Comox Valley Echo, April 8, 2014

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Volume 20, No. 28

Telus plans giant telecoms tower at Merville By Philip Round Echo Staff

Site of the future 153-bed hospital in Courtenay which is expected to open in 2017

Olympic-sized companies chosen to finance and build two new hospitals By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff A slate made up of large Canadian and international companies, some of which have been tasked with constructing recent Olympic Games infrastructure, has been selected to finance, build and manage two new North Island hospitals under a Public Private Partnership (P3) structure. On April 4, Island Health announced it had selected Tandem Health Partners as the preferred proponent for establishing a 153bed hospital in Courtenay and a 95-bed hospital in Campbell River, ushering in a group of companies that includes Balfour Beatty Capital Canada Ltd., Graham Design Builders LP and Stantec Inc. “This is a huge milestone for us, for Island Health and for everybody who lives and works on North Vancouver Island,” said Tom Sparrow, chief project officer for the North Island Hospitals Project (NIHP), noting the acute care facilities are on target for a 2017 completion date. “We’ve been so busy working on this.” Gracorp Capital Advisors Ltd., Connor Clark & Lunn GVest Traditional Infrastructure LP and Honeywell International Inc. round out the team that will now enter into negotiations to hammer out the complex financial relationships necessary to allow the health care facilities to come to life. “When you’re looking at the financing of

Tom Sparrow, Chief Project Officer these projects there’s an equity component and debt component,” explained Mark Romoff, president and CEO of the Canadian Council for Private Public Partnerships. “The thing about these arrangements is it’s a fixed price contract and the responsibility or risk is transferred from the public sector to the private sector.” Balfour Beatty is on a roll in BC, as they recently locked down a P3 contract with the Provincial Health Services Authority in January. Sparrow said while NIHP negotiations

are strictly confidential it’s likely the final numbers will look quite similar to the deal struck between the firm and the province for the $350 million BC Children’s & BC Women’s Redevelopment Project. There the company will shoulder 70 per cent of the equity - representing a $16.5 million investment. And in that case Balfour Beatty Construction and Ledcor Design Build will build the facility in a 50/50 partnership, while Balfour Beatty Communities and Black & McDonald Limited will manage the facilities for 30 years, also in a 50/50 deal. “Over the next few weeks we’ll be negotiating various parts of the project,” Sparrow said. “We break teams off so they can work specifically on each area.” Balfour Beatty recently won a $281 million contract to convert London’s Olympic stadium into the new home of the West Ham United soccer team. It also built the Olympic Park’s pool and constructed bridges and roads ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympics. The recent good news for the international company follows a year where its UK business hit rocky waters, causing two profit warnings and a drop in first-half underlying profit. The prominent division was completely reorganized after a review revealed poor project management and uncompetitive bidding had led to the loss of $91 million in profit. (Continued on page 2)

Telus Mobility has unveiled plans for a 200ft-high telecommunications tower close to the Inland Island Highway on the outskirts of Merville. It is about the tallest freestanding lattice steel structure that can be built in windy areas without additional support from guy wires, such as those used to secure radio and television transmission masts. Details were set out by Rapinda Basi, a representative of Altus Group Ltd. - which is working on behalf of Telus - at yesterday’s meeting of Comox Valley Regional District’s electoral areas services committee. The proposal is out for public consultation until May 6, although the final decision on whether it gets the go-ahead will not be made by the regional district, but by Industry Canada - a federal government department. Basi said 27 million Canadians subscribed to wireless services, and in BC, 82 per cent of customers had a cell phone or other wireless device - sometimes several. Telecommunication companies like Telus were striving to ensure ever-better service, especially as the majority of 911 calls were now made via cell phones. The proposed site for the structure was within a treed area at 6520 Fortnum Road, which would help mitigate at least some of the visual impact. Access to the property to build and equip the 62-metre structure, along with its small unmanned equipment shelter at the base, would be by way of an easement over neighbouring land to Winn Road. That route would then be used as access for future maintenance. The main reason for erecting the mast was to improve wireless service to along a nine kilometre stretch of the Inland Island Highway, he explained, but it would also offer some more localized benefits by improving the strength of wireless signals in nearby parts of the rural area. In answer to questions from rural Area C director Edwin Grieve, Basi said if other telecommunication companies wanted to put their antennae on the structure to improve their own services, Telus would seek to negotiate service agreements with them in line with federal guidelines. Committee chair Bruce Jolliffe (Area A) said it was imperative rival companies like Rogers and Bell co-located equipment to avoid multiple towers or masts being constructed. Basi said the tower and its infrastructure - including, potentially, microwave dishes - would not directly address the issue of poor internet access in the area. (Continued on page 2)

Double dipper facing charges after stolen bike is spotted By Philip Round Echo Staff Keir Hamilton’s bike has been found - and the person who allegedly took it is facing double dipping charges from the RCMP. As reported in Friday’s Echo, Courtenay resident Keir Hamilton used the red bike with its distinctive ‘TPBC’ initials as part of his rehab program after sustaining a spine injury in a workplace accident. But a week ago it went missing from the carport outside his home

Keir Hamilton is happy to get his bike back

close to downtown, and he posted a plea for its return on Craigslist. He didn’t get the bike back - but was overwhelmed by the messages of support from the community, noting that even when bad things happen it was an awesome place to live when there was so much goodwill out there. The day after the Echo shared his story, a reader was heading in to do a spot of shopping at Walmart and noticed a bike outside that looked very much like the one described in the article.

So much so, said RCMP Const Don Sinclair, that a call was put in to the local detachment to alert police. They went to the store’s parking lot and waited for someone to return to the bike to ask them more about its ownership. When that person did emerge from the store, it not only became clear the bike was the one that disappeared from Hamilton’s home, but also that the person returning to it appeared to have been shoplifting while in the store. “Inquiries are continuing but I can

confirm charges are being recommended both in relation to the theft of the bike and to stolen goods from the store,” said Sinclair. As for Hamilton, he said he was thrilled to be getting the bike back, and grateful to both the Echo for highlighting the story and to the person who called the police. “What an unbelievable day,” he said. “It just underlines the great community we live in that people are looking out for each other even when they are total strangers.” pround@comoxvalleyecho.com

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Ecole Robb Road finalist in outdoor classroom contest School is seeking the public’s support, encouraging people to vote By Michael Briones Echo Staff Ecole Robb Road needs your vote. In yesterday morning’s assembly, staff, students and parents kicked off the campaign to encourage the public to support the school’s participation in the MAJESTA Trees of Knowledge Competition. Robb Road is one of ten finalists chosen and needs valuable votes to finish on top and win the $20,000 outdoor classroom prize. It is competing against schools across Canada from Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec. “We wanted to tell everyone how to vote,� said Natasha Taylor, a parent, who is leading this campaign. “The voting started today (Monday) and it runs all the way to May 4. Every person can vote once a day, everyday. A big encouragement for adult voters who aren’t associated with the school is that you can enter to be in a draw for $10,000 cash. We’re just trying to get the word out and get as many people

voting for our school.� The school will be putting up posters around town as well as letters composed by the students explaining why they should vote and why this is important to the students. Taylor said they embarked on this project last year. She sent an application on behalf of the school in January, just a day before the deadline. They included plans, photos

and a video. They are the only Vancouver Island school to be chosen, and the only public school in British Columbia to make the final round. “The video created by staff and students was all about why we deserve an outdoor classroom,� said Taylor. The French immersion school wants to build an outdoor classroom

around its existing garden and compost area, which has been tended by the garden club since 2004. “We have a very keen garden club and have for nine years,� said Taylor. “But our garden is very lacking. It’s a chain-linked fence, has very few soil in it. It has just been relocated because we had a portable built at our school. For such an enthusiastic and long-standing garden club, I

approached the school and told them I want to help them because this is no good.� Upon learning of the competition, they began planning on what they want to achieve. They want a shelter that will allow students to be outdoor and encourage them to participated in a “Seed to Food� project such planting, nurturing, and harvesting crops that will be used to make baked potato fries or kale chips. The outdoor classroom design includes a food garden, a seating area, a native plant garden, and a small green house. The garden club meets once a week and there are about 30 students that come out, said Taylor. In order to vote, you have to be a Canadian. You can vote daily and enter to win $10,000 from MAJESTA by visiting majestatreesofknowledge. ca from April 7 to May 5. The Trees of Knowledge competition was launched in 2011 by MAJESTA, in partnership with Tree Canada and Focus on Forests, to help teachers and students experience the benefits of being outdoors. Each year through Trees of Knowledge one Canadian school is awarded a complete, customized outdoor classroom, valued at $20,000. Additional prizes are also awarded to the schools that finish 2nd, 3rd and 4th and for the school that has the most creative idea to rallying support.

Olympic-sized companies chosen to finance and build North Island hospitals The influx of workers will help fill hotel rooms and an increase in jobs will lead to a boost in building supply sales, he projected. “This is a pretty specialized and unique contract,� he said. “Local subcontractors will hopefully get in on it as well.� Ultimately it will mean better care

close at hand for residents, he added, which will alleviate some of the necessity for long journeys to Victoria. “You’re going to get newer technology, newer facilities,� he said. “There will be more specialists and less need to leave the Comox Valley.�

Telus wants to build giant tower (Continued from page 1) Economical high-speed access to the internet relied more on landbased cables, he explained. Grieve said slow online access was a burning issue for many people in his area, particularly those who were frustrated to see fibre-optic cables going up towards Mount Washington but without the possibility for people along the route to connect in to them. Jolliffe urged Telus to investigate whether the proposed tower could be used to house alternative technologies, like WiMax, which used microwaves to provide access to high-speed internet, so offering

wider community benefit to rural areas without cabling. Yesterday the committee agreed to work with Altus to assist with the implementation of a public consultation process, including public notices to be published in local newspapers explaining the proposals and offering the opportunity for public questioning and comment. The scale of the tower has already raised some eyebrows at the rural Area C advisory planning commission, where concerns ranged from the visual impact of such a tall structure to the presence of strobe lighting to alert low-flying aircraft. pround@comoxvalleyecho.com

(Continued from page 1) Stantec performed consulting work on the integrated site servicing and public infrastructure design for Vancouver’s Olympic Village and the Southeast False Creek Official Development Plan area, winning a contract from the city worth $1.6 million in 2005. Gracorp and Graham both bring extensive experience from major public infrastructure projects, including in building Calgary’s west light rail transit project, Edmonton’s northwest Anthony Henday ring road extension and updating Red Deer’s wastewater treatment facilities. City of Red Deer environmental planning engineer Alex Monkman said the experience Graham brought to the table was invaluable in helping the community handle more sewage as the population in the region grows. “They did pretty much everything and hired everyone to successfully complete the project,� he said. “They’ve put in infrastructure so we could expand.� More than a decade later and the UV Disinfection Facility they con-

structed, started and commissioned still holds up - and will likely be useful for 40 years. “Graham is a diverse construction contractor,� he said. “For our department here they did the construction at the water plant as well.� The NIHP proponent selection comes on the heels of a delay in progress, after project officials were so disappointed in technical submissions that all three bidders were told to try again. “We provided them an outline of what we wanted in the design,� Sparrow said. “We asked them to go back and make some changes that would better enhance their designs.� Each unsuccessful team still gets $750,000 - although Romoff says it’s likely both Arbutus Healthcare Partners and Plenary Health spent upwards of $2-4 million to pitch the health authority. “There’s no one way to put the bid together,� he said, noting officially the NIHP is about to move from the procurement to construction phase.

