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How Nanaimo School District 68 sees Ladysmith Schools. Cartoon: Gord Barney
Letters Advocates for Holland Creek Several years ago the Friends of Holland Creek rallied support and raised funds to purchase land adjacent to Holland Creek within the Town’s Boundaries, to stop development encroaching Holland Creek on the West side. Today, this group has evolved into the Advocates for Holland Creek (AFHC) in response to the proposed Boundary Expansion of the Town to accommodate the residential development by Couverdon; the Real Estate arm of Timberwest. This has raised questions about the availability and sustainability of the Town’s water supply. Ladysmith’s water supply is derived from three watersheds: Holland Creek, Banon Creek, and Stocking Lake. The Mayor and Council plan to increase the population of Ladysmith from 8000 to 18000. There are plans already for residential development within the existing Boundaries, as well as servicing the Stz’minus First Nation with water and sewage (a laudable objective). For these reasons, the Advocates for Holland Creek are concerned about the availability of water from the three Water Sheds. AFHC are asking how the present supply can support another 10,000 residents. Water supply depends on an annual cycle of precipitation (rain and snow), surface and subsurface flows, evaporation, soil and geologic structures, forest and ground vegetation, slope, and natural and designed reservoirs. Wa-
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See http://ladysmithcommunitygardensociety.weebly.com for details and our growing list of sponsors. - Gail Wiseman Reed, Ladysmith Community Garden
Vancouver’s Garbage Incinerator in Nanaimo
Advocates of Holland Creek members (l-r) Tony Fletcher, Drew Chisholme, Bryan Henderson, Greg Roberts
ter Shed models range in complexity, but one thing is clear; a credible Water Shed model requires comprehensive data and mathematical formulations, often peculiar to the specific Water Shed. At present, no Water Shed model exists for the combination of the Holland Creek, Banon Creek, and Stocking Lake Water Sheds; particularly one that can anticipate the effects of Climate Change. The potential water supply from these Water Sheds is, therefore, questionable. Until these questions about water supply are answered, there should be a moratorium on further development. The AFHC can play a role in providing information to the people of Ladysmith about the development of a Water Shed model and Water Shed Management. We know that the Town of Ladysmith wants to do the right thing, and we want to help. - Bryan Henderson, Advocates For Holland Creek
Mystery writer Many Thanks for the article in the Arts & Entertainment section of this months issue (February). Best Wishes, David B. Green; author of the Oscar Phelps series of International Crime fiction novels and the soon to be produced Movie and TV series; The Enigmatic Mr. Phelps & Mr. Phelps. - Dave B. Green
Mason Bee Workshop at Ladysmith Library Ladysmith Community Gardens Society and The Ladysmith Library co-hosted a ‘Library Talk’ Feb 11 with Rose McCully speaking on Orchard Mason Bees. Rose spoke to a packed house and gave a lively talk. The talk was the second in The Community Garden’s Edible Gardening Series; the next will be co-hosted by The Ladysmith Saltair Garden Club in their Feb 20 meeting. All talks generously supported by community venues and by local businesses and The Ladysmith Credit Union.
My wife and I have lived in beautiful Cedar-by-the-Sea for over 30 years. After awakening again this morning to the intense, acrid smell of the pulp mill’s stack, I felt compelled to write to you. All who must breathe this air have been affected by the inability of the Nanaimo air shed to cope with the single pulp mill stack emissions emanating from Duke Point. In the 1970s, as a young employee of the Pacific Biological Station, rainy southeasters frequently bore down on Nanaimo, and the weather turned nasty. As the pulp mill stack plume blew north into Hammond Bay and Nanaimo area, as our eyes stung and noses watered, the Station staff would remark how awful the air smelled. Thankfully, stack emission regulations changed and the frequency and severity of those events were reduced. As a result, Nanaimo no longer smelled like Sudbury, the largest stack emitter in Canada. As an aside, Sudbury was also known in biological circles as the ‘asshole of the earth’ due to the defoliation of the large areas surrounding that city due to the effects of stack emissions. It is my understanding from the media that Nanaimo is currently in the running to be the incinerator capital of BC. Until now, Nanaimo’s Mayor and Council, and the RDN (except the Area A Director Mr. A. McPherson) have NOT gone on record to vigorously oppose such an apocryphal plan. By staying on the fence, Victoria’s Minister for the Environment could easily make the decision for you, similar to the decision they made to dump contaminated soil in the Shawnigan watershed. Indeed, if the incinerator plan succeeds, we would see mountains of waste barged from the Lower Mainland and continuously burned in a huge incinerator adjacent to the pulp mill. I am sure Nanaimo will receive revenue to compensate, but is it worth even considering it? This air shed is saturated now, and is barely habitable during inversions such as we are experiencing. If such a mammoth incinerator plan succeeds under your watch, Nanaimo will be dealt a historic blow. What a disgrace it would be for the residents, tourists, ferry riders and cruise ships alike to see the parade of barges and inhale the combined stench from the large incinerator stack and the pulp mill at Duke Point. All would be witness to Nanaimo’s transformation to BC’s waste orifice capital. Your names would go down in history as the authors of that sorry outcome. Retirees and others would sell and leave Nanaimo due to the inability to cope with their declining health and home values. I know my wife and I would be facing that decision. Local politicians should lead us away from such a fate, or Nanaimo and the RDN will become another Sudbury and forever be the butt joke of BC for allowing it to happen. - Brian D. Tutty RPBio. Letters to the Editor are welcome but subject to space and editing. Letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TAKE 5. email editor@take5.ca, or post at www.take5.ca, fax: 250245-7099 or write TAKE 5 PO Box 59 Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A1 or visit us on facebook.com/take5publications
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Proposed Couverdon Boundary Extension Questions & Answers
Council has received an application to extend the Town’s boundaries by taking in about 700 acres of lands owned by TimberWest/Couverdon. These lands lie immediately to the west of our community. The Town is following a process laid out by the Provincial government for boundary extensions, which includes getting the approval of Ladysmith voters. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the boundary extension. Who is Couverdon? Couverdon is the real estate arm of forest company TimberWest. TimberWest is a private corporation owned by two Canadian pension funds. TimberWest owns lands throughout Vancouver Island stretching from Sooke in the south to Campbell River in the north. Why would the Town want to extend its boundaries? Council did not seek to expand the
Town’s boundaries. A property owner adjacent to municipal boundaries has the right to request that they be included within municipal boundaries. Couverdon approached Council and asked if we would be interested in expanding our boundaries because they wanted to be able to develop some of their lands and to provide services to those lands. Council agreed to consider the boundary extension application because it provides an opportunity for greater protection of the watersheds that provide drinking water to Saltair, Ladysmith, Diamond, and IR12, and greater protection of the viewscapes of the forested hills behind Ladysmith. Council has also
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required as a condition of such a boundary expansion that any future development of the lands, to be included within the Town boundary, would follow smart growth practices and support our sustainability vision. How does this process protect watersheds and viewscapes? Most of our watersheds are within private managed forest lands owned in part by TimberWest. TimberWest also owns some of the forested hills behind Ladysmith. TimberWest/Couverdon has agreed in principle to sell to the Town approximately 500 acres of lands around Stocking Lake and Holland Lake to help protect our drinking water supply. They have also agreed to not pursue any active forestry on the above noted lands, nor sell the lands to another party as a condition of this process. These lands are in addition to the boundary extension lands and will remain in Cowichan Valley Regional District Area G (Saltair). The Town believes that these lands are important to the health of the two lakes (see the Boundary Extension Application at www.ladysmith.ca for more details).
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TimberWest has also made a commitment to the Town to manage their other lands which we can see behind Ladysmith (primarily Stanton Peak) in a way that we will continue to enjoy our views. Will development start as soon as the new property becomes part of the Town of Ladysmith? No. There would be a lengthy rezoning process involved. If Ladysmith voters and the Provincial government approve the boundary extension application, these lands would keep their existing forestry zoning. In order to develop them, Couverdon will need to apply to the Town for rezoning, in the same way any other developer has to do. Couverdon has said the development will include residential, commercial, institutional and parkland components and will work closely with the Town to make sure the development meets our community’s sustainability goals and vision. It’s also important to remember that the development of the entire parcel will take a number of decades. Will this boundary extension force the Sportsmen’s fish hatchery on Bush Creek to close down? The hatchery site is not part of the boundary expansion area. Couverdon has informed Council that there is no intention to relocate or close the hatchery. There has always been a very good working relationship between TimberWest and the hatchery – that will continue. Are developers lined up already? No. At present, Couverdon plans to maintain ownership of the lands through the rezoning process and to work with developers once the lands are zoned for development. How much development does the Town anticipate taking place on the Couverdon lands? Couverdon’s plans to date include a variety of residential units, including single- and multi-family, as well as commercial and institutional development. Any development will also include community amenities such as parks and open spaces. Couverdon has said they are looking at approximately 1,500 homes (up to 3,500 people) over the next 30-plus years. You can see Couverdon’s proposed Land Use Plan in their Boundary Extension Application on the Town’s website www.ladysmith.ca and Couverdon’s site www.ladysmithopenhouse.ca. What effect would this boundary expansion and development have on the Town’s water supply in these times of climate change? Water studies completed between 1995 & 2008 indicate our sources of potable water, Stocking Lake and Holland Lake/ Creek, with water system improvements such as universal water metering, raising Holland Lake Dam 1 metre etc., can serve approximately 18,000 people in Ladysmith/Diamond/IR12 (approximately 9,000 today) and 3000 people in Saltair (2000 today). Studies are underway this year to reconfirm the capacity of the area’s water supply in the face of climate change. Any rezoning and development approvals on the new lands will be dependent on proven adequate capacity of our water supply system. What about the cost to build roads and provide services to the new developments? The developer will be responsible for providing all new infrastructure including roads as well as water and sewer connections. Furthermore, all new development contributes Development Cost Charges to support future infrastructure construction that services the whole community such as major roads, sewer
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and water system upgrades, storm water management, and parks and recreation facilities. Why did Council not use a referendum for public approval? Any boundary extension must follow Provincial regulations, which, since 2008, require the approval of the municipality’s voters. The legislation allows for two different types of approval – the alternative approval process we are using, or a referendum. The alternative approval process is far less costly. If more than 10 per cent of eligible voters submit an Elector Response Form by March 14, the AAP does not pass. Council will then decide whether to put the question to a referendum in which all eligible Ladysmith voters would have the opportunity to vote for or against the boundary extension. Council has not yet discussed a possible referendum date. If the AAP does get the approval of voters, the application will go to the Provincial government for review and possible approval. How can I get more information? The Couverdon Boundary Extension Application and a number of supporting documents are available on the Town’s website www.ladysmith.ca, and on Couverdon’s site www.ladysmithopenhouse.ca. You can also e-mail members of Council at towncouncil@ladysmith.ca, or call City Hall at 250-245-6400. Forested area in the proposed expansion area. Photo: Cindy Damphousse
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Salute to the Performing Arts Our communities are home to a wealth of talented performers and internationally renowned theatres. Whether you are looking for an intimate evening with local musicians at a coffee shop or a high kicking musical you will find it right here. We have put together a list of the main theatres in our area but we know that there are many local establishments that host live entertainment. we encourage you to get out and discover live!
