ensure the community’s essential water needs for drinking water, hygiene and fi re protection are met; water flows for fish and aquatic habitats are maintained, and targeted water use reduction is achieved.
This means no lawn sprinkling of any kind, including for newly seeded and sodded lawns. No washing of driveways, side-walks, parking lots and exterior building surfaces. No filling of swimming pools, hot tubs and garden pond water features.
Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from all watering restrictions, even in Stage 4. Drip irrigation is permitted between 7 a.m. and 10 am or 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Hand watering of gardens is permitted but must be done using a hand-held container or a hose equipped with a shutoff device.
Ladysmith Maritime Society is seeking public input at an Open House and through a survey.
The society is hosting an Open Meeting on August 14, 2024 at the Aggie Hall, for members, volunteers and everyone in the local area affected, to discuss the impact of the loss of the Community Marina on local businesses and the community as a whole. The meeting goes from 6 - 8.30 at the Aggie Hall.
LMS is also conducting a survey to gather data, to plan future action. You can partake at https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/LadysmithMarinaSurvey
The Province and the Town of Ladysmith abruptly cancelled the society’s community marina's lease as part of a reconciliation agreement and turned it over to new management, without compensation to LMS. The society typically had over 3000 boater visitations at their marina in a season.
Rugby stars. Congratulations to Layla Walker (front, 2nd left), and Zoe Mycroft (front, 2nd right). The two Ladysmith girls played in the BC Summer Games U17s sevens rugby tournament for the Vancouver Island-Central Coastal (Zone 6) team. They won silver, winning 5 out of 6 games all weekend.
Photo courtesy of Paul Mycroft
Domestic violence survivors needed for study
Are you a domestic violence survivor? VIU researcher and neuroscientist Dr. Sandy Shultz is part of a project that aims to improve the diagnosis of brain injury in survivors of intimate partner violence. He’s looking for people to be part of this research. Research shows that many domestic violence survivors, many of whom are women, also have brain injuries. The long-term health impacts, if this condition remains undiagnosed are signi ficant. “We know from studies in former athletes and soldiers that previous brain injuries are a risk factor for the later development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We also know that many intimate partner violence victim-survivors experience brain injuries due to the physical attacks,” said Shultz. “But how these injuries relate to the long-term brain health in intimate partner violence survivors has not been rigorously studied.” This important project involves many collaborators, including Island Health and Nanaimo Brain Injury Society on Vancouver Island, and the University of BC, Fraser Health and Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury.
Fire Ban in Effect
All open burning is banned throughout the Coastal Fire Centre, which includes the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN). The ban applies to open fi res of any size, campfi res, fi reworks, sky lanterns, tiki torches, burn barrels and cages, binary exploding targets, and chimineas (outdoor stoves that use wood as a fuel source). These bans apply to all public and private land and are in place until October 31, 2024, or until BC Wild fi re Service rescinds the order.
To help residents access fi re servicesrelated information, the RDN has a Fire Protection and Open Burning Regulations interactive map. The online tool shows residents which fi re department provides fi re protection services in their area and also provides useful links to burning bylaws, venting index information and the Province’s website for the most up-to-date information on fi re bans and restrictions. To access the fi re services map and other interactive RDN maps visit rdn.bc.ca/gis-mapping.
Cool Down Station in Ladysmith
Feeling the heat? Beat it at the Frank Jameson Community Centre (FJCC) all summer long! The FJCC is open on weekdays from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Complete with a pool, fitness centre and plenty of seating space, it's the perfect place to come and cool down.
Gazebo Lion Memorial
In 1967, the Ladysmith Lions Club was allowed to work with the City and Province to create local affordable housing for Senior Citizens.
A separate non-profit Society was established, the Ladysmith Senior Citizens’ Housing Society, and has been operated with Lions serving on the Board ever since, providing 41 Units to local Seniors.
This would not have been possible without the commitment of Lion Ted Walker and his wife, Gail Walker, who stewarded the Society and its operations for over a decade. With Lion Ted's passing earlier this year, the Lions wished to create a permanent tribute to Gail and Ted. On the grounds of the property at Lions Way, a gazebo has been erected to acknowledge their signi ficant contribution.
President Lion Lia Versaevel invites all community members to thank Ted and Gail for their years of service. Donations are gratefully accepted as they contemplate building more affordable units. Tax receipts will be issued on request.
Ladysmith Senior Citizens’ Housing Society AGM is on August 8, 2024, at 3 p.m. at In the Bean Time. For more information, call 250-606-1515.
Ladysmith Lions member Ted Walker. Photo submitted
The Call of the Open Road – Recreational Vehicles
BY NADINE WONG
“I must say it has created a stir in the neighborhood,” says Bonnie St Julien, the proud owner of a “new-to-her” 25-foot 2020 Leisure Wonder Travel Van. When deciding on her travel plans, Bonnie visited a local RV dealership to explore different units. This helped her understand the size, options, and features that might suit her needs.
Bonnie is interested in touring and exploring various locations, making navigation and parking in towns and cities important. This ruled out lengthy Class A units. She also didn't want to put away a bed every day, which is common with Class B vans, leading her to consider smaller Class C units. Since she’ll be traveling alone with her dog, without a spotter, and isn’t skilled at vehicle repairs, she focused on a newer midsize RV.
To ensure she was comfortable with a smaller Class C unit, Bonnie rented a 25-foot RV for 8 days. This experience helped her learn basic operations, navigate small cities, mountains, ferries, and more. She and her dog enjoyed traveling, camping in parks with and without services, and plugging in at friends’ homes. However, she didn’t like the gas consumption through the coastal mountains. Cost of the recreational vehicle was another factor.
Bonnie settled on a few key factors for her purchase: a lightly used unit with low kilometers, a recent model with solid ser-
vice records, passed inspection by a quali fied RV technician, and a diesel engine for lower running costs, despite higher servicing expenses. She opted for the Ford Transit chassis over the Mercedes Sprinter due to the increased unit cost and servicing.
The model she chose suits two travelers, has twin beds that can convert to a queen, offers moderate storage, and can haul an e-bike in the exterior storage garage. It includes a few bells and whistles and thinking about hitting the road with her dog lights her up inside. That’s how she knew it was the right RV for her.
After speaking with Bonnie, I realized that choosing an RV is a big proposition.
So off we go to talk to Craig Little, who founded Arbutus RV in 1988 with a single location in Mill Bay. The business has since expanded to six sales and service locations and an additional service center in Ladysmith. Craig shared that Arbutus RV has become the largest RV dealership in BC and possibly Western Canada, attributing their success to offering a full range of services across Vancouver Island, making it convenient for local customers.
