TAKE 5 Dec 2012/Jan 2013

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Letters Gay attitude shift?

Bravo TAKE 5, Rob Pinkerton, your editorial staff and all who supported your amazing feature article on Gay attitude shifts! If one voice counts, this one says: “Thank God for diversity - in all its wonderful forms” To the business people reluctant to voice an opinion - I’d make a point of supporting your business simply on the grounds of knowing you supported the GLT community.

I truly hope the shift in attitudes has happened - your article gives strength to my hope. - Jeannie Labelle Congratulations to Rob Pinkerton on a fantastic article. Words cannot express how informative and eyeopening his report was.

Also, kudos to all the people he interviewed to make it such an informative piece of journalism. Is it going to be entered for an award somewhere?? I certainly hope so. - Georgina Lorette Wonderful article about “attitudes” in this month’s Take 5.

Like that you highlighted Bruce Mason’s story. Photography is great!- Susan Carthy I want to congratulate Rob Pinkerton on a fine piece of writing. It’s good too to see a local publication will include such a piece. How times have changed. I hope you got good feedback and it was well received in the community. - Brian Bradshaw Well done! Rob Pinkerton’s article on Bruce and Micheal and their experiences growing up with a generation that had many biases against alternative sexual lives was entertaining, instructional and educational. It was very well written. At the same time the article came out, there was a production playing at Ladysmith Little Theatre called Normal Heart. If you look up Ned Weeks, you can read about his life. This play is about the 80’s in New York and the Aids Plague is in full force, with over 1000 cases of Aids diagnosed in every major USA city and over a third of those already dead...and no politician will talk about this epidemic or offer any funding for research.....it is about the ignorance of trying to stop this disease before it was too late...... and they never did, so right now I believe there are over 75 million cases of Aids worldwide. I am so impressed with your article....keep up the good work of educating the people of La-

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dysmith, young and old - Linda Brown I cringed when I read the word “gays” in a submission title this week. It is only appropriate when used as an adjective such as “gay people”. I googled it and they agreed. How politically correct is the term “the gays” to you? Please use the term ‘gay people’ instead. “The gays” grates like fingernails on a blackboard. Gay is appropriately used as an adjective. -Sherry Bezanson

Saltair Volunteer award I would first like to make a correction in Mel Dorey’s column in the Nov. issue of Take 5. (Directors Notes). I served as President of the Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary (not the centre) for two years, and am currently co-advisor for the Youth Volunteer program sponsored by the Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary. The Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary’s Advisor is Deb Henderson.

I was the Advisor for Ladysmith many years ago.

I would like to thank the Saltair Ratepayers for presenting me with the Award....it came as a big surprise. I started to volunteer because we had just moved to Ladysmith, and I didn’t know the community, neighbours, or the schools. What better way to find out, than to volunteer. When we moved to Saltair, it was the same thing... didn’t know anyone, so, I volunteered at Mount Brenton School. For those who volunteer, we know that every project every committee involves a

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group of people, nothing is done single handed. I work with great people whose main concern is to give back to the community in one way or another. They do so with enthusiasm, pride, and are generous with their time…so on their behalf, thank you - Nadi Bottomley

Poppy campaign a success We would like to thank the citizens of Ladysmith again this year for their participation in our 2012 Poppy Campaign.

Attendance at the Nov 11 ceremony at the Cenotaph honouring the Veterans of all wars and the fallen was outstanding again this year. It is heartwarming to see so many families with small children attending.

Many volunteers assist with our Poppy Campaign, from Poppy distribution on the last weekend of October, to the ceremony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day. The Town of Ladysmith and the RCAC 257 Parallel Squadron play a major part in our events along with the Ladysmith Rotary Club and we are very grateful for their assistance. The “For King and Country” Veterans Dinner held on Nov 10 by the Ladysmith Rotary Club was very well done and we would like to thank them on behalf of our Veterans and members who attended.

Thank you to everyone who made a donation, purchased a wreath or donated their time for this very worthwhile cause.

We will remember them, - Karen Graczyk & Roy Empey, Poppy Chairpersons

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Trolley woes When I saw the latest report from the town’s Trolley Committee, I felt the need for a rant. Actually anybody and everybody who reads it should want to rant. The report is easily available from the town’s website.

Basically it shows that the trolley ridership over the three years it has been in operation has decreased by 50 per cent.

Our trolley now carries an average of under five passengers an hour, ten hours a day.

I sent off emails to the mayor and council suggesting that with figures like these, it was time to pull the plug on this transit concept.

I got one reply – from Councillor Dashwood, Chair of the committee. I appreciated her courtesy and the short email dialogue we engaged in.

However, I have to say, much of it was political spin.

We had gas tax money so it didn’t cost tax payers anything. But if it is tax money, taxpayers somewhere had to pay it. It’s not manna from heaven. And if it was available, couldn’t it have been put towards, for example, the cost of the new fire truck?

The bus only costs each taxpayer about $33 a year. That’s a good reason for running a large empty diesel bus around town all day: because it doesn’t cost much? What about the town’s much vaunted Green Plan? The bus has neither replaced nor displaced the car. It is its own very large carbon footprint.

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There was a huge buy in from the public for the Trolley concept. How do we know? Was a survey done? Or was the public sucked into the idea of a trolley with its olde worlde look to go with our “Heritage by the Sea” town. Looks good on the town website, a great tourist draw maybe, except tourists don’t ride it. With a huge buy in why is the bus running empty? “O yes, I love the trolley but no thank you, I won’t get on. I prefer my car.”

Paul Williams has researched the costs, financial and environmental, of our trolley compared with other places. He has a mass of stats he has presented to council and to involved town hall staff. The response? Zero. Zilch. They don’t want to know, it seems. Silence is the great defensive weapon of the politician.

Say nothing and eventually the protests will die away and the protesters will go away. It’s disappointing. - Brian Bradshaw

Consultation process on suites Well, if you blinked you may have missed it, but don’t say you weren’t asked....I’m talking about the town’s $108,500 “consultation” process geared toward drafting a new zoning bylaw to address the issue of detached secondary suites (among other things). Not to be confused with the previous $42,000 process that was held to address contained secondary suites.

The main difference between the two processes? Well, the first one held several public open houses with breakout groups and discussions about a single issue. This particular dog and pony show consisted of a single public “Ideas Cafe” (though it’s a pretty poor cafe that only serves coffee, at least in the previous process they had cookies....but I digress) with a dozen or so display boards and free post-it notes designed to address several issues. Including a proposal to convert downtown to a pedestrian mall, seriously, it was the lead item in the paper.

Cedar girls Jr. volleyball team is #1. They just returned from B.C. Jr. Girls Provincials in Delta Nov.23 and 24 where they came 3rd out of 250 schools in the Province. The team and coaches would like to thank parents, family and community for their support.

Submitted by Dee Hunt

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(Might want to ask some of the few remaining viable businesses about that one.)

Anyhoo...according to our local paper, this “Ideas Cafe” is to be the only public input opportunity though there will be private consultations and briefings for town council and staff.

Then sometime in the spring (according to the paper’s timeline, after the new bylaw has been developed) there will be another public session, since it’s to be held after the law is developed I think “consultation” may be too strong a word.

Now, you may well ask, if the main folks being consulted are town councillors and staff, why pay an outside firm $108,500?

After all a single open meeting and a few staff meetings couldn’t cost that much could it? Good luck on getting an answer to that one, or if you do, understanding the bureaucratic bafflegab that will be the response...

Call me a conspiracy theorist but I get a feeling that this whole process began with the blatantly unlawful carriage house that was erected with the town’s blessing at the corner of Roberts.

The neighborhood residents had the temerity to rally against this structure and fight city hall’s efforts to sweep the issue under the rug.

Faced with an apparently unenforceable bylaw, rather than admit that the ball had been dropped; the town’s reaction was to contract out the writing of a new $108,500 bylaw. (oops, let’s not forget the previous $42,000, adding up to over $150,000 of our tax dollars) Kind of makes me wonder what we pay all those staff and managers for.

Just to let you know, the Supreme Court has now ruled that the resident of the carriage house must vacate the premises until such time that the appropriate approvals and permits from the town, and compliance with all bylaw requirements can be shown. Stay tuned on that front, it took the town the better part of a year to even admit that there was even someone living there....I suspect they needed to define the term “living” or some such.

Which brings me back to the conspiracy theory....Would it be possible for the town or their paid contractors to craft a bylaw in such a way as to retroactively legislate this carriage house into compliance? (I’d be surprised if the town responded so cynically, but I’ve been surprised before).... I somehow think that this is an eventuality the neighborhood residents will be watching for.

- Garth Gilroy

Correction In the TAKE 5/NOV2012 article Remembering all those who served on Nov 11, it was stated that all those listed on the Ladysmith Legion Wall have passed away. Since the story came out Ian Brown phoned to say his father’s name (listed on the plaque as J.T. Brown) is still very much alive and lives in Victoria in his own house at the age of 92. Since then we’ve had another report of survivors. Thanks for setting things straight and congratulations! - Editor Letters to the Editor are welcome but subject to space and editing. Letters published do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TAKE 5. email editor@take5.ca, or post your comments directly at www.take5.ca. or www.take5.ca/forum

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New life for the Travellers

BY ROB JOHNSON After years of neglect and decay there is renewed interest and love in this old hotel. The Travellers, once the social centre of Ladysmith for the working class, is now being cleaned up and is being offered new hope for revitalization of itself and perhaps the whole downtown core.

The Travellers Hotel was built in 1910 by Annie and Chris Stevens to become a haven for commercial travellers and businessmen. It boasted one of the largest and best equipped bars on the west coast, with two dining rooms and 32 rooms. Over the years it became the place socialize for the residents of Ladysmith and area. It sponsored many sporting teams and community activities. Because of this it has been listed on the Canadian Registry of Historic Places and is also one of the buildings included in Ladysmith’s Heritage Inventory.

The present owner Glenn Struss has given his daughter Pha-

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edra Struss authorization to clean it up and do all necessary repairs to make it a desirable property. A property that she hopes will attract investors willing to fulfil her vision and work with the Town to make the building a vibrant and viable part of the community. Struss is open to ideas ranging from bringing back a pub hotel to condos with commercial space below. The building boats over 13,000 sq ft. Struss indicated that her family has already invested over $250,000, with plans to send more to bring the building to a marketable state. “I am looking for the right buyer willing to pay the right price”, but she also she wants that person to share her passion to see the building maintain its character and sense of community history. “I may not live on the Island, but my family roots are here as my mother was raised in Honeymoon Bay.” Crews have been working cleaning out various items from the building and have already put a new roof it. A few years ago the Town of Ladysmith intervened and had structural work done on the brickwork on the south side of the building, but she says the Struss family has reimbursed the Town for this work. Struss says that she is looking forward to working with the Town in order to complete the project so that a buyer can be found who is willing to revitalize the building and fulfil her and her father’s wish to make the Travellers Hotel the show piece of Ladysmith that it once was.

