GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE - Wednesday, February 13, 2013
www.goldstreamgazette.com • A7
Church of the Advent
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Freewill offering Abundant parking 510 Mount View Ave. Colwood 250 474 3031 www.colwoodanglican.ca Charla Huber/News staff
Mitzi Dean, executive director of Pacific Centre Family Services Association is hoping a provincial grant will come through enabling it to open a bistro at the Wale Road location to employ youth and offer healthy food.
Youth-run bistro in the plans
P
reparing hot healthy food may be the opportunity high-risk youth on the West Shore need to make a fresh start. Pacific Centre Family Services Association has applied for a $25,000 grant from the provincial government to open a bistro at the West Shore Child, Youth and Family Centre on Wale Road. “The program Charla Huber would need to be Reporting subsidized,” said Mitzi Dean, the associations executive director. The concept hasn’t been completely pinned down, but Dean would like to see high-risk and other interested youth work at the proposed cafe to gain experience. The eatery would likely be staffed with youth 13 to 19 years old who do not attend school and need something to keep them busy and interacting in the community. A co-ordinator would be hired. Opportunities are open for teens to explore any area of interest. For instance,
Vision Matters Healthy Eyes. Doctor Delivered.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for young people to gain valuable work experience, learn new skills, and contribute to the community.” – Jessica Woollard Dean explains youth with a passion for design could design the menu or logo. “We want to help kids build their resume and give back to the community,” Dean said. “We want this to be a place where youth feel connected. We want to promote engagement with youth, the bistro is just sitting empty right now.” The building was built in 2005 with the small bistro and large commercial kitchen. The bistro was operating about six years ago with limited hours. That was before Dean worked at the facility. “We are delighted the bistro will be used for a program for youth. It’s a wonderful opportunity for young people to gain valuable work experience, learn new skills, and contribute to the community,” said Jessica Woollard, communications officer for Children’s Health Foundation. “The bistro is a wonderful example of collaboration that benefits youth in the community.” Dean spoke to the seven tenants, with more than 100 employees, in the building. All appear eager for a bistro. Aside
from staff, the building gets families travelling through daily for appointments and programs. “This is a stroller park,” Dean explained, of the programs operating out of the facility include the Best Babies program. “Moms could come for a program and then stay for a coffee and a healthy snack.” The project could also help local farmers she said. “We would also like to fit this into West Shore food security system. We could do local sourcing within 10 kilometres.” The association expects to hear back from the provincial government at the end of March about the grant application. If the grant is denied, Dean is already working on a plan B. Dean would like to hear from businesses or food producers interested in being a part of the proposed project. For more information call Dean at 250-4788357. charla@goldstreamgazette.com
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Dr. Cameron McCrodan, Dr. Brent Morrison, Dr. Ann-Marie Stewart and Dr. Chris Snow
What exactly is astigmatism? The question is asked every day and astigmatism is, without doubt, one of the most misunderstood refractive disorders. Optometrists agree that astigmatism has various causes. While some theories claim it is hereditary, others state it is developmental. Both opinions are almost certainly correct. The most common form of astigmatism is due to the clear front part of the eye, the cornea, not being round. This “out of round” of the cornea causes distortion of the focussed light, which in turn causes blurred vision at all distances. An uncorrected astigmatic eye is constantly trying to improve its focus. This is tiring and can cause headaches especially during precise visual work. Most patients are surprised to learn that the majority of people have at least a small amount of astigmatism. The amount of astigmatism will determine the severity of the visual complaints. Most people can go for years without realizing that they have a problem. If one has never seen clearly, it is difficult to comprehend what clear vision truly is. Fortunately both spectacles and contact lenses can correct astigmatism, and recently, refractive surgeons have added astigmatism corrections with lasers to their services. When astigmatism is first corrected a period of adaptation and adjustment is to be expected. Objects may look distorted or slanted but clear. After a few days the strange symptoms will subside. It took the brain years to get used to the “old vision” so it will take a while for the “new vision” to settle. It is very important to correct significant astigmatism in children. They may not complain, but uncorrected astigmatism can often cause poor performance at school. Don’t forget; first eye exam by age three. A regular eye examination with the optometrist is the best way to monitor astigmatism in patients of all ages.
SEATS ARE LIMITED
Westshore Location
Doctors Stewart & McCrodan 1910 Sooke Rd. 250-478-6811 www.sioptometry.ca