Craig noted a signi ficant evolution in the RV community, with a boom during COVID-19 as people sought outdoor travel options. Travel trailers became popular, and there was a rise in the camper market and full-time RV living due to affordability and the island’s climate. The trend of working from home also spurred the "van life" movement, allowing people to be mobile while working. Tiny homes have gained interest, though local regulations can be challenging.
The average age of RV buyers has dropped to around 42, as
Bonnie St Julien. Photo: Nadine Wong
younger families recognize the benefits of RVing for family vacations and bonding. Arbutus RV’s customers range from retirees to young families, making the business ful filling as they share the excitement of families preparing for quality time.
Choosing the right recreational vehicle (RV) depends on travel preferences, budget, lifestyle, and trip type.
Travel Preferences:
• Weekend Getaways: A teardrop trailer is ideal for short trips, especially for solo travelers or couples. These small,
lightweight trailers are easy to tow.
• Extended Vacations or Road Trips: A travel trailer or fifth wheel suits longer trips. They offer amenities like kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas, making them great for families. Note that a fifth wheel requires a truck with a special hitch.
• Full-Time or Long-Term Living: A Class A motorhome is perfect for fulltime living or extended trips, offering all the comforts of home. Alternatively, a Class C RV provides a balance of space and maneuverability.
Physical Condition: Consider ease of access, bed setup, and the ability to lift heavy items.
Budget: Pop-up campers and used RVs are affordable options. Pop-up campers expand to allow more living space and can be towed by most vehicles. Used RVs can save money but should be thoroughly inspected. Consider your current vehicle's towing capacity; smaller SUVs and cars can tow lightweight options like teardrop trailers, while larger trucks are needed for fifth wheels and heavier travel trailers.
Additional Considerations: Think about outdoor space for a canopy and storage for a portable barbeque, bicycles, water toys, and furniture. Also, consider where you will store your RV when it’s not in use.
Try Before You Buy: Renting different RV types is a good idea to experience various models fi rsthand. RV enthusiasts often share insights into their experiences with different RV sizes and models.
I’m ready to take on the challenge and fi nd the right RV for me and ‘hit the road’. Want to join me? Happy Travels!
(left) Craig and Rose Little with grandchild a few years ago while camping. (right) One of Craig's favorite spots to RV is Lake Cowichan. Photos submitted.
"Her Pink Dress" soars
BY MARINA SACHT
Just a month after Stz’uminus musician Nate Harris released Her Pink Dress in May, it hit over 30,000 streams on Spotify alone. It joins the songs Precious You and From One Heart to Another.
If you have enjoyed listening to his music, you may be surprised to learn the soulful, heartfelt quality you’d expect to fi nd in an older worldly man, is that of a 33-year-old.
Harris writes all his lyrics and music. “It’s just good oldfashioned me, an acoustic guitar, and nothing else. I've got no backtracks added to my live performances to try to spice it up. It’s very original, and people like that,” he explains.
He prides himself on writing lyrics that people can relate to. Just this summer, Precious You will be playing at nine weddings. “It's a love song people relate to so I love that."
So, where does his inspiration come from?
“My dad raised me as a single parent, and so whenever we'd cruise in the car, he'd be blasting music.” Tragically Hip was
a favourite of both of theirs. Gord Downie’s meaningful lyrics inspired Harris. “You could send a positive message out there.”
Other artists that in fluenced him include the Lumineers, Lord Huron and Shaky Graves, and classics like Metallica, Everly Brothers, and Johnny Cash. “Those are the true artists that have touched my soul,” he says.
Whether it’s 20 people at a private concert or 20,000. Harris enjoys performing at the community soccer camp put up by Hope and Health at BC Place.
“I get nervous, but it's an excited, kind of nervous, and it's not like, oh my God, I'm gonna pee myself, kind of thing.”
It's also reading his crowds and what they're into and what they're not into, he says.
“The fans and the followers have been pretty good over the years, coming out and supporting a show. How can the community help him? It’s simple. Come out to one of his concerts and stream his music. It’s on all platforms -- Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, and Deezer. You can also follow him on YouTube, and Instagram to fi nd out where he is playing, or to book a concert visit https://www.facebook.com/NateHarrisMusicLadysmithBC
So, what’s in store for this talented artist?
“I've accomplished a lot more than I set out to do. It got a lot bigger than I ever expected. It's pretty cool I've made it as far as I have.”
Becoming famous was never his goal. “I'd love to do a music tour and visit schools across the nation, share my story, and inspire youth.”
Harris wrote Her Pink Dress back in 2019. “I had a whole di fferent guitar set up for the song. And I just kept working on it. And then one day, I was like, this just doesn't feel right. So, I switched up the guitar and played a lot more. It became more of a folk rock song. So it went through a lot of changes.”
It took Harris a few years to get the song where he wanted it. In a few years, this talented performer will undoubtedly be wherever he wants to be.
Nate Harris at Canada Day celebrations at Transfer Beach. Photo: Bob Burgess.
Local writer Leedahl garners awards
A short story titled “Hospice” earned local multi-genre writer Shelley A. Leedahl top prize in the Islands Short Fiction Review contest, sponsored by the Nanaimo Arts Council. Leedahl received her First-Place award in the Adult Category at the ISFR award ceremony. The award came with a $650 cheque and praise from Giller and Orange Prize-nominated writer and judge Kathy Page.
“It stood out clearly for me as the winner because it satisfies in so many different ways,” Page said in her recorded remarks. “It’s original and traditional at the same time; between a brilliantly
engineered opening paragraph that plunges you right into the story’s world and a satisfying but not overly comforting ending, this writer skillfully unrolls the story of a woman who has for all her adult life been part of a very unusual and unequal, rather creepy relationship, and is now just beginning to see it for what it was.
Leedahl recently was awarded second Place in the Nanaimo Arts Council's Ekphrastic Poetry Competition for her poem "Sanderlings," written in response to artist Erin Tzvetcoff 's Tofi no-seaside landscape painting.
Leedahl is a professional writer who divides her time between Ladysmith and Nanoose Bay. She is the author of thirteen books, including the poetry collection Go (Radiant Press), the illustrated story The Moon Watched It All (Red Deer Press), and the essay collection I Wasn’t Always Like This (Signature Editions), as well as three short story collections and two novels. She has been the recipient of a White Ravens award for her book The Bone Talker and has received several international Fellowships. She frequently presents her work,
Shelley A. Leedahl receiving award from Nanaimo Arts Council president Steve Scott at the Award Ceremony at White Sails Brewing in Nanaimo, on July 23, 2024. Photo submitted.
edits for other writers, and leads writing workshops across Canada.
“My fi rst book, a poetry collection, was published in 1990,” Leedahl says. “Writing has been my lifelong career. I’m in my sixties now, and I admit that since moving to Ladysmith in 2014, my occupation has taken a back seat to my many recreational pursuits, including hiking and kayaking.
Winning the Islands Short Fiction Review contest was lovely … a little affirmation that I still have a few things to say.”
