Lake Cowichan Gazette, November 28, 2012

The Lake Cowichan

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012

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The Visitor Centre was a busy place on Friday, Nov. 23 as students from Lake Cowichan Secondary and middle Schools were on hand to help the centre’s manager, Katherine Worsley, decorate for the upcoming holiday season. Volunteer elves were busy around the town this past weekend decorating with holiday cheer in preparation for December Madness on Dec.7. It’s time to buy your tickets for the United Way fundraising breakfast too; see the details on page 12.

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

New Hope Community Church

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Community support needed to avert the elimination of local schools

A Family Celebration of Christmas Share with us a Service of story and song December 24 • 7:00 pm A family candle light service Everyone is welcome!

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December 3: Sundrops Centre Infant Development Specialist Lorna Lawson will answer any questions about assisting in your child’s development December 10: Sundrops Centre Family Consultant and Parenting Educator Shelley Rattinck will answer any parenting or play questions.

December 17: Foot and Hand Prints. Wear comfortable clothes and any fabric you would like printed. We will provide all ink and paper.

December 24 and 31: No Groups. Have a great Christmas and New Year!

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Donations may be made at the Breakfast Tickets are available at: Shaker Mill Restaurant, Community Services, by phoning Pat Foster at 250-749-3730 or at the door.

Gazette

Will Lake Cowichan Secondary School still be part of our student’s future after the Community Constulation meeting Dec. 8?

ELODIE ADAMS Gazette Editor

The upcoming Community Consultation session in Lake Cowichan will be one that determines the future of education in this community.

Cowichan Valley School District #79 has organized a meeting on Dec. 8 at Lake Cowichan Secondary School to discuss the options being considered for the schools in our area in an era of declining enrolment and increased costs.

Former school board trustee Duncan Brown and retired teacher and former school board trustee Diana Gunderson, both of Lake Cowichan, spoke to the Gazette recently about their concerns for the future of public education in the Lake Cowichan district.

“They are calling this a consultation process, and none of the questions that are going to be asked have come from the community,” remarked Brown. ”Everything that is going to be brought there has been brought there by them.

So really what they’re looking for is rati¿cation of the decisions that they’ve already made. They’re looking for consent from the community — not even consent — they’re looking for the appearance of consent by holding this consultation.”

Brown’s and Gunderson’s concern comes from their past experience of attending previous meetings of a similar kind, one of which resulted in the closure of Stanley Gordon School. They fear that the end result of this meeting will be the closure of the remaining public schools in the Lake Cowichan district.

Since taking on his position in the District, Mike McKay, the Of¿cial Trustee, has changed or suspended many of the policies that have directed School Board procedures and decisions. One most notable change is that the Of¿cial Trustee can suspend any policy as he feels necessary, and without binding him to public input. This means that he can make decisions as he feels necessary without hearing from the parents and communities involved.

“There will end up being a new high school in Duncan,” continued Brown, “and the argument will be we’ll move our high school students to that school, and we’ll bus our kids to Duncan. And we’ll have gone from seven schools to one.”

The president of the Lake Cowichan Teachers Association, Chris Rolls, added her concern about the outcome of the meeting to those of Brown and Gunderson, emphasizing the need for

public support.

“Getting the community out to the Community Consultation Meeting is essential,” Rolls told the Gazette. “We have faced cuts and threats of closure of our Lake schools before, but never to this extent, and never without being able to make appeals to a School Board that had some knowledge of our communities and that was willing to hear what the communities had to say.”

All three agreed that the replacement for the ¿red board trustees has landed the district with a government of¿cial who has no accountability or mandate for the community and who is making decisions about whether schools stay open or closed.

“The Of¿cial Trustee has talked about cuts to the “status quo” since his ¿rst Board Meeting in July,” Rolls said. “He has not addressed the fact that the district is underfunded, nor has he addressed that students are already not getting all of the supports that they require.

“This is NOT about more for teachers,” she insisted. “This is about the kids getting the services they need in their own communities. It is about keeping our schools and keeping our kids in our schools.”

The scheduled meeting on Dec. 8 will be held by the Of¿cial Trustee and Senior Administrators. According to Rolls, they have explained that they will ¿rst talk to the community about the ¿nancial dif¿culties and the fact that cuts must be made. Then they will have the community, who will be sitting around tables, discuss how the district can make cuts and meet the ¿nancial dif¿culties.

Then there will be a question and answer period from those present. The staff has also explained that they may ask a series of questions and take the information to combine with other community meetings and that each Community Consultation meeting will build from the rest. Lake Cowichan’s meeting is the ¿rst of four two hour sessions planned for the entire school district.

Following the Dec. 8 meeting in Lake Cowichan, other meetings are scheduled in Chemainus (also Dec. 8), George Bonner Middle School in Mill Bay (Jan. 12), and Quamichan Middle School, also Jan. 12, 2013.

“The communities should have the opportunity to say whether they support what is happening or not,” Brown said.

“What it boils down to is, you’re really making a decision as to what kind of community you’re going to have. What

kind of community do we want to build, do we want one that includes schools and kids, or are we going to be a suburb of Duncan?”

Every time the school board make cuts, more and more people migrate to the private system. And as they migrate, Brown says, it underfunds the public system.

“It’s just like a house of cards,” he said. “The resources get pulled, people move without those resources, then more resources get pulled and more people move out. And really it’s sad, but it’s happening.”

Rolls, who has been a teacher in Lake Cowichan for a long time, says she has never been as concerned for the district’s schools as she is now.

“What message do we want the Of¿cial Trustee to get from our community,” she said. “Do we wish to tell him that we are open to even more cuts, school closures and reduction of services to our kids?

Do we wish to tell him he is free to close our schools, ship our kids to Duncan, and that we are okay with that? Do we still want the new school that we have already said we need or can we put all of our kids, K-12, in one building and sell off the rest?”

Those are Rolls’s, Brown’s and Gunderson’s concerns, as well as what the ¿nal decision could mean to the communities.

“If we don’t have schools, it would really change the complexion of what this community is,” stated Brown.

“Honeymoon Bay was torn in half over that school’s closure.

“We need to support the community, and the community has got to come out and not settle for the options that are just put forward,” he added. “To actually demand what they want and what they deserve.”

“Come to the meeting at LCSS on Dec 8 at 9:30 a.m.,” insisted Rolls. “Come because you care what happens to our communities around the Lake. Come because you know that our schools are a vital part of our communities and we need our kids to have the services they need in their own towns. Come because the Official Trustee, who will be visiting our community for the first time in this role, needs to know that kids at the Lake matter, that people of the Lake care, and we will not settle for less.”

There were no mixed messages from these three concerning the Lake Cowichan area. If ever there was a need for the community to come out in support of its future, they all agree, it is now.

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THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

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Grads are getting excited Gazette welcomes new editor for year end ceremony The Lake Cowichan Senior Secondary School 2013 Grad Class is excited about the plans for their graduation festivities.

The LCSS 2013 Grad Class has had two meetings that have included parents and the graduating students, and I am happy to report we have a fantastic group of people this year.

The group, headed by a parent executive, have almost finalized the details of this years Grad Festivities. The unofficial theme this year seems to be Family.

The traditional grad ceremony will take place on June 22,2013 in the LCSS gym. After the ceremony, the group will head off to a Pot Luck dinner and reception that will be attended by family and grads. After that, the grads will board their limos and party bus and head to Victoria for a sunset cruise around the Victoria Harbour front before heading back to Lake Cowichan.

The following week, the grads will embark on their Dry Grad White Water Rafting Adventure in the interior for 3 days.

Of course none of this is free, so all the grads and parents are busy with various fundraising events around town.

The group needs to raise $20,000 before June 2013. Their next fundraiser will be running the concession during the Kaatza Lakeside Players December production of A Christmas Carol.

We will also be selling hot dogs at Country Grocer on Dec. 8 when Santa arrives for photos with the kids. On Sat. Jan. 5 we will be out in the community in full force, gathering empties on our annual bottle drive.

Our area is always super supportive of our fundraising efforts and we look forward to your continued support.

— Bob Day LCSS Dry Grad Coordinator

Dennis Skalicky, publisher of the Lake Cowichan Gazette, is pleased to announce the appointment of Elodie Adams as the new editor of the paper.

Elodie Adams arrived in Lake Cowichan via Saskatchewan, where she spent a year and a half working as a reporter for the weekly newspaper in Humboldt. Even though the prairie experience was rich in friendships, new landscapes and new challenges, Elodie decided to opt out of a second winter when the opportunity of a job on the island came up.

Originally from Victoria, Elodie is no newcomer to the island, but admits that in all the years she’s lived here, she has never spent much time in the Cowichan Lake area.

That’s why the opportunity to take on the role of editor at the Lake Cowichan Gazette is a welcome one, bringing Elodie back to a familiar area yet opening up a whole new world of discoveries in communities she has often heard of, yet never had the opportunity to get to know.

And, Elodie feels that working for a newspaper is one of the best ways to get acquainted with a new community.

It was only later in life that her interest in journalism began, after writing some columns for the university newspaper when she went back to finish her degree in Greek and Roman Studies

And the walls come tumbling down. . .

Last week the clean up began at the Mountain Man Services’ fire scene. LCVFD Fire Chief Doug Knott says that at this time investigators believe the fire started behind wood stove at bottom of the wall.

Denis Pilon was taking his bike (Left) down to a shop to begin the long task of rebuilding it.

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at the University of Victoria.

The opportunity to find out more about the world of journalism came about when she received a scholarship for women in journalism through the B.C. and Yukon Newspaper Association, a scholarship that earned her a spot in the journalism program at Langara College in 2009.

Now, there is rarely a day that goes by that she isn’t actively thinking about stories, writing stories, and interviewing people for stories.

One of the things Elodie most likes about small, local newspapers is the role they serve in bringing news about the community to members of the community.

And that’s what she hopes to achieve at the Lake Cowichan Gazette.

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

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Got a news tip? Email us at: editor@lakecowichangazette.com

TO COMMENT We welcome your original comments on editorials, columns, on topics in the Lake Cowichan Gazette or any subjects important to you. Only letters that include name, address and day and evening phone numbers and that are verified by the Lake Cowichan Gazette can be considered for publication.

OPINION

Letters to the editor and articles submitted to the Lake Cowichan Gazette may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms and will be edited for clarity, grammar and length. Publication is not guaranteed.

Email your thoughts to editor@lakecowichangazette.com or fax it to us at 250-749-4385

Keeping our beautiful community a safe place to live To a newcomer, Lake Cowichan seems like a friendly, warm community. It certainly is a beautiful spot.

Volunteers are busy helping to get the town into shape for Christmas. Christmas Craft fairs are making the rounds of the different communities. Many events are planned that will make Lake Cowichan’s Christmas season a memorable one.

So, when events like the recent one happen, where a couple’s dog was shot by a bystander, allegedly trying to come to the aid of another citizen in trouble, it causes a rift in the community.

So far, there have been no charges laid by the local authorities.

What has happened is an unending exchange of ripostes

on Facebook which reflect clearly that there are two sides to the story, and which make it difficult to come to any conclusions until further investigations have been carried out, if at all.

