Comox Valley Echo, March 04, 2016

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

ISSN 1196-9954 9

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995005

COURTENAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA • Friday, March 4, 2016

PRICE: $1.25 PLUS GST

VOL. 22, NO. 10

COMMUNITY

NEWS

14. Comox Golf

04. Pump station

starts junior caddy now back on program.

Beech site.

Look for your copy of the Spring Comox Valley Recreation Guide with today’s Echo

MONEY MATTERS Page 13

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC MARCH 4, 2016

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Comox Valley Weather Friday Rain.

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Saturday Showers.

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Sunday Rain.

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Monday Cloudy with 60% chance of showers.

Low 4°C. High 10°C.

Tuesday Cloudy with 60% chance of showers.

Low 3°C. High 10°C.

For the latest Comox Valley Weather visit: www.comoxvalleyecho.com

Comox Valley RCMP Auxiliary Constables recognised for service On February 24th, the Comox Valley RCMP held a recognition night for several local Auxiliary Constables. The event was hosted by Comox Valley RCMP Inspector Tim Walton and Auxiliary Coordinator Cst Rob Gardner.

Four Auxiliary Constables were acknowledged for 10 years of service and presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and a pin, from the RCMP as well as a 10 year pin from the Province of BC. Four more Auxiliaries Constables were acknowledged for going above and beyond, in volunteering for projects like Mountie camp and several other projects the program assists with.

One RCMP Constable, who left the Auxiliary program last year, was recognised with a Certificate of Appreciation

for the volunteer service he provided before joining the RCMP full time.

One local RCMP Constable and a retired RCMP member, were acknowledged for their assistance with the running of the Comox Valley RCMP Auxiliary program.

The Officer in Charge of the Comox Valley RCMP, Inspector Tim Walton, who once was an Auxiliary himself, highlighted that the Auxiliary program has been very active in the Comox Valley for several years.

The Auxiliary Constables in the program have volunteered an average of 4100 hours a year for the past 5 years, enhancing police presence at community events and during emergencies such as the 2015 flooding.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

3

Sidewalk cafes to continue in Cumberland

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff The Village of Cumberland will continue to allow sidewalk cafes.

Last year, only two permits were issued for Riders Pizza and Mars on Main. Owners from both businesses called it an asset.

The added feature, they said, was received well by customers and is one of the main reasons business for both went up around 25 per cent last year.

Their common suggestion to the village is not to change the current option for the location of the outdoor cafes.

Owners fear for the safety of servers, who may have to cross busy sidewalks with trays of drinks and plates of food. It could be a disaster, they said, as potential for a collision with a pedestrian is likely to be high.

Staff has received recommendations from the advisory planning commission and the accessibility select committee that sidewalk cafes be located in parking spaces in order to keep sidewalks open for pedestrians.

But due to the proposed construction on Dunsmuir Avenue this

year, staff recommended the original option for the location of the outdoor cafes be maintained for now and reviewed again at the end of the year.

Some changes are being introduced this year and council approved them. They are: Allow up to two parking spaces to be used for each café and each full space (no partial spaces permitted) must be paid for, based on the rate in the bylaw.

If any parking space or portion of a parking space fronts an adjacent business, written approval to utilize that parking space must be obtained by the applicant.

Boardwalks constructed around the cafes should be increased to a minimum of 1.8 metres wide, on the side parallel to Dunsmuir Avenue and 2m. wide on the angled portions connecting back to the sidewalk.

Boardwalks must not have any gaps over ¼” in the surface to limit problems with pedestrians and scooters.

Boardwalks must have bi-directional reflectors every 30cm along the face of the walkway along the travel roadway.

There must be at least one clear

a sidewalk café area due to the inability to maintain the baskets.

Application fees to be increased to $100 to cover staff time for processing application and site visit(s). This is added to the annual fee but is not applicable to renewals that have no changes of owner, to the design or construction of the sidewalk café.

Councillor Roger Kishi added that the sidewalk cafe policy should be reviewed again at the end of the 2016 season.

Comox Girl Guides and Air Cadets join together to ‘Fill the Food Bank Shelves’ This year the Girl Guides of Canada and the 386 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron will coordinate the 6th Annual Hike for Hunger in the Town of Comox and East Courtenay. It will occur on Saturday March 5th, 2016 from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

The 1st Komux Guides, Pathfinders, 1st Comox Valley Rangers, 7th Komux Brownies and the 386 Air Cadets will be going door-todoor for the collection of food for the Comox Valley Food Bank.

Most needed items include: macaroni and cheese or pasta and sauce; canned fish or

meat; peanut butter; powdered milk; infant formula and baby food; breakfast cereal; canned soups and stews; canned fruits or vegetables and other delicious non-perishables.

If you would like to make a donation and these members do not come to your door, you can drop of a non-perishable food item at the Comox Pentecostal Church. Should you have any questions about this event, contact Debbie Wright at 250-334-3569 or kwright5@ shaw.ca. Without the assistance of the community, this activity would not be possible.