Chemainus Theatre Festival The Chemainus Theatre Company officially opened in 1993. In 2003 the theatre was renamed Chemainus The-
Above: Chemainus Theatre Photo Cindy Damphousse (rt) Cowichan Theatre
atre Festival with the series KidzPlay making its debut. The theatre seats 274 people with an excellent view from every seat. Chemainus Theatre Festival is a non-profit society serving Vancouver Island residents and visitors by creating exceptional theatre. This year’s season has something for everyone. Playing until March 8, The Buddy Holly Story” by Alan Janes. Next up from March 21 April 26 it’s the comic adventure Jeeves in Bloom adapted by Margret Raether.
For more information call the box office at 250-246-9820 or visit www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca
Cowichan Theatre The Cowichan Theatre is a 731-seat proscenium arch theatre located in the Island Savings Centre, Duncan. Opened in 1978, the Cowichan Theatre serves the region as a community theatre for local groups, as a roadhouse for touring professional artists, and as a conference and convention facility. The Cowichan Theatre is a function of the Arts & Culture Division of the Cowichan Valley
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The cast in rehearsal for the “Last Weekend” presented by Ladysmith Players, March 6-23 at the Ladysmith Little Theatre.
Regional District’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Department, with funding coming from throughout the Cowichan Region,. The Friends of the Cowichan Theatre Society have been supporting the theatre since 1991.Their mandate is to assist in the development and enhancement of programs, events and activities presented by the Cowichan Theatre department. For more information about what is playing call 250-748-7529 or visit www.cowichantheatre.ca
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Ladysmith Theatre Ladysmith Little Theatre was vision of Judi & Terry Whittaker. Built in 1912, the Diamond School had originally been a one room school. The building had been vacant since approximately 1985. In January 2004, work began to transform the building into a theatre. This huge undertaking was accomplished by Terry Whittaker, Bruce Mason and numerous community volunteers in less than six weeks. With the support of dozens of helpers, the theatre doors opened on March 24, 2004 with an open house, potluck supper, and Variety Show. The decision was made to name the theatre company Ladysmith Players Society and rename the theatre Ladysmith Little Theatre. Their audience has grown over these past 10 years from 47 people in total attending the first show’s nine performances to over 1000 people seeing our first musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum two years ago .They can seat up to 80 people at tables but 75 is what they consider a full house. They also run a kids summer theatre camp. The theatre is run entirely by a board of volunteers. The group purchased the theatre property and building last year and now are raising the $150,000 to pay for it. Always an enjoyable evening out. Here is what’s playing: Mar 6 - 23 it’s the world premiere of The Last Weekend by Barb Wheeldon, produced by Marni Hastings, and directed by Joanne Rowland. Three childhood friends come together for a last weekend at the cottage of one of the friends. Unexpected guests, family secrets and revelations make this a surprising weekend. For more information call 250-924-0658 or visit www.ladysmiththeatre.com
Maureen Molyneaux and Erik Tully play Scrabble in Yellow Point Drama Group’s spring comedy The Affections of May, March 6-22.
Yellow Point Drama Group Yellow Point Drama Group, the second oldest theatre group in BC, got its start in the early 1950s when former opera singer, director of drama, and teacher, Anne Mossman moved to Yellow Point. Her enthusiasm for the arts was contagious and she soon enlisted Cedar and Yellow Point locals to produce YPDG’s first season comprised of three one-act plays. Fresh from its success, the amateur troupe went on to officially form Yellow Point Drama Group in 1953, and in the 60 years since,
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has marked a number of successful theatrical milestones. Since then, YPDG has provided quality theatre entertainment operating out of Cedar Community Hall. Producing two shows a season, as well as other special events, Yellow Point Drama Group offers an opportunity for area residents to bring their experience to, or try first hand, the magic of theatre. Playing March 6 - 22 is The Affections of May a warm romantic comedy where the foibles and triumphs of relationships tug at the heartstrings and play for laughs. Directed by Gordon McInnis and starring stars Maureen Molyneux, Devon Cathers, Erik Tully and Brian March, themes of love, identity and self-worth are explored in this insightful romantic comedy by Norm Foster, For more information call 250-245-7516 or visit www.yellowpointdramagroup.org
Spotlight Academy Spotlight Academy opened in 1998 as a facility for actors to train in the craft of acting for film and television. Most of Vancouver Islands actors who have made it to the big league have studied at some point with acting coach Jacqui Kaese. Her students can be seen alongside Hollywood A listers such as Nicole Kidman, Robert De Niro, Mark Wahlberg, Scarlett Johannson, Jason Statham and Nicolas Cage. Convincing Vancouver casting directors to see island actors has always been a challenge but perseverance with solid audition skills has resulted in lead and support roles in major movies, TV series, commercials and local film productions. Spotlight Academy has film acting classes for all ages and works out of downtown locations as well as a home studio located in Cassidy BC. The school offers full production film camps where youth will produce and star in a movie. They also run Uniquely Me, a self esteem program designed to raise the confidence levels in young women. Modeling workshops are offered to those who wish to pursue a career in fashion modeling but also offers a comprehensive self makeover for anyone who wishes to reinvent their look. Specialized workshops are offered monthly by industry professionals, directors, producers, casting directors, are frequent visitors to Spotlight. For more information call 250-714-2555 www.spotlightacademy.com
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Cedar Skate Park open after 10 years of community effort The construction gates are down and the long-awaited Cedar Skate Park is open to the public. The park is located in the south-eastern corner of the Cedar Community Secondary School property, off of Walsh Road. “The Cedar community has waited over 10 years for this park, and I have noticed at least three dozen youth using the facility every day since it opened,” said Alec McPherson, Regional District of Nanaimo Director for Electoral Area A. “I understand that the official youth rating for the skate park is ‘sick’, so it looks like we got the design right. The 930 square-metre skate park is designed for both skateboards and bikes and includes a variety of obstacles and features appropriate for beginners and experienced riders. The park can accommodate 40 to 50 users at a time. “Over the years we have had a tremendous amount of support from the community for building a skate park in our area and the youth were extremely involved in the development and design process,” said Vicki Suddaby, Chair of the Cedar Skate Park Association. “It was exciting to receive the funding we needed to move ahead with the construction.”
Some of the board members and helpers of the Cedar Skate Park Association. Sandra Newton, Kathryn Stevens, Vicki Suddaby, Elaine McClulloch, Pat Knowles, Leslie Roglski, Shelagh Gourlay. Photo submitted
The final project cost for the park is $589,000 including the cost to construct the parking lot, which was not within the original scope of the project. The Province of BC, through the Community Recreation Grant (2012) contributed $439,410; the RDN contributed $99,500 and the Cedar community fundraised and contributed $50,000 towards the project. Information about the May 24 grand opening celebration will be announced once plans are finalized. For more information about the Cedar Skate Park, or about RDN recreation programs, services or events, visit rdn.bc.ca/parks. “There were times when I questioned is this ever going to happen?” But through the years she kept going and with a group of dedicated members, the Association held lots of fundraisers and meetings. She recalls the many successful fundraisers: Golf tournaments at
A heavy snow fall had kids elated. Audrey Haslam with her snowman. Photo: Angie Haslam
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Cottonwood Golf Course, Dinners with a Celebrity, Garage sales at Friesen’s. Beer and Burger at the Wheatsheaf, and meat draws at Cranberry Arms, and tons of bottle drives…they were all a success. “So many organizations helped. We never had a problem getting a prize or donation. Slowly the idea became concrete – real concrete and a skate park was born. Watch for the grand opening in late May. “It was really wonderful how the community came together.”