No one will deny that it is unfortunate that the event ever happened. And between the two sides, none of the Facebook responders can see either party’s wrong-doing in the whole affair.

There are some facts that can’t be ignored, first and foremost that the dogs were allowed to roam outside of their owner’s property. Owners do have to take responsibility for their pet’s actions, that’s one of the reasons that we have to have dog licences.

Dogs can be man’s best friend, and to many pet-owners

they are, but they are also pack animals, and they will follow the lead of an “alpha” dog in their midst.

Two dogs, not on a leash, and four dogs on the loose could have resulted in just a great sniffing opportunity for all at hand, but unfortunately in this case it equalled what appeared to be an attack.

And someone who witnessed the scene decided to take deliberate action. In some eyes, he was a hero, while to others, he might have overreacted.

Both parties in the drama need to take a lesson from the outcome of the event so that it doesn’t occur again, and so that the town of Lake Cowichan can continue to be a safe place for all residents to live.

BC Bureau

Generic drug costs to drop in April T h e B.C. government is moving ahead with a new price

By Tom Fletcher policy for generic drugs that will reduce the cost by 10 per cent starting April 1.

The new policy sets the price of generic substitutes at 25 per cent of the brand-name product, whether the cost is paid by the B.C. Pharmacare program, private health insurance or the patient. A further reduction to 20 per cent is set to take effect in April 2014.

The health ministry cited the example of Lipitor, a widely prescribed drug for reducing cholesterol. A one-month supply of the brand-name drug costs $55, and in April the cost of a generic equivalent will go from $19 to $15. The 2014 decrease will take it to $11 a month.

Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid said the second reduction will make B.C. generic drug prices the lowest in Canada for some drugs, and save the Pharmacare program about $110 million over the first two years. Ontario went to a 25-per-cent formula two years ago, and has since reduced the price to 20 per cent.

The provincial savings will be reinvested in the B.C. health care system, some of it in Pharmacare, MacDiarmid said. The budget for

Pharmacare has risen by about 80 per cent in the past decade, but MacDiarmid said there have been offsetting savings as new drugs improve treatment and reduce the need for surgery.

NDP health critic Mike Farnworth said the B.C. Liberal government has made the right move, but it should have done it in 2010 when Ontario took action.

Now some of the savings are at risk again as the federal government negotiates a trade agreement with the European Union, Farnworth said. European developers of brand-name drugs are seeking to extend patent protection to prevent the sale of generics for a longer period.

Texts remind of vaccination New parents can now sign up for text messages that remind them of regular immunizations for babies up to 18 months old.

The text message service by ImmunizeBC can also be used by people of any age who want to be reminded of scheduled immunization appointments, such as vaccines that require multiple doses.

Details of the new service are available at www.immunizebc.ca at the “get text message reminders link.

The service can be activated from a phone by texting “sign up” to 604-757-2705. It can be stopped by texting “stop” to the same number, and restarted by sending the message “start.”

High Five

This week’s High Five goes out to the many elves of the volunteer seasonal decorating committee who were out in full force spreading holiday cheer.

“It’s true what they say. . .

more hands make light work! This was the first year that three major parts in Lake Cowichan got decorated in one day.” said Laurie Johnson, one of the committee members, on her Facebook page.

OFFICE/CIRCULATION Karen Brouwer Caycuse • Honeymoon Bay • Lake Cowichan • Mesachie Lake • Youbou

Box 10, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0 Street Address: 170E-Cowichan Lake Road PH: 250-749-4383 FAX: 250-749-4385 Classifieds: 310-3535 (toll free) EDITORIAL: editor@lakecowichangazette.com ADVERTISING: production@lakecowichangazette.com PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY BLACK PRESS LTD. Canadian Publication Mail Sales Product Agreement #1090194 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund, for our publishing activities.

COLUMNIST Rolli Gunderson DENNIS SKALICKY Publisher The Lake Cowichan Gazette is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers.

Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the BC Press Council.

Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to BC Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, BC V9R 2R2.

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THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

5

GLENDA BURG Vice-president

Sweet treats for the theatre Revisiting Stanley Gordon School: means defending Kaatza Players our community THEATRE TALES While the excitement and vibrancy grows with our production, there is more

excitement and anticipation elsewhere in Lake Cowichan with our dessert contest.

The Cow Café, Shaker Mill, Jake’s at the Lake and Aroma are busy creating and naming a dessert that they feel reflect A Christmas Carol.

On Nov.30 at 2 p.m., the participating restaurants will bring their delectable creations to the Seniors’ Centre in Lake Cowichan, where the desserts will be judged and the winner

chosen.

Thank you to the Seniors’ Centre president Jackie Jack and their manager Frank Hornbrook who have assisted us in this event and are allowing the public to attend and enjoy the frivolity free of charge.

There is great secrecy surrounding our three judges — their identity will not be known until the time of the contest.

In my opinion: meaningful consultation has to go back to the beginning and demand a complete examination of public education funding.

Former School District 79 trustee, Duncan Brown, says that we must provide all families in our communities with the schools we deserve.

Submitted Wilma Rowbottom, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 210, presents a cheque for $750 to Angie Fournier, coordinator for the Cowichan lake Community Services Hamper Fund, on Nov. 8.

Legion helps community with local Christmas Hamper Fund ELODIE ADAMS Gazette Editor

As the month of November slides into December and twinkling lights go up around the town, we realize that Christmas is on our doorstep.

Only 26 shopping days until the big day!

Thoughts turn to family reunions, and the mouthwatering Christmas dinner many of us revel in.

For some people, though, it’s a time of year when those things are out of their grasp and ¿nancial dif¿culties can be felt the hardest. That’s where Lake Cowichan Community

Services’ Christmas Hamper program comes in.

“We cover all the communities around the lake,” said program co-ordinator Angie Fournier.

“Last year we served about 225 families, and I don’t anticipate it being any less this year.”

As usual, LCCS counts on donations from the community to help ¿ll these hampers. But this year, with only a month to go, Fournier says they are down in their cash donations.

“What a lot of people don’t realize is that we have to purchase all the perishable items that go into the hampers,” she explained. “Usually we’re

looking at about a $10,000 bill by the time we’re done.”

Fournier says they get help ¿lling the hampers every year with new or unwrapped toys thanks to the ¿re department’s Toy Drive, for which she is grateful. As well, there are “Angel Trees” at various locations around town which serve to give a donor the option of buying an item or toy for a girl or boy of a speci¿c age.

In all, Fournier says, about 50 elves from around the community come out to help pack the hampers the day before they are to be delivered, this year on December 19.

In spring 2003, our community in Lake Cowichan was invited to participate in a meeting which was billed as a consultation with School District 79. At that gathering, we were asked to consider five options at little tables and report out on the outcomes of our discussions. It never occurred to the board at that time to actually seek solutions outside of those choices — none of which were derived from authentic discussion with the families and staff at the Lake.

Each plan was more dramatic and alarming than the last including threats to ship our high school kids to Duncan. In the end, those who attended grudgingly accepted the alternative which sent our Grade 6 and 7 kids to Lake Cowichan Secondary School to form what was termed the ‘school within a school’ and closed Stanley Gordon School.

Much of what has happened in the nearly ten years since then suggests the choices offered that evening were steps in a long term scheme for diminishing the system at the Lake. In retrospect, we should have stood our ground right there, demanded the right to set our own goals and develop plans which expressed our highest expectations for our kids and the Lake schools.

On December 8th and January 12th, our communities will again be called to sit around little tables in school gyms around our district and focus their discussion on the condition of our facilities, potential closures,

program declines, bussing cuts and property sales. The stage will be set with an appeal to the families emphasising the drop in student numbers, the under utilisation of our schools and the dire state of our budget and therefore our classrooms.

Ultimately, the purpose of the meeting is to frighten us into accepting a deteriorated system – more closures, more cuts, more migration for our kids from our communities. But this decline in standards in our schools is created by a formula of under funding from the provincial government – plain and simple.

The cut and close tactics have not worked – they were not meant to fix anything. To continue with those ‘solutions’ will only escalate the damage to public education. We must seek a change in funding which signals respect for public education to provide all families in all our communities with the schools we deserve.

The key concern of most ordinary people is the wellbeing of their kids and their communities. Rather than be drawn into a hopeless debate about how to manage on insufficient resources, we must demand funding and resourcing which has as its core objective – the needs of our kids. It is only the government’s insistence on funding based on head count which has created this crisis.

Otherwise, a drop in enrolment numbers would merely be a statistic and not an emergency. So meaningful consultation has to go back to the beginning and demand a complete examination of public education funding.

In the absence of an elected board of trustees who will have to face their communities on voting day, this has become even more illegitimate if that is possible.

As we step through the doors of our schools on these dates, it is important we remember one thing about the intentions of the district and its government appointed trustee for these meetings – they are not about enhancing the conditions in our schools or improving public education or being more attentive to our needs or supporting our communities.

This is not about making public education more effective or more vibrant … it is simply about engineering our consent to make it less than we deserve.

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

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FAITH DIRECTORY Baptist

Pentecostal

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Lake Cowichan Christian Fellowship

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57 King George St. South Lake Cowichan

Sunday Service 10:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am

Sunday Service 10:30am

Pastor Dale Winters

Pastor Terry Hale

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Courtesy Kaatza Station Museum

Shown here is an early depiction of the mouth of the Cowichan River (on this side of McCallum’s Bridge) with the lake on the far side of the bridge. Today, the weir is located where the bridge and land bridge are shown on this postcard. Bald Mountain can be seen behind the bridge while the float house in the foreground is moored in front of what is now Jake’s at the Lake restaurant. This postcard mural was painted by Gaylia Nelson. The original mural can be viewed at the Kaatza Station Museum.

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Roman Catholic Congregational St. Louis de Montfort 60 Fern Road Lake Cowichan

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The mystery of the Stin-Qua remains

‘New Hope’ Community Church 10648 Youbou Rd, Youbou

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Mass Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

Breakfast at 10:00 am Sunday Service 11:00 am

Fr. Alfredo Monacelli

Rev. Vikki Marrs

A 1930 issue of the Cowichan Leader reported the sighting by Cougar Charlie of a serpent-like creature in the waters of

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Cowichan Lake. Dubbed Ogopogo by some and StinQua by others, it wasn’t the first reported sighting but one of several over the years.

Youbou’s Charlie Caldwell, known as Cougar Charlie, maintained that the creature he’d spotted resembled a serpent.

Caldwell said he and friend Fred Fillinger saw a mysterious creature, “whitish” in colour, while fishing on Cowichan Lake.

This was the second sighting since 1928 when two friends, Jarvis and Hill were hunting and fishing in the area. While crossing Bear Lake (near Mesachie Lake) in the early morning of Sept. 17, 1928, they were very surprised by a strange sight, “Unusual for the lake of fish jumping out of the water everywhere as salmon do when the runs are in.”

They noted the oddity then began fishing, hoping to catch their supper.

Moments later, “in the misty distance, they saw, what appeared to be a flock of ducks near the channel that joins Bear Lake with Cowichan Lake.” (Later they insisted that what they saw had been a serpent). Paying no more attention they again, set their sights on catching fish when one of the men “looked around and saw about eight feet of a tapering neck and serpent-like head standing straight out of the

water.”

