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Letters

Tour de Rock thanksThe Canadian Cancer Society/Cops for Cancer, Tour de Rock

Committee would like to express our sincere thanks to the mer-chants who donated towards the Silent Auction held at the Tour de Rock Red Serge Dinner, Oct. 3, at the Eagles’ Hall.

Our heartfelt thanks also go to all the citizens and organiza-tions of Ladysmith who made cash donations toward this very worth cause. The funds that were donated go towards running “Camp Good Times”, a place where children with cancer can be themselves and have fun for a few weeks in the summer. This camp is fully staffed by qualifi ed trained people who can handle any medical assistance that a child might need during their attendance. There are also camps that will take the family of children with cancer, as well some of the funds go towards cancer treatments at the children’s hospitals, and child cancer research. You may contact the Canadian Cancer Society here in Ladysmith at 250-245-0671 for further information.

Also our heartfelt thanks to the organizations that made a cash donation and the Ladysmith Healthcare Thrift Shop, R.C.L Branch #171; Fraternal Order of Eagles.

North Oyster Fire Hall Referendum and Building Project

When the community was fi rst made aware of this project, the CVRD was hoping it would pass with the Alternate Approval Process. The community was angered, and stopped both the AAP and the expensive Fire Hall proposal. ($2 -$2.5 million)

William (Bill) Derby (Architectural Technologist) and his company Tectonica won the tender bid to provide Basic Ar-chitectural and Engineering services for the design of Fire Hall #1. The high cost of this replacement Hall was not met with approval from the majority of the community.

Area Director Mary Marcotte appointed an Ad Hoc Citizens Committee to look at the project and see if they could fi nd ways to make the project more affordable for Area H residents. They found cost saving measures to rebuild Fire Hall #1 at a cost be-tween $1.7 and $1.9 million. Included in their fi ndings was that with the immediate needs of Station #1, a Coffi n Point Satellite Hall would not be pragmatic at this time. The overall consensus of Area H residents also indicated assessment based taxation

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was preferred.Since June 2010 Tectonica, with the CVRD, have designed,

planned, and implemented schematic designs for two new Fire Halls, with a price tag over $3 million before interest payments, to be paid over 20 years.

Maintenance of buildings and equipment will raise the yearly operational budget substantially. Long-range plans will see in-creases yearly in the Fire service budget.

This is a small rural community; most residents know not to expect urban levels of services. Many Area H taxpayers cannot afford the huge increases two new Fire Halls and Parcel taxa-tion would bring.

For the full transcript of this letter go to: www.sites.google.com/site/NOCnews - Jerrilynn Harris

Smart meters not wanted hereSomething is very wrong here! In spite of the moratorium

asked for on “smart meters”, by the municipalities of BC, Rich Coleman says the installations will continue. We have a his-tory in this country of trusting our political leaders, but do they continue to deserve our trust? The government is mandating a recognized Class 2B Carcinogen be added to our houses. The meters pulse microwave frequency radiation every fi ve sec-onds, day and night. So far, we have had a choice as to whether we want to use microwaves, wi fi , cordless phones, cell phones, digital boxes or any other electronic gadgets that give of elec-tromagnetic radiation. These meters on the other hand, are be-ing forced on us. The most vulnerable are the smallest creatures. The fi rst to be affected are small animals and children. About 3% of people are severely sensitive to EMR and 35% experi-ence moderate to mild sensitivity. I believe that the government would be wiser to put limits on exposure levels for it’s citizens , ie. banning wi fi in schools, and of course smart meters, rather than bringing more EMR into our lives. Canada’s acceptable limits for EMF far exceed the limits in Europe. We must band together to ban “smart meters”.

When one of my nephews was growing up, he would become severely sick with a temperature of 104 degrees for four days whenever he ate microwaved food. He was severely sensitive to microwaved food, just as three per cent of the population is severely sensitive to EMF. Installing these meters on people’s homes, especially of sensitive people and where children live, is the same as what it would have been for my nephew, had

microwaved food been forced on him everyday while growing up. Living with a smart meter on your house has been compared to “living in a microwave oven on low”.

For information on things you can do to reduce EMR(dirty electricity) in your homes, visit: mcginniselectric.ca To stop a wireless ‘Smart Meter’ from being installed on your house, visit: citizensforsafetechnology.org. Scroll down to the Smart Meter Action Kit. For just some really good information visit: www.magdahavas.com If you can help spread the word, con-tact stopsmartmetersbc.ca, and watch for the new petition.

- Jacqueline Little

Glad to be next to the USAJust a comment on Connie Dunfi eld’s response on the Let-

ter to the Editor previously published on Osama bin Laden’s death . I am married to a wonderful lady for over 30 years. She happens to be an American. I’ve never met a person more won-derful. If I remember right, we actually live in North America. I can’t imagine an invisible line that makes us better. I am a Canadian, and sometimes, when ignorant people talk, not proud of it. I wonder how we would be as a country if we had China or Russia next to us. I do think we are lucky to have the country we have south of us. - Rob Plourde

Cedar Skate Park Association UpdateCedar Skate Park Association would like to thank all of our

supporters who contributed their time to our golf tournament on Sept. 24. Cottonwood Golf Course for helping us provide the golfers with a great experience. The business community for their kind donations, and the golfers who enjoyed a sunny day on the fairways and provided us with some lively entertainment afterwards. With everyone’s help we were able to raise $1700 towards the Skatepark project and a safe place for our youth to play.

To help with our fundraising effort, you can donate your re-turns under our accounts (Cedar Skatepark Association) at La-dysmith and Nanaimo Bottle Depots and the Soap Exchange. A tax receipt will be issued to you for any donation made through the Regional District. Thank you all!

The Association is looking for new members and we meet at Cedar Secondary School the last Wednesday of the month at 7pm. Everyone is welcome.

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Purple Martin dinnerCome join us on Saturday, November 12 at the Coast Bastion

in Nanaimo for “A Night in Brazil” charity dinner and silent auction for the BC Purple Martin Recovery Program. We are celebrating the most successful year of the 25-year nest box recovery program (730 pairs up from 5 pairs in 1985) and the fall migration of our Purple Martins to SE Brazil, a 11,000 km trip one way as well as raising funds for the 2012 recovery pro-gram. Guest speakers: Tony Ransom, retired geologist and cur-rent president of the Nanoose Naturalists, on “ A Tour of Bra-zil’s Pantanal - the World’s Largest Freshwater Wetland” and Mike Yip, well known bird photographer, on “Migratory Birds on Vancouver Island” Tickets: at the Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store in Nanaimo or by contacting Charlene at gbears@island.net or 250-758-2922. www.georgiabasin.ca/puma.htm and www.saveourmartins.ca

LaFF seeks auction itemsThe holiday season is fast approaching and Ladysmith Family

and Friends (LaFF) is accepting items to this year’s Breakfast with Santa’s Silent Auction on Dec 3. Every year, community partners, businesses and individuals generously donate goods or services that can be used to raise money to assist LaFF in cre-ating a safe, nurturing, inclusive and supportive environment for children and their families, as well as meaningful volunteer opportunities for community members of all ages. To make a donation e-mail laffcoordinator@shaw.ca or drop items off during regular programming Mon-Friday 9:30-12 at Aggie Hall until Dec 1. - Jacquie Neligan, LaFF Coordinator

OOPS:In the Oct/2011 TAKE 5, Face of Business section we named

Full Figured Fitness as a fi tness company when it is the name of their DVD. The correct name of the business is The Shape You’re In Fitness and Wellness Inc.’ We apologize for any con-fusion over the company name. The Full Figured Fitness DVD is available at Ladysmith’s Pharmasave or visit www.theshap-eyouarein.com for details. - Editor

Letters to the Editor are welcome but subject to space and editing. This is an open forum for our readers to express their views and does not necessarily refl ect the opinions of TAKE 5 or its contributors. Email: editor@take5.ca.

You can also directly post on our website at www.take5.ca

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Mayor’s Report:Lest We ForgetBY LADYSMITH MAYOR ROB HUTCHINS

At the time the November edition of the Take 5 Magazine fi nds its way into your home or business a small army of veterans, cadets, and Royal Cana-dian Legion members can be found canvassing our streets con-ducting the annual poppy campaign-- a campaign that has been part of our Canadian culture for over 90 years.

Wearing the poppy from early to mid-November, as a symbol of remembrance of those who sacrifi ced so much in times of war, is such a part of our way of life that to be without one often brings a sense of embarrassment, a sense of awkwardness.

I am proud of the great crowd that gathers at the Ladysmith Cenotaph each year on November 11. I am proud that so many people from other island and mainland communities join us, as our ceremony, our tribute, has touched the heart and minds of so many. I am also proud of the efforts of the Ladysmith Rotary Club and the Royal Canadian Legion who sponsor and host the annual Veterans’ Dinner (this year on November 12th). It is an

event second to none. At the time of Re-

membrance Day, I often fi nd myself in thoughtful refl ection and usually feel a deep sense of sadness and grief. Why the emo-tional response to loss that I did not experi-ence directly? Perhaps it is because I taught 20th Century World

History for so long, perhaps it is because of the memories of my father who served for six years during World War II, or perhaps it is because as we research and recount the stories of the sons of Ladysmith that lost their lives on battlefi elds in faraway lands, I cannot help but feel empathy for those who were left behind and suffered the pain of such great loss.

Each year, for over a decade now, we celebrate the life of a soldier from our own community. Some of those we have hon-oured are named on the cenotaph; others are veterans who have returned home. In recounting their stories it is impossible to be unmoved by their courage and untouched by the sense of loss so many of their parents and families experienced.

This year, the story will be told of Frank Burrill, a twenty year old bomber pilot, whose plane went missing over the North Sea while returning from a bombing raid over northern Germany. Part of Frank’s story is of his mother ‘s search; she would not give up hope that her son would be found alive and for years after wrote letter after letter to the war department in a desper-ate search for her son.

Although he expects or seeks no recognition, Ladysmith Ro-tarian David Walbank must be saluted for his leadership and his incredible efforts over the years to ensure Ladysmith honours and pays tributes to our veterans. David is the driving force behind our present day Veterans’ Dinner and he leaves no stone unturned in his tireless research of the lives of those who served our community so bravely in time of war.

We have much to be grateful for in this most beautiful com-munity. Take time to remember. Lest we Forget

Ladysmith Legion roll call.Remembrance day. Photo: Rob Johnson

10 take5.ca NOV 2011

Craft Fairs & Seasonal Events

22nd Annual Nanaimo Professional Craft Fair, Beban Park Centre 2300 Bowen Rd. Nov. 4, 12pm – 8pm, Nov. 5 10am – 5pm, Nov. 6 10am – 4pm 250-390-3995

Nov. 5, 10am, Crofton Art Group Show & Sale, Crofton Senior Center 250-246-3870

St. Mary’s Parish Annual Bazaar 2011 Nov. 5th 11:00am to 2:00pm 1135-4th Avenue Ladysmith. Lunch available.

2011 Studio Sale Mary Fox, 321 3rd Ave. Ladysmith Nov. 6-7, 11am – 5pm 250-245-3778

32nd Annual Christmas Chaos, Island Savings Centre 2687 James St. Nov. 10-11, 12pm, 250-748-7529

Holly Daze Tea St. Andrew’s United Church Nov. 12 1:30-3:30pm $7.00 311 Fitzwilliam St. Nanaimo Bake Table Crafts Granny’s Treasures Surprise Packages

St. John’s Anglican Church Victorian Christmas Bazaar, 314 Buller St., Ladysmith

Nov.. 12, 11am – 2:30pm 250-245-8872

Chemainus Legion Craft & Gift Fair Nov. 13 10am - 3:00pm Chemainus Legion Hall Breakfast and lunch served. Tables $10.00 250 246 4880

Carols Crafters 3rd Annual Christmas Craft Fair. Nov.. 17 - 20 from 10am to 4pm at North Oyster Community Centre, 13467 Cedar Road. With 3 rooms full of Crafters and Artisans. Contact 250-754-8905

Cedar Yellow Point Artisans present the 23rd Annual Country Christmas Tour Nov. 17- 20 for more info including a map visit www.cyartisans.com

Legion Auxiliary Br# 171 Ladysmith, Christmas Tea & Bazaar 621 1st Ave. Nov. 18 from 1-3 PM Silent Auction, White Elephant, Bake Sale, Crafts and more 250-245-2273.

Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce Old Fashioned Artisan’s Christmas Market at the Aggie Hall Saturday, Nov. 19, 10am – 4pm Application forms are available at the Chamber offi ce or on our website, www.ladysmithcofc.com

Santa’s Stocking Tea Nanaimo Star Society for OES#43. Nov. 19, 1-2:30pm Brechin

United Church, 1998 Estevan. Refreshments. Home Baking. Handicrafts. Gifts. $6.50.

Artisans Market, Cowichan Neighborhood House, Nov. 19, 9am, - 4pm 250-246-3203

24th Annual Festival of Lights Nov. 24 begins at 3pm with the spaghetti dinner at the Eagles Hall and Christmas Craft Fair at the Aggie Hall. Street Entertainment begins at 4pm along 1st Ave. warming up the downtown for the arrival of Santa at 6:30pm to light up Ladysmith. The Kinsmen Parade starts at 6:45pm followed by the Festival of Lights Spectacular Fireworks display. Bundle up and join in the fun!

South Wellington & Area Community Association Christmas Craft Sale, at the Community Hall 1555 Morden Rd., Nanaimo Nov.. 26, 9am – 1pm 250-754-2820

Christmas Pancake Breakfast with Santa prepared by N.O.A.H.S. Nov., 26 9am – 12pm at the Cedar Community Hall, kids $ 2 and adults $5 250-245-2559

Festival of Trees, Mount Brenton Center, 3850 South Oyster School Rd. Nov. 26-Dec 4, times vary for more information call 250-924-7774

TAKE 5 take5.ca 11

Chemainus Firehall Craft Fair Nov. 26, 10am – 3pm, 250-246-3121

Breakfast with Santa Sunday, Mount Brenton Center 3850 South Oyster School Rd., Nov.. 27, 9am – 11am $15 buffet breakfast

Senior Tea, Mount Brenton Center 3850 South Oyster School Rd., 1:30pm – 3:30pm Dec. 1 - 2, $5 per person and tickets can be purchased at the center 250-924-7774

Michael Dean Studio Sale. New originals, calendars, prints 830 5th Ave., Ladysmith Dec 3 – 4, 10am – 5pm 250-245-8127

LaFF presents “Breakfast with Santa” Dec. 3, Aggie Hall Ladysmith 2 seating’s 8:30am & 10:30am tkts purchased in advance at FJCC - $ 5 per person over 2.

LDBA sponsors Super Santa Saturday Dec 3 holiday shopping in Ladysmith

Jingle Bell Dance, Mount Brenton Center 3850 South Oyster School Rd., Dec. 3, 8:30pm – 12am $ 30 per person buffet dinner included and tickets can be purchased at the center 250-924-7774

St. Joseph’s School Pancake Breakfast & Bazaar. 9735 Elm St. Chemainus Dec. 4 10:30am – 3pm

35th Annual Ladysmith Christmas Festival of Choirs Sunday Dec. 11 at St. Mary’s 1135 4th Ave. Ladysmith enjoy an evening of music and refreshments.

12 take5.ca NOV 2011

Country Christmas Tour Join us for a fun fi lled day on the 23rd

Annual popular self-guided Cedar Yel-low Point Artisan Country Christmas Tour, Nov. 17-20, 10 am.-5 pm.

New to the tour this year is Lohmann Gallery that features Geometric abstract paintings on wood and furniture by Claudia Lohmann as well as Christmas ornaments, candles and gifts.

Noel Brown is back with his fantas-tic artwork that he started back in 1994. He recently completed the artwork dis-played in the new Nanaimo Port Au-thority building where the cruise ships land downtown and he also started com-mercial crabbing this year in March as he has always loved being on the water for any type of fi shing and this is why he will also have fresh Dungeness Crab available on the tour. Take this scenic route and experience delicious locally

produced edibles, native art, jewelry, original paintings, stained glass mosaics, pottery, woodwork, hand-forged iron-work, bath and beauty products, Christ-mas crafts and more.

We have made it even easier this year to load up your car with friends and family and plan a looping route that can be done comfortably in one day. Enjoy lunch or dinner out with friends at one of the many fi ne area restaurants like the Mahle House Restaurant now featuring a lunch menu for the fi rst time during the Tour. Or sample some delicious food at the Crow and Gate Pub, Wheatsheaf Pub, or the Cotton Club at Cottonwood Golf Course.

If you Have always wanted to go on the tour but were planning to do it with children we’ve made some changes to

make that easier for you to do. On Sun-day November 20th from 12-3 we have Broody Rooster and Guesthouse one of the two Artisans hosting children’s ac-tivity stations Free brochures with maps that can be found at Visitor Info Centres or at other locations listed on our website www.cyartisans.com or phone 250-245-5283 to request a brochure info@cyarti-sans.com

Hockey Time at Ladysmith Little Theatre!

The Good Game, written by Roy Teed, directed by Mort Paul, runs Oct. 26 – Nov. 6, 2011.

Meet Charlie, Zack, CJ and Pinkie - four aging hockey players who reunite for an old timers game 30 years after winning the Nestor Cup for the third time. Locker room hijinks and hilari-ous manly banter will keep the audience laughing. Set in the dressing room of their youth, they catch up and quickly learn they haven’t really changed. Wear Your Hockey Jersey and join in for an evening of nostalgia and fun Actors: Mike Cooper, Torry Clark, Mort Paul, Alan Watt, Sherri McLean, Dave Ehris-mann and Gordon Ray.

Box offi ce 250-924-0658, or e www.ladysmiththeatre.ca

Return of Liona Boyd Five-time Juno award winner Liona

Boyd will be performing in Courtenay, Victoria, Salt Spring Island, Chemainus and Sidney beginning on Nov. 16, 2011. The world-famous guitarist will be play-ing and singing with Michael Savona. Since developing a neurological and muscular disorder that occasionally af-fl icts guitarists and pianists, Boyd has rarely toured since 2003. This unique opportunity to experience the musician is the brainchild of Benjamin Werbski, a long-time friend. A portion of the pro-ceeds from this tour will be donated to the Thomas P. Jasinski Scholarship fund for Business Students. Thomas died in a car accident in 2009 and is Benjamin’s great-nephew. This is just one of the many excellent reasons to attend a per-formance.

“When the new Emily Carr series of murals were announced in Chemainus a few years ago, and as I live in Che-mainus, I called Liona and asked if she would write a song about Emily Carr to which she happily agreed,” says Benja-min. “She will be performing it for the fi rst time on Vancouver Island during the tour.” Concert tickets online at www.li-onaboydtour.com.

Mid-Island Photo Expo The Ladysmith Camera Club recently

announced the results of the fi rst round of judging in the 2011 Mid-Island Photo

Noel Brown’s recently completed “frog”

The cast of Hockey Time offers laughs at Ladysmith Little Theatre

Liona Boyd plays Chemainus Theatre

TAKE 5 take5.ca 13

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Expo. In total, 98 photographers from all over Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands submitted 316 images to the competition. Of these, the judges selected 82 images by 45 photographers to enter the gallery exhibition from which the fi nal prize winners will be determined in November.

“We were completely astounded by the level of participation this year,” said Sean Sherstone, club president”

The 8 winners of the competition will share a prize pool exceed-ing $4,000 in cash, merchandise and gift certifi cates with judging by Dirk Heydemann, Ed Wiebe, and Allen Bargen.

The MIPE exhibition will run from Nov. 2 to 30, at the La-dysmith Waterfront Art Gallery. The fi nal winners will be an-nounced at the gala opening and awards ceremony in the Gallery on Nov. 5 at 7pm. The keynote speaker will be Doug Routley, MLA Nanaimo-North Cowichan, with music provided by Lena Birtwistle.

Nov. 22 at 7pm the Ladysmith Camera Club will hold their club meeting at the Gallery where attendees will be able to study the images, and hear and discuss the comments from the judging pro-cess leading to the fi nal winning selections. Everyone is invited to attend this special meeting and the normal guest drop-in fee will be waived.

Local Betty Waynne Allison stars in new opera

Pacifi c Opera Victoria is proud to present the world premiere of Mary’s Wedding , a new Canadian opera based on the award-winning play of the same name. The tal-ented cast has been involved throughout the development of the shape and sound of the opera. Betty Waynne Allison of Yel-lowpoint creates the role of Mary. Allison (POV’s La Traviata) graduated from UVic and has since developed an international singing career. Timothy Vernon conducts this world premiere, which will be recorded by CBC Radio for future broadcast on “Saturday Af-ternoon at the Opera”.

At the McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square, Victoria, opening Nov. 10 and on Nov. 12, 14, 16 and18, with matinée Nov. 20. Evening performances begin at 8pm with pre-perfor-mance lectures at 7pm. Matinée performance on Nov. 20 begins at 2:30pm, with pre-performance lecture at 1:30pm. For tickets call box offi ce at 250-386-6121, or on-line at www.rmts.bc.ca.

Betty Allison

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Yellowpoint musician comes home

Trombonist Linda Pearse grew up in Yellowpoint and developed a love of the trombone while playing in the North Oyster Elementary school band. She is now the director of ¡Sacabuche! North America’s rising ensemble for 17th-cen-tury music. Linda completed a master’s degree in Early Music Performance at the Schola Cantorum in Basel, Switzerland and worked in Europe for over 10 years be-fore returning to North America, where she earned her PhD at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music’s Early Music In-stitute. She is now a professor at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.

After performances of ‘The Glories of Venice’ in Vancou-ver and Victoria, Linda will bring this group of musicians and singers, based in Indiana, to Nanaimo for a special afternoon concert as a benefi t for the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music. In their program for this West Coast Tour, the rich sonorities of Venetian composers will come alive with virtuosic voices, brass, strings and chamber organ.

The concert takes place Nov. 27, at 2pm, St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Nanaimo. Tickets are $20 and $17. Nanaimo Conser-vatory of Music offi ce 250-754-4611.

Benefi t ConcertA variety of local performers have banded together to hold a

benefi t concert. Funds raised will go towards helping sponsor a family from EI Hol refugee camp in Syria. The concert features Lena Birtwistle, Evan Millar and Sid Johnson along with other performers with various backgrounds from England, Scotland, Singapore and South Korea. The concert is Nov 6, 2:30pm at Ladysmith First United Church.

Pottery showThe Pottery Store, Vancouver Island’s pottery outlet, present-

ing “The Art of Dimples” showcasing irresistibly impish pot-tery by Ramona Gregory of Merville, BC from November 1 to December 31, 2011.

Opening reception on Nov. 10, from 4-7pm. www.ThePot-teryStore.ca or call Peggy Grigor at (250) 416-1411.

Linda Pearse

www.cedaropportunities.coop

www.broodyrooster.com

www.globalvillagenanaimo.com

Election 2011 - Meet the CandidatesTOWN OF LADYSMITH- MAYOR

Two people are vying for the position of Mayor of Ladysmith

Regan Grill moved with her family to Vancouver Island in 2005 and has been a member of the Ladysmith community since 2009.She pursued education in business training and volunteer management. Her career experience includes small business ownership and business management. She is the mother of two children, a Brownie leader for Girl Guides of Canada, and a nov-ice organic hobby farmer.

Rob Hutchins is currently serving his sixth term as Mayor of the Town of Ladysmith, having fi rst been elected in 1993. Rob, a long time teacher, taught for 24 years in Ladysmith. He is cur-rently serving as a school counsellor at John Barsby Community School. Rob operates a small business with his family “The Old Town Bakery” in downtown Ladysmith. Rob and his wife Susan have a large family including four grandchildren.

TOWN OF LADYSMITH - COUNCILLORSEight candidates are running for six seats on Ladysmith Town council

Steve Arnett is a current Town of Ladysmith councillor elected 2008. He is a MSW Registered Social Worker, CEO Nanaimo Youth Services Association, and resident

of Ladysmith for 18 years Married to Cathy for 33 years with two sons Mat-thew and Christo-pher who have been raised in the com-munity. Council ac-complishments this last term: sponsored UBCM Watershed Resolution, Second-ary Suites Bylaw to encourage sustain-able density and Affordable Housing, redid overdue 10 year old DCC bylaw for future infrastructure needs, Lot 108 Forrest Field/Jim Cram Drive, Ivy Green residents new mobile home park

David Brown has lived in Lady-smith and area for 14 years. David and his wife Linda have three daugh-ters, one son and two grandchildren. A graduate from the University of

20 take5.ca NOV 2011

TAKE 5 take5.ca 21

Victoria with a science degree, he was a senior manager when he retired from BC Environment. He was a scientist, spills response offi cer and an expert in munici-pal waste and recycling.