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Area to be affected by pressure drop on Thursday

East Courtenay temporary water pressure decrease A large section of East Courtenay will experience a temporary decrease in water pressure on Thursday, March 10 from 9:00 am until approximately 1:00 pm.

The area includes the business district at Ryan and Lerwick Roads, Crown Isle Resort, and surrounding residential neighbourhoods. A map of the area is posted on the City of Courtenay website at www. courtenay.ca The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is upgrading pumps and a valve in the Courtenay booster station on Ryan Road.

The upgrade will ensure adequate water pressure for development in East Courtenay, including the new Comox Valley hospital under con-

pedestrian travel lane of 1.5m wide at all times, through an area with fixed structures such as, but not limited to, bench, bike rack, lamp standard, and planter (Note that the Village is in the process of relocating the bike racks to the curb).

It is the responsibility of the owner of the business/sidewalk café to not permit parked bikes or tied up dogs at the sidewalk cafe to impede this 1.5m wide pedestrian travel lane.

The Village will not hang flower baskets in

struction.

During the upgrade, all customers in the affected area will lose approximately half their normal water pressure.

Businesses with fire sprinkler systems may go into a “low pressure alarm”.

The Courtenay booster station will be turned off during the upgrade. During this time, water will be drawn exclusively from the East Courtenay reservoirs. The CVRD has advised they will keep the reservoirs as full as possible to maximize the available water pressure.

For further information, please contact City of Courtenay Engineering at 250-334-4441 or email engineering@courtenay.ca

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC MARCH 4, 2016

CVRD to bring back Beech Street site for No. 2 sewer pump station

Studies reveal Croteau Beach location not technically, publicly acceptable

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff

The regional sewage commission has decided to revert to the original Beech Street site for the Comox Valley No. 2 pump station.

It was a difficult decision reached after the results of the pump siting, archaeological, hydrogeological, and topographic studies revealed the second preferred location at the base of Croteau Road is not going to be a good fit for the multi-million dollar project.

The vote was a narrow 4-3 in favour of reverting back to the Beech Road site. The board has still to approve this.

Marc Rutten, General Manager of Engineering Services, indicated although it is feasible to build the No. 2 pump station there, it poses several major challenges.

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The site is constrained by its narrow configuration and low elevation.

This would limit the ability for the staging of construction materials and equipment, and will require significant temporary dams in order to enable construction of the deep underground wells.

Rutten said the full width and length of the right of way will be required during construction, which means shutting the area down for the public for an estimated 18 months.

The narrow lot also presented design constraints as it would only allow a 10-meter diameter underground wetwell and a 9m X 10m underground vault or valve chamber.

“The wetwell size is at the minimum for this pump station and only allows 15 minutes of storage,” said Marc Rutten.

This would increase the

risk in case of a system failure.

The archaeological overview showed the pump station would not potentially impact known archaeological middens in the area. However, Rutten said, they would be impacted by the forcemain because a large and deep trench will be required from Comox Harbour to the pump station.

A hydrogeological study was done on both the Croteau Road and Beech Road location.

“Groundwater impacts related to construction of a large underground wetwell and valve chamber are expected to be low for both sites,” said Rutten.

However, dewatering of the excavation pit at the Croteau Road site may temporarily lower wells in the nearby shallow wells.

As well, the backfilled sewer trench along the

roadway at either Beech or Croteau could possibly lower shallow groundwater in the area of the trench but only within a few meters of the trench centerline.

In the event of a system failure such as a raw wastewater spill or pipe rupture the Croteau Road site has lower risks than the Beech Street site due to a lower number of down gradient wells.

The typographic detailed survey of the area based on the pump station configuration indicates that most trees on the right of way will be removed, along with most of the bank from the upper east side or the park side. Additional tree removal may be required at the lower portion to allow the installation of the forcemain.

The pathway will be relocated around the pump station and the portion of the existing Rotary boardwalk will be temporarily removed and replaced after construction.

There is a need to get the Comox No. 2 project going because the exposed forcemain along Willemar Bluff has been identified as an environmental risk to the community.

(Continued on page 5)

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016 the area.

“There is a time urgency here to move on,” said Grant. “We had a site on Beech Street, that although we had a lot of discussions on that, I think we should be looking at taking our efforts off the Croteau site and moving to the Beech Street site. I know that won’t be popular with everybody but we do have to look at the greater good here. We do have to go on with this project.”

Area B director Rodney Nichol was not in favour of this.

“If you want to get on with this, you have to find some place other than Beech Street and Croteau Road, it’s just that simple,” said Nichol.

Courtenay director Erik Eriksson doesn’t like the idea of going into somebody else’s neighbourhood to solve a City of Courtenay and Town of Comox problem.

“That doesn’t sit quite right with me,” said Eriksson.

“I think we should look at a third alternative which is to connect with the south sewer, connect with the Greenwood-Hudson Trunk and do this on a regional basis.”

The commission voted against holding an open

(Continued from page 4) “It should be dealt with as expediently as we can,” said Rutten. “We don’t know that it’s at imminent risk of failure but we do know it has become exposed in the past and uncovered. It’s temporarily protected with gabion baskets and it could become uncovered again in the future.”