By then they were dumbstruck, although Hill had the presence of mind to reach for his gun. Apparently he had difficulty locating his ammunition which — he reasoned — stopped him from “obtaining a tangible souvenir” (as proof of the sighting).

Rolli Gunderson

PAGES OF HISTORY Jarvis and Hill described what they saw as a serpentlike creature holding it’s neck straight up in the air for about five seconds. It then moved it’s head back and forth before disappearing with a “serpentine motion” of the body. This action took another few seconds. They then noticed that no tail could be seen as the body wriggled out of sight.

Another sighting had taken place several months earlier when Riverside Inn proprietor Norman Thomas and his wife reported “having distinctly seen” (the mysterious monster) on a beautiful October morning when they were taking a run up the lake in their speedboat.

They noticed what appeared to be two logs ahead of them. Steering between the logs, they passed around the end of one log to within 60 feet of the other log when what they had thought was a log, suddenly bowed up in the middle and disappeared with great commotion.

They then realized that there were no logs nearby therefore concluded that it was the same serpent they had seen on previous occasions.

Thomas stated that in the past, when four tourists were also on board his boat, a long neck about ten or 12 feet above the water was sighted. He stopped the boat to get a better view of what looked like a large snake upwards of 30-feet-long.

On yet another occasion, Thomas had a glimpse of the Stin-Qua while taking a party up the lake in his boat.

Thomas reported that Victor Rundquist (owner of Lake Cowichan Boarding House) had also seen the serpent.

Reporting of the mysterious creature has continued for years but no evidence has ever been presented.

It remains uncertain that there is in fact a Stin-Qua in our waters and like any good mystery, it would cease to be of much interest once solved.

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

250-749-6660

www.lkc.ca

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7

8

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

AUTO GLASS & UPHOLSTERY

s ’ d o R

www.lakecowichangazette.com

Christmas ideas a-plenty at Youbou Craft Fair The Village of Youbou held its Christmas Craft Fair on November 24 at the Community Hall.

Vendors lined the four walls of the hall, selling a variety of items, from knitted scarves and hats to salves, jewellery and even clocks.

250--748 250 748--4466 #2 - 2986 Boys Road, Duncan

At left: a Christmas tree on the stage of the community centre was the focal point behind Karola Schabernak’s table of handmade jewellery and other small Christmas items.

Below: Cowichan Lake Hospital Auxiliary’s handywork for sale at the fair.

Below, right: Brenda Morrison, of Earth Mother Quality Herbs in Honeymoon Bay, had a special Christmas display for her custom-made body care products.

Below left: Linda Napier stopped for quite a while at Kerri Pearson’s stall. Pearson runs Cowichan Candles and has many items of quality wax that make ideal gifts for Christmas.

Lake Cowichan Animal Rescue Society presents

“PET WELLNESS AND FIRST AID” with Dr. Brenda Bernhardt DVM

Elodie Adams Photos

December 8 10am - Noon Bell Tower School, Kaatza Museum Admission by donation to ANIMAL RESCUE Pet First Aid Kits and Supplies Available No pets allowed

Lake Cowichan Eyecare and Hearing Clinic is now Part of the WorkSafe BC Provider Network Providing:

• Batteries • Hearing tests • Hearing Aids and Adjustments • Professional Second Opinions

Lake Cowichan 250-749-4440 Chemainus 250-246-3405

www.resonancehearingclinic.com Registered with CSHHPBC www.cshhpbc.org

Town gets into the holiday spirit with lights

Cobble Hill

250-743-3337

Community Consultation Sessions School District 79 invites the public to attend one of four Community Consultation Sessions to discuss options being considered in an era of declining enrollment and increased costs.

Saturday, December 8, 2012 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at Lake Cowichan Secondary School Saturday, December 8, 2012 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Chemainus Secondary School Saturday, January 12, 2013 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at George Bonner Middle School

Val Sangster was one of the volunteers who gave up their Saturday to help decorate the town on Nov. 24.

Saturday, January 12, 2013 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Quamichan Middle School

ELODIE ADAMS Gazette Editor The weather was kind to the ten or so volunteers who showed up at 9:00 a.m., Nov. 24, to help decorate the town for Christmas.

They began at the Visitor Information Centre (VIC), which was transformed into a

To allow us to prepare for the session, you are encouraged to pre-register at communityconsultation@sd79.bc.ca.

Please don’t forget to tell us which session you plan to attend. Participants who pre-register will receive a copy of presentation material in advance of the session.

Laurie “Lights” Johnson climbs a ladder to hang coloured lights on the big holy tree.

gingerbread house in the space of only a couple of hours.

Mayor Ross Forrest teetered at the top of a ladder in his successful attempt to attach the bell decoration to the peak of the roof that sits over the entrance to the building.

Strings of LED lights were added to some of the trees that

Many hands were needed to put up strings of lights on the Tourist Information, Centre in preparation for the town’s annual light-up.

line the parking lot, before the crew moved over to Central Park to continue decorating the bandshell and some of the adjacent trees in the park.

It’s all in preparation for the kick-off to the town’s December Madness and the of¿cial light-up will happen next Friday, Dec. 7 at 7:30

p.m. Mayor Forrest lights up the Christmas tree at the VIC. And don’t forget to check out the unusual display inside the building, where a forest of trees have been decorated for the season by some of the animals peeking out from behind them.

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

9

Folly for Foley leads theatre group in new direction

photos by Elodie Adams Edward Lenz (left) takes on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in a radio play- Alain Hamilton-Boucher (left) and McKenzie Paterson perform the sound effects on stage for on-stage adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.” The Kaatza Lakeside Players’ the Kaazta Lakeside Players Christmas radio-play, “A Christmas Carol.” Paterson demonstrates Christmas show runs from Dec. 5-8, with a preview performance on Dec. 4. the wind machine, built specially for the play by technical director Michael Patrick, while Boucher Hamilton demonstrates some of the other sounds needed for the play.

ELODIE ADAMS, GAZETTE EDITOR It’s a traditional Christmas story with an old-fashioned element.

This year, the Kaatza Lakeside Players Society’s Christmas play is a timeless classic that will be acted out as a radio play on stage.

Who doesn’t know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the penny-pinching, grumpy Dickensian character, whose life is revealed to him in a series of visits by the ghosts of his past, present and future?

Scrooge is the main character of “A Christmas Carol,” one of the most popular novellas written by the 19th century author, Charles Dickens, and one that continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre.

It is also a seasonal favourite for theatre groups and audiences the world over.

This year, the Kaatza Lakeside Players (KLP) are putting it on as a radio-on-stage play at Lake Cowichan’s Centennial Hall.

Director Dena McPhee explained to the Gazette how it all came about.

“We were looking for an idea for our Christmas play, and the idea of doing a radio-play intrigued me,” she said. “So I started to look for one, it could have been

any Christmas story.”

It was through doing a search on the computer, McPhee says, that she found this version of “A Christmas Carol,” adapted for radio-on-stage by Anthony E. Palermo.

“We’d done “A Christmas Carol” before, but this presented a totally new way to do it,” she said. “It involves that aspect of radio that we seem to have lost in this day and age, which is the ability to use our imaginations and listen.”

Instead of costumes, the actors are dressed in dark colours, with perhaps the accessory of a shawl or scarf that is intended to identify the characters they are playing. As for the set decor, nearly half of the stage is taken up with the sound effects booth, where McKenzie Paterson and Alain Hamilton-Boucher create the ghostly sounds that help bring the story to life.

“It’s been kind of a stretch for the actors,” reflected McPhee, “because we normally have costumes and blocking.

Some of them have a lot of experience (on stage) and some of them are brand new.”

Audiences will recognize many of

the cast from previous shows, however, the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge is played by newcomer Edward Lentz.

Also, working on the sound effects on stage are Paterson, who has appeared with KLP before, and newcomer Boucher-Hamilton, recently relocated to Lake Cowichan from the Yukon.

For this show, the usual suspects who look after things like sets and props had a different task to undertake. For example, Michael Patrick, the play’s technical director, found himself with a couple of challenges in putting together some of the elements that are used for the play’s sound effects.

“This is the first time I’ve done anything like this,” Patrick said. “But I’m a handy kind of guy, jack-of-all-trades, and so on!”

Patrick made the wind machine and the door, two of the items that required being built specifically for the play. Other items, he says, were found in people’s garages and basements “The fellow that wrote the script for the play does some of these things and you can find it on his website,” explained Patrick.

BROCHURES BROCHU RES CATAL CATALOGU O OGU ES CON CONTES TESTS TS S PR RODU ODUCT CTS CT TS T S ST TOR OR RE ES S FLYERS FLY ERS S DE DEALS ALS S COUPO COU UPO PO ONS S BRO BR ROC CHU HU U URE RES ES S CA CATAL AL LOGU OGUES ES ES

presents A creative interpretation of Charles Dickens’

Holiday Gift Guide

“It’s called Foley art.”

A quick look on Wikipedia reveals that Foley art is the reproduction of everyday sound effects which are added in post production to enhance the quality of audio for films, television, video, and video games. It was named after Jack Foley, who started working with Universal Studios in the silent film era.

On stage, what looks like a large roll of paper is actually a drum covered in canvas, according to Patrick.

“Basically, it’s a piece of – almost like a canvas – taped over a drum,” he explained.

“As the slats in the drum rub against the canvas, it makes kind of a whooshing sound. And as you speed it up and slow it down, it changes the pitch. That’s the wind machine.”

What audiences can look forward to when they go to see KLP’s Christmas show is a combination of stage performance and sound effects that will keep them both visually and aurally intrigued.

“A Christmas Carol” opens with a preview performance Dec. 4, and runs Dec. 5-8 in the evenings. Curtain time is at 7 p.m.

Do you want to practise forestry in BC? New forestry designation available now

Adapted for radio-on-stage by: Anthony E. Palermo Directed by: Dena McPhee Preview Performance December 4 at 7:00 pm December 5, 6, 7, 8 at 7:00pm

Stay tuned for gift Ideas for the whole family and take the guess work out of shopping!

For Him, For Her, For Kids, and Stocking Stuffers.

Matinee December 8 at 2:00pm Tickets: Duncan: Portals (in the Island Savings Centre) Lake Cowichan: Footwear Centre / Curves

SAVE TIME. SAVE MONEY.

Lake Cowichan Centennial Hall, 309 S. Shore Rd Adults: $12.50, Student/Sr/Children/Member: $10 Preview Performance only : buy one get one free

www.kaatzalakesideplayers.ca

your source for FREE coupons

The Natural Resource Professional (or NRP) designation is new and recent grads from natural resources conservation programs at the University of BC, Thompson Rivers University and the University of Northern BC can apply today. The NRP designation will allow you to practise aspects of professional forestry in every corner of the province. You might find yourself working for government, consultants, industry, Aboriginal groups and more! For more information and to see which programs qualify, visit our website at www.abcfp.ca.

10

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

You’ll feel like family!