If you have an interesting story or experience relating to the “Travs “ we would like to hear about it. www.Take5.ca and post it on our Facebook site. One of my favourite stories is when the Travs entered a bathtub in the Nanaimo Bathtub Race. Afterwards the tub was in the beer parlour filled with empty beer glasses and sitting in the middle of the tub was Don Jones. What’s your story?

Opposite page: Phaedra Struss is cleaning up the historci Travellers Hotel.

Ladysmith Mayor Rob Hutchins with Phaedra Struss.

Photos Rob Johnson

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Community Wish List 2013 All I want for my community is…

The holiday season brings a time of celebration and reflection.

Our year in review inevitably brings about new year’s resolutions. But what about your community?

TAKE 5 is compiling a Community Wish List and we need your help. We are asking our readers –“What is your wish for our community?” With money being no object tell us what that is that you would like to have in our community that would enhance our lives. Is it more parking? An new skating rink? A new theatre? A brew pub? You tell us! Anything goes…costs be damned. Dream big or small but we’d love it if you share them with our readers! www.take5.ca/wish Even though we have lots to be thankful for there are things that can be done to make the community an even better place to live. Some suggestions are: A bigger variety of shops in Ladysmith- more fashion stores,

a shoe store, another family restaurant or up scale restaurant, a good pub. We have some great recreational facilities here in Ladysmith, but more would be better. An ice rink and a curling rink would be nice but they are unrealistic with the limited dollars we have, but what about smaller items such as a combined lacrosse box, pickleball courts, and ball hockey rink? Disk golf is another sport gaining in popularity that does not cost a lot of money to establish. What about bringing back the raft at Transfer Beach Park to add to our swimming pleasure? Today our senior population is growing with the ageing of the “Baby Boomers”. We have to look at needs and wants of our young and no so young healthy active seniors.

Clockwise More boating facilities (Dog patch) Funicular for steep hills (Funicular in Budapest) A boardwalk along the water (Crofton boardwalk) Cool location for a brew pub (Ladysmith’s Train Station) Photos Rob Johnson Opposite page: Clean up Ladysmith’s back lanes. (Verna Hastings, commercial building owner). Photo Marina Sacht

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How about a regular bus service to Nanaimo, the ferries, the airport, and even Vancouver Island University? A full time Economic Development officer. Through a sustained effort we can maybe attract the type of stores that are wished for. We need to find effective ways to attract retail business that are wanted and needed to make downtown more appealing for shopping. We need to find clean environmental friendly light industries that will employ those that are looking for work. -Rob Johnson I would love to see the back alleys behind First Avenue cleaned of the brambles, (even ivy would be nicer!!) install new lighting in the parking area behind the old hotels, create wooden screens to cover the dumpsters in that area, make the alley way beside the old Travellers Hotel a “pedestrian area “only with planters, benches and lighting as it is on First Avenue. Maybe a water feature in that are would be nice… I would also like to see more street lights on First Avenue as it is difficult to see pedestrians in cross walks at night. – Verna Hastings More than anything, this town needs a great pub, a place to take my wife to have a nice meal, glass of wine and a local brewed beer. A great pub can connect a community and give its people a place to socialize, network and solve the world’s problems! - Paul Mycroft The town needs to attract outside money in order to bring money into the town. We need to get the community working and keep the youth and young families in the community. The

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homes and further provide significant funds for a state of the art sewage treatment plant elsewhere.

5.) Construct a Cog railway similar to Colorado, USA that circles New Town and Olde Town. Tourists and locals alike, may board the railway that travels up Roberts Street stopping regularly along the upper reaches of Ladysmith and down Symonds street to First Street across (under) the highway and along Oyster Bay Drive waterfront and back up to Roberts Street. Tourists will by pass Chemainus just to ride the train.

Similar to San Francisco!

6.) Make huge concessions to small local businesses that market products for tourists and rezone commercial the properties alongside the Cog Railway. – Lawrence Lambert

trolley should be running to Vancouver Island University daily to keep the youth in the community while attending university There is no reason why we cannot have a beautiful theatre here like Chemainus. A movie theatre would be great too. Ladysmith should be looking at the success of Langford and finding out what they did to make a change. We could make this a free Wi Fi free town just like Langford. That would be an attraction for sure. Let’s start asking the right questions and start at the core of the issues. -Tracey De Frane We wish we had a new field at Cedar Secondary for the community to use. Something with very good drainage and nice turf. We would be able to have soccer / grass volleyball yearround. Maybe even lawn bowling etc. - Bill Rounis Work with Ministry of Highways to lower the Island Highway down 30 ft along the stretch that has a natural hump. (Yes look again there is a hump!) This is in the vicinity of Roberts, Gatacre and High Street. An insignificant works project.

These streets are now extended over the highway as overpasses, to connect Olde Town Ladysmith, with New Town Ladysmith. Ensure new easy access entrance to Ladysmith south of the Town.

2.) Once connected develop this lower land as high density residential, with a market place inside the existing railway building. Expand the railway station and remodel as a Pub, leaving room for the future E and N high speed RR terminal.

3.) Slash the red tape and commence building British Columbia’s largest marina. Ladysmith has one of the few remaining natural harbors. The income from this will fill Ladysmith’s coffers to overflowing and fund all future infrastructure projects.

The buying power that will come to this destination marina will re-juvenate the existing businesses in Olde Town and create new ones.

4.) Re locate the existing sewage outfall infrastructure. The land that this is located on will subdivide into 11 waterfront On overpass to connect Ladysmith downtown to waterfront (Roberts Street is the preferred site) Develop the waterfront (Slack Point) Photos: Rob Johnson

Homes for all! An end to food banks (everyone must be able to afford to feed themselves) An end to rampant development.

Ownership of our Watershed. An empathetic, considerate citizenry. As we approach the Christmas season, I wish one and all would stop and help just one person. Help them with whatever it is they need. A roof over their heads, food in their bellies, kindness and consideration. -June Ross Since cost is no object, I’d like a ski hill. Actually a good waterfront development in Ladysmith with a marine ways or a travellift for hauling boats out of the water for annual servicing would be good. We could also use a modest little Northern Italian restaurant, run by my wife, Sandi. The way she cooks, it would be fantastic. Since you said to dream big, how about lake filled with McEwans Scotch Ale and a combination Christmas tree farm and corn maze, so the fun can go on all year long.

– Richard Hill A couple of lovely boutique hotels. Somewhere to send friends and family to stay where they are close enough to walk to and meet for a pint. On that note I second Richard’s idea for the lake.- Cathleen McMahon A pub with a good music venue. – Chris Burness

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I have three wishes for North Oyster if money was no object. All of the wishes are vital for this area. A new fire hall on the current site and one in the Coffin Point area. The ability to complete the final renovations at the North Oyster Community Centre. That the CVRD Board respect this community’s desires regarding funding of the Cowichan Sportsplex and regional recreation. - Mary Marcotte, CVRD Area H Director A inclinator or funicular tram for Ladysmith’s hills located on the waterfront. - Rhonda Shirley Public ownership of our watersheds – Laurie Gourlay A disc golf course – it’s fun, inexpensive to play and good exercise. – Nick Longo We need a transit system to get people to Nanaimo and Duncan for numerous reasons. My wish is for a public transportation system. - Barb Champagne My wish is to make it possible for Downtown Ladysmith to become a live Museum with the buildings shining in all their historic glory, full of happy tenants and parking for all with out costs in the way and to have the waterfront walkway become a reality with space for a large outdoor market and more spaces for happy tenants and residents by the waterfront. – Loyola Van Rooyen Buck Our dream for our community is to have street lights, sidewalks and a one stop combined health / sports / recreation facility for Area A (Cassidy, South Wellington and the Cedar area).

- Eike M. Jordan How about a 49th Parallel Landmark, a floating boardwalk like Crofton, Curling rink, bowling alley and public washrooms. - Jacquie Chellew and Melody Smythies I would love to have a skating rink in Ladysmith or somewhere in Cedar. Does not have to big, even an outdoor one would be great. Also, my biggest wish is that more people use their land to produce fruits, veggies and livestock that is free from chemical etc. This way we can all share and eat healthier and live healthier lives. Support our local farmers and businesses. - Rene Qualizza

Buy local, invest local, donate local! – Jill Collins Transit to Nanaimo to allow people to live in Ladysmith and work or attend school in Nanaimo. Shops to be open later in the evening to meet the demand of commuters. For example 10-7, would allow me to purchase any goods needed and support local businesses. Gleaning project to capture fruit/veggies that are not harvesed by property owners. - Anne Russell A purpose-built museum, which the residents would be proud of. Someone to come up with money for Ladysmith Little Theatre to purchase their building. A good pub in Ladysmith. A transit system to connect with Nanaimo. – Maureen Martin A Historical/Cultural/Social building in the vicinity of the E and N Railroad station that would incorporate: a local rail history museum and the collection of rail artifacts currently at that site, a museum about Ladysmith area and First Nation People ,a maritime museum including a workshop open to public viewing housing the restoration of historical boats and providing teaching opportunities for boat building skills, an art gallery and art workshops open to public viewing to accommodate painting, carving, quilting etc. Meeting rooms and storage/office areas for local (service) clubs Lecture halls with the latest communication technologies to allow Ladysmith residents to attend satellite university courses, lectures and other presentations. -Vince Devries A better bus service for the seniors. The scheduled service is too far apart to meet our needs. - Jack Maier Hockey or skating rink for the community. - Bob Bafaro Roads repaired and potholes fixed. -Ken and Ruth Weeks A full functioning hospital. Many seniors came to Ladysmith because it had a fully functioning hospital and now with more seniors the need is greater. - Don Fisher We really need public washrooms downtown. As more tourists come to town, the need gets even greater.- Suzanne Prest Public transit to connect Ladysmith with Nanaimo and Duncan. (Ladysmith trolley) A Heritage Centre Complex (Ladysmith Museum).

Photos: Rob Johnson

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Local Employer Earns Provincial Award A local grocery store owner, Peter Richmond of the 49th Parallel, is being acknowledged and celebrated by Community Living BC (CLBC) for embracing workplace inclusion with a WOW!clbc 2012 Award. Widening Our World (WOW) acknowledges people throughout B.C. who support individuals with developmental disabilities to have a sense of community, belonging and opportunity to contribute in all aspects of community.

This is the fifth year of the WOW!clbc Awards, and this year’s theme is employment. Self-advocates across B.C. were asked to nominate the employer or co-worker they thought goes above and beyond the ordinary in their job to create a welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

Amy McMillan is the self-advocate who nominated her boss, Peter Richmond, at 49th Parallel Grocery in Ladysmith. Amy has worked at 49th Parallel for six years and says, “Peter is a great guy and fun to work with. He is always nice to me, is funny and helps me to learn how to do new and different things at work. That’s Peter, you can’t do without him.”

