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Letters Massive search for Faye Hanson
Faye’s search aerial shot of base camp. Photo credit Ilse Nat
The search for Faye Hanson involved hundreds of hours by volunteer SAR members from across the Island and Mainland. The RCMP, supporting agencies and 26 SAR teams were involved. On one day there were 103 searchers who worked in some harsh terrain utilizing their skills, search techniques, ATVs, search dogs, horses and helicopters. It has been an exhausting and emotional search. Although it is not the result we hoped for there can be some solace that we were able to ďŹ nd Faye and give her family and
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friends some closure. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Ladysmith Search and Rescue (LSAR) volunteer members would like to thank all those that were involved in the search for their tremendous effort, dedication and commitment. LSAR would also like to thank the all the conversion volunteers and the community for their help and support. - Allen McDermid, President Ladysmith Search & Rescue Ed Note: For more information on Ladysmith Search and Rescue visit their homepage or email them at ladysmithsearchandrescue@gmail.com
Traffic concerns I am writing to voice my concern over lack of control of traffic on Highway One and Esplanade as it passes through Ladysmith. In my opinion the problem is that traffic control lights are not being obeyed. It is very dangerous to assume just because you have the green and therefore the right of way that drivers are going to stop. The number of accidents, some of which are very serious are proof. What we need at the very least is to have is to have red light cameras back, followed with proper enforcement of the results. Also enforcement of speed limits particularly on Esplanade -- which given the nature of the drivers -should be renamed Ladysmith Raceway. Please before we have more carnage let’s do something -Herb Cordingley
Rotary support of Ladysmith Golf Course The Ladysmith Rotary Club continues to show its support for
one of Ladysmith’s treasures, the Ladysmith Golf Course. The Rotary has made generous donations for improvements and in addition this fall, they donated a leaf blower allowing for a longer golfing season while helping to protect the greens from disease. It was almost 40 years ago that a small group of Ladysmith golfers, Legion members and Rotarians came up with the idea of building a community golf course. The Ladysmith Rotary Club spearheaded the project. After nine long years the course was completed. Once completed, many members of both the Ladymith Legion and the Ladysmith Rotary Club stayed on and help form the Ladysmith Golf Club, becoming charter members of the Golf Club. Today the Ladysmith Golf Club is considered by many to be one of the finest nine hole golf course on the island. - Rob Johnson Letters to the Editor are welcome but may be edited for space, clarity or legality. This is an open forum and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. email: editor@take5.ca, PO Box 59, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A1, or fax: 250-245-7099 Facebook: Take5Publications
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Festival of Lights: a Ladysmith beacon of community spirit and economic development There are so many events that make Ladysmith a special and memorable place to live and visit. From the fun and excitement of Ladysmith Days to the parade of gleaming classic cars at the Show and Shine to our jam-packed Arts on the Avenue Weekend, Ladysmith has earned a reputation for rolling out high quality, family-friendly events. Of course, our most prominent event is the Ladysmith Light Up, the kick-off to the six-week
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The Festival of Lights annual Light Up draws big crowds out to enjoy the parade and fireworks.
long Festival of Lights. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Light Up, which, over the past three decades, has transformed from a tiny community festival attended by approximately 500 people to the festive season hot spot on Vancouver Island, with over 20,000 visitors expected on November 30. The Festival of Lights has a rich history and would have not been made possible without the vision and commitment of countless volunteers and in particular, one special Ladysmith resident: Bill Fitzpatrick. In the late ʼ80s, Bill and
some of his fellow Chamber of Commerce members were discussing their displeasure with downtown Ladysmith Christmas decorations and brainstorming ways to spruce up the downtown and attract visitors to local shops. The group decided to put some twinkle into Ladysmith by lighting up the stores downtown. Bill assumed the leadership role, rallying his many contacts and encouraging downtown business and building owners to participate. I’m sure he never imagined that the initial spark aimed at attracting people to downtown Ladysmith would create a glow that would
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shine for decades, growing bigger and brighter each year. As former mayor Rollie Rose recounts, Bill tended to plan for the future. He knew an annual event would be costly and envisioned Town Council adding a line item for the festival to its annual budget. Times were tight and Council was reluctant, but Bill was not only charming, he was persistent. Council shared his vision, added the money to the budget and an annual community event was born. Former mayor Rose says from then on, the Fitzpatrick name became synonymous with the Ladysmith Festival of Lights. I know when the lights are ignited at the end of this month, many attendees, including me, will be thinking about the late Bill Fitzpatrick. I’ve been attending Light Up for most of my life — like many kids growing up in Ladysmith, it was a bright light in my childhood. Now that I can take my own family to the event, it has become even
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more meaningful. As a public servant and someone who has long been devoted to bettering my community, I can look at each decoration, at each string of lights, at each barrier installed to ensure people are safe, and realize that none of it would have been possible without the countless hours and selfless commitment of a huge team of volunteers. The time and effort it takes to plan, put up and take down an event of this magnitude is staggering, and we are so fortunate to have so many amazing people in our midst. When we gather November 30 to enjoy the parade, the spaghetti dinner, the
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craft fair, Santa’s visit, the fireworks and the thousands on thousands of twinkling lights, let’s take a moment to give thanks that we live in such a safe and friendly town that really embodies the spirit of community. I also challenge you to build on the success of the Festival and think of other reasons for people to visit Ladysmith throughout the year. With our many established shops, restaurants and services, and proposed new amenities, such as the boutique hotel and pub envisioned in the new draft Waterfront Area Plan concept, we can continue to build on the economic development spark that is lit during the Festival of Lights by offering unique and compelling reasons for people to visit, shop, do business, invest and play here. I know if Bill Fitzpatrick was still with us, he would agree that there is something very special about Ladysmith and its residents, and we deserve to shine at the end of the month and all year long.
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Light Up celebrates 30th Festival of Lights was started in 1987 by a group of citizens – including Bill Fitzpatrick, its main champion, as a way to celebrate the spirit of the season and support local shopping. Now it is 30 years later, and the annual Festival of Lights kicks off on Nov. 30. “You can expect all your favourite events plus some extra surprises,” says president Duck Paterson. New limited edition baseball caps and t-shirts, and a book “Light Up - The First 30 Years” will be released soon. “Watch for some new decorations, including one on top of the Royal Bank building, along with a couple of “parade” surprises”, says Duck, keeping them guarded.