“They’re just about to finish the paperwork and seal the deal.� John Singleton, QC, the fairness advisor watched over the entire selection rigmarole and liked what he saw. “It’s very involved,� explaining the extent of his role in overseeing the Request for Qualification and Request for Proposals processes. “I review every piece of correspondence� Singleton says the North Island Hospitals Project is a pretty run of the mill P3. “It’s the same as all the others,� the lawyer said, noting he has a long history of working with this type of project. “I’ve seen both sides of it for four decades.� Courtenay mayor Larry Jangula said while no local firms were part of the design, finance or building slate, that’s understandable. “These companies have to have deep pockets,� he said, noting he’s thrilled to see the project moving along. “It will be a positive impact on our economy, even if they’re not headquartered here.�

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Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014 A3

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I Belong campaign looking for your support By Michael Briones Echo Staff L’Arche Comox officially launched its “I Belong” capital campaign on Friday morning. The goal is to raise the necessary funds for the construction of a residential and community activity facility for adults with developmental disabilities. The leading proponents of the project appealed for support to the many guests and elected political officials that attended the launch held at Prime Chophouse and Wine Bar in Courtenay last Friday. Among those in attendance were Courtenay Mayor Larry Jangula, Town of Comox Mayor Paul Ives, Comox Valley MLA Don McRae, and Comox Valley Regional District chair Edwin Grieve. The I Belong campaign’s objective has been set at $800,000 although the total cost of the project will be around $1.5 million. However, it is already off to a good start. That’s because prior to the public launch of the campaign, it has already garnered commitments for over $330,000 in cash, pledges and in kind from a myriad of donors. “We’re excited about the positive response we have received to date and we hope to be in the ground in 2015,” said honorary chair Murray Presley. A detailed business plan has been completed and approved by the L’Arche board. And in addition to the funds raised through the campaign, the balance of the project will be refinanced by a mortgage and income generated by the apartments and activities in the new centre. The 8,192 square feet facility is to be located at a vacant lot at 1465

Comox Valley MLA Don McRae, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation, at campaign launch Friday to lend his support Grieve Avenue. A public hearing was held last night at 5 p.m. at Courtenay city hall. The project is still going through the rezoning process. The new residential facility will expand the services and supports L’Arche already provides through the Jubilee House and the Outreach and Creative Arts, which offers recreational, educational and social activities to both those with and without developmental disabilities.

“We believe it will be a good addition to the neighbourhood and to the valley,” said Presley. One of the co-chairs, Paul Helpard ,indicated that there are around 30 L’Arche communities in Canada that represent 200 houses providing residences and services to a great number of developmental disabled adults. However, he is disappointed that in British Columbia there are only two L’Arche communites.

City’s eleventh hour plea to keep Safeway open By Philip Round Echo Staff City councillors are making an eleventh hour plea to Sobeys to reconsider the closure of its newly-acquired Safeway store in Courtenay. And while there’s not a lot of confidence that an intervention just a month ahead of the proposed shuttering will make much difference, they did agree last night they should make their views known. And as Sobeys appears to be holding on to the Safeway building at least for the time being, there is a feeling that trying to bring people together to consider all possibilities if the closure goes ahead could be beneficial. The issue had been raised by resident Erik Eriksson, a long-time shopper at Safeway. He told council: “The closure will result in the loss of jobs for 120 people, the loss of a store to over 2,000 people, and the loss of an anchor store for all the other merchants in the Safeway mall. “There would then be a large, vacant building right in the middle of town on the main street,” he added. “This is a very serious situation.” He said of all the stores Sobeys had acquired from Safeway on Vancouver Island, the one in Courtenay was the only one not being sold to Save on Foods. Save on Foods itself pulled out of town seven years ago after shuttering its Driftwood Mall outlet, space now occupied by Quality Foods. At the time the company said it had no plans to return to the Valley. Eriksson noted Sobeys also owned Thrifty Foods, and wondered whether the plan being hatched was to move Thriftys to the Safeway property, where it would have more floorspace than the congested Sixth Street store. While that seemed like an interesting possibility, he noted the downside would be the negative impact on the downtown core if it lost its biggest grocery store. Eriksson hoped a City intervention would bring people together to come up with a positive outcome that would benefit those affected and the community as a whole. Mayor Larry Jangula said while everyone was agreed the closure of Safeway was a serious matter, the municipality was not in the

There’s one in Vancouver and the second is right here in the valley, which Helpard said “speaks to the quality of this community. We look after our own.” Although L’Arche focuses mainly on helping adults with developmental disabilities, Helpard said the volunteers play a vital role and that they should also be highlighted. “We forget to recognize the incredible experiences that volunteers gain in working with L’Arche,” said Helpard. “Many of the volunteers are young adults and have a great impact on society.” The facility, once it’s completed, will house nine individuals but it will also have the capacity to accommodate around 50 people at a time to engage in a wide-range of activities that include creative arts, life skills, and employment-volunteer readiness training. “To greatly expand what we can offer to individuals throughout the community, it truly is going to be a place of belonging,” said Robert Mulroney, one of the co-chairs. “There are many ways for individuals to support this project. I would hope everyone would consider so according to their needs. Every gift, large or small, will contribute to the success and the realization of the I Belong campaign.” McRae said since being appointed Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation, “I have grown more in the last nine months as a person, as a politician than I’ve known in the last 43 years of my life. I say that because I had the opportunities to meet persons with disabilities, self-advocates not only in the Comox Valley where I know many people but across the province of British Columbia. “It is a community that is so important and yes arguably under served in the past. But they are, with a very loud voice, saying they want to be included. They want to be part of the community’s culture, part of our social network. They want to be employed. “It needs, not to be just the provincial government, but it needs to be a partnership.” For those who want to donate and help the project, go online at www. larchecomoxvalley.org.

Grand opening of Anderton Park Tennis set for April 26 By Michael Briones Echo Staff The Town of Comox aced the major makeover of the Anderton Park tennis courts on 175 Stewart Street. The town, in partnership with the Comox Valley Tennis Club and BC government, has transformed the tennis court into a recreational jewel, now the reconstruction project has been completed. Through the Province’s Community Recreation Program, the town received a grant of $400,000 that was used to install an Outdoor Fitness Circuit and the reconstruction of the tennis courts. “By completing the Health Beat Outdoor Seniors’ Fitness Circuit and the reconstruction of the Tennis Courts during our term as council we have provided great health benefit opportunities to our citizens,” said Mayor Paul Ives. Courts 1 to 4 were completely overhauled and now feature a colourful, smooth playing surface, a secure enclosure, and also enhanced viewing areas for players and spectators. “I am so pleased to see the Town of Comox provide such great recreational leadership,” said Comox Valley MLA, Don Mcrae, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation. “The tennis courts and the seniors outdoor fitness circuit will be an asset for all Comox Valley residents.” To celebrate the successful completion of this project, the public is invited to participate at the official opening celebration of the Tennis Courts, scheduled for April 26 at 11 a.m. at Anderton Park, 175 Stewart Street, Comox.

Erik Eriksson business of running food stores. Getting involved would require the City to step outside its bounds. But Coun. Jon Ambler said there was no harm in encouraging Sobeys to look at “imaginative options,” even though the Council was in no position to tell the company how to run its business. It was better to be offering words of encouragement towards finding a good solution than simply objecting to a closure. Councillor Doug Hillian agreed. He said he had shopped at Safeway for 35 years, originally at its store on Eighth Street, and if the City could encourage dialogue and encourage Sobeys to come forward with proposals for the Safeway property in a timely manner that was a good role for it to play In the end, Council voted 6-0 in agreeing to make representations to Sobeys about the closure, and in offering encouragement to try to resolve the issues in a way that was beneficial to Sobeys while also being helpful to staff, customers, merchants and property owners alike. * Councillor Manno Theos declared an interest as his wife works at Safeway. He did not take part in the debate or vote.

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Valley mom waiting for sentencing of son’s killers By Cayley Dobie Special to the Echo After nearly three years of having to endure the brutal murder of her son, a Courtenay mother still has to wait for a court judge to render a decision on how long the two guilty men will spend time in jail. Hannele Sairanen’s only child, Branson Sanders. 20, was murdered in the basement of a Surrey home in 2011. His badly burned remains were found less than a week later in bushes off of Fareham Avenue and Elwell Street in Burnaby. Since that day, Sairanen has painfully gone through hearing after hearing, as the Crown and defence counsel went over every detail of the morbid events of Nov. 27, 2011. After two years of proceedings, the men accused of murdering Branson - 21-year-old Shakib Shakib and 20-year-old Brandon Nandan pled guilty to charges of manslaughter. Last week, Sairanen, along with friends and family, packed into a small courtroom in Surrey expecting to hear how long Shakib and Nandan would spend in prison - but that decision wasn’t made. At the sentencing hearing, the Crown and defence made a joint submission, stating both Shakib and Nandan should serve six years in jail, minus time served, for manslaughter. But after listening to both the Crown and defence’s submission which included victim impact statements from Branson’s mother, his aunt and a neighbour, as well as statements from friends and family of Nandan - Judge Michael Hicks told the courtroom he required more time to make an “informed� decision. “At the end of the day the final decision rests with me,� he said. And so, after nearly three years of proceedings, the question of how long Shakib and Nandan will spend behind bars is put on hold, and Sairanen is once again left waiting for closure she says will never come. In a recent interview with the Burnaby NOW, Sairanen talked about the joy her son brought her and the numbing pain she experiences now that he is gone.

Mother’s love: Hannele Sairanen and her son, Branson Sanders. Branson was killed in 2011, and his mother is still waiting for closure in the ongoing court case. The two men who killed him have pled guilty to manslaughter and will be sentenced April 10. “He was just everything, everything in my world. That was my reason to wake up in the morning,

that was my reason to live, that was my reason to keep the house here because I thought my son would

ten. “This is the first time I’ve ever had to have any dealings with anything in the Canadian judicial system, and I just think it really sucks. It sucks big time, and I just think nothing has been done,� she said. “Through the whole time, I’ve gone to every proceeding that has happened on the Mainland. I’ve been to every bail hearing, all that, and it’s like nobody there ever wanted to speak with me. Nobody ever even asked me what happened with your son. ... It’s all about the criminals, it’s all about the Nandan family and the Shakib Shakib clan.� Sairanen was in court again on March 28 for Shakib and Nandan’s sentencing hearing. Surrounded by family and friends, Sairanen was obviously distraught when the judge announced he needed more time to make his decision. Sairanen will now wait until April 10, when she will once again make the trip from Courtenay to Surrey for the second part of Shakib and Nandan’s sentencing. No matter the ruling, however, Sairanen says she’ll never get closure - how can she, she adds. “A lot of mornings I wake up and I go, ‘Why should I bother even waking up?’� Sairanen said. “When you have a child, and you lose a child, there’s no comparison.� Shakib and Nandon will be back in court on April 10 in Surrey for Judge Hicks’ sentencing ruling. - Burnaby Now

Six months jail for ‘expendable’ member of drug delivery crew By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff A 29-year-old man involved in a Comox Valley delivery business that served up crack, heroin and other drugs instead of pizzas or Chinese food was given a six month jail term after he pled guilty while his co-accused have not. Judge Peter Doherty agreed with the joint submission from defence and Crown lawyers, also handing Gavin Pybus 12 months of probation in Courtenay Provincial Court April 3. “He alone has pled guilty,� he said. “Quite frankly, given the nature of the offences involved it’s quite unusual for someone to plead guilty right away.� The RCMP began tracking the movements of Gavin Pybus in the summer of 2013 after receiving a tip he was involved in moving drugs around the Comox Valley.

They observed two people dropping off packages at a Piercy Avenue “stash house� before Pybus would show up. Eventually investigators say he began staying overnight at the location. Defence lawyer Eric Chesterley said his client was far from the brains of the operation. “He was expendable,� he said. “He wants to put this behind him.� Federal Crown Suzanne Harkness agreed that Pybus’s role in the drug scheme was relatively minor. “He was not the ringleader of this operation,� she said, “or the mastermind.� The investigation revealed a second wholesale drop-off point at Room 26 of River Heights Motel. A November 17, 2013 raid of both stash houses and the homes of two suspects netted $17,000 in cash, more than 3 ounces of heroin, 4 ounces of powder cocaine, 10.2 ounces of marijuana and a large quantity of crack.

