TAKE 5 April 2018

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Letters Together we can end pension theft Will your company pension be there for you when you need it? Millions of Canadians are not so sure, especially after the dramatic collapse of Sears Canada, its impact felt right here.

When Sears filed for bankruptcy protection, thousands of workers were laid off without any severance or termination pay. Workers remaining lost their health care, dental and life insurance benefits. Retirees are waiting to hear by how much their pension benefits will be reduced, maybe by 20 to 30 per cent! Shameful.

Everything Sears has done is legal. That Sears was able to let their pension plan go underfunded by $266 million is not only legal, but common practice for big corporations. When a company goes bankrupt they are not required by law to make up that shortfall.

Under Canada’s current bankruptcy legislation, secured creditors always get paid first, and money owed to workers’ pension funds comes second. In most cases, there is nothing left for workers after the creditors have been paid. During bankruptcy negotiations, workers often lose jobs, severance and termination pay and their benefits, while company executives receive lucrative bonuses. In the case of Sears Canada, bonuses amounted to $9.2 million, and in the Nortel case bonuses topped $27 million.

We need to level the playing field by changing federal bank-

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ruptcy and insolvency laws so workers’ pensions and health benefits are given the same consideration during bankruptcy proceeding as secured creditors. Pensions are, after all, deferred wages that people work hard to earn. Together, we can stop pension theft. — Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Sheila Malcolmson

Dear Ladysmith Community Allow me to pass along the amazing results from our blood donor clinic in March in Ladysmith. Along with these results, comes genuine gratitude for helping us spread the word and rallying donors.We collected over target and had 128 people walk in the doors, which is truly amazing! - Ann Chabert

Letter on Kinder Morgen Your letter in the TAKE 5/March 2018 edition made a number of good points, but do you drive a car? Do you ride a bus?

Have you ever taken a plane ride? Do you have a furnace or do you use the paved highways? If you ride a horse, a bike, or walk everywhere, then you have my respect. Otherwise this is just another case of bitumen bitching plain and simple.

— Mike Gogo Letters to the Editor are welcome but may be edited for space, clarity or legality. This is an open forum and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of TAKE 5 or its affiliates. editor@take5.ca, PO Box 59, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A1, or fax: 250-245-7099 Facebook: Take5Publications

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Seeds of prosperity The first few months of 2018 have been a whirlwind for the Town of Ladysmith.

Staff, council and community have been very busy with multiple initiatives, and we have received a wealth of good news in the form of funding announcements and progress on so many major projects.

After a long winter, along with spring flowers, other seeds of prosperity and success are blooming in our community.

Many hours over weeks, months and even years are invested to deliver these projects to a successful completion.

Working with our Stz’uminus partners, community groups, service clubs, business owners and a dedicated number of volunteers, we are able to consistently put our best foot forward to those who would invest in the future of Ladysmith.

Whether our community partners are other government agencies, or private sector investors, it is important to recognize the cumulative impact of all these efforts that lead to success. Creating a good plan is the foundation. Funding is awarded based on that solid foundation. It then takes a dedicated and motivated staff to shift priorities and make the work happen to actually deliver. We have much to celebrate in Ladysmith, and it’s with heartfelt thanks to every one of you who are so dedicated to bettering our community one initiative (and sometimes many) at a time. I am so thankful for our entire Ladysmith team.

Recently, the Town participated in a Government of Canada announcement regarding removal of abandoned and derelict vessels from the Ladysmith Harbour. I was pleased to learn that Transport Canada intended to hold its Canada-wide announcement at our local Ladysmith Maritime Society Community Marina. I was thankful to introduce and stand alongside federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau as he announced that Ladysmith would

Above: Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selena Robinson, MLA Doug Routley, Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone and representatives from arts and heritage groups at Machine Shop funding announcement. Photo: Marina Sacht Left: Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau with Ladysmith mayor Aaron Stone as they announced that Ladysmith would receive the first round of funding to remove several abandoned vessels from our shoreline. Photo: Town of Ladysmith

receive the first round of funding to remove several abandoned vessels from our shoreline.

As we watch the clean-up work unfold, it strengthens our resolve to continue to push forward with removing the remaining abandoned and derelict vessels in our harbour. It also reminds me of the good work done by so many.

Our dedicated MP Sheila Malcolmson, previous Town Councils, Rod Smith of the Ladysmith Maritime Society and so many others have investigated, lobbied, protested and done whatever they could to compel the federal government to take action. We have taken a good first step and will press on until the beauty and health of our harbour is restored.

The Town was also asked to organize another good news funding announcement, this time aimed at the revitalization of the historic Machine Shop building. Thanks in part to nearly $1.8 million in federal Gas Tax funding, the building, a central anchor within the Arts and Heritage Hub of the new concept plan for Ladysmith’s waterfront area, will undergo significant architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, accessibil-

ity and energy efficiency upgrades. The waterfront planning process, completed with input from many members of our community and in partnership with our Stz’uminus neighbours and friends, played an instrumental role in helping to secure this funding.

It was rewarding to have Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selena Robinson and our MLA Doug Routley here to make the announcement with us and recognize our work. It was also moving to hear the excitement of the many residents and stakeholders who attended. So many of these folks are working hard to help our waterfront area thrive. This project is a great first step toward realizing the vision of a vibrant and sustainable waterfront area.

Some of you may have read in the Chronicle or watched the CTV Vancouver Island news segment that compared the beleaguered former composting operation at the Public Works yard to our new, state of the art bio-solids facility on Thicke Road. This facility has turned what CTV-VI called the ‘Ladysmith Linger’ into the sweet smell of success, based on virtually no smell at all.

I couldn’t be more proud of this world-

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class facility and the excellent results.

Ladysmith is now being recognized regionally and even internationally for the combination of effective innovations included in our Wastewater Treatment Plant and the accompanying bio-solids facility. This is a key deliverable on our strategic goals around infrastructure renewal and long-term sustainability.

The ‘Compost Conundrum’ – as I called it – was maybe the most difficult and unanticipated challenge that has emerged this term. However, in the end, this project has turned into one of the most rewarding that I have been involved in. Not only did we ensure Ladysmith’s independence as we treat our own wastewater from end to end (no pun intended); it also demonstrated our ability to come together as a community and deal with tough issues in a thoughtful, respectful and ultimately effective way.

We have also been reaching out and asking residents and businesses what

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they think about a number of issues.

Do residents support permitting garden suites/coach houses in parts of Ladysmith outside the Old Town core? How can we maintain our high standards for quality development while improving service to existing and potential investors? How can we ensure local youth are healthy, happy and engaged? How can we help better manage our watersheds and protect our drinking water? These are all important discussions and gathering feedback from the community helps us to make informed decisions as we move forward.

Signs of spring renewal are indeed very evident throughout Ladysmith and maybe most noticeable throughout our downtown area. News that the Travellers Hotel has been sold and will be redeveloped, the sale and start of improvements to the building that was formerly home to Barb’s Kitchen, and the sold sign in front of the former RCMP sta-

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tion are just a few encouraging signs of our growing economic momentum. The high commercial vacancy rate of just a few years ago has been replaced with a buzz of activity throughout downtown.

This energy has entrepreneurs seeking insight on where the perfect location for their venture might be, new and existing building owners are investing in upgrades, and several existing business owners have remodelled or expanded their offering. Welcoming investment in our community has been a priority.

As a favourite childhood character once said, “I love it when a plan comes together”. With so many in our community contributing to this shared success, Ladysmith truly has its own “A-Team”.

You can visit www.ladysmith.ca and the Town of Ladysmith on Facebook and Twitter or my personal Facebook/ Twitter/Instagram feeds at Aaron Stone – Working together (@solidplans)

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Wolves education

BY MARINA SACHT When Gary Allan jokes about being left to the wolves, he isn’t kidding.

He and his wife Sally run the SWELL Wolf Education Centre located in Cedar, along with Tundra, Nahanni and Mahikan.

It’s been barely a year since he and his wife relocated here from northern Vancouver Island, and he is making a name not for himself, but for wolves and the important role they play in our ecosystem.

Allan and Tundra have been visiting and educating community groups and schools.

Tundra is a beautiful 11-year-old and has bonded deeply with him. Nahanni, an Arctic Wolf, and Mahikan, a black wolf, are both four-year-olds, and he has been working with them since they were five weeks old so that he could build a bond of trust between them.

“It’s critical to bond with the wolves when they are very young,” he says.

“They aren’t dogs, and they don’t really want to have anything to do with humans. Normally.”

The wolves are actually wolf dogs, which means that they have a high content of wolf and are therefore legal to keep. But these are not family pets, he warns.

Allan has been inspired by wolves his entire life. Finally, in 2003, he got his first wolf dog from a breeder in Alberta. Tundra followed. At first, it was for personal enjoyment. But soon people noticed that she was no ordinary pup.