Ladysmith Community Policing Station shuts door Ladysmith RCMP Community Policing Station is closing its doors. It’s been 14 years but as of Feb 28, the Station at Coronation Mall will be part of history. Audrey Ballegeer is retiring and when she resigned after 14 years the other volunteers decided it was time to take a well deserved break. When I handed in my six week notice of resignation, the response was ‘if you go, we go’,” she says. The Community Policing Station was established by Sgt. Tom Armet in 1997. There were approximately 10 volunteers to begin with and that number increased and decreased over the years. Recently there have been 7 volunteers. The Community Policing car program began in 1999 and continued for many years. The original idea behind having a Community Policing Station was to act as liaison between the public and the RCMP Detachment. But as it grew, the volunteers were participating in other activities as well – such as bicycle rodeos, Tour de Rock fundraising events, parades, the Annual Teddy Bears Picnic, and other special events. Volunteers did, at times, represent Ladysmith at out of town events as well. Thanks to the Service Clubs in Ladysmith, the Ladysmith and District Credit Union, and Grants in Aid from the Town, they were able to maintain our programs, says Audrey. Woody McKnight has been volunteering for 5 years. “I’m sorry to see the office closed. It’s been like a part of the family.” “ We have had some great times here,” says Hilary Bell.
(l-r) Gerona Gallie, Debbie Greenhorn, Anne Lamont, Woody McKnight, Bea Watson, Hilary Bell (sitting in front) Audrey Ballegeer. Photo: Cindy Damphousse
One of the programs run through Community Policing was Home Safety Inspections and this program will continue through Victim Services thanks to two former volunteers.
Advisory Commission, as part of BC Heritage Week, Shirley Blackstaff one of the organizers says she was pleased with the response to the event.
Heritage Afloat
Home & Business Show
In spite of a snowfall many people came out to Heritage Afloat on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Ladysmith Maritime Society Docks. Presented by the Ladysmith Maritime Society and the Town of Ladysmith’s Heritage Revitalization
Spring is almost here! Time to get your house in order. Mark your calendars for the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce 2014 Home, Garden & Business Show, March 28 from 2-8pm and March 29 from 9am to 3pm at Aggie Hall. This year’s show is revving up to be a great one with dozens of exhibitors eager to help you meet the seasons’ challenges by showcasing their products and services. There will be food and refreshments available provided by the Ladysmith Lions Club. For more info contact the Chamber at 250-245-2112 or admin@ladysmithcofc.com
Gourlay seeks NDP nomination
Shirley Blackstaff, on eof the volunteers at the Heritage Afloat event at Ladysmith Maritime Scoiety . Photo: Marina Sacht
“I worked a dozen years for NDP MP’s in Ottawa, and a half-dozen for the local MLA,” said Laurie Gourlay, announcing intentions to run for the NDP nomination as federal candidate for NanaimoLadysmith. Gourlay made a short presentation at the founding meeting of the NDP’s Nanaimo-Ladysmith Riding Association. “I’ve written speeches, prepared Committee notes and reviewed legislation,
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Motions and Bills in the House of Commons,” Gourlay stated. “I believe my experience, and familiarity with the process - with the ways of getting things done on the Hill, will help Nanaimo and the mid-island region be heard and well-served.” The new federal boundary for Nanaimo-Ladysmith will come into effect in April, including many voters from the previous electoral districts of Nanaimo-Cowichan to the south, and Nanaimo-Alberni to the north. “Electoral reform, jobs and the environment, and health care are the three priorities I will focus on,” Gourlay added, “since they are of most importance to our region and the coast, as well as nationally for the country.” Gourlay, a farmer in Cedar for the past ten years, has been married for 38 years to Jackie Moad, an RN at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Moad also helped start the Haven House for battered women, and the BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses in the early 1980’s. Gourlay has established a website http://www.lauriegourlay. com/ for his bid for the NDP nomination in Nanaimo-Ladysmith, has a personal Facebook account www.facebook.com/ laurie.gourlay.9.
Girls Fly Too Nanaimo Flying Club in partnership with Women of Aviation International and aided by Canadian Owners and Pilots Association Flight 91 Nanaimo through COPA for Kids, is organizing a special event for young women and girls between the ages of 10 and 17 years at Nanaimo Airport. Girls Fly Too is on March 8, starting at 11a.m. at the Nanaimo Flying Club on Spitfire Road south of the Nanaimo terminal building. The event presents the possibilities of a career in aviation for young women. Activities will begin at the clubhouse with a short introduction to flying then tours of the Airport Terminal building and some of its services, the Nav Canada’s Nanaimo Air Radio Tower, free hot dogs at the clubhouse, walk rounds of different parked aircraft and weather permitting, free flights around the area for those girls who wish to experience flight in a small aircraft. “We have seven fix wing and one helicopter for flights so far, says Mike Wilkey. Local pilots have donated their time and craft . Girls Fly Too is an event for girls and young women who might have an interest in aviation as a career option. All participants must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. NFC was started in 1946. They service local pilots, and hold fly-ins, Air Cadet Reviews, and offer scholarships. They have over 160 members but only 8 are female. In many fields women have made progress but that hasn’t happened in the aviation field. Andrea Trepanier is an exception. Secretary of the NFC she is 43 and is the mom of four children. Four years ago after moving here form Grande Prairie she decide to pursue her dream of flying. She now has her pilots licence from Vital Aviation and the heavens are her world now. She has flown a DC 4 and a C-46 in Yellowknife with Buffalo Air. She’s flown a Spencer Air Car Warren and Verna Dick of Beachside Garden B&B - top 25 in country. Photo: Marina Sacht
Andrea Trepanier, pilot, would like to see more females working in the aviation field. Photo submitted
an amphibian craft with the Century Flight – a group of pilots that every year cross Canada . Last year they flew from Saskatchewan to Prince Edward Island. It took five days and 100 planes participated. She’s now considering getting float plane endorsements or attending an aerobatics school. “It’s been a great adventure,” she says. For more details contact Girls Fly Too event coordinator Mike Wilkey mikewilkey1@gmail.com or www.womenofaviationweek.org/rsvp/nanaimo The Flying Club is also seeking applications from both young men and women for the Ray Erhart Memorial Bursary Award for students definitely on an aviation career path. Deadline for applications is March 31.
Local B & B Top 25 in Country Verna and Warren Dick have lots to celebrate. Their Beachside Garden B&B has been named in the 2014 Top 25 B&Bs and Inns in Canada category in the 2014 Travellers’ Choice® awards. Travellers’ Choice award winners were determined based on the reviews and opinions of millions of TripAdvisor travellers around the globe. Currently there and 6258 B&Bs and Inns in Canada listed in Trip Advisor. Located by the popular Elliot Beach Park, the area is a paradise for boaters, kayakers, scuba-divers and sun-bathers. With its gardens, dining room, lounge, wireless Internet, BBQ and picnic area, each elegant room has ocean view, queen-bed, ensuite, TV and air-conditioning. Oh and the breakfasts? Think attention to detail and simply delicious. Fresh fruit smoothies, muffins, scones, fluffy omelets. They cater to every dietary concern. “We like meeting people and giving them attention,”says Verna. The retired couple didn’t plan to start a B&B when they bought the property but the formula must be working. “It’s been good. We have to rely on each other to make sure it works.” www.beachsidegardenbnb.com
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BY CATHLEEN MCMAHON I always relate music to two things when I talk about it; food and language. I know what foods I like and I know what languages I can understand when being talked to, yelled at or told a quiet little secret. From a whisper to a scream, music is the same – good music can come in all levels of sonic bliss from the sweet sounds of the horns to the grand strums of the strings section. So… what kind of music is being served up around here? You can stumble upon a great place, but if you are anything like me, you like to know where you are going and what you are going to consume when you get there. Nothing hurts more than paying for music that you don’t understand or don’t want to hear. That happens a lot these days. There is so much music out there and with the introduction of the internet, everyone has access to the same sites to get their music out to the world. So how do you know what is going on and where and if it is any good? Here is my take on what is happening with some great talent
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Craig Cardiff in Ladysmith 2012 Photo: Sean Sherstone
in the best venues. Two features each month – a local venue and a couple of artists who will be touring and playing a local venue near you. Venue: In The Beantime – Ladysmith Cam McIntyre and Kristy Seymour have always been huge supporters of live music performances in Ladysmith. For years they have hosted touring and local acts in their 50 seat venue offering great “Dinner and a Show” evenings that have featured Lena Birtwistle, Cory Woodward, and Cam Latimer. Coming up on March 7 they are welcoming Dave Cormier and in April they are hosting local musicians Ryan McMahon and Dave Bitonti. Hit up In The Beantime for your tickets in advance to be sure you secure your place in this great local coffeehouse.
Take 5 Music Connection – Touring Top Picks Artists: Craig Cardiff - Ottawa, Wooden Horseman - Vancouver and JP Hoe – Winnipeg Craig Cardiff – www.craigcardiff.com Hailing from Ottawa, this incredible troubadour has won the hearts of his audience by baring his soul in his songs and allowing his audience to bare their souls in his “Book of Truths”. His awkward sentimentality and his wit is an enjoyable mix of music and conversation that you won’t forget. New album “Love is Louder”. Wooden Horseman – www.woodenhorsemanmusic.com Debut self-titled album CD Release sold out one of Vancouver best venues and they will be stripping down to a trio for their Vancouver Island dates. If you want to give new music a chance, Wooden Horseman is a good bet that you will walk away happy that you did. JP Hoe – www.jphoe.com Returning to Vancouver Island for the third time from Winnipeg, JP Hoe will come to Vancouver Island for a quick run of dates on his way to Los Angeles where he will be showcasing his talents for the first time. His voice is an emotional wrecking ball on your senses. A DO NOT MISS! Next month – a look at local musicians making waves… on and off the island. Cathleen McMahon owns and operates Mission Management Group www.mmgrp.ca and the Vancouver Island Music Connection www.musicconnectionvi.com.