Arts on the Avenue returns for its 26th year
The iconic Ladysmith event Arts on the Avenue is back and celebrating its 26th year! On August 24 & 25, residents and tourists will gather on 1st Avenue to shop for local arts and explore local community groups and businesses. The weekend starts with Art Jam, an evening of interactive art stations. Local artists and organizations will allow visitors to try different art techniques and enjoy demos. A suitable event for all ages, the evening will include live music and a painting competition.
The following day is the juried original art show and sale. Featuring artists from up and down the island and Gulf Islands, visitors can browse and shop a variety of works, including pottery, jewelry, indigenous-made art, metalwork, fibre art, leatherwork, glass, paintings, woodwork and much more. The Arts Market will have art demonstrations and live music. On both days, there will be a kids' art tent where young creators can participate in art projects.
With over 8,000 attendees in the past, this day will feature guest artist Harold Allanson from Crofton.
Cultivating a lifelong passion for drawing and painting, Harold’s realistic watercolours are a poignant reflection of the people, landscapes and momentum that have left an indelible mark on his soul. Whether it's the rugged beauty of British Columbia's West Coast, the vast ranch lands of the interior where he spent his formative years, or the countless miles traversed during his 35-year career as a long-haul trucker, Harold's paintings resonate with a profound authenticity born from fi rsthand knowledge and observation. View Harold’s work and meet him in person.
Hosted by the Arts Council of Ladysmith and District, this weekend will take place on 1st Avenue, from Buller Street to Warren Street in downtown Ladysmith.
Art Jam takes place on Saturday, August 24, from 4-8 pm, and Arts Market will run from 10 am-4 pm on Sunday, August 25. For more, visit our website at www.artsontheavenue.ca/
New season for Ladysmith Little Theatre
Ladysmith Little Theatre has big plans for the coming season. Four main shows, including a mega rock musical—WOW! And a bonus holiday production, says LLT Marketing Director Christine Kemppi. Ticket package sales offer a discount and are selling fast, according to Kemppi.
Here is a lineup of the shows that are scheduled to appear. NOW AND THEN by Sean Grennan. Directed by Jim Zurcher. Sometimes, what happens after the last call might change your life. WE WILL ROCK YOU by (script): Ben Elton and music: QUEEN. Directed by Mike Dietrich, with Musical Director Rod Alsop. WE WILL ROCK YOU is presented through special arrangement and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide. A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens, directed by Steven Méthot. Join storyteller Steven Méthot and local musicians for this dramatic re-creation of a Charles Dickens soiree. SAY AHHH by Michael Banks, directed by Lyndon B. Have you ever wanted to be a doctor? Even for just a day? What could go wrong? HARVEY by Mary Chase, directed by Alan Holmes. Fed up with her brother Elwood and his best friend a six-and-ahalf-foot-tall, invisible rabbit.
Concerts August line up
Concerts in the Park continue to delight audiences at the Transfer Beach Amphitheatre. Sponsored by the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association, August brings two toe-tapping acts to the stage. On Sunday, August 11, the Copper Canyon Band will perform the timeless classics. Enjoy music from the 50s to the 70s, plus a special tribute to Elvis Presley. Cactus Cadillacs, aka Tom Mitchell Band, take over on Sunday, August 18, for a mix of Country rock and Blues. They bring covers and originals for the last concert of the season.
The concerts are a fundraiser for the LRCA, and donations are appreciated.
Art Gallery Treasures
August brings member show Local Treasures to the Ladysmith Gallery from August 7 - 21. Later in the month, enjoy a new oil paintings from artist Tylor McNeil in his show Dawn Till Dusk from August 22 - Sept 1. This show will be open late on Thursday, August 29, till 7 PM. Internationally renowned artist David Goatley will be teaching a two-day plein-air painting workshop at Transfer Beach on August 7 & 8.
Car Shows Shine
One of the signs of summer is the appearance of cars from years ago. Muscle cars, hot rods, custom bikes come out of their garages to hit the streets and bring back memories from days gone by.
On Saturday, August 17, we will get to see many of those memories come to life when the Ladysmith Car Show committee present the 21 annual Ladysmith Show ’n’ Shine. According to chair Martin Byrne, “The show has been increasing in size over the years, and we’re proud to say that Ladysmith has grown to be one of the larger shows on the Island.”
The show lines both sides of First Avenue, from Roberts Street to Warren Street and the east side of High Street from First Avenue to the alley. The parade of vehicles starts to arrive at 7 am, with the ‘official opening’ being at 10 am. First Avenue will be closed to traffic and parking on the 17th from 6 am to 4 pm. “We hope local businesses take advantage of having a huge crowd downtown for the day,” Byrne said. “With all the vehicles and thousands of spectators, we believe it allows store owners to feature their various specialties and products, even
just to make folks know they are around,” he added.
‘In 2023, the event attracted over 275 entries, and with the early amount of registrations for this year, we think we’ll hit or surpass the 300 vehicle mark,” said vice chair Bob Purslow. Food trucks and ice cream will be available there. The big change spectators will see in 2024 is that there will be no stage and no live music to save money.
The show features various trophies for different categories, and the one coveted by most entries is the People’s Choice Award. There are fi rst-, second-, and third-place awards, and they are all based on the ballots submitted by the spectators. There is also an award for participants' choice, a memorial in memory of Fred Davidson and an award from Little Valley Collision and Glass for the coolest paint job. The local Kinsmen Club will be hosting a beer garden located in the parking lot of the Dunsmuir Building (library) during the car show.
Rod Run
On Friday, August 16, the day before the show, it’s the Rod Run leaving A&W Ladysmith at 5-6 pm and cruising to Ladysmith, Chemainus, and back to A&W Ladysmith. Get ready to see some rad Rides roll through from approx. 7:30-8ish pm. So, grab your lawn chair and watch these rad rods spin their wheels and bring a smile to your face. For route information, see facing page in this issue of TAKE 5.
Here are some other car shows this summer.
Wednesdays from 4:30-7 pm at the Chemainus Public Market, sponsored by Chemainus Classic Car Club.
Thursdays – Ladysmith A&W “Cruise the Dub”. weekly until September 19, 2024, from 5-7:30 pm. Watch for live music at some of the events.
Racing’s a Real Drag
BY KERITH WADDINGTON
A Chemainus drag racer who won a competition at the Port McNeill airport on June 22 can relate to Sir Stirling Moss, widely considered to be the best Formula One driver of all time. Moss is known for saying, “The ideal race car will expire 100 yards past the fi nish line”.
And that, in essence, is what happened to Nick Marks when the starter on his beloved 1981 orange Camaro broke shortly after the race. “It was the oddest feeling I’ve ever had,” laughs the local racer. “I went from hero to zero in 30 minutes”.