The local Beaver troop approached him

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Mahikan, a black wolf, and Nahanni, an Arctic Wolf. Photo: Marina Sacht

and asked if they could meet her, and as she got older, he started taking her to visit the local elementary schools. Soon a school program had been created, and they were visiting schools in the area.

Word spread and community groups joined in as did individuals.

Now, a year after moving here, he has developed a walking program on Saturdays and Sunday mornings where you can join him and Tundra for a walk. It’s by donation, with funds going towards the school programs. No children under six or dogs are allowed.

For Allan, who is now retired, this is a project of love. He is on a mission to share the stories of the wolves and the critical role they play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

The relationship between wolves and indigenous people is special. “They see the wolf as a brother and have a real spiritual connection. There are many legends of wolves in First Nations. The Kwiakah First Nation people tell a story about two brothers who were trapping in Knights Inlet in the 1890s. They came upon a wolf that had accidentally been snared. They said to the wolf, ‘Turn your head, and we will take the snare off your foot.’ They did and the wolf ran off. Two days later, the brothers, while working the line, saw the wolf with his pack. The wolves chased a deer to the brothers so that they were able to shoot it.”

It’s about reciprocity. This theme is repeated many times in a number of legends, stories of wolves bringing food to indigenous people and feeding them.

Sadly, today wolves are looked upon as a nuisance, and wolf culls are now commonplace. Pressured by ranchers

and hunting guide outfitters, wolves are being culled with whole packs exterminated. The reality is that only half of the per cent of livestock killed is by wolves, says Allan.

Experts say that the decline of caribou in the Interior has more to do with a loss of habitat than it does with predatory wolves. The issues are closer to home as well. The provincial government is considering extending the trapping season for wolves on Vancouver Island.

Hunters and guide outfitters complain that they aren’t getting to shoot the deer and elk they want, but it’s easier to blame the wolves than admit that we have failed to secure the habitat to sustain the wildlife. That decision is based on economics, with the wolves paying the ultimate price. “The reality is that more people want to see conservation,” says Allan. “It took a long time to stop the grizzly bear hunt, but it can happen.”

One of Allan’s bright spots last year was getting to meet Dr. Jane Goodall, primatologist and anthropologist known worldwide for her work with chimpanzees. After meeting Tundra and listening to Allen described their work, she called it a “splendid education program.”

The programs and walks connect people with wolves and by recognizing that connection, we may become better stewards of our wildlife and planet.

“It’s not me. It’s the wolf that gets the credit,” says Allan. “I’m just driving Miss Tundra.”

For more info, visit whospeaksforwolf.com.

Tundra, and Dr. Jane Goodall seeing eye to eye. Photo courtesy of Gary Allan

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The Yellow Point Roadside Trash Challenge

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At the same time, we started to think in more simple terms. So now we have a monthly meeting with inspiring speakers, a monthly hike, a planned broompull and creek clean-up — and our Roadside Trash Challenge.

BY GUY DAUNCEY Wouldn’t it be great, we thought, if It seems such a small thing when what you the whole of Yellow Point was a trashreally want to do is save the forest. But pickfree zone? Doesn’t everyone feel quiing up trash is a simple place to begin. And etly irritated every time you see the litit’s easy. ter lying along the roadside and in the For three years, I had been jogging down bushes?

Yellow Point Road on my Sunday morning So we put out the call: Would you be run, without stopping to pick up. I never carwilling to adopt a stretch of road and ried a trash bag. It would interrupt my run. pick up the litter while you are walking Making excuses is so easy. So the trash just or jogging? Plogging, they call it in Swelay there, quietly uglifying the world. den — picking up litter while jogging.

But last August, we formed the Yellow Point Within a month, we had 15 volunEcological Society (YES) , with grand goals teers. We created a map that shows how and visions. And soon we had members and Lexi Maartman-Jones cleans up much of Yellow Point we have covered, supporters. hoping to encourage others to adopt a Who knows where the idea came from? We were deep into stretch of road so that we can declare the whole of Yellow Point understanding the regulations — or rather the lack of regua trash-free zone. lations — that supposedly protected the endangered Coastal There are still big chunks of road without a volunteer, so if you Douglas fir forest. We were meeting with MLAs and planners, live in Yellow Point, please look at the map on our website (see hoping to protect a beautiful area of forest which has a future below) and see if you feel inspired to step up. It would be great to bereft of trees written into its stars unless we do something. know that by Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, every road is covered.

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So what are we finding? The normal mix of discarded beer cans, pop cans, Tim Horton’s coffee mugs, Styrofoam food containers, cigarette packets and every kind of plastic. We recycle whatever we can, and put the rest in the garbage. There’s no coordinated planning — everyone simply looks after their stretch of road.

But why the white plastic lid from a glass jar with a slot cut in it for fundraising to help some worthwhile cause? How did that get there? Did someone steal the jar and discard the evidence?

It’s sad that people do things like that.

“We could do this in our neighbourhood,” some readers are hopefully thinking. It’s being part of a team that makes it work, knowing there are others who are doing the same.

So have heart! If you belong to a club or group, you can do this. And if you don’t, there’s always Facebook. We’ve posted a guide on our website on how to make a map to show which roads have volunteers and which greet the dark each night feeling unloved.

It is by working together that we can make a difference in the world. So don’t let your heart feel heavy. The small community initiative that begins with roadside trash might grow up to achieve miracles as we work together to restore our home, this Earth, to the paradise we all want it to be.

For information about the Yellow Point Trash Challenge or how to start your own challenge, see www.yellowpointecologicalsociety.ca/activities.

Guy Dauncey is one of the founders of YES

Lexi Maartman-Jones cleans up I first started cleaning up along my walk route two years ago.

I got so tired of seeing all the garbage. I wish people would be more aware of their disrespectful actions.

Getting over my fear of germs, I picked up a discarded plastic bag and started to collect things. I didn’t make it very far before the bag was full. My hesitation to disturb someone was overridden by my disgust at the amount of garbage I had collected, so I knocked on a door and asked if they had a garbage bag I could use. I was shocked at my boldness, but I’m glad I reached out, for now I am great friends with the family.

My first walking collection left me with a sense of accomplishment at having relieved the neighborhood of at least some of the detritus. I found myself recalling a phrase from Dr. Seuss: “If people like you don’t care a lot, it’s not going to get better, it’s not.” It’s good to return home and dump my collection in the recycling, knowing that nature is that much cleaner.

— Lexi Maartman-Jones

Learn about local birds On April 5, at 7 pm, Yellow Point Ecological Society is hosting an evening with Bruce Whittington, an acclaimed naturalist, birder, author and wildlife photographer. He will be sharing insights into our local birds. Bruce is the author of Seasons with Birds, The Field Naturalist, and Wildlife Watch on an Alaska Cruise, and founder and former executive director of the Habitat Acquisition Trust. With Wanda Dombrowski, he operates Bayview Framing and Art on First Avenue in Ladysmith.

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Watershead & Area Clean up The Ladysmith Sportsmens’ Club is hosting their annual Watershed and Area Debris Clean-Up April 21.

Over the past few years during Earth Week approximately 100 volunteers from the club gather at Bush Creek Hatchery at 9am for coffee and directions to clean up areas. Despite his frustration, Dave Judson Ladysmith Sportsmen’s Club President, realizes that the Club’s efforts are needed. Not only does the cleanup reflect how much the Club and its partners value recreational access to local forestry lands, it also protects Ladysmith’s waterways and helps to defend against a very real environmental hazard – forest fires.

For more information call Dave Judson at 250-713-7737, or just show up on April 21 at Bush Creek Hatchery

Famous author at LDHS AGM Want to see history in action? How about checking out a steam locomotive, meeting a famous author or watching the premiere of Ladysmith's Lives and Legends video series trailer? This and more will be at the Ladysmith & District Historical Society's Annual General Meeting on April 24, 2018 at the Heritage Park & Machine Shop, Oyster Bay Drive, Ladysmith.

From 5pm to 6 pm see Locomotive 11 in the shop and the Humdirgen running

Wet and woolly students! Things got woolly outside of Stz’uminus artist John Marston’s workshop on March 14 as students from Ladysmith Secondary School’s Language and Land-based Learning learned the craft of hand spinJ21 ning yarn from the beginning of the process, preparing sheep’s wool by washing it, drying it and carding it before spining it to make the yarn.

It was a sunny day as students worked intensely and LSS teacher Bill Taylor and Marston kept an eye on woodfired pots used for cleaning the wool. This is part of learning how to weave traditional Coast Salish blankets. Photos: Nick Longo

along the track. Explore the Harbour Heritage Centre and enjoy the Art Gallery exhibit.