Renowned educator on gender violence here $R 3TERLING $ESMOND !#505.#452% this week .!452!, #().%3% -%$)#).% Dr. Jackson Katz, a leading gender violence educator, author and filmmaker, key architect of the “bystander� approach and founder and director of Mentors in Violence Prevention, is speaking at several events in the Comox Valley this week. Dr Katz will be speaking at “Breakfast with the Guys� on Friday, April 11 on the topic of Men’s Leadership in Preventing Violence The important role men play in leading boys and young men to a healthy understanding of male adult roles. As well he will be addressing the powerful role bystanders play. The breakfast runs from 7-8:30 am at the Florence Filberg Centre. Tickets to the breakfast are $5.00 each and need to be ordered in advance from the Community Justice Centre or the Comox Valley Transition Society. Last year in the Comox Valley the RCMP had 929 Domestic Violence files. 188 of which lead to criminal charges. The impacts of domestic violence is costly and long lasting. One of the leading costs of Domestic Violence are losses to employers due to absenteeism related to violence in the home. Male children who are exposed to violence are more likely to be violence themselves and female children exposed to violence are more likely to become victims of violence themselves. Violence knows no limitations. It can affect anyone: sisters, mothers, daughters. Dr Katz will also be speaking at a free public event on Thursday evening and to students at Mark Isfeld on Friday morning and Friday afternoon to members of CFB Comox. On Thursday evening, from 7 - 9 PM at Isfeld Secondary School Gym, the Community Justice Centre, (and partners the Transition Society, the CV Family Services Association, the CV RCMP Detachment, and CFB Comox) welcomes Dr. Katz. He is bringing a powerful presentation (video clips, sounds, and his own speaking) about the importance of men taking responsibility for effective role modelling of male roles for young men and boys that treat women and vulnerable groups with support and compassion and take responsibility for stepping up to intervene (in a safe way) against violence involving bullying, verbal harassment, and physical assault. This is a free event. CVTS is very grateful to the Community Justice Center for their leadership and work in bringing Dr Katz to the Comox Valley.

inherit everything that I work hard for, so a lot of things in my world have changed,� she said from her home in Courtenay. Branson was Sairanen’s only child. She remembers the day the police told her Branson was dead. She remembers calling the coroner asking to see her son and being told it would be best if she didn’t come. For Sairanen, Branson was her world. Branson was just an average kid, she says, with dreams and aspirations similar to other young people his age - he wanted to get married, have kids, settle down and build a home for his family. “I think he wanted to have the same kind of life everyone has,� Sairanen said. Branson was a caring son, according to Sairanen. He would call his mother every other day to check up on her. “Whenever I was with him, it was all good. I know that he had some issues and, yeah, he was trying to find work, and he didn’t want to go to school,� she said. But those were just normal things kids deal with after graduating high school, and Sairanen wasn’t concerned, she knew he would choose something to do eventually. Unfortunately, he never got the chance. After a difficult few years of court dates, Sairanen has been left feeling numb and out of touch. She says the trial has been exhausting and fears the victim, her son, has been forgot-

Pybus was released on a recognizance the next day. Doherety urged Pybus to get a handle on his drug addiction. “I recognize that Mr. Pybus may have been involved to support his own habit,� he said, noting the three sixmonth sentences for possession for the purpose of trafficking would all run concurrently to each other. “Clearly a jail term is warranted here.� Probation terms include a 10-year firearms prohibition. He must also reside where directed and keep the peace. As this is his first offence he will not have to submit a DNA sample to the criminal databank. Chesterley confirmed Pybus does

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struggle with addiction. “He took the risk for these people in order to get some drugs,� he said. “He was not a principal in this operation.� Pybus also received a seven-day sentence for breaching the conditions of his release, after a police officer showed up to his Comox home Jan. 18 and discovered he was in violation of a curfew order. Jon-Mathew Bamford and Hai A Trinh are also charged on the same file with possession for the purpose of trafficking. “I wish you well,� Doherty told Pybus, who will have one year to pay victim impact surcharges. “I hope you’re able to deal with your addiction and stay out of trouble.�

Dr. Jackson Katz

North America’s leading gender violence educator is coming to the Comox Valley, April 10 & 11

Men's Leadership in Preventing Violence:

Breakfast with the Guys A special breakfast presentation for community leaders—sports coaches, firefighters, politicians, ministers, police, teachers, youth leaders etc.—to talk about the important role they play in leading boys and young men to a healthy understanding of male adult roles.

Friday, April 11 7—8:30 AM Upper Florence Filberg Tickets ($5.00) available at Laughing Oyster Bookstore, or by calling the Community Justice Centre, (250) 334-8101 and leaving your name, phone #, and affiliation, for pick up at the door.

National Victims of Crime Awareness Week — TAKE ACTION We acknowledge the funding by Justice Canada’s Victims Fund and the support of our project partners:

Comox Valley Transition Society Community Justice Centre Military Family Resource Centre

Comox Valley Family Services Association RCMP—Comox Valley Detachment CFB Comox Volunteer Comox Valley

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Community

Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014 A5

Bollywood fund-raiser for Gayle a huge success After dancing the night away Bollywood style, after the tables were cleared and the rickshaw returned, after all the tired dancing feet had found their way home and after the bills were paid, some 265 women from the community along with generous businesses and individuals presented a cheque to Gayle Bates in the amount of $11,000.00. The Silent Auction donations were incredible and raised approximately half of that total. From ABC Printing who donated the ticket printing all the way to the pizzas supplied by Boston Pizza to feed the volunteers the community stepped up once again. And speaking of volunteers, the able bodied, the computer savy-group, the setter uppers and the taker downers all contributed to the success of the evening. Gourmet Girls provided an amazing authentic Indian dinner and DJ jprime rocked the house. With initial sponsorship from

Secret Drawers Lingerie and Level 10 Eurospa, Bollywood for Gayle was an outstanding success. Organizer, Judy Atkinson, said “the Comox Valley has to be one of the best places on this planet to live. Once again, everyone donated, pitched in, bought tickets and supported a member of our community who has given of herself for many years.” Gayle has been overwhelmed with support as she faces an aggressive form of breast cancer. Being a self-employed, single woman who will not be able to return to work for at least a year, this financial support makes a huge difference and relieves her of some financial strain. To every person who donated, who purchased a ticket, who volunteered, and to the businesses who gave discounts or goods/services free, THANK YOU COMOX VALLEY!! Once again, we have to say this is the best place on the planet.

Guests at the Bollywood gala fund-raising evening dressed for the occasion

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A6 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Community

Courtenay Fish and Game Club recognized by Ducks Unlimited Canada with award

Van Isle Veterinary Hospital technician Katie Halliday shows the two cats that were locked in a cage and left to die on a road near Campbell River, recovering well after their horrible ordeal.

Cats locked in a container to die now recovering at Comox Valley vet clinic By Michael Briones Echo Staff Two young cats that were purposely placed in a taped container and left to die on a logging road near Campbell River are now recovering at Van Isle Veterinary Hospital in Courtenay. Katie Halliday, the technician who helped nurse the distressed kittens back to health, called the action “disgusting.” The two cats, believed to be around seven months old, were discovered by a man walking his dog on Saturday. They were in a locked container, starving to death. They were brought to the Comox Valley SPCA whose staff then determined the cats needed immediate medical attention and brought them to the vet clinic on Braidwood Road in Courtenay. “They were duct taped, enclosed in a carrier,” said Halliday. “Just, you know, the intention wasn’t ... was terrible and so it’s pretty disturbing.” The carry case the cats were locked in had clear packing tape wrapped around each end to keep the doors sealed. “It kind of brought you to tears,” said Jennifer Philgate of the SPCA. “I don’t know why you would choose to do that. There are so many other options. You know, give them a fighting chance. Let them out of the case at least.” When they were found, they were dirty and completely covered in their own feces and urine, said Halliday. “There were scabs on their faces from trying to get out and just starving.” Halliday estimates that the two cats had been caged in the woods for about two weeks. They have

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

been re-hydrated and now appear to be in good spirits. An investigation is ongoing into

this case of animal abuse. If you know anything about these cats, call 1-855-622-7722.

Literacy Fun

In March, the four Comox Valley Rotary Clubs participated in the Comox Clubs’ 3rd annual limerick contest (a part of Rotary Literacy Month, started by Anita Wotschel, and organized this year with all 4 clubs by Anita and Paul Witt). Lots of fun was had by all. At the Comox Clubs’ annual Irish Hoolie, there were representatives of all four clubs reading out their club submissions. The Comox Club chose a best overall winner in their club – President Victor Anasamiv. Comox is a little club that could Full of people, both generous and good They give with their heart They’re doing their part Just as a Rotarian should Victor Anasamiv The Rotary is into the literacy We think this is pretty cool you see If we give it a whirl And teach every girl Her village and family is free to be Deb Nolan

We’re a forest grown from one seed, No nation, no race and no creed. Our goal is to give, By that rule we live, We help those that are most in need. Paul Witt

If one wants to be a Rotarian they don’t have to be octogenarian service above one’s own self and leaving opinions on the shelf are the true measure of a humanitarian Margaret Neal

At 6 you’re on time for the meeting A 4-way test and a greeting A song and a fine Before you can dine Choose a nut for your table and seating. Chris Brulotte

The four way test is internationally Recited by clubs quite rationally, But despite Pippa’s banners, And the passion of planners, It’s recalled by members just fractionally. Marty Douglas

For their many contributions to conservation in British Columbia, the Courtenay Fish and Game Club will be recognized by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) with a Community Conservation Award at the Courtenay DUC banquet on Saturday, April 12. The club is a not-for-profit association in the Comox Valley community that, much like DUC, started with a small group of hunters and anglers who enjoyed hunting and fishing to help feed their families. It has grown to approximately 2500 members from all walks of life sharing an interest in conservation, improvement and restoration of fish and game habitat, and enjoyment of outdoor recreation. The Association is actively involved in a variety of programs that benefit the fish and game resources of the Comox Valley, such as habitat restoration projects in local streams and, for the last 30 year, the operation of a hatchery in partnership with Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to re-stock the Trent River with Coho Salmon. The Association also partnered with DUC to purchase the 9.1 hectare (22.5 acre) Simpson Farmland in the Courtenay Estuary. “The Courtenay Fish and Game Club has been a true conservation champion in the area,” says Greg Sawchuck, Comox Valley DUC chap-

ter chair and DUC national director. “They are incredibly deserving of this award, and we look forward to continuing working towards our mutual conservation goals for the community.” The award will be presented at this year’s Courtenay banquet on April 12, at 5:30pm at the Florence Filberg Center. DUC raises funds for wetland conservation projects that benefit the community providing vital habitat for hundreds of species of waterfowl and other wildlife, naturally filtering our drinking water and helping reduce the effects of climate change. Canada’s wetlands touch our lives every day but continue to vanish at an alarming rate. By attending the 29th Annual Comox Valley DUC Fundraising Dinner and Auction, you’ll help stop wetland loss and make a real difference in conserving these natural areas for generations to come. In the Comox Valley area, DUC has conserved over 3,400 acres and with its partners, invested nearly $7 million. Visit ducks.ca/events for more information. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. Learn more at ducks.ca.

Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014 A7

Community

How the Mawhinneys established L’Arche in the Valley This is the second in a series of articles that will explore the nature on developmental disability, its impact on the lives of many in our community and the resources available to help them reach their fullest potential. By Wendy Dyck Developmental disabilities cause difficulty in language, mobility, and learning that begin at birth. Some of our biggest steps forward as a community have been in finding ways to accommodate children with developmental disabilities in our school system. Special needs education has developed with individually tailored learning strategies, accessible settings and educators who have trained specifically to help these learners achieve a higher level of self-sufficiency and success in school. One such educator was Lock Mawhinney, who worked for thirty-two years in the Comox Valley school district. Mawhinney was an innovator and, alongside his colleagues, worked tirelessly for the integration of the developmentally disabled into the broader schooling community. While the successes of their efforts were

Lock and Joanne Mawhinney, founders of L’Arche Comox Valley

apparent, Mawhinney disabled students left back on the sidelines, relationships with the their own homes.

realized that once school, they were lacking meaningful community outside

NDP meeting Sunday to set up new riding association Sunday April 13th members of the Courtenay Alberni NDP riding association will meet in Coombs to take the first steps in preparing for the federal election campaign scheduled for October 2015. As a result of the redistribution of riding boundaries last year a new riding has been created which includes all the residents between the east and west coasts of Vancouver Island in the area from Courtenay south to Nanoose Bay. Included are Denman, Hornby and Lasqueti Islands and the west coast communities of Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet. The meeting on April 13th will officially create the riding association to represent NDP members in this area which is a merger of parts of the old Nanaimo Alberni and Vancouver Island North ridings. Randall Garrison, NDP MP from Esquimalt Juan de Fuca will be

bringing greetings from NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and will review the multitude of reasons why it is so important to elect an NDP MP in Courtenay Alberni in the next election. Looking ahead to the meeting, Garrison stated: “The Harper Conservative government has worn out its welcome with Canadians. After eight years in power, they are operating in a way that is totally out of step with what people want. This is witnessed in their unilateral attempt to rewrite the Elections Act and in their heartless treatment of Canadian veterans.” Registration for the meeting opens at 1:30pm at the Bradley Centre, 975 Shearme Road, Coombs. There will be time to socialize following the meeting. For more information call 250-335-1157 or email courtenayalbernindp@ shaw.ca.