But that’s part of the sport, Marks acknowledges. “You put it all out there every time. You want nothing left at the fi nish, and that goes for the car and yourself.”
Cars and drag racing are in Marks’ blood. While growing up, his father owned several car-related businesses and used to participate in local drag racing. “Cars are what I grew up with and always knew,” laughs Marks. “I didn’t have much of a choice!” Marks has been driving since he was 13 years of age and put the number of races he has been in in the “hundreds.”
An interesting bit of local history: Marks belonged to the Saltair Pistons, a local drag-racing team that started as an informal club that helped youngsters learn mechanics, welding and more. “My dad donated a car to the Pistons, and I used to race it at Western Speedway in Victoria,” says Marks. “That’s when I was bit by the bug”.
For those not in the know, drag racing is a motorsport that involves two or four cars racing against each other over a straight track for a fi xed distance, usually a quarter of a mile.
The history behind drag racing is fascinating. The term ‘drag’ refers to a horse-drawn sled used to flatten roads. It later expanded to include any vehicle dragged behind horses or men. Then the term jumped to the road itself, and the principal road in town became ‘the main drag’. So drag racing meant street racing!
A further evolution in the sport came along with what is now known as ‘bracket racing”. Bracket racing is when the slower car gets a head start when racing a faster car. This allows vehicles not matched in weight or horsepower to compete. “So if everything is perfect, which is extremely rare, both cars will get to the fi nish line at the same time”, says Marks. “That way it isn’t the car itself that determines the winner, but the driver's skill. It evens the playing field”.
Marks races in the slower class known as ‘Sportsman,’ mostly with cars people could drive on the road. The faster class is called ‘Pro,' and those are mostly race cars with a hot rod motor, big tires, and lots of weight removed.
Good reaction time, like .07 of a second or better, will help drivers win races, says Marks. In the Port McNeill race, his Camaro went from a dead stop to 80 mph in 8.41 seconds and travelled 660 feet. “A good drag race in my mind is when both cars are very close crossing the fi nish line, almost to the point that neither driver knows who won”, says Marks.
The Chemainus man with a need for speed says that when the “tree” is coming down (the electronic timing device is known as the Christmas tree), “the adrenaline rush is phenomenal, and I just think ‘gotta win’.” He affectionately calls his father, who accompanies him to races, the “lead crew chief.”
The glory days of drag racing have passed, acknowledges Marks, and as such, he is not surprised that venues for motorsports on Vancouver Island have dwindled in recent years. The Cassidy raceway closed in 1999, the historic Western Speedway in Victoria shuttered in 2022, and Port Alberni’s “Thunder in the Valley” was cancelled in 2020. That leaves Saratoga Speedway in Black Creek and three “Rumble on the Runway” events – hosted by the North Island Timing Association each summer - at the airport in Port McNeill.
Marks was sad to see Canada’s oldest speedway shut down, but is proud to say he was the last winner in street class drag racing at Western.
He feels the loss of racing venues is a loss for everyone. “Participating in or watching car racing is such a great family activity”, he says. “And the excitement of the kids when engines start to rev, and drivers do burnouts to warm up their tires is the best thing to see.”
And what does the rest of the season hold for Marks?
“I’m back to Port McNeill at the end of July and end of August” he says. “And when I’m not racing, I’m either in my shop working on my car or with buddies working on a car, or I’m watching racing like NASCAR, NHRA or Sports car racing.”
Thetis to the rescue!
BY MARINA SACHT
As we motored up to dock Small Fry at Telegraph Harbour Marina, our eyes were immediately drawn to the Saravan. Built in 1938, this award-winning tug and crowdpleaser at boat shows is tied up at the marina. The restored Kirkeggard will be joining it shortly.
The heritage boats were left high and dry when the Coast Salish Development Corporation (CSDC) evicted the fleet from the Oyster Bay Marina, formerly the Ladysmith Maritime Society’s Community Marina. CSDC is the economic arm of the Stz’minus First Nation. The transfer is part of the province’s Reconciliation agreement.
With nowhere to go, the Saravan, Kirkegaard and Song Bird were kept on the hard at Ladysmith Marine Services but had to be returned to the water this summer to avoid their wooden hulls from “drying out.”
LMS has struggled to fi nd local moorage for the fleet. As a result, the Song Bird has been listed for sale, and the Saravan and Kirkegaard are now moored at Thetis Island.
The marina is a destination resort and popular stopover near the ferry, golf course, and other amenities. Owner Jamie White says they wanted to help the society and have donated the moorage space. “We forfeited some revenue to help them out,” he admits, but it’s about the boating community supporting the organization.
“The whole process has been opaque,” he said, with much gossip and rumours that the LMS boats were not welcome at other marinas.
A number of boats moved here following the changeover from Ladysmith Community Marina to the Oyster Harbour Marina, he said.“It’s been frustrating to watch it play out. There are always changes, but we need to talk to each other.”
The Maritimer, which normally runs twice-a-day Ladysmith harbour tours in the summer, sits idle on a trailer. For years, these tours delighted residents and were a major draw for visitors to this area.
“There’s a strong interest, but there are some logistics challenges. Where do we launch from? How would they come there?” questions Richard Wiefelspuett, Executive Director of Ladysmith Maritime Society. The LMS continues to look for solutions. In the meantime, the LMS would like to hear from you if you have dock space that could accommodate the Maritimer tours or any of the heritage boats.
It’s evening, and live music drifts down to the docks. Elvis 'Parsley' is playing. I walk down to look closer at the Saravan, the proud flagship of the LMS fleet. It’s still beautiful, but the bright work is losing some of its lustre. Usually, this boat would be stored in a boathouse, protected from the elements, but these days, it’s grateful to fi nally have a place to dock, although it’s far from home.
Nick Marks. Photo: Kerith Waddington
Saravan at Telegraph Harbour Marina.
Photo: Marina Sacht Above: Dave Wellman with tug at Ladysmith Marine Services. Photo submitted.
RDN Area A Cedar, South Wellington, Cassidy & Yellow Point
I'll start my Awesome August Director's Notes with an apology. In last month's Take 5, I stated that "garbage collection" was included in our RDN taxes. Unfortunately, this was a poor word choice. The solid waste taxation part of our property tax is for the land fill and associated administration. The long-term management of waste in the region, including garbage, recycling, and organics and management of related facilities, are paid for through taxes. However, we pay a separate utility fee for the pickup, which is paid to the contractor to collect the waste. I am sorry for the confusion.
The rest of this article will focus on the in finitely more complex issue of affordable housing. A second phase of the Bylaw 500 (land use) update will consider
how we can address the housing crisis through our land use bylaws. We are still in the first phase of the update, which is intended to address inconsistencies and clarify the language in the bylaw. Some of these changes/clarifications have been controversial (e.g., shipping containers and RVs) and brought attention to issues we plan to consider in the second phase.