The second reason this project is a priority is because the Courtenay Pump Station is at its maximum capacity.

Searching for another location for the No. 2 pump project may take a year to complete said Rutten, who added that an immediate solution is necessary.

Comox director Ken Grant said based on the result of the studies, the Croteau Road site is technically, publicly and environmentally not acceptable. He suggested they drop the Croteau Beach location and put more of their energies on making the Beech Street site work.

The Beech Street site, located in a neighbourhood area, was originally chosen for the project over a year ago. It was cancelled following huge protests from residents in

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Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns has just opened a satellite office here in Courtenay. It was officially opened on Monday evening, attended by supporters and friends. The office is located at The Hub on 357 Fourth Street. It will be open once a week, every Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Johns is pleased to finally have a place where his constituents can bring in their concerns and any issues for his attention. His main constituency office is in Parksville, with another satellite office in Port Alberni.

house for the Croteau Beach site. Grant then made a motion to stop work on Croteau Road and staff be directed to focus on studying the Beech Street site. Grant recommended an open house be

seem to be backed in a corner and we’re left with minimal options simply because we don’t have the time to consider the correct options. And that’s where we are again today.”

NIchol said sewage and

water should be dealt with as a collective.

“I am not a fan of amalgamation but if we’re going to be talking about sewage and water, it should be the whole Comox Valley,” said Nichol.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC MARCH 4, 2016

City buys Bridge Lounge for $410,000

City council cutting back Mayor calls it strategic buy because of property’s potential uses for the city on meetings

BY DEBRA MARTIN Echo Staff

Courtenay council is cutting back on the number of regular meetings it holds each month from three to two.

The idea will reduce the load on administrative staff. Council always has the option of calling a special meeting to deal with any urgent matters.

“There are potential efficiencies to be gained through the elimination of one council meeting including reduced agenda preparation time, meeting time, preparation of minutes, tracking of resolutions, and editing and processing of the council meeting video,” reported John Ward, Director of Legislative Services and Deputy CAO, at Monday’s committee of the whole meeting.

He wrote that staff was confident that two council meetings and one committee of the whole meeting per month will be enough to ensure the timely conducting of council business.

Ward said that staff has also started internal communication changes to allow a better flow of information to council members beyond the traditional “staff report” format, including briefing

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff The City of Courtenay has bought the Bridge Lounge, a property beside the Fifth Street Bridge that’s overlooking the Puntledge River.

The property was in foreclosure and was for sale for quite some time.

Through a court-ordered sale, the city then decided to acquire the building and land for $410,000.

Mayor Larry Jangula said it’s a strategic acquisition because it offers the city a number of potential opportunities such as widening the bridge, creating bike lanes on the bridge and establishing a walkway that will provide access to the river.

“An opportunity came up and we decided to take advantage of it,” said Jangula.

“It opens a lot of doors

for us.”

The city is expecting the some major developments to the area adjacent to the Bridge Lounge including the creation of a seniors centre near Central Builders.

“When the rezoning

happens, we want to get the walkway along the river built and that will all be part of it,” said Jangula.

“For me, it’s kind of a clever purchase. It’s a strategic type of purchase.”

The deal was completed last week. Jangula said the

funds to pay for the property were derived from proceeds from the casino.

“This is money that we have at our disposal and it comes from the whole area,” said Jangula.

“When you actually think about it, it makes

a whole lot of sense. The potential usage of that property will benefit the whole community. So I guess the entire community helped pay for it.”

Jangula said the price for the property was below market value.

notes, memos and discussion papers.

“Based on experience from other organizations, these changes can have a positive benefit in productivity for council and staff,” he wrote.

The idea to cut the number of meetings per month came from council itself, though, not the city staff.

Some other changes,

mostly minor, have also been proposed for the city’s procedure bylaw which governs how council conducts business.

The biggest change in that regard comes with the addition of a clause to limit delegations dealing with subject matter that doesn’t fall within council’s “areas of control, influence or concern.”

The decision to appear before council rests with the corporate officer. But a delegation that’s turned down may appeal in writing to the council itself.

Ward said he can’t remember turning down more than one or two delegation requests over the years.

Mayor Larry Jangula said the previous coun-

cil delegated authority to staff to determine if delegations were suitable for a council meeting.

“It wasn’t taking away the opportunity for council to make the decision,” he said.

But, he added, special interest groups sometimes try to use a council delegation as a springboard for further media coverage.

One example, he said, was a group against “smart meters” being installed by BC Hydro.

“We had no control over the meters. We shouldn’t have allowed them (delegation) in the first place,” Jangula said. “It wasn’t very pleasant.”

The procedure amendment bylaw is set for three readings on March 7.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

7

ECHO

OPINIONS

LETTERS

Calling all parents and grandparents

Parents, grandparents and all those in our community who value our public education system, you are needed now more than ever before.

On February 24th, I attended the public Board of Education meeting as a curious grandparent, having attended my last Board meeting as a parent of 3 in 1999.

There are different faces sitting around the Board table, but they are just as committed to our district’s children as those of 17 years ago.

The parents in the audience are young, seeking knowledge about the system and very concerned about how to support their children in our public schools.