Annual General Meeting starts at 6 pm at the Art Gallery. This will include a slide show and the premiere of the LDHS’s Lives and Legends video series trailer. This video series is supported by the Province of British Columbia through the British Columbia | Canada 150: Celebrating B.C. Communities and their Contributions to Canada grant program.

The main event is the Slide show presentation Ladysmith & Vancouver Island’s Railway Era by Guest Speaker, internationally recognized author and

authority on BC transport history. Robert Turner.

Robert Turner is the author and coauthor of 18 books on transportation history and several others are in preparation.

He is a Curator Emeritus at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria after having been their Chief of Historical Collections for many years. His newest book is The Klondike Gold Rush Steamers, A History of Yukon River Steam Navigation. Other recent titles include The Canadian Pacific’s Esquimalt & Nanaimo Rail-way, 1905-1949, (2012) and Vancouver Island’s Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway, 1949-2013, (2013) both coauthored with Donald MacLachlan. Books in preparation include a maritime history focusing on the coastal steamers of the Klondike and Alaska.

For more info call 250-245-0100. info@ladysmithhistoricasociety.ca

Little Valley Restorations earns official certification Little Valley Restorations has been officially Certified by Certified Collision Care, a non-profit consumer advocacy organization for maintaining the right tools, equipment, training, and facility necessary to repair the participating Automaker brand vehicles according to the

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Little Valley Restorations owner John Neil. Photo: Nick Longo

manufacturer's specifications. In achieving their Certification, Little Valley Restorations is now an integral part of the most advanced repair capable and efficient collision repair network in the world. Adding to their credentials, Little Valley Restorations is officially Certified by Certified Collision Care, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and Kia. "We've worked hard to stay ahead of the curve in the collision repair industry,” said Little Valley Restorations Owner John Neil. “This official Certification demonstrates that commitment to our customers. We take pride in our highly trained

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technicians who use the latest tools and equipment to deliver a top quality repair and the best customer service."

John also keeps his employees healthy to boot by installing and utilizing the latest tech-driven solutions for a healthy working environment in the shop.

1.8 million towards upgrade of Machine Shop The Town of Ladysmith has received nearly $1.8 million in funding toward the total estimated cost of $2.25 million to upgrade Ladysmith’s Comox Logging and Railway Shops Building, also known as the Machine Shop.

“Many of our residents may not be aware of how unique this facility is – the transition from train to truck as a method of

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transporting timber was a major step forward in B.C’s logging history. Restoration of this important structure signals the Town’s commitment to preserving our rich history and revitalizing the waterfront area,” says Ed Nicholson, President of the Ladysmith & District Historical Society.

Rod Smith, Managing Director, Ladysmith Maritime Society says, “revitalization of the Machine Shop will allow us to continue educating the public about Ladysmith’s proud and interesting marine history, foster our community’s heritage and culture, and ensure our beautiful and unique waterfront area is available for future generations to learn from and enjoy.”

Currently, the Machine Shop houses the Ladysmith Waterfront Art Gallery, Harbour Heritage Centre, artist studios, and

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administrative spaces for the Ladysmith Arts Council and Ladysmith Maritime Society. Funds received through the Federal Gas Tax Fund will be used to carry out significant restoration including architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical repairs and upgrades to ensure the facility remains operational.

“Improvements to local infrastructure are so important. They make our communities even better places to live.” says Selina Robinson, B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Each year, the Government of Canada provides over $278 million in funding for local government infrastructure projects across British Columbia through the Federal Gas Tax Fund.

The Union of BC Municipalities administers the Federal Gas Tax Fund in British Columbia in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

“What’s Going On in Cedar and Area?”

That’s the question. The Cedar Community Association (CCA) thinks it has the answer. On Saturday, May 5, from 10 am to 1 pm, you are invited to Cedar Hall to meet the non-profit groups in the community. “We want to celebrate the many groups that make up the fabric of our community,” says Jim Fiddick, president of the Cedar Community Association. “This will give everyone a chance to see all our area has to offer.”

The free event will be a relaxed affair, with food and music provided by locals, a craft area for children, and lots of opportunities to meet and visit with people in the neighbourhood.

The Cedar Community Association is excited to show off their plans for the hall with the public. They’ve already made a number of changes to the interior of the hall and at event, they’ll share a proposed design for a new front porch and a more accessible entryway. Jack Anderson of Greenspan will be unveiling plans for a new façade.

“There’s lots of life left in this old hall,” says CCA treasurer Wanda Zink. Volunteer Kate Girard says “We’re celebrating all that’s already happening in our area, and we’re also providing opportunities for people to say what else they’d like to see.

What would make our community even more vibrant?”

Also at the show the anticipated “Farms and Folks, A History of Cedar and Area” book will be available. This book is supported by the Province of British Columbia through the British Columbia | Canada 150: Celebrating B.C. Communities and their Contributions to Canada grant program. Community groups who have not yet registered should contact Girard at kte.girard@shaw.ca or 250-245-7516.

New Support Group for Widows Hugs for Healing, a support group for all widows, will be held every second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 2pm, commencing May 9, 2018 at The Gales, Unit 14, 626 Farrell Road, Ladysmith. For further information contact Lindy Tungatt, 250-924-0056. kandlt@hotmail.com

Burger and Beer for a Cause On March 24, Vicky Gautreau from Mr. Poppers Sweet Shoppe hosted a bottle drive to raise money for Katrina Wilson, a 30-year-old mother who suffered a stroke. If you missed that you can catch the Beer and Burger Fundraiser at the Sportsmen Pub on Saturday, April 14 from 5pm-9pm featuring live music and jam, sponsored by the Ladysmith Kinsmen.

Jean McGregor celebrated her 100th birthday on St. Patrick’s Day at the Cedar Community Hall surrounded by family and friends.

Originally from Saltair, Jean and her husband retired to Saltair in the 1980s. MacGregor moved to Saltair where she enjoyed the community and was living independently until just a year ago says her daughter Cora. There’s longevity in the family as several relatives have reached 104 and 106 years old. With that on her side, there may be many more parties for Jean yet.

Photo: Marina Sacht

Abandoned Boat Program The Town of Ladysmith has received just over $62,000 in funding through Transport Canada’s Abandoned Boat Program (ABP). Funding is being used to remove several beached vessels from the harbour area known as t Dogpatch.

Mayor Aaron Stone said they were pleased the Federal Government has signalled its commitment to assist in the removal of abandoned boats, many of them posing grave environmental threats and safety hazards in Ladysmith area waters.

Stone said that there is still much work to be done to clean up and protect our harbour.

The Town’s next step will be to apply for funding through the ABP program to remove a number derelict and abandoned floating vessels as well as request funding to remove sunken vessels once an underwater surface scan has been conducted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Crunch time for derelicts Photo: Rob Johnson

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Million Dollar Quartet

Princess and the Pea remake Ladysmith Little Theatre presents “Once upon a Mattress,” running from April 12 to May 6.

If you thought you knew the story of “The Princess and the Pea,” this play, directed by Mort Paul with music by Mary Rodgers and lyrics by Marshall Barer, will surprise you. Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab. Lady Larken’s love for Sir Harry provided a rather compelling reason that she reach the bridal altar. It wasn’t the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night. Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, this rollicking musical spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides side-splitting shenanigans.

For ticket reservations, call 250-9240658 or visitladysmiththeatre.com.

The jukebox legends are back by popular demand and playing until April 14 at the Chemainus Theatre.

December 4, 1956, the day independent music producer Sam Phillips, in his Sun Record Studios, recorded the hottest impromptu jam session in the history of rock and roll. On that day, Carl Perkins was there to record some new songs with newcomer Jerry Lee Lewis accompanying him on piano. Elvis happened to stop by and Johnny Cash joined them. The result? A red-hot mix of spicy rhythm and blues, gospel and country music that was nothing short of a raucous hillbilly homecoming.

For show times or ticket reservations, call 1-800-565-7738 or visit chemainustheatrefestival.ca.

Romeo and Juliette concert Chemainus Classical Concerts is presenting “Rome and Juliet,” Sunday, April 8, at 2pm at St. Michael’s Church, Chemainus.

In this musical telling of Romeo and Juliet, the themes of impossible love and overwhelming passion will unfold

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through ballads from the original play and from Shakespeare’s England.

Canadian Debi Wong and Norwegian Solmund Nystabakk visit from their home in Finland to perform works by Campion, Jones, Johnson and Rosseter. chemainusclassicalconcerts.ca.

Celebrate Poetry Month with Like a Pearl Like a Pearl, Rebecca Garber’s poetry chapbook will be launched April 21, at 2pm at Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Road, Nanaimo. The event will include music by Yellow Point pianist Cheryl Tastad Satre. The $10 admission includes a copy of the book and light refreshments. All proceeds to PEN International, which promotes literature and defends freedom of expression around the world. For more information, phone Rebecca at 250-933-6797 or email wordworks@shaw.ca.

