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THURSDAYNOVEMBER 19, 2015

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General Excellence The Parksville Qualicum Beach News Thursday, November 19, 2015

TESTING THE 2016 MODELS

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General Excellence

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AndreA Long photo

STEPPING LIVELY: From left, Zaira Walshe, Liana Long, Julianna Pley and Ava Leary of Cassandra Karras’ School of Highland Dance kicked off the competitive dance season in Duncan Nov. 13. All four dancers won awards and Leary claimed her age-group overall trophy. AndreA Long photo

STEPPING LIVELY: From Walshe, Liana Long, Julianna Pley nov.left, 25 Zaira At FAnny BAy hALL and Ava Leary of Cassandra Karras’ School of Highland Dance kicked off the competitive dance season in Duncan Nov. 13. All four dancers won awards and Leary claimed her age-group overall trophy.

World War II, cougars,

Backhouse. Backhouse is the author of six books, including the just-released Once They Were Hats, a quirky historical/cultural/ecological exploThe Fat Oyster Reading Series ration of the mighty beaver. Her comes to Fanny Bay Hall Nov. 25, Children of the Klondike won the featuring three non-fiction writ- 2010 City of Victoria Butler Book Backhouse. ers who will share a diverse mix of Prize. She is also a veteran freeBackhouse is magazine the author subjects from cougars and beavers lance writerof andsix teaches to Second World War books, history. including creativethe nonfiction at the Universijust-released The authors will read fromThey their Were ty of Victoria. Once Hats, a quirky hisworks at Fanny Bay Hall in an The third reader, Paula Wild, is torical/cultural/ecological explo-of six all-ages event from 7-9 p.m. an award-winning author The Fat Oyster Reading Seriesis theration of thebooks mighty beaver. Her than Mark Zuehlke award-winand has written more critically ac-of 1,000 articles for won numerous comes to Fanny Bayning Hallauthor Nov. of 25,the Children the Klondike the periclaimed Canadian Battle Series. In odicals including British Columfeaturing three non-fiction writ- 2010 City of Victoria Butler Book 2014, he won the Governor Gener- bia Magazine, Reader’s Digest and ers who will share a diverse of Prize. also aHistory veteran free-A B.C. al’s Awardmix for Popular History,She the isCanada’s Magazine. Award. lance magazine Bestseller, Cougar: Beautiful, subjects from cougarsPierre andBerton beavers writerTheand teaches In 2006, he won the City of VicWild andatDangerous is the Gold to Second World War history. creative nonfiction the Universitoria Butler Book Prize and in 2007 Winner for Nature Book of the The authors will read from their of Victoria.Year at Foreword Reviews’ USA the Canadian Author’styAssociation works at Fanny BayLelaHall in an The third IndieFab reader,Awards Paulaand Wild, Common Award for Canadian was is a finalHistory. ist for the B.C. Book of Prizes’ all-ages event from 7-9 p.m.His latest book, an Through award-winning author sixBookBlood and Sweat, is an account of sellers’ Choice Award. She lives in Mark Zuehlke is the award-winbooks and written thanworkwalking with Operation Husky in has Courtenay andmore is currently ning author of the 2013 critically ac1,000 articles perito retrace the steps of Canaingfor on anumerous book about wolves. da’s soldiers in Sicily The FatBritish Oyster Reading Series is claimed Canadian Battle Series.who In fought odicals including Columseventy years earlier and whose sponsored by the Fanny Bay Com2014, he won the Governor Gener- bia Magazine, Reader’s Digest and sacrifice have been largely forgot- munity Association and Macs, al’s Award for Popular History, the Canada’s History A Wood B.C. Oysten. Fanny Magazine. Bay and Hollie a mys- The ters, Cougar: with supportBeautiful, from the Canada Pierre Berton Award. Zuehlke has also written Bestseller, teryCity seriesofand has recently Council for the In 2006, he won the VicWild turned and Dangerous isArts. the Gold his hand to graphic novels. He lives For more information, visit fantoria Butler Book Prize and inwith 2007 Winner for nybaycommunity.com. Nature Book of the in Victoria his partner and felthe Canadian Author’s YearFrances at Foreword—Reviews’ lowAssociation Fat Oyster participant, Submitted byUSA Fat Oyster