Richmond, owner and CEO of the 49th Parallel, was chosen by an independent panel as the most inclusive employer on Vancouver Island from the 11 WOW!clbc nominations for the region.

The 49th Parallel employs over 185 people in its four stores in Ladysmith, Chemainus, Cedar and Duncan. Richmond is one of 12 employers of the 480 businesses in Ladysmith who have hired adults with developmental disabilities.

Amy McMillan is the self-advocate who nominated her boss, Peter Richmond, at 49th Parallel Grocery in Ladysmith, recipient of the WOWclbc award. Photo: Rob Johnson

belong in the garbage, the compost or the sink, so where does it go?

This Friday, Mayor Rob Hutchins officially opened the waste vegetable oil collection bin at the Public Works Building (330 – 6th Avenue). Now, members of the public can bring their used cooking oil in any non-glass container with a lid and simply place it in the bin.

From there, the Cowichan Biodiesel Coop will turn that oil into environmentally friendly biofuel. “Not only do you

Ladysmith gets waste cooking oil collection bin

avoid the cost of clogged pipes,” explained project coordinator Rick Juliusson, “but you’re contributing to low-carbon-footprint fuel production by a local non-profit. Everyone wins.”

“The Township of Ladysmith is pleased to support this initiative. It moves us further toward our goal of environmental stewardship,” said Mayor Hutchins as he deposited a container of used oil into the attractive bin in front of the public works yard.

The idea has quickly gained support.

Bins have also been installed in Cowichan Bay, Duncan, and all 3 CVRD waste transfer stations.

How big a problem is being addressed here? While there are no stats for the valley, the Capital Regional District reports that “each year almost one million kilograms of fats, oils and grease (FOG) flow down the drains of homes throughout the Capital Region.” At the same ratio, Ladysmith residents are producing over 31,000 kg of waste oil per year, and improper disposal may cost the township $12,000 to clean clogged sewage pipes. Plus, if all that oil were converted to biofuel, we’d reduce our carbon emissions by 29 tonnes. That’s some pretty rich waste!

Ever wondered what to do with that cooking oil after treating the kids to home-made fries and donuts? It doesn’t

Ladysmith Mayor Rob Hutchins uses the new waste vegetable oil. Photo submitted

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While the bins are attractive and easy to use, there are a few rules. “Please only deposit liquid cooking oil, and only in nonbreakable containers, with lids that will say on when dropped into the bin,” pleads Brian Roberts, Executive Director of Cowichan Energy Alternatives.

So cheers to Ladysmith and Cowichan Energy Alternatives for this innovative way to care for the environment and our tender sewage pipes. And next time that plastic container under your sink fills up with used oil, rejoice that it finally will be going to a better place.

Kinsmen Food Drive event a big success Not only did people donate a bin load of non-perishable but the club raised over $300 in donations for the Ladysmith Food Bank. Funds raised from the hot dog sale by donation $1400 and 3/4 of a ton of food . Thanks to the 49th Parallel Grocery for all their help, and Saunders Bin Trucking .

Ladysmith Kinsmen hosting their 4th annual fundraiser for the Ladysmith Food Bank during the festive season. (l-r) Ron Legault, Jimmy Delcourt and Mike Richardson

The installation the new executive officers for 2012, Knights of Columbus, Santa Maria Council #4582 at St. Mary’s Parish in Ladysmith.

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Paul Thorkelsson hired as CAO of RDN Interim Regional District of Nanaimo Chief Administrative Officer Paul Thorkelsson has accepted the position on a permanent basis, effective Dec 17, 2012. Thorkelsson is currently the RDN’s General Manager, Strategic & Community Development, and has served as Interim CAO since September, 2012.

He replaces Carol Mason, who is now the Chief Administrative Officer for Metro Vancouver.

RDN gets honourable mention in 2012 Climate & Energy Action Awards The Regional District of Nanaimo has received an honorable mention for corporate operations in the Community Energy Association’s 2012 Climate & Energy Action Awards. The award recognizes the regional memorandum of agreement between the RDN and member municipalities for corporate emission reduction projects.

“The RDN Board is continually working toward regional sustainability in all areas, so we are extremely proud to be recognized as a leader in corporate operations,” said RDN Chairperson Joe Stanhope. Environment Minister Terry Lake awarded the honourable mention to RDN Chairperson Joe Stanhope in September, at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Conference. The RDN was selected for an honourable mention for demonstrating leadership to achieve a visionary collaboration and binding commitment, and for demonstrating a creative response to carbon neutrality and corporate offsets by keeping climate action funds within the region.

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Celebrate the festive season at the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular 2012!

Holiday fun for the family at Ladysmith Little Theatre It’s pantomime time once again and Ladysmith Little Theatre is doing it right with Sing A Song of Sixpence, a panto by Norman Robbins, directed by Mort Paul.

Based on the beloved nursery rhyme of the same name, this play takes the audience on a fun-filled frolic through royal palaces, haunted bedrooms, enchanted kingdoms and even the witch’s lair.

Song, dance and audience participation make this a great event for the whole family. Runs December 20 to 31, 2012.

Box Office 250-924-0658 or online www.ladysmiththeatre.com Love, laughs … and murder! In the new year watch for Murder at the Howard Johnson’s, a hilarious comedy by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick, directed

by Gordon McGinnis. February 7 to 14, 2013. Box Office 250-924-0658 or online www.ladysmiththeatre.com (Clockwise: It’s pantomime time! Ladysmith Little Theatre’s Sing A Song of Sixpence.

Photo: Rob Pinkerton Popular Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular returns to Cedar Photos submitted

The Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular heads into its sixth year of production.

In December 2007 Producer, creator and director, Katy Bowen-Roberts, opened the first professional Christmas show at the Cedar Community Hall. Katy grew up in Ladysmith and she is thrilled to be bringing the show back to her home town community.

This year’s singing and dancing extravaganza includes Neil Diamond hits, a Marilyn Monroe tribute, Tom Jones and friends, a ‘Christmas Around the World’ set, medley’s from Singin’ in the Rain and Les Miserables as well as many more classical hits and Christmas favorites.

The Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular is quickly becoming a tradition for audiences across Vancouver Island. Get your tickets early - now on sale at the Port Box office. Call 250.754.8550 or visit www.porttheatre.com. www.yellowpointchristmasspectacular.ca

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Doors open at 6.30pm and the festivities start at 7pm until 10pm at Ladysmith Eagles Hall on December 21, 2012.

A limited amount of tickets are available and sell out quickly so get yours early for $7.50 plus a donation of food at the Ladysmith Health Care Centre or the Ladysmith Resource Centre. To reserve tickets or more information 250-7341766, lisa.burness@hotmail.com.

‘Celebration of Light’ event January can be a difficult time for the Ladysmith Food Bank.

To make sure they have enough resources to see people through the winter months, local Ladysmith Celtic rock band Skellig is putting on the ‘Celebration of Light’ event, along with help from The Rock Christian Fellowship, Starbucks, local volunteers, musicians and the Ladysmith Eagles. The program this year includes Ryan McMahon, Dylan Wickham and Steph Humphreys, Skellig, Erik Virtanen and Tasha Cyr, and ‘Rev Up and the Deadbeat Deacons’, a fantastic blues band from Victoria as well as a local brass band playing carols at the door!

Local artist Michael Dean captures Holland Creek in his latest oil painting 24x36 inches.

Michael has been drawing and painting Vancouver Island and British Columbia coastal scenes for over 30years. His main interests have been working coastal vessels, historical coastal scenes and most recently, the forest and beach scenes of Vancouver Island. His studio is open Monday to Friday 10-4 and weekends by apt. 250-2458127

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New limited edition print by Luke Marston

Above: Chip Nary in front of the Crystalline Vortex Studio

New Pottery Gallery in Ladysmith Chip Nary has been enchanted by the mystical properties of clay for most of his life. His latest passion in the pottery realm is the exploration of Crystalline Glazes. After several years of glaze development he is happy to open the Crystalline Vortex Pottery Studio/Gallery. Your chance to view his dynamic and glorious glazes on vases and tiles is to visit his studio at 1010 Third Avenue in Ladysmith, open every weekend in December from 11am to 4pm.

Yellow Point Singers prepare for the Christmas Season The Yellow Point Singers are practicing and polishing for their upcoming concerts entitled Choral Garland. The first will be at Oceanview Community Church on Sunday, December 9 at 2:30 pm with musical guests The Notables, a barbershop quartet from Nanaimo. The second concert is at Nanaimo Ecumenical Centre on Sunday, December 16 at 2:30 pm, their guests will be the elementary school choir from Pauline Haarer School, under the direction of Karen Withers.

Both concerts will include some sing-along carols, and followed by a reception including coffee, tea and seasonal goodies. Tickets available at the door for both concerts, $10 each or $20 for a family. Proceeds from concerts are given to charities and to the local food banks. 250-591-1170 or 250-245-3727.

Joseph Silvey - better known in BC folklore as “Portuguese Joe” - was a true BC pioneer and character. He harpooned whales in small rowboats, bartended, joined the Gold Rush, held the first seine license in BC, and helped found Gastown with his buddy ‘Gassy Jack.’ The legacy of Portuguese Joe is even more significant because of the cultural bridges he helped form during a time of often-difficult relations between First Nations and settlers.

To celebrate this legacy of love and pioneering spirit and bridge-building, a statue and plaque with historical information is being installed in Stanley Park, near their first home and along the seawall.

It will be unveiled in September 2013 with people from Coast Salish and Portuguese communities, as well as First Nation elders and government dignitaries, the public, and his direct descendants.

Local sculptor Luke Marston has done a limited edition art print to generate donations to cover the costs of the project.

Prints are $200 plus HST. Proceeds go to supporting Luke and John in finishing the original wood sculpture to be bronzed.

Spirit of the Season at the Nanaimo Museum Celebrate the spirit of the Christmas season all month long at the Nanaimo Museum. Seasonal activities at the museum include ‘Do it yourself’ Christmas crafts in the lobby from noon to 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays from December 1 to 22, storytelling by Margaret Murphy December 15 at 1pm, along with tree ornament making and decorating.

During the month of December admission to the museum is free with a monetary donation to the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank. For more information please visit www. nanaimomuseum.ca or call 250-753-1821

Ladysmith Artisan Self-Guided Christmas Tour Enjoy hot buttered cider and homemade treats while you browse the handiwork of local artisans’ studios and gallery, presenting original paintings, pottery, fused and stained glasswork, jewelry, and much more.

The tour, which includes one art shop and six studios is being offered this year on December 8 and 9 from 10am to 4pm, a representation of the works of over a dozen local artists and artisans. For more details, contact Luri or Dianne at dijest@ telus.net.