Every Word Has a Spirit Nanaimo and Ladysmith high school students will read their poems from the Elder Project and Who We Are initiatives with Nanaimo Poet Laureate Tina Biello.

Join them on April 4, at the Port Theatre for their showcase when they’ll be be launching two new books: The Elder Project: The Rivers Where We Sing and The Who We Are Project: One Wingspan at a Time. Last year’s Elder Project: Every Word has a Spirit also returns.

Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm.

Waterfront Gallery Looking for an art fix? Then check out the Waterfront Gallery in April. The Students Art Show runs April 4–13. The student show is held each year to display and encourage emerging youth artists from local schools. The gala opening is April 7, 7pm, with Guest Speaker Lucy Bell, head of First Nations & Repatriation, RBCM. Next up is the Nanaimo Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists Art Showcase & Sale from April 13–20, with an opening reception April 14, from 7pm to 9pm. And from April 21–29, it’s the Ladysmith Printmakers inaugural show Momentum Press, showing traditional and contemporary printmaking.

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Bags ban?

On March 12, City Council discussed the potential of banning or placing a levy on single-use bags in Ladysmith. Much of this discussion revolved around a report prepared for Victoria City Council.

So what is a single-use bag? A singleuse bag is defined as a bag that can be used less than 100 times. The report estimated that the usage per capita in Victoria was 200 bags a year. Using this estimate and the latest population data for Ladysmith, it works out that we, here in Ladysmith, use 1.75 million single-use shopping bags per year — a volume that I find a way too low.

Earlier in the year, at a council meeting, there was a delegation that wished to see plastic shopping bags banned in Ladysmith. In their presentation, they indicated that the two local grocery stores handed out about 5,000 plastic checkout bags a week. But further investigation shows the actual number to be something like 35,000 a week. Based on that, it means our two groceries stores alone dispense 1.75 million checkout bags a year.

The report to the Victoria Council presented various options for Victoria Council to consider if they wished to

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reduce or ban single-use shopping bags.

The following options included: • Do nothing • Voluntary bag fee, limited by local retail outlets • Regulated plastic bag ban • Regulated ban plastic and paper • Regulated plastic bag levy or fee If our Council wants to control or eliminate single-use plastic bags, their options would be the same. Remember, any action they propose would only apply to the stores in Ladysmith, as Ladysmith Council has no control over the millions of bags that residents get from out-of-town sources.

How many bags do you use?

Checkout bags are not the only bags we use. How about the plastic bags you put your fresh or frozen produce in, your loaf of bread or even the bag you put your bulk products in? The list goes on and on. How about the plastic bags we acquire from stores other than the grocery store? How about your dry cleaning, the bag your newspaper comes in or the garbage bag that goes into your garbage can? Even the bags the Town supplies for doggie poop. As can be seen, plastic bags are a part of our convenience-driven way of life.

Well, we can use reusable shopping bags. Many people have taken this step.

One store estimates that up to 30 per cent of their customers bring their own reusable bags to their store. Unfortunately, they may not be the answer. Reusable bags can become a health hazard to you and your family. Health Canada says on their website: “As an environmental choice, many Canadians are now shopping with reusable bins, reusable plastic bags and cloth bags to reduce the

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amount of plastic they are using. Health Canada supports the proper use of these products, but it is important that Canadians use them safely to prevent crosscontamination of food with bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.” Additionally, reusable bags only make up a small percentage of plastic bags being used.

What about so-called biodegradable bags? At one time it was thought that biodegradable bags were an answer.

Time has shown us that they don’t disintegrate if buried in the landfill, and if left out in the light, they bake down into small bits that don’t disappear.

What about paper bags? The Victoria report quoted a study that pointed out that paper bags have 14 times the impact on water quality and use four times the amount of water to produce them. Paper bags produce three times the amount of greenhouse gases and lead to three times as much waste generation than plastic bags.

There is no question in most peoples mind that single-use plastic bags are an environmental disaster. They don’t disintegrate, and they pollute our oceans and endanger wildlife, both in our oceans and on land. Plastic bags are a huge litter problem. It is good that Council is taking a look at the problem. Presently, they are seeking input from the local business in an attempt to help resolve this issue. Doing nothing is unacceptable.

We need to have a provincial or federal policy on the issue.

Past Ladysmith Councils have been at the forefront of many environmental issues, just look at the leadership role they played in organic garbage collection. I believe that Ladysmith can and should be a leader on this issue. Why should we jump on the bandwagon and follow other communities in their piecemeal approach to the problem of single-use plastic bags. Let Ladysmith Council spearhead an effort to develop a strategy that will reduce the use of single-use plastic bags. They can do this by forcibly raising the issue at various municipal, provincial or federal levels by calling for a unified policy controlling the use and distribution of single-use plastic bags, one that all municipalities will agree to.

At least that’s as I see it.

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BY KAMAL SAAB, OF THE WORLDLY GOURMET KITCHEN STORE At the Worldly Gourmet, we are featuring “The Everyday Pan” by Lodge Cast Iron. This pan makes it simple to braise vegetables and steam fish at the same time, cutting down the wait for a heart-healthy dinner. Some people are leery to use cast iron pans because of the care that is required to keep it from rusting, but once you get it right, the pan

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will become a staple in your everyday cooking routine. Here are some tips to make this process seamless.

What is Seasoning?

Seasoning is simply oil baked into the pores of the iron that prevents rust and provides a natural, easy-release finish that continues to improve with use.

Tips and Tricks • If the seasoning on your pan is sticky, this is a sign of excess oil building up and not fully converting to seasoning.

To remedy this, place the cookware in the oven, upside down on the top rack and bake at 400 F for 1 hour. Allow to cool and repeat if necessary.

• Occasionally, when your seasoning works a little too hard with acidic foods or really high heat, you may notice some dark residue on your towel when cleaning. This is perfectly safe and normal and will go away with regular use and care.

Let’s Cook • All new cookware should be rinsed and dried promptly before your first use.

• Lodge cookware is already seasoned, so you are ready to start cooking.

• Use any utensils you like, even metal.

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There is no chemical coating to damage.

• Our handles can get hot, so protect your hands by using a handle holder.

• Cast iron performs best when heated and cooled gradually, so give it a few minutes to pre-heat.

Clean Up Time 1. Wash cast iron by hand with a nylon bristle scrub brush. If needed, use a pan scraper for stuck on bits.

2. For extra sticky situations, simmer a little water for one minute, then use the scraper after cooled.

3. Dry promptly and thoroughly with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.

4. Rub with a very light layer of cooking oil or our Seasoning Spray, preferably while the cookware is still warm.

5. Hang or store in a dry place.

One Skillet Salmon with Creamy Greens Recipe Recipe by LODGE CAST IRON Servings: 6 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons butter 2 large yellow onions 2 large bunches Swiss chard 1/2 cup chicken stock 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (you can use the sauce from a can of chilies in adobo) 1/4 cup honey 6 small salmon filets 1/4 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons sour cream Pumpkin seeds, cilantro, jalapeno, & lime for garnish METHOD 1. Finely dice one and a half onions.

Slice the remaining half into six 1-inch rings. Chop Swiss chard to your liking, keeping the leaves and stems separate.

2. Heat 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium for five minutes, then add butter and diced onion.

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3. Sauté until translucent, then add chard stems and cook another two minutes.

4. Add chicken stock and a big pinch of salt, then start folding in chopped chard leaves one large handful at a time.

5. Pat salmon dry and season it with salt and pepper.

6. Place 6 onion rings on top of the greens and place salmon filet on top of each (this will keep the salmon elevated and allow for even steaming). Cover and steam for six to eight minutes, or until salmon is cooked through.

7. Remove salmon and discard onion rings. Mix two tablespoons adobo sauce with honey and brush onto salmon.

8. Stir in sour cream into greens. Place salmon filets back on top and garnish with herbs, pumpkin seeds and a squeeze of citrus. - Enjoy!