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DESIGN TRENDS 2014 BY: HEIDI BIANCHINI – GNB BUILDERS INC. This year 2014 brings a soft colour palette, spa like plumbing fixtures, simple but glamorous lighting, easy care floors, sophisticated cabinetry and countertops with advanced storage solutions making homes that are personal sanctuaries where one can find comfort and peace. Transitional design style is the most common design style our company and (l-r) Breath of Fresh Air new color from Benjamin Moore Custom home by GNB Builders – dining room light – dramatic multi-pendant
suppliers are seeing. The word “transitional” is an easy way to describe a design style that combines traditional with contemporary style resulting in a home that has clean lines, classic features that are timeless. Colour: Benjamin Moore, one of the leaders in colour trends, released their 2014 colour trends, “2014 neutral palette was curated to help you find and create those moments of sanctuary and exhale in your home. We assembled this palette to work together; to provide the flow and
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coordination you need to create a home that offers more than just shelter.” I will be painting our daughter’s room with their Colour of the Year – Breath of Fresh Air – 806 Lighting: Visit McLaren Lighting in Nanaimo and you will get a quick snap shot of what is in demand for 2014; chrome, industrial looks, post modern design, clear glass with vintage style bulbs, large sized island pendants or chandeliers over islands, chandeliers over bath tubs, and my favorite, multiple pendants hanging at different heights from a single canopy. Plumbing fixtures: Chrome, wall mounted faucets, water saving fixtures, bidet toilet seats and free standing tubs. One of the most interesting innovations is Kohler’s BubbleMassage hydrotherapy VibrAcoustic sound technology. Hid-
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Floors has a great selection and trust me you might mistake a plank looking LVT for the real thing – I did. Cabinetry & Countertops: Transitional style cabinetry – flat door fronts, simple lines in solid stain in warm greys and off whites are common along with specialty cabinetry such as bamboo or rift oak if budget permits. Advanced storage solutions with pull out knife storage, recycling bins and spice doors are all incorporated in the design. According to VI Granite, granite countertops are still the number one choice with simple, sophisticated black granite such as Volga Blue Granite which is black and grey with flecks of sparkling brilliant blue. As well, the demand for Quartz is increasing as people search for simple, white or grey countertops.
Need an incentive to renovate? Greg Bianchini offloading Milgard windows.
den speakers emit sound waves that envelop and gently resound within the body. Sounds over the top, but one only has to visit The Ensuite in Nanaimo to test out this tub to be convinced it might be worth considering if the budget permits. Flooring: Luxury Vinyl Tile – referred to as LVT is the fastest growing flooring market right now. Many of you might remember Lino flooring common in the 70’s, similar idea but superior look. We are asked over and over again what floor we recommend for pet owners, tile is the most durable choice but is hard and cold and the install cost is high, so LVT is a great alternative. A high quality LVT looks realistic, is water resistant, durable, warm under foot, stable and easy to maintain. United
BY KELSEY ANN SMITH GNB BUILDERS, PROJECT ASSISTANT CERTIFIED BUILT GREEN RENOVATOR After the hustle and bustle of the holidays and spring around the corner, many begin to think of renovating. If you’re considering renovating or increasing your home’s efficiency, consider the incentives and rebates available that could make your renovation more affordable. Making smart selections will increase your home’s value, comfort and efficiency all the while providing you with a savings down the road.
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Back by popular demand, the Livesmart BC program was reintroduced with a new deadline of March 31, 2014 – fingers crossed that they extend the deadline (like last year) or introduce a new program. This program involves a pre-renovation energy assessment that is completed before any work commences and a post-renovation energy assessment after the renovations are complete. The more efficiency gained in your home, the greater the rebate. Replacing your appliances? Get up to a $150 towards your new appliances through BC Hydro’s Appliance Rebate Program. The Fridge Buy Back program is also anticipated to return this spring. Home lighting accounts for an average of 15 per cent of homes energy consumption; switch from incandescent lights to LED or CFL to begin seeing savings. Save up to $115 over the lifetime of the bulb by replacing a 60W incandescent with an 11W LED bulb, that produces the same output of light. Also, don’t forget to check with your local municipality for rebates. Both the Town of Ladysmith and the CVRD offer a toilet replacement rebate of $75/toilet Consider certifying your home through the Built Green Renovation Program. Certifying your home through Built Green provides it third party certification that it is energy efficient and environmentally responsible and adds value to your home for resale. To have your home certified Built Green, you will need a certified Built Green Renovator who will follow Built Green’s guidelines and principles throughout the renovation. The program is flexible and affordable, and the four different levels certification allows renovators and consumers
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to make the best choice for their budgets. Watching the incentive and rebate programs through the past years, one thing is clear – there seems to always be incentives and rebates available for those who are looking. Whenever possible, research the available rebates before you start so you can take full advantage of each rebate and incentive out there, ensuring you apply before the deadlines and select the appliances/units that are eligible. For links to the rebate information listed above, visit www.gnbbuilders.ca/ renovationrebates
Grants & Rebates Livesmart BC Increase Air Tightness Up to $400 Increase Interior Wall Insulation up to $1200 Increase Attic Insulation Up to $600 Install Energy Star Bathroom Fan $25 visit www.livesmartbc.ca Fortis BC Switch from Oil/Propane to Natural Gas Heating $1,000 Install Natural Gas Hot Water Heater $1,000 Install Enerchoice labelled Natural Gas Fireplace $300 BC Hydro Replace Clothes Washer $75 Replace Refrigerator $50 Replace Freezer $25 Local Municipalities Replace Toilets with Low Flush (CVRD & Town of Ladysmith) $75/ toilet Replace an old uncertified woodstove (pre-1994) to a new EPA certified wood, pellet or gas heating appliance - March or April 2014 $300 + $50 retail discount.
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Model planes BY FRANK WEAVER Building models of flying machines is probably the oldest hobby known to man. Although, ‘way back when’, it was models of birds in the pursuit of man’s desire to fly just like them. Like everything else today, the hobby has been consumed by the advances in technology, electronics and computerization. So, we now have models of up to 35 kilos, complete with telemetry and even some with real gas turbine jet engines. Simple and inexpensive still equates to the most fun though and that’s where model gliders excel, although they can be high tech as well. As a matter of fact, the fastest model airplane in the world hit 498 miles per hour, doing what’s called ‘dynamic soaring’. Gliders come in three classes...... power, thermal and slope. If the wind is blowing from the right direction and with enough velocity, Slack Point at Transfer Beach is a perfect spot for slope soaring. It’s like magic, although the birds have been doing it long before we got there. I’m sure you’ve seem them there flying across the water’s edge without flapping their wings. The ‘power’ is simply provided by the wind hitting the face of the cliff and having nowhere to go but up, taking our models with it. On a good day, we, and the birds, can fly hundreds of meters high along the cliff. The more wind the better. We then add lead ballast that allows us to fly faster and do more aerobatics, something the birds can’t do. There are a number of wonderful sites for slope flying here on this and the Gulf Islands, which one we go to depends on the wind direction according to the websites we visit. Slope flying takes some finely tuned skills and requires learning to fly a powered model first. There are clubs here that have flight instruction programs and a visit to their flying sites will inform you of what’s required. The governing Frank Weaver of Ladysmith exercisies his right to flight at Transfer Beach Park. Photo: Rob Johnson
body for model aviation in Canada is the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada and a list can be found on their web site at... www.maac.ca . It has been in existence for over 50 years and presently has 13,000 members, of which 450
are on Vancouver Island in seven different clubs, one of which is www.pdqflyers.com . There’s approximately another 400 modellers in smaller groups and clubs on the island as well.
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RDN - Area A Not So Boring Budgets BY ALEC MCPHERSON I want to begin this column by thanking Take 5 and their Editor, Marina Sacht for providing me the opportunity to freely express my thoughts on different aspects of local government and by doing so, to hopefully provide residents with insights not otherwise available to them. It is much appreciated. It’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to taxes – income, property, and school tax being the most prominent. There’s another telltale sign and that involves editorials in various local publications wherein the elected representatives are typically slammed for being a ‘tax-and-spend’ crowd. One of these particularly caught my attention when it suggested that several politicians at the municipal level viewed as somehow more ‘cost-conscious’ were outnumbered at the regional district level. As I continued to read, it was clear that there is a lack of understanding about the part that regional districts play. While a city has responsibility for a variety of services for its residents – community planning, zoning, building inspection, parks, recreation, culture, water, lighting, road maintenance and bylaw enforcement to name a few - some of the services that the residents receive are provided through the auspices of a regional district. Part of the reason for this is that all local governments have regulatory restrictions on the level of debt that they can incur. The costs of providing sewer treatment facilities, waste stream operations (e.g. landfills) and transit services are but three such examples. Current budget deliberations at the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) have highlighted the fact that the sewer outfall for the Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre (NPCC) at Hammond Bay requires replacement with a price
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tag of $18 million. The existing line is more than 40 years old and has reached the end of its useful life. Provincial regulatory authorities have mandated its replacement. Also on the radar is provision of secondary sewage treatment facilities. Again, local government has no option as the province has mandated and applied deadlines for its implementation. The most recent estimates have the cost for secondary treatment at NPCC at $68 Million. Both of these projects serve only the City of Nanaimo residents and those residents will ultimately pay for this infrastructure. There are other sewage treatment plants within the RDN which will require installation of secondary treatment over the next 15 years. But for the fact that the RDN is and has been placing aside reserves out of the taxes it collects, the impact of providing this infrastructure would be in the double digits. Quite simply, the focus of the regional districts is generally quite separate and distinct from the day-today infrastructure, maintenance, and operation costs that the various municipalities’ experience. Because all residents of a regional district nominally back the debt incurred for these major projects, there is the ability to achieve financing at exceptionally low interest rates. Unfortunately, planning for these projects and maintaining the debt payments is not carried on the books of the municipal or other local government that receives the service; rather, it is a major part of the budgeted costs at the regional district. I do want to make it clear that I am not happy with the tax increases of five to six per cent indicated in the RDN budget. While the editorials referred to above suggest that these increasing revenue needs are something that is new, it is evident that this path was embarked upon more than a decade ago. The economic downturns experienced in the periods 2002-2004 and 2008- 2012 have slowed the population growth rate for the region; accordingly, the moderating effect
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on tax levels of having more people to share the cost burden has decreased. Perhaps both local government and the electorate needs to take a much closer look at developments that are approved and the related future costs not covered by the Development Cost Charges (DCC) collected at the time of approval. For Electoral Area ‘A’, there has been some modest increase in the monies put into Parks and Recreation Reserve Funds occasioned by the need to try and moderate the effect of the school closures visited upon our community. If we can avoid being hampered by external issues such as supporting the ICF (E&N) that are either clearly not viable and/or do not directly benefit this community, we should see a decrease in the rate at which taxes are increasing in the near future.