The housing crisis impacts our community in various ways—none of which seem to have simple solutions. The regional district does not build homes but does regulate what is allowed to be built and where (recognizing the BC Building Code). These decisions shape our community, will have a long-term impact, and must respect the rural character of our area.
Although RV use as homes, as opposed to recreational use, has never been officially allowed in the RDN, many people
live in RVs. Until we can examine the issue in the second phase, the RDN board voted to suspend enforcement of the bylaw limiting the length of stay in RV parks. There are several matters to consider regarding the long-term use of RVs throughout the community. Many issues fall under the health and safety category, including sewage disposal, safe access to water and electricity, and air quality of living conditions. As is, RVs do not meet the BC Building Code, which sets minimum requirements for the safety, health, accessibility, fire and structural protection of buildings. Other concerns involve community aesthetics and general safety concerns. While these are all valid concerns, people need a place to live, and many are finding that RVs are the best housing option. The RDN must consider all these concerns and then set a standard that may significantly impact
our neighbourhoods.
I very much want to hear from area residents about what they want for their community. Do we allow substandard living conditions if basic environmental and health safety concerns are met? If so, how many RVs per property should be allowed and where? Other issues, such as how to ensure that health and safety standards are met and potentially tying this temporary measure to vacancy rates, must also be considered. Other options that will be considered are the use of tiny homes and increasing the availability and size of secondary suites. Density and impact on community amenities and services must also be considered. It's a complex problem, necessitating a thoughtful solution. There will be community engagement during this second phase of the bylaw update and I hope to learn from our community's collective wisdom.
I'll wrap up with a note of appreciation for the recent events at Cedar Hall. In addition to the family movie nights, Cedar Hall hosted a Community Showcase. This Showcase event shared information about various community groups and the opportunities to get more involved and connected to our fabulous community. It was well-attended, well-organized, and fun. I was grateful to participate and share information about the community centre project. Many great things are happening in Area A, and I am thankful to all the community groups in Cedar, Yellow Point, South Wellington, and Cassidy. We live in a great community.
I hope you all enjoy the last month of summer. You can reach at 250-268-7359 or at jessica.stanley@rdn.bc.ca.
CVRD Area H North Oyster/Diamond
This month's article follows up on July's article on Bill 44, Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Act, and summarizes the projects that the CVRD has on its Plan Your Cowichan website.
Bill 44 is a legislative effort designed to address the housing crisis through a multifaceted approach. It includes several innovative measures to increase housing availability, affordability, and sustainability. Notably, the CVRD proposes provisions related to temporary camping permits, the use of detached suites, and potable water servicing requirements.
Temporary Camping Permits
The CVRD will permit temporary camping with an active building permit for a permanent residential dwelling. This measure aims to provide immediate, short-term housing solutions for individuals and families awaiting the completion
of their permanent homes. By allowing temporary camping on-site, the CVRD seeks to reduce the burden on temporary housing facilities and shelters, providing a more flexible and autonomous living situation for those in transition. This approach also supports continuity, as residents can remain close to their new homes, monitoring construction progress and ensuring timely completion.
Detached Suites
The CVRD also has a provision to permit residential structures certi fied as acceptable under the British Columbia Building Code to be used as detached suites. This provision aims to increase housing density and provide more affordable housing options in residential areas. Detached suites, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), can serve various purposes, such as housing for extended family members and rental units. By leveraging the BC Building Code, the CVRD ensures that these structures meet safety and quality standards, providing secure and viable housing options.
Potable Water Servicing Requirements
To address the essential need for potable water, the CVRD will permit on-site storage to meet potable water servicing requirements for residential dwellings. Specifically, this is to allow on-site storage of potable water to supplement minimum water servicing requirements (where well tests yield inadequate flow rates).
Further, the building code is now prescriptive on rainwater harvesting. It allows it for non-potable uses like toilets, irrigation, and washing clothes, reducing the required yield for pota-
ble water. Additionally, if owners want to treat it all to potable standards, they can do that.
These measures are essential for rural or remote areas where traditional water infrastructure may be lacking or insu fficient. By allowing on-site water storage, the CVRD aims to ensure that all residential dwellings can access safe drinking water, regardless of location.
Plan Your Cowichan
Many emails and calls I receive are from people looking for information. Sometimes, it's a matter of referring them to the correct department, but often, the data is readily available. Information on many current topics is at www.planyourcowichan.ca.
ben.maartman@cvrd.bc.ca, Phone: 250-510-5930
CVRD Area G Saltair/Gulf Islands
Area G has been slower since my last update, so I am sharing a few regional updates.
As of July 19, 2024, all CVRD water systems operated by the Cowichan Valley Regional District are at Stage 3 water use restrictions, moving East Vancouver Island to Drought Level 4. We're thrilled to announce the completion of the Shawnigan Village Rail Trail pathway, a project eagerly anticipated and made possible by the collective efforts. This new trail, which links Old Mill Park to Shawnigan Wharf Park, is a testament to our region's community's spirit and active involvement. We're excited for you to explore it. The recently completed trail links Masons Beach Park, Dougan Park, Shawnigan Community
Centre, Elsie Miles Park, Shawnigan Village, Shawnigan Wharf Park, and Old Mill Park.
Memory Island Provincial Park is now free of the invasive Scotch Broom, thanks to the dedicated efforts of CVRD Parks & Trails volunteers, B.C. Parks staff and student BC Park Rangers. This signi ficant clearing in June has beautifully restored the park's natural beauty, a testament to our community's unwavering commitment to preserving our local ecosystem. We can all take pride in this achievement, a shining example of our community's dedication to environmental preservation.
CVRD awarded the contract to remove the World's Largest Hockey Stick (WLHS) at the Cowichan Community Centre. The WLHS, which has now ended its serviceable life, has been a landmark of the Cowichan region for the past 35 years. As we bid farewell to this iconic symbol, let's take a moment to appreciate its history and the countless memories it has given us. It will always be a part of our shared past and reminds us of our community's love for sports.
The CVRD amended zoning bylaws to permit suites in all Electoral Areas per Bill 44. The CVRD has completed a process to update zoning in its nine electoral areas, which allows all residential properties zoned for single-family dwellings to create or construct an attached secondary suite to their home.
The CVRD obtained the necessary funding and approvals to proceed with the signi ficant repair work to a large section of the trail near Agira Road in Duncan that was damaged during an atmospheric rain event in 2021.
The CVRD values your input and has launched a survey to gather feedback on the preferred 2025 budget engagement process. Your responses will help us understand your preferred options for receiving and providing information to the CVRD. Your feedback is crucial in shaping our future budget engagement strategies.
The B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has announced that a Chemainus River Right Bank Restoration submission has been added to the Navigable Waters Registry. areag@jessemcclinton.com Phone: 250-252-6525.