What also struck me was how sad and unfair it is that cuts to our public school service continues to be on the agenda.

After so many years of continuous cuts, it makes me very angry to see the energy and expertise of District Administration (which happens to be a very limited number of individuals) being used to come up with proposed solutions to underfunding such as an alternative instructional week and yet more school closures.

We can be assured they would much prefer to focus on supporting student learning and enhancing the services offered to our children.

The school district will

soon begin the Budget Process for 2016-17. As recent newspaper headlines have indicated, our district is facing a proposed budget shortfall.

There are several reasons for that, however an outstanding factor for me is an anticipated drop in enrolment by 143 students.

This translates to a considerable loss of per student funding to our district.

Ultimately, our elected Board of Education will have to make the difficult decision as to the solution to this challenge.

The priority for them will be how to protect services and programs which support the other 8,000 plus children who deserve and will need that commitment, especially in these changing times.

The education partner groups will be part of the consultation process and there is also a role for the public.

Our public schools are integral to our community and our ability to attract young families.

Please visit the School District website: www. sd71.bc.ca where you will learn valuable information about all aspects of our district and an opportunity to “walk” through the Budget information by clicking on: District News Feb 24, 2016-17 Preliminary Budget Challenges.

School Parent Advisory Councils (PACs) and the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) are valu-

COMOX VALLEY ECHO A division of Black Press Ltd.

407-E Fifth Street, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 1J7 www.comoxvalleyecho.com Phone 250-334-4722 • Fax 250-334-3172 Classifieds 1-866-415-3535 Circulation 250-334-4734 E-mail: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com Publisher Keith Currie Editor Debra Martin Office Administrator Deb Fowler Production Manager Ryan Getz Circulation Manager Elaine Berringer

The Comox Valley Echo 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 B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1A9. For information, phone 1-888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org. All original content in this publication is copyright material belonging to Black Press. Any re-use or reproduction without the expressed, written consent of the copyright owner is strictly prohibited.

able resources for parents and the elected school Trustee for your area will welcome questions and informed comments.

It is important that grandparents and community members also show we are interested and care. Speak with parents and children about what their public schools mean to them.

Try to attend local school events and reach out to your school Trustee.

Starting respectful conversations about the value of our public schools is necessary and crucial, now more than ever before.

Our community’s children are the future and how they are supported will affect us all.

Rosemary Vernon Comox Valley

DEMOCRACY The decision by our Comox Valley Regional District to now record, automatically, votes by board members, is recognition that counting the votes is fundamental to true Democracy. ...Finally.

So, what is Democracy, anyway?

The free dictionary, by Farlax, includes the following in its definition of Democracy: 1. Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.

4. Majority rule.

And Winston Churchill, foremost Prime Minister of Britain, often cited as

the savior of the Western world via his leadership as British Prime Minister during WWII, had this to say about Democracy.

“Democracy is the worst form of government (there is). But it is better than all the rest.” And what, praytell, does that mean? Well, simply, that, government, in the best of times, is problematic, but government without a democratic form, is, ....worse, actually WAY WORSE. With this in mind, citizens concerned about Democracy in the Valley, should send a huge thank you to the following members of our CVRD, who voted in favor of Democracy, in the form of requiring the members to FINALLY have their votes recorded.

Letters recognizing and showing appreciation for this move to Democracy can be sent to...CVRD Directors Theos, Grant, Price, Eriksson and Frisch who voted yea on this question of Democracy (counting votes).

Lumps of coal may be sent to those who seem to have more difficulty understanding that recording of votes is fundamental to true democracy.

And these are: CVRD Directors Jolliffe, Grieve, Nichol and Sproule. Those still reading will see that, yes, democracy prevailed by a narrow 5-4 vote. Wow. Perhaps Director Ken Grant put it best: “The public has been asking for this

and I hear it all the time.

What goes on in the regional district, who is voting which way, all of that. None of the fears I am hearing (i.e. of requiring vote counting in Comox) never came true. It’s well past time we started doing this.”

Thank you Director Grant and the 4 other Directors for voting for Democracy, (As our students would know, saving Democracy was a fundamental reason Canada and its soldiers fought in WWII) Contact info for Directors:http://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/EN/footer/ contact-us.html Steve Faraher-Amidon Comox

SOME THOUGHTS Two brief commentaries on items appearing in the Echo 12 February.

First, David Diver writes in Letters that “Harper (turned his cabinet) into paltry yes-men”. I do not think so. They were yes-men and -women long before ending up in the clutches of Harper.

No self-respecting man or woman would allow being imposed upon to such a degree. Many Conservatives in that government proved insipid talking-pointers trotting close to the heels of their master, thus not losing stipends, per diems, limousines and other meaty bones.

Secondly, re Stop signs.

Respect for Stop signs is diminished with every abuse of authority to erect same.

A number of Stop signs do not belong at all. In other instances, a Yield sign would serve to much better purpose.

Finally, some purely seasonal Stop signs remain unmasked when a simple bag would hide the no longer required summons.

Let me add that truly needed Stop signs are far too often hidden by branches and leaves upon the onset of Spring. That goes for Comox as well as Courtenay.