CVRD - Area H Ladysmith Boundary Expansion - Just say no ! BY MARY MARCOTTE Couverdon, the real estate arm of Timber West has submitted an application to the Town of Ladysmith requesting that more than 780 acres that are currently within the jurisdiction of Electoral Areas “G” (Saltaire/Banyon Creek) and “H” (North Oyster/Diamond) of the Cowichan Valley Regional District be taken into the Town’s juridiction. The expansion area is on the west side of the highway, and is for the most part, currently growing trees and other vegetation; it acts as a sponge when there is too much rain and allows the snow pack to melt slowly. This forest land contributes greatly to the water supplies of the Town and the neighbouring Electoral Areas. The Bush Creek Salmon hatchery, which is operated and staffed by local volunteers, would be ruined without a steady supply of good clean water in the quantity required. The property also contains unique habitat systems that allow frogs,
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salamanders, and other at risk species to thrive. Left in it’s natural state, the Couverdon property is of great value to all local taxpayers. Why Has Couverdon Applied For The Boundary Expansion? Courverdon expects to subdivide the properties in order to develop about 1500 residential units, including high density, multi-family housing. Mixed use commercial and institutional buildings are also proposed for this development. This will result in an increase of about 2,500 to 3,600 people living in the Town. The developer proposes to tie into Ladysmith’s sewer and water services and to connect to Ladysmith’s existing road system. In exchange for allowing this subdivision to go ahead, Ladysmith gets to control property around Stocking and Holland Lakes; the stated aim is to protect the watershed. It is estimated that only about 2% of that land will actually be used to provide that protection. Will This New Development Impact Your Taxes ? Your Lifestyle?? It most certainly will. Developers and politicians, including Ladysmith Mayor and Town Council, readily admit that residential development does not pay it’s own way. Even with development cost charges being required at the outset, the Ladysmith taxpayers will contribute towards provision of operational, maintenance and upgrade costs to the newly created and existing sewer and water systems. You will also contribute towards repairs, maintenance and upgrades to new and existing road systems related to this project long after Couverdon has cashed in and gone. More people will put additional stress on our local health care services. Fire and Police Department’s will inevitably require more members; more members mean more equipment must be provided so that they can do their jobs. When you factor in existing properties that have been already approved and slated for development, your small town is at risk of losing that special “small town” appeal. What About Water??? Currently the Town of Ladysmith says it can supply water for up to 18,000 residents. The Town currently has a contract to supply water to Diamond residents; additional commitments include providing water for proposed development at Ivy green. Ivy Green plans propose construction of a hotel, commercial and mixed use residential units. The Town also proposes to install a pipeline under the harbour to supply water to 1,500 people on Indian Reserve 13. Discussions are also under way regarding supplying water to other outlying areas. All water resources on Vancouver Island are interconnected. The Holland Lake reservoir is almost 3 feet lower than normal for January; the snow pack is also at a record low. In January, there was only 7% of the annual average snowpack in the Cowchian Valley areas. And we all know that last summer was drier than usual. Climate change is already having an impact on water use, but it has not been factored into the reports submitted to the Town as part of the application process. Can More Water Be Found??? At a recent Council meeting, Mayor Hutchins assured me and you that when existing water supplies run low, “Plan B” is to raise the dam on Holland Lake by a metre, at a cost of $1,000,000.00. Raising dams and weirs is a very controversial issue in the Lake Cowichan area, and is proving to be very dif-
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ficult to achieve. Common sense tells me that spending your money raising the dam to collect more rainwater will only be beneficial if Mother Nature provides sufficient rainfall to fill the dam. If that doesn’t happen, the Town’s “Plan C” is to go North, and extract water from the Cassisdy Aquafer. Don’t forget that water flows in the Cowichan River system virtually dried up in 2003 and have been in great distress ever since. It could happen here. Who Benefits From the Proposed Boundary Expansion? Obviously, Couverdon does – the taxpayers have subsidised the forest company for many years through low taxation. The company has benefited by harvesting the trees for high profit while paying low taxes which means more profit for them. The forest company now has a real estate arm which plans to subdivide and flip this land for commercial and residential uses and will achieve massive profit in the process. The Town’s coffers will grow with the additional taxation, but additional expenses will be incurred. Your taxes
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will inevitably increase. Ask yourself, “what additional benefit will I get for my increased taxes”? We all know that this type of urban sprawl will not pay it’s own way. Alternate Approval Process: There is an inherit unfairness in the public assent process that is currently underway. In order to reject this proposal, 10% of eligible Town Of Ladysmith Electors must sign an approved electoral response form and submit the form to City Hall no later than 4:00 pm on March 14, 2014. The forms are available at City Hall, the local library and the recreation centre and on line. http://www. ladysmith.ca/docs/news-documents/ elector-response-form.pdf None of the residents of North Oyster, the Diamond or Saltair are being considered or allowed any say or vote in this matter. Although this proposal will affect these areas, there is absolutely no role for our residents and taxpayers to play in this so called democratic process. Our low tax rates have subsidised the forest company for many years, and if this proposal is not rejected by eligible
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voters, North Oyster/Diamond and Saltair will continue to pay for many more years. I strongly urge Ladysmith residents to reject the Town’s boundary expansion proposal by signing the electoral response form and returning it to City Hall by March 14th. All of us need to put extra effort into protecting our water resources during these uncertain times. The Town and outlying areas need to work together and develop a sustainable water management plan that considers more than just the current factors, but also the long range impact. We need to talk to other Vancouver Island Regions to see how they are managing water and to determine if we can use some of their best practices. We need the time to lobby and work with the Province to develop appropriate legislation to better protect the limited water supplies on Vancouver Island. The Couverdon proposal allows for none of that. A decision to squander our natural environment and resources cannot be undone. The next generations deserve a better future than what is being proposed. JUST SAY NO!