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Christmas Services 1, 12pm, Messy Church the Christmas Story, St. John’s Anglican Church, 314 Buller St. Ladysmith. 250-245-5512 9, 10:30am, White Gift and Poinsettia Sunday, Ladysmith First United Church, 232 High St. Ladysmith. 250-245-2183 9, 6:30pm, 36th Annual Ladysmith Christmas Festival of Choirs, Bethel Tabernacle, 1149 4th Ave. Ladysmith.

250-245-8221 14, Taize Service, St. John’s Anglican Church, 314 Buller St. Ladysmith. 250245-5512 16, 8:30 am, Advent Lessons, Carols, St. Philip Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd. Cedar. 250-722-3455 16, 10:15am, Family Service, St. Philip Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd. Cedar. 250-722-3455 23, 8:30am, Holy Eucharist, St. Philip Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd. Cedar. 250-722-3455 23, 10:15am, Family Service with Children’s Pageant, St. Philip Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd. Cedar. 250722-3455 23, 9am, Sunday Pot Luck Breakfast, St. John’s Anglican Church, 314 Buller St. Ladysmith. 250-245-5512 23, 9:30am, Christmas Sunday, Cedar United Church, 1644 Cedar Rd. Cedar.

250-650-6413 23, 10:15am, Children’s Christmas Service, St. Philip Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd. Cedar. 250-722-3455 24, 9pm, Christmas Eve Mass, St Mary’s Catholic Church, 1135 4th Ave. Ladysmith. 250-245-3414 24, 4pm, Christmas Eve Service Fam-

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ily Oriented, Oceanview Community Church, 381 Davis Rd. Ladysmith. 250-245-5113 24, 4pm, Cristingle Family Service, St. Philip Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd. Cedar. 250-722-3455 24, 4:30pm & 10:30pm, Christmas Eve Service, St. John’s Anglican Church, 314 Buller St. Ladysmith. 250-245-5512 24, 5pm, Christmas Eve Candlelight One Hour Service, Bethel, 1149 4th Ave. Ladysmith. 250-245-8221 24, 7pm, Christmas Eve Service Adult Oriented, Oceanview Community Church, 381 Davis Rd. Ladysmith. 250-245-5113 24, 7pm, Christmas Eve - Candles and Lessons, Ladysmith First United Church, 232 High St. Ladysmith. 250-245-2183 24, 11pm, Traditional Christmas Eve Service, St. Philip Anglican Church , 1797 Cedar Rd. Cedar. 250-722-3455 Dec.25, 9am, Christmas Day Mass, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1135 4th Ave. Ladysmith. 250-245-3414 25, 10am, Christmas Day Service, St. John’s Anglican Church, 314 Buller St. Ladysmith. 250-245-5512 25, 10:30am, Christmas Day Service, St. Philip Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd. Cedar. 250-722-3455 30, 8:30am, Holy Eucharist, St. Philip Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd. Cedar. 250-722-3455 30, 10:15am, Family Pot-Luck Brunch Service, St. Philip Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Rd. Cedar. 250-722-3455 31, 7:00 pm, New Years Eve Mass, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1135 4th Ave. Ladysmith. 250-245-3414 Jan.1, 2013, 9am, New Year’s Day Mass, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1135 4th Ave. Ladysmith. 250-245-3414

New book, Inspired by God Local writer Maureen Miller recently released her book Inspired by God.This book is not a ‘page-turner’ but one best digested a little at a time.

Inspired by God is a reminder of the love God has for us, of the comfort, encouragement, and yes, sometimes gentle correction that is ours,” says Maureen Millar of her newly self-published book of poems.

Inspired by God is available at Salamander Books on 1st Avenue in Ladysmith - $15 or 2 books for $20. www.Amazon.com/dp/0986779202 You can have your copy signed on January 20, 2013 1 to 4pm at Salamander Books.

Local author Maureen Miller at her home. Photo submitted.

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DEC/JAN 2013

16, 2:30pm, Sing-Along Messiah, Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550

1-31, Festival of Lights downtown Ladysmith

16, 7:30pm, Mother Mother, Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550

1-31 Merchants on South Willow Street open late Fridays until 8pm.

16, Carol Service, St. Philip Cedar, 1797 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3455

1-16 Second Annual Christmas Fundraiser for BC SPCA. Donations and supplies welcome. Every donation gets you an entry into a draw. Pottery Store, Golden Hanger, Wine Den, Crafty Cuppa, Chemainus.

17-20, Simulated Electronic Navigation Ltd., Western Marine Institute, 3519 Hallberg Road, 250-245-4455

1,8,15,22, 12-4pm, Trolley Rides Downtown Nanaimo and Old City Quarter, by donation.

9, 2pm, Winter Harp, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529

17, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111

Until Dec 21, Light Up A Life, Old City Quarter.

Proceeds to Haven Society and SPCA, bring in a non-perishable item and be entered in draw. Teak Tree, Lobelia’s Lair, Sartorial Boutique.

9, 6pm, 36th Annual Ladysmith Christmas Festival of Choirs, Bethel Tabernacle, 1149 4th Ave. 250-245-8221

17, 7pm, Ladysmith Town Council Meeting, 410 Esplanade, 250-245-6400

9, 2:30pm, Brigadoon Dance Academy presents Christmas in Scotland & Ireland. Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550

17, 7pm, We Have a Pope, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529

1-29, Spirit of Life: Fibre Art Exhibition, Nanaimo Museum, 100 Museum Way 250-753-1821 1-10, Chartwork & Pilotage, Western Marine Institute, 3519 Hallberg Road, 250-245-4455 1-31, 12pm, Diamond & Rust, Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Dr. 250-245-1252

10, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111 10, 5:15pm, Chronic Pain Support Group, 1111-4th Ave., Room 101, 250-667-5587

18, 11am-4pm, Relaxation Tips & Demo, Ladysmith Pharmasave 250-245-3113 18, 11am, Relaxation Tips and Demo, Pharmasave, 441 1st Ave., 250-245-3113

11, Noon-1pm, Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce General Meeting, Dragon City, 250-245-2112

19, 9:30am-11:30, Christmas Sing Along. Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-2462111

11, 8pm, Blues Tuesday, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246

19, 6:45pm, Cedar Yoga, Cedar High school library, 250-722-2414 ext 249

6-22, Yellow Point Christmas Spectacular, Cedar Community Hall, 2388 Cedar Rd. 250-754-8550

12, 9:30am-11:30, Christmas Sing Along. Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-2462111

19, 11am, Circulation Booster Clinic, Pharmasave, 441 1st Ave., 250-245-3113

6, 6pm, Family Christmas Dinner, The Cotton Club, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-245-5157

12, 6:45pm, Cedar Yoga, Cedar High school library, 250-722-2414 ext 249

6, 7:30pm, An Evening with the Rat Pack, Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550

13-14, 4:30pm, Christmas Choral Dinner & Concert, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111

7, 5pm-8pm, An Old Tyme Christmas, presented by LDBA. www.ladysmithdowntown.com

13, 6pm, Family Christmas Dinner, The Cotton Club, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-245-5157

7, 9:30am-11:30, Christmas Sing Along. Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-2462111

14, 1am-4pm, Blood Pressure Clinic, Ladysmith Pharmasave, 250-245-3113

1-30, The Gifts of the Magi, Chemainus Theatre Festival, 250-246-9820 5, 6:45pm, Cedar Yoga, Cedar High school library, 250-722-2414 ext 249

7, 5-8pm, An Old Tyme Christmas, Downtown Ladysmith, info@ladysmithdowntown.com 7, 8pm, Kendall Patrick & the Headless Bettys, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246

14, Taize Service, St. John’s Anglican Church, 314 Buller St. 250-245-5512 14, 9:30am-11:30, Christmas Sing Along. Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-2462111

7-23, Christmas Express, 4pm-9pm, BC Forest Discovery Centre, 250-715-1113. The Christmas Express will run from Dec 7-9, from 4pm -9pm and then again from Dec 14-23, from 4pm-9pm.

14, 6:30pm Dive in Cinema – Arthur Christmas, FJCC, 810 6th Ave. 250-245-6424

8, Ladysmith Artisan Tour

15, 9:55am, Aida, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan. 250-748-7529

8, 9:55am, Un Ballo in Maschera, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529 8, 10am, The Town & Country Christmas Fair, 10980 Westdowne Rd. 8, 3:30 & 7:30pm, Winter Harp, Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550 8, 6pm, Mt. Brenton Power & Sail Squadron Christmas Sail Past at Transfer Beach, Ladysmith, 250-245-8620 8, Chemainus Christmas Carol Ship, Fraternal Order of Eagles and BC Ferries, 250-246-3947 8, 8pm, David Gogo, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246 8, 7pm, Allison Crowe Concert, St. Andrews’s Church, Nanaimo. Tickets Lobelia’s Lair 9,10:30am - White Gift and Poinsettia Sunday, Ladysmith First United, 232 High St., 250-245-2183

14, 8pm, Lynnea Bruce & Co., Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246

15, Chemainus Little Town Christmas, Old fashioned fun in Waterwheel Park, 250-246-1448 15, 1pm, Yesteryear Christmas, Nanaimo Museum, 100 Museum Way. 250-753-1821 15, 7pm, Dance – Happy Hans, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111 15, 7:30pm, Mother Mother, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan. 250-748-7529 15, 7:30pm, Intimate Christmas, Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550 16, Carol Service, St. Philip Cedar, 1797 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3455 16,10:30am, Youth Pageant, Ladysmith First United Church, 232 High St., 250-245-2183

20, 11am-4pm, Circulation Booster, Ladysmith Pharmasave, 250-245-3113 20-23, 7pm, Christmas Panto, Sing A Song of Sixpence, Ladysmith Little Theatre, 250-924-0658 20, 6pm, Family Christmas Dinner, The Cotton Club, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-245-5157 20, 7pm, Nutcracker, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529 20, 7:30pm, Harmonies of Faith free concert, Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550 21, 7pm Winter Harp, Cowichan Theatre, 250-748-7529 www.cowichantheatre.bc.ca 21-23, 7:30pm, Alice in PantoLand, Nanaimo Theatre Group, 2373 Rosstown Rd. 250-758-7224 21, 9:30am-11:30, Christmas Sing Along. Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-2462111 21, 6:30pm, Celebration of Light, Ladysmith Eagles Hall, 250-734-1766 22, 1pm Winter Harp, Cowichan Theatre, 250-748-7529 www.cowichantheatre.bc.ca 23, 9am, Sunday Pot Luck Breakfast, St. John’s Anglican Church, 314 Buller St., 250-245-5512 23, 9:30am, Christmas Sunday, Cedar United Church, 1644 Cedar Rd. 1-250-650-6413 23, 10:15am, Children’s Christmas Service, St. Philip Cedar, 1797 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3455 23, 8pm, Bill Levity, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246 24, 4pm, Cristingle Family Service, St. Philip Cedar, 1797 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3455 24, 4pm, Christmas Eve Service Family Oriented, Oceanview Community Church. 250-245-5113 24, 4:30pm & 10:30pm, Christmas Eve Service, St.