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And then there is Lance. “As Patti Cavers’ class at Ladysmith Intermediate School always helps with the lights at Market Square, we asked them to name the 30th Anniversary mascot, created by Tracy Paterson,” says Duck. From the 27 students, Lance the light bulb got the most votes. “Lance is appearing on our T-shirts this year which are for sale at Pharmasave, 49th Parallel Grocery and the Chamber of Commerce office for $20, with proceeds helping to fund Light Up.” The fun starts at 3 pm with the Spaghetti Dinner at the Eagles Hall. The Christmas Craft Fair at Aggie Hall also opens at 3 pm. From 4 pm to 6:15 enjoy the street entertainment, food concessions and entertainment on two stages – in downtown Ladysmith and in front of the Aggie Hall where Ed Mulrooney
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port Commission.The evening ends with a bang, a fireworks display sponsored by the Ladysmith & District Credit Union. There will be shuttle buses from Transfer Beach and the churches at the north end of 4th Avenue. Dogs are not permitted downtown during Light Up. ladysmithfol.com Fireworks Light Up. Photo: Rob Johnson
along with Ted and Jeff Puska will be performing a song about Light Up for the first time. All this is gearing up for the big moment when Santa arrives downtown and throws the switch to light up Ladysmith at 6:30 pm. The Kinsmen night parade starts at 6:45 pm. After the parade, head north on First Avenue and see the light up of Bob Stuart Park, the Aggie Hall and the breathtaking Chuck Perrin Christmas Tree, presented by the Nanaimo Air-
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Abandoned vessels threat On October 27 all levels of government came together to show solidarity and support for NDP MP Nanaimo-Ladysmith Sheila Malcolmson’s abandoned vessel Bill C-52 and voice their concerns on the potential threat they pose to the coast. Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone, NDP MLA Nanaimo-North Cowichan Doug Routley, Ladysmith Maritime Society Executive Director Rod Smith, and Ladysmith Town Councillor Steve Arnett spoke up in support of Malcolmson’s Bill following the sinking of yet another vessel in Ladysmith’s “dog-patch” area on October 23. The Anapaya had been identified in
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2014 as a boat of concern by Transport Canada yet nothing was done. The Coast Guard and Saltair Marine deployed an oil containment boom to limit the damage. Cleanup efforts are underway as we go to press. “Salvage work is dangerous work. It’s much safer for people to work on what’s on the surface than having to now go below to do this work. So much better if it were dealt with in 2014 when it was identified,” said Stone. “This is a problem that’s happening on our coast and throughout the country,” said Malcolmson. “Dealing with these vessels once they’re sitting in the bottom of the harbour is the wrong time to be taking action.” She stressed the need for a comprehensive coast wide-solution. Ladysmith has a large concentration of abandoned vessels. When larger municipalities enforce their bylaws it has the unintended consequences of a vessel that was marginal being pushed into Ladysmith harbour. Once it gets to a point where it becomes abandoned, we get into environmental problems, said Malcolmson. While this is a country-wide problem, it is predominantly here in Ladysmith harbour area, noted Routley where there are a number of boats in disrepair and wrecks littering the harbour. Malcolomson said the bill is not addressing concerns about live aboards, but is exclusively targeting vessels where the owners have walked away. “We don’t want anybody that is a live aboard to feel threatened at all. “ Ladysmith Community Marina has be-
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come a destination for many boaters. At the Pacific Northwest Marina Operators conference, it was mentioned the Ladysmith Community Marina, operated by the Ladysmith Maritime Society, was listed in the top 10 (out of 400) marinas in the Pacific Northwest to visit, said Rod Smith. Boating visitor numbers are up 66 per cent since 2014, 6,000 people visit in a season, with repeat visitors growing. “These visitors gladly spend over $1 million in our community and around the region.,” said Smith. But this is all at risk if derelict and abandoned vessels continue to sink or burn in our harbour or linger on the beach at the entrance to our harbour...boaters will go elsewhere.” Standing on the end of the Ladysmith Community Marina dock Town Councillor Steve Arnett looks at the mast and rigging visible above the water. “Imagine if we had the $1.2 million spent on the Viki Lyne removal and the money this is going to cost ... to invest here instead. We’re talking about local economy, tourism, and the residual fact of people going, wow, I think I’d like to have a boat. On October 30, the federal government introduced legislation on abandoned vessels. The announcement comes weeks ahead of scheduled debate on the bill. Malcolmson’s Bill would make the coast guard responsible for directing removal of abandoned vessels, improve vessel registration and test a vessel recycling program. Anapaya last year before it sunk in Ladysmith Harbour. Photo: Rob Johnson
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War Memorabilia at Museum This November the Ladysmith & District Historical Society, in partnership with the Canadian Legion, will host a temporary display of photos, cards from the 1920s and correspondence at the Ladysmith Museum for Remembrance Week in November. If you have any artifacts or stories about Canadians in the wars, call 250-245-0100.
Remembrance Day This year the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 171 will be hosting the Remembrance events. On Nov 8 the Colour Party & Band visits La Rosa Gardens at 10:30am and the Lodge on 4th at 2pm. Nov 12 the First United Church will hold a service at 10:30am. Nov 11 at 10:30 the Remembrance Day parade begin at the Legion Hall and continues to the Ladysmith Cenotaph, followed by the Opening Service and two minutes of silence.
RDN Economic Development on the Rise Construction activity is up in the Regional District of Nanaimo, with 25 per cent more permit applications received this year compared to the same period in 2016. “It is an exciting time in our region as building activity is reflective of strong economic growth,” said RDN Board Chair Bill Veenhof. Overall, the region has experienced continued growth during the past three years at a level higher than the provincial average in the residential sector, both in terms of permit volumes and construction values. Building activity is an indicator of the strength and diversity of the economy within the region.
Climate lectures conclude with panel The Cheminus Climate Warming lecture series is concluding with a panel discussion on impacts of global warming Nov. 10, at 7 pm, at the Chemainus United Church Effects on local fisheries and forestry and local and provincial government perspectives will be covered. The panelists are: Geoff Strong, Climatologist, Richard Beamish, Oceanogra-
On Oct. 15, the members of Knights of Columbus Council #4582 presented cheques at St. Mary’s Church hall to Ladysmith Families and Friends Society (LaFF) and the Nanaimo Crisis Pregnancy Centre. The funds represent the net total of profits from last year’s Charity Appeal - based on the 2000 tickets sold locally during that time. The two organizations were represented by Donna Houssin Director of LaFF and by Kirsten Emmanuel, Executive Director
pher, Erik Pikkila, Forester, Jon Lefebure, Mayor of North Cowichan and Chair, Board of Directors, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Doug Routley, Member of the Provincial Legislature, Nanaimo - North Cowichan. Right: North Cedar Fire Department celebrated its 75 years of serving the community with an Open House. The community came out to show their gratitude for keeping them safe. Photo: Nick Longo.
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Cedar Yellow Point Country Christmas Tour The Cedar Yellow Point Country Christmas Self-Guided Tour is flush with excitement and anticipation while artists ready their studios for the 29th annual Christmas Country tour on November 23, 24, 25 and 26, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, in beautiful Cedar Yellow Point, between Nanaimo and Ladysmith. The tour includes artist studios, galleries, farms, local eateries and pubs. Where you start the self-guided tour doesn’t matter. The tour offers surprises at every turn — hand-forged metal, beautiful pottery, jewellery, fiber art, original art, hand-blown and stained glass, wood products, alpaca garments, First Nation art, gifts for guys, handicrafts and more. Be sure to stop in at the farms where you will find over 40 delicious cranberry products just in time for gift giving and distinctive home-grown herb products to eat and for skin care. Fresh honey and bee products will surprise and delight anyone receiving this sweet gift. More than 20 artists await you. To find out more and download a map, visit www.cyartisans.com or pick up a map at local mid-Island visitor centres or at popular stores in Ladysmith and Nanaimo.
Canada 150 Canoe Carving Work is almost done on the Canada 150 project canoe, says Stz-uminus Ladysmith Canada 150 Committee cochair Duck Paterson. The base for the canoe, carved by Dan Richey has been mounted at Transfer
Members of Stz’uminus First Nation with Canada 150 canoe. Painted by artist Edward Joe it was returned to carver Manny Sampson for a weather coat. Photo: Duck Paterson.
Beach and is now waiting for the installation of the canoe. Carved by Master canoe carver Manny Sampson, and painted by artist Edward Joe, the canoe will symbolize the partnership between the two communities.
Jasper art Sandy Jasper is the featured artist at In the Beantime, in Ladysmith until Dec. 15. Jasper is a musician, author and artist who lives in Ladysmith. Drop in and check out her vibrant art or view online at https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/ sandy-jasper.html
Quartet Opens at LLT “Quartet,” written by Ronald Harwood and directed by Mary Lou Reside, is the newest play at Ladysmith Little Theatre. Cecily, Reggie and Wilfred reside in a home for retired opera singers. Each year, there is a concert to celebrate Verdi’s birthday. Jean, who used to be married to Reggie, arrives at the home and disrupts their equilibrium. Still a diva, she refuses to sing. But the show must go on in this funny and poignant play by the author of “Another Time,” “The Dresser” and “Interpreters.” The show plays at 8 p.m. Nov. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25, with matinees at 2:00 p.m., November 19 and 26, 2017. Note this play has suggestive language. Ladysmith Little Theatre Box Office is open Monday, Wednesday, Fri-
Artist Sandy Jasper’s “Knottey Orca”.
day, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Phone (250924-0658) or visit their website at www. ladysmiththeatre.com.