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CVRD Area G Community website BY MEL DOREY The Saltair Ratepayers and I as a partnership are exploring the possibility of having a Saltair community website built to help communicate with Saltair residents. We have commissioned Paul Mycroft, a Ladysmith website builder. This website will be a central location for news and events in Saltair and around the area. The site will have links to the CVRD and other institutions for easy access to information that residents will find useful. Our hopes are that there will be a space to host a forum for active discussion between residents, the CVRD director and the Ratepayers. To save money most of managing will be done by the Ratepayers. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep the site up to speed, useful and current. Some of the postings hopefully will include downloadable maps, community policing, club meetings, Area G Director’s comments and Ratepayer information. The Saltair Parks Commission meets monthly and they could report news from the last meeting. The Saltair Advisory Planning commission meets from time to time and they could report in as well. We would like to include a Saltair Business Directory so that Saltair residents could use Saltair businesses if they wish. We even floated the idea of selling business ads to create revenue to cover some of the cost of the website although the cost should be minimal after it is up and running. Many residents have sent me photos of Saltair which will be handy as background scenes and to beautify the site. We can also include a gallery of photos to show everyone what a beautiful area we live in. We hope to be able to include a historical section of some of the information we collected during the summer of our 100 year centennial celebration in 2010. We collected the story boards of that day and they can be digitized. Links to the Chemainus Valley Museum and the Ladysmith Museum are a possibility as well. At this stage we just want to get a good beginning and see where it goes. To quote John Silins, the Ratepayer president, “we want to be able to crawl before we run.” Stocking Creek Park Expanding More than three acres have been added to Stocking Creek Park. The land came to us partly through a sale and partly a gift from Simon and Gail Timmer. It is the back end of the Timmer property that includes the very beautiful Stocking Creek and is next to Stocking Creek Falls on the south side. Over the next 25 to 50 years it is planned to acquire all the land next to Stocking Creek from Saltair Road to the Davis Lagoon Bridge. We don’t have a big budget so it will have to be done very gradually. Stocking Creek Park is a popular spot Photo: Cindy Damphousse
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Little Billy Budd
Apparently the cost to restore track and bridges on Vancouver Island’s rail line has risen to $160 million. Personally, I’d spend the money on something more practical, like taking the TAKE 5 staff out for lunch, and if there’s any money left over, towing Gabriola over to Duke Point, throwing a gangplank across, and bingo, no more World’s Ugliest Ferry Jokes. Despite these viable options, support for re-establishing the rail line continues. Shouldering responsibility to make this huge investment a success is the Budd Car, the little train that so far couldn’t. For the remainder of this story, and to garner a little sympathy for its plight, we shall refer to it as the Little Billy Budd Car. One can only imagine Little Billy’s feelings after hearing the stakes are now up to $160 million. (If you can’t imagine, don’t worry, I’ll do it for you.) It’s like the kid next door with the reading disorder and an addiction to day time television, hearing that, “Guess what son, your mother and I have re-mortgaged the house because you’re going to medical school where you’ll become the most successful brain surgeon this town has ever seen. What do you think of that?” “Awwww!!!!” (Frantic keyboard action as the youth googles Hari Kari.) Unfortunately Little Billy is competing against the most successful invention in the history of mankind, the automobile. (Okay, let’s not include my Renault in that.) Not only is the auto much quicker, cheaper and convenient than Little Billy, but it also offers point to point, rather than station to station service. Damn tracks anyway. “Wait a minute,” Billy’s supporters say. It’s not just people desiring environmentally correct transportation who will be drawn to Little Billy’s stainless steel flanks. Train buffs can be counted upon to come from far and wide. (Far being Quebec, wide being Bellingham and points South.) Surely, they’ll support the cause. Well… Don’t be so sure. A Budd Car is not the Royal Hudson, a train with a soul. A train that can leave you blubbering like a baby as it leaves the station with a hiss, a wail, a cloud of steam and
“The fast food outlets and all purveyors of junk food are behind us 110 per cent.” a hardy “High ho Silver,” (Heh, wait a minute. Hi ho Silver? That’s not the Royal Hudson.) Nor is the Budd car a hunky big diesel with enough horsepower to shake the earth as it goes by. Instead it slips humbly by, much like a 20 yr old Toyota Camry spewing a little oil here, a little smoke there. (If that doesn’t get me on the agenda at the Budd Car Loyalists next meeting, nothing will.) But don’t worry Billy; Slightly Corked is taking up your cause. We can get you up and running again, all that’s needed is a little more beef in the burger, some extra jam in the sandwich. Nothing a brainstorming session won’t solve. Let’s see now, Budd Car, Buddy can you spare a dime, this Budd’s for you, B.C. Budd… Wait a minute, B.C. Bud. That’s it. Marijuana tourism. Take a ride on the Bud Car, get high with us. If Napa Valley can have a wine train, we can have a marijuana train. Think about it, the timing couldn’t be better, Washington State and Colorado have led the way by legalizing the stuff, medicinal marijuana has become huge, dare I say it’s the perfect time to put marijuana back on track. The first thing we do is establish our credibility as a first class marijuana destination. We do that by building the world’s largest joint, which we’ll mount on a logging truck and park in Duncan, under the world’s largest hockey stick. Next, using proven tourist trap techniques as perfected in Chemainus, we develop an integrated package with tours, workshops, seminars and demonstrations, the works. To make an even bigger splash we’ll concurrently
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run a sixties theme with non- stop sixties and seventies music blaring in the streets, maybe the soundtrack from Up In Smoke. All the business owners could dress up in period costume (big hair) while actors in police and hippy attire could reenact authentic longhair busts, just like in the old days. Meanwhile, the existing bus system could be replaced with a fleet of sixties vintage VW busses, sure they’ll break down, but everyone will be so stoned, who’s to notice. The fast food outlets and all purveyors of junk food are behind us 110 per cent. Even the professionals have agreed to come on board; the local heart clinic for example will become Gerry and the Pacemakers Of course we’ll have to change the name of a few towns along the way. Duncan for example could become Marijuanaville, and Ladysmith could loosen up a bit to (get ready for this) Ladystone. Then it’s up to Nanaimo for some good old Nanaimo Bar. Don’t forget to try the Mk 2 cannabis- reinforced version that lends new meaning to the term “baked good.” As far as scheduling the train is concerned, I envision the Bud Car, crammed with tourists, leaving Victoria early in the morning, stopping at Duncan for seminars and lunch (don’t forget to ask for a side of hash browns) then up to Nanaimo for some mind-blowing dessert. From there it’s back to Victoria where all passengers will be presented with a small potted marijuana plant and a large bag of Cheesies. After that, they can fend for themselves. I tell you, we haven’t seen an idea this good since they put those goats on the roof at Coombs. Wait a minute, who are those guys outside in the engineer’s caps? Oh no, it’s the Budd Car Loyalists and they’re out to get me. Quick, fire up the Renault, let’s blow this pop stand. Tired of burning little holes in your favourite couch? Switch over to ultra tasty Concha Y Toro Sauvignon Blanc. $9 for regular bottle, $16 for big gulp size. - Delbert is the co-proprietor at Mahle House Restaurant in Cedar. Read more of his articles at Slightlycorkedandmore. wordpress.com
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Is this democracy? Ladysmith Town Council held a special meeting Jan. 28 to hear a presentation from Couverdon Real-Estate, a division of TimberWest. The company asked Council to allow it to bring 699 acres of land into the town boundaries. This is an area about half the size of the existing town. Once this land is brought into the town it will allow Couverdon to apply for rezoning. When the land is rezoned it will allow for up to 1500 new housing units to be built on the site over 10 to 20 years. By adding that number of housing units this could result in nearly a 50 percent increase in the population of the town.pulation of the town At the end of the meeting, Council passed three resolutions starting the process. I have no major concerns with Couverdon’s proposal, it is well thought-out and the company has done a great deal of research on the impacts on our environment and other aspects. But I do have reservations on a couple of items, such as traffic flows and patterns, especially if other large proposed land developments come online around the same time. Couverdon has been open about its plans and has given the public an opportunity to ask question about the expansion. By the time you read this Couverdon will have
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held two open houses and will have spoken to a various community groups, and have taken part in an electronic Town Hall Meeting” on Facebook. The public in my opinion has not been allowed to be privy to any of the negotiations between Couverdon and the town, as it appears that it has been done behind closed doors. The town sent a letter to the residents of Ladysmith and published a “Notice to Electors about the Proposed Extension to Town Boundaries” in the local paper. The letter says, “The rationale for the proposed boundary extension is to achieve three criteria: #1 -Acquisition of watershed lands (both Stocking Lake and Holland Lake) to protect the drinking water that supplies the town ( this is a positive action as it is a good idea for the town to have control over our watershed, but, what is meant by acquisition? Does this mean we will have to buy these lands?). Couverdon has said these lands and the standing timber are worth about $5 million. Will TimberWest give the town this land free, and lose $5 million dollars? I have heard we may be getting it for “a nominal fee”? How much is nominal? Once we “acquire” this land, what additional costs will follow? #2 -Viewscape protection of the forested land behind Ladysmith – My question is, how much of the forest lands behind Ladysmith? In the open letter to residents of Ladysmith, it states “TimberWest is one of the land owners” of the forested land behind Ladysmith. It also says that “an agreement to manage the harvesting of the timber on the hillside (primarily Stanton Peak) in such a manner to minimize on viewscapes”. Who will have the say over how and when this harvesting will be done? As TimberWest
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is only “one of the land owners “, what about the other land owners? What control will the town have over their lands? #3 Implementation of Smart Growth Principles, these are principles that everyone can support if implemented. We the taxpayers should know what deals have been struck behind closed doors to achieve these “criteria”. Tell us why this is a good deal for the town. What are the pros and cons to the town other than the one stated in the letter? How will this expansion and future developments such as the area above Holland Creek affect fire protection, policing, library, schools, medical services, parks and recreation, and roads? Help us make a rational decision. Give more facts as to why taxpayers should support the expansion? It appears to me that the town wants us to make a decision without knowing or sharing all of the information. Is Council hoping that by going to the Alternative Approval Process our apathy or lack of information will guarantee the boundary expansion? I hope not. Under provincial legislation, the town has to seek the approval of the community to proceed to the next step. In order to do this the town can hold a referendum or use the Alternative Approval Process. If the referendum process was used, all town voters would be allowed to approve or reject the expansion. This process is expensive, but if added to the ballot in the municipal election in November, it would reduce the cost significantly. But the town has chosen to proceed by way of the Alternate Approval Process. Under the AAP, ALL those who are entitled to vote are deemed to be in favour of the expansion, but it offers an opportunity
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for those who are opposed to sign an Elector Response Form, saying that they are against the proposal. To reject the proposal and force a referendum, more than 625 voters, which is more than 10 per cent of the estimated number of eligible voters, are required to sign the form. If this was achieved, Council could reject the application for expansion, but would most likely be forced to send it to referendum for approval. Ten percent of eligible voters may not seem a high number, but, in the last municipal election, following weeks of campaigning, newspaper ads, election signs and public meetings, only 28.9 percent of eligible voters turned out to vote. The “Elector Response Form” are only available at limited locations, -City Hall, Development Services Offices (132 Roberts Street), FJJC (810 6th Ave} and our local Library, during office hours. The form is also available on the town’s website at http://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/news-documents/electorresponse-form.pdf The Elector Response Forms must be signed and returned to the Town by March 14. Remember, it is assumed that all those who do not sign the forms are deemed to be in favour of the proposed expansion. Therefore, people who are away for the winter, and those who own property in Ladysmith, but live elsewhere, are considered to be in agreement with the proposal, even if they are unaware of it. As it stands, even those that have moved away or may be deceased may be included in the estimate of eligible voters. To me the AAP process stinks. It reminds me of certain cable company’s use of negative billing. Do you remember how cable companies tried to impose cable services and charge for them even if they didn’t want them? This negative billing form of approval or approval by apathy to me is just plain wrong. If you want to see a referendum on the issue, allowing you an opportunity to vote yes or no to the proposed expansion, you should sign the elector response form Otherwise you are accepting Council’s position of “trust us, we know best.” I believe in a democratic society. Voters should be the ones who make the decisions. The bottom line is the alternative approval process is flawed, and is not the form of democracy that I want. And that’s as I see it.