Somewhere, Mawhinney stumbled upon the work of Jean Vanier, a Canadian living in France who developed a model of unique communities he called L’Arche - French for The Ark. These communities were made up

Angels of the Valley raising funds to help families in Tanzania By Michael Briones Echo Staff Young angels from Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Academy are raising funds to help families in Tanzania. Angels of the Valley, a group consisting of students in a grade 6/7 class, are holding a Hot Dog Sale this coming Saturday, April 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Quality Foods on Guthrie Road in Comox. The money raised will be used to support Juma’s World, a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower one million orphans to experience holistic transformation, so that they will live their best life and make their world around them better too. Angels of the Valley was created last year under the guidance of teacher Bernadette Keenan, who introduced the students to a global citizenship class. Students are taught organization, planning, and generating projects that focus on making a difference. The name Angels of the Valley was derived from the little corn angels Keenan received as gifts from widows from Uganda for helping raise funds for them while she was in Calgary. The students, last year, adopted the name for the group, which has a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. The students are asking people to please drop by on Saturday for a yummy hot dog and to give them your support.

of both the developmentally disabled and the able, the young and the old; rejecting institutional values and replacing them with authentic human relationships. At the heart of L’Arche was the idea of “mutuality” - that being in a relationship with a person with a disability could be mutually enriching. Mawhinney was inspired by what he saw and with his wife, Joanne, determined to establish a L’Arche residence and program in the Comox Valley. This was easier said than done - Mawhinney had a full-time job, a 10-acre farm, and he and his wife had eight children - four with developmental disabilities that they had welcomed into their family. The Mawhinneys rallied their friends, talked to churches, service clubs and any group that would listen and, over the course of several years, raised the money to buy a modest house. With three thousand hours of volunteer help, that house was transformed into a welcoming home and in 2000 its first resident, Cory Pagnoni arrived from Tahsis. Within a few months, three more “core people” - as those with a disability are called - had joined, along with three assistants to live in a family-like setting. The Mawhinneys created a community of friends and neighbours who embraced the “core people” and included them in their lives. Many more people - with and without developmental disabilities - were drawn into the vibrant community life and to further accommodate their gathering, an arts outreach facility was established. Mawhinney did not see his efforts as “a good thing to do” but rather as a “deep and sometimes troubling urging to respond to an invitation” to be authentic human beings. He saw the community that included developmentally disabled people as “a sacred gift meant for the Comox Valley.” In 2010, Mawhinney began work on book about the L’Arche community in the Comox Valley and it was nearing completion when he was diagnosed with cancer. He was able to see his book published before his death in February of 2012. He is missed to this day. Wendy Dyck is a musician and freelance writer working in the Comox Valley since 2001. She has been a regular contributor to Infocus and other magazines and wrote an arts column for CYMC in the summer of 2004. She is also an editor with seven books, both fiction and non-fiction, to her credit.

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A8 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014

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EVERYTHING FOR EVERY PET REMOVING PESKY TICKS FROM YOUR PET Spring means longer, lighter days and more time spent outdoors. This is an exciting time of year for pet owners to finally get out and enjoy all that our beautiful Valley has to offer. We have our pick of walking trails, parks and countless green spaces but sometimes what they have to offer isn’t always what we go out searching for. Spring is the start of tick season. In fact, we’ve already seen a few pets come through our doors with those pesky parasites clinging on in search of a meal. The most common question we tend to hear this time of year is, “how do I remove a tick from my pet?” A common place for ticks to hide is in tall grasses, trees and thick brush. Ticks don’t jump, instead they wait patiently and sensing body heat, they drop down onto their next victim or grab the fur of an animal passing by. Ticks will look for the easiest place to attach and take a blood meal. Usually this is an area with the least amount of fur. A common location is around the face, ears and muzzle. This is especially common for cats who are low to the ground and use their faces to push through grass and brush. While rare in our area, ticks can carry Lyme disease, an infectious disease caused by bacteria. This is transmitted during the feeding or taking of a blood meal. The longer a tick feeds the greater chance of transmitting disease. It is especially important to be aware of ticks and the diseases they carry when travelling to more prevalent areas. Consult your veterinarian if you find a tick on your pet after traveling to a high risk area. There are many common misconceptions out there about ticks and their removal. One of which is to use a recently extinguished match or even a still lit match. Holding it to the body of the tick will not cause the tick to back out or fall off; in fact it can be rather dangerous and can even singe the fur or burn your pet. Once the mouthpiece is attached, ticks can only let go once they are fully engorged. Applying fingernail polish or Vaseline is also commonly recommended. This can be helpful in that it will suffocate the tick and may make removal a bit easier,

but it will not cause the tick to fall off. Another common and popular misconception is that the head of the tick will continue to thrive and even burrow into your pet if separated from the body during an attempted removal. Even though this sounds quite fascinating, it is not true. However leaving the head behind can cause irritation of the skin, even infection and should be treated. The best way to remove a tick is to use a pair of house hold tweezers or a commercial tick remover also known as a Tick Twister. These are very handy little tools that look like a miniature crowbar and work in much the same way. Grasp the tick as close to the head as possible and with constant, gentle pressure twist the tick free. If all or some of the head remains, remove those remaining pieces and clean the area well with an antibacterial soap and warm water. You may also want to apply some antibiotic ointment to the area. Sometimes the skin will react to the bite, forming a hard lump. This usually clears up within a few days but should be watched for signs of infection. If in doubt or if there is a concern about an infection or about the species of tick found, consult your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will remove any remaining pieces, clean and disinfect the area and may even prescribe some oral antibiotics depending on the bite wound and risk of disease. If there is a concern about disease, your veterinarian

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DID YOU KNOW? Feral cats and stray cats are not one and the same. Feral cats are those born and raised in the wild, or those cats that have been abandoned or lost and turned to a feral lifestyle in order to survive. Feral cats are often too wild to be handled, and many live in groups known as colonies, taking refuge wherever they can find food. While this may sound similar to stray cats, pet adoption professionals make a distinction between feral and stray cats. Unlike feral cats, the ASPCA defines stray cats as those that have been abandoned or become lost, tend to be tame and can be comfortable around people. Such cats may purr, meow and rub against legs of humans who come into contact with them. Stray cats often rely on humans for food, whereas colonies of feral cats will typically feed on garbage, rodents and other small animals. The life expectancy of a stray cat depends on when it was lost or abandoned and how effective it is at find a reliable food source, while many feral cats do not survive kittenhood. The average lifespan for those feral cats that do is less than two years outside of a colony but can be as long as 10 years when living in a colony with an established caretaker. Such caretakers may be an individual or a group of individuals who provide feral cats with their basic needs, such as food, shelter and even emergency medical care.

may even send the tick away for analysis. As always, prevention can be the best medicine. Monthly, topical tick and flea medications work well at controlling tick infestations as well as that other pesky parasite commonly found in our environment, the flea. Another great way to keep on top of ticks is to perform nightly, full body grooming rituals. Your canine companion loves nothing more than a good grooming session after a long walk in the woods. This is a great way to detect any ticks they may have picked up during their outing or in the case of cats, while out on a hunt. Submitted by Van Isle Veterinary Hospital

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Community

Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014 A9

Snowbirds flying back to Comox next week for annual training sessions Comox between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on most days during their visit. No CF-18 Demonstration training flights are currently planned for Sundays. Normally in the mornings, the Snowbirds will practice first, followed by a 30-minute CF-18 practice. In the afternoons, the CF-18 will normally commence its practice at 1:30 p.m., followed by the Snowbirds. Members of the public can expect increased aircraft activity throughout the Comox Valley between April 17 and May 7. Practices will vary in

terms of location and duration based on training requirements and weather. The Snowbirds and CF-18 Demonstration Team train at 19 Wing Comox each year. With the mountainous terrain, as well as open water nearby, 19 Wing and the surrounding Comox Valley is an ideal location for the teams to fine-tune their skills before finalizing their performance routines and commencing their annual show schedule. The Canadian Armed Forces attempts to minimize negative impact which may be created by

their presence, taking into account the requirement to train in order to maintain the highest degree of safety, proficiency and preparedness. Every effort will be made to limit the flying activities to minimize disturbances to the public, while ensuring essential training requirements are met. The Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds, the CF-18 Demonstration Team and 19 Wing thank the residents of the Comox Valley for their support and understanding over these three weeks.

Volunteers help create a memorable travel experience for YQQ passengers A celebration to honour group to be held Wednesday at CV Airport A friendly smile, a spirited and uplifting greeting, and a helping hand can put passengers at ease as they enter the Comox Valley Airport. The nice, warm reception is courtesy of the friendly volunteers, who play an important role in shaping the passenger experience at YQQ. They are an asset to the airport’s operations. “Whether you are arriving or departing from our airport, a friendly volunteer is the first person a passenger is likely to encounter when they enter our building,” said CEO, Fred Bigelow. “We have 54 dedicated volunteers at the airport who are committed to making the journeys of YQQ passengers extra special.” The YQQ Volunteer Host Program was formed in 2001. It is modeled after successful volunteer groups at other airports across the country. Each volunteer is scheduled for an average of one shift per week, coinciding with peak traffic volumes in the terminal building. Volunteers are stationed in the arrivals area, ready and willing to assist passengers with questions about boarding, checking luggage and parking. When planes land at YQQ, volunteers are also waiting to greet arriving passengers and answer questions about hotels and activities within the Comox Valley and surrounding area. “These individuals are committed to their communities, with many volunteering for numerous service organizations,” explained Comox Valley Airport volunteer coordinator, Marilyn Jorgensen. “National Volunteer Week is an excellent time to recognize the importance

Council of Canadians show ‘Gasland II’ Thursday night In Gasland II, the explosive follow-up to his Oscarnominated film GASLAND, filmmaker Josh Fox takes a deeper, broader look at the dangers of fracking, the controversial method of extracting natural gas and oil, now occurring in 32 countries worldwide. The film argues that the gas industry’s portrayal of natural gas as a clean and safe alternative to oil is a myth. Fracked wells inevitably leak over time, contaminating water and air, hurting families, and endangering the earth’s climate with the potent greenhouse gas, methane. In addition the film looks at how the powerful oil and gas industries are in Fox’s words “contaminating our democracy”. Gasland II points out how the stakes have been raised, on one of the most divisive environmental issues facing us today. Given our provincial government’s promotion of natural gas as a “green” alternative to conventional fossil fuels, fracking and its controversial consequences are of particular importance to British Columbians. Critics point out the production of LNG is anything but green with the release of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere along with the massive amounts of fresh water that is turned into toxic waste water. Enormous concern is being raised that the shortterm goals of the gas industry have not been balanced against the considerable long-term environmental, health and public costs involved in the run-away development of LNG currently being faced in B.C. Comox Valley Council of Canadians will be screening this film on Thursday, April 10, 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Cumberland United Church, 2688 Penrith. Donations will be accepted - everyone welcome.

of volunteerism here at the airport and in organizations across the country.” A celebration in honour of YQQ’s volunteers and National Volunteer Week is planned for Wednesday, April 9 at YQQ. From noon until 2 p.m., On the Fly Café will be hosting a barbeque with entertainment donated by Rob Petrie. Members of the public are invited to join Comox Valley Airport staff and volunteers for a burger, pop and chips for $5. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer at YQQ can email: info@comoxairport.com or visit www. comoxaiport.com and look under Airport Services/ Volunteer Program for more information about the role our volunteers play at the airport.