Comic absurdity British comedians James and Jamesy are bringing their unique brand of holiday hilarity to Duncan’s Cowichan Performing Arts Centre (Dec. 14th) and Nanaimo’s Port Theatre (Dec. 21st). Celebrated internationally by critics, the combination of the duo’s physical comedy, their interactions with the crowd and each other create a magical whirlwind where anything seems plausible. In O Christmas Tea, the duo’s wish for tea is granted, but with catastrophic and uproarious repercussions. “As tea fills the Jamesy’s flat (the stage) and floods the world (the audience) with tea, classic aquatic narratives like Jaws, Noah’s ark, and the Titanic all get steeped together and wrapped up in Christmas paper,”
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said Knowles. Tiickets and information is available at jamesandjamesy.com
Telemetry The first show of the Dance on the Crimson Coast 20th season, “Telemetry,” fuses tap, street, and contemporary dance, theatre and martial arts. The show is rounded out by a company of brilliant performers, including the tap transmission expert, Danny Nielsen, along with Tyler Layton-Olson, Lexi Vajda, Nicholas Lydiate, Maxine Chadburn and Hayden Fong Catch this show Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. at the Port Theatre, Nanaimo. For tickets, call Ticket Centre 250-754-8550, 125 Front Street or www.porttheatre.com
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Putting the Garden to bed It’s the time of year gardeners look forward to finishing with all their watering, weeding, planting and gardening chores and to hitting the cosy chair by the fire. However, first there’s the important step of putting the garden to bed for the winter. As the garden dies back, decaying material invites a host of fungal, bacterial and viral diseases into the garden. These can remain dormant in the soil to re-infect plants next year. One of my gardening mantras is “to prevent disease, remove disease,” and this makes the fall clean up an important task. By raking beds and re-
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moving diseased material, you avoid disease problems, such as scab on fruit trees and rust on garlic, leeks and onions. Some gardeners love leaves and some gardeners curse them, but many don’t realize what a wonderful resource for the soil leaves are. You may see me outside your home if you have a big pile of oak or native maple leaves piled up outside it, because I stockpile leaves in fall by stuffing them into circular wire cages. When packed tightly into wire cages, kept dry from rain, they won’t break down. This way you can shake a cage of leaves into the compost bin or over a garden bed anytime of the year. As I drive around in fall, I am on the prowl for oak trees, big leaf maples, sycamores and chestnuts because they are all wonderful sources of nutrient-rich leaves. For a pile of rich, crumbly leaf mulch, all you have to do is heap a large pile of fall leaves up in the corner of the yard. One year later, they will have broken down into the most amazing leaf mulch (faster if you turn the pile). We have just experienced the driest summer, with only two rainfalls all summer, which is predicted to be the new norm. Helping soil retain moisture by building up its organic matter is a good idea. An acidic leaf mulch from pine needles is excellent for ericaceous (acidloving) plants, such as azaleas, rhododendrons, pieris, hydrangeas, blueberries, heathers and camellias. These are also shallow-rooted plants that benefit from having their roots covered with a moisture retaining mulch. If gardeners realized what a wonderful resource leaves are, breaking down to create a rich hummus and providing nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil, they would value them and not remove them from the garden. They are an essential step to building and replenishing soil. “Weed and feed” in my garden consists of mulching with what I call “Super Duper compost.” This feeds the soil and smothers weed seeds at the same time. This compost feeds a host of soil microorganisms that make nutrients in soil available to plants through root hairs. The health of the soil determines the quality of the food grown in it, and we rely on nutrient-dense food to maintain good health. Enrich your compost by adding any of the following organic ingredients: Manure (cow, sheep, horse, llama, goat
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or chicken-can be fresh) *Leaves (avoid waxy leaves, such as arbutus) *Herbaceous prunings *Weeds (avoid weeds in seed or pernicious plants such as mint, morning glory and goutweed) *Spoiled hay *Grass clippings *Nettles (in season) *Comfrey (in season) *Horsetails (in season) *Seaweed (visit your local beach after a winter storm) *Wood ash (uncontaminated from paint or finishings) *Sawdust and woodchips (not cedar) *Comfrey, nettles and dried horsetail are “bio-accumulators” containing valuable nutrients that make high-quality compost. Carolyn Herriot is author of “The Zero Mile Diet, A Year Round Guide to Growing Organic Food” and “The Zero Mile Diet Cookbook, Seasonal Recipes for Delicious Homegrown Food” (Harbour Publishing). Available at bookstores.
Fall in Ladysmith, the leaves make a nutritious addition to your garden compost. Photo: Rob Johnson
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NOVEMBER Nov 3, 12pm-8pm, Nanaimo Professional Craft Fair, Beban Park, 2300 Bowen Rd. Nanaimo Nov 4 & 5, 11am -5pm, Mary Fox Pottery Studio Sale, 321 3rd Ave., Ladysmith, 250-245-3778 Nov 4, 10am-6pm, Nanaimo Pottery Co-op’s Winter Show & Sale, Country Club Ctr, 3200 North Island Hwy Nov 4, 10am-5pm, Nanaimo Professional Craft Fair, Beban Park, 2300 Bowen Rd. Nanaimo Nov 4,10am-4pm, Crofton Art Group Fall Show & Sale at Crofton Seniors Centre, 1507 Joan Ave., Crofton Nov 4, 11am-2pm, St. Mary’s Bazaar, free admission, sewing, baking, lunch $8, 1135 4th Ave. Ladysmith Nov 5, 10am-5pm, Nanaimo Professional Craft Fair, Beban Park, 2300 Bowen Rd. Nanaimo Nov 5, 11am-5pm, Nanaimo Pottery Co-op’s Winter Show & Sale, Country Club Ctr, 3200 North Island Hwy Nov 16, 12pm-8pm, Christmas Chaos Island Savings Centre, 2687 James St, Duncan Nov 16, Noon-9pm, Kris Kringle Craft Market, Beban Park Ctr., 2300 Bowen Rd. Nanaimo Nov 17, 10am-6pm, Kris Kringle Craft Market, Beban Park Ctr., 2300 Bowen Rd. Nanaimo Nov 17, 12pm-8pm, Christmas Chaos Island Savings Centre, 2687 James St, Duncan Nov 18, 8:30am-4pm, Arts & Crafts Sale, Brechin United Church, 1998 Estevan Rd. Nanaimo Nov 18, 9am-2pm, Christmas Craft Sale, Chemainus RC Legion Hall, 9775 Chemainus Rd. 250-246-2481 Nov 18, 10am-2pm, Christmas Craft Sale hosted by the South Wellington & Area Community Assoc, South Wellington Community Hall, 1555 Morden Rd. 250-574-2820 Nov 18, 11am-2pm, Luncheon & Bazaar, Ladysmith United Church, 232 High St at 3rd Ave. Nov 18, 10am-5pm, Christmas Chaos