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APRIL 1 – 7 1–30, 10am–6pm, Art 10 Gallery presents “Bring the Outside In” featuring Lee Stead and Vivian Bodnar, North Town Centre, Nanaimo 1, 2pm–4pm, Boss Tenors: Iain Duncan Trio with Ryan Oliver, tkts $15, Pat’s House of Jazz, Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton, 250-324-2245 4–13, 11am–4pm, Student Art Show at Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Dr., Ladysmith, 250-245-1252 4–14 (except for April 8), 8pm, “Million Dollar Quartet,” Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus Road, Chemainus, 250-246-9820 / 1-800-565-7738 5–8, Soul Work: The Spirit of Creativity, with Nan Goodship and Murray Groome, early bird registration for residential program $545 & commuter program $365, Bethlehem Centre, 2371 Arbot Rd. on Mt. Benson, Nanaimo, 250754-3254 5, 7pm, Yellow Point Ecological Society presents “An Evening with Bruce Whittington,” free, refreshments, RSVP appreciated yellowpoint2020@gmail.com, 13561 Barney Rd., Ladysmith 6, 7pm, Beatlemania Tribute “The DeafAids,” In the Beantime Cafe, 18 High St., Ladysmith 6, 7:30pm, local Blues musician Mark Crissinger, no cover, Riot Brewing Co., 3055 Oak St., Chemainus, 250-324-7468 7, 9am–10:30am, $5 Pancake Breakfast, Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246-2111 7, 10am–5pm, Pacific Brant Carving and Arts Show, admission $5, Parksville Community Centre, 132 E. Jensen Ave., Parksville 7, noon–4pm, Celebration of Life for Laurie Gourlay at Cedar Community Hall, all welcome

7, 8pm, local, celtic-infused, bagpipe-driven punk rockers The Grinning Barretts, with opener David Bitoni, Riot Brewing Co., 3055 Oak St., Chemainus, 250-324-7468

14, 7pm–9pm, Opening Reception of Nanaimo Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Dr., Ladysmith, 250-245-1252

8 – 14

15 – 21

8, 10am–4pm, Pacific Brant Carving and Arts Show, admission $5, Parksville Community Centre, 132 E. Jensen Ave., Parksville

15, 2pm–4pm, Arrowsmith Jazz Band, tkts $20, Pat’s House of Jazz, Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton, 250-324-2245

8, 2pm, Chemainus Classical Concerts presents “Romeo and Juliet,” St. Micheal’s Church, 2858 Mill St., Chemainus, 250-748-8383

16, 7pm, Town of Ladysmith Council meeting, City Hall, 410 Esplanade Ave., 250-245-6400

8, 2pm, Ladysmith Golf Club Society Annual General Meeting, everyone welcome, Clubhouse, 380 David Rd., Ladysmith 8, 2pm–4pm, Impressions of Lightfoot, Lister/ McRae/Rhodes Trio, tkts $15, Pat’s House of Jazz, Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton, 250-324-2245 10, 7pm–10pm, Ruby Tuesday, a circle style jam led by Glenn and Jetta, Riot Brewing Co., 3055 Oak St., Chemainus, 250-324-7468 11, 7pm, Nanaimo Horticultural Society Meeting, presentations, displays, meet other keen gardeners, guest speaker Dorothea Kieser, First Unitarian Fellowship Hall, 595 Townsite Rd. 11–12, 8:30am–4pm, Water Stewardship Symposium, cost $55, Coast Bastion Hotel, 11 Bastion St, Nanaimo, 250-714-1990 12, 7pm–9pm, Open Mic, hosted by the host with the most, Bob Johns, Riot Brewing Co., 3055 Oak St., Chemainus, 250-324-7468 13, 11am–4pm, Nanaimo Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Dr., Ladysmith, 250-245-1252 14, 9am–noon, Yard Sale, household items, books, fishing lures, toys, plants and a hot dog sale, Ladysmith First United Church, 232 High St., Ladysmith, 250-245-2183

16, 7pm–9pm, Island Stitchery Group Meeting, Christ Community Church, 2221 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo 18, 11:30am–1pm, Soup and Sandwich with entertainment, $6, Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246-2111 18, 5:30pm, 6:30pm & 7:30pm, Curry and a Beer for Harvest House 3055 Oak St., Chemainus, for more info call 250-324-7468 18, 7pm–10pm, JP Hoe, concert for a cause, tkts $30 with $5 from each ticket and all beverage profits are donated to the LRCA, Diamond Hall, 4962 Christie Rd., Ladysmith, 250-668-3338 18–May 5, 8pm, Wed–Sat, 2pm Sunday matinees, “Good People,” Nanaimo Theatre Group presents “Good People,” tkts $20 Bailey Studio, 2373 Rosstown Road, 250-758-7224 19, 5pm–8:30pm, Beer and a Cut with Victory Barbers, , 3055 Oak St., Chemainus, please reserve by calling 250-324-7468 20, 10am–8pm, oneTree Wild Workshop by Live Edge Design, 5195 Mearns Rd., Duncan, 250-748-0763 21, 9am–4pm, oneTree Wild Workshop by Live Edge Design, 5195 Mearns Rd., Duncan, 250748-0763 21, 9am, Ladysmith Sportsman’s Club Watershed & Area clean up, Bush Creek Hatchery 250-713-7737

21, 10am–1pm or until sold out, Cowichan Valley Garden Club Annual Plant Sale, St. John’s Church Hall, 486 Jubilee Street, Duncan 21, 2pm, Book launch for Like a Pearl, Rebecca Garber’s poetry chapbook, Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Rd., Nanaimo, 250-933-6797 21, 5pm–8pm, Birthday Party and Potluck Dinner, Chemainus 55+ Activity Centre, 9824 Willow St., 250-246-2111 21–29, 11am–4pm, Momentum Press, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Dr., Ladysmith, 250-245-1252

22– 28 22, 2pm–4pm, Swing Shift Big Band, tkts $20, Pat’s House of Jazz, Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton, 250-324-2245 22, 2pm–4pm, Opening Gala of Momentum Press, Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery, 610 Oyster Bay Dr., Ladysmith, 250-245-1252 24, 7pm, Ladysmith Camera Club — “Creative Use of Depth of Field,” with professional Gordon Howe, Hardwick Hall, High St. at 3rd Ave., Ladysmith, www.LadysmithCameraClub.com 24, 7pm–10pm, Ruby Tuesday, a circle style jam led by Glenn and Jetta, Riot Brewing Co., 3055 Oak St., Chemainus, 250-324-7468 25, 10am, commemoration for ANZAC at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 171, 621 1st Ave., Ladysmith, 250-245-2273 or 250-714-8646 27, 7pm, the Deaf Aids and Beatlemania, Riot Brewing Co., 3055 Oak St., Chemainus, 250324-7468 27–May 26 (except for April 30, May 1, 7,8, 14, 15, 21), “Kim’s Convenience,” check for show times, Chemainus Theatre Festival, 9737 Chemainus Road, Chemainus, 250-246-9820 / 1-800-565-7738 28, 5pm, Spring Gala — Kick Up Your Heels & Tap Your Toes at St. Joe’s Country Dinner & Dance, St. Joseph’s School, 9735 Elm St., Chemainus, 250-246-3191 28, 9am, Garage Sale household items and more, 420 Roberts St. in the alley 28, 9am-2pm, Garage Sale & Bazaar Fundraiser, Ladysmith Intermediate School Gym, 317 French St.

29 – 30 29, 2pm–4pm, Bob Uffen Quintet, tkts $15, Pat’s House of Jazz, Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton, 250-324-2245

the community to meet all local non-profit organizations, free, music, crafts for kids, snacks, Cedar Hall, 2388 Cedar Rd., Nanaimo, 250-245-7516

29, 6:30pm, Ladysmith Newcomers, Legion Hall upstairs, general meeting, socializing, potluck, new residents of Ladysmith area welcome, call Shanon at 250-924-8809

6, noon–4pm, South Wellington Heritage Day, all past and present residents welcome, bring along any memorabilia, snapshots, etc. to share for the day, South Wellington Community Hall, 1555 Morden Rd., Nanaimo

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7, 7pm, Town of Ladysmith Council meeting, City Hall, 410 Esplanade Ave., 250-245-6400

1, 7pm–10pm, “Cougar Annie Tales,” show by Katrina Kadoski, tkts $15, Harbour City Theatre, 25 Victoria Rd., Nanaimo, (250) 753-5331

7, 7pm, Town of Ladysmith Council meeting, City Hall, 410 Esplanade Ave., 250-245-6400

4, 7pm, Fiddelium – A Traditional Canadian Celtic Fiddle Concert, The Port Theatre, 125 Front St., Nanaimo, 250-754-8550 5, 10am–1pm, What’s Going On? Cedar Community Association hosts an event for

6, Mark Crissinger 8, Romeo & Juliet 21, Plant Sale

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RDN Area A (Cedar, Cassidy, S. Wellington) Planning For Flooding – Assessing Risks and Infrastructure Needs From time to time, communities within the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) are made aware of anticipated flooding in the region through warnings issued by Environment Canada.

Flooding can be due to intense rainfall, rapid snowmelt, storm surges, tsunamis, dike or dam failure — to name the most prevalent reasons. It has been reasonably established that climate change affects weather patterns, and sea level rise has, in the past several years, affected the frequency and magnitude of the flooding being experienced. A number of estimates as to the sea level rise

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that might be expected along the B.C. coastline have predicted increases ranging up to 1.2 metres by the year 2100 and to two metres by the year 2200. For the Nanaimo area, the high estimate is nearer to 0.8 metres (31.5 inches) by the year 2100. It is important that all levels of government and non-government networks identify and assess the expected impacts of flooding from the extreme precipitation events and the projected rise in sea levels. This action will allow local governments to better understand the flood hazards residents may face and to take steps to mitigate these risks.