Why Save Cable Bay?
BY PAMELA WALKER
A couple months ago, I posed a question on Facebook. I asked, “Give me one good reason why we should save Cable Bay.”
Some people thought I was a troll. Other people thought I was another developer like the one who showed up from Alberta in the late 1980s with plans to develop the entire area into an RV park and golf course. But I assured everyone that I was neither of those things.
“If we are to ask a philanthropist, such as Chip Wilson of Lululemon fame and the man who recently purchased an island off Gabriola, to have it set aside as
a public park, we need to tell him — or her — why Cable Bay also needs to be saved,” I explained.
The question was not a hypothetical one. Once again Cable Bay is under threat of development, but this time, it is coming from two separate directions by two separate developers.
To the west, a rezoning application has been sent to the City of Nanaimo by Nanaimo Forest Products Ltd., which owns and operates the Harmac Paci fic pulp mill. Harmac would like to extend its industrial park to within 50 to 100 metres of the Cable Bay Trail and then sell off the lots to other industrial companies. Currently, the City has the approving officer looking at the application. It will go to fi rst reading soon. The City doesn’t say how soon. But it will be soon.
To the east of the park, the same developer who tried to set up an RV park in the 1980s is back again. This time, he wants to cut the land into thirty-four 14-acre lots for high-end homes to be located on the site of Garry Oak meadows and the blu ffs, where people go to view orcas and sea lions. He plans to
put in a right-of-way to Joan Park on the far side of the trail where Dodd Narrows flows between it and Mudge Island. But that’s it. The rest will be developed and gone forever. The Cable Bay Trail itself, ranked among the top ten forest walks on Vancouver Island, will be no more.
In all, I received over 100 answers to my question about why Cable Bay should be saved. Many of them, like these I have listed below, are poignant.
“There are no other parks near Nanaimo that allow people to walk through mature, forested areas that include rare Garry oak ecosystems and also allow access to a magni ficent stretch of ocean coastline that includes a front row seat to Dodd Narrows, one of the most unique, biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world. The City of Nanaimo is constantly pushing its citizens for ideas to improve tourism while it destroys our beautiful places.”
“Recall the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the City’s commitment to the agreement. Many of the TRC’s 94 calls to action would fall under this.”
“Witnessing orcas, sea lions, seals, river otters, mink, eagles and many other birds and animals bring us awe.”
“We must start to dream, think, plan and act as if we care for future generations and for our animal and bird relatives who have nowhere else to go.”
“It’s my church.”
“The present subdivision-development plans include no provision for water. The area is typically classi fied as ‘extreme’ in wild fi re season due to the winds off the ocean. What volunteer fi re department will service it?”
“The area must be preserved not only for the number of people it brings into the area but also for the wildlife it harbours. Keeping this bu ffer between human degradation of the area and the species who require space to thrive will pay off as generations of children and adults benefit from walking this tributary from
the forest to the sea.”
“Why? Because we do not have a right to destroy every inch of this planet. We must start to consider the other species [with whom] we share this planet.”
“Will we rise to the occasion, or will Cable Bay become another tragic note in a textbook about a place that used to be?”
“It is truly one of the happiest and gorgeous places to be. I love Cable Bay!”
These are just a few reasons. Do you have others?
Would you take the time to write a personal email to the City of Nanaimo or your MLA or MP? Tell them YOUR reason. If you don’t have one, choose one of the ones you just read or tell them you’ve heard there are red-listed plants in the area that need to be protected. Or tell them that this place is a jewel and that it needs to be saved. Be angry. Be
heartfelt. Be logical. Be teary-eyed. But, please do it.
The hardworking folks at Save Cable Bay will love you for it. The email addresses you will need are mayor.council@nanaimo.ca, sheila.malcolmson. MLA@leg.bc.ca and lisamarie.barron@ parl.gc.ca.
How to get there
If you’ve never been to Cable Bay, put it on your list of things to do this summer. Get on Holden Corso Road and keep going when it turns into Barnes Road. Turn left on Nicola and go to the parking lot at the end.
It will take you about an hour to walk the at times steep trail, there and back. Look for more reasons to save this special place while you’re there.
Cable Bay Trail leads to Dodd Narrows, a popular destination to watch boats and sea life go by. Photo: Jain Alcock White
Indicator Species and Ecosystem Health
BY ALEXANDER SMITH EIS NATURALIST
Much like nurturing a friendship, a relationship with the forest requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to get your feet wet occasionally. As a naturalist lucky enough to spend most days adventuring out in nature, I've noticed that as you spend more time immersed in its depths, the forest begins to reveal its fi ner secrets.
Here on Vancouver Island, we experience signi ficant seasonal changes, from
cold, wet winters to increasingly hot summers. However, by taking a daily walk in the woods, some of the more subtle signs of change become apparent: the fi rst buds of spring, the arrival of migratory bird species, and the delicate balance of ecosystems responding to shifts in climate.
For many nature enthusiasts at home, whether gardening or walking to work,
changes in the environment are often indicated by one particular species. The fi rst noisy Rufous hummingbird of spring, whose arrival is timed with the blossoming of flowering salmonberry plants, may remind you to take your winter hat off. In late spring, the highway of increasingly active Western thatching ants patrolling the edges of your porch in search of food may push
Lichen are sensitive to air quality and forest structure. Their presence can indicate areas that should be protected to maintain ecological balance. Photo submitted.
you to clean out the garage or tend to the vegetable patch. These plants and animals, known as indicator species, serve as nature's calendar, marking the transitions of seasons and the ecological movement within our ecosystem.
In forests across the island, indicator species often provide early warning signals of environmental changes or degradation. For example, the presence or absence of speci fic amphibians, such as the Western Toad or the Red-legged Frog, can indicate changes in water quality and habitat integrity. These amphibians are sensitive to pollutants and changes in water temperature, making them reliable indicators of ecosystem health. The presence of other species helps gauge the biodiversity levels within a forest.
On Vancouver Island, species like the Northern Goshawk or the Marbled Murrelet are used as indicators of oldgrowth forest conditions. These birds require large tracts of undisturbed forest for nesting and foraging. Their presence signi fies a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem that supports various other species. Conversely, their absence can signal habitat loss or degradation, prompting forest managers to take restorative actions.
Here at Wildwood, sustainable forest management is a cornerstone of ecoforestry. Indicator species can guide the development and implementation of sustainable practices. For instance, the presence of lichen species, which are sensitive to air quality and forest structure, can inform logging practices. Certain lichens thrive only in undisturbed, mature forests. Their presence can indicate areas that should be protected from logging to maintain ecological balance. This approach helps create a mosaic of protected, interlinked, and sustainably managed areas, ensuring long-term forest health and productivity.