Island Savings Centre, 2687 James St, Duncan Nov 18, 1:30-3pm, Holly Daze Bazaar – home baking, St. Andrew’s United Church hall, 411 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo, Tkts $10 Nov 18, 10am-6pm, Kris Kringle Craft Market, Beban Park Ctr., 2300 Bowen Rd. Nanaimo Nov 18, 10:00am -2:00 pm, Art and Craft Sale, Celebrating Mental health through Art & Creativity, Brechin Church, 1998 Estevan Road, Nanaimo . Nov 18, 10am-2pm, Christmas Craft Sale sponsored by the South Wellington and Area Community Assoc, Cranberry Community Hall, 1555 Morden Road in South Wellington. Free. Nov 19, 10am-5pm, Christmas Chaos Island Savings Centre, 2687 James St, Duncan Nov 19, 10am-5pm, Kris Kringle Craft Market, Beban Park Ctr., 2300 Bowen Rd. Nanaimo Nov 23-26, 10am-5pm, Cedar & Yellow Point Artisans 2017 Country Christmas Self-Guided Tour, fun and free. Pick up a map at Visitor Centres or at the Waterfront Gallery in Ladysmith Nov 23, 5pm-8:30pm, LaFF’s Mistletoe Market at Aggie Hall, 1110 1st Ave, Ladysmith, local crafters, Ladysmith Carolers, Professional holiday photos, Mistletoe Cafe. Cash and / or non-perishable food donation to support LaFF & the Ladysmith Food Bank Nov 24, 25, 26, 10am-4pm, Carols Craft Market at North Oyster Community Ctr. 13467 Cedar Road. 250-754-8905 Nov 24-25, 10am-4pm, Oceanside Grandmothers to Grandmothers 10th Annual Christmas Extravaganza, Quality Resort Bayside, 240 Dogwood St, Parksville Nov 24-26, Winterfest Craft Fair, Civic Centre in Qualicum Beach Nov 25, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm, Christmas Bazaar at St. Michael’s Anglican Church Parish Hall Chemainus, Fall Christmas Tea, $7.00, Baking, Crafts, Jewellery, Gifts, and more. Nov 25, 5:30pm, Beverage and Burger Night, Nanaimo Chapter #43 O.E.S. at
the RC # 10 Legion Hall, 129 Harewood Rd., Nanaimo - $20 featuring home baking and Mystery Table Nov 25, 10am-5am, 4th “Deck the Hall” Christmas Craft Market, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds 7380 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan, Free. Nov 26, 10am-3pm, 4th `Deck the Hall` Christmas Craft Market, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds 7380 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan, Free. Nov 30, 3pm, The Ladysmith Museum will be opening for the Ladysmith 30th Festival of Lights Anniversary celebrations. 721 First Ave. Nov 30, 3pm, 30th Annual Festival of Lights, entertainment, concessions, craft fair at Aggie Hall, spaghetti dinner at the Eagles Hall, and the Kinsmen Parade along 1st Ave, LDCU Fireworks Spectacular. Nov 30, 3pm, Ukrainian Dinner – cabbage rolls, bratwurst, perogies, non-alcoholic beverage, & dessert. Ladysmith RC Legion #171, 1st Ave. Tkts $12 & $7 – take out available. Nov 30, 6pm, Stop by for a delicious Hot Chocolate during the Ladysmith Light Up. Your donations help support the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation & Nanaimo Haven House. Royal LePage office 528 1st Ave.
DECEMBER Dec 1-3, 4pm-8:30pm, Christmas Express – BC Forest Museum, 2892 Drink-
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water Rd, Duncan 250-715-1113 Dec 1, 1pm-2:30pm, Nanaimo Museum presents Yesteryear Christmas Homeschool, Ages 5-9 (grades K-4), Journey back through time and experience Christmas 100 years ago. Contact Stephanie to register 250-753-1821. Dec 2, 9am-12pm- Christmas Pancake Breakfast with Santa, prepared by N.O.A.H.S, at the Cedar Community Hall, Kids $3 Adults $6, Door prizes, crafts and fun for all. Dec 2, 10am-4pm Winter Craft Fair, Ladysmith Primary School, 510 6th Ave – kids fun craft table & basket raffles! Hot chili & soup. With over 50+ tables to shop from. Dec 2, 7:30pm, Vancouver Island Symphony presents Reindeer Games – Festive Brass at the Port Theatre, 125 Front St, Nanaimo 250-754-8850. Dec 2, 7pm, From Swing to the King Christmas with Ben Klein in Concert at St. Andrews United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam Street, Nanaimo, 250-753-1924 Dec 3 6:30 – 8pm, Annual Festival of Choirs, St. Mary’s Church 1135 4th Ave. admission by donation with proceeds going to the Christmas Cheer Fund. Dec 6, 5:45pm, Tree lighting cremony in conjunction with Cowichan District Hospital & Cowichan Valley Hospice Services. Info 250-701-4242 or (1-888701-4242 in Ladysmith) or www.cowichanvalley hospice.org Dec 7, 6pm, Family Christmas Dinner, Santa and his goody bag, carol singers & dancers, The Cotton Club,1975 Haslam Rd. Call 250-245-5157 to reserve Dec 8-10, 4pm-8:30pm, Christmas Express – BC Forest Museum, 2892 Drinkwater Rd, Duncan 250-715-1113 Dec 8, 3:30pm, Ladysmith Museum will be open for the 6th Annual Old Time Christmas, 721 First Ave. Dec 8, 5pm-8pm, LDBA’s 6th Annual Old Time Christmas Downtown Ladysmith, caroling treats and much more. Dec 8-9, 5pm, Christmas Dinner at the Chemainus 55 + Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St. For info call 250-246-2111 Dec 9, 8:30am- 10am, LaFF’s 13th Annual Breakfast with Santa, Aggie Hall, 1110 1st Ave, Ladysmith, 250-210-0870 Dec 9, 10am-3pm, St. Joseph’s School Christmas Bazaar, 9735 Elm St, Chemainus. 250-739-2810. Check next month for more events!
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Each year a different pattern is used, this year the theme is Canada 150 with a giant maple leaf carved into the corn rows. A perfect example of agri-tourism - corn maze, pumpkin patch, hay rides, produce stand and a whole lot of family fun! Fundraising events are held at McNab’s each year and typically feature a concession stand set up by a school, club, or charity. Each fundraiser offers their own food, goodies, drinks, and other surprises. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of visitors, staff, students, PACs, and so many more, they’ve been able to raise in excess of $25,000 each year, all in support of local schools and charities. From late August to late September, the hours are 10am until dusk. Fri, Sat, Sun and holidays. Starting in late September they are open 7 days a week, from 10am - 6pm. For about the last 10 days of October the hours are 10am until 10pm so that visitors may enjoy the Night Maze. Phone June 1 to Dec 1, 250 245-0666 mcnabscornmaze.com
The Gogo Family Christmas Tree Farm McNab’s Corn Maze & Produce Farm MCNAB’S CORN MAZE was established in 2002. MCM offers affordable family fun in the country, featuring a seven acre corn maze, hayrides, fire pits with a picnic area, a seasonal roadside vegetable stand along with various farm animals. MCM, is unique in that we provide an outdoor activity in October, says owner Murray McNab. “When the weather is dry, like this fall, it is a beautiful setting, with all of the deciduous trees changing colour. It can also be very muddy and trying, like the rain soaked fall of 2016.” Murray’s parents purchased the property in 1960 which is now owned by him and his five siblings. “My grandpa who lived to 99, always told us that our generation was the 10th generation of our family in Canada.” In 2002, after a visit to a Victoria area corn maze and doing some additional research, Murray decided to create one of his own. So it began on seven acres, the same seven acres that are used today.
The Gogo farm originated in 1897 with Old Johnny Gogo supplying fresh vegetables and beef to the local mining community. In 1929 John Jr. started shipping Christmas trees to the United States via boxcar. In 1975 John’s son Mike opened a new concept to Vancouver Island - a YOU CUT Christmas tree farm where families could choose a living tree of their choice. Since then the Tree Farm has been wildly successful because of the quality, selection and price of these trees. All customers are greeted at the gate with chocolate and free holly is available at the office. The farm supports over twelve school and charitable organizations in the community. Please join them for their 88th year in tree sales. For the safety of customers, no dogs are allowed out of the cars. “Five generations of the Gogo family wish you a Merry Christmas” says Mike Gogo. Clockwise: Dylan Christou enjoys some country fun at McNab’s Corn maze. Photo Brenda Damphouse. Mike Gogo at his Christmas Tree Farm, a holiday tradition!
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RDN Area A (Cedar, Cassidy, S. Wellington) Director’s Notes will return next month.