Clearly, local governments cannot and should not be expected to shoulder the full costs of assessing the risk and installing or upgrading infrastructure to

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mitigate any damage. At this time, no cost projections have been made for the rural areas within the RDN. As a matter of interest, costing studies for the 250 kilometres of diked shorelines and low-lying areas in Metro Vancouver estimate a cost of $9.47 Billion — a cost clearly beyond the funding abilities of the municipal governments.

In 2010, the B.C. Regional Adaptation Collaborative (RAC) — an organization funded by the federal, provincial and local governments, as well as other key stakeholders — supplied monies to fund a project on sea level rise titled “Coastal Floodplain Mapping Guidelines and Coastal Flood Hazard Areas (2011).” The purpose was to standardize the methodology used to produce flood-

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plain maps for coastal communities of B.C. that incorporated the predicted sea level rise.

Recently (March 2018), the RDN and the Town of Qualicum Beach were approved for funding through the National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) to complete a flood risk assessment for the RDN rural areas and the Town of Qualicum Beach. The sources of the required funding of $160,500 for the project are the federal government ($70,000), provincial government ($80,000) and the RDN ($10,500). This is the first step in the process and will help to identify and assess community and infrastructure vulnerabilities from overland and shoreline flooding. The larger costs will result from the required investments in non-structural and small-scale mitigation projects.

Current funding sources outside local government seem to be somewhat limited. This amplifies the importance of intergovernmental collaboration to address the scale of upgrades that may be required over time.

The RDN has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified emergency management consultants. The purpose of this project is to conduct a flood risk assessment for the areas specified that is inclusive of local government, First Nations and key area stakeholders. It is anticipated that risks assessments, including actions needed to mitigate damage, will be completed by late 2019 to early 2020. alecmcpherson@shaw.ca

CVRD Area H (North Oyster, Diamond) Before I digress about the various topics related to the services provided by the Cowichan Valley Regional District, I would like to thank all my family, friends and neighbours who called and sent emails to me inquiring if everything was going okay for me. They were concerned because I had not been seen in my usual morning exercise routine. It was also noticed that I had not submitted my monthly Area Directors Report to the editor of the Take 5 Magazine. North Oyster/Diamond residents also noticed that I had missed a number of CVRD meetings as well.

It was a huge surprise to know that so many of you noticed my absence and that you cared enough to check on me. We are all so very lucky to live in this connected community.

Thank you to all of you for expressing your concerns, and for your continued support over the years. I very much appreciate all of you.

Now that I am back on my feet, I have realized that a lot of time has passed by very quickly. I would like to provide you with information on some of the topics that the Region has worked hard in advocating to our senior governments about the things that impact our lives.

In the next Take 5 publication, I will provide a more detailed version of the various issues that you have brought to my attention. The first series of topics are listed below.

1. Speculative Taxation: It has been proposed by senior governments to draft regulations for homes that are not utilized fully by the owners. This is a serious issue, particularly for smaller, rural communities.

2. Regional Recreation: This topic has been a hot-button topic since the day I first took my seat at the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board table. In all those years, the debate on this issue has been very hot; it was and still is all about

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the money – who pays for what? – is it fair and equitable to all? During the current four-year term, a Regional Recreation Select Committee was formed by the CVRD Board. With the assistance of a consultant, the Committee members have been working towards finding a reasonable solution to a very difficult issue. We have come very close to resolving the issues, but we are not yet there. A thorough report has been produced on the issues and the public has been consulted through social media, play speak and other means of public communication and engagement. Please feel free to contact me if you wish to learn more about the reports.

3. Local Watershed Management: It has been proposed that the CVRD seek the authority of senior government to take on the task of protecting our drinking water. This is a critical situation that must be resolved in a timely fashion. The public has identified protection of our drinking water as a priority issue. To that end, the Region sponsored several open houses throughout the whole Region. The goal of these open houses is to determine the public input on possible options for a proposed service for drinking water and watershed protection service for the Region. Your comments will be welcomed.

CVRD Area G (Saltair) Regional Recreation Over the past decade the CVRD has attempted to revisit the funding formulas for supporting recreation centres in the regional district. These centres have been built over the past 30 years paid for by willing partners and grants. These facilities sometimes need upgrading or expansion and that requires more money. That prompted the CVRD to look at Regional Recreation again and to hire a consultant to explore the situation fully. The consultant communicated with the public several ways to find out how they recreated and what they felt the needs were in the community. They used questionnaires, spoke to residents at open houses and used Place/Speak software to get opinions. Through these discussions, they found that the residents still used these facilities, but there was a greater trending need for outdoor recreation. Activities like walking trails, hiking parks, cycling, kayaking and picnicking were becoming more popular.

The consultant also upgraded the CVRD facilities user study that looked at all the facilities and who uses them and where they live. The thinking being that if you use the facility, you should pay taxes to the facility. There are many different funding models that were talked about over the years using different criterion, and the consultant will review them and make recommendations. The final report has not been done yet.

Saltair Community Centre The Saltair Community Centre has a complete new roof on it, with a new black flashing on the fascia boards that give the building a fresh new look. The CVRD hired a third party roofing company to oversee the project, and by all reports, the job was first rate. The building will be secure and dry for years to come. The job is all done within budget, with no rise in taxes.

The spaces in the building are booked to 85 per cent capacity, and the Society is collecting rent to cover operating costs, with extra money for cosmetic improvements, more chairs and audio/video equipment.

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be a place of peace and tranquility.

When clutter becomes overwhelming, we strive to escape from it, decreasing the satisfaction in our life. Clutter can be both an indication of building stress and anxiety in our lives, as well as the cause of it.

Hoarder clutter to clarity

BY TRICIA TOTH Most homes have a certain degree of clutter, such as a junk drawer or counter, that accumulates items. For some people, the clutter spills over into a pile in a hall or spare bedroom, or grows into an enormous heap in the garage. Clutter is generally the over accumulation of items, essentially bringing more into your home than you take out. Over time, clutter can reach havoc on our physical and mental health. In extreme cases, clutter results in “hoarding,” a mental health condition recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5).

Clutter not only paralyzes us mentally from taking action in reducing the pile up, but also can prevent us from making changes in other areas of our life as well. For some, cleaning can become so burdening that it is difficult to determine where to begin.

As our residence is where we spend the majority of our time, our home should

Get rid of it, be happy.Photo: Nick Longo

However, there are strategies that we can incorporate into our lives to deal with the items on an ongoing basis before they accumulate and become a problem. Here are some helpful ideas: • Keep a box or tote where you can place items in and donate them on a regular basis. When you buy something new, put the old item in the box. Do not keep more than one of each item unless it is necessary.

• Get rid of all items you have not used

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within the last year. This includes holding onto “skinny” clothes or items in need of mending. If you haven’t fit them or fixed them within a year, chances are you aren’t going to (and when you do, reward yourself with something new or new to you).

• When it comes to sentimental items, ask yourself if you are holding onto the item or onto the memory. Consider an alternative way of keeping the memory alive, such as a photo of the item (great for kid’s art projects), or reconstructing the item into something more practical (making old garments into a pillow cover or quilt).

• If you don’t love it, give it up.

Remember, when you keep items in your life that do not satisfy you, you are taking up space for something that could bring you joy.

• Don’t keep items that are broken. The old saying “one person’s junk is another person’s treasure” is not true if the item is actually junk.

Let that trash go.

• If you feel unable to address your clutter, seek help from friends or a professional. A clinical counsellor can assist you in identifying and exploring the underlying roots of holding onto items, which may be restricting you from living your greatest life. A cleanse of your environment results in mental clarity and overall well being.

Tricia Toth, BSW, MSW, RCC, RSW operates Great Life Counselling

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Perennial Food Plants Have you ever stopped to consider the benefit of adding perennial food plants to your garden? Unlike most food plants that are annuals, which rotate around the garden, perennial food plants require a permanent location where they will increase in size and production over time.

They are best planted at the edges or the corners of the garden to keep them from interfering with annual crop rotations.

Here are some of my favourites.

Globe artichokes, Cynara scolymus, are native to the Mediterranean, but given the right situation, they can be long lived in temperate climates too. Plants grow to five feet, reaching a potential

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Asparagus in the garden. Photo submitted.

of six feet across. They prefer full sun and are heavy feeders, needing soil with plenty of organic matter, so feed generously. Cutting them to the ground in November and covering thickly with mulch keeps the roots from freezing in harsh winters. Showy thistle flowers appear from summer to fall. The flowers consist of layers of bracts, which are fleshy at the base, and it’s this fleshy part which is eaten — but the heart of the bud at the top of the flower stalk (dipped in butter and lemon juice) is the main delicacy.