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John’s Anglican Church, 314 Buller St. 250-245-5512

Pharmasave, 250-245-3113

24, 5pm, Christmas Eve Candlelight One Hour Service, Bethel Tabernacle, 1149 4th Ave. 250-245-8221

9, 9:30am, Muffin Mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111

24, 7pm, Christmas Eve Service Adult Oriented, Oceanview Community Church, 250-245-5113

11, 9:30am, Muffin Mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111

24, 7pm Christmas Eve - Candles and Lessons, Ladysmith First United Church, 232 High St., 250-2452183

11, 7:30pm, Erica Sigurdson, Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550

24, 11pm, Traditional Christmas Eve Service, St. Philip Cedar, 1797 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3455 25, 10:30am, Christmas Day Service, St. Philip Cedar, 1797 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3455 26-29, 7:30pm, Alice in PantoLand, Nanaimo Theatre Group, 2373 Rosstown Rd. 250-758-7224 26-31, Christmas Panto, Sing a Song of Sixpence, Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd. 250-9240658 27, 6pm, Women’s Dinner, Calvary Baptist Church, 3318 River Rd. 250-246-9121 30, 6pm, Women’s Dinner, Calvary Baptist Church, 3318 River Rd. 250-246-9121 31, 7pm, New Years Eve Dinner Dance, The Cotton Club, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-245-5157 31, New Year’s Eve, dinner specials and live music with Eveready at the Wheatsheaf Pub, Cedar. 250-722-2240 31, 9pm, Alice in PantoLand, Nanaimo Theatre Group, 2373 Rosstown Rd. 250-758-7224 31, 5:30pm, Nova Scotia New Year’s Eve Potluck. All welcome. Chemainus Seniors Drop-in Centre

JANUARY 2013 1, 11am, Polar Bear Swim, Transfer Beach, 12pm start the New Year right! 250-245-6424 2-5, Marine Advanced First Aid, Western Marine Institute, 3519 Hallberg Road, 250-245-4455 2, 9:30am, Muffin Mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111 4, 9:30am, Muffin Mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111 5, 9am, Berlioz’s Les Troyens, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529 7-11, Navigation Safety Level 1, Western Marine Institute, 3519 Hallberg Road, 250-245-4455 8, 11am-4pm, Smoking Cessation Clinic, Ladysmith

12, 8pm, Snowed In Comedy Tour, Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550 13, 1pm-3pm, Dyslexia seminar, free, contact Carol Ford 250-245-8412 www.reset-dyslexia.ca 14- Feb 4, Ship Construction & Stability, Western Marine Institute, 3519 Hallberg Road, 250-245-4455 14-23, Small Vessel Machinery Operator, Western Marine Institute, 3519 Hallberg Road, 250-245-4455 15, 5:30pm-7:30pm, Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, Annual General Meeting Cottomwood Golf Course admin@ladysmithcofc.com 250-245-2112 16, 9:30am, Muffin Mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111 16, 11:30am, Soup & Sandwich, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111 17, 1:30-3:30pm, Peace of Mind Planning Seminar for Seniors, Eagles Hall, Ladysmith, 250-245-3079 18, 9:30am, Muffin Mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111

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25, 5pm, Robbie Burns Pot Luck Supper, St. Philip Cedar, 1797 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3455 25, 7:30pm, Tim Nutt, Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550 26, 2:30 & 7:30pm, Randy Elvis Friskie, Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550 27, 7:30pm, Swan Lake, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529 30, 9:30am, Muffin Mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111

FEBRUARY 1-4, Ship Construction & Stability, Western Marine Institute, 3519 Hallberg Road, 250-245-4455 1-2, 7:30pm, Oklahoma, Cowichan Theatre 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529 3, 2pm, Oklahoma, Cowichan Theatre 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529 5-13, Orals Prep, Western Marine Institute, 3519 Hallberg Road, 250-245-4455 6, 9:30am, Muffin Mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111 12, 7-9 pm, Ladysmith Community Gardens Society & Town of Ladysmith presents: Orchard Mason Bees, Speaker:Rose McCulley, J&R Farm. $25 for the “5 Speaker Package”. Individual tickets on sale

18, 11am, Smoking Cessation Clinic, Pharmasave, 441 1st Ave., 250-245-3113

19, 2013. Frank Jameson Community Centre, Contact: Joanne, 250-245-3640 jobath@shaw.ca ladysmithcommunitygardensociety.weebly.com

18, 7:30pm, Victoria Symphony, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529

16, 7:30pm, The Vagina Monologues, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529

19, 9:55am, Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529

19, 7-9 pm, Ladysmith Community Gardens Society & Town of Ladysmith presents Pruning Fruit Trees, Speaker: Dorothee Kieser. $25 for the “5 Speaker Package”. Individual tickets on sale

19, 7:30pm, The Best of Elton John, Port Theatre, 125 Front St. 250-754-8550 21, 7pm, Monsieur Lazhar, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St., Duncan 250-748-7529 23, 11am-4pm, Navigating Health Care, Ladysmith Pharmasave, 250-245-3113 23, 9:30am, Muffin Mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111 23, 11am, Navigating Health Care, Pharmasave, 441 1st Ave., 250-245-3113 25, 9:30am, Muffin Mornings, Chemainus Seniors Drop in Centre, 9824 Willow Street, 250-246-2111

19, 2013. Frank Jameson Communtiy Centre, Contact: Joanne, 250-245-3640 jobath@shaw.ca ladysmithcommunitygardensociety.weebly.com 22-April 7, Buddy Holly, Chemainus Theatre Festival, Tickets 250-246-9820 1-800-565-7738, www. chemainustheatre.ca 23, 6:30pm, Spirit Awards of Ladysmith Community 2012, Aggie Hall, 250-245-2112 More events at www.take5.ca/events. For updates “Like” us on facebook/take5publications.

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The Great Canadian Song Race 2012

BY NICK LONGO The Vancouver Island Music Business Conference in Courtney was a big hit this year. I managed to interview Steph Lang (panelist and performer), Narissa Young (from Chase River Song Race singer/songwriter entrant) and Ed Henderson (Chilliwack guitarist and panelist). You can see the Interviews online at www.Take5.ca.

Susie MacGregor and Andy Lorimer pulled off an amazing event in 2012 with the Great Canadian Song Race.

Where 28 songwriters co-write 7 songs (in one day with) 7 songwriter mentors and then go into the studio with 7 awardwinning producers. It started off with the singer-songwriters performing for the mentors and producers. Then they were

put into groups of three to four singer/ songwriter groups by the mentors and producers. Then for the next 48 to 72 hours each group had to come up with a song co-written with each other. It was a great event that educated, stimulated and inspired everyone that attended performers, producers and mentors alike. Joe Given, Christina Bearchell and Kirsten Collins (Miss Teen Calgary) won the

event with a tune they co-wrote called “Shy. You can read Kirsten’s Blog and listen to the winning song here:” http:// missteencalgary.com/vimbc/.

The event will be held again next year and I will keep all you singer/songwriters posted!

Darcy D, ex-singer for Prism with Ladysmith’s Steph Lang at VIMBC Photo Nick Longo

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RDN - Area A

BY ALEC MCPHERSON As the various municipal councils and regional boards begin their budget deliberations for 2013 and beyond, the ‘transparency’ buzzword gains a higher profile. However, if the ordinary resident wanted to gain some insight about how their tax dollars are spent they would have to wade through a stack of documents. Few people are going to do this; consequently, I thought it would be helpful if I provided some financial information and commentary in straightforward terms in respect of RDN taxation for Area ‘A’ – Cedar, Cassidy, South Wellington and Yellowpoint.

There are about 3,000 properties within Area ‘A’. Approximately 54 per cent of

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the land base is within the Agricultural Land Reserve. The population is almost 7,000 people. For those services provided in 2012, that is, without any contribution to the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) (aka E&N Railway) or a number of other agencies/groups who have made new funding requests, the Tax Requisition for 2013 will be $1.67 million which represents a 5.4 per cent increase from 2012 and a 24.5 per cent increase for the period 2010 to 2013. At an average annual increase of 6.12 per cent it is clear that increases are beyond the average rate of inflation and will continue to increase for the foreseeable future.

A question I am asked is, “What can you do to reduce or eliminate these sizeable increases?” My approach to this

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question is to provide a few facts about what is being funded and let the reader judge how entrenched the costs are. Approximately $280,800 or one-sixth (16.8 per cent) funds the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL). The largest single item is $399,000. or one-quarter (24 per cent) of the tax requisition. This is the Area ‘A’ contribution to the City of Nanaimo Parks and Recreation for use of their facilities. The current agreement dates to 2010 and I’m advised that it will not come up for review until 2015. Regional Parks, Community Parks and Area ‘A’ Recreation and Culture account for another $343,000. or a further one-fifth (20.5 per cent) of the tax requisition.

Community planning activities (building permits, inspection, development appli-

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cations and related) account for $235,700 or one-seventh (14.1per cent) of the tax requisition. Transit funding at $110,700 accounts for a further 7 per cent. These few line items account for 82 per cent of the monies collected. The balance of the tax monies is assigned to activities such as Solid Waste Disposal, the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation, Emergency Planning, Search and Rescue, 911 Services and Administration.

By the time these notes reach your doorstep, the RDN Board vote on funding the railway will have taken place. If approved, residential taxes will increase by more than 3 per cent for a total increase approaching 9 per cent for 2013.

With a background of 30+ years in the Rail and Marine Industry, it is clear from the documentation provided that, without continued funding from the ‘public purse’, the current ICF railway operation is not sustainable. The completion of the inland routing of the Island Highway in 1999 dealt a significant blow to the future of the railway. The future for the railway appears to rest with commuter rail to alleviate the Colwood Crawl and

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perhaps, at a future date, an excursion train around and above Cameron Lake.

With the railway bed already secured for the future and a significant question as to whether or not funding by municipal governments is legal under the Local Government Act, RSBC I will be voting ‘No’ to taxpayer-based funding. If future tax increases are to be contained, it is important to ensure that any increase in the scope of what municipal taxes cover is for essential items only.

CVRD - Area H

BY MARY MARCOTTEE Outdoor Burning: Residents of rural areas generally have larger lots than those who reside in a town or city. Larger lots often have more vegetation on the properties. That vegetation can include lawns, gardens and forested areas. Windstorms can cause forest debris to fall from the trees, and gardens require cleaning up during the fall months.

Backyard campfires are also common on rural properties. When moving to a rural area it is expected that some burning will occur to keep properties free from wood

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waste and other debris. Removal of such debris, particularly from the forest floor, helps to prevent forest fires from starting or spreading.