Surely, not only municipal Works and Grounds crews can see what I see or rather, do not - but any functionary of municipal government.

Whose indifference allows the risk of accidents to persist. Shame!

Finn Schultz-Lorentzen Courtenay

WHO HIT MY VEHICLE?

I’m looking for the vehicle that sideswiped my parked silver Suzuki Swift sometime between 10 and midnight on Monday, February 22 on 11th Street between Grieve and Lewis.

Likely your vehicle is white and has damage on the driver’s side if the scrapes all along my driver side are any indication.

Reward offered for information leading to the identification of the driver of this hit and run.

Please contact me at contact@daveingram.ca Dave Ingram Courtenay

8

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

BEEFS & BOUQUETS TO GARY FROM ALBERTA and Elaine from Ontario I offer a most sincere thanks for assistance when I fell in W/M parking lot on Feb 25. You called the First Responders and stayed with me until they arrived.

The First Responders ensured that nothing was broken and took precau-

Grow Your Own Food!

Bareroot fruit trees, seeds, berries, seed potatoes and onions 1st shipment of vegetable starts Mon-Sat 8:30-5 Sundays 9:30-5 www.artknappcourtenay.ca tions on my behalf;  And the Firemen who gave me a “lift� - that made everything better. Blessings on all of you for giving your time and attention to a stranger.

BOUQUETS to the RCMP for taking a few of the excessive speeding and impaired drivers off our roads. Some drivers are impaired, speeding and have no license or insurance - surely they should be impounded for 90 days along with their cars. ICBC raises rates but does little to deter bad drivers who kill on our roads. ICBC is just a tax collector for the BC Liberals.  A BOUQUET OF WILTED FORGET-ME-NOTS to our new MP for Courtenay.

In Mid-January, I wrote a detailed email to him requesting his assistance in quashing a private mem-

THE COMOX VALLEY’S FIRST AND BEST READER’S FORUM Email to: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com ber’s bill which I felt was of low priority given the other issues facing that sitting of parliament. (It was the bill that sought to change one word in the national anthem).

I received a form letter back saying he could not respond as he had not yet hired staff or leased office space. This, 3 months after the man was elected.

His form letter chirpily went on to encourage me to be patient as he would respond “just as soon as he could�....hmm where have I heard that before? Needless to say, six weeks have passed and  I have heard nothing further from him. In fact, since being elected, he seems to have dropped out of sight completely, much like the former leader of the previous government.

Many of us, including me, voted for change this time, but it appears to be a case of “Deja vu, all over again�: politicians completely out of touch with constituents.�

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Thanks too for setting up an organized selection of used books that are for sale as well as the many items donated for the ongoing rummage sale. Â THE BC CARBON TAX is driving up the cost of home heating and doing nothing for the environment.

Our Fortis bill shows that we used 5.2 gj at cost of $8.94 and paid $7.98 for carbon and clean air levy - 89% tax on natural gas burned to stay warm. It’s no wonder that more people are burning wood for heat. What an outrageous,useless tax.

Holy smoke! Â BOUQUETS to the RCMP for taking 5 impaired drivers off Comox Valley roads on February 17th.

Thousands of dollars in administrative penalties doesn’t seem to deter drunk and drugged drivers - they don’t think they will get caught -most don’t. It is great that the RCMP are out there, talking a few off the road.

The life they save may be yours. Report impaired

drivers, before they kill.  BOUQUETS OF THANKS to those who sent cards, owers, called or visited to express their condolences on the recent passing of my husband Bob. My daughter says he is most likely ďŹ shing with “Grandpa Bobâ€?. Someone else suggested he may be calling BINGO. He is not struggling to breath any longer and for that we are all grateful. Thank you to St. Joseph’s Hospital staff for exceptional care; from the emergency department doctor and nurses to the 3rd oor.

Such compassion. Although Bob was not able to have a lung transplant after his work up many years ago, we were able

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to donate his eyes even after cataract surgery.

Amazing! Last but not least, thumbs up to Bryan and crew (paramedics) for their gentle care those last couple of trips.

RAISING BC HYDRO RATES and applying excessive carbon and clean air taxes on  natural gas for home heating will lead

to more wood heating in the Comox Valley. While many can afford these increases, there are about 20,000 people living here on lower incomes. Wood heat will become the heating fuel of necessity. It is bizarre that the BC Government is in a rush to export LNG at a bargain prices, but discourages the use of this cleaner energy in BC.  ALL THUMBS UP to Twisted Dishes Cafe.  Despite Chef Extraordinaire Devin’s recent departure, my favourite breakfast and lunch place in the Comox Valley remains on top.  I understand new owner Dan plans to add some more items to the menu.  Also, happy to have a great place to eat open on Mondays.  Eric, Lisa and Lany always make me (and everyone else) feel special and welcome.

MY BEEF is to the Town of Comox crowing over saving $100,000 on water costs last year.   Conservation is one thing, but last year’s restrictions were beyond managing.  And in case you’re wondering, I’m NOT talking about lawns.  Seems to me ďŹ sh and lowly residents are sacriďŹ ced to BC Hydro (and apparently municipal budgets).