CVRD Area H (North Oyster)
2017 UNION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA MUNICIPALITIES CONVENTION UPDATE UBCM was formed in 1905 in order to enable local governments to engage in advocating with senior governments regarding the needs of the people of British Columbia. UBCM is a diverse group that has worked together to identify common issues that affect our local communities. At this time, the organization consists of 189 local governments and seven First Nations; since 1905, UBCM has worked diligently to keep local interests and thinking on the table of every B.C. government. In order to effectively represent local interests, members of local and provincial governments gather together to work towards identifying and resolving issues in communities large and small. I will highlight some of the issues that were placed on the agenda by the Cowichan Valley Regional District. The convention is also an opportunity to meet face to face with provincial ministers to identify the issues and work together to resolve them. Below are some examples of hot topic issues. ROADSIDE PATHWAYS (A Ministry
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Meeting was arranged regarding this issue) Rural roadways in most of the CVRD jurisdictions were developed many decades ago. These roads were developed to accommodate a low level of traffic in primarily rural and agricultural settings. Many of the local roads are narrow without shoulders, and it’s clear that today’s traffic is very different than yesterday’s traffic. Vehicles are larger and faster than ever before. Because of its mild climate, beautiful scenery and healthy lifestyle, Vancouver Island is continuing to grow. As a result, the existing roadside conditions are becoming unsafe for pedestrians, runners, cyclists, equestrians and school children. Because the Province has the sole responsibility for roads in unincorporated areas, the CVRD was able to express the desire of the CVRD to work with MOTI to establish a network of road rights of ways, adjacent to the portion of the existing roadways, and develop design and construction guidelines for on-roadway and off-roadway paths. APPROVING OFFICER AUTHORITY (A Ministry Meeting was arranged regarding this issue) During the past number of years, the CVRD has experienced a large increase in subdivision and development demands. While the development pressure is being felt in the South Cowichan area, the pressure is not as intense in North Oyster/Diamond. The CVRD has placed a major emphasis on the protection of environmental values in all of the Official Community Plans, but the current practice of a provincial approving officer as the sole authority is not meeting the needs of the CVRD. This practice has resulted in long-term impacts of insufficient or inadequate measures to control erosion, manage storm water, proving sufficient water supplies, and to protect vegetation and other ecological values. The Woodley
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Range subdivision is a classic example of the Approving Officer’s inadequate knowledge and oversight during the development of subdivisions. Unfortunately, the purchasers of these properties were left with inadequate water supplies and many other issues related to approval of the subdivision. The CVRD is currently considering making a formal request to the Province to assume this authority within the regional district. The draft wording could request that the Minister support a request by the CVRD for delegation of Approving Officer Authority from the MOTI for subdivisions within the regional district. COWICHAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL REPLACEMENT (A Ministry Meeting was arranged regarding this issue) North Oyster Diamond is positioned between the Nanaimo Hospital and the Cowichan District Hospital. Currently, we have the option of using one or both of the facilities. However, the existing Cowichan District Hospital was constructed in 1967 to serve a population of about 35,000, with a capacity for 95 beds. The hospital now serves a population of 84,000, with a total capacity of 126 beds. The current facility is outdated, and with a growing population and aging demographics, it can no longer meet current and future needs. In anticipation of the need for a new hospital, the Cowichan Valley Hospital District Board secured the purchase of a 22-acre property for the construction of a new hospital. The Board also began increasing its contributions to reserves; as of 2016, the Hospital District has a total of $27 million in reserves dedicated to the new hospital. Approximately $7M will continue to be set aside for this important project. During the Minister’s meeting, the following request was put forward: That the Minister fulfill the Premier’s election
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promise by providing the Province’s share of funding for the replacement of Cowichan District Hospital. RESOLUTION SESSIONS During the course of the convention, approximately 140 resolutions on a wide range of topics were put on the floor for consideration of the delegates. I will provide information on some of those resolutions in the next edition of this magazine. You can also get detailed information from the UBCM website (www.ubcm.ca).
CVRD Area G (Saltair) Canada’s governing system has many layers of jurisdic-
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tion and powers. At the top of the list and most powerful is the federal government. We get a say every four years to let them know how they are doing, but generally we have very minimal effect on the running of the country. We leave it up to the media and journalists to represent us. Shiela Malcomson of the NDP is our MP in parliament for Saltair, and she has been strong on removing derelict vessels on the coast. But being from a minority party, Sheila has to rely on other MP’s to get the right thing done which I believe she will do. The next level down is the provincial government, and Doug Routley of the governing NDP party is our MLA at the legislature in Victoria. Doug is more accessible and should be more effective at representing Islanders as the NDP is presently in power. Under the Liberals, I have seen the improvements to Kelowna, Kamloops and Prince George where Liberals were elected. The province has jurisdiction over health, education, highways and resources. Further down the levels are local governments created by the provinces to handle more local issues. Municipalities like Ladysmith, Duncan and North Cowichan handle issues within their boundaries. The nine outlying areas like a Saltair, Mill Bay, Cobble Hill, Cowichan Bay, Youbou, and others are governed by the regional district. This group is called the Electoral Area Services Committee and makes decisions concerning Saltair. The bylaws created by this group also have to be approved by the province. The budgets of all the functions have to be approved by the full board of the Cowichan Valley Regional
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District each year, and there has to a five year financial plan for each budget. And to top that off all the budgets are audited by a professional independent auditing firm. So you can see there are lots of checks and balances in the system. The system is very bureaucratic and slow, but very safe for fiscal responsibility. As a director on the regional district, I get to discuss and vote on issues that are varied and sometimes complicated. Sometimes they are not black and white. Each director has
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their own viewpoint. To keep abreast of modern issues, I try to read one book a week on government, the environment, the economy, investing, community planning and so on. I also go to conferences to talk about issues and communicate with community leaders all over the province about their communities. I learn from them, and they learn from me. I would like to think that every time I vote at any level it is with the intention of making communities better. The future of the community is as important as the present.