C Crimson O Large Grapes U N $197 T R Beef Top Sirloin Oven Y Premium Roast V $397 A L Salsa U E CALIFORNIA

Lb 4.34 Kg

USDA SELECT

Lb 8.75 Kg

SELECT

Your Choice

Watch for our

FLYER EVERY FRIDAY in the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial

$ 97

1

650 mL

Limit 4 Total

Help Fill a Dream for Island Kids this Holiday Season Help Fill a Dream is an immediately responsive charitable foundation. They inspire hope, health and happiness for Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island children under the age of 19 with life-threatening conditions by fulfilling their dreams, improving their quality of life and assisting their families with care and financial support.

DOLE

Large Pineapples HAWAIIAN

$ 00

2/ 5 SEAWAVE

Pink Salmon

¢

87

213 g

Limit 5

CLASSICO

Pasta Sauce

$ 27

2

410-650 mL Limit 4 Total

SUN-MAID

Seedless Raisins

$ 00

2/ 7

BIG 1 KG

Limit 2

IN THE BAKERY

Cinnamon Buns

$ 00

2/ 5

6's

Proud to be Cowichan Valley’s leading grocery store since 1986.

Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Deposits and/or environmental fees extra where applicable. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

Specials in effect Wednesday November 28st- Saturday December 1st, 2012

Valley View Centre 1400 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cobble Hill • 83 Cowichan Rd, Lake Cowichan Open Daily 8am - 9pm

Offers valid at Lake Cowichan and Cobble Hill Country Grocer locations only.

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Royal LePage

GROCERY GRAB

1,000

$

Be a part of the Grocery Grab Game Show!

December 16 at 2pm, 2012 Tickets are $10 and are Available Here & Royal LePage

in groceries to be given away!

You’ll feel like family!

Locally Owned & Operated since 1984

IN OUR PRODUCE DEPT

Ataulfo Mangoes

Happy Holidays!

$ 00

Tomatoes

97

¢ 796 mL

IN OUR BAKERY

Mincemeat Tarts

2

$ 97 6 Pack

$ 97

ELIAS 12 x 355 mL

KELLOGG'S

Apple Jacks

2 5 F O R

EMMA PLUM

Each

Pepsi Retro

2

Hours: 7am-6pm

Country Grocer will be closing early for our Staff Christmas Party.

4 3 F O R

Saturday, Dec. 1

$ 00 345 g

Honey • Creamed • Liquid

6

$ 77 1 Kg CANOLA HARVEST

Canola Oil

97

¢ 473 mL

Photos for illustrative purposes only. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

Warm up with a Hot Latte!

1

$ 99

Specials in effect Wednesday, Nov. 28/12 to Saturday, Dec. 1/12

ALL ITEMS WHILE STOCK LAST!

www.countrygrocer.com

E X T R A V A L U E

These specials available at Country Grocer Lake Cowichan ONLY.

11

12

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

Seniors start rolling coin for Nichole Stock Penny Drive Frank Hornbrook SENIOR CENTRE’S CHATTER

BY: GILDA GREEN

We appreciate the members of the Golden Agers and the Youbou Old Age Pensioners for allowing their names to stand for the executive of the Association. Both the association and Golden Agers elections went very well and all positions are filled.

The association will be hosting a Christmas banquet on Saturday, Dec. 15. We are trying something new for the Christmas banquet. The doors will open at 1p.m. and the banquet will be served at 2 p.m. This will hopefully give an opportunity for those members who do not like driving at night to attend. Also, the cut-off date for members to purchase banquet tickets will be Friday, Dec. 7. If the banquet is not full it will be open from Dec. 10 to 12 for guests to purchase tickets. There is a limit for the banquet of 120 guests including the band so please purchase your tickets early. The cost per member — and guests if there is room available — is $15 each.

The Seniors’ Good Time Band will be providing the entertainment. Donation of door prizes would be gratefully appreciated.

There will be a Christmas sing-a-long on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2013 at 1p.m. The band will be playing so come in join in the fun. Donations of cookies for the sing-a-long would be appreciated.

On Nov. 30 drop-in to the Senior’s Centre at 2 p.m. and watch the judging of the dessert contest. The Kaatza Lakeside Players have invited all the local restaurants in town to create a unique dessert reflecting the theme of their Christmas play. Our interest in the event would help to make it an annual event.

The Youbou Old Age Pensioners organization, branch 115, will be having their Christmas luncheon on Friday, Dec. 14. If you wish to participate in the gift exchange you must bring a gift with a maximum value of $10 marked male or female. Sadly, the Youbou Old Age Pensioners, branch 115 will dissolve on Dec. 31 after being in existence for 50 years.

Do not forget that during the December bingo events there will be a draw for a turkey and also three boxes of chocolates at each bingo event.

The Golden Agers Society membership for 2013 will be going on sale in early December.

Pennies, pennies, pennies! The seniors are

Green Space It was generally a cold and misty Saturday morning in the fall, when we were dispatched to tackle them. Clad in worn rubber boots, old sweaters and our grottiest jeans we bravely set forth for the yard. The rickety, half tooth-less bamboo rakes looking like so many old and skinny prizefighters were our only weapons in the endless battle. There were so many of them and so few of us. But bravely we worked, raking and piling and chasing the errant ones who would catch a drift of breeze and break ranks, until at last they were all piled in lofty, soggy piles about the yard. But before we called our parents to admire the

looking for your pennies to roll for the Nichole Stock Penny Drive. The date is fast approaching for the Variety Club telethon and the seniors enjoy contributing by rolling your loose change.

Please drop your loose change off at the Seniors’ Centre or phone 250-749-6121 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, and we will make arrangements to pick it up.

The Association and the Golden Agers are always looking for volunteers to help with the Wednesday day-time bingo or Sunday-evening bingo. Please see Jackie, Val or Frank H if you can help.

Just a reminder you do not have to be a member of the Golden Agers to enjoy lunch or tea and coffee in the Seniors Centre. If you wish to join the Golden Agers you or your spouse need to be 50 years or older. By being a member of the a Golden Agers you are entitled to have one ambulance ride per year reimbursed, to attend banquets through-out the year at a nominal cost, and opportunity to go on day trips at a nominal cost.

The line dancers are back on Mondays and Fridays, dancing from noon until 12:30 p.m. or longer. The line dancers are looking for people to come and join them. They will be teaching line dancing every Monday. You do not have to be a member to enjoy line dancing and the lessons are free.

On Friday evenings the centre is open for bridge at a cost of one dollar per person. They start at 7:00 p.m. and goes until about 10:30 p.m.

Please see Frank or Jackie for who to contact about playing.

Everyone is welcome to come and play bingo at the Seniors Centre. The Association bingo games are held on Sunday evening starting at 7 p.m. with sales starting at 6 p.m. There will no bingo on Sunday Dec. 23 and Sunday, Dec. 30.

Bingo will resume on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. The Association bingo will resume on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

The Golden Agers bingo games are held every Wednesday starting at 1 p.m. with sales starting at noon. There will be no bingo on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012 and Wednesday, January 2, 2013.

The Golden Agers’ bingo will resume on Jan. 9, 2013.

These organization appreciate your support and the funds are spent entirely in the individual organizations.

stellar job we’d done (and collect our 35cents in hard earned wages) the piles beckoned to us with an irresistible force. Before we knew it we were hurtling across the yard at top speed, leaping into the piles like crazed kangaroos. Later, clutching thermos cups of scalding cocoa, we savoured the scent of the autumn as our parents tended the smoking piles. Oh, the joys of raking leaves.

Nowadays we know that burning those mountains of fallen leaves was not only harmful to the environment, but incredibly wasteful. The bounty of nutrient-rich mulch and compostable material that nature provides for us, free of charge each fall is a bonus not to be missed.

Leaf mulch is a wonderful top dressing, perfect for overwintering a flower bed or vegetable plot.

A layer of mulch serves to help protect the root systems of perennials and extend the growing season

Elodie Adams

The bus stops here in Honeymoon Bay It was a wet day on November 22, but work on a new bus stop on the South Shore Road in Honeymoon Bay had to be done. CVRD Parks carpenter Brian Brown (far right) and his able assistant, Derek Kloosterman, were preparing the cement pad for the shelter, which will be moved from across the street because of higher traffic frequency in the west to east direction.

United Way breakfast fundraiser next week ELODIE ADAMS Gazette Editor

It started in 1994, and nearly 20 years later it has become one of Lake Cowichan’s pre-season traditions The Cowichan Lake United Way breakfast will take place in the Shaker Mill restaurant on Friday, Dec. 7 from 7- 9 a.m.

Coordinator Patricia Foster is happy to be coordinating the breakfast again this year.

“We raise funds for the agencies that deliver programs in the Cowichan Lake area,” Foster said about the fundraiser. “One of those

programs is Meals on Wheels that are delivered out of Community Services.”

Foster explained that the restaurant supplies the breakfast, and that all of the proceeds go to the United Way. Attending the breakfast is a good way to meet up with other members of the community and have a chat over coffee, with the added bonus of contributing to a good cause.

Tickets are $10 per person and can be obtained at the Shaker Mill Restaurant, the Lake Cowichan Community Services, or at the door.

Diana Andrew

Fall leaves blowing in the wind at Youbou Little League Park.

for winter root vegetables.

It also serves as a protective barrier from winter rains and cold, working like a blanket tucked up around plants and helping reduce soil compaction from rain and snow not to mention acting as a weed suppressor. It’s important to add a slow release nitrogen fertilizer to the area in spring, so the leaf mulch can continue its’ evolution

to compost without robbing the soil of nitrogen and begin to release its nutrients to the soil.

If you have a vacuum type leaf shredder, it’s simple to just suck up the bounty and deposit a two inch layer on garden beds.

If you have no shredder, a bagging type lawn mower can be used to run over the piles and shred them. If your mower doesn’t have

a bag, just run the mower over the pile and direct the discharge shoot in one direction so the shredded leaves can be raked up and don’t scatter too far.

Composting leaves in a compost bin or box works well, especially if it’s done in conjunction with other materials. Remember a good working compost pile is like a layer cake with shallow layers of a

variety of organic materials liberally seasoned with sprinklings of garden soil. You can speed up the process by adding periodic applications of commercial compost starters or fertilizers, such as “Rot-it”. Be sure to keep the pile moist (but not wet) and cover things like vegetable peelings and spoiled fruit and vegetables with a layer of mulch or soil to discourage visits from scavenging bears, raccoons and rats.

It’s best to chop up larger pieces of refuse and plant material to speed up the process and be sure to turn the pile every few weeks to aerate it.

With time, a little effort and some help from Mother Nature you can turn that sea of gold and orange into a valuable asset for your garden. As for the raking itself, it’s good exercise and can be a great way to spend a day outdoors enjoying the last fine days of autumn…and don’t forget to get at least one good jump in.

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Pat Duringer

Sandy Stinson

RE/MAX of LAKE COWICHAN C 81 Cowichan Lake Road, Lake Cowichan | www.remaxlakecowichan.com

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502 Mountain View

9440 Creekside Road

18 King George

103 South Shore Road

Stunning waterfront home. Almost 4000 sq. ft living space. Huge open concept kitchen.

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Two 2 bdrm apartments! #109 first flr, w. exposure No Down Payment, Vendor Financing at 4%

Cute waterside home & three business storefronts & storage.