The popular Canadian armed forces aerobatic team, the Snowbirds, are set to fly back to the Comox Valley to hone their impressive flying skills for the 2014 air show season. Come Thursday, April 17, look up to the skies when you hear the roaring engines echo in the valley. That

means the Snowbirds have arrived. As well, the the CF-18 Demonstration Team will also be using our airspace for training and they will be arriving a week later on April 24. The demonstration aircraft will fly over and in the vicinity of 19 Wing

Dr. Jackson Katz North America’s leading gender violence educator is coming to the Comox Valley, April 10 & 11

The Macho Paradox:

Early Easter fun at the Museum Last year’s Early Easter Celebration was so much fun we decided to do it again this year! Easter will be coming to the Courtenay Museum a little early this year. Mark Saturday April 12th on your calendars for a fun time for the whole family. Our Easter celebration will run from 11am to 2:30pm. Admission is by donation · There will be the opportunity to make a really neat Easter mask · A special display of over 100 amazing brightly coloured egg shaped minerals will be on exhibit · The “Hot Chocolate” rabbit will be hopping in at some point to pay us a visit and give out delicious “Hot Chocolate” samples · Get your face painted by Gillian of Detailed Face Painting · Guess how many jelly beans are in the jar, if your guess is the closest you win the jar of candy · To top it off there will be an indoor petting zoo in the Rotary Room Gallery, where everyone can make a fuss of lambs, kids (the goat kind), rabbits, ducks and hens. Many thanks to the 4 H Club for bringing and caring for the animals For more details call the Courtenay Museum at 250334-0686 ext.5

Why some men hurt women and how all men can help

A free public multi-media presentation that focuses on strategies for engaging men and boys in gender violence prevention, on the importance of collaboration with women and the vulnerable, and the powerful role that bystanders can play.

Thursday, April 10 7—9 PM,

Mark Isfeld Secondary School Gym No tickets or reservations required Doors open at 6:30 PM.

National Victims of Crime Awareness Week — TAKE ACTION We acknowledge the funding by Justice Canada’s Victims Fund and the support of our project partners:

Comox Valley Transition Society Community Justice Centre Military Family Resource Centre

Comox Valley Family Services Association RCMP—Comox Valley Detachment CFB Comox Volunteer Comox Valley

CLARINS

Time to choose your gift April 2 to April 22, 2014. A total value of up to $195.* Exclusively ours.

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A10 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Opinions ECHO

THE COMOX VALLEY ECHO Publisher Dave MacDonald Editor Debra Martin Advertising Manager Keith Currie Office Administrator Deb Fowler Circulation Manager Hedi MacDonald Production Manager Ryan Getz Phone 250-334-4722 Fax 250-334-3172 Classifieds 250- 334-4215 Circulation 250-334-4734 E-mail: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com

An independently owned and operated newspaper published by Echo Publications at 407-D Fifth Street, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 1J7 All material herein is protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without written authorization from the publisher.

Canadian Publications Mail Agreement Number #0661538

Letters

Cry me an ocean Yes, selfish not shellfish, owing to the mindset running rampant in the aquaculture industry that the gov’t., (us hard working tax payers) owe them and need to constantly support them financially. Recently, there have been numerous media reports about acidification devastating the local scallop farm. I’m sure we are all sympathetic that jobs are lost due to our use of fossil fuels, but the industry must accept some of the responsibility. Boats and small engine emissions are not regulated and when at their tenures, they are constantly spewing carbon into the atmosphere which adds significantly to the acidification of the oceans. As is the norm, when anything goes wrong in the “selfish” industry, the gov’t. is lobbied to throw more taxpayer $$$$ at the problem. The company in the news was given $128,000 in 2010, $25,000 in 2011 and $70,000 in 2012 and who knows how much more. In the meantime, they seem unconcerned when their equipment goes astray. Local beaches have been littered over the years with approx. 100 large (400 mm) black floats imprinted with their company name. This lost equipment attitude is indicative of most “selfish” companies and even though collected and offered back, no one seems interested in re-using perfectly good equipment. Tons of plastic then ends up in the landfill, yet they want more and more government grant money. Recently, at the Senate Committee Hearing on Aquaculture a “selfish” industry rep. stated that “the UN says that BC should be growing more shellfish because it has zero impact on the planet because it is a filter feeding animal eating phytoplankton.” Phytoplanktons are agents for primary production, (the creation of organic compounds from carbon dioxide dissolved in the water), a process that sustains the aquatic food web. Phytoplankton serves as the base for all aquatic life and is responsible for much of the oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere. A 2010 study published in Nature reported that marine phytoplankton have declined substantially in the world’s oceans over the past century. Phytoplankton concentrations in surface waters were estimated to have decreased by about 40% since 1950 alone. More shellfish equals more phytoplankton and oxygen depletion which could hardly be considered “zero impact on the planet”. As well as more government support, the “selfish” industry insists it is not a fishery and should revert back to being considered a “farming” activity. Being a fisher complicates things like having to obey rules and regs. for fishing boats etc. but being a farmer allows the industry to participate in “normal farm practices”. “Normal farm practices” allows the “farmer” to have free reign over his operation as long as he states the activity is “normal farm practice”. Excessive noise at any hour, pollution, smell, damage to the surrounding environment can all be chalked up to “normal farm practices” and the local government then has no power to intervene. This shellfishery calls itself green and sustainable yet the “selfish” industry’s definition of sustainable pertains to their product only and does not include the marine ecosystems. DFO has now passed off tenure installation and maintenance inspections to the licence holder which opens up a whole new can of sea worms! Lastly, with all this media attention on the effect of acidification on the “selfish” industry, we have neglected to consider the real issue soon all calcium dependent creatures, indigenous or implanted will cease to exist due to acidification of our oceans. How sad is that? Edina Johnston Denman Island

COURTENAY SHOULD GO ‘BLUE’ Our neighbouring municipalities of Comox and Cumberland have already become Blue Communities by: 1. Recognizing water as a human right. 2. Promoting publicly financed, owned and operated water and waste water services. 3. Banning the sale of bottled water in public facilities and at municipal events. I would urge the City of Courtenay to follow their example. Responsibility for water is shared between provincial, municipal and federal governments. It is therefore crucial that the right to water be enshrined at every level of government. It is important to me that Courtenay’s water and waste water services remain publicly owned, despite the pressure by the federal government to move to public/private partnerships (P3s). It is important to me to see the City of Courtenay setting an example by removing bottled water from all municipal vending machines and not serving bottled water at any municipal events. With the good water quality that we have in the Comox Valley there is no need for bottled water. Pamela Munroe Courtenay

Letters to the Editor

Visit before forming opinions We signed our daughter up to the Comox Curling Club’s Junior program three years ago after she watched the Vancouver Olympics and declared that she was going to be an Olympic curler. Among many things, curling has taught her sportsmanship, leadership, coordination and how to win and lose graciously. The Comox Curling Club has the largest junior program on Vancouver Island with over 50 junior members. Despite what a lot of the public believe, curling is no longer an old boys club where the men sit in the bar socializing and fitting in a game or two. The Comox Curling Club hosts over 15 bonspiels every year. Teams from all over the island as well as mainland teams attend these events. These teams stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants and spend their money in our valley businesses. Some people that have written in make it sound like the curling club is some private entity that is selective in its membership. The curling club opens its doors to everyone. A recent letter to the editor questions whether curling is a life-saver, health wise. How would this person measure this exactly? Should we weigh everyone at the beginning and end of the baseball,

hockey, swimming, curling, etc. season and compare who the most fit athletes are? The “winner” gets a bigger chunk of public funding? How silly. If we’re going to start measuring who receives public funding or tax breaks based on calories burned, then some publicly funded groups better start running for the hills. There are community groups in the valley that receive drastic tax cuts, so that they can survive. In order for the Curling Club to survive the re-build needs to happen and public money is needed. I think before people really form an opinion on this hot topic, they should go down to the curling club and see what its all about. Talk to the members, grab a broom and try it out to see how physically and mentally demanding it is. I also suggest that you talk to the facilities manager and gauge exactly what the club offers outside of just curling. It’s not just a curling club. Adam Duncan Comox

KEEP AN OPEN MIND Before we can begin a common sense debate on the merits of the proposed funding to improve the current state of the old curling rink we need to clear up a few

facts that are based on opinions. For starters, Sunnydale Golf and Country club, one of the oldest on the Island, wouldn’t be in business today if it wasn’t for substantial government aid. Burning off calories is all well and good. However, sport-related injuries cost the health-care system a bundle of money. Broken bones, bad backs, joint replacements later in life, that sort of thing. Numerous studies have proven beyond a shadow of doubt that throughout the course their lifespan, people who sit on their duff, smoke 20 cigarettes a day while practicing their extreme sitting techniques cost the state far less money. As for the sport itself who am I to judge, all I can do is sit back and try and keep an open mind and not let my preformed prejudices cloud my judgment. I only played on one occasion and although I was only a novice they kindly they let me go first. Throwing the rocks was kind of fun. The sweeping part wasn’t for me. I could never figure out why someone at the far end of the rink would holler and yell at me to sweep something off the ice that I was in a much better position to see. These are my views on the subject, if you don’t like them, I have others. Doug Poole Courtenay

Finding help for an autistic son “I think your son is autistic.” When my son’s learning assistance teacher first suggested that my son had autism, I didn’t believe him. Sure he had difficulties at school but he had been diagnosed with learning disabilities in 2nd grade. Surely all the issues he was having with his grades were a result of that. He was depressed and moody, didn’t have many friends, and hated school. To me he was a typical 16-year-old teenager. I ignored the teacher and resolved that next year we would get him a tutor and spend the summer getting him ready to get his first part time job. About halfway through the job training program, I realized that he was nowhere near ready to get a job. Alarm bells began to ring but then he went to his grandmothers for a month and when he got back it was get back to school time. We got a tutor, wrangled with the school to fit it in during the day, and got back into the swing of things. My son didn’t improve, he got worse. When I met with the Learning Assistance teacher again in October, and he suggested the testing, I didn’t argue - I took him to his family doctor to begin the process. It took from November of that year to the following February before he was finally tested. We got the diagnosis in May. He had Asperger’s Syndrome, autism, but high functioning. I’d like to say I was brave, that I took it in stride, but in reality I was just devastated. All I could think about was that my beautiful, loving, quirky boy was autistic. I wanted to be a superhero mom like others I had read about but all I could think was 17 years wasted, 17 years without help, 17 years that my son suffered alone in a world that to him was alien and hostile. I thought about all the times I yelled at him for forgetting, all the frustrating study sessions when I fruitlessly drilled him in facts that he couldn’t remember until we were both in tears. How could I have missed this? The school and the doctors both said that it happens quite frequently, but I couldn’t

believe them. I was angry at all of them, the teachers, the educational psychologists, the doctors who never, ever, said one word about autism. But deep, deep down, I was really angry at myself. The fault was mine, I was his mother - I’m the one who was supposed to look out for him. I pushed forward with the paperwork for funding, met with the team at TAP (The Autism Program at Comox Valley Child Development), met with the Ministry of Children and Families, continued to take my son to tutoring, watched as my husband went with him to get his grad suit, and got through graduation. We spent the summer taking him to TAP for Individual Behavioural Therapy, and Summer Camp. I was tremendously overprotective and didn’t want to let him out of my sight. I treated him more like a child than the adult he was technically becoming. He went to visit his grandmother and I was afraid to let him fly, although he had done it many times before. I actually sat and watched him until he boarded the plane, and then stayed until the plane took off and slowly faded from my sight. Slowly and with a tremendous amount of help from the great people at TAP, I’m starting to let go of all of it. I see improvements in my child and I’m grateful. I spend a lot of time with my son and he is slowly letting me into his world. He worked hard and completed his Foodsafe Level 1, on his way to achieving his goal of becoming a chef. He cooks at home and at TAP and yesterday he finished his first volunteer shift at a local café, getting work experience for his resume. I don’t know what the future holds for my son, but I’m starting to hope again. I want to thank everyone who helped us get through this year: The LA teacher who suggested we get our son tested, Trenna and Liz from 4R’s who helped him get through Grade 12 and provided support and a shoulder to cry on, the counsellors who have been involved in his therapy, especially Katie who works with him the most and to