Jillian Dash-

wood, current coun-cillor, has lived in the Central Island area since 1980, fi rst in Nanaimo and then moving to Ladysmith in 1998. She has spent considerable time in community service: Past director of Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce; Past President Ladysmith Women’s Business Network; Member Ladysmith Down-town Business Assoc.; active member Ladysmith Theatre.

Bill Drysdale is a retired Air Force Warrant Offi cer (28 yrs service). He’s married 36 years to Deb and has two daughters Bev and Sarah. Community Service includes Ladysmith Search and Rescue, (President), Festival of Lights, Health Care Auxiliary, Maritime Fes-tival, Ladysmith Days, Habitat for Hu-manity. He helped build Brown Drive Play Park, is assisting in the renovation of old Resource Centre for new Museum, participated in Visioning Workshops, and attended Council meetings.

Gord Horth is a local government professional for 25 years, married 28 years with two chil-dren. Youth soccer coach (20 years), Ladysmith resident since 1994 (4th gen-eration Vancouver Islander). While working in Ladysmith was party to the following community successes: First Avenue Revitalization, Transfer Beach Remake, Amphitheatre, Historic Aggie Hall Restoration, Com-munities in Bloom Winner, Highways revitalization, Holland Creek Trail Cor-ridor, Lot 108 (Forrest Field).

22 take5.ca NOV 2011

Duck ( Don ) Paterson is a Ladysmith resident since 1975. Married for 40 years and has three daughters and six grand chil-dren. Duck is production manager for the Nanaimo News Bulletin. He’s a life mem-ber of the Kin Clubs of Canada and still an active member of the Ladysmith Kins-men Club as well as member of Festival of Lights, Ladysmith Days, Loggers Sports and volunteer for other community activi-ties. He was the local chair of the Spirit of BC Committee, and Olympic Torch Relay through Ladysmith. He has fundraised for community amenities such as the spray park, playground at Kin Park as well as Transfer Beach and oth-ers. A Ladysmith Town Councillor for 20 years he has served on all Town committees.

Glenda Patterson was born in Scotland and came to Ladysmith in 1946. She is married with two children and two grand-children. She has had 48 years experience in the medical profession and employed as a Certifi ed Medical Laboratory Assistant. She has been recognized for community involvement and was honoured as Ladys-mith Citizen of The Year in 1992. She sat on Ladysmith Council for 12 years.

Bruce Whittington is currently a Ladysmith councillor. La-dysmith has been his home for almost eight years, after a long stint in Victoria in the conservation and retail, and stay-at-home

dad sectors. He is a freelance writer, pho-tographer, naturalist and publisher with three books in print. His wife is the owner of Bayview Framing & Art and he also works with her there as a picture framer. He has three adult sons and is a grandpar-ent.

REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NANAIMO AREA A DIRECTOR

Andrea Bonkowski is currently a second term Board of Education Trustee for SD68 and full time employee for VIHA, NRGH as a Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant and Emer-gency Social Services (ESS) Director for RDN. She is a third generation family from South Wellington with two daughters. She enjoys the rural settings, family values and the sense of community.

Laurie Gourlay has worked with NDP MPs on Parliament Hill, and with lo-cal MLA Doug Routley. He shares farm chores, and glories, with Jackie Moad, his wife of 35 years. Jackie’s an RN, and helped begin Haven House. They both volunteer with the Mid Island Sustainabil-ity & Stewardship Initiative. Contributing recently to the area’s Offi cial Community Plan, and Regional Growth Strategy.

Alec McPherson is a Certifi ed General Accountant. He has an understanding of the provincial statutes that govern munici-pal government gained as Chairperson of the North Cedar Improvement District.

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SCHOOL DISTRICT 68 TRUSTEES CANDIDATES

On Nov 19 these 13 candidates are running for nine school trustee positions.

Donna Allen. Throughout her professional life she has worked in education as a high school teacher and counselor. As a Department Head of Student Support Services she was responsible for the areas that service students with special needs. She also worked closely with students in French Im-mersion. Donna has been a member of PAC and DPAC. She has served as school trustee for the past two terms.

Nelson Allen is currently a school trustee. Nelson Allen is an experienced trustee fi rst elected in 1993 and has served as Board Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson and has chaired the major standing committees of the Board as well as the Facilities Planning Committee, the Policy Committee and the Audit Committee.

Bill Bard was born and raised in south/east Vancouver. For 16 years he was the owner of an entertainment business and has been involved in retail food.

Jamie Brennan currently works as a Mental Health Ad-vocate for the Community Legal Assistance Society. Before that, he worked as an Educational Counsellor for Malaspina University-College. He is running for his fi fth term as a Trustee for the Nanaimo/Ladysmith Board of Education. While a Trustee he has served as the Board Chair, Chair of the Business Committee and now the Chair of the Education Committee.

Nancy Curley is a labour relations offi cer with the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers Union and a vice-president with the Nanaimo, Duncan and District Labour Council.

Kim Howland has a business background, understands budgets, basic accounting principles, served on a number of boards, has worked in non-profi t and owned a local small business. She is a parent leader who has consulted, presented and facilitated education conversations with our education stakeholders at schools, in districts and provincially over the last 14 years.

Rosmy Jean Louis is fl uent in English, French, and Span-ish, has a PhD in Economics, Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with Specialization in Accounting, Chair, Department of Economics Vancouver Island University (VIU), Professor of Economics and MBA Instructor, Uni-versity instructor for 15 years, Chair, Finance Committee for North Cedar Improvement District and Trustee since 2006. He is married with wife Parisa and currently raising 5-year old daughter Kimiah in Cedar

David Murchie is a School Trustee who is also a married parent of 3 young boys, a self-employed analyst with a con-sulting business and a volunteer with several community or-ganizations. He is a volunteer at his neighbourhood school.

Dot Neary is a 20 year resident of Nanaimo, married to Brian for 30 years. They have two sons who both graduated in SD68. Neary was a small business owner-operator for nine years and worked in the retail sector prior to being elected as a SD68 Trustee in 2008. Throughout her children’s education

she was actively involved with the Parent Advisory Council and District PAC.

Bill Robinson: With support from Nanaiamo/Ladysmith teachers, Bill created the Our Hidden Heroes character educa-tion program, which grew across Canada. Recently Our Hid-den Heroes became part of www.TC2.ca, a highly respected international education consortium.

Noah Routley works as a Program Coordinator at the Phoenix Centre and as a Group Course Facilitator for the Ca-nadian Mental Health Association’s-Mid-Island Branch. He is an Advocate for C.M.H.A. His daughter is in Grade 7 and his son is in Grade 5. They have attended three schools in the district.

TerryLynn Saunders is a former Trustee on the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Board from 1993-2008. She is a homestay Mom to International students from Vancouver Island University. These past three years, TerryLynn has taken several business courses as well as a year of Mandarin Chinese. She volunteers for the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation and Litera-cy Central Vancouver Island where she currently serves as President, has kept her current with education issues.

Sharon Welch holds a Masters Degree in Leadership and has more than 20 years experience in teaching, management, and Human Resources. Sharon is a Rotarian and has served on the Board of Education for three years, past year as Chair.

For more on the Election visit www.take5.ca or visit us on Facebook

24 take5.ca NOV 2011

Festival Of LightsMark your calendars! On Thursday,

Nov. 24, Ladysmith will be celebrating its 24th Anniversary of Light-Up Night. Once again, the historic little town by the sea is being transformed into a magical wonderland with thousands of twinkling and sparkling lights. Festivities begin at 3 pm with a fund raising spaghetti dinner and the craft fair, followed by stage and street entertainment. Enjoy another daz-zling Kinsmen Parade along 1st Avenue, a jolly visit with Santa and the evening ending with the Ladysmith & District Credit Union spectacular fi re works dis-play. Come early and share in the excite-ment as Santa fl ips the big switch. www.ladysmithfol.com

$1000 “Hole in One”It sure felt good when Sue Ann Vir-

tanen sunk that hole in one to win the $1000 prize at Ladysmith Golf Appre-ciation Tournament. The contest is a wind up for the year and where the club thanks all the people and business that have helped and supported the club over the year in its endeavour to supply an af-fordable place for the residents and area to play golf. The Club also supports ac-tivities to promote youth golf by offer-ing free lesson to the youth of Ladysmith and area including a youth tournament.

New event coordinatorChemainus BC Busi-

ness Improvement Area (BIA) is pleased to announce the ap-pointment of Dee Kin-nee as Marketing and Event Coordinator.

The BIA, also known as Tourism Chemainus, works to boost economic development in down-town Chemainus. Kinnee will assist the BIA to enhance and promote existing events. Dee is already working with a volunteer group of merchants on the 6th Annual Chemainus Walking Tour. This fun fi lled day takes place on Sat Dec 3rd from 10am–4 pm. She also looks for-ward to contributing her time to Little Town Christmas on Dec 17.

Please let Dee know about your upcom-ing events and promotion ideas. Contact her at AlioopPromotions@gmail.com

Remembrance DayThe Royal Canadian Legion Ladys-

mith is planning its Remembrance Day.The schedule for Nov 11th is as fol-

lows: 10:30 am The Royal Canadian Le-gion Colour Party and Band will parade from the Legion Hall on First Avenue to the Ladysmith Cenotaph. 10:45 Remem-brance Day Opening Service. 11:00 am 2 minute silence honouring and remem-

bering those who sacrifi ced their lives to give us our freedom, followed by the laying of wreaths.

The Ladysmith Legion offers many activities: cribbage, poker, darts, pool and a monthly pub dinner. Every second and fourth Thursday, September through June, there is a soup and sandwich lunch in the lounge. On Wednesday mornings there is a painting class, and on Thurs-day mornings a line dancing class. The upstairs hall is available for rent for meetings or events. New members are welcome, a military background is not necessary to join. Application forms are available in the lounge.

Growing interest for kiwiGlorious fall weather made for a great

turnout at the 8th annual Kiwi Fest at Kiwi Cove Lodge. There are six variet-ies grown and the event highlights the ripening of the Arguta (grape like) kiwi. The harvesting is now fi nished for the exotic fruit.

Big Brothers get a handThe Vancouver Island Real Estate

Board (VIREB) donated $2,500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Van-couver Island. Jim Stewart, VIREB’s 2011 President said, “This fi ts well with VIREB’s Quality of Life philosophy. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Van-couver Island does such a great job of

Kinsmen parade is one of the highlights of Ladysmith’s Light Up. Photo: Duck Paterson

Sue Ann Virtanen. Photo: Rob Johnson

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supporting the community we are very pleased to be able to assist them with this donation.”

All Candidates MeetingLadysmith Chamber of Commerce is hosting an All Candi-

date Meeting, Nov. 8 from 7-9pm at Ladysmith Eagles Hall.Find out where the candidates stand on the issues that matter

to you. Make yours an informed vote. 250-245-2112

Two Festival of Trees There are two Festival of Trees planned in the community.The Chemainus Garden Holiday Resort is hosting a Festival

of Trees, a fundraiser for the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank. Tree decorating will be on Nov 21 with judging of the public’s favorite tree and viewings up until Jan. 4. Register by Nov. 15. www.chemainusgarden.com/festival-of-trees.

The 1st Annual Festival of Trees will be held at Mount Bren-ton Center (3850 South Oyster School Road) from Nov.26-Dec 4. Local business is invited to decorate a Christmas tree or Gin-gerbread House that will be sold through a silent auction with funds donated to the Chemainus and Ladysmith Food Bank. To reserve a tree and viewing details please call 250-924-7774.

New fl oor for Cedar HallOn Oct 21, dignitaries gathered to celebrate the completion

of Cedar Community Hall’s new fl oor recently installed in the heritage building. “The Cedar Community Hall has many fond memories for me which go back to my tender age of 14 when I fi rst attended dances here and when it was known as the Speed-way Hall” recalled Joe Burnett, RDN AREA A Director.

