On stage: Patterson’s brand of comedy not up for debate Sports watch: Meet this year’s sports wall-of-famers
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Friday, November 15, 2013
Arts community comes together to look for answers What’s the status? Can an all-for-one philosophy inject new life into battered sector?
Peter W. Rusland
his business into a non-profit society, with a board of direcNews Leader Pictorial tors, to help apply for government funds. uncan Garage But the meeting isn’t just Showroom’s deabout the Showroom, “it’s mise has spurred about the entire (A&C) region an arts-and-culstruggling.” ture status Grants, gaming meeting to brainstorm funds, and other problems and solutions, public bucks are and prevent other cloonly available to sures across Cowichan. societies and other The Nov. 26 communon-profit groups, nity gathering will be not businesses such held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. as the Showroom in Cowichan Theatre’s (possibly reopening lobby. Kirsten Schrader: elsewhere under a It’s designed to gauge no small thing new name). the valley’s A&C Part of the evehealth, and prescribe ing will consist of remedies, outside funding help, Schrader giving a presentation explained Kirsten Schrader, regional arts and culture manager. on various funding models in other regions. “How can we work together, She hopes all stakeholders, communicate, assess and public and private, come tomove forward to maintain and expand the amazing cultural life gether and offer their two cents. “Many groups come to me on of our area?” her release asks. a regular basis looking for supSchrader’s seeking proacport to share their struggle, and tive thinking about events let me know how much they can and places some folks take for stretch a dollar. granted. “I’m amazed how much these Casualties include the Showgroups do with so little. That room, The Dancing Bean, and means they’re resourceful, but the Cowichan Fringe Festival. there’s a limit.” “Obviously, the loss of (the Gaming grants, for example, Showroom) really shocked and are inconsistent with group’s upset people,” said Schrader, budgets. noting she attended events Schrader’s reviewing applicathere. “It’s no small thing to have the tions from 14 valley groups hoping to share $50,000 in Showroom close.” one-time ArtVest money, to be Schrader explained she had matched by cash and/or goods talked with Showroom owner from local businesses. Longevity John Falkner in the more on page 6 past three years about forming
D Peter W. Rusland
Dave Polster has received international recognition for his work in eco-restoration.
Eco-honouree takes aim at local mistakes Global award winner: Cowichan’s Polster would like to see more of his philosophies adopted closer to home
Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
P
lant it, don’t clear it. Dave Polster’s basic philosophy about saving Cowichan’s — and the global — environment from soil erosion recently earned the local biologist his profession’s John Rieger Award at the World Conference of the Society for Ecological Restoration. “Basically, it’s an international recognition of my work in eco-restoration,”
Polster, 61, said also noting his long role with the society’s B.C. chapter. Some 1,000 chapters worldwide include Third World work planting seedlings to stem erosion and slumping — and heal logged or other devastated areas. “You have to leave home to be an expert.” Polster just returned from surveying oil-and-gas industry damage near Rocky Mountain House, and logging effects in the Clayoquot. “I’ve developed a bunch of treatments and techniques for river restoration.” Maybe his methods could help his Cowichan restoration hotspots. “They cut down the trees, then wonder why their bank slumps; or they push fill from their basement on to the slope — then it slumps,” said Polster,
who has a masters degree in vegetation ecology. “But cottonwood and willow take root from the stem cutting; stick it in the ground and it’ll grow roots and shoots. “The Cliffs (Over Maple Bay denuded site) is key for restoration. I deal with open-pit mines that are easier to restore, though I could restore that.” Same for Stoney Hill in North Cowichan. Protecting areas before they’re cleared is sound thinking to Polster. “Eagle Heights on the Koksilah probably has the most pristine Garry oak ecosystem in the world — and no broom.” And Chemainus’ Echo Heights forest “should be protected in its entirety. The old (Chemainus) mill site is disturbed, so develop that,” suggested Polster.
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