April Statz, head of the Autism Program whose no nonsense approach and common sense gave me the courage to do what I needed to do. I thank you all. Name withheld to protect son’s privacy

DEVELOPERS NOT THE PROBLEM With reference to the article appearing in the April 3rd issue of the Comox Valley Echo I wish to offer my comments on the content, Blaming developers for the proverbial 74 million dollars for a new sewage treatment plant. Our existing plant is 36 years old, 11 years past its projected life sPan and still pumping. Based on a population of 75,000 at a rate of 3.5 average per household, 20,000 dwellingS using the system at 30 cents is $6000.00 per day at 365 days we would raise $2,190,000.00. After 35 years and $76,650,000.00 later we would have 2,650,000 to provide 20,000 inhabitants with a $4.00 coffee at Starbucks for 166 days. The problem is not the developers but that we have enjoyed cheap sewer and water rates with no contingency to replace aging infrastructures and now want new comers to pay for it. People have to live somewhere and our business as developers is to provide homes as all of us like. For my developments I was responsible to pay for roads, curbs, sidewalks, sewer, storm, water mains, streetlights, meters in addition to approximately $13,000.00 devlopment cost charges per door. Our problem is not developers but the fact that no monies were set aside to replace infrastructure. We as a community choose to spend elsewhere, legal fees, consultants, surveys, beautification, water meters, bike paths, bike bridges, curling rinks, etc. The latest being sprinklers on the boulevards on Lerwick and AGAIN we dig it up! Oh right, we have a shortage of water. I think I need a holiday.... Joe Formosa Courtenay

Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014 A11

What’s On

A happy painting by Mary Nichols

â– PEARL ELLIS GALLERY

The Monday Bunch Island Voices sing the ‘Rhythm of Life’ paints for pleasure Roger Helfrick, baritone and harpist, is a special guest

The Pearl Ellis Gallery will be presenting the Monday Bunch’s annual Spring art show and sale beginning Wednesday, April 8th and running until April 27th. The official opening reception of the Monday Bunch show will take place from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 12th. Refreshments will be served. The Monday Bunch has been meeting since the early 1980s and one of the original members is still coming to paint on Mondays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. They meet at the Comox Lion’s Den. The entrance to the Den is conveniently located on the lower level behind the Pearl Ellis Gallery on Nordin Street. The Monday Bunch members appreciate this easily accessible workspace and the bright, cheery atmosphere in the room. Members paint and take breaks to walk around the room, to encourage one another or to ask for suggestions. T hey break for lunch, usually packed lunches brought along with painting materials and tea or coffee made in the kitchen. Most of us feel supported, inspired and motivated by painting with others and by being able to share with each other about our ongoing work. The members paint in a variety of mediums ranging from oils and

acrylics to watercolours. There is no instructor but the member artists experiment with their own styles, at their own pace. Each painter has a unique background and displays their personality and curiosity in their work. They gain inspiration from each other and a variety of other sources. Subject matter varies widely and can encompass landscapes, florals, portraits, whimsy, wildlife, seascapes, modern, sports, inspirational and architecture. New members are always welcome! Throughout the years we have seen many people come through our doors and we have a well attended and very active group. Anyone who is interested and thinks they might like to start painting with us are always welcome to come and visit us on a Monday. The Pearl Ellis Gallery is located at 1729 Comox Avenue and is open to the public Tuesdays to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and Sundays from 1 - 4pm. We are closed Mondays. The gallery is wheel chair accessible. Admission is free. For more information or a virtual tour of the show visit our web site at www.pearlellisgallery.com or our Facebook page. The public are reminded that the gallery will be closed Easter Sunday, April 20th.

Island Voices Chamber Choir welcomes Spring in their concert to be held on April 12 in Campbell River and April 13 in Comox. The “Rhythm of Life� is the theme of this concert and the vast range of music presented is sure to have the audience experiencing every emotion. Exploring the wonderful sounds of nature in the first portion of the concert, the choir will use onomatopoeia to represent the sounds of falling rain, insects, birds and more. This nature portion of the concert will also include The Seal Lullaby with text by Rudyard Kipling, and Wood River by Canadian singer/ songwriter Connie Kalder. The second half of the concert will take the audience on a journey through life’s main events. The audience will be treat to a beautiful choral rendering of the storybook Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney arranged by Campbell River’s own Jim Vining. The wide variety of music presented will include a work by Gustav Holst, Josquin de Pres, and another Canadian singer/songwriter Sheri Ulrich. Roger Helfrick, the highly acclaimed guest artist for this concert, is perhaps best known for his harp playing and singing in Winter Harp. Helfrick’s voice has been described as having a “clear, trans-

parent, warm and completely natural sound that truly makes you want to melt away�, by Lori Pappajohn, the director of Winter Harp. Formerly from Alberta, Helfrick has made his home in the Comox Valley since 2007. He has produced four CD’s and has toured throughout Canada and Japan. You can experience this inspiring concert in Campbell River on Saturday, April 12 at the Maritime Heritage Centre. Please note that this concert will begin at 7 pm. Tickets are $18 or $15

for students and seniors and include a reception following the concert. They can be purchased at the Campbell River Visitor Information Centre. The Comox Valley concert will take place at 7 pm, April 13 at Comox United Church. Tickets are $15 or $12 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at Blue Heron bookstore, or Laughing Oyster bookstore. For more information about either concert please call 250-285-3560 or 250-338-1439, or visit the website www.islandvoiceschamberchoir.bc.ca

FARWELL RETROSPECTIVE SHOW AT ART ALCHEMY Art Alchemy presents a retrospective of Lynn Farwell, a varied collection of work representative of Farwell’s multiple styles and influences done over the last 4 years, exploring the artist’s different styles and techniques. TViewers can expect to see a diverse colour palate in Farwell’s paintings and prints. These works include figures, landscapes, and abstracts inspired by Art Deco, First Nations Art and Japanese Block Printing. The artist described her dedication to the artistic process by stating, “Show up and do the work.� Lynn Farwell has studied at the University of Victoria, the University of British Columbia, and is a member of Art Alchemy Studio/Gallery. For the last four

years, she has been exhibiting throughout British Columbia. Lynn Farwell: A Retrospective Art Alchemy Studio/Gallery 362 C, 10th street, Courtenay, British Columbia (above United Carpet) Show opening: Friday, April 11, 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Will run every day 10:00am - 4:00pm till April 26.

With Marlene Oolo and friends

ENTERTEINMENT HOUR AT BERWICK This month’s special guests feature

THE PIXIE CHICKS SINGERS With Lainie Laughlin &Vivian Ruskin and THE VOICE Smooth talking Bud Hauser who will entertain us with a few songs from their repertoire

TUESDAY, APRIL 15th at 2:00 pm In the Community Room at Berwick

Refreshments courtesy of Berwick following the performance. “ENTERTAINMENT HOUR� IS FREE for Comox Valley seniors, but seating is limited, so call and reserve your seat today.

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A12 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014

What’s On

etc.

■ GEORGIA STRAIGHT JAZZ SOCIETY

ECHO

Strathcona Little Big Band plays Thursday

Quilting workshop Sunday at Black Creek

Disappearing Nine Patch Quilting is a perfect workshop for new quilters. Join Jackee Thaysen at the beautiful Black Creek Community Centre, where you will produce a 49 by 63 inch quilt. Learn the quick tips to making a nine patch, then cut it up and arrange it into a gorgeous and interesting new block! $50 per person. Sunday, April 13 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Black Creek Community Centre. 2001 Black Creek Rd. Call to register and get your required supply list: (250) 337-5190.

Arts workshop on at Cumberland centre An arts workshop at Cumberland United Church and the Cumberland Centre for the Arts will be held on Saturday, April 12, from noon to 4pm. Materials will be available to explore and express the themes of Good Friday through the creation of original art works in a variety of media. In particular, local artist and art teacher, Penny McCullough, will offer instruction in the techniques of making prayer flags. Persons of all ages and all levels of experience are welcome. You may come for all or part of the scheduled time. The art pieces created will be displayed as part of the Good Friday Vigil at Cumberland United on Friday, April 18. The Church and Arts Centre is located at the corner of First Street and Penrith Avenue in Cumberland.

Comox Valley Spirit Fair on this weekend This spring marks the 9th Comox Valley Spirit Fair. This popular event put on by Mystic Vancouver Island, showcases talented mediums, clairvoyants, readers and holistic practitioners from the Comox Valley and mid Vancouver Island. It is an opportunity to get a taste of the different types of psychic readings and energy healings available and to meet with likeminded people. The two day fair will be this Saturday April 12th from 11-4 and Sunday April 13th from 12-4 in the Beaufort Room at the Coast Westerly Hotel on Cliffe Ave. Admission is free. For more information please visit www.mysticvancouverisland.weebly.com.

Award-winning blues duo performs Thursday at pub Audiences, critics, and blues lovers all over North America and Europe seem to agree Braithwaite & Whiteley play some of the best Blues music you are ever likely to hear. Collectively Braithwaite & Whiteley have been awarded 9 Maple Blues Awards and 6 JunoNominations. Their three CDs have all received numerous awards and nominations: Morning Sun, Night Bird Blues and DeltaPhonic Butts Giraud and The Flying Canoe West Coast Pub are proud to present a free concert by: Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley. They will be performing in the The Flying Canoe West Coast Pub at the Best Western Plus, The Westerly Hotel on Thursday April 10th. The theme is dinner theater. Dress for the occasion if you so choose and arrive early for dinner, before the show, to save your seat. Reservations are highly recommended. Show begins at 7:00PM with Andre Kaufmann and Butts Giraud opening this wonderful evening of music. To reserve call 250331-4006.

The big band season continues... After last week’s memorable performance by the NMA Big Band, we have the extended stage out for the second week in a row, as The Strathcona Little Big Band returns this Thursday to The Avalanche Bar & Grill on Eighth Street. Approaching the end of its fourth season, the band’s sound has matured significantly as it plays its own brand of high energy, entertaining big band music. Little in name only, the band consists of a full five-piece sax section : Suzie Christensen and Fred Kolls on Alto Saxes, Julie Kenny and Gord James on Tenor Saxes and Julie Chamberlain on the Baritone Sax. This time out the saxes will be featured on Duke Jordan’s swing classic “Jordu” and Jobim’s “Wave.” You can also look forward to the section’s beautiful rendition of “Dreamsville” by Henry Mancini. Four trumpets and 3 trombones make up a horn section that generates precise shots and lush interpretations of old and new tunes. Expect to hear beautiful renditions of Bobby Shew’s “Blue” from trumpeter Roger Kirk. Also, look forward to some amazing solo work from Jake Masri and Jay Havelaar, with Wendy Daniel’s solid support. The trombone section consists of Phil Cassidy, Doug Craig, and Brian Killikelly. You can expect to hear some excellent solo and soli work from this fine section. Brian will be featured on the classic, “Here Comes That Rainy Day” and Doug’s rendition of “You Are Too Beautiful” will tear up a few eyes. The Little Big Band has one of the most energetic rhythm sections around and this time will be no exception. Michael Eddy on piano will be providing solid accompaniment plus a few fiery solos including a wonderful rendition of Duke Ellington’s “Shiny Stockings.” Completing the rhythm section are Band Director Don MacKay on bass and the “bopster” himself, Billy Street on drums. Billy will be featured on several numbers including the classic “Sing, Sing, Sing” To change things up a bit, The Little Big Band will add a bit of

The Strathcona Little Big Band returns Thursday to the Jazz Society session funky jazz to this show including Chuck Mangione’s “Feels So Good” and that 1970’s favorite “Pick Up The Pieces.” The Strathcona Little Big Band always leaves people smiling so please come out and enjoy the opportunity to hear one of Vancouver Island’s fine big bands. If you wonder why live jazz fans are having such fun these days, and you don’t quite believe it’s happening visit www.georgiastraightjazz.com and select the “Images” tab at the top of the home page.