A LARGE BOUQUET of pink shirts to Supreme Convenience on Lake Trail road. Last week, Supreme Convenience helped to support Lake Trail’s antibullying day. Lake Trail students who wore a pink shirt to school were treated to a free small slurpee at the store. Many thanks to Supreme Convenience for being a great school community partner and for supporting a successful school event.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who has generously been giving their bottles to the Courtenay Beavers. Your generous support has helped these kids go on adventures of a lifetime.

Thanks to your donations, these cihldren were able to have a sleepover at

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Mar 5 Meat Draw & Dancing to Crosstown Express 2 to 5pm Mar 8 Euchre 1:30pm

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Mar 11 St. Patrick's Day Dinner &

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Science World in Vancouver and will be going to the Vancouver Aquarium to have a sleepover with the whales. Thank you to Gladstone Brewing Company and Mick for picking up the bottles.

Thank you to the staff at Glacierview Lodge, family, Mel and friends.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET of roses for Dennis and Paula of “The Home Medical Shop� on Cliffe Ave in Courtenay. They are incredibly knowledgeable on all their home medical products and you really feel that you are getting that personal service that is lacking so much these days with businesses/staff. If you or your aging parents need any medical equipment, go visit these wonderful folks, you will be very pleased. There is a reason why these friendly people have been in business for 30 years!

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FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

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BEEFS & BOUQUETS BOUQUETS of busy, busy days to Comox Valley Glass and Mirror. Last year we needed the screen replaced for our sliding glass door. We dropped the frame off at Comox Valley Glass and Mirror and were told when it would be ready.

It was ready on time and the cost was very reasonable. This year we needed repair on the under carriage of the glass door and once again at a very reasonable cost. Was telling a friend about this compay and he know about them having had his front room window replaced and was very pleased with the low cost

THANK YOU for your thumbs up, your hand waving, your smiles, rolling down your car windows to tell me “we’re with you!” and for many of you saying thank-you as you walk by me on the sidewalk on Fifth St. near Cliffe Also, thank you to the pedestrians stopping to talk to me. One of the comments coming from a young teenager who said, “I could think of many other lakes that are not watersheds for the army to do this training.” This is a common sentiment shared with me on the street and amongst my friends and acquaintances. Many other people shared their con-

THE COMOX VALLEY’S FIRST AND BEST READER’S FORUM Email to: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com and workmanship. So nice to have such a great company in our valley.

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250-650-4635 shed such as logging which has been a major factor in our recent boil water advisories, camping right on the edge of the lake, all the recreational boats in there and the possibility that the lead from the bullets at the fish and game club’s firing range could be finding its way into the lake. I stand out there as a retired senior only trying to bring awareness to issues that I am concerned about, and as I said, the response

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paper. We “garage salers” plan our route according to the ads in the paper, so as not to waste too much gas or time driving the same route twice.

Then to find out on the way home that there are signs posted directing to other sales. I usually drive right by. For those who advertise, they get quite a number of people out to their sale. If you go through all the trouble of collecting, setting up and pricing your goods, would you not want as many buyers as possible?

I for one, would like to be there but not later in the day or just to go to one sale. You would have lots of customers for the small cost of an ad.

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Why are we putting kids at risk?

cerns regarding not just the army training exercises in the lake but also the many other issues in our water-

Why is the Comox Valley School District considering taking kids out of perfectly safe school and putting them into one that is known to be of high risk of collapse in an earthquake?

Closing Puntledge Park Elementary School and moving the children to Lake Trail Middle School would be doing just that.

A recent BC Government report found Lake Trail Middle School to be “at high risk of wide-

spread damage or structural failure” in the event of an earthquake and “likely not reparable after event”(see links below).

Meanwhile, Puntledge Park Elementary was not listed in the report as a school at risk in the event of an earthquake.

Does anyone need to be reminded that we live in a high risk earthquake zone and many studies have shown that we are long overdue for a large earthquake?

THIS WEEK’S WINNER, DRAWN AT RANDOM FROM SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED UP TO TUESDAY, IS: Doreen O’Keefe, of Courtenay Winner of two classic cheese baskets from Dairy Queen Winners, you may pick up your prize certificates at the front desk of the Echo, 407-D Fifth Street, during regular business hours. Thanks to everyone for the great submissions- keep ‘em coming!

It will be a sad day on March 15th if the Comox Valley School District chooses to put over 400 kids into a known unsafe school in order to save just 1% of their annual operating budget.

Of course, other options such as a pay cut or freeze on administrative hiring aren’t even being considered.

References http://www2.gov.bc.ca/ gov/content/educationtraining/administration/

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS! Our weekly feature, Beefs and Bouquets, is intended to be a light-hearted forum for you, our readers, to express brief views on issues and events in your lives.

It’s not intended to hurt people or make unsubstantiated and libelous comments.

Names won’t be published with the beefs and bouquets; however, we do need your full name, mailing address and telephone number for verification purposes.

Each week someone will win a 2 Classic Cheese Basket Meals from Dairy Queen.