Outrageous views! Open concept Brand new 3 bed 2 bath rancher in living. Lightly used & well maintained desirable Slopes subdivision. Hurry and you can still pick your colors with 4 bedrooms & 3 baths.

$319,000

$339,900 plus H.S.T.

7020 Cowichan Lake Road 12 acres of flat land with a lovely character home and multiple out buildings. Set up for a couple of horses.

Possibility of extensive peat extraction.

$950,000

$89,900 $95,000

9674 Creekside Rd New Creekside Listing Elegant Waterfront Home

#210 second floor, east exposure

Waterfront Mobile Home Park – 9041 Meades Creek

$1,299,000

$529,000

#24 - $22,900 MOTIVATED

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#26 - $94,500 #33 - $59,000

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RIVERFRONT

67 South Shore Rd. • Riverfront +/ residential+/ +business too!

• Location, location,location • Established since 1960 • 1960 sq’ building • 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom • 62x104 riverfront lot

$399,000

11445 North Shore Road 276 South Shore Rd.

96 Johel Road

$215,000

$194,000

REDUCED

Lot 22 Kestrel Dr.

100 Cottonwood

Lakeview lot w/boat slip & beach access.

Huge lot in town. Big family home.

$79,000

$345,000

$375,000

147 Sahtlam Ave

$265,000

$189,000

$797,000

Coon Creek Road

SL 4 Meades Creek Road

82 Beech

5990 Stoltz Rd.

Cute, Cute, Cute Waterfront Cabin, Great Beach.

High end Small scale Waterfront Development.

Several lovely homes newly built.

• Home at the Slopes • Rancher with a basement

5.1 acres, Inlaw suite, potential B&B apartment over the garage.

$399,000

$349,000

$419,000

$569,000

Cozy home with country kitchen, bonus partially finished basement.

Central location.

Youbou Mini Mart

102 Cowichan Ave. Lovely rancher, 3 bdrm, private landscaped backyard.

Priced to sell.

Great Opportunity

$259,000

8724 North Shore Road

100 Elk Road

10484 Youbou Rd. Lake view from kitchen, landscaped, .52 of an acre.

Marvelous lakefront.

250ft of beach, .84 acre. Great Home.

10408 Arbutus Street 2 Homes.

26,000 sq ft of Gardening Paradise.

Huge Shop.

$399,900

204-138 South Shore The Wellington.

$145,000

SOLD

99646 Creekside • Complete to lock up • Two full stories and two half stories

NEW PRICE $428,000

$150,000

$510,000

7797 Cowichan Lake Road

9590 Creekside Road

Penny Lane Cottage

• 2.87 acres • Lovely 4 bedroom cabin • Year round creek

Waterfront Dock.

• 1 bdrm & den • Riverfront strata • Commercial zoned • Close to town

$495,000

$250,000

$675,000

$212,500

The Coffee Mill

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9981 Swordfern

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• Water development • Ideal for retirees or snowbirds • 1 BDRM + DEN $249,000 CAN BE RENTED

$278,000

$239,000

SWORDFERN ESTATE, moments to a beautiful beach. Lovely home with great master suite.RV garage plus big garage with a huge executive office above. Fitness centre, covered porch, hot tub, heat pump.

$249,000 10549 Coon Creek Road • Waterview • Low maintenance yard • Recreation nearby

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Log Home. Ever thought you would like to live off the grid?

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The ESSO This going concern could be a gold mine!

House, pumps, carwash, convenience store & take out counter.

$2,200,000 10432 Youbou Road Excellent canvas, big lot water access.

$269,000

$479,000 SLOPES Beautiful upscale development has attracted a lovely mixture of mostly retired professionals.

7405 Neva Road .45 of a sunny acre $189, 000

Duplex on Coronation 481 Mountain View Rd. Great Investment

$279,000 266 Hillside Road 3 bedroom A-frame with separate shop.

$269,900

$599,900

ATTENTION DEVELOPERS & Investors – here is a great opportunity to purchase a multifamily site within city limits with full community servicing. “The Slopes”, a new Lake Cowichan subdivision showcasing a variety of beautiful new homes. Close to town & minutes to the Lake with easy hwy. access.

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LOTS 389 Point Ideal Lot 30 Cypress 470 Point Ideal 466 Point Ideal Lot 22 Kestral Dr. #4 Meades Creek

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Waterfront LOTS Stin-Qua Lot # 1 Lot # 3 Lot # 4 Lot # 6 Lot # 15

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Almost waterfront!

$399,000 $349,900 $309,900 $329,000 $159,900

185 MacDonald Huge home, huge lot.

Rents out for $1200 a month.

$199,000

13

14

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

Local club’s shooters take aim in turkey shoot

Elodie Adams

The Valley Fish and Game Shooting Club held its bi-annual Turkey Shoot, November 24, at its club and shooting range near Skutz Falls. Members of the club competed in different categories, but it was the shooting and not the prizes that drew the amateurs out. Above left: Darrell Web aims and fires in the shoot-off for the 16-yard category that Web won. Above right: members of the club compete in the “Bushwacker” category

Mesachie Lake Volunteer Fire Department has been serving its community for over 60 years ELODIE ADAMS Gazette Editor

To keep a volunteer fire department running in the Cowichan Valley Regional District is a struggle these days, according to Mesachie Lake’s Fire Chief Gary Eve. Eve spoke to the Gazette on Nov. 22, the day after he attended a regional meeting of Fire Chiefs who represent the volunteer fire departments in the district.

“We need people to keep our fire departments going,” Eve said. “And in this day and age, the last thing people want to do is volunteer, let alone volunteer for something that is dangerous.”

Eve says it’s not just the Mesachie Lake Volunteer Fire Department, but all the volunteer fire departments in the CVRD that are having this problem. And so, at the meeting, the Fire Chiefs decided on a plan of action.

“We decided to get in touch with the media, and get the word out,” Eve said. “We need to recruit people, so we’re going to try to work on recruitment and retention.

“We are a small fire department, we cover a large area, and we have a very limited budget,” added Eve. “Our annual budget is less than the average person makes in a year. It’s all volunteer and I’m very proud of it.”

The Mesachie Lake Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) has been serving the community for over 60 years. It originated as the Mesachie Lake Fire Brigade in 1949 under the direction of J.G. Webster, then steam engineer for Hillcrest Lumber Company.

In those days, its services protected the community and the mill. Today, the Mesachie Lake VFD serves the people

Gazette

Mesachie Lake’s Fire Chief Gary Eve says they need new recruits to keep the fire department going.

who have chosen the quality of life that comes with living in a small community, such as any one of the many small towns that dot the circumference of Lake Cowichan.

But along with that quality of life, there is a certain isolation – isolation from the services that city-dwellers are lucky enough to have at hand through their taxbase rate.

“We don’t have a budget to pay people,” Eve stated frankly. “We live in a place where there is a small tax base, and we can’t pay people.”

Eve say it is not just his fire department, the problem is the same for all the small volunteer fire departments in the region.

Even without having to pay the firemen, there are expenses in running the department.

Eve says they have access to Gaming Grants that help to pay the cost of running the rescue truck, heating the Fire Hall, et cetera. And the volunteers have to attend training sessions to keep up with fire procedures, as well as weekly practises. Keeping up with regulatory training sessions is imperative, Eve stresses.

“We still have to maintain the same training as the other firefighters who are paid,” he commented. “In the past few years, the circle route has brought in a different category of calls for us, a lot faster accident scenes, a lot messier accidents, and again, taking more training to do it.”

The Mesachie Lake VFD are always on the lookout for new members, including women.

What are the requirements for being a firefighter?

“Healthy and willing,” Eve states. “Able to put in a couple of hours a week, and not mind being

woken up at two in the morning.

“We get very few afternoon calls,” he added with a grimace.

The big thing that comes out of belonging to a volunteer fire brigade, though, is the camaraderie between the men – and women – who elect to serve their communities.

Fire Chief Eve welcomes anyone who would like to come out to a regular Monday night practice (usually 6:30 p.m.) to show up, or else phone the department and talk to anyone there, 250-749-6722.

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

15

Lake Cowichan Atom Lakers eclipsed by Oceanside ELODIE ADAMS Gazette Editor

The Lake Cowichan Royal Bank Lakers hosted an Atom hockey tournament at the Lake Cowichan Arena, November 23-25. Three other teams from around the island came to play against the Lakers on their home turf.

Although they were in the running for the lead in the tournament with two wins and one tie, the Lakers fell to the stronger Oceanside Phantoms in the final play-off game on Sunday afternoon, with a 5-3 loss.

The Lakers started the tournament off by beating the Juan de Fuca Grizzlies, 8-2, on Friday night. In that game, Kyle Hieta was named MVP and Curtis Baird won the Digger award.

In their next game, the Lakers showed some great skill and strength, and ended with a tie game of 5-5 in their match against the Oceanside Phantoms.

In the first period of the game, Oceanside scored within minutes, but the Lakers retaliated with a goal at 8:40 into the first period. Their offence was strong and gave the team another two goals, one at 13:51 minutes into the period and the third goal with just 3:27 left to play, thus bringing the score to 3-1 for the Lakers at the end of the first period.

Lakers’ Silas Mearns earned the Digger award for that game, while Noah Murdoch was named MVP. The next game in the round robin part of the tournament was for the Lakers again, when they faced the Comox Drive on Saturday afternoon.

With a 12-0 win over the Drive, the Lakers earned a spot in the finals.

In their game against Comox, the Lakers’ MVP was Keegan McKinlay, and Kierce Nelson won the Digger award.

On Sunday afternoon the Lakers faced off against Oceanside for the second time in the tournament, this time in the finals.

It was a great game to watch, and at one point the local team held a 2-0 lead over the visiting Phantoms until Oceanside took charge of the game and held on for the win.

The final score in the game was 5-3 for Oceanside. Ryder Wise was the MVP for that game, and Taylor Elsas was the Digger in the final game for the Lakers, while the Phantoms’ Sam Jacobsen was named MVP and Caleb Gadd received the Digger award.

The final results for the tournament were: Oceanside Phantoms, first place, Royal Bank Lakers, second place, Juan De Fuca Grizzlies, third, and the Comox Valley Drive were fourth.

It was a great hockey tournament to watch and many family and friends came out to cheer the kids on.

Lakers team manager Jenn Hieta said all of the teams told her how much they enjoyed the tournament and how much fun the players had.

photo submitted The Cowichan Lake Royal Bank Atom Lakers showed their strengths in ice skills during the tournament the team hosted, November 23-25, at the Lake Cowichan arena. Below: A flurry of team members crowd around the Lakers’ goal in an effort to defend it against the Oceanside Phantoms

Above: a young Lakers’ player tries to take control of the puck in their game against the Oceanside Phantoms.

Above: The first goal for the Royal Bank Lakers tied the game at 1-1 in their first game against the Oceanside Phantoms, Nov. 23. The Lakers hosted an Atom Hockey Tournament at the Lake Cowichan Arena with teams from Oceanside, Juan de Fuca, and the Comox Valley. The Lakers came second in the tournament, losing in the finals to the Phantoms, 5-3.