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Chemainus hooker BY MARINA SACHT Val Gavin is a hooker and she’s darn proud of it. She plies her trade from her home in Chemainus where a steady stream of clients come by. Owner of Renditions in Rags Hooked and Braided Rugs, she “hooks” rugs for sale and offers classes and supplies. Val came by her trade honestly. Her grandmother hooked, as well as her great grandmother Annie Stevens, who with her husband Chris, used the fortune they had made in the Alaska Gold rush to purchase land on First Avenue in Ladysmith. In the early 1900’s they relocated the Ladysmith Hotel across the street so that they could build the Travellers Hotel. In its day, this was the premier hotel and Annie, who managed it, hooked a rug for every room. Annie originally came from Cape Breton were it was a popular pastime to hook
rugs. And although Val’s grandmother taught her to hook, it was following Val’s visit to Cape Breton in 1979 that Gavin started creating rugs. “I think it’s just in my genes.” Val has created hundreds of beautiful rag and braided rugs, as well as dolls, and decorations, and makes her own patterns. In the early days, worn out clothing would be torn into strips and using a hook, would be pulled up through a burlap bag, often an old feed bag. “Everything was recycled and reused back then, That’s how it originated.” Val still has some of Annie’s century old rugs that decorate her floors. The time required to create a rug depends on your skill level, but on the average takes about an hour to do a six inch square. “It’s a long process but in the end it’s worth it.” Looking around her home, beautifully decorated with colourful rugs, we agree. As we talk women start to drop in. Someone brings a chocolate cake. It’s Tuesday and her drop-in group is starting to come by. They bring along their projects and get help and inspiration from fellow hookers. Every Tuesday is studio day from 10 am until 3pm. “I have all the fabrics and supplies so if they run out of something I have it,” she points to her storage room, bulging with fabrics, felts, and yarns. “I like to promote recycling,” she says pointing to a rug on the floor that is a “three bag” rug -all recycled items that would have ended up in a landfill. If you are interested in learning this art, give her a call. The next class starts November 16, 2017. 250-246-3979 or valgalvin123@hotmail.com Val Gavin says “hooking” is in her genes. Photo: Marina Sacht
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Tammy Wynette Parties I was at the new Blue Grouse Winery in Cobble Hill the other day (a fantastic facility, worth a visit even if you don’t drink) and overheard a woman say, “This would make a wonderful spot for a wedding.” My immediate response, though I kept it to myself (always a sensible precaution according to my wife): “What? Waste this facility on non-drinkers?” Weddings? Non-drinkers? You bet. Our precious institutions are under attack by the forces of sobriety. Drinking at weddings is quickly going the way of smoking in public places. Let’s check out the demographics. Fifteen percent of the people attend-
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ing the average wedding are twelve and under. It’s the little boys you notice. Mainly because Mom has dressed them up in ill-fitting polyester sports jackets and ties just like the sales staff at Up Town Motors. Corporate motto: Unreliable products, at unreasonable prices. In return for wearing the goofy outfits, the boys are allowed to drink all the Coke a boy could wish for, which is just short of the amount required to float the Queen of Surrey. Then there are the granddads, men who would gladly come to the aid of the party even though their doctors have sternly warned them against doing so. Unfortunately, their wives, fed up with complaints about heartburn and irregular pulse rates, are less than sympathetic and have threatened to uncouple their hubby’s oxygen bottles if they so much as cast a longing glance at a beer. That leaves the bride and her extensive wedding party, half of whom aren’t drinking because they’re maybe one calorie away from busting out of their dress (all those coolers at the lake add up), and the other half are pregnant, which is de-
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cidedly not good news for beverage sales because it’s a case of double jeopardy. In the old days, a pregnant wife meant you got to drink for two. Today, according to Martha Stewart’s Big Book of Marriage (which explains how to keep your husband happy, your home stylish and stay out of jail, all at the same time), if the wife can’t drink, nor should the husband, or so says chapter six, paragraph three, the doctrine of beverage solidarity. And this, according to another source, Popular Mechanics, makes about as much sense as whitewall tires. This leaves drinking up to Uncle Gary; he’s the one in the “Make Mine A Double” t-shirt. Unfortunately for Gary, the bride has informed everyone at the wedding, right down to the 16-year-old dishwasher, that she has a handgun in her purse and will use it on anyone caught handing Gary a drink. This .45 calibre precaution stems from the incident five years ago at Big Sister Brenda’s wedding. Gary’s mission statement for that event: To show this pack of wussies how to party. He was doing just that when young Kelly walked by,
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the only bridesmaid who looked truly spectacular in her dress, but then with her figure she would have looked good in the box the dishwasher came in, especially if she got to jump out of it. “Let’s get naked,” the groom’s brother whispered, sotto voce, way out of his wife’s earfall — if that’s a word — but loud enough to be appreciated by his cronies. Upon hearing this, Gary, who by this time was convinced he was the funniest person in North America, replied, “Sure. Why not?” And proceeded to take off all his clothes, including his socks. Then, for reasons only known to Gary’s prefrontal cortex, which thanks to a bottle and a half of rye was severely listing to port, he proceeded to dance the funky chicken, not Brenda’s favourite dance. But don’t give up on the sacrament of Matrimony just yet. The big money has yet to be squeezed out of it. My advice for commercial establishments is to forget weddings and switch your focus to something more fun and lucrative. That would be divorces. Divorce parties are the wave of the future. At divorce parties, there are no kids in goofy sports jackets and no boring relatives, just you and your close friends eager to celebrate your new freedom. Like any new trend, this one needs a snappy name. I was thinking we call them Tammy Wynette Parties, after the country singer, who sang — mostly through her nose — “Stand By Your Man.” Then, after realizing that her man had a cheating heart, and the rest of his organs weren’t much better, rectified it with the hit single, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.” Surprisingly, no one has thought of this before. In five years time when divorce parties are as commonplace as birthday parties, don’t forget where you heard it first. In fact, since I got the idea at Blue Grouse, I’m offering the concept to them free of charge. If boxing announcer Michael Buffer can trademark “Let’s get ready to rumble!”, getting a trademark on Tammy Wynette parties shouldn’t be a problem. So far I’m the only one using the phrase — that should tell you something. (“Yes,” says wife Ginny, patiently tapping her foot, “it should.”) Keep in mind, this is a new concept. I haven’t flushed out all the details, and according to my wife, a good flush will truly help. For a theme I envision balloons and bubble. Lots of bubble, the bride shucking her ex is an entirely different person than the prissy little control freak at the wedding. No, this gal knows how to have fun, and believe you me, corks will be popping. We’ll also need a dance. Something a little less annoying than the Macarena, but like the Funky Chicken, can be performed with or without socks. Gary has offered to help. In fact, these parties will be so much fun that even happily married couples will want to get in on the excitement and get divorced too. They’ll look at their cork-popping neighbour and go, “Why should she be having all the fun? All she did was marry a loser.” (I’ve found an $8 Spanish red that drinks like a $12 wine. The catch? To get that price, you have to buy a case. At that price, not a problem. Takes about three or four days at your government liquor store. Product #446963. Single bottles available at private stores for a little extra. Don’t tell Gary.) Delbert Horrocks is a co-proprietor at Mahle House Restaurant Follow him at Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com
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NOV 1 – 4 1–4, Wear your Poppy! 1–4, 8pm, Silent Sky, Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 3, 10am to noon, Chemainus Art Group (Formerly Chemainus Sketch Group), “Life Drawing,” with guest artist Gerda Hoffman, Saltair Centre (3850 South Oyster School Rd.), $25, limited space, please pre-register (happypair@shaw.ca) 3, 7:30pm, Crimson Coast Dance Society presents “Telemetry,” Port Theatre, Nanaimo 4, 9 to 10:30am, $5 Pancake Breakfast, Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre, 9824 Willow St. 4, 10am to 4pm, Crofton Art Group Fall Show & Sale at Crofton Seniors Centre, 1507 Joan Ave., Crofton 4, 7:30pm, “Multifaceted Classical Guitar: An Evening of South American and European
Music,” starring Andrei Burdeti, St. Andrews United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo
5 – 11 5, 9am, Help Light Up Ladysmith, volunteers needed to help the Festival of Lights, call 250245-5888 5, 2pm, Milk Crate Band, with vocalist Jack Ray at Pat’s House of Jazz in the Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton 5–11, Wear your Poppy! 6–11, noon to 4pm, Remembrance Week at the Ladysmith Museum (721 1st Ave.), in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion, displays, artifacts and more. 8, 2 to 4 pm, Book launch of “Powered by Love: A Grandmothers’ Movement to End AIDS in Africa” at Nanaimo Harbour Front Library (90 Commercial St.), free, hosted by the NanGo
Grannies, guests from Africa and the Stephen Lewis Foundation 8, 7 to 9pm, Nanaimo Horticultural Society Meeting, speaker is Colin Barnard/Backyard Wildbird & Nature Store, First Unitarian Fellowship Hall, 1-595 Townsite Rd., Nanaimo 8, 7:30pm, The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, 2687 James St., Duncan 9, 10, 11, 8pm, “Quartet,” Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd. (wwwladysmiththeatre.com) 10, 1 to 4pm, Ladysmith Health & Community Services Fair at the Frank Jameson C.C., 810 6th Ave. 10, 8pm, Karaoke is back at The Sportsman Pub, 640 First Ave, Ladysmith 250-245-8033. 11, 9:30am to 1:30pm, Chemainus Art Group (formerly Chemainus Sketch Group), “Drawing and with more than just a pencil,” five sessions, Saltair Centre, 3850 South Oyster School Rd, pre-register, happypair@shaw.ca 11, 10:30am, Remembrance Day, Ladysmith Cenotaph
12 – 18 12, 2pm, Vocalist Edie Daponte, with her Edith Piaff tribute at Pat’s House of Jazz in the Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton 12, All day event, Riot Brewing Company Turns 1! Live music, happy hour pricing, 101A, 3055 Oak St., Chemainus 15, 9:30 to 11am, Blood Pressure Clinic, Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre, 9824 Willow St. 15, 11:30am to 1pm, $6 Soup & Sandwich, Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre, 9824 Willow St. 15, 7:30pm, North Oyster & Area Historical Society’s Annual General Meeting, North Oyster Community Hall, 13467 Cedar Rd. 16, 7pm, Ladysmith Saltair Garden Club meeting at Ladysmith Community Health Centre, 1111 4th Ave., Room G18 16, 17, 18, 8pm, “Quartet,” Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd. wwwladysmiththeatre. com. 16–17, 9:30am to 4pm, Chemainus Art Group (formerly Chemainus Sketch Group), two-day workshop with Ann Jones, “Practical Application
of Design,” Saltair Centre, 3850 South Oyster School Rd., non-members $100, by preregistration only, happypair@shaw.ca
23, 24, 25, 8pm, “Quartet,” Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd. wwwladysmiththeatre. com
30, 3pm, The Ladysmith Museum will be opening for the Ladysmith 30th Festival of Ligts Anniversary celebrations, 721 First Ave.