Indicator species play a crucial role in guiding sustainable forest management practices. They provide valuable insights into ecosystem health, inform conservation strategies, and help monitor climate change impacts. By integrating indicator species into Ecoforestry practices, Wildwood's forest managers achieve a balance between ecological integrity and timber production, ensuring the long-term health and resilience of forest ecosystems on Vancouver Island.
Pet peeve-pee-mail
BY KATHY REILLY
Pet owners who allow their dogs to pee on anything are not on my favourites list. A few in my neighbourhood allow their dogs to go into yards to pee on planters, tires, furniture, lawns and gardens.
Many of these dogs are housetrained and never eliminated indoors. However, part of housetraining should be taking the dog outside on a leash to a designated area to do his business and praising to the skies when he does it on command.
Territory marking is all about communication. By urinating, dogs leave behind small traces of their scent to alert other dogs of their presence. In a nutshell, territory urine marking is your dog’s way of saying: “This is mine” or “I was here.”
A dog walk should be enjoyable for the dog. However, allowing your dog to stop and cock his leg wherever he wants is encouraging him to mark out “his” territory. If he decides to pee on an object, say, “Leave it,” and keep him moving. Allow him to go in wild areas, but don’t let him scratch at the grass, as that is just another way for him to send a message to all other dogs that he has been there. And set up a pee-mail chain or group chat, so to speak.
Some dogs may pee from anxiety when visiting a new place, such as a daycare or kennel. Some dogs will urine mark attempting to establish security in this unfamiliar setting.
I recently had two male dogs sleep over, and they tried to outdo one another, peeing on my lawn furniture, deck, planters and even on one another’s beds in the house. I thoroughly cleaned and deodorized. I have invested in many cleaners, deodorizers, and washable diapers. The two had
to wear washable belly bands indoors for the remainder of their stay. We took them out without the diapers on leashes to designated spots for peeing outdoors. We praised and rewarded them with high-value treats when they went to the acceptable areas.
It is instinct for dogs, primarily males, to do this marking behaviour. However, by training and being consistent, we can extinguish this habit. Help make your dog a good canine citizen, welcome at friends’ homes and public events.
Keep you dogs cool
Safety Note:
Do not walk your dog midday in the extreme heat. Asphalt can reach a pawburning 60 ⁰ C. To test, place your hand or bare foot on the pavement and hold for 7 seconds. Dogs can also su ffer heat exhaustion. They only sweat through their noses and paws. Leave your pet at home in an air-conditioned or cool home when running errands on hot days. Always keep them hydrated.
Dog on local trail. Photo: Kathy Reilly
Annual Cowichan Valley Wine Festival
BY SUSAN ATTIANA
Grab your passport and let the tour begin! The Cowichan Valley Wine Festival tour, that is, for the month-long wine-tasting passport event! From August 1-31 the Valley wineries create an event for locals and tourists to experience the fruit of their wine growers’ labours, in a glass!
Join the tour by purchasing your tickets at www.cowichanwineries.com. Ticket holders are given a map and a souvenir-tasting glass to take with them on this self-guided tour.
The 2024 harvest is set to produce a variety of wines, including Pinot Noir, Marechal Foch, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Cowichan’s famous Ortega. These cool climate crisp varietals are characterized by their vibrant acidity, elegant fruit profiles and distinctive minerality, showcasing the terroir unique to this coastal area.
Scenic backdrops of Vancouver Island, sustainable farming practices and the emphasis on local terroir add charm to the tasting experience, inviting locals and tourists to explore not just the wines, but also the cultural and natural richness of the area.
There are 12 participating wineries waiting to host passport holders, to introduce participants to the craft of winemaking and better yet to sample the exquisite offerings. Indulge your senses and enjoy the swirl on your palate as you taste this year’s offerings.
Merridale Cidery Shines
Merridale garnered accolades for several of their creations at North America’s largest and most comprehensive cider awards, the Seattle International Cider & Perry Awards. Merridale was awarded Gold for its Traditional, Mo'moro,
Tasting Cowichan wines. Passports are available for the Cowichan Wine Festival. Photo: stephaniecraggcorporate.com
and Merri Berri ciders. The success continued at the 7th annual Cidercraft Awards, where Merridale won Silver for its Cowichan Dry and a Double Gold for Merri Berri, highlighting its excellence. Merridale Cidery & Distillery is family-owned and operated from the Cowichan Valley.
New Zealand treats
Mitzu Real Fruit Ice Cream is causing a stir. The food truck operated by Jamie Kristiansen offers New Zealand-style, natural fruit ice cream.
“We use locally sourced fresh ingredients and blend them together right in front of you,” says Kristiansen. The year-round truck also offers pints to take home. Try the mixed berry, raspberry, blueberry, cherry, pineapple, mango or new flavours. Watch for them at Transfer Beach, Cedar Farmers Market and around the community.
Jamie Kristiansen. Photo submitted.
Wine tasting
People sometimes ask me, “Should one spit at a wine tasting?” To answer, I borrow a line from former President Obama. After admitting to experimenting with marijuana as a youth, he was asked if he inhaled. “Of course!” he said. “Not doing so would be missing the point.” The same could be said for not swallowing wine.
An even better reason for not spitting: as a nation, we Canadians aren’t good at it. Canada is not a nation of llamas or camels. We are not encouraged to spit as children; in fact, we are punished for doing so. We are a sensitive people who feel uncomfortable secreting precious bodily fluids in public. This is why we have doors on public washrooms while other countries don’t. Besides, our national sport is hockey, not baseball.
Spitting has never been encouraged in Canada although, in the Wild West days of the 1800s it was tolerated. Back then, spittoons were placed on saloon floors. Inaccuracy caused the practice to fall into disrepute, especially with the cleaning staff. Encouraging sober males to spit was bad enough, but encouraging drunken males to do so was inviting a slippery disaster.
Spitting is best left for those competent at it. For that we go to Europe, es-
pecially France. In Europe, not only is spitting deemed acceptable, but children are trained in the proper techniques. The French employ a multi-disciplinary approach starting with video clips of the Captains of Expectoration - American ball players.
Next, the students are engaged in playful spitting games, usually involving small yappy dogs or a gendarme’s shoe. To generate the considerable saliva required for such intense training, the students are force-fed raw escargot, a practice that leaves little François and associates spitting right up to bedtime.
The last place in the world you want to be caught spitting is at a stand-up wine tasting. The fi rst thing the average male notices at these events is the impossibly attractive young female who inevitably accompanies the wine merchants.
Though they may smile at you and beckon you over, these sirens, who always stand next to the spit bucket, are not your friends. Their job is to encourage all males to make fools of themselves and provide entertainment for all. An entertained wine taster buys more product. Their mysterious smiles seem to say, “Come on, big boy. Step up to the bucket and give it a try. Show this Kewpie doll what you can do.” (Thanks, Rose O’Neill, for inventing this icon of cuteness in 1909.)