With asparagus, I recommend starting with two-year-old male roots, “Jersey Knight” for example. That way you’ll be harvesting asparagus next year instead of waiting three years for yields.

The male plants produce the fat juicier spears, while the females produce longer slender spears. Asparagus roots are heavy feeders, keep them happy by feeding the patch every fall.

Welsh bunching onions, Allium fistulosum, are prolific multipliers. A farming friend once told me “one is all you need,” and he was right! Every single onion divides into a bunch of scallions, which then can be divided into rows of onions.

They are winter hardy and will provide green onions throughout the year.

Arugula sylvetta grows as a small perennial shrub, and is a source of rocket salad said to have a spicier and superior flavour to annual arugula varieties. Just watch out for self seeding, as it can take over the garden.

Photo: Asparagus “Jersey Knight” underplanted by Arugula sylvetta.

Sunchokes, Helianthus tuberosus (aka Jerusalem artichokes), produce underground tubers that are a good source of carbohydrate that can be harvested in winter as needed. Even if I dig the whole bed up over the winter, they come back like crazy! Sunchokes are sweet and

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nutty when simply drizzled with olive oil and roasted for 25 minutes. They can be used as crudités with dips, marinated, and they also make a hearty creamy winter soup.

Sea kale (Crambe maritima) is a brassica that grows wild on the cliffs of northwest UK. The Victorians forced plants under terracotta pots in January.

The photo shows the pots at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall, UK. The delicate shoots were eaten steamed and were considered a delicacy, tasting like hazelnuts crossed with asparagus. The pure white flowers of Crambe are highly decorative and are worth growing for this reason alone. You can propagate sea kale from root division or from their light-brown seed pods, best sown in fall.

Horseradish is prepared as a mouthsearing relish across Europe, North America and Russia, and considered indispensable with roast beef by the British! The large coarse leaves are not eaten, the value lies in the roots, which fatten to 2-inches in diameter if grown in fertile soil. Horseradish is propagated by root division, so digging up roots can result in the horseradish spreading. An alternative is to grow the plants in half oak barrels.

Rhubarb grows best in full sun or light shade in fertile, moist loamy soil. It is either green or red-stalked, the latter being sweeter, but less productive and less suited to forcing. Rhubarb is a gutsy feeder, so it’s best to feed it twice a year, in early spring and again in late fall. To encourage the best production every three years, the woody roots should be dug up in early spring or late fall and divided — an axe works well for this.

Replant chunks of root three feet apart with the crown just below the surface.

The plants come into full production in the third year, and they can continue for 15 to 20 years.

Having food automatically pop up in the garden every year makes me feel more food secure, and the plants offer aesthetic beauty, as well as good food value.

Carolyn Herriot is author of The Zero Mile Diet, A Year Round Guide to Growing Organic Food and The Zero Mile Diet Cookbook, Seasonal Recipes for Delicious Homegrown Food (Harbour Publishing). Available at your local bookstore.

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Olympic Crash & Burn I’m not much fun to watch the Olympics with. That’s because I’m always hiding behind the couch, and when I come up to see who scored, my hand is usually in front of my eyes protecting them from the obligatory crash and burn that plagues Canadian Olympic efforts. I’m not much better in scary movies, being of the firm belief that the more time I spend in the washroom, or buying popcorn, the less likely Godzilla is going to get me when he springs out of Tokyo Bay wearing nothing but a lime green Speedo.

But this time, I didn’t have to worry.

It took maybe five seconds of watching Tessa Virtue’s determined face to put

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me at ease and lure me out from behind the couch. Maybe two seconds more for tears to start rolling down my cheeks.

Intensity will do that to me. Then again, I could have just lost my wine glass.

Of course the biggest mystery in ice dancing is why females subject themselves to it in the first place. You’d think at least some of them would say, “Now let me get this straight, you want me to lose 40 pounds, squeeze into a costume that would fit in a tea cup, then allow an adolescent male dressed up like Little Lord Fauntleroy to spin me around the world like a yo-yo until I get dizzy or my stupid costume flies apart?”

Keep in mind, all this happens fully eight feet above a frozen, rock-hard surface, without the benefit of a helmet, a parachute or safety net, at speeds in excess of 20 mph by a young male who is still angry at his mother for not letting him play hockey and even madder at the costume designer for dressing him up like a sissy.

And that’s the good news. The bad news is, as reward for being tossed around like a football, twirled around

APRIL 2018

like a baton, they’re expected not to run for cover when their partner, known in the girl’s locker room as “Sweat Doggy, Dog,” sometimes “Garlic Boy,” gets the brilliant idea to thrill the folks back home with yet another set of spins, which turns his overheated body into a highly exuberant, six-foot tall lawn sprinkler.

Meanwhile, his dainty partner, who was thinking about hurling anyway, gets to stand by her man with nothing to protect her but a flimsy costume and a plastered on smile. And you thought women’s hockey was rough. *** The Olympics are steadily being taken over by what are known as extreme sports, those featured on the X Games, where Eddie the Eagle ski jumping is just considered too tame. In order to gain entrance to the Olympics, these sports must pass the test of the reasonable man.

If a reasonable man says, “No way I’m doing that. You think I’m crazy?” The sport is deemed Olympic worthy.

Most of these sports revolve around the half pipe, which is like a huge ditch

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dug into the ground and sloped downhill, making it easier to haul the mutilated carcasses off the course. Other venues include many steep jumps and improbable railings, placed where they will do the most damage to your reproductive parts (notice how I didn’t say genitals?) if encountered at speed.

Places you don’t want to go unless you have your orthopedic surgeon on speed dial, an air ambulance ready to fly. Which is why Doctor D. Wayne Matthews, orthopod to the stars, has taken the day off work to watch his client, the Half Pipe Kid. Glued to his television set, popcorn bowl in one hand, beer in the other, Matthews watches with pride as his patient manages to walk to the start line without limping. It’s amazing what a little surgery and an Extra Strength Tylenol smoothie will do.

Suited up in the dumb clothing you have to wear before they’ll even let you watch an extreme event, the Kid exudes confidence at the start line. We can thank another Canadian for that — none other than snowboarding pioneer Ross Rebagliati, who single-handedly made marijuana an essential part of the sport. As Rebagliati puts it, “Mellows out the landing, Dude.”

But back to the Olympics. With a wave to his fans, many of whom are as stoned as he is, the Kid’s off to a fast start. So too is Doctor Matthews with the popcorn. Down in the bowl they go, Matthews coming up with a handful of popcorn, the Kid with enough speed to rocket out of the bowl, up, up, up until gravity calls (“Come on down from there you crazy twit!”).

Down he plummets, spinning madly like a maple seed helicopter, which only makes sense considering all those hours he’d spent under the Rebagliati maple tree. Lying on the lawn with Ross, little helicopters coming down, smoke rising up. Rebagliati urging his student, “To float like a helicopter, you must think like a helicopter.” Which, considering how much dope they’d smoked, shouldn’t be that hard a task.

Anticipation pulls Matthew’s torso off the couch as his client re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere. This is going to be close.

“Splat!” goes the kid, landing on his back, half on, half off the apron. A Humpty Dumpty, snowboarders call this type of landing, as in “All the King’s horses, all the King’s men, couldn’t put Humpty together again.” But they sure can over at Matthews and Associates, where for a nominal fee, say half a

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million dollars, anything is possible.

“Yes!” goes Matthews, doing the full Tom Cruise on the couch. “Susan,” he calls to his lovely wife. “Get Dusseldorf Motors on the line. What colour Mercedes do you want?”

The scene ends with The Kid lying face down on the stretcher, offering the millions of morbid sports fans around the world an unobstructed view of his corporate sponsor’s advertisement: Matthews and Associates, Orthopedic surgeons. Where your break is our break.

Put that in your half pipe and smoke it. Also for the survivors, a special treat. Masi Amarone Costasera, $54.99.

Follow Delbert at Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com

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The History Detectives

BY ANN ROGERS Last spring Esther Sharp and her husband, John, paid a visit to the Ladysmith Archives looking for information about John’s grandfather.

“We knew Grampa Sharp was a striking coal miner with seven kids. He joined up and was killed fighting in France, and he’s on the cenotaph,” Esther told TAKE 5. “We wanted to know more.”

The Sharps’ interest led them to join the small army of Ladysmith & District Historical Society volunteers searching for the stories behind the names of local men who fought in World War One. At times, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.

“We’ve spent 80 to 90 hours looking for Major Flemming, or maybe he’s Captain Fleming, or maybe there are two of him,” Esther says. “We’re still not sure who he is.”