Have fun with this!

resource -management/capitalplanning/seismic-mitigation-program http://www2.gov.bc.ca/ assets/gov/education/administration/resourcemanagemen t/capital-planning/seismic-mitigation/progress_ report.pdf Joel Mortyn Courtenay www.comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC MARCH 4, 2016

Police Blotter

Comox Valley RCMP responded to the following incidents between Feb. 23 and 29: ■ The Comox Valley RCMP Municipal Traffic Section received a call of a collision between a vehicle and a cyclist on February 23rd. The collision occurred at the intersection of England Ave and 12th St, Courtenay.

The investigation revealed that the cyclist had gone through a stop sign and was struck by a Ford pickup truck. The cyclist was taken to a local hospital by the Provincial ambulance service for treatment of injuries sustained from this collision.

The Comox Valley RCMP would like to remind cyclists that they must follow the rules of the road and violation tickets may be issued for any infractions. (20162036) ■ The Comox Valley RCMP were advised of a break, enter and theft during the early morning hours of February 24th. A garage was entered on the 400 block of 11th Street, Courtenay and a bicycle was taken. The bike is described as a blue CCM single speed woman’s

cruising bike. This bike is unique as it was made in the 30’s or 40’s. If you know the whereabouts of this bike, or have any information regarding this break, enter and theft, please contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250338-1321 or Comox Valley Crime stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS(8477) (20162057) ■ A call reporting a Mischief was reported to the Comox Valley RCMP on February 24th. Sometime between February 21st and February 24th, unknown suspects(s) had broken 5 windows on a building on the 1400 block of Noel Ave, Comox. The investigation revealed that rocks had been thrown through the windows. If you have any information regarding this Mischief, please contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321 or the Comox Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (8477) (2016-2066) ■ The Comox Valley RCMP Municipal Traffic section was kept busy conducting speed enforcement at the intersection of Highway 19 and Piercy Ave on February 24th. In a period of an hour and a half, 14 violation tickets

WANTED If you have any information about the whereabouts of either of these two people, call the Comox Valley RCMP Detachment at 338-1321, or Comox Valley Crimestoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (1-800-222-8477). You don’t have to give your name and you could be eligible for a cash reward.

www.comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca

Kenneth Nolan HANSON

Natasha Marlene CLARK

DOB: 1983-03-15 168 cms, 59 kgs, Brown hair, Blue eyes

DOB: 1990-01-18 175 cms, 59 kgs, Brown hair, Hazel eyes

Warrants: Fraud Fail to appear Comox Valley file # 20158041

Warrants:

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By Cal Srigley

Downtown Courtenay Revitalization Project

DOWNTOWN DREAMERS WANTED! Join the City of Courtenay for a series of evenings to explore visual options for Downtown Courtenay.

Location: Native Sons Hall • Monday March 7, 5:30 – 9 pm Small working group discussions* • Tuesday March 8, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Pop in to see designers work in progress • Thursday March 10, 5:30 – 8 pm Community presentation* * Child minding available upon advanced request: email planning@courtenay.ca or call 250-334-4441 by Friday, March 4.

To keep up to date on the planning process, please join the Downtown email list by emailing planning@courtenay.ca or visit www.courtenay.ca/downtown

Development Services | 250-334-4441 courtenay.ca/downtown

Breach of Undertaking Comox Valley file # 201516547

and two warnings were issued. (2016-2070) ■ On February 25th, a report of a stolen vehicle was received by the Comox Valley RCMP. A Brown 1999 Dodge Caravan, with BC Licence plate number, AH124A, was stolen from the 2800 block of Wentworth Rd, Courtenay. I f you know the whereabouts of this vehicle, or have any information regarding this theft, please contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321, or Comox Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (8477) (2016-2121) ■ The Comox Valley RCMP were advised of a residential break, enter and theft on February 26th. Overnight, unknown person(s) had broken into a residence on the 100 block of Willemar Ave, Courtenay. Several home electronic items were stolen. This file is still under investigation with the assistance of the Comox Valley RCMP Forensic Identification Section. If you have any information regarding this break, enter and theft, please contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321. If you wish to stay anonymous, you can report the information to the Comox Valley Crime Stoppers at

1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

If your information results in a conviction you could be eligible for a reward.

(2016-2139) ■ During the early evening hours of February 26th, the Comox Valley RCMP received information regarding a vehicle that was possibly being driven by an intoxicated driver.

The information was quickly updated that the vehicle had been involved in a collision on Cliffe Ave, near 21st St, Courtenay. Investigation revealed that the driver had been driving after drinking alcohol. The driver was arrested for impaired driving and was released pending a court appearance. (2016-2160) ■ The Comox Valley RCMP were advised of a second residential break, enter and theft on February 26th. Sometime between February 25th and February 26th, unknown person(s) had broken into a residence on the 2700 block of Rydal Ave, Cumberland.

Jewelry and electronic items were stolen. This file is still under investigation with the assistance of the Comox Valley RCMP Forensic Identification Section.