And there are takers. Look, here comes one now: the corpulent chap with the gray flannels, sweater vest and, good heavens, a paisley cravat. By Jove, it’s none other than Doctor Sobinski. Now there’s a chap with a good palate. Look, he’s holding forth with the young lady in the tight green dress; you can tell she’s bored by the tears in her eyes. Now she’s pouring him a taste of Cabernet. He smells it, identi fies cassis with under-
tones of blueberry jam, takes a sip - or was that a gargle? - then aims for the spit bucket.
Direct hit! Good shooting, doctor. But wait a minute. We have a problem. A fi ne but determined string of saliva runs from the spit bucket to the second of Sobinski’s three chins. The look on his face recalls the facial expression of the Costa Concordia captain after hitting the rock. He backs away from the table, demonstrating the tenacious elastic properties of saliva. As the crowd parts, he continues to back up, and up, and up, but to no avail.
Changing tactics, he judo chops with his left hand, then with his right. The saliva, like al dente linguini, sticks to everything it touches. Panic sets in, his face now resembling that of the Concordia captain after the exotic dancer’s underwear was discovered in his cabin. By this time, the girl in the green dress is doubled over with laughter. “Men!” she says between chuckles, “Ya gotta love ‘em.”
The rescue team arrives and severs the connection with the Jaws of Life. Sobinski, sweater vest and cravat intact, is escorted out of the room as the crowd chants, “Goober! Goober! Goober!”
WIne of the Month
BY ADRIANE POLO, CAREFREE WINE
TOURS
Summer is all about a great Chardonnay. Full-bodies,peach notes with some lemon, and a slightly oaky taste, Mount Boucherie drinks like a charm at $29.99
For the Birds
“I would like to paint the way a bird sings.” — Claude Monet
Well I’ve really opened up a can of worms with this topic! More tales for telling later.
My love affair with birds started when I was conceived, if you believe in inherited traits. Research out there says you inherit all sorts of things: your mother - height, mood, memory, teeth health, laugh lines, facial shape, hairline; and your father - dimples, fertility, shape and fullness of lips, the way your sneeze, sense of humour, sleeping style. And much more. So, I’m pretty sure it was my Dad (affectionately called ‘DadDad-Dadio’) who passed on the whole avian fascination thing. It’s in my genes.
You may recall my nomadic background: growing up ‘in the army’ with the ‘no pet’ order. Dad’s reasoning - uprooted every three years just wouldn’t be fair for an animal. There was a smattering of feeble attempts to usurp his rule –three turtles with pink, blue and yellow
painted shell-houses (a fad that thankfully didn’t last long, nor did the turtles), hamsters (quickly given away after realizing they were not all females). There was wildlife we tried to bring home –a baby hedgehog on our front lawn in Germany. Its mother presented herself the very next morning and her baby was quickly returned. Annie the raccoon, enticed to stay at our trailer at Ipperwash Army camp until hibernation and the woods lured her away. But Dad DID allow one pet - Sam, the Myna bird. Exceptionally smart and saucy, he went on vacations with us, to Spain and Italy and back to Canada. I loved that bird.
And now, sitting up high on the new porch of the horse palace (another on the Honey-Do list completed) I can look out on to the five acre hay field, the horses with wee birds perched on their backs,
eagles searching the field, their haunting song as they ride the thermal updrafts. And just to the left, the Paci fic Flyway, with its awesome array of winged migrators in the spring and fall.
And summertime? The farm is buzzing with activity. It helps having the flowers, fruit and nut trees but we just couldn’t resist other enticers: two hummingbird feeders, a suet feeder and a bird bath. Non-stop action and entertainment. Dad would have loved it. Although bird-lures need to be properly cleaned and attended year-round, the rewards - priceless.
Dad passed away peacefully at 80 years old. Each year for his birthday I would give him something ‘birdy’, like coffee table books of birds of Ontario, of BC, of the world and his favourite – an Audubon bird caller. When we were going through his things I found it along with the well-worn handbook The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. Inside the cover is written:
To my dear dad - from your darling daughter (Jackie) xox
It's a hobby for all seasons, this birdwatching. Year-round pleasure, bringing peace and comfort to the retiring heart. That’s what I want; isn’t that what we all need.
Jackie Moad is forever thankful to her father, who whether it be ‘nature’ or nurture’, passed on a love of birds, a way to truly chillax as she continues to farm that 20-acre organic slice of Paradise in Cedar.
First babe spied in horsehair/hay nest carved into the side of a hay round.
Photo: Jackie Moad
Grant dollars results
On December 21, 2021, the Town of Ladysmith announced that it received a grant of $407,455 from the Federal Government’s Canada Community Revitalization Fund to refresh our downtown. That sounds great, but as with all government grants, the money comes from taxpayers. It is not FREE MONEY.
Did the town do a good job with this grant money? I requested, under the Freedom of Information Act, that they account for the money spent on the grant. So, let’s look at what they did and how much it cost.
These are the areas that the town said it would use the money on:
*Installation of a new Level 2 electric vehicle charging station.
*Completion of two new painted crosswalks at 1st Ave and Gatacre St.
*Updated Welcome signage.
*Improvements to existing heritage artifact signage.
*Installation of new tourism and wayfi nding signage.
*Replacement of some interlocking brick paving.
*Refreshing bike racks and benches. So, let's look at what was done and what was the cost:
The two electric vehicle charging stations were installed on Roberts Street just below the Chamber of Commerce office for $78,468.
As for the “completion of two newly painted crosswalks,” the crosswalks at First Avenue and Gatarce were painted as part of an upgrade of Harmony Square for $25,735. This includes the cost of two patio umbrellas, $900 each, and two bottle refill stations, $14,600.
Under the accounting term “Bike Racks,” the town spent a total of $6,300
The update of Welcome to Ladysmith Signage and installation of new tourism and eight way fi nding signs cost a total of
$220,280, $22,300 of which was just for the consultants, and $59,500 was paid to John Marston, the artist. Interestingly, only one Welcome sign has been erected to date, and there is no indication when the second will be completed. It is still being determined how much the second Welcome sign will cost or if it is included in the $220,000.
The replacement of interlocking bricks cost $12,400. This is in addition to the $39,500 classi fied as Tree Grating and Curbs Painting”. Additionally, the “Decorative Street Lighting” classi fication amounted to another $59,400. I am unsure what was done, as I haven’t noticed anything that stands out in downtown lighting.
Overall, the sum of the accounting reports I received from the Town shows, by my calculation, that the Town spent just a few thousand over the total of the $407,450 grant money.
The question here is, do you think our taxpayers' money was spent wisely?
Some of it was -- and they came close to their budget, but did we get the best bang for our buck? I think not. What do you think? And that's as I see it.