From there, just select the albums of Bill Jorgensen and Peter Sinclair two great local photographers who have taken on the artistic challenge of linking the music and musicians to their images - you’ll be amazed at the beauty and diversity of these photographs, capturing the spirit that’s alive and well in Courtenay at Thursday Night Jazz at the Av! This would be a great week to come on down and discover for yourself why it’s such a popular club. Regular jazz fans will make you feel really welcome!

Denman author reading at library Denman Island author, Bill Engleson, who was born in Powell River and raised in Nanaimo, will be reading selected excerpts from his first novel, Like a Child to Home, and discussing the genesis of the book, at the Courtenay Branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library, 300 6th Street, on Thursday, April 10, 2014 from 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Engleson’s debut novel is a gritty and thoughtful tale about social worker, Wally Rose, and the hectic, byzantine and heartbreaking child welfare system he works in. The book is set, for the most part,

in the dark winter month of November 2001. Wally Rose is nearing the end of his professional life. He spends most of his days stick handling services to an array of young people in the care of the Province. As he helps a fellow worker trace a missing 14 year old girl, an old case from his earlier days comes back and threatens to end his career on an irredeemably bitter note. All are welcome to attend this event. For more information, also check out Bill’s website/blog at www.engleson.ca

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Legion Ladies having bake sale in Comox The Ladies Auxiliary to the Comox Legion #160 will be holding a bake sale in the Comox Mall on April 12th from 11 - 1 pm. Please come out & join us as we try to raise funds for our veterans as well as various charities in the Comox Valley.

Videos this month at two United Churches Comox United Church and St. George’s United Church are hosting two video presentations this month. A discussion will follow each of these presentations. Wednesday, April 9, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Comox United Church features a showing entitled “Sacred Science-Big History and Human Nature.” In this presentation, Michael Dowd, an American evolutionary theologian, expands on his 2012 TEDx talk, exploring what God reveals through science and shows how evidence-based faith can offer a realistically hopeful and inspiring vision of the future to help us live happier, healthier, more purposeful lives. Dowd is a best-selling author whose works includes, “Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World.” On Tuesday, April 15 from 2:004:00 pm at St. George’s United Church the video presentation features Phyllis Tickle, an American author and lecturer whose work focuses on spirituality and religious issues.

Save up to $100 on a smartphone when you bundle mobile with Optik TV and Internet.*

Monarch Lions selling signs at Home Show Visit the Comox Valley Monarch Lions members at the Spring Home Show, Comox Valley Sports Centre the weekend of April 11 to 13, to purchase your 911 Reflective Address Sign. Lion members will be at the Spring Home Show to make your 911 Reflective Address Sign while you wait. They only sell for $40.00. 100% of proceeds go directly back into the community. Or order your 911 reflective address sign today at www.911reflectivesign.ca or call 250-338-9602.

™

Visit your TELUS store or Authorized Dealer.

®

TELUS STORE OR AUTHORIZED DEALER Courtenay 795 Ryan Rd.

1599 Cliffe Ave.

2885 Cliffe Ave.

*Offer available with any activation of a new TELUS smartphone or iPhone on a 2 year post-paid consumer rate plan. Promotional discount is the lesser of $100 and the price of the eligible device before tax. The mobility and TELUS home services accounts must be in the same name. TELUS, the TELUS logo, Optik, Optik TV and the future is friendly are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under licence. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. © 2014 TELUS.

Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014 A13

Your Kids Golf FREE! * Kids aged 10-18 * With paid Adult Membership

(250) 334-3060 • 5291 North Island Highway, Courtenay, BC V9J 1S7

Sports and Recreation

THOSE GUYS ARE DODGEBALL CHAMPS

Those Guys made the leap back from perennial contenders to being champions once again in the Comox Valley Sports & Social Club’s Intermediate Dodgeball League. They rattled off a 10-6 win over the rival Thundercats in the finals at Cumberland Jr.

THE DART BOARD COMOX VALLEY PUB LEAGUE MIXED DARTS April 8/2014 POSITION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

TEAM Crty Legion Black Cats Crty Legion DA’s Cx Legion Aces Cx Legion Beer Pigs Elks Misfitz Cx Legion Bulls Hitters Elks Fungis Griffin Gang Griffin Darts of Hazzard

POINTS 165 135 119 107 99 94 91 69 59

April 1 scores: CLA 5-CLBP 4, CLBC 6-CLDA 3, DoH 4-EF 5, GG O-EM 9

Ladies Hi Score: Leslie Lamouroux, Patti Dennis (2), Wendy Wiseman, JoJo Scott, Jenny Nyland 140 Men’s Hi Score: Art Forbes 174 Ladies Hi Checkout: Lona Dennis 100 Men’s Hi Checkout: Brian Wilcox 148 180s: Brian Wilcox, Glen Litchfield

Brett Commins of the Grease Balls goes airborne Spider-man style up the wall to dodge a barrage of balls heading his way. The Grease Balls finished in fifth place,.

COMOX VALLEY MEN’S DART ASSOCIATION LEAGUE APRIL 3/14

GOLF NEWS

POS. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Forty guys played in brilliant sunshine on the opening day of the Comox Golf Club Men’s Morning 6th April. 0-16 low gross - 1st Nick Usher 69, 2nd Kyle Mudge 72, 3rd Tracy Branch 73 0-16 low net - 1st Rick Adams 63, 2nd Mark Smith 67, 3rd Marty Petersen 67 17+low gross - 1st Brian Buchanan 86, 2nd Burt Meek 89, 3rd Fred Tomlinson 92 17+ low net - 1st Jim Polson 70, 2nd Hank V12 72, 3rd Don Gates 72 9 KP prizes were donated by Westview Ford, Comox Pacific Express and Comox Men’s Club Pot of gold 17+ Ron Nichols Deuce Pot - Nick Usher, Kyle Mudge, Marty Petersen Snips 0-16 - Don Ellis, Kyle Mudge, Tracy Branch, Nick Usher Snips 17+ - Ron Nichols, Brian Buchanan Brian Bird won 2 games at Cowichan GC. Course GM and Head Pro Keith Gibson presented Comox GC towels for tee shot on #9. - Submitted by Vic Crisp

POINTS 372 309 302 266 249 189 188

Team Courtenay Legion A Courtenay Legion C Courtenay Legion B Griffin Pub Flyers Comox Legion C Comox Legion B Griffin Pub A

TOP 10 AVERAGES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

60.74 60.38 57.66 56.91 55.66 54.45 54.21 54.03 53.92 52.55

Bill DURANT Joe McNEIL Terry JACKSON Ernie LINDEN Glen LITCHFIELD Mark WYATT Jack ETHIER Daniel LEAMAN John CHEQUIS Bill McPHERSON

GAMES WON THIS WEEK Comox Legion B Comox Legion C Courtenay Legion A Courtenay Legion B Courtenay Legion C Griffin Pub Griffin Pub Flyers

Bye 10 18 6 14 11 13

High Checkout: John Chequis 134 High Score: Bill MacPherson, Jack Ethier, Terry Hills, John Chequis, Ralph Brydon 177 180s: Terry Hills 2, Jamie Deith 1, Chuck Smith 1, Jack Ethier 1, Bill MacPherson 1, Hap Hanson 1, John Chequis 1, Mark Wyatt 2, Ralph Brydon 1, Glen Litchfield 1, Stan Kowalewich 1, Shane Dennis 1, Ernie Linden 1

CONGRATULATIONS !!! TO K. Choiniere of Courtenay And T. Chaisson of Courtenay Winners of tickets and t-shirts

To ALL-STAR WRESTLING August 8th at CRI Hall In Cumberland Hosted by Motorcycle Roundup Sponsored in part by

MEN’S OPENING DAY AT COMOX

RAINY DAY AT GLACIER GREENS Saturday Apr. 5th at Glacier Greens the weather started out with no rain but then it rained; windy

and cool but 75 players managed to complete their round and here are the scores: HCP 0-9 First Low Gross Mackenzie Osborne 75 c/b, 2nd Barry Norris 75, 3rd Terran Berger 76 c/b First Low Net Steve Blacklock 69 c/b, 2nd Steve Peters 69, 3rd Ron Morrison 70 Snips Hole #7 Stan Mills, #11 & #18 Andy Blair, #14 Terran Berger, #15 Al Cabilan HCP 10-17 First Low Gross Dave Osborne 82, 2nd Bill Todd 83 c/b, Rod Cobham 83 First Low Net Rob Egan 71, 2nd Gilles Raiche 73 c/b., 3rd Nick Mykitiuk 73 Snips Hole #1 & #16 Rob Egan, #12 Gabe Tremblay, #14 Lyle Torrie, #18 Adrian Haut HCP 18+ First Low Gross Al Waddell 90 c/b, 2nd Rudge Wilson 90, 3rd Wayne Hay 94 c/b First Low Net Ken Doll 68, 2nd Al Pasanen 71 c/b, 3rd Hank Fortin 71 Snips Hole #2 Elmo Guinan, #17 (POG) Rudge Wilson Let’s hope we start to get some better weather on Saturdays. We have had 2 days of sunshine and then Saturday. Winners of the Clubhouse improvement meat draw were not the same old winners; they were: Gabe Tremblay, Stan Mills, Mike Pollock, Steve Peters, Steve Blacklock and Al Pasanen. Starting next week the clubhouse will be open at 7:00 for breakfast. Till then see ya - Submitted by Ron Carter

MARINE A N D B O AT

S H OW

Those Guys aren’t ‘those guys’ anymore. To clarify, for four straight seasons the team has been a favourite to win the Comox Valley Sports & Social Club’s Intermediate Dodgeball League championship, often posting perfect records only to fall just shy of winning the championship in the playoffs. But that streak of just missing out is over, as Those Guys beat the rival Thundercats by a 10-6 score in the finals on Wednesday night, capturing their first title since the fall of 2011 when they were known as the Manibags. A quick start was key for the team captained by Chad West, as they captured the first few points and created a buffer in the score. When they stalled at nine points and the Thundercats started chipping away at their lead and gaining momentum, they managed to find enough in the tank to battle back and get the final clinching point. The Lightning Dogs finished in third place with a 10-4 win over Piggy Back Attack, while the Grease Balls took fifth spot with a 10-6 win over The Ballistics and the Dodge Fathers finished seventh overall with a 10-5 win over the Super Attack Squad. Registration is open until April 14 for the CVSSC’s Spring Sports Leagues. This list of popular co-ed leagues includes both Beach Volleyball and Indoor Volleyball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Flag Football, Slo Pitch and Kickball. More info can be found at www. comoxvalleysports.ca or by contacting Scott at 250.898.7286 and scott@ comoxvalleysports.ca.

DARTS EVENTS Upcoming darts events: BC Seniors games, North Island Zone playoffs; 9 am April 12th at the Filberg Centre in Courtenay. Contact Fred or Ginny at 250-3344334 for full info. Comox Legion’s “8th Annual Memorial Tournament”, April 26 Teams of 4 can be Male, Female or Coed. Entry fee is $40.00 per team, restricted to 20 teams. Deadline Friday the 25th, you can reserve a spot by calling either of 250-339-2112 or 250-339-9592 or by e-mail at dcwillington@gmail. com Check in up by 9.45, toe line is 10 am, lunch will be available. Smitty’s Comox is offering 10% of their breakfast menu to participants in the Memorial Shoot. - Submitted by Branch 160 Sports Chair.