The Regional District of Nanaimo and Area ‘A’ Parks, Rec-reation and Culture Commission provided funding for improve-ments to the hall that has served the Cedar and adjacent Areas for 100 years in the amount of $48,000. The $27,000 in 2011 and $21,000 in 2012, represents the culmination of an agreement with the Cedar Community Association which owns the Hall. The Cedar Community Association is looking to increase the usage of the Community Hall and the Regional District is in

need of affordable locations for offering Area ‘A’ recreation and culture programs. Approving funds for improvements to the hall and developing an agreement for RDN’s rental of this facility are really benefi cial to both parties,” said Burnett.

In working together the two organizations can meet their re-spective service goals and the community as a whole will ben-efi t from the relationship in the short and long term.

Dan Porteous, Superintendent of Arenas and Southern Recreation Services, Regional District of Nanaimo Recreation and Parks Department, Jim Fiddick and Mayta Ryn of the Cedar Community Hall Association and Joe Burnett, RDN Area A Director admire the new fl ooring at Cedar Community Hall. . Photo: Marina Sacht

Jenny Craig strikes again

Late September, low 20’s, a cloudless sky, and summer was hanging on with the determination of a Stanley Cup fi nal-ist. We were in Victoria, attending a win-ery celebration dinner at a major hotel. A lucky man, I thought, standing there with a reception wine in hand, a spectacular view of Victoria’s Harbour before me, old friends in attendance, and my radiant wife alongside, ready, willing and able to surreptitiously provide the names of people I’d forgotten.

“John,” she said, whispering in my ear. ”He used to work for us, remember?”

An inkling that all might not be well in paradise arrived at our table shortly thereafter. It was billed as a “seared Bay Scallop”, and my fi rst thought was, “that poor scallop has had a hard life, it’s vast-ly under sized and needs a few friends to fi ll out the plate.”

It came with “watermelon carpaccio,” kitchen speak for a very small, incred-ibly thin piece of watermelon. There was also some “apricot dust” sprinkled on the plate, but I don’t know why, I certainly wasn’t going to snort it. The challenge was to stretch this one undersized scal-lop through the glass of pinot gris attend-ing it. That meant cutting it in half, not having the knife skills or the microscope required to cut it in three.

“Still think having a meager lunch was such a good idea,” my revengeful wife purred in my ear.

The next course was Roasted Sablefi sh and was served on grilled pineapple with a vanilla chardonnay gastrique, which is not an ailment of the esophagus but a French term for a sauce with sugar, vinegar and usually fruit. Why all this fuss for a one inch cube of fi sh, I don’t know. Once again, two bites maximum, one under normal conditions. My wife’s arched eyebrow, said it all. Never again will I suggest splitting a sandwich for lunch.

The next course was duck, surely that would bail us out. And it was prepared for the occasion, tarted up with a prune and 5-spice lacquer. Note to young read-ers: Lacquered is a condition my father would put himself in, usually on a Friday night. It also describes a hard, durable fi nish, which if you want to store your duck for, say, an extended period of time is a good thing.

Portion size was, you guessed it, two bites, which caused me to look for the chef’s name on the menu, and was it pos-sibly Jenny Craig? Fortunately the duck came with caramelized squash, at least enough to feed a ravenous fi eld mouse. It also came glazed with a Pinot-pine reduction. Unfortunately, it had been reduced a little too much and was bond-ed to the plate resisting all attempts to scrape it off with a piece of bread. Pine? A clump of pine needles rested on the plate. I slapped my wife’s wrist when she reached for it, a smidge of drool run-ning down her cheek.

The winery, which had been suckered into paying for this, was noted for big reds. I reassured my starving wife that the reason for the tiny fi rst portions was to save room for the big honking strip

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28 take5.ca NOV 2011

loin promised on the menu. When we heard groans of disappoint-

ment from the table next to us, who had been served fi rst, we knew trouble was afoot. We were delivered what the menu promised, a rare beef strip loin, truffl e poached quail egg, Cabernet paint, Mal-don salt.

Which might have worked had the beef not been so small it was completely hid-den by the quail’s egg. If you’ve never had a quail’s egg, there’s a reason for

it. Two dozen are required to make an omlette. You could hide a marble under one, but not something as large as a wal-nut. We watched as a man on the next table took one forlorn look at his steak before forking it down in one easy bite.

After the beef was located (Who would have thought to look under the quail egg?), we noticed the cabernet paint. It was aptly described, paint, and was at-tached to the plate as fi rmly as anything Cloverdale could provide. Tears of an-

guish fl owed from my wife as she des-perately tried to scrape it off with the remaining bread.

Maldon salt is considered to be the BMW of the salt world, and as anyone will tell you, German engineering can’t be beat. . Unfortunately, it was a no show, probably because there was nothing to put it on. Around this time my wife was trying to take bites out of anyone foolish enough to get close to the table.

The bottom line was we’d been there three hours and had eight bites of food, which works out to be 2.7 bites per hour. Later that evening, as we enjoyed our Macdonald cheeseburger, my wife said, “Next time we go to one of these func-tions, I’ll order lunch.”

“Yes dear.”(An excellent red to serve with your

steak, should you drag it out from under the quail’s egg, is El Petit Bonhomme, from Spain, #169383. $14.99.)

Delbert Horrocks is the co-proprietor at the Mahle House restaurant in Cedar. For more reading try Delbert’s blog, Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com

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Paddling on Maui, Kaua’i and the Big IslandBY PAUL GREY

When the Ed Gillett stepped on the beach in Kahului harbour after 64 days of paddling his legs crumpled and he sat down in the shallow water. A local, who was staggering along the beach, stopped and chatted with him. He asked, “Where did you kayak from?” Gillett replied, “California.” “That must have taken two or three days at least,” the guy answered. “Yeah,” Gillett said, exhausted. His last meal had been toothpaste. He talked the fellow into hauling his boat above the high tide line and made a beeline for a junk food breakfast.

Tourists largely arrive on a jet, a few come by cruise ship to Hawai’i. Most kayaking on Maui and the other islands is tailored to tourists not adventurers. However, there are some good trips for the more serious paddler, such as, the Na Pali coast on Kaua’i. On Maui my wife Imelda and I paddled as guests with

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not quite as numerous as in a remote location. Also, a permit is now needed to snorkel here. If you wish to rent a kayak and save some money apply online at the Department of Land and Natural Resources website.

Most people travel to Hawaii for a holiday. My summertime kayak partner lives in Maui and I’m hoping to visit him soon to visit some different areas. We’re going to a small bay to kayak with sharks. Guaranteed we won’t be practicing our wet exits or rolling there.

LMS Visitor Centre nears completionThe Ladysmith Maritime Society (LMS) will soon see com-

pletion of a vital part of its ambitious project, the $1.7 million LMS Visitor Facilities Upgrade Project. The Reception Centre, designed for community users and marine tourists alike, will become permanent feature of Ladysmith Harbour this autumn. Weather permitting, the Reception Centre, currently under con-struction in Bamberton, will be towed to the LMS Community Marina during the second week of November.

The 3000 sq.ft. Reception Centre, on a concrete fl oating platform, will be secured to pilings and moored near the LMS Maritime Museum and its collection of heritage vessels. The facility will be accessed by a newly-built ramp, with a specially designed wider, sturdier, more gently sloped approach for indi-viduals with mobility problems.

The new facility’s interior construction will continue at the LMS Community Marina, with completion slated for mid-De-cember. The completed building will provide quality amenities such as showers, laundry, and meeting areas for marine visitors and meeting rooms for various local functions including LMS member activities. It is envisioned that the Reception Centre will attract marine tourists to Ladysmith Harbour, thus boosting the local economy.

An important part of the project, to be installed on comple-tion of the Reception Centre, will be the fi rst Ladysmith Har-bour marine sewage pump-out station, designed for use by local boaters and visitors.

Construction of the LMS Visitor Facilities Upgrade Project is on schedule for the 2012 boating season, and is also on bud-get. LMS has been successful in securing funding from several provincial and federal funding agencies to cover the majority of the project’s elements. Thanks go to Western Economic Diver-sifi cation Canada; Island Coastal Economic Trust Fund; Com-munity Futures; and Enabling Accessibility Fund Canada.

South Pacifi c Kayaks on two trips. My wife, who is a sum-mertime paddler, loved the fi rst trip from Makena Landing. The guide gave us a short lesson on paddle strokes and then took us to a location called Turtle Town, the home of the endan-gered Hawaiian Green Turtle. Soon, we were snorkeling with this people-friendly reptile, watching it swim around looking for algae.

On the second adventure we paddled past the Pali Sea Cliffs on a stunning seven km, four and a half-hour round trip to a lighthouse. We were up early meeting our guide at 7 am. After the usual introduction on the beach we acquired our PFD, snor-kel equipment and other gear and headed out. On this trip you’ll get to snorkel in crystal clear waters and possibly see green turtles. If you are really lucky, you’ll kayak near some Hump-back whales. The guided trip costs around a hundred dollars per person and includes a deli lunch.

Kaua’i is the most northerly and oldest Hawaiian island. All in all it has ten rivers suitable for easy paddling in a kayak or canoe. I met Micco, the owner of Kayak Kaua’i at his Hanelei offi ce and booked two trips for my wife and I. Micco and his brother Chino completed many epic journeys in the 80’s in-cluding a fi ve month paddle along the Inner Passage (1981). However, their trips on Kaua’i are much easier and warmer. In my mind, the most enjoyable and easy adventure was a paddle to Secret Falls on the Wailua River. We rented and paddled a double to a trailhead and then hiked to the falls. Approximately, fi fty kayak-tourists were there, but I was the only who took a swim. It was quite refreshing on a hot day. We raced two young guys on the way back, beating them handily.

I had one not-so-great adventure on the Big Island. I bor-rowed an old, double sit-on kayak from a friend’s shop (the last one left that day) and discovered later it had a small hole in the hull. To make a long story short it started sinking on a 12 km paddle along a lava coastline. By the time I got to shore it had about forty extra pounds of water in it. I thought at fi rst my wife wasn’t paddling hard enough. I kept saying to her, “Are you paddling hard?” As the boat sunk, it was clearly slowing down. On any long trip now I inspect the hull and general condition of my boat, whether it’s rented or not.

An easy trip for you would be a guided tour from Kealakekua Bay to the Captain Cook monument on the Big Island. The small piece of land that houses the monument actually belongs to the British government. Imelda and I visited James for a few minutes and then snorkeled nearby. The place is a bit over vis-ited by catamarans or tourist-laden boats; the tropical fi sh are

Artist rendition of LMS Visitor Centre

RDN - Area ABY JOE BURNETT

Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw No. 1615

Following the initial fi rst and second reading of Bylaw No. 1615 2011 and amended second Reading, the RDN held Public hearings at two different loca-tions to provide better accessibility for residents living in different areas of the RDN. At a special Board meeting held Oct. 11, 2011, the RDN Board received a staff report on the Public Hearings and referred the RGS to member Municipali-ties and adjacent Regional Districts for their acceptance. Upon receipt of their approval the RGS Bylaw can be adopt-ed.

Cedar Main Street Design ProjectA community workshop was held

Oct. 22, with 35 residents in atten-dance. This was the fi rst in a series of public events that will be held during the Cedar Main Street Design Project. Where did the idea come from? Dur-ing the recent Electoral Area ‘A’ Offi -cial Community Plan (OCP) review the community expressed a desire to support community diversity, create and preserve community identity, and a sense of place, to provide opportunities for local govern-ment employment, services, also a range of housing types and sizes. In response the OCP includes a land use designation called “Cedar Main Street” which ap-plies to the lands located on both sides of Cedar Road between MacMillan and

Hemer Roads. OCP-Cedar Main Street Objectives and Policies are to provide opportunities for high quality pedestrian oriented mixed use development, and to obtain community amenities. The RDN shall encourage the provision of ameni-ties through rezoning applications i.e., riverfront park and trail, Cedar main street entrance signage, outdoor public space, community gardens, community servicing improvements, ornamental street lighting, side walks or pedestrian pathways, outdoor community market place, affordable housing, and recreation facilities. How does the project affect property owners within the plan area? This project is a planning exercise and no development activities are currently being contemplated by the RDN. The

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resulting Village Plan may support prop-erty owners initiating rezoning to permit the types of development identifi ed in the Cedar Main Street Plan or property owners may choose to do nothing and continue with their existing uses or may apply for an alternate use. It is up to the property owners what to do with their properties. What are the next steps? All information from the workshop and from the Technical Background Report will be compiled in preparation of a de-sign brief. All Area residents are invited to attend this design brief presentation on Nov 24 from 6:30 pm -9:30 pm at the Cedar Community Secondary School, 1640 MacMillan Road. So save this date. For the Technical Background Report and further information go to cedarmain-street@rdn.b.c.ca .