In the past, there have been very few burning complaints in Area H. The number has risen during 2012. The timing and content of outdoor fires can cause neighbours distress. Outdoor burning of plastics, roofing shingles and other matter that is a hazard to the environment is prohibited by Provincial legislation. The Ministry of Environment has jurisdiction over those types of fires. Because outdoor fires spread quickly, especially in the summer months, they can also be a safety hazard to neighbouring properties.

When authorized by Bylaw, fires that are a safety hazard fall under the jurisdiction of the local fire department. By bylaw, the North Oyster Fire Department volunteers have that authority, and will respond. However, they can only deal with fires that put the safety of property or lives at risk. If the burn occurs when there is no fire hazard rating and with all the appropriate safety measures in place – measures such as functioning hoses, water buckets, locating the fire a safe distance from combustibles etc. the Fire Department has no authority to put the fire out. It is not within their jurisdiction to respond to complaints about burning related to the environmental impacts or other matters regulated by the Province.

An alternative to burning yard and garden waste is to take advantage of the free drop off at Peerless Road. Grass clippings and branches less than 3” in diameter with no rock, sod or dirt are accepted without charge. To obtain a complete list of other items that can be dropped off without charge, check out the CVRD website (www.cvrd.bc.ca) or call the CVRD Recycling Hotline at 1-800-665-3955.

If you must engage in outdoor burning, please give consideration to your neighbours’ comfort, and use the following checklist before starting a fire: 1. The hazard rating is low or non-existent; 2. The weather is clear and there is no inversion; 3. The material you are going to burn is dry and smoke can be kept to a minimum; 4. The fire is located on your property and is not a risk to the safety or property of your neighbours; 5. You have all of the appropriate safety measures in place.

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Is Your Number Up and Are You Prepared?

Winter is now upon us; daylight hours are shorter, and nights are longer. The weather has turned windy and rainy, and the roads are slippery. Recently there have been a number of road accidents and power outages in this area.

These incidents have required emergency personnel to respond. The emergency responders carry flashlights, but often house numbers are very difficult to see. If you were in need of such a response, could you be found? Please take a few moments to observe your address numbers to ensure that they are clearly visible from the road, both day and night. Remember, if you can’t be found, you can’t be helped.

The recent earthquakes off the Northern British Columbia coast and the super storm “Sandy” should have us all thinking about how vulnerable we are to natural disasters. In times of crisis, it is projected that rural areas could be without power, water and the basic necessities for seven days or longer.

Have you prepared for the possibility by having your “grab and go” bag packed with basic necessities including first aid supplies, prescription medicines and other medical items such as spare glasses etc.? Have you got a good supply of water stored should the disaster affect your well water supply or water quality? You may wish to think about purchasing a commercially pre-packaged emergency bag for yourself and your loved ones. They make a great gift and could save lives.

It does not take long for disasters to happen, but it takes a lot of thought, planning and action to get through even minor events.

The time to start preparing is now. For more info about emergency preparedness call the CVRD toll free number, 1-800665-3955.

Area G

BY MEL DOREY Work Party The Saltair Parks Commission had a very successful work party in Princess Diana Park on November 17th. It is the philosophy of the parks commission to be able to walk silently in our parks so that you have the opportunity to be at one with nature. Every chance we get we try to have woodchip trails to achieve this end rather than gravel. They are silent and they are soft. On November 17th we spread wood chips in Diana Park and raked them evenly so that they could settle over the winter. We have always had a great deal support from community businesses over years in giving us help. We acquired the wood chips free of charge from the Otter Point pole mill on the hill behind the Peerless Road Recycling Site. As you may not know Otter Point ships peeled power poles all over North America and is a very successful local business. Ian Porter of Porter’s Dairy then hauled the chips to Diana Park free of charge from the mill for our use as well. Then Johnny of David Stalker’s Contracting used a side by side quad to place the chips along the trail and Paul Bottomley from the Saltair Parks Commis-

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sion assisted with his smaller quad which made it very efficient and quick. We had a raking crew which then did the finishing touch. The rakers were Christine Nelles, Don Naslund, Bobbi Mawdsley, Hans Nelles and Mel Dorey.

Peerless Road Eco Depot The Peerless Road Recycling Station has been in use for about 30 years. It was first of all, an incinerator site. People took all their garbage up there and it was pushed into the incinerator and burned. It didn’t matter what it was, it was burned.

No recycling. But back then we didn’t have as much consideration for the environment as we do now. Nor did we have the knowledge of what was the damage to the environment that we were causing. Because this facility was first an incinerator and now a recycling facility it wasn’t well planned and convenient.

Environmental studies have been done on the site and it is classified as a contaminated site. Because of this classification we have acquired a lot of government grants to rehabilitate the site.

Huge layers of cinder are deposited behind the building from the days of the incinerator. This cinder will be capped with a membrane and a new recycling station will built on top of it.

Fortunately this cinder is quite stable and water has a lot of difficulty penetrating it. The old building will be remodelled and new recycling stations will be placed around it. We want this facility to be state of the art and one of the best in BC. And to top it off, all the money is in place to build the facility. Most of the money is in the form of senior government grants. There will be an open house in the near future so that people can view the plans and see what is coming to a neighbourhood near you.

It mainly serves the north end communities of North Oyster, Ladysmith, Saltair and Chemainus. Because we ship the garbage to Rebanco, Washington, we want to recycle as much as possible to cut down on the costs. That’s why we have a zero waste goal in the CVRD Princess Diana Park work party. (l-r) Don Naslund, Paul Bottomley, Mel Dorey, Hans Nelles, Christine Nelles and Bobbi Mawdsley. Photo submitted

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Keepers of the light Cape Beale lighthouse near Bamfield, BC has been keeping marine traffic safe since 1874. It was the first lighthouse built on Vancouver Island and is currently one of 27 manned light stations remaining in BC. I did not pay much attention to this fact when planning a backpacking trip on the Cape Beale trail. My focus was on the usual priorities: food, gear, and the itinerary. All I knew going in was there was a lighthouse at the trails end, a beautiful sandy beach to camp at and a rugged muddy trail that would lead me there.

Hiking the Cape Beale trail is an adventure. It’s one of those hikes where one has to cross a swampy bog, hoof it up steep rocky hills, climb up, over, and across fallen trees the size of trucks all while trudging through wet sloppy

mud. It was exactly what Joel, Ben, Liv and I were hoping for. Hiking through the giant forest and all its challenges is not without reward. Halfway along the Cape Beale trail is Topaltos Beach, a crescent shaped sandy beach with stunning views of the Deer Group Islands.

We claimed a patch of sand that would be home for the next few days and set off to explore the beach. Searching for rocks and shells turned into following animal tracks of deer, racoons, birds, and bear with cub in tow. It would have been great to see some of these creatures. At least the marine life did not disappoint. Amongst the many fishing boats in the Trevor Channel were gray whales feeding near the kelp beds. We ended our first night on Topaltos Beach watching the sun set, the moon rise, and stars appear. As I drifted off to sleep I thought nothing could top this adventure.

The next day the four of us continued our hike on the Cape Beale trail to the lighthouse. I did not expect to get much out of the visit other than a few pictures of the lighthouse. I was content with our adventure thus far but saying we hiked the entire trail would be a bonus. After hours of climbing up hills and over trees we finally emerged out of the forest and into the open sand flats surrounding the

Clockwise: Bear tracks on Topaltos Beach Cape Beale Lighthouse and the sunken gardens

light station. The lighthouse was not yet visible but outbuildings, fuel tanks and noise from a generator confirmed it was close. Suddenly I felt as though we were trespassing. I had no idea if we were allowed near a manned light station. Ben,

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Liv and Joel approached the outbuildings and proceeded up some stairs to the lighthouse. I had reservations about continuing on but followed reluctantly Half way up the stairs the lighthouse appeared. For a few moments I was completely in awe of the lighthouse and the amazing view before me. Standing 51 metres above the Pacific Ocean on a rocky bluff was a panoramic view of blue skies and ocean as far as I could see. The grounds surrounding the lighthouse were equally spectacular. There were three well kept white houses with red roofs. It was obvious someone visited the light station often or perhaps lived here given the immaculate shape everything seemed to be in. There was a sunken garden complete with a greenhouse, garden boxes and strategically placed Adirondack chairs. I noted a laundry line, patio furniture and open windows on the houses. My thoughts were interrupted by a dog barking. Immediately followed by a warm hello from a friendly woman waving as she came out of one of the homes. No longer did I feel we were trespassing, in fact Patti, the assistant light keeper, was delighted to have visitors. Patti treated all of us like friends reuniting after many years. She showed us around her garden and shared stories of the lighthouse’s past. Tosh, the friendly Border Collie no longer barked at us. Instead she played fetch as Ben and Liv took turns tossing a frisbee. The more I was around Patti the more I began to like her spirit. She engaged in conversation with Ben and Liv which made them feel special and part of the moment. Patti took the time to answer all the questions Joel and I had about life at a light station. She even shared with us her story of becoming a lighthouse keeper and mentioned all the must sees at Cape Beale. Patti kindly offered fresh produce from her garden which we accepted with delight. Not often do we backpack with fresh veggies so this was a treat. We shared Patti’s sweet cherry tomatoes sitting on the helicopter pad watching gray whales feed near the entrance to Barkley Sound. Then we munched on her garden carrots perched on the cliffs of Cape Beale as ships sailed by. Extra bonus was the fresh kale and basil we took back to camp with us and made the best stir fry ever. Kale, basil, and salal berries steamed in salt water. It was amazing!

Our adventure continued on after lunch and just kept getting

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better and better. Patti met us on the sand flats and led us on a wonderful walk exploring the rocky shorelines and tide pools of Cape Beale. Many times Patti was hunched down alongside Ben and Liv just as enthusiastic as they were at whatever marine creature was found. I really liked spending time with Patti.

She was kind, easy to talk to, made my children feel important every time they spoke to her. As we made our way back across the sand flats I hesitated for a moment. Up ahead I could see the Cape Beale trail and knew our time at the lighthouse had ended.

I felt as though I should have given Patti a hug goodbye. In just a few short hours she had become my friend. Somehow the topic of mail came up and we exchanged information. She very much wanted me to send her some of my articles. I suspect, given how remote life is as a lighthouse keeper, getting mail is a big deal. By the time this article hits the press Patti will have received the first of many packages full of drawings, a few of my articles, and letters from the kids and me.

Over the years I have come to realize the adventures my family and I have are not just about hiking or exploring new areas.

It is also about the people we meet and it is usually these people that make the adventure memorable. I will remember our adventure to Cape Beale lighthouse forever. Hiking the Cape Beale trail had us climb over more trees than any other trail we have hiked; we found more animal tracks on Topaltos Beach than any other beach; and we ended our adventure with one more friend than when we started.