Nov. 17–Dec. 31, “Cornwalls’ All-Inclusive Cancun Christmas” at the Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 1-800-565-7738
24, 7:30pm, Laila Biali, Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, 2687 James St., Duncan
30, 3pm, 30th Annual Festival of Lights, entertainment, concessions, craft fair at Aggie Hall, spaghetti dinner at the Eagles Hall, the Kinsmen Parade along 1st Ave. and LDCU Fireworks Spectacular
18, 10:30am to 12:30pm, Round Table Discussion and Time Table, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Dr. 18, 5 to 8pm, Birthday Party pot luck dinner, bar and entertainment, Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre, 9824 Willow St. 18, 7pm, Mark Crissinger, local transitional blues musician at Riot Brewing, 101A, 3055 Oak St., Chemainus
19– 25 Nov. 19–Dec. 31, 7:30pm, “Cornwalls’ AllInclusive Cancun Christmas” at the Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 1-800-565-7738) 19, 3:30 to 6pm, Cedar Community Messy Church, Sunday at Cedar United Church. Join us for a hands on, messy, and fun exploration of faith. Crafts and activities, story and songs, and a delicious meal — all free. Children must bring a supervising adult, but adults can come without a child! Contact the United or Anglican Church in Cedar for details. 19, 6:15pm, Open Mike Night at St. Mary’s, 1135 Fourth St., Ladysmith 19, 2pm, Greg Bush Quintet at Pat’s House of Jazz in the Osborne Bay Pub, Crofton 19, 2pm, “Quartet,” Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd, wwwladysmiththeatre.com 19, 2pm, Chemainus Classical Concerts: Bruce Welch, piano. St. Michael’s Church, $20/$5, adv. $16, 250-748-8383 or www. chemainusclassicalconcerts.ca 20, 7 to 9 pm, Island Stitchery Group, fun embroidering with other keen stitchers, Christ Community Church, 2221 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo 23, 7pm, Open Mic Night, hosted by Bob Johns, Riot Brewing, 101A, 3055 Oak St., Chemainus 23–25, 7:30pm, “Sansei: The Storyteller,” VIU’s Malaspina Theatre, theatreone.org or 250-7547587 23 –26, 10am to 5pm, the 29th annual Cedar Yellow Point Country Christmas Self-Guided Tour
24, 8pm, Karaoke is back at The Sportsman Pub, 640 First Ave, Ladysmith, 250-245-8033 25, 2pm, “Sansei: The Storyteller,” VIU’s Malaspina Theatre, theatreone.org or 250-7547587.
26 – 30 26, 1 to 2pm, Jazz Vesper starring Kevin Hick’s and his Elec-Tribe Band, St. Andrews United, 311 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo 26, 2pm, Saxophonist Graham Shonwise, featuring organist Tony Genge, at Pat’s House of Jazz in the Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton Nov. 26–Dec. 31, 7:30pm, “Cornwalls’ AllInclusive Cancun Christmas” at the Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 1-800-565-7738 26, 2pm, “Quartet,” Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd. wwwladysmiththeatre.com 26, 6:30pm, Ladysmith Newcomers, Legion Hall upstairs, general meeting, socializing, potluck dinner, new residents of Ladysmith area welcome, call Shanon at 250-924-8809 28, 7pm, Ladysmith Camera Club presents “Sunrise to Sunset,” night photography with Brad Powell, prolific, innovative Nanaimo photographer, Hardwick Hall, High St. at 3rd Ave., Ladysmith
December 1–31, 7:30pm, “Cornwalls’ All-Inclusive Cancun Christmas” at the Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 1-800-565-7738 2, 8pm, Belly-Burlesque Delight, The Sportsman Pub, 640 First Ave., Ladysmith, 250-245-8033 2, 10am, Christmas Pancake Breakfast with Santa at the North Oyster & Area Historical Society, 13469 Cedar Rd. 2, 7 to 9pm, “Swing to the King,” starring Ben Klein, Christmas Gospel Concert, St. Andrews United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam St., Nanaimo 250-753-1924 8, 5 to 8pm, Ladysmith’s Old Time Christmas, presented by Ladysmith Downtown Business Assoc., caroling treats and more — fun for the family 16, 10:30am to 12:30pm, Round Table Discussion and Time Table, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Dr. 11 Remembrance Day 19 Chemainus Classical Concert 25 Sansei: The Storyteller
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HEARTMATH. The fastest, easiest way to reduce stress! Contact me at www.janicematthews.ca. I would love to be of help.
FOR RENT HORSE SPACE available with shady pasture, stream, stable, riding trails, self board, near Cassidy, $100 per month. Call 250-591-0733 Laurie/250-245-5039 Claus. WANTED MATURE COUPLE SEEKING RENTAL suite (1 or 2 bedroom) in Ladysmith (or surrounding area). Ideally occupancy for April/May 2018, but would consider immediate occupancy if opportunity presents. Please call 250-242-7363. HOUSEKEEPER for general home cleaning, please call Jan at 250-245-7240 for more information. BUSINESS MID-ISLAND HOME SUPPORT since 2009. Personal assistance and house cleaning available. Bondable, licensed, certified and insured for your safety and ours. For the best rates around, please call 250-924-2273 (CARE). I CAN EDIT. Copy editing, proofreading, structural editing and more. Fiction or nonfiction, web content and eBook prep. For more information, email editican@gmail.com. BARNACLE BILL’S CHARTERS. Fishing and sightseeing. Call 250-210-0787 or 250-245-4185. CONCRETE RESULTS. Contracting, full-service forming and finishing, walls, walks, patios, drives. 35 years experience. Call Gord 250-753-4024.
Prefer long stay. www.peaceofmindhousesitting. wordpress.com. Call Kathleen 250-619-0786. HOUSESITTERS INC. Insurance & security checks of your home or vacant property. Pet care, senior check ins & concierge services. Details on website www.housesittersinc.com. Insured. Retired RCMP owned. Call 250-713-5110. ROMAX MASONRY. Chimney repairs and rebuilds. Stonework. Patios. Interlocking pavers. Fireplaces. Slate installs. Minor excavating. Romaxmasonry.com, romax-bc@shaw.ca or 250516-7597. NEED HELP WITH HOUSEWORK? Let Lean On Me Housecleaning take care of it for you! Reliable and friendly service with attention to detail. Your home will sparkle! Call 250-245-2478. JANICE’S HOME CARE SERVICES. All care inside and out of the home; home care, house work, yard work and transportation. Contact janjamieson101@gmail.com or call 250-7012909. Great Rates! EDUCATION THE KNOWLEDGE NOOK (tutoring services) offers 1:1 & small group tutoring in French Immersion & English at all school levels. Instruction by B.C. qualified teacher with over 23 years experience. Visit 30 Roberts St. or jaynerullo@gmail.com.