Local Government Elections Nov. 19.Nominations for qualifi ed candidates

closed on Oct.14. Four candidates sub-mitted nomination documents to run for Electoral Area ‘A’ Director. With all due respect for the residents of our com-munity who elected me to serve for two terms (six years) I have chosen not to seek re-election. It has been an honour and a privilege for me to represent you on the Regional District of Nanaimo Board. Thank you for all your support over the past six years. There has been a consid-erable amount accomplished during my tenures; particularly the Drinking Water Watershed program; establishing the Agriculture Advisory Committee which I had the pleasure to chair; plus the RDN Boards approval to proceed with an Ag-riculture Plan for the Region; establish-ing Area ‘A’ Recreation and Culture program/Master Plan - administered by the new Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission who also oversees the new Grants In Aid funding for non-profi t or-ganizations and groups; the completion and adoption of our new OCP which provides exciting opportunities for Area A to continue to develop socially and economically.

Area A is a great place to live with so much to offer so please exercise caution and wisdom when choosing the next Di-rector to represent you.

Stay safe and please vote on Nov. 19.Joe Burnett, telephone 250-722-2656;

email: quaillanding@shaw.ca

CVRD - Area HBY MARY MARCOTTE

Election Acclamation:I would like to thank all the residents

and property owners of Area H for al-lowing me another opportunity to serve as your elected representative for North Oyster/Diamond. I can honestly say that it is a privilege and an honour to repre-sent your interests at the Regional Dis-trict Board. I look forward to serving you in the coming term.

I am pleased to announce that Rob Waters, who has served as your Alter-nate Director for the last three terms, has agreed to continue serving in this posi-tion. Rob works in the environmental consulting fi eld and brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise when called upon. Thank you, Rob, for once again offering your services as the North Oys-ter/Diamond Alternate Area Director.

North Oyster Fire Protection Service Area Referendum:

Although there is no election for Area H Director, there is a reason to keep the voting dates on your calendar. After

more than six years of discussion, the proposal to construct two new fi re halls has been brought forward for a commu-nity decision. There are several oppor-tunities for you participate in the demo-cratic process.

You may be eligible to register and vote by mail if you have a physical dis-ability, illness or injury that prevents you from attending a voting place at any of the voting opportunities. For more de-tailed information about mail voting pro-cedures, contact the Legislative Service Division at 1-800-665-3955.

For those unable to vote on general voting day, advance polling is open on Nov. 9 and Nov. 15 from 8 am to 8 pm at the Island Savings Centre, 2687 James Street, Duncan, BC – formerly the Cow-ichan Community Centre, where the big hockey stick is displayed.

General Voting Day in British Colum-bia is Saturday, Nov. 19 from 8 am to 8 pm; our local election polling station is located at the North Oyster Elementary School, 13470 Cedar Road.

To be eligible to vote in this referen-dum, you must meet all of the standard

qualifi cations to vote in Local Govern-ment elections. You must be a Canadian citizen, 18 years of age or older on vot-ing day, have lived in BC for at least 6 months before you register to vote and have lived in the electoral area where you wish to vote for at least 30 days before registering. And you must also reside within the fi re protection service area that is serviced by the North Oyster Fire Department. Diamond residents are not eligible to vote in this referendum as the Diamond is serviced by Ladysmith.

There is also an opportunity to vote if you are a non-resident property owner. Different qualifi cations apply to Non-Resident Property Electors. If you are unsure whether or not you qualify to vote in the referendum, please con-tact the Legislative Service Division at 1-800-665-3955.

I encourage every eligible voter to get out and vote. This is a community decision that will determine the future of fi re services in the North Oyster Fire Protection Service Area for many years to come. Your vote will make a difference.

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CVRD - Area GBY MEL DOREY

You hear the phrase used a lot in government, “the country’s crumbling infrastructure”. That means roads, buildings, bridg-es, water systems, sewer systems, dams and ferries. Age is be-coming a factor in all of these because things rust, corrode and deteriorate over time. The whole country is in infrastructure defi cit. Saltair’s water system is no different.

The original Saltair water system was constructed by resident Al Sundquist in about 1960. He simply dug the ditches and placed the concrete asbestos pipe in the ditch and backfi lled it. He didn’t secure the pipe in a bed of sand like modern contrac-tors do for protection. To complicate things, concrete asbestos pipe is hard and brittle so forces in the ditch can break it. We have had situations where construction workers were working nearby fi xing the road or installing a telephone pole and have shook the ground enough to cause a leak even though they didn’t touch the pipe. We hate to think about a major earthquake. Our water system could be down for weeks or months.

Concrete asbestos pipe is apparently quite good if not dis-turbed. It can last a long time. And the asbestos itself is not a danger to human health in this form because it is fi xed into the concrete and can’t get into your lungs where it is a danger. But some of the fi ttings on our small lines are made of brass and electrolysis is corroding away the metal. A lot of those have been fi xed over the years.

The philosophy over the years has been to fi x the leaks and upgrade certain sections as money became available. Hopefully we will have fi xed all the weak spots and the system will be secure. We have received grants quite few times over the years. The last time was when we upgraded Knudsen Road to a six inch pipe which previously only had two inch galvanized pipe. And it was so corroded inside so that only a pencil sized hole remained to allow water through We still have some short sec-tions of this two inch galvanized pipe in the system that needs renewing. Not the whole system is falling apart. Some of the newer sections are made with plastic pipe and are solid.

One other problem with our system is that it needs looping on certain lines so that the water can circulate continually. The situation on Old Victoria Road last summer where they had an algae growth in the lines that gave a discolouration and odd odour may have been caused by poor circulation. We need to fi x this if it is the case.

It appears our philosophy has to change. We need to speed up our renewal rate. This was quite evident down on Gardner Road this winter where we had two serious water breaks. One took out the road at Punnet Close and other took Lyle Duxbury’s bank out. This area is one of the oldest sections of the system.

A meeting will be held in the old Mount Brenton School on Nov. 17, 7pm to discuss the water system. David Leitch of CVRD Engineering Department will review the situation and discuss needs. The CVRD has done studies to plan for the fu-ture of our water system. It looks like we will have to borrow money to speed up this renewal process. We could be looking at between $1.5 and $3.5 million depending on the course of ac-tion. A total redo of the system would be about $13 million but we are not looking at that as we don’t think it is necessary.

36 take5.ca NOV 2011

NovemberNov 1-6, 6pm, The Good Game, Ladysmith Little Theatre 250-924-0658Nov 1-10, Remembrance Week, Nanaimo Museum 100 Museum Way Nanaimo 250-753-1821Nov 1-30, 12pm, Photo Expo, Waterfront GalleryNov 1, 9am, Employment Navigators Workshop Resume 101, 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 1, 7pm, All Candidates Meeting, Chemainus Senior Drop-in Centre 250-246-2111Nov 2-30, 2nd Annual Mid-Island Phot Expo, Ladysmith Waterfront Art Gallery Nov 9, 9:30am, Employment Navigators21st Century Job Seach, 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 2, 6:30pm, Nanaimo Community Band Rehearsal, Dover Bay Secondary Band Room 250-722-3088Nov 2, 7pm, Yellow Point Singers Rehearsal Night, Cedar Secondary School 250-245-3727Nov 3-4, Shop by Candlelight, Hazelwood Herb Farm 250-245-8007Nov 3, 9am, Employment Navigators Workshop Crafting your Cover Letter, 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 3, 12pm, Youth Services Fair, Ladysmith Secondary School 710 6th Ave 250-245-6424Nov 3, 7:30pm, International Guitar Night, Port Theatre 250-754-4555Nov 3, 8pm, Monkey Junk, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 3,10,17,24, 9am, T.O.P.S. BC 4465 meeting, Pentecostal Church 4th Ave. Ladysmith 250-722-2613

Nov 4, 12pm, 22nd Annual Nanaimo Professional Craft Fair, 2300 Bowen Rd. 250-390-3995Nov 4, 8pm, Rukus, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 5, 10am, Crofton Art Group Show & Sale, Crofton Senior Center 250-246-3870Nov 5-6, 10am, 22nd Annual Nanaimo Professional Craft Fair, 2300 Bowen Rd. 250-390-3995 Nov 5, 11am, St. Mary’s Parish Annual Bazaar, 1135-4th Ave. Lunch Available 250-246-3779Nov 5, Veteran’s Dinner, Veterans free must reserve in advance 250-246-4532Nov 5, 7pm, 2nd Annual Mid- Island Photo Expo Gala Opening , Ladysmith Waterfront Art GalleryNov 5, 7pm, Open Mic Night, Dancing Bean Café 250-246-5050 Nov 5, 7pm, Ladysmith Texas Holdem Poker Night, Eagles Hall, ladysmithminorsoftball@gmail.comNov 5, 8pm, The Royal Canadians, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 6, 10am, Carol Craft Fair, North Oyster Community Hall 13467 Cedar Rd. 250-722-2556Nov 6, 10:30am, Remembrance Events –Bethel Tabernacle Church Service250-245-3031Nov 6-7, 11am, Mary Fox Studio Sale, 321 3rd Ave. LadysmithNov 6, 2pm, Hope King, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 6, 2:30pm, Benefi t concert Lena Birtwistle, Evan Miller & Sid Johnson Ladysmith First United 250-245-5774Nov 6, 8pm, Marc Ross, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 7-10, Remembrance Week exhibit, Nanaimo Museum 100 Museum Way Nanaimo 250-753-1821Nov 7, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Senior Drop-in Centre 250-246-2111Nov 7, 8pm, Jessie Brewster, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246

Nov 8, 9am, Employment Navigators Computer Basics for Beginners, 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 8, 7pm, All Candidates Meeting, Eagles Hall 921 1st Ave., Ladysmith 250-245-2112Nov 8, 8pm, Blues Tuesday, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 9, 9:30am, Employment Navigators Microsoft Word-Basics & Beyond , 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 9, 6:30pm, Nanaimo Community Band Rehearsal, Dover Bay Secondary Band Room 250-722-3088Nov 9, 7pm, Yellow Point Singers Rehearsal Night, Cedar Secondary School 250-245-3727Nov 9, 8pm, Wendell Ferguson, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 10, 8pm, Wendell Ferguson, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 10, 9am, Employment Navigators Workshop Resume 101, 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 10, 10am, Remembrance Events – Colour Party - Ladysmith Secondary School250-245-3031Nov 10, 10:30am, Remembrance Events – Colour Party – Lodge on 4th 250-245-3031Nov 10 -11, 12pm, 32nd Annual Christmas Chaos, Island Savings Centre 2687 James St. 250-748-7529Nov 10, 2:30pm, Remembrance Events – Colour Party – La Rosa 250-245-3031Nov 10, 4pm, Ramona Gregory opening reception, The Pottery Store 250-416-1411Nov 10, 5pm, 1st Anniversary Odika, An Evening of African Food, 2976 Mill St., 250-324-3303Nov 10 -12, 8pm, All the Great Books Abridged, Nanaimo Centre Stage 25 Victoria Rd 250-739-0721Nov 10, 8pm, Jon & Roy, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 11, 10:30am, Ladysmith Remembrance Events – Remembrance Day Parade 250-245-3031Nov 11, 10:45am, Ladysmith Remembrance Events – Opening Service 250-245-3031Nov 11, 10:45am, Chemainus Remembrance Events,

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Chemainus Cenotaph 250-246-4532Nov 11, 11am, Ladysmith Remembrance Events – 2 Minute Silence 250-245-3031Nov 11-Dec 31, Countryside Christmas, Chemainus Theatre Festival 250-246-9820 www.chemainustheatre.caNov 11, 8pm, Bonnie St. Croix, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 12, 9am, Pancake Breakfast, Chemainus Senior Drop-in Centre 250-246-2111Nov 12, 11am, St. John’s Anglican Church Victorian Christmas Bazaar, 314 Buller St., 250-245-8872Nov 12, 1:30pm, Holly Daze Tea, St. Andrew’s United Church 311 Fitswilliam NanaimoNov 12, 5pm, “A Night in Brazil” BC Purple Martin Recovery Program charity action, Coast Bastion Nanaimo gbears@island.netNov 12, 7pm, Dance – The Esquire’s, Chemainus Senior Drop-in Centre 250-246-2111Nov 12, 8pm, Doug Cox & Betty Soo, Dancing Bean Café 250-246-5050 Nov 12, 8pm, Murray Atkinson, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 13, 9am, Chemainus Legion Craft & Gift Fair, Chemainus Legion 250-246-4880Nov 13, 8pm, Anna Borch, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 14 – Dec 16, Registration for Christmas Hamper, 630 2nd Ave., 250-245-3079Nov 14, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Senior Drop-in Centre 250-246-2111Nov 14, 8pm, Wes Borg’s Comedy Night, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 15, 9am, Employment Navigators Workshop Resume 101, 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 16, 9:30am, Blood Pressure Clinic, Chemainus Senior Drop-in Centre 250-246-2111