Follow Jill at http://www.getonthebeatenpath.blogspot.ca/

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The tyranny of wine ranking A blind wine tasting is a process where a group of similar wines, eight is a nice number, are tasted, scored and ranked.

The identity of the wines is protected (think of it as a witness protection plan for beverages) either by pouring them in an unmarked flagon, or by placing them in friendly brown paper bags, the same bag you got busted for that time you were caught drinking in the park.

Initial attempts at blind tasting involved leaving the bottles unmasked but pulling the brown paper bags over the taster’s heads, dunce style. This method was quickly abandoned, as it was hard on the tablecloths, (“Oops. Sorry about that”) and resulted in more than one trademark dispute with the Ku Klux Klan.

Blind tasting is a cruel process because it’s not uncommon to have your favourite wine, the one you’ve been bragging about all over town, handing out at weddings, funerals and the occasional beheading, come dead last on your own score sheet.

After that, the divorce is quick and brutal. Despite the fact that you have enjoyed many an intimate evening with the wine, that it has served you well, provided you with pleasure, done your laundry… no, that was your wife… it is thrown out on the curb, banished from your life, because it is a loser, and no one with a good palate such as yourself hangs out with losers.

I was thinking about this last night, no, not hanging out with losers, about wines that don’t show well in competition. I was totally enjoying an esoteric little Spanish Grenache, Punta Y Como, thinking it might underperform in a blind tasting. One reason being the nose didn’t leap out at you. (“Yikes, what’s that? By Jove, it’s a nose, how did it get here?

Waiter, get me another table.”) And another being the funky flavour would detract from its score.

At a dinner the night before, I was fortunate enough to enjoy a Cedar Creek Pinot Noir from B.C. and the new vintage of Chateau Pesquie from France, both around $20. Just recently I had tried the two wines at tastings and found them merely good. Yet at the dinner table, without competition, they were simply incredible. (This is your cue to go out and buy both before they disappear. Do not wear a brown paper bag over your head while shopping.)

A conclusion one might draw is that ranking anything might not serve us well, which quite possibly is why we don’t rank people. Imagine if you rated your friends. “Invite you over for dinner?

DEC/JAN 2013

You’ve got to be kidding, who cares that you were the best man at my wedding, you only ranked seventh on my scorecard, that means six friends are ahead of you. You’re not going to get a dinner invitation with that score, you’ll have to pull up your socks, or at least find ones that match.”

Like wine, some people might show well initially, but fall off later in the tasting.

That might be Jennifer Aniston, who after stories about her personal trainer, nutritionist, skin care guru and in house astrologer, might come across as a little shallow. (Ahoy Jennifer. I’m available to take a sounding.)

Others, like the Punta Y Como, would do better alone. That would be Donald Trump, who unaccompanied might be disarming, with tons of interesting stories and a toupee to go with it, who might even bamboozle you that Obama was not born in a free world country, never got past grade three, and is Osama Bin Laden’s secret love child.

Yet if Donald was accompanied by someone rational, say his psychiatrist who only travels with two large assistants armed with butterfly nets, he might always get brought back to earth and not do so well. “No Donald, despite the size of Obama’s ears, it would not be possible for him to flap them fast enough to travel here from Venus. Besides, even your chauffer knows men come from Mars.”

And still others, despite their intrinsic worth and great contribution to society, might be marked down for a trivial

TAKE 5

fault like aroma. That would be the cigar smoking Winston Churchill. As one member of the scoring panel put it, “Loved the stories, appreciated the jokes, but I couldn’t get past the nose.” Or as Lady Astor might have said, had she been the quick one, “ Winston, when I wake up in the morning, I will be sober, and you shall remain smelly.”

So my advice is to forget the ranking system, live for the moment, and enjoy the one you’re with, which in my case, after a couple nights of splurging, will unfortunately be a 16-litre box.

Delbert is the co-proprietor at Mahle House. Read more at Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com

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DEC/JAN 2013

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Yo ho - it’s the sailor’s life for me Local writer and sailor Andrew Gunson has just released his second book in the Naked Canadian Series. The Tahiti Syndrome-Hawaiian Style, is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Voyage of the Maiatla with the Naked Canadian, One Family’s Mexican Odyssey.

The Tahiti Syndrome Hawaiian Style is an introspective journey taken under sail into the very heart of the great Pacific Ocean to the magnificent Hawaiian archipelago. Accompanied by his family and friends, Gunson’s 7000 mile deep sea voyage is not only a journey across a great wilderness, but a personal journey

where he explores his successes and failures, his life, love and family in an effort to answer the question man has been asking himself from time immemorial, is there meaning to my life?

Candidly written and heartfelt, this sailing adventure travelogue is full of fascinating nautical tidbits and astute philosophical ramblings augmented with insightful and memorable quotes from many historical travel writers and adventures of the past. If you have every dreamed of sailing over the horizon to live the life of a cruising vagabond,

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join as vicarious crew Andrew and Janet Gunson aboard the Sailing Vessel Maiatla for their latest Naked Canadian Adventure and voyage into Oceania..

Facing Pacific gales, hungry sharks and an ocean of mind-numbing immensity is all preferable to staying ashore to deal with the “Mindless automatons of the insipid netherworld.” Insightful and often funny as the author grapples with his tenacious and at times, uncooperative teenage daughter, The Tahiti Syndrome is a physical as well as a metaphysical journey through life and love as encountered from the heaving deck of a 52 foot ketch, the S.V. Maiatla.

The Tahiti Syndrome – Hawaiian Style is available though Amazon and many other online retails worldwide.

TAKE 5’s Marina Sacht had the opportunity to join the sailboat on its first leg of a circumnavigation of the world.

On Oct 1 they left Ladysmith Marina and arrived in San Francisco October 9.

BY MARINA SACHT “Now that is balance,” says our Captain Andrew Gunson, “This is the sweet

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spot.” We are sailing wing on wing winds at 10 knots. We left Neah Bay as dawn was breaking. Behind us the land had taken on purple and pink hues. It would be the last land that we would see until we reached San Francisco.

On October 1 we left Ladysmith Marina aboard the beautiful Maiatla II, a Hardin 45 ketch owned by Andrew and Janet Gunson of Cedar. Janet would be joining the boat in San Diego leaving myself and Al Clawson to make up the green yet enthusiastic crew.

Andrew proves to be a benevolent captain with the patience of a fisherman or saint.

Today he is giving us lessons on how to hold a course. It seems simple enough until we try it…and all hell breaks loose.

The night before Andrew came to tell us that we would have to hand steer the boat as the Ham radio caused interference with the auto pilot. He had a designated check in time with the seafarer’s net.

Run by Ham enthusiasts, the program tracks the positions of cruisers. When it came time to turn off “auto” Maiatla decided that she was going to do her own thing. Have you ever had 20 tons take off on you? The boat’s free run ended with a gybe – thankfully no damage had occurred except to the egos of the crew.

Steering the boat in the dark when you can’t see the sails or the bow means relying on instruments – not as simple as it would seem. It would require practice.

The seas where rolly and moving about was a workout in itself. But as we headed out to open seas the waves smoothed out and pretty soon shaky though they were, I took my first steps with my new sea legs.

The Maiatla is marvelously outfitted: auto helm, radar, fishing gear, wind indicators, desalinator, electronics, computers, GPS, radios, laptops and safety equipment.

It was so very different from when I sailed with my parents 27 years ago from Victoria to San Francisco... a VHF radio, a Ham and charts, and a sextant. It was an open cockpit and there was no dodger to escape from the weather.

I came to love the dodger. We’d have our dinners in the cockpit and watch the sun set. Then we’d zip it up and trap the heat keeping us comfortably warm with no need for heaters…even in October.

We took three hour watches. In the day we all hung out in the cockpit but at night we’d be alone. I’d sit in the comfy

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Al Clawson and Andrew Gunson with their tuna. Photo Marina Sacht

helm chair on my watch and think about my parents, growing up aboard the family sailboat Rhapsodia. But as the days slid by sadness in missing them was replaced by my appreciation of my parents and their accomplishments.

They also had followed their passion just like Andrew and Janet. This is the first leg of what will be a circumnavigation of the world. They plan to be in Panama by April.

In the TAKE 5/July 2012 issue we shared their story with our readers. They had sold their house and most of their possessions and packed up the children and in 2001 set their course for Mexico.

They spent over 14 months exploring Mexico. Andrew tells the tale in his

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book “The Voyage of the Maiatla with the Naked Canadian”.

His second book, The Tahiti Syndrome Hawaiian Style: A Naked Canadian Adventure has just been released. He’s already working on his third one. I realize that I may be one of the characters.

While “auto” was the hands of the boat the radar was the eyes. At night the radar was surprisingly busy alerting us whenever a ship came within our alarm zone. We’d scan the horizon for the telltale glow of the ships. It was surprising how many times we were on a collision course. We were miles offshore but we are not alone. We passed military ships, freighters, and fishing boats. On our VHF real life drama played out. The Coast Guard was rushing to assist the St. Jude, a tuna fishing boat running all its pumps stay afloat. When the Coast Guard asked how much fish was on board ...the implication was clear and you could feel the anguish. For fisher folk dumping the catch was unthinkable. For those making a living is as tough as this coast – a catch can mean the difference between making a mortgage or not. The Coast Guard had still not reached the St. Jude when we lost our radio signal. We hoped all went well with the crew and the boat.

You never know what you’re going to wake up to when you are offshore. I was passed out in the V-berth. We were on a close reach and the boat was not heeling enough to keep me from rolling around in my bunk. I was Spiderwoman, determined to wedge myself into that bunk long enough to fall asleep. Finally I flipped end for end and shoved my head under a shelf in the forepeak. I slept deep with wild vivid dreams. And today was no exception when I heard Andrew yell “Sunfish off our beam” I jumped up slammed my head against the ledge, cursed, and grabbed my camera.

There it was! The sunfish slowly floated alongside the boat. It saw us and rolled over looking at us. It didn’t seem to mind all the cameras even when Andrew clamped his waterproof video camera to a pike pole and lowered it.

Sunfish are funny looking. They have a snout like a dog. This one was about seven The SV Maiatla heading for San Francisco with a dolphin escort Opposite page: Going under San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge

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feet. I’d want to come back as a sunfish; I’d float on the surface and suntan all day.

“Here, zip me up,” says Andrew jumping into his wetsuit and diving into the ocean. It’s October 6 and we are 135 miles off Oregon and it’s 2.5 miles straight down to Davey Jones Locker.

“You know what’s cool?” Andrew asks me from the water. “I bet I’m the only person in the world who’s ever swum here in this spot.”

Al was already in the water – that was on his bucket list. Not mine.

They both look up at me “Well, are you coming in?”