While the Canadian government has put thousands of military records online, often the only clue is a surname, spelled different ways. And by John’s estimates, as many as a third of the birthdates on the records he checks are incorrect. “They lied if they were too young or too old to join up, or sometimes the official just wrote it down wrong.”

Another problem establishing who was who is that in 1914, Ladysmith was in the middle of a bitter miners’ strike. The men who

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enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force may have been townspeople, incoming strike-breakers, or members of the militia sent in to police the dispute.

So most searches begin by running the soldier’s name past Archives volunteer Isabelle Ouelette, who is faster than Google at sifting through the town’s history. When she recognizes a name, she puts a call out to her network to bring in any information they have, carefully keeping track of the mounting stacks of files.

Terry Carson, another volunteer, uses his knowledge of genealogy websites to put soldiers together with their families.

The Archives’ own records, including town tax assessments and census data, along with births, marriages and deaths registers, fill in important gaps. Author Brian Bornhold contributed research that included 43 letters he found published in local papers, eyewitness accounts written by Ladysmith men serving on the Western front.

When the conventional research paths failed, Esther began reading back issues of Ladysmith newspapers, which has turned up new names as well as new insights. “We started with about 167 men from Ladysmith, but now we’re close to 400,” Esther says.

But the identities of many “Ladysmith boys” remain elusive.

“Of the 41 cenotaph names, we still can’t find Tait and McCrae,” says Esther.

“But they must have been important to someone here. And as many as seven local men who were killed in action were left off.” She turns back to her computer to continue the search.

If you have any information about Ladysmith’s WWI soldiers or would like to volunteer, call (250-245-0100) or drop by the Archives, under Tim Horton’s, open 9 am– 2 pm, Monday through Friday.

Opposite page: Ladysmith Archives volunteers Isabelle Ouelette, John Sharp and Esther Sharp look over their growing index of names Some of the records of Private Hugh Thornley, who wrote home about his experiences at Vimy Ridge on April 9–12, 1917. Photos: Ann Rogers

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FOR SALE HUGE Garage Sale & Bazaar Fundraiser, April 28, 9am to 2pm, Ladysmith Intermediate School Gym, 317 French St. Accepting Donations: April 13, 20, 27 8am- 8:40 at the school kitchen & 2:304pm at the gym doors.

GARAGE SALE household items and much more April 28, starts at 9am 420 Roberts St. in the alley BUSINESS I CAN EDIT. Copy editing, proofreading, structural editing and more. Fiction or nonfiction, web content and eBook prep. For more information, email editican@gmail.com.

CONCRETE RESULTS. Contracting, full-service forming and finishing, walls, walks, patios, drives.

35 years experience. Call Gord 250-753-4024.

BEADS BEADS BEADS ETC.! 9752 Willow St., Chemainus. Best prices on the Island. Follow Facebook@etcinchemainus orl 250-324-2227.

EXPERIENCED HOUSE SITTER available for summer 2018. References avail. Prefer long stay. www.peaceofmindhousesitting.wordpress.com.

Call Kathleen 250-619-0786 or kgrcoaching@ gmail.com.

ROMAX MASONRY. Chimney repairs and rebuilds. Stonework. Patios. Interlocking pavers.

Fireplaces. Slate installs. Minor excavating.

Romaxmasonry.com, romax-bc@shaw.ca or 250-516-7597.

NEED HELP SHOPPING? Fallen behind on everyday housework? How about a ride to the doctor or a quick haircut at home? For excellent common sense happy help, call 2506671301.

Competitive pricing.

EDUCATION COTTAGE PAINT 101. Transform old furniture into AWESOME! Learn the basics plus creative decorative techniques. All supplies included + 15% off Cottage Paint purchase at ANTIQUE ADDICT. Call now to book 250-245-6533 or email shop@antiqueaddict.ca.

HEALTH & BEAUT Y JACLYNN COTTRELL REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPY. $100 for one hour; $60 for 30 minutes. Available evenings. Located across from Friesen’s on York Rd. in Cedar. Call 778971-0444.

TAI CHI for mental & physical health. Beginner classes start Sept. & Jan., Mondays, at Cedar Heritage Centre. On-going class Wednesdays at North Oyster Community Centre. Both classes 10am to noon $25/mo. www.nanaimotaichi.org.

Call Sara 250-245-1466.

SAVE THE MOMENT - Capture your special moments with a custom made video. living wills, documentation, promotion for business or home use. Call us for a quote on your next project or your first one. 250-756-8892.

HOUSESITTERS INC. Insurance & security checks of your home or vacant property. Pet care, senior check ins & concierge services. Details on website www.housesittersinc.com. Insured.

Retired RCMP owned. Call 250-713-5110.

HOME & YARD

JANICE’S HOME CARE SERVICES. All care inside and out of the home; home care, house work, yard work and transportation. Contact janjamieson101@gmail.com or call 250-7012909. Great Rates!

ALL ACRES TREE SERVICE providing all aspects of tree work. Pruning, falling, hedging, dangerous tree removal. Fully insured. Professional work at reasonable rates. 250-246-1265 QUALITY RENOVATIONS. Big or small. 25 yrs. exp/journeyman, affordable. For free estimate, call Lars 250-616-1800.

KEEP IT CLEAN SOLUTIONS. Home & office cleaning. General, event, windows, we’ll even make your bed! Great for families, seniors, single parents, office cleaning, flexible service to fit your schedule.

Contact Brittny Townley 250-882-4637 or brittnyannetownley@gmail.com.

ARE YOU BUYING OR SELLING A HOME? Curb appeal, re-design or new design, www. islandgardenscapes.ca. Ask for Kathleen 250-802-0461.

APRIL 2018

ISLAND PRUNING. Professional tree care from large scale orchards to budding new trees. I can meet any pruning need. Shrubs, vines and ornamental. Large and small clean ups. Call Darcy Belcourt 250-323-1260.

KB HANDYMAN AND YARDWORKS SERVICES. Minor carpentry work, decks, fences, gutter cleaning, tree pruning, yard clean up, lawn fertilizing, mowing.

Senior’s discount. Call Karl 250-714-2738 or kbhandymanandyardworks@gmail.com.

GARDEN RENOVATION AND LANDSCAPING. Are you thinking of a garden renovation or landscaping project? Excellent quality and knowledge. We are happy to assist you with any landscaping or gardening work you need. Estimates are always free.

Give Sandpiper a call! 250-246-2421.

RAISED GARDEN BEDS, railings, wheelchair ramps, decks, benches, woodsheds, greenhouses, painting, carpentry, custom shelving. Enhance your enjoyment of the home and yard you love. Namaste Home Improvements, 250-245-2751 (see display ad).

HIGH PERFORMANCE LANDSCAPING locally owned & operated, excavating services, lawn maintenance, hedge, tree & shrub pruning, low maintenance garden design, irrigation installations & servicing, water features, fence, deck & patio construction, mulch & soil delivery, garbage/ dump runs. Dave 250-327-5896.

PETS PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SERVICE. Leash ’em & walk ’em with Marlena. Insured and bonded. Animal First Aid and CPR. Service for all pets including dog walking, home care visits, overnight with pet in my home and much more. As my love is yours! Call 250-246-3394.

TOO CRAZY BIRDY HOTEL. Now three locations: Victoria, Cedar and Comox Valley.

Travel with peace of mind, parrot boarding in loving settings. Budgies to macaws. $7, $14, $18 for sml, md, lrg. www.toocrazybirdyhotel.com.

Call Diana and Kip 250-722-2201.

TAKE 5 THE PET NANNY. Let us pamper and love your pets at your home or ours. Experience and references are available. Call Shanon or Bill at 250-924-8809, Ladysmith.

GOLDEN LEASH OBEDIENCE. Certified Balanced dog training specialist, covering Nanaimo to Duncan, puppy and adult classes private lessons, help with aggression and problem behaviours. Text or phone 250-667-3878.

DOG WALKING/ Hiking OFF LEASH!! 2 hour avg. walk, weekly walks year round, pick up & drop off included, Insured & Licenced. Contact Paula Plecas for a complimentary meet & greet! See us Facebook and Instagram for fun in action! Tracks Outdoor Adventures INC 250-754-TREC(8732) or walken@shaw.ca.

SENIORS LYNN’S SENIORS CARE HOME. High quality personalized care. Warm caring environment.

Great food and snacks. Family events. Couples and pets welcome. Ocean views, gardens. North of Ladysmith. lynnsseniorcare.com. 250-245-3391.

LEAVE A LEGACY. Memoirs, cookbooks, personal histories, we can help get your project ready to press. Print, eBook or video format.

Professional publishing services. editor@take5. ca or phone 250-245-7015.

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