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March 1
621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
1, 9:55am, The Met Live: Borodin’s “Prince Igor”, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St, 250-245-0054
11,1:30pm, BC Government Retired Employees Assc. Monthly meeting, 595 Townsite Rd. 250722-3742
1, Meat Draws, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
11, 6pm, Air Cadet Meetings, Aggie Hall, 1110-1st Ave. 250-245-8119
1, Karaoke, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
11, 6:30pm, Texas Hold’em, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
1, The Buddy Holly Story, Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus 250-246-9820
11, 7pm, Badminton & Pickle Ball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd.
1, 8pm, Cabaret, Bailey Studio 2373 Rosstown Rd. 250-758-7224
12, 1pm, Captain G.H. Richards & The V.I. Survey, Nanaimo Museum, 100 Museum Way 250-7531821
1, 9pm, Hygrade Party Rock, French Creek Marina Resort Pub Parksville
12, 6:30pm, Volleyball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd.
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12, 7:30pm, Darts, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
2-8, The Buddy Holly Story, Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus 250-246-9820
13, 9:30am, Line Dancing, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
2-8, 8pm, Cabaret, Bailey Studio 2373 Rosstown Rd. 250-758-7224
13, 12pm, Soup & Sandwich, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
2, 1pm, Free Dyslexia Information Seminar, 250245-8412
13, 7pm, Volleyball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd.
3, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246- 2111 3, 7pm, Cribbage, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
7-8, 7pm, The Affections of May, Cedar Community Hall 2388 Cedar Rd. 250-245-7516
4, Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras, The Wheatsheaf Pub 866 Cedar Rd. 250-722-2240
7-8, Meat Draws, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
4, 1pm, Chemainus Garden Club meeting, Calvary Baptist Church, 3319 River Rd. Chemainus 250246-1207
7, 8pm, Drop in Pool, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
4, 6pm, Pancake Dinner, St. Philip Church, 1797 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3455 4, 6pm, Air Cadet Meetings, Aggie Hall, 1110-1st Ave. 250-245-8119 4, 6:30pm, Texas Hold’em, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 4, 7pm, Badminton & Pickle Ball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 5, 6:30pm, Volleyball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 5, 7:30pm, Darts, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 6, 9:30am, Line Dancing, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 6, 7pm, Volleyball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 6-8, Last Weekend, Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Road 250 924-0658
8, 9:55am, The Met Live:Massenet’s “Werther”, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St, 250-245-0054 8, 10:30am, Pruning Seminar w/ Scott Wiskerke, Kleijn Nurseries 1680 Thatcher Rd. 250-754-4482 8, 11am, Girls Can Fly, Nanaimo Flying Club Nanaimo Airport 250-758-3540 8, 7:30pm, Jesse Cook, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St, 250-245-0054
March 9-15 9-15, Last Weekend, Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Road 250 924-0658 9-15, 8pm, Cabaret, Bailey Studio 2373 Rosstown Rd. 250-758-7224 9, Meat Draws, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 10, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246- 2111 10, 7pm, Cribbage, Royal Canadian Legion 171,
14-15, Meat Draws, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 14,-15, 7pm, Chemainus Seniors - Way Out West, 9824 Willow St. 250-246- 2111 14-15, 7pm, The Affections of May, Cedar Community Hall 2388 Cedar Rd. 250-245-7516 14-15, Bowl for Kids Sake 2014, Brechin Lanes, 1870 E Wellington Rd, Nanaimo, 250- 756-2447 14, 7am, Grand Opening Day, Cotton Club Restaurant, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-245-5157 14, 8pm, Drop in Pool, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 15, 9am, Pancake Breakfast, Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246- 2111 15, 10am, Cut Through Fear and Obstacles Meditation Seminar, 5800 Church Rd. Duncan trishgpeebles@shaw.ca 15, 9am, Weeding the Shelves Sale, 535 1st Ave. 250-245-4726 15, 10am, Wilf Hatch Drawings, Nanaimo Museum, 100 Museum Way, 250-753-1821 15, 10:30am, Mason Bees w/ Rose McCully, Kleijn Nurseries 1680 Thatcher Rd. 250-754-4482 15, Music Trivia & Pub Dinner, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
March 16-22 16-22, Last Weekend, Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Road 250 924-0658 16-22, 9am, Weeding the Shelves Sale, 535 1st Ave. 250-245-4726 16, Bowl for Kids Sake 2014, Brechin Lanes, 1870 E Wellington Rd, Nanaimo 250- 756-2447 16, 2pm, Way Out West, Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246- 2111 16, Meat Draws, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 17-21, 9am, Spring Break Superhero Daycamp, 810 Sixth Ave. 250-245-6424 17, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246- 2111 17, St. Patrick’s Day, The Wheatsheaf Pub, 866 Cedar Rd. 250-722-2240 17, 7pm, Cribbage, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 18, 6pm, Air Cadet Meetings, Aggie Hall, 11101st Ave. 250-245-8119 18, 6:30pm, Texas Hold’em, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 18, 7pm, Badminton & Pickle Ball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 19, 11:30am, Soup & Sandwich Lunch, Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246- 2111 19, 6:30pm, Volleyball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 19, 7:30pm, Darts, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 20, 7:30am, LDBA General meeting, upstairs at the Legion 621 1st. Ave. 20, 9:30am, Line Dancing, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273¬ 20, 7pm, Volleyball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 21-22, Meat Draws, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 21-22, 7pm, The Affections of May, Cedar Community Hall 2388 Cedar Rd. 250-245-7516 21-22, Jeeves in Bloom, Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 250-246-9820 21, 5pm, LDBA Happy Hour, Ladysmith Legion 621 1st. Ave. 21, 8pm, Drop in Pool, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
22, 7pm, Dance – Dan Hughes & the Seniors, Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246- 2111
March 23-28 23-29, Jeeves in Bloom, Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 250-246-9820 23, Last Weekend, Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd. 250 924-0658 23, Meat Draws, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 24, 10:30am, Sarah Hagen & Jennie Press, Cowichan Theatre, 2687 James St, 250-2450054 24, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246- 2111 24, 7pm, Cribbage, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 25, 6pm, Air Cadet Meetings, Aggie Hall, 11101st Ave. 250-245-8119 25, 6pm, Spring Film Camps, Spotlight Academy, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-714-2555 25, 6:30pm, Texas Hold’em, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 25, 7pm, Badminton & Pickle Ball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 25, 7pm, Ladysmith Camera Club w/Sean Sherstone, Hardwick Hall, 232 High St. 26, 6:30pm, Volleyball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 26, 7:30pm, Darts, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 27, 9:30am, Line Dancing, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 27, 12pm, Soup & Sandwich, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 27, 7pm, Volleyball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 28-29, Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce Home, Garden & Business Show, Aggie Hall 1110 1st Ave. 250 245-2112 28-29, Meat Draws, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 28, 8pm, Drop in Pool, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 29, 7pm, High Street Coffeehouse Open Mic Night, 232 High St. 29, Live Music w/Country Dam, The Wheatsheaf Pub, 866 Cedar Rd. 250-722-2240
March 30-31 30-31, Jeeves in Bloom, Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 250-246-9820 30, Meat Draws, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 30, 2pm, General Meeting, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 31, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246- 2111 31, 7pm, Cribbage, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
April 1-5 1-5, Jeeves in Bloom, Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 250-246-9820 1, 6pm, Air Cadet Meetings, Aggie Hall, 1110-1st Ave. 250-245-8119 1, 6pm, Spring Film Camps, Spotlight Academy 1975, Haslam Rd. 250-714-2555 1, 7pm, Badminton & Pickle Ball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 2, 6:30pm, Volleyball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 3, 7pm, Volleyball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. 4-5, Meat Draws, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 5,8am, Eagles #2101 Rummage Sale, 921 1st Ave. 5, Karaoke, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273
April 6-8 6-12, Jeeves in Bloom, Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus Rd. 250-246-9820 6, 1pm, Dyslexia Seminar, ReSet Adjusting Perceptions 6, Meat Draws, Royal Canadian Legion 171, 621 1st Ave. 250-245-2273 7, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Seniors Drop In Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246- 2111 8, 6pm, Spring Film Camps, Spotlight Academy, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-714-2555 8, 7pm, Badminton & Pickle Ball, North Cedar Intermediate Gym, 2215 Gould Rd. Looking for the up to date events? Want to lst your event for free? Visit us at www.take5.ca/calendar
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What’s in a Name? As necessary as names are when discussing plants they can be confusing. This confusion is often the result of context. The ironwood I grew up with in Ontario (Ostrya virginiana) is nothing like the ironwood (oceanspray or Holodiscus discolor) of Vancouver Island, the deodar cedar of the Himalayas is a relative of the cedar of Lebanon, but not of the western red cedar or yellow-cedar of our area. In fact western red cedar and yellow-cedar are not closely related either, even though their external appearance and even the wood characteristics share similarities. With garden plants the context can be different from one back yard