38 take5.ca NOV 2011

Nov 16, 9:30am, Employment Navigators 21st Century Job Seach, 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 16, 9:30am, Probus Club of Ladysmith, Seniors’ Centre, 630 2nd Ave. 250-245-5965Nov 16, 11:30am, Lunch Soup & Sandwich, Chemainus Senior Drop-in Centre 250-246-2111Nov 16, 6:30pm, Nanaimo Community Band Rehearsal, Dover Bay Secondary Band Room 250-722-3088Nov 16, 7pm, Yellow Point Singers Rehearsal Night, Cedar Secondary School 250-245-3727Nov 16, 8pm, I Ain’t Dead Yet, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 17, 9am, Employment Navigators Workshop Crafting your Cover Letter, 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 17-20, 10am, Carols Crafters 3rd Annual Christmas Craft Fair, North Oyster Community Centre, 13467 Cedar Rd. 250-754-8905Nov 17, 7:30pm, Ladysmith Saltair Garden Club Meeting, First United Church Hall 250-245-5080Nov 17-20, Cedar Yellow Point Artisans present the 23rd Annual Country Christmas Tour www.cyartisans.comNov 17-19, 8pm, All the Great Books Abridged, Nanaimo Centre Stage 25 Victoria Rd 250-739-0721Nov 17, 8pm, Andy Sheppard, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 18, 1pm, Christmas Tea & Bazaar, Legion Auxiliary Br# 171 Ladysmith 250-245-1273Nov 18, 8pm, Coco Jaffro, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 19, Election Day various locationsNov 19, 9am, Artisans Market, Cowichan Neighborhood House, 250-246-3203Nov 19, 9am, Open House Cedar Ultimate Tanning & Nails, 1818 Cedar Rd. 250-323-4616Nov 19, 10am, Old Fashion Artisan’s Xmas Market, Aggie Hall Ladysmith 250-245-2112Nov 19, 1pm, Santa’s Stocking Tea, Brechin United Church Nov 19, 2-4pm, Women’s Fashions from WW1 – Roaring 20’s, Nanaimo Museum 100 Museum Way Nanaimo 250-753-1821Nov 19, 5pm, Pot Luck Birthday Parties, Chemainus Senior Drop-in Centre 250-246-2111Nov 19, 8pm, Tim Williams, Dancing Bean Café 250-246-5050 Nov 19, 8pm, Christa Couture/Cris Derksen/E.S.L., Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 20, 1pm, Federal Green Party Nanaimo – Cowichan AGM, Pacifi c Gardens Co Housing 347 7th St. NanaimoNov 20, 2pm, Sounds Like Treble, Rachel Perkyns & Dwight Siemens, St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church 250-246-4470Nov 20, 2pm, Washington & Cook, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 20, 8pm, Marianne Girard, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 21-25, Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary 2 Gift Shops on 4th Light Up Sale

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Nov 21-Jan 4, Festival of Trees, Chemainus Garden Holiday Resort 3042 River Rd., 250-246-3569Nov 21, 9am, Employment Navigators Preparing for an Interview, 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 21, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Senior Drop-in Centre 250-246-2111Nov 21, 5:30pm, Chronic Pain Support Group, Ladysmith Health Centre, 1111 4th Ave. Rm 101Nov 21, 8pm, Alex Vissia, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 22, 9am, Employment Navigators Computer Basics for Beginners, 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 22, 7pm, Dance – Happy Hans, Chemainus Senior Drop-in Centre 250-246-2111Nov 22, 7pm, Ladysmith Camera Club will visit Mid Island Photo Expo, Ladysmith Waterfront Art Gallery info@LadysmithCameraClub.comNov 22, 7:30pm, An Evening with Liona Boyd, Chemainus Theatre 250-246-9820Nov 23, 9:30am, Employment Navigators Microsoft Word-Basics & Beyond , 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 23, 6:30pm, Nanaimo Community Band Rehearsal, Dover Bay Secondary Band Room 250-722-3088Nov 23, 7pm, Yellow Point Singers Rehearsal Night, Cedar Sec. School 250-245-3727Nov 23, 8pm, Joey Wright, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 24, 9am, Employment Navigators Workshop Resume 101, 710 1st Ave. 250-245-7134Nov 24, 3pm, Festival of Lights Spaghetti Dinner, Eagles Hall 250-245-5888Nov 24, 3pm, Christmas Craft Fair, Aggie Hall 250-245-5888Nov 24, 4pm, Street Entertainment 1st Ave downtown Ladysmith 250-245-5888Nov 24, 6:30pm Cedar Main Street Design Project Free Community Workshop, 1640 MacMillan Rd. 250-390-6510Nov 24, 6:30pm, Santa Arrives Downtown to Light up Ladysmith 250-245-5888Nov 24, 6:45pm, Kinsmen Parade, Along 1st Ave to Aggie Hall 250-245-5888Nov 24, Festival of Lights Spectacular Fireworks display, baseball fi eld behind Aggie Hall 250-245-5888Nov 24, Maritime Radio Course, evenings for 2 weeks, FJCC 250-245-6424Nov 24, 8pm, Nomad, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 24-26, 8pm, All the Great Books Abridged, Nanaimo Centre Stage 25 Victoria Rd 250-739-0721Nov 25, 8pm, Ryan McMahon, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 26-Dec 4, Festival of Trees, Mount Brenton Center, 3850 South Oyster School Rd. 250-924-7774Nov.26, 9am, Christmas Pancake Breakfast with Santa by N.O.A.H.S. Cedar Community Hall 250-245-2559Nov 26, 9am, South Wellington & Area Community Association Christmas Craft Sale, Community Hall 1555 Morden Rd., Nanaimo 250-754-2820Nov 26, 10am, Chemainus Firehall Annual Craft Fair 250-246-3121Nov 26, 6pm, Dinner & Dance, Fuller Lake ABC Room 250-246-3401Nov 26, 7pm, Jazz Jam with the Islanders Jazz Group, Dancing Bean Café 250-246-5050Nov 26, 7pm, Entertainment High Street Coffeehouse 250-245-2909 Nov 26, 8pm, Christopher Arruda, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 27, Breakfast with Santa Sunday, Mount Brenton Center 3850 South Oyster School Rd., 250-924-7774Nov 27, 1pm, Provincial Green Party Nanaimo – Cowichan AGM, Pacifi c Gardens Co Housing 347 7th St. NanaimoNov 27, 2pm, iSacabuche! St. Paul’s Anglican Church 250-754-4611Nov 27, 8pm, Tim Williams, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 28, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Senior Drop-in Centre 250-246-2111Nov 28, 6pm, Halloween in Chemainus, Chemainus Secondary, 9947 Daniel St.

Nov 28, 8pm, Lena’s Living Room, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246Nov 30, 6:30pm, Nanaimo Community Band Rehearsal, Dover Bay Secondary Band Room 250-722-3088Nov 30, 7pm, Yellow Point Singers Rehearsal Night, Cedar Secondary School 250-245-3727Nov 30, 8pm, Food Basket Benefi t, Duncan Garage Showroom, 201-330 Duncan St. 250-748-7246

DecemberDec 1-4, Festival of Trees, Mount Brenton Center, 3850 South Oyster School Rd. 250-924-7774Dec1-3, 8pm, All the Great Books Abridged, Nanaimo Centre Stage 25 Victoria Rd 250-739-0721Dec 1-2, 1:30pm, Senior Tea, Mount Brenton Center 3850 South Oyster School Rd., 250-924-7774Dec 1, 6pm, Family Christmas, The Cotton Club 1975 Haslam Rd., 250-245-5157Dec 3-4, 10am, Michael Dean Studio Sale, 830 5th Ave. 250-245-8127Dec 3, 8:30am, LaFF Breakfast with Santa, Aggie Hall tkts purchased in advance at FJCCDec 3, 9am, Super Santa Saturday, shop LadysmithDec 3, 8pm, David Gogo, Dancing Bean Café 250-246-5050 Dec 3, 8:30pm, Jingle Bell Dance, Mount Brenton Center 3850 South Oyster School Rd., 250-924-7774 Dec 4, 10am, Carol Craft Fair, North Oyster Community Hall 13467 Cedar Rd. 250-722-2556Dec 4, 10:30am, St. Joseph’s School Pancake Breakfast & Bazaar. 9735 Elm St. ChemainusDec 7,14, 7pm, Yellow Point Singers Practice Night, Cedar Secondary School 250-245-3727Dec 8, 6pm, Family Christmas, The Cotton Club 1975 Haslam Rd., 250-245-5157Dec 10, 11am-4pm, Old Fashion Christmas, Nanaimo Museum 100 Museum Way Nanaimo 250-753-1821Dec 10, 6pm, Mount Brenton Power Squardron Christmas Lights Sail Past, Transfer BeachDec 11, 10am, Carol Craft Fair, North Oyster Community Hall 13467 Cedar Rd. 250-722-2556Dec 11, 6:30pm, 35th Annual Ladysmith Christmas Festival of Choirs, 1135 4th Ave.Dec 15-31, 6:30pm, Hickory Dickory Dock Ladysmith Little Theatre 250-924-0658Dec 15, 6pm, Family Christmas, The Cotton Club 1975 Haslam Rd., 250-245-5157

To submit or view our complete events calendar, visit www.take5.ca/events

40 take5.ca NOV 2011

Dead Bear BluesThe long haired one and I made our annual trip to Marshall

Lake last month. There are about 20 cabins on the lake, one of which is occupied all year by a woman in her sixties. It is almost an hour’s drive to any sort of civilization, so you have to admire her. Marshall Ridge on the south side and the Shulap mountains on the other, rise almost vertically from the lake except where a couple of creeks have formed a delta over a million or so years. Of course, this is where the cabins are. In the fall the grass is green and long and berry bushes are loaded, an ideal place for a bear to fatten up. This is where the trouble starts.

We were talking to Ann, who stays in her cabin most of the summer. She loves the animals and birds and feeds them pea-nuts and birdseed. Squirrels, chipmunks, Stellar jays, Clark’s nutcrackers, whiskey jacks all come to her feeder. She told us of a heron that had stalked and grabbed one of her chipmunks. Ann had run outside, startled the bird and it dropped its dinner. A happy ending. The bear stories are not so happy.

A few years ago a bear had smelled the seed that had fallen from the feeder and ripped off half of Ann’s porch to get at it. The bear also sniffed out a squirrel’s cache and dug a huge hole to get at the peanuts. Did the squirrel survive the winter with his store destroyed? The woman that lives there all year keeps chickens. The bear thought that these were wonderful snacks and grabbed one every now and then. With no fear of humans, it roamed the area, scaring people and destroying property. The end came when a dog tried to defend its territory and was mauled. The dog was rushed to Lillooet but died on the way. We had arrived and were unpacking when the dog got whacked and we heard its agonized howls. The lake was up in arms. Ev-eryone was packing a rifl e and a posse soon shot the bear. The dog and the bear were just doing what they do.

This area is not West Van or Whistler where bears are whacked regularly. A black bear broke into a pizza parlour in Whistler this fall and was bumped off because it was too uppity. Wherever people and bears rub up against each other, it is almost always people who are to blame when bears fi nd garbage, pizza or chickens, “yum”! to their liking.

We usually see bears or signs of them around Marshall Lake. This year we were told that a female grizzly and two cubs were hanging out at Brett Creek, about fi ve kilometers away. This mature sow lives in the area and we have seen her before but she is smart and knows that we are trouble. She stays away from the cabins and fl ees at any sign of humans and hopefully instills this fear in her cubs. We stayed away from Brett Creek.