16

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

Salmon catch attention of Retreads looping the Cowichan River

Submitted

Amber Fournier (centre front),first row from left: Katie Ferguson, Alexis Cage, Lindsay Elzinga, Rhiannon Morrison, back row: Shannon Charles, Marian Burns, coach Karen Neuffer, Paige Banfield.

LCSS Midget girls’ volleyball win district tourney ELODIE ADAMS Gazette Editor

They came, they played, they conquered.

At the Cowichan Valley Invitational Midget Girls’ volleyball tournament, the LCSS Grade 8 (midget) girls’ volleyball team swept their contenders under the rug, coming away with a first place finish.

Five teams met for the one-day round robin tournament, held November 20 at George Bonner Middle School in Mill Bay: Salt Spring Middle School, Queen of Angels (Duncan), George Bonner A and George Bonner B (Mill Bay), and Lake Cowichan Senior Secondary.

Coach Karen Neuffer said it was a slow start for the girls who lost their first match to George Bonner’s B team.

Undeterred by the early defeat, later on in the day the Lakers met George Bonner’s A team in a very exciting match which they won by a slim margin of just two points.

With one loss and one win, the Lakers went on to win the rest of their matches in the round robin part of the tournament, earning them a spot in the finals. The Lakers went on to win their first two games in the finals, which meant they didn’t have to play a third match as it was a best two-out-of-three final.

Since the start of the season midSeptember, the LCSS Midget girls volleyball team have played well, Neuffer said.

“The girls have had a very successful season and won most of their games,” commented Neuffer. “The (Midget girls) worked hard at regular afterschool practices, and often worked on skill-building with senior and junior players during the lunch hour.”

After such an exciting competitive season, Neuffer says she and the team are a bit sad to see the season over. However, she added the team is keeping active playing intramural volleyball at lunchtime with the Grade 8-12 students and staff.

Submitted

Werner Vogel, Cliff Suntjen, Lou Kerr, Peter Ridley, Toby, Jean Atkinson, Willa Suntjens, Bruce Champion and Jean Cozens stop for lunch at group a camping shelter.

After a three month break the Retreads returned again to do the Cowichan River loop that starts from the end of Mayo Road, crosses the newly decked forestry bridge and follows along the south side of the river for about four kilometres till it reaches the Marie Canyon Trestle.

It then returns along the north side of the river.

As you can imagine the river was very different in mid November to what they saw in mid August. In August the river was quite low and we watched a couple picnicking and cautiously swimming near the group camp. The group also saw a few daring tubers bouncing their way down through the rapids near the Trestle.

This time their focus was on the full, rapidly flowing river, with salmon laboriously working their way up the river, and the sea gulls and eagles that had assembled to feast on the salmon. Interestingly, the Retreads did not meet any black bears there for a feast and that was surprising. Maybe they saw us first.

Around the rapids, opposite the group camp, the group saw about 40 chum. Many had given up and died and were lying on the bank or in the shallow waters on the south side of the river.

The salmon were starting to spoil and had a noticeable aroma. No one in the group could tell

if they had already spawned and floated back downstream to their end, or whether they had simply given up — mission not accomplished.

Others were struggling to make their way around a rock in the rapids. Often they would approach and the current would grab them and throw them back downstream. There was a realization that their task of swimming upstream is a real challenge.

After watching and discussing the life of the salmon, the group of hikers continued on down stream to the trestle bridge, had a brief snack break and then headed up the north side until they reached the camp which is a great place for a lunch break with its picnic tables, shelter and toilets. The sun was shining and the rapids in the river were really sparkling. Once again the Retreads had lucked out with the weather.

A week earlier, Retreads did a repeat hike up Bald Mountain which is another favourite hike.

Again they were blessed with good weather and took a beautiful picture of a rainbow.

The Retreads will hold a Christmas party at the Curling Lounge on Nov. 30. Tickets are available at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena office.

—Submitted by David Kidd

Public consultation process could lead to flexible management of weir In my opinion: Public consultation process needs to continue regarding the lake’s weir.

Parker Jefferson, of the activist group One Cowichan, says they will continue their efforts to take control of and improve our river and lake.

At the Nov.15 Cowichan Stewardship Roundtable meeting, CRVD Chair Rob Hutchins, announced that Forest Minister Steve Thompson has agreed to a process that should lead to more flexible management of our weir for next year and

beyond.

A public consultation process will begin early next year when very detailed water level data will be made available for all lakefront properties.

Watch for announcements in the Lake Cowichan Gazette about this public meeting and be sure to attend if you would like to learn more and express your views about what is being proposed.

This is a dramatic change of position for the provincial government and is widely credited to the Oct. 25 pubic meeting organized by One Cowichan that was attended by 200 local residents.

There were representatives from Cowichan Tribes, Catalyst, the provincial government and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in attendance and on the panel.

Hutchins gave a presentation that explained the weir management issues in great detail and many in attendance expressed

support for more flexible management rules. This is a very encouraging demonstration of the power we have as concerned citizens to make positive changes in our community.

On Nov. 1, the Cohen Report on the collapse of the Fraser River sockeye salmon was released to the public. Justice Cohen made 75 recommendations in his report where he stated there was no one cause of the collapse, but it was due to a number of factors.

He had some harsh words for the DFO in his report, citing them for a “conflict of interest” regarding their mandate to promote fish farms as well as manage the protection and health of wild fish stocks.

He states “that DFO will impose less onerous fish health standards on salmon farms, than it would if its only interest were the protection of wild salmon.”

The report also says

that more studies are necessary to ensure that fish farms are not harming wild fish by spreading or amplifying both endemic and introduced fish viruses as well as sea lice. He states that there are serious concerns about fish farms located on wild salmon migration routes in the Discovery Islands, near Campbell River.

“If at anytime between now and Sept. 30, 2020, the minister of fisheries and oceans determines that net-pen salmon farms in the Discovery Islands pose more than a minimal risk of serious harm to the health of migrating Fraser River sockeye salmon, he or she should promptly order that those salmon farms cease operations.”

Justice Cohen said he found it “disturbing” that the government made cuts to DFO staffing levels and made drastic changes to fish protection regulations before his report was released. He called for more research into fish virus concerns but this

will be next to impossible with the drastic cuts made to DFO staff.

Here on the island, DFO has cut one third of its staff in habitat and enforcement. Those left with jobs will have to re-apply for their positions in an open competition regardless of their experience or length of service.

Nearly all remaining staff will be assigned to major construction projects like resource extraction and pipeline construction leaving only a small percentage of the former staff to respond to local issues, but they will be effectively chained to their desks because they will have no travel budget.

These drastic measures have destroyed morale in the front line DFO employees and will put all salmon and their habitat at serious risk. There is unanimous disapproval of these measures in the stewardship community and it only strengthens our resolve to work hard to protect and preserve

our local rivers and lakes.

There was some very good news at the Stewardship Roundtable meeting about chum salmon abundance. The run this year is estimated to be about 400,000 fish when we expected about 160,000.

These salmon represent a huge biomass and are a primary source of nutrients for our river ecosystem. After they spawn, their decaying bodies provide essential nutrients for algae growth, aquatic insects, trout, bears and even the trees that grow by the river.

Our habitat restoration efforts have certainly been a factor in this tremendous resurgence in salmon abundance, particularly the Stoltz Bluffs project that has greatly improved spawning success in the lower river where most of the chum salmon spawn.

We will continue our efforts to take control of and improve our river and lake for all future generations of salmon and people to enjoy.

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

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$2998 Thank you to everyone for the caring thoughts and visits shown to Rune over the past few weeks.

It was special feeling for him. Rune is now resting at home.

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Joanne Chance 1957-2006

It’s been 6 years now since you left us.

Every once in a while, when we get a challenging property management situation, we always have a story about how you would’ve solved the problem. Sometimes the answer might not have been diplomatically correct but then you would give us that sly smile and the job would be done.

Everyone at Countrywide really misses you.

DEATHS

Please call Annemarie 1.800.661.6335 email: ďŹ sh@blackpress.ca

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IF YOU ARE ... • New in Town • Expecting a Baby

Call your Welcome Wagon hostess!

It will be her privilege to give you free gifts from local businesses and civic organizations.

To make an appointment call:

Shannon at 250-339-1223 or email: slangevin@welcomewagon.ca

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JAKOVICKAS, Maria

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Online condolences may be offered at www.sandsduncan.ca SANDS of DUNCAN 250-746-5212

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DEATHS

Maria Jakovickas passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Sunridge Place, Duncan BC, at the age of 84 yrs. Pre-deceased by her loving husband Alfonsas in 2005, her mother Elizabeth Kronstein and her father, Wendle Hanich.

Mother to her son Joe (Mary McCuaig), daughters Wendy Quinn (Brian), Maria Brooks (Jim), Sonya (Graham Benson) and Rita Harden (Warren Barker).

Sister to Katie (Fritz), Rosi (Fred), Resi (Horst, deceased), Franz (Rosi), and Erna (Horst), who still reside in Germany.

Grandmother to Molly, Kyla, Tanya, Cassidy, Lindsay, Derek, Ella, Ashley, Sam, Matt, Brittany, Kirby, Julie, Sabrina, Emily, and Kelly. Great-grandmother to Reubyn, Conner, Stella, Gabriela, SoďŹ a, Kobie, and Katie-Jane.

Born in Krndia, Yugoslavia June 25, 1928, Maria bravely travelled alone by sea to Canada, while only speaking German, at the age of 21. Maria settled in Vancouver where she gained employment as a seamstress at the Western Cab Company. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Alfonsas.

Maria and Al were married in Vancouver in 1951. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Lakeside Cabins in Lake Cowichan, then settled in Youbou where they resided for 53 years. Some of Maria’s enduring attributes included her love of gardening and her talent for knitting her family slippers and toques. She was a well-loved and respected woman in her community and an active member of the Widows Club in Duncan. Maria had a wonderful sense of humor, was a loyal friend to many and was always there when you needed to talk.

Mom happily taxied us to our sporting events and never missed school functions. She loved to cook and there wasn’t anything she couldn’t process in her canner with her unbounded energy. Mom loved to be the centre of attention and was happiest when she was surrounded by her family and friends. Hugs were always there for everyone and anyone.

We love you Mom and will never forget your many lessons, or the smell of fresh-baked bread when we got off the school bus at the end of the day. Service of Celebration will be held at Sands Funeral Chapel 187 Trunk Road, Duncan, BC Saturday, December 1st at 1:00 pm. Mom you were:

OWN A Homecare business!

Full Training/Support. A great income potential by helping others. Canadian based. $80K req’d to start. Qualicare.com 888-561-0616.

CARDS OF THANKS

.com

-!*/2ĂĽ#!4%'/2)%3ĂĽ).ĂĽ /2$%2ĂĽ/&ĂĽ!00%!2!.#% &!-),9x!../5.#%-%.43 #/--5.)49x!../5.#%-%.43 42!6%,x #(),$2%.x%-0,/9-%.4 0%23/.!,x3%26)#%3 "53).%33x3%26)#%3x 0%43x x,)6%34/#+ -%2#(!.$)3%x&/2x3!,% 2%!,x%34!4% 2%.4!,3 !54/-/4)6% -!2).%

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Looking for a NEW career? www.bcjobnetwork.com

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMING EVENTS

COMING EVENTS

Legion Branch #210 DROP-IN DARTS Mondays 7p.m.