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to the next, or the convention of where you grew up and who taught you. Upon learning how many different species were in the rose family Robert Frost wrote: THE ROSE FAMILY The rose is a rose, And was always a rose. But the theory now goes That the apple’s a rose, And the pear is, and so’s The plum I suppose. The dear only knows What will next prove a rose. You, of course, are a rose But were always a rose. Because of the confusion caused by common names and the perceived challenges of scientific names due to the Latin roots of scientific discourse many people prefer to remain ignorant. Ignorance may be bliss, but as in law, “its no excuse”. I hope to convince you that knowing a bit about plant names, in addition to exercising your grey matter is interesting and useful. Wade Davis in his book One River, said it well. “When I knew nothing of plants,” he writes, “I
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experienced a forest as a tangle of forms, shapes and colours without meaning or depth, beautiful when taken as a whole, but ultimately incomprehensible and exotic.” Learning that the plants “the mosaic (of the forest) had names, the names implied relationships, and the relationships resonated with significance.” Some aspects of taxonomy (the classification of organisms) can be complicated, but at its core is the concept of species. Members of a species can interbreed with each other but not with members of other species. The botanical name of a species has two words. The first, always capitalized, is the genus (plural: genera) and the second word is called the specific epithet or the specific part of the name. The combination of a genus and the specific epithet is the scientific name of an organism. British Columbia’s provincial flower is Cornus nuttallii (Pacific dogwood which is a tree). The genus name is shared with others such as Cornus sericea (red osier dogwood - which is a shrub of wetlands) and Cornus canadensis (bunchberry - which is a small woodland plant). But the combination of the genus name and
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the specific epithet is unique. In a technical reference the name of the person who first described the plant would be included in the plant name, but this is not observed in common usage. Italicizing the name is convention (or underlining if hand written). Many times the name tells the story of someone the plant was named for or describes a feature of the plant (knowledge of Latin or Greek may help here). Cornus nuttallii is named for the botanist Thomas Nuttall, who first recognized it as distinct from the eastern dogwood (Cornus florida). The specific epithet sericea means silky and refers to the texture of the leaves. The specific epithet canadensis is easily recognizable as a geographic indicator – usually of where the plant is found or was first described in the western scientific tradition. Knowing the names of these plants (a tree, a shrub and a ground plant) reveals their relationship to each other and tells a grander story of a common ancestry, and divergence of form to suit various ecological niches. Because of the relationships scientific names reveal and because it makes conversations easier it is worthwhile learning them for at least the common plants. Names are essential to understanding the pattern of plants and their different habitat preferences on the landscape. When encountering familiar plants they are as recognizable as friends and when encountering new ones a good place to begin is with a name. Jay Rastogi is a naturalist and educator, ecoforestry@gmail.com Opposite page: Cornus sericea (red osier dogwood), Cornus canadensis (bunchberry), Cornus nuttallii (Pacific dogwood)
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CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS
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 HANDCRAFTED GEMSTONE NECKLACES. Jade, garnet, lapis, aventurine and more! $20 each. See jewellery table at Campers Corner Saturday flea market, 8am-3pm. 250-245-3829 KAREN’S INDUSTRIAL SEWING & ALTERATIONS Centrally located between Ladysmith & Nanaimo. Home based business with over 30 years experience. For all your special sewing needs. Call for appointment today. 250734-3001 SPECIAL EVENTS PHOTOGRAPHY Don’t trust just anyone! We have years of experience from weddings, family portraits to glamour and
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corporate clients. Free photo book included of your images. Email for quote and portfolio. marinasacht@yahoo.ca or call 250-245-9165 BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE IN LADYSMITH! Sense of Place Youth Project Ltd. Lower floor - Bethel Church. Professional day camps and Spring break camps! www. senseofplaceyp.com pattitollefson@live.com 250797-2316 Lic#CDEN-97-JQWB FOR ALL YOUR SEWING NEEDS – bedding, window treatments, couch & chair covers, cushions, pillows, special accessories and décor, dressmaking and alterations – what ever comes to your mind, Elke 250-618-1172 or info@ egrstudios.com HARDWOOD FLOORING Does your floor need resurfacing, resending or replacing? 19 years of experience in the Cowichan valley. Free estimates. For all your needs contact Dave 250748-7855 or hoppshardwood@shaw.ca GYPSY
ANGEL
FEMALE
VOCALIST
&
ENTERTAINER. Sings for ceremonies, provides music, entertainment, equipment and/or DJ services. Offering KARAOKE for business/private party bookings. Affordable rates. Sample my music www.gypsy-angel.com 250-924-4924 ISLAND KING RENOS LTD. Kitchen-BathTile-Backsplash-Countertops Flooring-DrywallPaint-Siding-Fences-Decks INTERIOR & EXTERIOR. Quote by JOB not by the HOUR. www.islandkingrenos.com 250-924-4924 Senior Special Discount for April 15% EDUCATION DOING FAMILY RESEARCH? The Ladysmith Archives, located under Tim Horton’s, has Ladysmith newspapers dating from 1902, some on microfilm, also B.D. & M. going back many years, 250-245-0100 for an appt. ZUMBA CLASSES Wednesdays 7-8pm North Oyster Community Centre 13467 Cedar Rd. First time class “Free” come check it out. Books of 10 visits available. Any questions call Lindsey 1-250709-4011 HEALTH & BEAUTY ISAGENIX DISTRIBUTOR - Get Lean & Healthy Fast - Less than $5/ meal. Our protein shakes are amazing! - No Gluten, Wheat, Barley or Trans Fat. www.taketimetoday.com Suzanne Deveau 250245-8407 BOWEN TECHNIQUE is a gentle soft tissue remedial therapy that resets the body to heal itself. Useful for joint, back and neck pain, frozen shoulder, asthma, chronic fatigue and many other problems. For information and appointments call 250-245-7738. Lilja Hardy FMBAC in practice since 1994. www.bowtech.com TAI CHI - For mental and physical health. Beginner class starts September and January, Mondays; on-going class Wednesdays. Both classes 10 am- noon, Cedar Heritage Centre, 1644 McMillan Road. $20/mo. Sara 250-245-1466 or www. nanaimotaichi.org
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HOME & YARD PAINT & SAVE OPTION: Do it yourself, with a little help from a pro together we can make your job more affordable and accomplish a great look. Making the world a brighter place for over 25 years. Call Harvey for more information please 250-245-2174 CINDERELLA’S RESIDENTIAL CLEANING Service, Contact Erin at 250-924-4475 or cell 250741-7916 WEEKLY OR BY-WEEKLY CLEANING for houses and offices, experienced, reliable and attention to detail. $20 per hour. References available. Ladysmith, Chemainus and Crofton. 250-246-4938 Jamie or Ingrid SASSA’S HOME AND GARDEN CARE. No job too big or small. Affordable honest work. Duo team. Cleaning, Gardening Painting, and gutter cleaning. Outside and inside your home or business. 250924-4735 or 250-218-4735 THE HAPPY GARDENER. Weeding, Digging, Raking, Cutting back, etc. Mature and Steady Worker. Cheerful and Conscientious. Call David at 250-722-3599. I also do Window Washing and Odd Jobs LADYBUG’S MEW for Meticulous Garden Care contact “Farmer Doug” for a free quote 250-7139682 or doug@ladybugsmew.ca “When ‘good enough’ just isn’t good enough!” NEED YOUR LAWN MOWED? Experienced local student, friendly & reliable with own mower & weeder, very reasonable rates, satisfaction guaranteed call Ladysmith resident Connor 250245-5518 QUALITY RENOVATIONS Big or small. 25 yrs exp/ journeyman, affordable. For free estimate call Lars 250-616-1800. 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 MINI EXCAVATOR for lease or rent by day, week or month Reasonable rates 250 246 6624 PETS KITTY KORNERS CAT HOTEL - Purrsonalized Quality Kitty Care. Daily health checks, experienced with special needs kitties. Reasonable rates. Available 24/7. 2 km north of Nanaimo Airport. Take a virtual tour www.kittykorners.com 250-740KATS (5287) HOME BUDDIES - PET & HOUSE CARE since 1994. Licensed, Bonded, Insured. Professional, kind-hearted, experienced & reliable. Pet First Aid and CPR Certified. Certified Security Professional,
Animal Care Aide certified, VIU. For loving care and security, Peggy Wildsmith- 250-245-0151 PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SERVICE: leash ‘em & walk ‘em with Marlena. Insured and bonded. Animal First Aid and CPR. Service for all pets including dog walking, home care visits, overnight with pet in your home and much more. As my love is yours! 250-246-3394 SENIORS LYNN’S SENIORS CARE HOME: High Quality Personalized Care. Warm caring environment, Great food & snacks, Family events, Couples & Pets welcomed, Ocean views, Gardens. North of Ladysmith. 250-245-3391 www.lynnsseniorcare.com FOR RENT OFFICE SPACES Downtown Ladysmith, modern, reasonable rent or lease. 250-245-3395 APARTMENT FOR RENT Now available. Seniors 53+ 2 bdr well maintained 1000 sq. ft., newly updated cupboards, new carpet, drapes, repainted W/D-F/S-N/P’s-N/S. Free storage and parking. Ground floor. $800/mth + hydro, references. 250245-4062, 250-758-5816 FOR SALE 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT 4 door, automatic, low milage, CD & MP3, excellent working condition asking $ 7,500.00 OBO to view call 250-245-8340 ALL SEASON TIRES FOR SALE like new P185/65/14WC asking $ 400.00 or bo 250-2455440 24’ TRAILER with deck by lake in Yellowpoint. Reasonable rent. $3300 250-245-9165. WANTED WORK WANTED for yard clean ups, firewood splitting & stacking reasonable rates call 250-7098207 HELP WANTED to plan an exciting new event in Ladysmith. Plans are underway for a seafood festival in May and we would welcome new ideas and energy. Contact admin@lmsmarina.ca
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