A few days before we left, we were driving back to the cabin after a day trip. There was bear poop on the road that was not there when we left. Around the corner, there he was; a beauti-ful glossy black yearling within sight of our cabin. He stared at the truck and ambled down an embankment and sat eating fi re weed. After a few minutes he sauntered off towards the lake to hunt for frogs.

We saw no more of him and I hope he does not hang around, because if he does, he will come to a sticky end.

A young Black bear. Inset: Clarks Nutcracker. Photo: Rob Pinkerton

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42 take5.ca NOV 2011

Discovering Haida GwaiiThe view before me was nothing less

than spectacular. Located at the northern tip of Graham Island on Haida Gwaii sits North Beach. A remote coastline where the only thing between the ocean and forest is sand. It is met with East Beach which travels south for 90 km. These two beaches are joined by Rose Spit, Canada’s longest sand spit formation, and separates Dixon Entrance from Hecate Strait. As I stood on the viewing platform, halfway up Tow Hill, my heart began racing. In less than 12 hours, Joel, Ben (6), Liv (4) and I would begin the last adventure of our Haida Gwaii vacation. We plan on hiking North Beach and hopefully mak-ing it to the end of Rose Spit. Looking down at our fi nal journey, the past 7 days started to fl ash before my eyes.

The journey began as a journey itself. It takes 3 days to reach Haida Gwaii when travelling by ferry. One day to ride the bus from Nanaimo to Port Hardy. Another onboard BC Ferries Northern Expedition from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert. A 16 hour sail thru the spectacu-lar Inside Passage, beautiful even in the

pouring rain. Then the fi nal 6 hour sail from Prince Rupert to Skidegate mark-ing the end of day three. With long days of travel behind us, we could now begin our adventure on Haida Gwaii. While re-searching our trip, I read numerous times that residents are friendly and helpful. This was quickly noticed during our time spent in Sandspit. Due to poor weather we opted to stay at Captain Ron’s Guest Studio and reassess our travel plans. Zane, owner of Captain Ron’s, rolled out the red carpet by treating us to a salmon

Sitting amongst the last standing poles at SkedansThe remnant bow of the 1928 Pesuta shipwreck. Photos: Jill Collins

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and crab supper upon arrival. He offered use of his bikes, car and anything we else we might need while staying in the guest studio. Zane’s idea of a red carpet however is more of a rustic, battered old rug. The bikes looked kind of ride able, but I was not about to fi nd out. The car wobbled at speeds over 60km per hour and the studio was a work in progress. First impressions had me thinking “run now” but the experience turned out to be wonderful.

“Come on Mom!” shouts Ben. Reluctantly I turned my back to North Beach and followed the troops to the top of Tow Hill. It seems I am always at the back of the line watching Ben, Liv and Joel hike ahead. It was no different hiking the Pesuta Ship-wreck Trail near Tlell. (46 km north of Queen Charlotte City on Graham Island.) The 10 km trail lead us through a moss covered forest to the pristine Tlell River, along the dunes of East Beach and arrived at what remains of the Pesuta. In 1928 the Pesuta, a log barge, breached on the sandy shores while crossing the Hecate Strait during a fi erce storm. As gale forced winds crashed waves against the remnant bow, it became quite evident how the barge had sealed its fate.

We made our fi nal approach to the top of Tow Hill, a 357 foot huge outcrop of basalt columns formed by volcanic rock 2 mil-lion years ago. Thankfully today the wind was not as strong. Part of our adventure was to learn as much of the Haida culture as possible. An interpretive sign told the story of Tow Hill, a tale of two brothers (mountains) whose mother gave a dog fi sh to only one. The brother without the fi sh became angry and left, search-ing for a new place to call home. Along the way he dropped rocks until fi nally resting alongside the Hiellen River. Reading this story to the children instantly took me back to K’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans) and our experience with the Haida culture.

On the northeast corner of Louise Island is Skedans, a Haida village that, at its height, had between 26 to 30 longhouses. In the late 1800’s more than 50 monumental poles and fi gures were recorded. Getting to the ancient village site requires using one of many tour guide companies. Moresby Explorers offers a zodiac day tour to Skedans with stops at an abandoned logging camp, old settlements and a pleasant trip through Louise Nar-rows. Emily Carr was famous for capturing images of Skedans

through her paintings and I recall images of frontal poles tower-ing above longhouses in her work. At the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, several poles are on display revealing the artistic talent of the Haida. So when the zodiac made its fi nal approach into Skedans, I was shocked by what I saw. There are only a few carved memorial and mortuary poles left standing. Oth-ers have fallen and are slowly being taken over by the land. The detail on the few poles left standing is so deteriorated that without our tour guide pointing out the features, I would never had deciphered the carvings. During the tour the children were respectful and attentive but both agreed the best part was the bumpy boat ride. Splashes and all.

Leaving the top of Tow Hill’s viewing platform I said, “I can’t wait to start hiking tomorrow.”

“Me too.” Replies Ben.“Me too.” Replies Liv.We headed down exactly how we arrived. Joel, Ben and Liv

out front and me following behind. I relived the past 7 days while walking up Tow Hill but now focused on the adventure ahead of us. We have never hiked great distances along a beach before. Were we ready? Hiking along North Beach requires us to pack all our own water and we will be exposed to the el-ements the entire time. Will the weather cooperate? I wish I could answer all these questions ahead of time. Instead I trust our experience and preparedness to get us through it all.

to be continued…Follow the adventures of Jill Collins and her family in their

year long challenge to fi nd fi ve living things on every adven-ture. Check out the living things they found on Haida Gwaii by visiting www.facebook.com/Onthebeatenpath

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Here are some of the people behind the business. They are your neighbours, your friends and help fuel the local economy.

49TH PARALLEL PRINTERS not only provides print ser-vices but is a local business providing high-end creative ser-vices from branding and advertising to graphic design.

Lesley Parent, manager of the print shop since 2006 and a 32 year employee of the 49th Parallel family, has recognized that the community is demanding progressive and quality services. As winner of the Chamber of Commerce Spirit Award for Ser-vice Employee of the Year in 2009, Lesley strives to lead the business in a new direction by providing exceptional customer service, quality design and print services.

The team of professionals can assist you with all your design needs, from brochures to vehicle wraps. David Metcalf offers over 15 years of print business knowledge as a former owner of a print company. Award winning art director/graphic designer

Dean Parker brings his expertise to the business. His past ac-counts have included West Jet, Shell, Mac’s and Crime Stop-pers. Their newest addition, Tracey De Frane, brings her com-munity leadership and marketing expertise. Make Your mark on the world! 49th Parallel Printers is located at 940 First Av-enue, Ladysmith, BC. Call 250-245-1200 or email printers@the49th.com

49th Parallel Printers, Dean Parker, David Metcalf, Lesley Parent Tracey De Frane. Photo: Loyola van Rooyen Buck

46 take5.ca NOV 2011

NANAIMO SOUTH CONNECT HEARING CLINIC The Nanaimo South Connect Hearing clinic tries to reach out to the community to give the best service they can, helping people with all their hearing needs. They work closely with the Lions Hearing Aid program. Located downtown and walking distance from the Gabriola ferry, they are wheelchair accessible and have lots of easy parking available. Connect Hearing Nanaimo South Clinic is known for their good coffee and friendly staff. Going the extra mile for our clients is part of what they do well and recognizing that their clients are what makes them successful. At the Nanaimo South Clinic you’ll fi nd Jon Waterhouse, Area Manager, Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioner, Alaina Baker, Registered Audiologist and Registered Hearing Instru-ment Practitioner, Anita Abbott, Area Supervisor, Customer Care Representative, Ann Saunders, Customer Care Represen-tative. Ann Saunders enjoys practicing and playing new songs on her mandolin. Jon enjoys the outdoors and hiking with his family. Anita has fun volunteering and is an active member of the Nanaimo Hub City Lions Club. Alaina is an avid cyclist and participates in rides for cancer. www.connecthearing.ca and 250-245-8140.

PAUL MYCROFT DESIGN specializes in providing highly-effective, well-designed websites for small-to medium-sized businesses, local organizations and individuals, which are easy to up-date, rank well in the search engines, and integrate with your latest email newsletter campaigns. Their gold standard email marketing tool offers everything a business needs to run affordable, successful campaigns to deliver strong, branded messaging in both desktop and mobile devices while developing customer loyalty. Having lived in four countries and with a background in printing and graphics, Paul Mycroft is the force behind the business. Over the years, he has developed a strong sense of what makes good design, building strong relationships with successful

Connect Hearing Nanaimo South clinic: Ann Saunders, Alaina Baker and Jon Waterhouse. Photo: Rob Johnson

Paul Mycroft, the force behind Paul Mycroft Design

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clients from Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. He prides himself on delivering the personal atten-tion, customer service and support that you won’t get from a large agency, and has never missed a deadline. Visit www.paul-mycroft.com or call 250-245-8777.

PHANTOM SCREENS Russ and Winifred McKinnon are the Vancouver Island Distributors of Phantom Screens, the original, high quality, retractable screen. The brand name of PHAN-TOM is renowned with the retractable screen door concept which was originally designed in Holland and brought to Canada in 1992. The McKinnons run a a home-based busi-ness that consists of a team of installers, of-fi ce staff, dealers and referral agents. They offer their product line of doors and win-dow screen systems throughout most of the Vancouver Island com-munities, including the Gulf Islands. Phantom Screens are the right choice for an elegant and quality screening product for any door or window. Besides the Manufacturer’s Lifetime Warranty, Russ and Winifred offer their own Person-al Satisfaction Guarantee that every customer will love their Phantom Screen, both the product and the installation. The cus-tomer’s satisfaction and positive word-of-mouth referrals are the hallmark of their success. The screens are manufactured in Abbotsford and distributed to all of North America and beyond. Russ is a retired member of the RCMP. Both Russ and Winifred

Winifred and Russ McKinnon of Phantom Screens

participate in a variety of organizations including the Canadian Home Builder’s Association, Comox Valley Home Based Busi-ness Association & a variety of networking groups. Winifred (aka Fred) held a rewarding position as a Marriage Commis-sioner and offi ciated 360 weddings throughout the Comox Val-ley. www.PhantomScreen.ca 1-888-PHANTOM (742-6866)

BUSINESS WORKS is a federally-provincially funded Self-Employment Program covering the mid-island area and offer-ing business coaching, training and workshops. The duration is 48 weeks to receive support for business development. 250 participants have become self-employed with the help of the Business Works program in the past four years. 86%: gradu-ates who continue to be proud business owners. One successful graduate is Ronine Sharp, The Memory Nurse, sponsored by Ladysmith Pharmasave to speak at the Fall 2011 Health and Community Services Fair last month at LSS. Award-winning alumni include Judith Chinn of JAC GEODesign, who won the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce Sterling Award for Best New Business; John Close of Lush Eco Lawn, this year’s recipient of the Duncan Black Tie award for Green Business; and Tracy Hamilton of Three Point Creative, who won the Rotarian of the Year award. Visit www.businessworksse.com today for eligibility requirements and turn your idea into a Business that Works! 250-741-1527, 1-877-741-1527 if outside Nanaimo

48 take5.ca NOV 2011

A visit with Jean Crowder, our member of parliament

Every Federal election, we, the voter gets caught with all the campaigning and political rhetoric, and then voting for a person to represent us in Ottawa. Then, after the election, we have a tendency to forget all about our local representative, and the job they are asked to do for us, as we carry on our daily lives. It can be diffi cult to meet with our elected offi cial, because of the amount of time they have to spend in Ottawa, and their busy sched-ule when they are back in the riding. It is unlikely that many of us would have an

opportunity to go to Ottawa to meet with them, to see what they do while they are representing us. I was fortunate to have been able to go to Ottawa and arrange a meeting with our member of Parliament Jean Crowder. She agreed to fi ll me in with a snapshot of her day.

Being a Member of Parliament is more than a full time job. Jean has represent-ed our consistency for seven years and knows that she has to put in many 12 to 18 hour days in Ottawa. In our present parliament, the NDP is the offi cial op-position, and it is their job to hold the government accountable for their actions and to ensure they develop polices that use our money wisely and benefi t the country as a whole. The leader of the of-fi cial opposition has assigned Jean a key role as the Critic for Human Resources and Skills Development. In past Parlia-ments she has been the NDP Critic for Aboriginal Affairs, Health, Community Economic Development, the Status of Women, Western Critic for Forestry, and Deputy Critic for Western Fisheries.