SATURDAY APRIL 12, 2014 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

CAMPBELL RIVER Discovery Harbour Marina and Shopping Centre 102-1370 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC 250.286.1011 • 1.800.663.2294 www.oceanpacificmarine.com

A14 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Sports and Recreation

Classic cycling film being shown for cancer cause Before Lance Armstrong became an infamous athlete, European cyclists ruled the sport of road cycling. One such cyclist was Eddie Merckx, a Belgian man whose strength and endurance earned him the nickname “The Cannibal”. As the spring season rouses the northern hemisphere, racing enthusiasts around the world anticipate the upcoming yearly classic ParisRoubaix bicycle race, and wonder how a cyclist like Merckx would fare compared to contemporary athletes. The event is a one-day race in northern France and will be run this year on the weekend. Paris-Roubaix is a race steeped in cycling history. It was first staged in 1896 and continues to this day, with breaks occurring during the two world wars. The event is nicknamed the “Hell of the North” and has the reputation of being more difficult than the average race. One peculiar aspect of the course is that it incorporates sections of pavé old roads and paths that are constructed of cobblestones.

Cycling legend Eddie Merckx in ‘A Sunday in Hell’ about the famed Paris-Roubaix race

Flat tires, mechanical problems, and injuries from crashes are common in this event due to the rough terrain and unpredictable spring weather. This Friday, the 1976 Dutch film “A Sunday in Hell” will be shown at the Stan Hagen Theatre as a fundraiser for the Ride to Conquer Cancer. The film is a 93-minute chronicle of a typical staging of the race in France and documents the rivalries amongst the dominant Belgian cyclists of the time, including Eddie Merckx. The movie will be presented by Jessica’s Side, a team of Courtenay cyclists supporting local mom Jessica Cote, who is receiving treatment for a brain tumour, and whose husband was recently laid off from his longstanding job at an electronics retailer. The film itself is widely regarded as one of the top ten cycling films of all time. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door or at either location of Mosaic Vision Care in Courtenay. A Sunday In Hell - Friday, April 11, 2014 7:00 pm. Stan Hagen Theatre, North Island College

Hoops for Youth with a new spin on the basketball Hoops for Youth is pleased to announce that the Basketball program will be offered again in our Comox Valley this Spring on Mondays or/and Wednesdays for all ages from kindergarten to grade 7 and girls from grade 8-12 at Mark R Isfeld Secondary. The group Hoops for Youth, under the leadership of varsity coaches Jouska Lockquell and Tom Elwood saw the need to create more opportunities for youth to play basketball all year long. “Our senior athletes always tell us that they wish they could have started playing basketball earlier,” explains coach Jouska Lockquell. Hoops for Youth is about fair play, skill development and most of all, having fun while learning the fundamentals of basketball. “Last Fall, our Steve Nash Program was a success. Now that our Boys and Girls Varsity teams are back from their own BC Championships, the senior athletes-coaches are ready to share their passion with the kids and give back to the community.” The same 15 coaches who gained NCCP certification with the Women Basketball National Olympic team coaches Alison and Mike McNeill from BC Basketball. “With the NCCP certification, we are making sure that we not only have enthusiastic and passionate leaders, but also have coaches that follow the Sport Canada’s Long term Athlete Development Model and the National guideline in basketball,” adds Lockquell. “We want to offer a program where every player has the chance to celebrate their development. With a ratio of 5 players to 1, the players get the opportunity to maximize their potential, build character and self-esteem.” Registrations are open now until April 18, 2014. The program will run from April 28 till June 11 2014. Kindergarten-grade 1 Monday (4:00-5:00), Grade 2-3 Monday (5:00-6:00) Grade 4-5 Wednesday (4:005:00), Grade 6-7 on Monday and Wednesday night (time varies) Grade 8-12 girls wednesday (7:00-9:00) For more info or to get a registration form please email isfeldlockquell@gmail.com

Recreational Gymnasts at their best Over 100 Recreational Gymnasts presented their skills learned through hard work and dedication this past weekend at Courtenay Recreation’s Lewis Centre’s Comox Valley Gymnastics Championships. The results were as follows: Best all around - Vanessa Eigler, Most improved - Isabella Guthrie, Best Effort - Mykayla Brazier, Taryn Fifield Dynamic, Zachary Balbon - Best All Around, Francis Bindernagel - Outstanding Effort, and Chase Balbon - Achievement. Also taking home trophies were: Hope

Isenor for the Girls Gymnast Award; awarded based on giving her best at each session, her attitude, and her love for the sport. Joah Faria was awarded the Boys Gymnast Award; based on work ethic, how far he has come, and for taking on new challenges. The Trampoline Award went to Zachary Balbon, above, for his outstanding accomplishments this year, his love for the sport and his attitude for always wanting to learn more.

Put down the remote, get ready for BC Seniors Games BC Senior Games September 9-13th, 2014 - Langley is getting ready to host the games- are you ready to participate? We have now pried the TV remote from our very tired fingers after the Winter Olympics, put away the snow shovel for the last time and are now ready to do what? Archery, badminton,Bocce, Bridge (Social and duplicate), carpet bowling, cribbage,cycling, darts, dragon boat racing, equestrian, five pin bowling, floor curling, golf, horseshoes, ice curling, ice hockey, lawn bowling, pickle-

Would you forget to change me?

Receive up to

25

AIR MILES on Selected Oil Change Packages While Supplies Last

581 Ryan Rd. Comox 250-334-9969 Next to A&W Across from Superstore

ball, slo-pitch, soccer ,swimming, table tennis, tennis, track & field and whist are the events this year. Events are generally divided into age categories and the emphasis is on participation, camaraderie and fun. With over 3500 participants attending from all over BC, it will sometimes feel like one huge party with both Opening and Closing Ceremonies, a banquet and dance, meeting old and new friends and of course good healthy competition. You are eligible if you are: 55 years or older as of December

31,2014 and a BC resident as of January 1,2014 . Now’s the time to put your action plan into effect. Grab your racket, hockey stick, horseshoes, cards or bathing suits- it doesn’t matter what, you will ultimately be a winner! Check the website www. bcseniorsgames.org for complete details including the registration forms,.specific sport details and your Zone 2 Sport Coordinator who will

answer your questions, help you fill out the forms and tell you about the playdowns in your sport. Have you thought about accommodations or transportation to the Games? Now’s the time to take action both on paper by registering and practicing your particular sport. You are never too old to go for the Gold! - Submitted by Judy Francis Area 4 Representative Zone 2, judyfra@telus.net

2014

CARRIERS WANTED Comox Harbour Tide Guide No collection required. Great exercise!

All proceeds help support CV Marine Search & Rescue

Call Comox Valley Echo • 250-334-4734 or drop by 407-D 5th Street, Courtenay Courtenay Rt. 8105 – Kilpatrick, 29th - 27th, Moray Rt. 8106 – Kilpatrick, Anfield Centre (Walmart) Rt. 8130 – Cliffe (Between 19th & 10th), Riverside Lane, Beckensell Comox Rt. 1102A – Bolt, Anderton, Noel, Marten, Linshart Rt. 2102 – Harbour Wood Rt. 2118 – Comox Ave, Baybrook, Orchard Park, Mack Laing Rt. 2129 – Sylvan, Parry, Aspen, Idiens Rt. 2145 – Jubilee, Bolt, Heron Rt. 2153A – Olympic, Murrelet Substitutes: (May/14 to Oct/14) Rt. 2155 - 2300 – Murrelet Substitutes: (Jan/14 to May/14) Rt. 2113 – Buena Vista, Queens, McLeod, Richardson, McCullough Crown Isle Rt. 3120 – Monarch, Royal Rt. 3134 – Crown Isle Dr., Birkshire, Sussex Valleyview Rt. 3122 – Swan, Trumpeter, Sparrow, Valley View

Earn extra $$$$ for all that fun stuff that mom won't buy!

Convenient Pocket Size More Durable Paper

GREAT FOR:

Used Exclusively by Local Fishing Guide Steve Veloso Island Pursuit Sport Fishing

s Tide Bites s "OAT ,AUNCHING s +AYAKING s "EACHCOMBING

AVAILABLE AT ANY OF THESE LOCALLY MINDED BUSINESSES: Fanny Bay Oysters First Insurance Locations Nautech Pacific Playgrounds A&E Marine Wolf Boats Don McRae, MLA office Tyee Marine Fishing Hunting Outdoors WestView Ford (top of Mission Hill) Co-Op (top of Mission Hill & Comox)

Pilon Tool Rentals Bates Beach Oceanfront Resort Thrifty Foods Eldorado Upholstery Courtenay Fish & Game Association Rice Toyota St. Jean’s Cannery Sunwest RV Sunwest Auto River Sportsman Campbell River Boatland

Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014 A15

CARRIERS WANTED EARN $$$$$$$$ COURTENAY Rt. 8105 – Kilpatrick, 29th - 27th, Moray Rt. 8106 – Kilpatrick, Anfield Centre (Walmart) Rt. 8130 – Cliffe (Between 19th & 10th), Riverside Lane, Beckensell COMOX Rt. 1102A – Bolt, Anderton, Noel, Marten, Linshart Rt. 2102 – Harbour Wood Rt. 2118 – Comox Ave, Baybrook, Orchard Park, Mack Laing Rt. 2129 – Sylvan, Parry, Aspen, Idiens Rt. 2145 – Jubilee, Bolt, Heron Rt. 2153A – Olympic, Murrelet Substitutes: (May/14 to Oct/14) Rt. 2155-2300 – Murrelet Substitutes: (Jan/14 to May/14) Rt. 2113 – Buena Vista, Queens, McLeod, Richardson, McCullough CROWN ISLE Rt. 3120 – Monarch, Royal Rt. 3134 – Crown Isle Dr., Birkshire, Sussex VALLEYVIEW Rt. 3122 – Swan, Trumpeter, Sparrow, Valley View

No Collection Required Call COMOX VALLEY ECHO 250−334−4734 or drop by 407−D 5th Street, Courtenay

A16 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Sports and Recreation

PERFECT DAY FOR PEPSI CHALLENGE

Brian Gorman with Chris Lane receiving the The Spirit of Herb Bradley Award

Sunday, March 23rd was the perfect day to host the Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports’ (VISAS) annual fundraiser, the Herb Bradley Pepsi Challenge. Participants had a great day of spring skiing at Mount Washington Alpine Resort with 17 teams involved, many with some killer costumes and accessories. The Herb Bradley is in its 25th year and is VISAS’s major fundraiser for the year. Teams from down island, the Comox Valley and Campbell River showed up for a fun and easy slalom race with VISAS’s adaptive snowsports students. The team closest to its estimated time was the champion with Reliable Auto Body taking home this year’s bragging rights. The Spirit of Herb Bradley Award is named for the founder of adaptive snowsports on Vancouver Island and a leading community figure in his day. The award is given each year to an individual who embodies Herb’s enthusiastic spirit - someone who rises above challenges and setbacks to participate in the thrill of snowsports. This year’s recipient is Chris Lane, a long-time participant in the program, and now a VISAS instructor. “Although we had to reschedule our fundraiser due to snow conditions,” said event co-organizer Brian Gorman, “we were

pleased with the turn out and very appreciative of all our community partners and supporters.” “We would especially like to thank Peter Gibson and his team at Mount Washington, Westjet for its donation of a travel voucher, Pepsi Canada, Thrifty Foods, CHEK TV, all the local businesses who contributed prizes and gift items, to our VISAS volunteers, and to Oscar Grubwieser for taking some great photos.” The Herb Bradley is usually held the second Sunday in February and is open to anyone who would like a fun day on the slopes. Proceeds from the event go to cover expenses for new adaptive equipment, the annual Learn to Ski/Snowboard Festival and ongoing instructional programs. Last year over 500 students participated in a variety of alpine, Nordic and snowboarding activities. VISAS’s program operates seven days a week with 85 volunteer instructors. For more information about getting involved with adaptive snowsports for individuals with physical challenges or who are developmentally delayed, or if you are interested in volunteering visit www.visasweb.ca or its Facebook Page. To view highlights from the 2014 HBPC visit www.flickr.com/ groups/visas.

MILLIONAIRE!

Enter at any or all of these participating merchants! no purchase necessary • see stores for details • draw date April 8/14

We Know Adventure!

PADDLE, HIKE, CAMP, TRAVEL

Shop in store or online at www.albernioutpost.com

COURTENAY

#3–1661 Cliffe Ave courtenay@albernioutpost.com

250 871 0264

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