DOUBLES CRIB Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

MEAT DRAW Every Saturday First draw at 3p.m.

KIDS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY Sun., Dec.2, 12:30 Children must have registered to attend

Watch here for coming events!

Everyone Welcome • 250-749-6041

I

wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for the countless acts of kindness and caring that were shown to myself and my family since the tragic loss of Hans.

The acts of compassion were innumerable, from cards, plants and owers to food, rides, moral support and so many kind words.

A huge thank you to the people of the Valley for opening your hearts and showing how much you truly cared. Special thanks to my parents, Stan and Mary Oakes for their ongoing love and support. To my friend Robin Rogers and my son, Andrew for their endless support and caring help. To Corporal Warren Potter for his compassion. To Harold Wallace and Reverend Vikki Marrs for making Hans’ Celebration of Life so seamless and wonderful and to Tracy, for being there when I needed her most.

Very special thanks to Randy and Steve for “Gettin’ ‘er done� (in true Lake Cowichan fashion) in such a timely and professional way. Hans would be so proud.

When next you pass the Golden Bullock keeping watch on that little stretch of South Shore Road, give it a friendly nod or wave.

You can be sure that if you do, somewhere up there, Hans will be smiling down.

With sincere thanks, Jean Osborne

Christmas and Craft Fair Events I your community Is it group or school h l hhaving i a Christmas Craft Fair or Christmas Event?

Call 250.749.4383 to book your ad in our Christmas Corner.

18

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com PERSONAL SERVICES

FARM WORKERS DAIRY, BEEF, Crop, Sheep, Swine, Horticultural work. Live and learn in Europe, Britain, Japan, Australia or New Zealand. 4-12 month AgriVenture 1-888programs available.

598-4415 www.agriventure.com Canadian farmers may also apply for overseas trainees.

HELP WANTED AN ALBERTA Construction Company is hiring Dozer and Excavator Operators. Preference will be given to operators that are experienced in oilďŹ eld road and lease construction. Lodging and meals provided. The work is in the vicinity of Edson, Alberta. Alcohol & Drug testing required.

Call Contour Construction at 780-723-5051.

ELECTRICIAN JOURNEYMAN position, Port Hardy.

Residential, commercial, industrial installations & maintenance. Require valid driver’s licence, electrician trade certiďŹ cate & BCTQ. Fax or email resume: 250-949-9230 or: kkelec@cablerocket.com.

HELP WANTED

Make a difference in the lives of seniors.

Come work for AdvoCare Health Services, we take “Pride in Caring�

Now recruiting casual, potentially permanent positions at Cerwydden Care Centre in Duncan

For more information and to apply please see our website www.advocarehealth.com or email resume to Peggy.Long-Thibault@ advocarehealth.com or fax 1-250-597-2894

Looking for a NEW employee?

TRADES, TECHNICAL

.com

Looking for a NEW job? www.bcjobnetwork.com

TRADES, TECHNICAL

NOW HIRING

STEEL BUILDINGS/Metal buildings 60% off! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for balance owed! Call 1-800-4572206, www.crownsteelbuildings.ca

REAL ESTATE

HERBAL MAGIC. With Herbal Magic lose up to 20 pounds by New Year’s Eve and keep it off. Results Guaranteed! Start today Call 1-800-854-5176.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

IF YOU own a home or real estate, Alpine Credits can lend you money: it’s that simple.

Your credit/age/income is not an issue. 1-800-587-2161.

Relief Clerk Heavy Duty Mechanics Certified Millwright Millwright/Planerman Technician

Borrow Up To $25,000

WFP offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit package. If you believe that you have the skills and qualifications that we are looking for, please reply in confidence to:

Human Resource Department Facsimile: 1.866.840.9611 Email: resumes@westernforest.com

Need CA$H Today?

Own A Vehicle?

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Cash same day, local ofďŹ ce.

Mount Washington

ELECTRICAL 1A ELECTRICIAN, licenced, bonded, Small Jobs Specialist, panel upgrades and renos. All work guaranteed since 1989.

Rob at 250-732-PLUG (7584).

Franchise for sale

John or Bridget 250-897-4888 Email: bridget@ galleryatsaratoga.com

HOUSES FOR SALE

HAULING AND SALVAGE

Delivery Guy

TRANSPORTATION

LAKE COWICHAN- 3 bdrm w/ lrg fenced back yard. New windows, insulation, ooring etc. 6 appls inclds D/W, W/D and deep freeze. N/S, house trained pet ok. $900+ utils.

Avail immed. Call 778-8409614, 250-749-3820 or email: nataliejayne6 @hotmail.com

PETS

SHIPPING CONTAINERS 20’ or 40’. Buy or Rent. Safe and secure. Easymove Container Services. Serving Vancouver Island.

1-(888)331-3279

Your community

ClassiďŹ eds can take you places! call us today

310-3535

1-800-961-7022

www.iDreamAuto.com DL# 7557

2007 CUSTOM Chev HHR. Excellent condition. Loaded.

White. 119,000 km, mostly hwy driven. On-Star. $11,900 ďŹ rm. 250-755-5191.

SELL YOUR CAR... FAST!

with a classiďŹ ed ad

#,!33)&)%$Ă–!$3Ă–7/2+ $BMM

FOUND CAT- female, long hair, grey, Old Lake Cowichan Road area. If this is your cat please call Mick 250-749-4040

HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available.

1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/newspaper?

DreamTeam Auto Financing “0� Down, Bankruptcy OK Cash Back ! 15 min Approvals

STORAGE

EASY CHRISTMAS Shopping for pets! No line ups, no cold weather. Deals to Bark about!!

Receive 10% off with coupon code: Clubpet10 1-855-8390555 www.petland.ca

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

Auto Financing 1.800.910.6402

CARS

4 BEDROOM house for rent on acreage located at 1066 Fair rd, brand new wood stove just installed. Large workshop, insulated and wired, perfect for small business. $1150per month. 250-954-9547

PETS

SEASONED FIREWOOD Vancouver Island’s largest ďŹ rewood producer offers ďŹ rewood legally obtained during forest restoration, large cords. Help restore your forest, Burndrywood.com 1-877-902-WOOD.

HUGE SUITE on King George 55+ 2 bd & den or 3 bd, new rs & paint. Covered parking, elevator, in-suite w/d, step-in tub. Near senior centre, lake & bus. $780. Ref req. Deb 780273-0152 or djuch@hotmail.ca

HOMES FOR RENT

A SERVICE PLUMBER. Licence, Insured. Drains, HWT, Reno’s, Repairs. Senior Discounts. After Hour Service.

Call Coval Plumbing, 250709-5103.

NEED MONEY? No credit checks! No upfront fees! Immediate response! Electronic deposits and payments! 1866-499-5629 www.mynextpay.com

APARTMENT/CONDO

MOBILE HOMES & PADS

PLUMBING

FUEL/FIREWOOD

AUTO FINANCING

2 BEDROOM trailers for rent located on the Alberni Hwy, Parksville . Prices range from $600 to $750 per month 250954-9547

Call 250-538-8985

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

RENTALS

LIONS’ CLUB HALL for rent $75. Deposit required. Call Eileen 250-749-3345.

A full service, I move it all, junk removal company!

FIR FIREWOOD, well seasoned, burns good. Call (250)749-4112 (evenings).

BIG BUILDING Sale. This is a clearance you don’t want to miss! 20x20 $3,985. 25x24 $4,595. 30x36 $6,859. 35x48 $11,200.

40x52 $13,100.

47x76 $18,265 One End wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-800668-5422 www.pioneersteel.ca

LK COW: 3 bdrm townhouse (#5-215 Madill), 1.5 bath, 5 appls, single carport, newly painted. $750 + hydro. N/S, sm pet ok. 250-477-4524

HALLS

(250) 597-8335

www.PitStopLoans.com 1.800.514.9399

LEGAL SERVICES

TOWNHOUSES

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

STRONG WOMAN HAULING & ESTATE SALE BUYER

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed?

Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877987-1420. www.pioneerwest.com

Damaged House?

Pretty House? Moving?

Divorcing? Estate Sale?

We will Buy your House Quick Cash & Private.

Mortgage Too High and House won’t sell?

Can’t make payments?

We will Lease Your House, Make your Payments and Buy it Later!

Call: 1-250-616-9053

Lowest Price Guarantee

DROWNING IN Debt? Helping Canadians 25 years. Lower payments by 30%, or cut debts 70% thru Settlements.

Avoid bankruptcy! Free consultation. Toll Free 1 877-5563500 www.mydebtsolution.com

RENTALS

www.webuyhomesbc.com

DELIVERIES HAULING/JUNK REMOVAL MOVING JOBS WELCOME

M O N E Y P R OV I D E R . C O M . $500 Loan and +. No Credit Refused. Fast, Easy, 100% Secure. 1-877-776-1660.

Detailed job postings can be viewed at

BUSINESSES FOR SALE

yourdeliveryguy.ca

Western Forest Products Inc. is an integrated Canadian forest products company located on Vancouver Island that is committed to the safety of our employees, the culture of performance and the discipline to achieve results.

We currently have the following openings:

http://www.westernforest.com/building-value/our-people-employment/careers

WE BUY HOUSES

MISCELLANEOUS WANTED Harper Curling Centre is looking for a full size fridge with freezer. Would prefer free or very reasonably priced. Call 250-748-9313 and leave message.

PROFESSIONAL/ MANAGEMENT

Quinsam Communications is looking for a qualiďŹ ed Two-way Radio Technician 2 years experience preferred Wage to be determined by experience.

Email: topper@quinsam.ca or Fax: 250-287-4511

SUITES, LOWER LAKE COWICHAN- spacious 3-bdrm level entry suite, priv ent. Incls W/D, F/S. NP/NS. $800/mo heat incl’d. Avail immediately. Call 250-923-6170.

LEGAL SERVICES CRIMINAL RECORD? Don’t let it block employment, travel, education, professional, certiďŹ cation, adoption property rental opportunities. For peace of mind & a free consultation call 1-800-347-2540.

HEALTH PRODUCTS

KURT LeRoy Trucking Ltd., of Campbell River is experiencing a 50% growth of new capital expansion over the next year with a new division on the mainland. We need a Highly Motivated experienced CGA to complete monthly cost accounting for each division. Payroll of 38-45 employee’s. Subcontractors will vary. Excellent salary and beneďŹ ts. Please e-mail resume’s with driver’s abstract to rleroy@telus.net or fax to 250-287-9914.

HOMES WANTED

TRADES, TECHNICAL

PERSONAL SERVICES

Required for an Alberta Trucking Company. One Class 1 Driver. Must have a minimum of 5 years experience pulling low boys and driving off road. Candidate must be able to pass a drug test and be willing to relocate to Edson, Alberta. Scheduled Days Off. Call Lloyd 780-723-5051

REAL ESTATE

JOURNEYMAN AUTOMOTIVE Service Technician. Hanna Chrysler Ltd. in Hanna, Alberta needs a few more good people. Busy, modern shop. $25-$31/hour + bonus, beneďŹ ts. Great community. Inquire or send resume. Fax 403-8542845; Email Chrysler@telusplanet.net RED SEAL Diesel Truck and Trailer Mechanic wanted in Northern Alberta. Full time, permanent position. Initial accommodation supplied. E-mail: johnwb@telusplanet.net for immediate response.