nov. 25 At FAnny hALL beaverBAy among topics

Author trio to read in Fat Oyster series

Alsace, France: The route taken for the extremely pleasurable drive in this launch of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC premium mid-range, second generaSUV was cruel and unusual punishment tion SUV from Mercedes-Benz, which for some of us. replaces the GLK moniker The navigation system with GLC reflecting its guided us through a mechanical similarities to spectacular drive of the C-Class sedan. more than 500 kilomeI won’t wax lyrical about tres, which started and the shape and looks, the concluded in Basel, the pictures here tell that Swiss city straddling the story. It’s a little longer Swiss, French and German and wider, meaning those borders. First, we motored aboard get more space Most of those to Strasbourg, the capin which to lounge and purchased will ital of Alsace, and then enjoy the luxury this top returned the next day via become city German brand typically the Vosges Mountains and dwellers, destined offers. And, of course, the Munster Valley. more space for groceries to hunt in shopping Cruel? – Well, for the and golf clubs. malls, but the drive A tablet-like 7-inch oenophiles among the participating media group proved the GLC is screen sits above three having to pass without large air vents, mounted more than capable tasting at the many historat the top of the centre ic Alsace vineyards along in the wild. stack, which features the way made one weep. Keith Morgan a well-placed controls It was just as bad for the touch pad in the lower beer-swillers who whiffed console. the smell of hops as they dreamed Back to the drive. Firstly, the test cars about sinking a chilled Kronenbourg. were pre-production Euro-spec 250s Those, for whom food excites, had their but we did get to take to the winding, taste buds tickled. They wolfed down often mountainous roads in a version amazing soft cheeses and cold cuts at that will more closely resemble the the roadside. A curious donkey and a Canadian 300 4Matic. The same 2.0 family of storks observed our feeding turbo-four gas engine we get, though frenzy from a nest on high. light of around 33 horses, powered it. The mental torture was eased by an The GLK-spec 3.5-litre V6 is gone but

Parksville councillor wants to reduce taxpayer subsidies ‘‘ to PCCC

A least one city councillor is not happy with how much taxpayers are pouring into the Parksville Community and Conference Centre ’’ (PCCC). The executive director of the PCCC, Margaret Spruit, and the president of the non-profit society that manages the facility, Kirk Walper, didn’t even get to present their budget Monday night to city council before being told to come back with more financial information. In an interview the day after the meeting, Coun. Al Greir was talking tough about the future of the PCCC. He wants council support to take 25 per cent of the roughly $250,000 taxpayer subsidy away from the PCCC for the 2017 budget year. He said he believes that would force the PCCC to do a better job attracting business to the facility. “If they can’t do that we have to look at other avenues and one might be to privatize it,” said Greir.

worry not, if I might be crude, the four banger, coupled with the new 9G-tronic transmission, is more than adequate on the freeway – zero to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds – and up those hills. And it was quiet in that cabin. Incidentally, the GLC will use four-cylinder power in all versions – gas, diesel and plug-in gas/electric hybrid. Economy ratings are expected to be in the low 8s L/100kms in the city, low 6s on the highway. Dynamic Select is standard fare, allowing the driver to switch between Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes. The tester was also equipped with the optional Air Body Control, which improves on its predecessor’s Airmatic system ability to smooth out the ride. Mercedes boasts that the GLC is at home on any terrain. Most of those purchased will become city dwellers, destined to hunt in shopping malls, but the drive proved the GLC is more than capable in the wild. Sadly, the Off-Road Engineering package will not be offered in Canada. An off-road course included a 38-degree incline, which my drive partner Regina Chan expertly scaled, tilted about 25 degrees at one point! The standard safety package is extensive and notably includes Collision Prevention Assist, which warns of an imminent crash and helps to apply the brakes, and the self-explanatory Passive

Question of the Week

Amsterdam GERMANY

FRANCE PARIS

ALSACE LSACE Strasbourg Basel B l SWITZERLAND SW

Much is made of the impact of distracted driving on the rate of collisions; do you think the problem is as bad as it is portrayed?

Martell rocks Shady Rest Long a part of the local music scene, Lindsay Martell is back from a multi-year stint in Europe and ready to rock the Shady Rest Pub in Qualicum Beach with his band Nov. 21. Martell has been involved in successful rock, R&B, blues, country and disco bands, including Rubber Soul and Wonderbread.