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ALWAYS WANTED TO LEARN TO DRAW? Enroll in a 5-week Drawing Course with Carra Christy, Saturdays, 9:30am to 1:30pm, starting Nov. 11, $110, Saltair Centre, 3850 South Oyster School Rd., Chemainus. Art Group registration happypair@shaw.ca.
EXPERIENCED HOUSE SITTER available for spring and summer 2018. References avail.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
BEADS BEADS BEADS ETC.! 9752 Willow St., Chemainus. Best prices on the Island. Follow Facebook@etcinchemainus or call 250-3242227.
NOV 2017
JACLYNN COTTRELL REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPY. $100 for one hour; $60 for 30 minutes. Available evenings. Located across from Friesen’s on York Rd. in Cedar. Call 778-971-0444. TAI CHI for mental & physical health. Beginner classes start Sept. & Jan., Mondays, at Cedar Heritage Centre. On-going class Wednesdays at North Oyster Community Centre. Both classes 10am to noon $25/mo. www.nanaimotaichi.org. Call Sara 250-245-1466. EASY DOES IT FITNESS.CA for Beginners and Beyond. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30am and 5:30 to 6:30pm. Classes include Free Style Circuit Dancing, Stretching, Floor Core and Toning.
VIDEO PRODUCTION services, from script to screen, edited and ready to post on YouTube, Facebook or your website. Editor@take5.ca. HOME & YARD QUALITY RENOVATIONS. Big or small. 25 yrs. exp/journeyman, affordable. For free estimate, call Lars 250-616-1800. DARRELL 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. KEEP IT CLEAN SOLUTIONS. Home & office cleaning. General, event, windows, we’ll even make your bed! Great for families, seniors, single parents, office cleaning, flexible service to fit your schedule. Contact Alicia Johnson 250-709-1364 or aliciajohnson@telus.net. TAKE 5 ads work! 250-245-7015 ARE YOU BUYING OR SELLING A HOME? Curb appeal, re-design or new design, www. islandgardenscapes.ca. Ask for Kathleen 250802-0461. ISLAND PRUNING. Professional tree care from large scale orchards to budding new trees. I can meet any pruning need. Shrubs, vines and ornamental. Large and small clean ups. Call Darcy Belcourt 250-323-1260. KB HANDYMAN AND YARDWORKS SERVICES. Minor carpentry work, decks, fences, gutter cleaning, tree pruning, yard clean up, lawn fertilizing, mowing. Senior’s discount. Call Karl 250-714-2738. GARDEN RENOVATION AND LANDSCAPING. Are you thinking of a garden renovation or landscaping project? Excellent quality and knowledge. We are happy to assist you with any landscaping or gardening work you need. Estimates are always free. Give Sandpiper a call! 250-246-2421. THE HAPPY GARDENER. Weeding, digging, raking, cutting back, etc. I also do odd jobs. Cheerful and conscientious. Call David 250-6189217. SENIORS UPGRADES. Railings, grab bars, wheelchair ramps, interior re/finishing, carpentry, painting, custom shelving/storage, decks, benches. Make the home you love more comfortable and functional. Namaste Home Improvements 250-245-2751 (see display ad).
NOV 2017
PETS 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 my home and much more. As my love is yours! Call 250-246-3394. TOO CRAZY BIRDY HOTEL. Now three locations: Victoria, Cedar and Comox Valley. Travel with peace of mind, parrot boarding in loving settings. Budgies to macaws. $7, $14, $18 for sml, md, lrg. www.toocrazybirdyhotel.com. Call Diana and Kip 250-722-2201. THE PET NANNY. Let us pamper and love your pets at your home or ours. Experience and references are available. Call Shanon or Bill at 250-924-8809, Ladysmith. ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR. I provide services to help with behaviour issues, lost animals, messages your animal wants you to hear and much more. Contact me at www.janicematthews. ca or 250-246-3394. GOLDEN LEASH OBEDIENCE. Certified Balanced dog training specialist, covering Nanaimo to Duncan, puppy and Adult classes private lessons, help with aggression and problem behaviours. Text or phone 250-667-3878. TAKE 5 Classifieds work! Get them working for you. Call our office today! 250-245-7015. SENIORS LYNN’S SENIORS CARE HOME. High quality personalized care. Warm caring environment. Great food and snacks. Family events. Couples and pets welcome. Ocean views, gardens. North of Ladysmith. www.lynnsseniorcare.com. Call 250-245-3391. CEDAR SENIORS DROP-IN held every Wednesday 1 to 3pm at the Cedar United Church Hall. Games, refreshments and an opportunity to meet your neighbours. Call Donna at 250-7223536 or Barb at 250-722-2346. EXPERIENCED COMPASSIONATE REGISTERED care worker will provide home care light housekeeping and transportation to and from. Appointments email jcconscious77@gmail. com or call 250-924-0844. LEAVE A LEGACY. Memoirs, family cookbooks, personal histories, AND MORE! We can help get your project ready from start to finish and anything in between. Publish in print and or eBook format. Also available in video format. For professional publishing services for business or individuals, at affordable rates, contact TAKE 5 Publications for a quote.editor@take5.ca or call 250-245-7015.
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Stand up for our beliefs! “The sea lives in every one of us.” - Wyland Here we are in one of the most beautiful places to live in the world. It’s going to develop so fast it’ll make your head spin — nine million people by 2025 in and around the Salish Sea. We already have 3.5 million Canadians living here and 7.5 billion around the world. And climate change will see at least a metre rise in our ocean shoreline by 2050, with extreme heat and wet spells challenging all our civilized ways. Where we live, as well as the state of the environment, is going to determine the kind of life we and future generations will have. Right now, it seems that all we’re concerned about is us, our personal interests — health care, child care, education, wages, employment, the economy — and how fast we can get from one place to another. The environment will take care of itself. But just take a look at what’s happened to all those places across the country that forgot about the importance of a clean and healthy environment — a lot of the places we’ve all moved away from. There’s some destitute and broken communities out there. They lived and died on the boom promise, things will always be good, so long as we don’t ask questions or rock the boat. That oil bust didn’t apply to them until it happened. And then they spent their life savings and more trying to get out, leave the problems behind. Better just to move on, most people say, and go to somewhere better, a place without all the problems. Like here. And then the whole sorry saga repeats itself because the environment is the last thing on most people’s list. As the history buffs already know, you can’t escape the consequences of your
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actions. Already, here, we’re seeing some pretty darn big problems appear on our West Coast horizon. How about salmon decline and a lot of the fisheries too? Water shortages, with aquifers depleting. Droughts and fires. And what about all those urbane challenges that the real estate developers and city planners would rather deal with one by one rather than take a big picture view of the region’s needs? We can, of course, simply look the other way, enjoy it while we have it and hope for the best. Or if you do indeed care, you can stand up for your beliefs, recognize there’s a need to address the foundation for all our lives and require that the environment be addressed equally, with all the other human issues. For instance, you could speak up about that wetland or neighbourhood creek that’s about to be filled in, the pocket forest down the road that’s going to be logged, the health and habitats of the ecosystems that are providing for you, which disappear so that a few more houses can be built. You can make a difference if you want to. And it doesn’t take much time out of
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your busy life — just a willingness to do a good turn and act for the greater good. We have a chance, right now, to remind Parliament and politicians of the need to take positive initiatives to protect a huge part of our regional inheritance. The Salish Sea — its cultural and natural values, needs our attention. Right now. Two minutes of your time and the investment will payoff for the rest of your life ... and for all of the communities and people who will eventually live here too. All you have to do is sign the House of Commons Petition E-1269, sponsored by North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney, to support the Salish Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site application (https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/ en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1269). Approved World Heritage Site applications will be announced by the Prime Minister in December. Laurie Gourlay and Jackie Moad believe the only redeeming quality of their preachy tendencies is that they actually practice their principles. Living their beliefs, J and L farm 20 acres organically, seeking local solutions to global challenges everywhere.