¡ Registered Care Aides ¡ LPNs ¡ Cooks

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Incredible 5 acre treed PARK-LIKE PROPERTY with Well-Maintained Furnished Home 1500 sq.ft, 3-bdrm, 2 bath. Extremely close to Pristine Cowichan Lake, in the town of Caycuse.

Perfect for recreational property or full time living.

Motivated seller $378,800.

Exceptionally low yearly cost. Not leased land.

Call 250-745-3387 smartytwo@hotmail.com

.%%$Ă–2%0!)23 Ă–

6TF PVS DPNNVOJUZ DMBTTJmFET 4FSWJDF %JSFDUPSZ UP mOE BO FYQFSU JO ZPVS DPNNVOJUZ

Call 310.3535

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 145 South Shore Road | Lake Cowichan |

www.lkc.ca

$550 1 bedroom suite 285 Lake Park Rd. Clean & quiet basement suite. Hydro included, shared washer & dryer, N/Smoking, N/Pets. $775 3 bedroom condo #21-215 Madill Rd. Very nice unit in popular strata. Washer & dryer, N/Smoking, N/Pets $850 1bdrm + Loft Home 7 Cowichan Ave E. Older property with fenced yard, washer/dryer, pet upon approval. $925 3 bedroom condo #27-215 Madill Rd. Completely refurbished unit in quiet popular strata. All new appliances, N/Smoking, N/Pets. $1,000 3 bedroom home 112 Johel Rd. Ground level comfy home. Fully fenced yard, washer & dryer, N/Smoking, small pet upon approval.

Check out rentals online www.lkc.ca

To View Call:

250-749-6660

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

19

The inside back: A little of this and that ☞ It’s win-win with this event

☞ Computer fraudsters still trying

Want a chance at winning a $1,000 in groceries? Lake Cowichan Royal Lepage realtors Wendy Mitton and Danielle Strom are selling raffle tickets for you to win a chance at a $1,000 grocery grab and to help raise money for Somenos Transition House in Duncan — a shelter for women and children.

The two are hosting the game show type of event on Dec. 16 at Lake Cowichan Country Grocer. Raffle ticket buyers will have a chance to become a contestant for the grocery grab.

“Contestants will compete in an elimination round answering questions referencing grocery brands, products and uses. Three contestants will then move on to the final round in which $1,000 in groceries will be given away,” said Strom.

Finalists then go on to compete with tougher questions to rack up points which get converted into time for shopping in the grocery grab.

Tickets are $10 and are available at Royal LePage Lake Cowichan and Duncan offices and Country Grocer Lake Cowichan. If you would like more information about this event please call 250-749-0288 or you can send an email to daniellestrom@shaw.ca.

Never give an unsolicited caller access to your computer. That’s the advice given by the Canadian Radiotelevision and Telecomunications Commission, and Ron Black of Mesachie Lake would agree.

Black was targeted the morning of Nov.26 at 6:30 a.m. and again at 8:45 a.m. by a caller claiming to be working for Microsoft. He told the caller that the police know about this and that he knew it was a scam. Black then hung up the phone.

If you have fallen victim to this kind of scam, Dave MacDonald of Lake Cowichan Computers, advises saving your information and either wiping your computer yourself or having a professional help you, alerting your financial institution and canceling your credit card, and changing all of your online banking passwords as well as any computer passwords.

The CRTC adds that individuals should protect their computers with updated antivirus and anti-spyware software and read online privacy policies carefully. Find the CRTC website by going to crtc.gc.ca.

☞ Prepared for power outage?

In the winter months storms hit B.C. more frequently.

This increases the potential for power outages. BC Hydro

is suggesting six easy steps to ensure you and your family are better prepared.

1. Know the number to call when the power goes out.

To report an outage, call 1-888-POWERON or *HYDRO on your mobile phone.

2. Have an emergency kit ready and easily accessible.

The kit should include: flashlights, a battery-operated radio, extra batteries, a corded telephone, warm clothing and blankets, a first aid kit, non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods and a copy of your emergency preparedness plan.

3. If there is an outage, turn off all appliances and electronics, especially electric heaters. When power is restored, power will rush to all items left in the “on” position which can cause the system to overload and possibly cause a second outage.

4. When the power is out, turn off all lights except one inside the home and one outside. The inside light lets you know when the power is back on and the outside light lets BC Hydro crews know.

5. Make note of BC Hydro’s mobile-friendly website on your smart phone. The site provides updates on when power will be restored.

6. If you see a fallen power line, stay at least 10 metres away at all times. Never go near or touch a fallen line.

Report fallen power lines with the exact location to BC Hydro.

and

SAVE

Cowichan Lake Service Directory and save!

FOR ALL YOUR HEATING and COOLING NEEDS • Oil, Gas & Electric Furnaces • Heat Pumps • Refrigeration • Duct Cleaning

CARPENTRY

accurate air

Finishing carpenter with over 24 years experience.

SERVICE, REPAIR AND INSTALL

Quality comes first.

– ONE CALL COVERS IT ALL –

• Renovations • Installations • Framing • All Finishing Carpentry • Custom Kitchens • Laminate Flooring • Decks • Fences • Sheds • Additions • Windows & Doors

For your free in home heating estimate

250.746.1666 Visit www.accurate-air.ca for internet specials! //////////////////////////////////

COVAL PLUMBING

After hour service | Seniors’ discounts Renovations | New construction | Repairs Hot water tanks | Drain cleaning Septic Design & Installation Water services 20+ years experience

250-749-4997 250-709-5103

//////////////////

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / //

INDEPENDENT CRAFTSMAN

//////////////////////////////////

JOHN PORTELANCE

Fascia Gutters Call Steve for Free estimates!

Locally owned & operated

250-715-6038 250-749-4192

• Hot water heaters • Fiberglass tubs • Acrylic jetted tubs • Pumps • Fish ponds • Faucets • Sprinklers • Repair parts from A - Z

GRIFFITHS HOME PLUMBING CENTRE

251 Government St. ,Duncan

250-746-4534

1-877-222-8876 250-749-0105 73 South Shore, Lake Cowichan

EXCAVATING

GAS BAR

250-732-4570

CALL Ian Balding TODAY

Shane Baker

Gas • Diesel Boat Gas Confections • Bait • Ice

Serving Lake Cowichan for over 20 yrs

MINI EXCAVATOR & BOBCAT SERVICES

OPEN: Mon.-Sat: 5a.m.-10p.m.

Sun: 7a.m. - 8p.m.

Licenced ̰ Bonded ̰ Insured

Landscaping | Septic Services

250-701-1755

PAINTING

A gutter above the rest.

Featuring: Crown Moulding

Single off -season rates start at $59/night – $295/week www.lakecowichan.org

Residential & Commercial

Gutters 4 Season ❀5º7

Come enjoy...

Waterfront Patio Suites King-sized Bed | Jacuzzi Wharf | Campfire Pit | BBQs

TIPTONS GAS BAR

250-749-3174

GUTTER Company

Need space for relatives?

BOUTIQUE WATERFRONT LODGE

PACIFIC-WEST ELECTRIC

Reg #12129

SERVICE STATION

All your plumbing needs under one roof!

ELECTRICIAN

ACCOMMODATION

Koster PAINTING CONTRACTORS We will COVER it for you!

• Light Commercial • Residential • Interior • Exterior

250-749-6133 14 North Shore Rd. Lake Cowichan

DUMP TRUCK: 1-6 YARDS PETS & SUPPLIES

Cowichan Pet Emporium (1996) • Fish • Pet food/supplies • Otter Co-op Livestock Feed • Wood Pellets • Grooming MONTHLY VET CLINIC with Dr. Nancy Holling

ROOFING

MEADES CREEK ROOFING

No other company in this area has over 33+ years experience roofing.

Treat yourself to Best for Less!

Call Steve:

250-749-6905

Call Casey

170A Cowichan Lake Rd.

250-510-2732

250-749–4454

e-mail: steve.rubin@shaw.ca

TIRES

TRUCKING

VETERINARIAN

Towing and Repairs

Cowichan

Veterinary

Open 7 Days a Week

Housecall Services

Cowichan Motors (1958) Ltd.

Convenience Store • Gas Bar Store: 250-749–3355 Garage: 250-749–3213

“Sharing the care.” care.”

En-TIRE-ly at your Service 250-749-6614

TOP SOIL • BARK MULCH COMPOST • SAND • GRAVEL

Specializing in delivering 1 - 5 yard loads.

250-932-5552

Lorne: 250-749-6601 Cell: 250-701-5153

Dr. Brenda Bernhardt

20

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

Connect more, connect often.

Unlimited Talk and Family Share plans keep you connected with people that matter.

All Unlimited Talk and Family Share plans include: Unlimited Local Talk and Text2 Shareable Data with other devices on your accounts3,4 Caller ID & Voice Mail

Plans start from just1

$70/mo.

© 2012 TELUS.

Samsung Galaxy Note™ II

Samsung Galaxy S III™

Valid until December 31, 2012 in Alberta and British Columbia only. Plans are available with activations and renewals, and not as a rate plan change. Prices are subject to change without notice. 1 Taxes, long distance, additional airtime, roaming and pay-per-use charges are extra. Plus applicable provincial or municipal government 911 fees in Nova Scotia (43¢), PEI (70¢), New Brunswick (53¢) and Quebec (40¢). 2 Premium and subscription messages are not included. Messages sent using iMessage may incur data charges. A 35¢/message charge will apply for each text message or attachment sent outside of Canada and the US. Text messages sent or received while roaming outside of Canada will be charged at 60¢/message.

Visit telusmobility.com/text for details. Customers with devices not able to display picture or video messages will receive a text message that includes a web address for viewing. Multimedia messaging used while outside of Canada is charged as data roaming. 3 Data used while roaming in the US is charged at $5/MB. Data used while roaming outside Canada and the US may vary by zone. Voice used while roaming in the US is charged at a rate of $1.50/minute. Voice used while roaming outside of Canada and the US varies by zone. Visit telusmobility.com/travel for details. 4 Only smartphones on an Unlimited Talk and Family Share plan may share data. Additional usage beyond the shared data will be charged at 2c/MB. Cannot be combined with any other data plan. Tethering included. Access to BlackBerry Enterprise Service is not included. Additional data is charged by the MB or GB and is rounded up to the closest KB (1 GB = 1,024 MB; 1 MB = 1,024 KB). Data usage is subject to a monthly overage limit of 10 GB. Additional fees may apply for servicing operations, such as phone swaps or reprogramming on existing accounts. Directory Assistance 411 charge: $2.50. TELUS, the TELUS logo, the future is friendly, Clear Choice, PERKS and telusmobility.com are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under license. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2012 TELUS.

Check out the latest offers & arrivals at www.cowichansound.com 951A Canada Ave 250-748-4847 Cowichan Commons 250-715-1599 B1- 845 Deloume Road, Mill Bay 250-733-2626

We SERVICE what we sell!