When in Ottawa, there is little time for a social life as work takes up most of the day. She maintains a second home in Ottawa although it is a small apartment where she can unwind by reading a book or preparing for the next day. When the House is not sitting she can go back to her real home on Vancouver Island, but she doesn’t get to relax much there either as she still has to spend much of her time dealing with constituents’ concerns and going to public events to meet with the electorate. In Ottawa, her day is a series of activities that arrange from sitting in the house to asking pointed questions of the Government. Committee meetings also take up much of her time. She feels that she and other experience members of her party have an obligation to return the mentoring that she received when fi rst elected, so she is also mentoring the newly elected members of her party in their duties.

She takes her role as a critic seriously, and point out that her role is to serve all the people of Canada, and especially those of her Nanaimo-Cowichan riding regardless of their political affi liation or preference. Jean maintains an open door policy and welcome emails and phone calls. She points out that this can be diffi cult because when she is in Ottawa there is a three hour difference between there and here., but this should not deter anyone from asking for her help. Duncan 250-745-4896, Ottawa 1-866-609-9998, jean@jeancrowder.ca

Jean Crowder, Nanaimo-Cowichan MP. Photo: Rob Johnson

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CLASSIFIED ADSPAINT & 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 over 25 years. Call Harvey 250-245-2174

DRIVING LESSONS: Approaching Road Test time? Need an Evaluation of your driving skills? Collision Avoidance Training. Road Test Package Discounts. Gift Certifi cates available. 49th Parallel Driving School 250-416-1606 or 250-619-2713

AJ’S PLUMBING & GAS FITTING Licensed, Bonded, Insured, Quality work, prompt service. 12 years experience. Installations, repairs, renovations. No travel charges on time, every time. Free Estimates call 250-802-7123

LIGHTWORKS WINDOW WASHING and gutter cleaning. Careful & considerate. Call David 250-722-3599

GOT GRANITE? Have your Granite and Marble Countertops professionally sealed and buffed. Kitchens starting at $75. We do tile as well! SealTech Specialties Call Stuart at 250-734-2681 www.sealtechspecialties.com

PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SERVICE: leash em & walk em with Marlena. Insured & 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.

HOUSE CLEANING – Careful and conscientious 2 hours minimum call David 250-722-3599

HOME BUDDIES PET & HOUSE CARE since 1994. Licensed, Bonded, Insured. Professional, kindhearted, experienced & reliable care for all pets. Pet First Aid

and CPR Certifi ed. Certifi ed Security Professional through Westguard Security. When loving care & security are essential, Peggy Wildsmith 250-245-0151

BOBBY’S MINIHOE & CLEANUP Landscaping, lot clearing, debris removal, excavating, small deliveries with dump trailer, mulch, lawn soil, garden soil, driveway chip, serving Nanaimo, Cedar, Ladysmith & area call Bobby 250-713-4970

OFFICE SPACES -Downtown Ladysmith, modern, ac, renovated, wired, reasonable rent or lease. 250-245-3395

FALL CLEANUP!, weeding, digging, raking, etc. Cheerful and conscientious. Call David 250-722-3599

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

SEMI RETIRED MASSAGE THERAPIST working in Cedar By The Sea $65 an hour session 250-722-2669

OVERCOAT PAINTING - Professional - Reliable - Reasonable. Operating 6 years in Ladysmith. No job too small. Will do minor painting repairs. Special senior rates. Call Heather McIntosh for a free estimate. 250-245-5557

FALL YARD CLEAN UP Programs on now including leaf and yard waste removal. We trim hedges, & bushes. Call 250-618-6660 pr.dunn@shaw.ca Dunn Lawn & Garden. Fully Insured.

AGILE HOME REPAIR & IMPROVEMENT For all your carpentry and home repair needs From repairing/replacing siding, decks, fences to interior fi nishing including home ventilation. Fully insured, call Ian 250-714-8800

50 take5.ca NOV 2011

HANDCRAFTED GEMSONE NECKLACES. Jade, garnet, lapis, aventurine and more! $20 each. See jewelry table at Campers Corner Saturday fl ea market, 8am-3pm 250-245-3829

QUALITY RENOVATIONS, big or small. 25 yrs exp/journeyman, affordable. For a free estimate call Lars 250-616-1800

ISAGENIX DISTRIBUTOR - Get Lean & Healthy Fast - Less than $5/ meal. Our protein shakes are amazing! - No Gluten, Wheat, Barley or Trans Fat. Suzanne Deveau 250-245-8407

KAREN’S INDUSTRIAL SEWING alterations and repairs, from Grad and Wedding to heavy work clothes and accessories. Can also do Manufacturing and Prototypes. 2nd Ave. Ladysmith for appt. call Karen 250-245-7945

M MCNEIL CONTRACTING. Doing it Right the fi rst time and on Budget!! Excavating / Demolition /Hoe Pack and Breaker. / Lot Levelling Hitachi 135 – Linkbelt 75 – Bobcat – Dump Truck Call or email Mike today for a free quote! 250-714-9125 mmcneil@telus.net

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

HANDICAP SPECIALIST - are you handicapped? Would you like to keep your independence? You can do that with modifi cations to your home, bathrooms, kitchen, kitchen cupboards, handy cap ramps for you and your dog. To discuss and have a free estimate, call Dan or Cathie 250-667-6223

CLAIRVOYANT HEALER-Kalavati Gloria Yates, Spiritual Counselor, Healing

Facilitator. Meditation and Spiritual Development offering private sessions in person or via skype. New classes starting in November. www.kalavati.ca 250-714-0034

NEW 2 BEDROOM HOME FOR RENT in Rocky Creek Village. Adult oriented. Available now $900 per month. NS, pets allowed on approval. Phone 250-245-7503 or 250-713-7555 dsneudorf@shaw.ca

LADYSMITH KYOKUSHIN KARATE Traditional Japanese Karate. Adult classes 12yrs and up. Beginners always welcome. Start anytime. call Brad 250-245-1352

THE LADYSMITH HEALTH CARE AUXILIARY needs new volunteers for our Thrift Store and gift shops. If you have 3-4 hours of spare time each week, and want to make a valuable contribution to your community, please come to the Thrift Store for an application, or check out our website. www.ladysmithhealthcareaux.ca for information and an online application

NOW OPEN! Mid-Island Home Support – serving Chemainus to Nanaimo. Available for personal, respite, palliative care, housekeeping, meal preparation. Qualifi ed, certifi ed, reliable and personalized care. Call 250-924-2273 or email mid-islandhomesupport@shaw.ca

PERSONAL COACHING INTENSIVE guaranteed results: muscle toning – strengthening – detoxing health. Combined ancient and modern proven fi tness methods create fast, lasting results. $48/hr or $295 8/sessions Discount 45+ 250-245-8188 infi t@hotmail.ca

MUSIC LOVERS! Sacabuche! An acclaimed Early Music ensemble from Indiana performs at St. Paul’s Anglican, Nanaimo, 2 pm, Nov. 27. A Benefi t for Nanaimo Conservatory of Music. Call 250-754-4611 for tickets

LEARN A LANGUAGE Small groups, conversational approach, excellent teachers.French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Mandarin and more. Ongoing registration WENTWORTH COURT LANGUAGE CENTRE, 517 Wentworth, Nanaimo 250-716-1603

CEDAR WORLD HAND-DRUMMING CLASSES $15 per lesson, includes drum use. 3:30 - 4:30 at Cedar United Church meeting room. Ages 5 - 105. Sundays Nov. 13, 20 and Dec. 4th. One Saturday class offered Nov. 26th. Everyone welcome. Register phone 250-245-5778

FAMILY PORTRAIT for Christmas Gifting! marinasacht@yahoo.ca for samples

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NEED DAYCARE? Stay at home mom, looking for kids to fi ll daycare spots. I have my fi rst aid, and early childhood education license. Please call Amanda for more information. 250-924-3600

ESTATE SALE Nov.26-27 9am to 4pm 3159 Adshead Rd.in Cedar Contents of old farmhouse.

RED STAR EMPORIUM PIERCING & TATTOO 22 High St. Ladysmith. Monday – Thursday by appointment only, Friday – Sunday noonish til whenever 250-713-5955 redstarladysmith@gmail.com

CEDAR HERITAGE DUPLICATE BRIDGE 1644 MacMillan Road, Cedar Join us every Tuesday @ 1:30 pm Excellent instruction by Rosemary Spratt (intermediate/advanced) includes coffee/tea/fun 250-722-2656; 250-722-3399; 250-716-1245

BRIDGE PLAYERS /REFRESH/LEARN/PLAY The Current Popular Style with Brian Atkinson, Thursdays @ 1:30 pm Cedar Heritage Centre, 1644 MacMillan Rd. Coffee/Tea/Fun 250-722-2656; 250-722-3546; 250-722-3399

SAVE $$$ WITH GORD’S YARDWORKS LOW RATES-it’s yard cleanup time and I will haul it away. Ask about all my services and seniors discounts. 250 246 3640 250 210 3860 e mail gordsyardworks@shaw.ca

LOOKING FOR hand crafted Ornamental Gates Truck & Marine accessories see us as Jora Design welding & fabricating shop located at 656 Pine St Nanaimo 250-591-5772, 250-713-5672 joradesign@shaw.ca

C.E. TYSDAL, www.ctysdal.com, hosts acrylic painting workshops Nov. 10, 12, 20, 27th at Michael’s, Nanaimo, $25.See Grumbacherart.com/classes for times - call 250.390.5309. Regarding in-home instruction phone 250-245-7682.

NO WEDDING TO BIG OR SMALL. Contact Rivington Photography to capture your special day. Wedding package includes; unlimited images, high resolution DVD of all pictures, Select images professionally retouched, usage & copyright release. Includes engagement session rivington-photo.com, rivfoto@hotmail.com 250-732-5419. Sample photos available. See our portfolio online.

HOUSE TO SHARE, North Oyster, large fenced yard, patio, kitchen, laundry, living room. Separate bedroom. Utilities included. $400. Pets negotiable. 250-245-0030

CLASSIFIED ADS work and are now online with weblinks. Submit ads at ads@take5.ca .or 250-245-7015 or visit www.take5.ca

On snobberyAmidst the chaos of the United States

economic woes, England being pum-meled and burned by rioters, and us B.C.ers (rightly or wrongly, we’re still unsure) wondering whether we had a summer or not, an interesting little news item fell by the wayside.

Current Directions in Psychological Science recently published a study which found out that, wait for it, rich people are rude. Apparently this study discovered that people from upper-class backgrounds consistently lack empathy, social engagement, generosity, and sensi-tivity compared to lower class people.

Now, we’re not going to use this study to grab the low hanging fruit before us. Poke fun at the rich? Please. No, it’s another part of the study that caught our eye. During the study, researchers found that the rich people’s behaviour is SO distinct that even simple and naive observers are able to detect a person’s socio-economic background based on a mere 60 seconds of interaction.

This is where the trail gets interesting. It’s perfectly understandable to pick up on whether a person is a rich snob or not in 60 seconds. For example, if you’re reading this in the Wheaty or the Sporty right now and you’re hearing somebody complain that there isn’t an ‘88 Zinfan-del being served or there’s a lack of Grey Poupon for their hot dog, then that per-son is a snob. And probably rich, too, as money and snobbery go together like rap stars and monstrous egos.

No, we’re more interested in what things a naive observer could pick out in any group of people because those traits are so obvious. We started paying closer attention to our day to day dealings with

people. We noticed some intriguing things.

For example, any mention of the words ‘shoe’ and ‘sale’ in the same sentence makes certain (read-ALL) females un-naturally excited. A person that has to take his socks off to count to 10 can usually be found rooting for the Toronto Maple Leafs on a Saturday night. People that have nicknamed their guns and feel that we need to build more jails to hold hardened criminals such as pot smokers, convenience store shoplifters, and jay-walkers voted for Stephen Harper in the last election.

Now, we know, we know, we shouldn’t be basting an entire group of people > with the same turkey baster. If we did that, we’d believe that all Muslims are suicide bombers, that all of our youth are hood-lums, and that all Newfi es are goofy.

And that just wouldn’t be right, would it? That’d mean we were so judgment-al we would naturally assume that rich people are all snobs.

We’re much better than that, aren’t we?

54 take5.ca NOV 2011

www.royallepageladysmith.ca

www.themilezero.com