His current band plays a mix of popular music from the likes of the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, The Eagles, Marvin Gay, Mumford and Sons, Green Day, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison and more. The band will perform from 7-11 p.m. in the pub, located at 3109 West Island Highway. — NEWS Staff

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Lela Common Award for Canadian IndieFab Awards and was a finalHistory. His latest book, Through ist for the B.C. Book Prizes’ BookBlood and Sweat, is an account of sellers’ Choice Award. She lives in Long a partinof the local mu- and His current band plays a mix of walking with Operation Husky Courtenay is currently worksic scene, Lindsay Martell is back from the likes of 2013 to retrace the steps of Canaing on a bookpopular aboutmusic wolves. from a multi-year stint in Europe the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, The da’s soldiers who fought in Sicily The Rest Fat Oyster Series is and and ready to rock the Shady Eagles,Reading Marvin Gay, Mumford in Qualicum with his by Sons, Day,Bay Bill Haley, seventy years earlierPuband whose Beach sponsored theGreen Fanny Com-Chuck band Nov.forgot21. Berry, Roy Orbison more. sacrifice have been largely munity Association and and Macs, Martell has been involved in The band will perform from ten. Bay and successful rock, R&B,Fanny blues, coun7-11 Hollie p.m. in Wood the pub,Oyslocated at Zuehlke has also written mys-bands, ters, with support from theHighway. Canada try and adisco including 3109 West Island Rubber Soul and Wonderbread. — NEWS Staff tery series and has recently turned Council for the Arts. his hand to graphic novels. He lives For more information, visit fanin Victoria with his partner and fel- nybaycommunity.com. low Fat Oyster participant, Frances — Submitted by Fat Oyster

Hon Ho H Honda on o nda Civ Civic vicc at at Tes Te TestFest essttFe e tFFe Fesstt

Allsbrook Estates

World War II, cougars, beaver among topics in Fat Oyster series

AL GREIR ON CONFERENCE CENTRE:

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2015

Find your dream home, check out info on Author trio to read open houses in our real estate section

DrivewayCanada.ca |

A39

JOHN HARDING

WEEKLY UPDATE

BELLEVUE

Mercedes Benz 2016 SUV put through a rigorous test drive

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realestate real estate WEEKLY UPDATE

The Parksville Qualicum Beach News Thursday, November 19, 2015

Nanaimo 250.754.1500 Duncan 250.748.5900

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Satisfaction Guaranteed. Parksville 250.248.8805 Pt. Alberni 250.720.2291

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Imagine living in Pristine Allsbrook Estates on 2 private acreages rancher! Harvest Homes presents the latest in design and the b in this exciting, bright 3 bedroom, open design one level home fir beams, the high ceiling, custom fireplace mantel you will know you’re entering a home of distinction and functionality. Hardwood floors, Granite countertops, island kitchen, large covered southern patios and a garage large enough to also be your workshop. 600 Elk Trail, Parksville

CALL DENISE TO VIEW 250-248-9996 | WWW.DUMBRELL

Go to DrivewayCanada.ca for the question of the week

QUESTION OF THE WEEK!

Blind Spot Assist. I’m a sucker for M-B’s Intelligent Drive concept. The various systems take data from the various sensors to boost comfort and safety. Systems that think and act somewhat quicker than your average driver! The first Canadian models will be gas-powered, a turbo-diesel comes in the 2017 model year and a plug-in hybrid is scheduled for 2018. A Coupe version is on the way but no date yet. The base sticker price is $44,950 but take it up to the premium package, with COMAND navigation and a superb panoramic roof, and you are nudging 50 grand. Load in those extra tricky active safety technologies and you soon hit the mid-50s.

Safety Tip: As road conditions become more challenging, it is even more important to stay focused behind the wheel. If you need to make a call or send a text, pull over somewhere safe or use a highway rest stop to take a break.

keith.morgan@drivewaybc.ca

See A TERRIBLE LOOKING BUDGET, page A9

ANOTHER LOCAL CAO LEAVING

RDN loses boss CANDACE WU

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Regional District of Nanaimo CAO Paul Thorkelsson announced his resignation Wednesday after nine years with the RDN, three as CAO. “I don’t leave this group without great difficulty,” he told The NEWS by e-mail. His resignation is effective Dec. 9. Thorkelsson, 50, confirmed he will be going to work for another local government organization but remained tight lipped about that location. Wednesday morning, the District of Saanich issued a news release saying by “unanimous decision” Thorkelsson has been hired as their new CAO effective Jan. 4, 2016. The RDN executive committee will meet this week to discuss filling the CAO position. It is unclear at this time who will act as an interim CAO in the meantime. See CAO POSITION, page A30

CANDACE WU PHOTO

LADIES NIGHT: Lucille Roy, left, learns how to operate a mitre saw as Gary Allison watches with a keen eye at Central Builders Home Building Centre’s annual ladies night, which brought out more than 100 women from all over the Parksville Qualicum Beach area.

Join Us During The Festive Season Christmas Dinner Friday December 25 4 Fabulous Courses - All you’d expect & much more! Sittings from 3:30pm

New Years Eve Dinner Thursday December 31 Choose from 4 courses or up to 6 during last sitting. Sittings from 5:00pm Reservations Recommended

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