I don’t want to brag but I swim at the Ladysmith pool twice a week, I’ve done two polar bear swims and I am packing that extra 25 pounds…. I dropped into the swells and as my body hit the 15 C water my breath along with a scream of pure terror froze in my throat. I couldn’t breath. I couldn’t speak. I heard a high pitched squealing sound and realized it was coming from me. Two words came to my foggy brain: “GET OUT”.

Note to self. Whatever you do: Don’t fall in the water! A man overboard would not survive long in that icy water before hypothermia claimed him.

On the fifth day the captain showed his true colours – and they where red.

Al was swabbing above, I was on my hands and knees cleaning the galley deck while above the decks ran red with blood. Tuna blood that is. A beautiful 15 pounder was to be the featured star for dinner that night and many more. I was cleaning the coffee grounds that the tem-

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peramental coffeemaker had disgorged all over the galley narrowly missing me as a large wave hit us. The gimbaled stove had been locked into position and I hadn’t noticed. A mistake I wouldn’t make again.

It’s no wonder sailors are superstitious.

When you are offshore you can see the curvature of the earth. It’s like floating in the middle of a blue bowl. Against a background of rigging, and wind and waves singing, I would heard a man’s voice. When I laughingly told Al that I was hearing voices. He confided that so was he...but his was female.. mermaids and mermen. The sea is a trickster.

It’s strange out there. Your eyes see differently. Your mind shifts. Perspectives change. With a lifetime of sailing under his belt and over a dozen years cruising, Andrew has seen his share of strange and wonderful.

“One night it was flat calm and the stars where so brilliantly mirrored in the water that it looked like the heavens and

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the ocean had merged and we were sailing through the sky,” he says.

A few years ago they were sailing in the Sea of Cortez. Andrew was alone on night watch when a whale suddenly surfaced along his portside. “He slowly turned and looked me right in the eye… holding the gaze. Moments passed – you could sense the intelligence there.” The bioluminescence was especially bright and he left a glowing trail through the water, the lights shimmering off him and lighting him up as if he was made of stardust.

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge still awes. It’s been 9 days since we left Ladysmith and in that time the call of the sea had been heard - in the rhythm of wind and wave, in the beauty of sunrise and sundown, in a star- filled sky, in the joy of sharing our planet with a humpback whale, in the camaraderie of cruisers, in the adrenalin pumping gut clenching oh get me out of here cold of swimming.

It was almost 30 years ago that I sailed under that bridge on a different boat and a crew that have since passed. I thought the girl that was on board had also left but I found her. I found her alone on a night watch. Under a canopy of stars she was singing to a school of dolphins. They danced alongside the Maiatla glowing bright with bioluminescence. Emissaries from another place.

As Andrew puts it, most of our lives we spend in the Netherworld. A place where we are never fully alive.

“This is the real world.” says Andrew.

I nod and I get it.

Visit us on take5.ca or facebook/take5publications ofor lots of great photos.

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FREE RANGE ROASTING CHICKENS - No antibiotics, vegetarian diet. Processed at a government approved facility. Average weight 6lb. $3.75/lb. Please call 250-722-2683.

AJ”s PLUMBING AND GAS -Licensed-BondedInsured. Service-Installations-Renovation -New construction. Quality workmanship. No travel charges. Free estimates. On time every time. 250802-7123 OFFICE SPACES -Downtown Ladysmith, modern, a/c, renovated, wired, reasonable rent or lease.

250-245-3395 THINKING OF SELLING YOUR HOME? Perhaps ready for a fresher look in your existing home? The affordable design services provided by Rooms n Blooms can help. Call Shar at 250-245-0548 or email shar@roomsnblooms.ca .

SEMI RETIRED MASSAGE THERAPIST working in Cedar by the Sea, $65 an hour session. 250722-2669 AGILE HOME REPAIR & IMPROVEMENT For all your carpentry and home repair needs. From repairing/replacing siding, decks, fences to interior finishing including home ventilation. Fully insured.

Call IAN 250-714-8800.

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HANDCRAFTED GEMSTONE NECKLACES. Jade, garnet, lapis, aventurine and more! $20 each. See jewelry table at Campers Corner Saturday flea market, 8am-3pm. 250-245-3829 RESIDENTIAL and OFFICE CLEANING and WINDOW WASHING. Cheerful and Conscientious.

Call David at 250-722-3599.

CEDAR DUPLICATE BRIDGE - Tuesdays 1:00 pm. January 8, Rosemary Spratt, guest instructor, begins six sessions with tips and supervised play. Intermediate/advanced. Men and women welcome. 1644 MacMillan Rd, Cedar. 250-7222692; 250-722-3399 ISAGENIX DISTRIBUTOR - Get Lean & Healthy Fast - Less than $5/ meal. Our protein shakes are amazing! - No Gluten, Wheat, Barley or Trans Fat. www.taketimetoday.com Suzanne Deveau 250245-8407 LYNN’S SENIORS CARE HOME - High Quality Personalized Care. Warm caring environment, great food and snacks, family events, couples and pets welcomed, ocean views, gardens. North of Ladysmith. 250-245-3391. www.lynnsseniorcare. com LEARN A LANGUAGE FOR FUN AND TRAVEL Small groups, conversational approach, excellent teachers, daytime and evening classes. French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Mandarin and more. Register now for ongoing sessions at WENTWORTH COURT LANGUAGE CENTRE, 517 Wentworth St., Nanaimo. 250-716-1603 SAVE $$$ WITH GORD’S YARDWORKS -Time for rototilling and fall yard preparation. Need lawn mowing and yard debris cleanup and removal?

Special services and seniors discounts available.

250-246-3640, 250-210-3860, gordsyardworks@ shaw.ca ISLAND PRUNING -Professional tree care from large scale orchards to budding new trees. I can meet any pruning need. Shrubs, vines and ornamentals. Ask about summer pruning. Call Darcy Belcourt 250-245-1260.

EXPERIENCED, RELIABLE, BONDABLE, RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & LIGHT CONSTRUCTION CLEANER has openings in the Ladysmith area. Rates start at $18.00 per hour.

Seniors Discount. References available 250-3279644.

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BOWEN TECHNIQUE is a gentle soft tissue remedial therapy that resets the body to heal itself. Useful for joint, back and neck pain, frozen shoulder, asthma, chronic fatigue and many other problems. For information and appointments call 250-245-7738. Lilja Hardy FMBAC in practice since 1994. www.bowtech.com DUCKS IN A ROW? Simply Accounting bookkeeping services (full-cycle) for sole proprietors, incorporations, new company setup, HST, Source Deductions, Payroll, etc. 16 yrs experience, pick up and drop off available. 250245-1390 HEALTHY CHOICE: the Rolls Royce of Nutritional Supplements at Honda prices – for more energy, vitality, and a powerful immune system. Money back guarantee. Call Elaine 250-912-0089 or elaine_macd@telus.net COMPUTER PRO -Mobile Certified Technician for on-site computer repairs and service in your home or office. $30 service call. Networks, printers and PC tuning. Senior’s Rate: $25. 250-802-1187 computerpronanaimo.com ARE YOU DOWNSIZING, moving, clearing an estate? We are interested in purchasing jewelry, china collectables, small appliances, furniture, and newer inside/outside home décor. Wendy 250-245-2079, Fern 250-924-4419. hiddentreasures@hotmail.ca SHOP AVON at home or office with personal delivery and guaranteed satisfaction. Contact me for a current brochure. Lorraine Dean, Avon Independent Sales Rep. 250-245-8083, or dean997@hotmail.com www.interavon.ca/ lorraine.dean SIGN UP NOW FOR MUSIC LESSONS! Nanaimo Conservatory of Music, 250-754-4611, www.ncmusic.ca. Individual and group classes available. Junior Choir now accepting students for winter/spring term - SPECIAL tuition for new students only $250!

1994 T-BIRD - For parts or fix up. New snow tires. and second set of “rain” tires, $300. Phone 250245-9165 E-STORE featuring locally Island made products now accepting listings - products and gift certificates. Visit www.take5.ca/estore for details and to view locally made gifts and products.

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Surviving Winter Last year at about this time I read Winter World (2003) – a remarkable book by Bernd Heinrich on the wintering habits and adaptations of a variety of organisms. The example which has stuck with me is that of the Golden-crowned Kinglet. As the winter approaches and bird song in the woods diminishes these birds and their high-pitched calls and presence bring cheer, hope and awe.

While relatively common, Goldencrowned Kinglets are not the easiest birds to see. They are small, drab, constantly moving and do not visit bird feeders.

(Anna’s hummingbirds, which survive winters here, are smaller than Kinglets, but are dependent on sugar feeders.) The Golden-crowned Kinglet has a white eye stripe, which distinguished it from the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, which has a white eye ring. Kinglets are named “Regulus” (little king) for the golden and red crowns, which are difficult to see, but the bird may flash it on occasion. The crowns of the males are yellow with a small amount of red in the center, while

Golden-crowned Kinglet

that of the female is pure yellow.

Golden-crowned Kinglets forage continually from dawn to dusk, hovering at branch tips feeding on what appear to be invisible insects and eggs. Heinrich, who has a reputation as a persistent and somewhat unorthodox researcher, (he once ran after a bumble bee all day to study its foraging; he is also an ultra marathoner) finally discovered that the Kinglets in his Maine woods feed on the tiny larvae of the one-spotted variant moth (Hypagyrtis unipunctata) which overwinter on tree branches and not underground like related species. Without the winter adaptation of the larvae the Kinglets would have no chance. If one values the Kinglet one must also value the moth. With a full belly they might top out at 6 grams of which they might burn twenty five percent just to get through the night.

At dusk a small group may settle under dense brush and huddle for warmth. This explains the calls they make which helps keep the flock together. If they are hud-

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dled with two or three others the chances of surviving the night are greater. Huddling together reduces the surface area exposed and in a way increases the mass of the kinglet. Other behaviours such as fluffing out their feathers to increase the insulating air space around them and burrowing their beaks and heads into their feathers also reduce heat loss. The beak and eyelids are not insulated so lose heat faster than the rest of the body. The legs too are uninsulated, but heat loss here is minimized by a reduction in blood flow and perhaps a countercurrent heat exchange, which keep the legs and feet cold. (Incidentally heat can be increased to legs during breeding season– a physiological feature which may assist in egg incubation.)

An idea posited by German biologist Karl Bergmann in the mid 19th century suggests that the organisms in northern climates are larger than organisms closer to the tropics. The reasoning is that a larger body has a greater mass to surface area ratio and thus the animal is better able to conserve heat and survive the cold. This may generally be the case, but the Kinglet is certainly an exception to the rule. They are year round residents as far north as Alaska. That any of these tiny birds can survive sub-zero temperatures is incredible. By doing the right things and with a bit of luck on their side enough will survive to mate, nest and perhaps raise two broods to repopulate the woods next year.

Jay Rastogi is a naturalist, horticulturalist and educator living in Yellow Point.

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