(Continued on page 11)

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

11

(Continued from page 10) If you have any information regarding this break, enter and theft, please contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250338-1321. If you wish to stay anonymous, you can report the information to the Comox Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS (8477). If your information results in a conviction you could be eligible for a reward. (2016-2168) ■ During the early morning hours of February 27th, a traffic stop was conducted in Courtenay. During the traffic stop, an impaired driving investigation was started. It was determined the driver had been driving after consuming alcohol. The driver was issued a 3 day immediate Roadside prohibition and the vehicle was impounded or 3 days. (20162180) ■ During the afternoon of February 27th, a vehicle had caught the attention of a Comox Valley RCMP member. A traffic stop was conducted and upon investigation, it was revealed that the driver had consumed alcohol before driving, the driver was also unlicensed and the vehicle was uninsured. The driver was issued a 90 day immediate roadside prohibition and a violation ticket for no drivers licence, No insurance and wrong number plate. The vehicle was impounded for 30 days. (2016-2194) ■ On February 29th, the Comox Valley RCMP were advised of a break, enter and theft that occurred in a compound on the 1500 block of McPhee Ave, Courtenay. Once inside the compound, a vehicle was entered and a fire extinguisher was stolen. If you have any information regarding this break, enter and theft, please contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) (2016-2251)

Design plans to improve Cumberland Lake Park

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff Design plans have been developed to improve Cumberland Lake Park.

Landscape architecture firm, Lanarc Consultants, presented two concepts for

Cumberland council to decide on. The designs focus on enhancing the layout, amenities and services in the park.

This project is a priority in the 2014 Cumberland Lake Park Master Plan.

The objective is to increase waterfront open green space

and make it safer for the public.

The plan involves reconfiguring the landscape of the day use area of the park to make it user friendly. At present the prime lake front site is currently used as a parking lot.

The focus is to improve the

area extending along the lakeshore from the existing picnic shelter at the west end of the beach, extending south east to the existing waterfront RV sites, and the waterfront parking area and concession.

Improvements include the following recommendations: Increase waterfront open green space and safety Relocate and upgrade playground to safer and partly shaded area (upgrades include opportunities to incorporate natureplay elements); Provide bicycle parking, renovate picnic shelters and supplement site furnishings (seating, logs, picnic tables, etc.); Develop permanent paddle-sport rental storage space; and Enhance soft-landscape and vegetation (including opportunities for implementing ‘Greenshores’ best practices).

To make these happen, removal of the beach front parking area — around 35 to 40 stalls — the existing eight serviced campsites, and seven non-serviced campsites from the waterfront area have been suggested in the plan.

(Continued on page 12)

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC MARCH 4, 2016 Lewis Park and the number of people that use the park yearround.”

The trees are affected by a spruce park beetle infestation, as well as root and tree butt decay.

Added stress occurred during the dry summer of 2015.

Woodpeckers have also removed large sections of bark.

Due to the public safety risk, the tree removal will occur in the coming days. For further information, please contact City of Courtenay Parks at 250-338-1525.

Magic reaches 1,000 hour mark of therapy service

St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog “Magic” has reached the 1000-hour milestone.

Magic works at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Abbeyfield House with seniors and at Mark Isfeld and G.P. Vanier high schools.

Sharing the limelight with Magic on the occasion was Jordan Stauffer, one of many students who benefit from the motivation provided by Therapy Dogs.

CONGRATULATIONS! Three sick spruce trees being removed in Lewis Park

Three spruce trees to be removed at Lewis Park

An independent arborist has recommended the removal of three spruce trees in Lewis Park.

The trees are located near the Tsolum Building and washrooms, and have been monitored by both the arborist and City of Courtenay staff for several years.

Although careful measures were taken to help retain these trees, including deep fertilization and structural pruning, the trees have declined in health over the winter, and are now considered at risk for either limb breakage or falling completely.

“We’ve provided extra care and monitoring for these trees over an extended period of time to try and avoid this outcome, but have now been advised that they pose a public safety risk and must be removed,” advised Trevor Kushner, the City of Courtenay’s director of public works services. “ This risk is heightened by the popularity of

(Continued from page 11)

As revenue is derived from serviced campsites, removing eight will mean a drop in revenue — around 44 per cent — equal to $22,561.88. Last year, a total of $51,277 was generated from the campsites.

The total park income from 2015 was $156,147.

The reduced revenue from the campsite will mean a 14 per cent decrease in the overall park revenue.

The estimate for full implementation of concept plans is around $450,000, which will be refined once the detailed planning stage gets underway.

The project, once the funding is available, will be constructed in phases. The first phase will include decommissioning and landscaping of the existing campsites and family swim bay. Phase two will tackle the existing parking lot.

Design, development and planning is scheduled to be completed this spring. Funding for phase one has been proposed in the village’s 2016 financial planning process.

Cumberland council favoured Concept B but will review the plans further.

146 athletes from Vancouver Island - Central Coast competed at the 2016 BC Winter Games bringing home 53 medals.

Thank you to the coaches, officials, volunteers, and families who support these growing champions.

See photos, videos, and results at BCGAMES.ORG

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

13

MONEY MATTERS RRSP OR TFSA?

By Robyn K. Thompson

Q

- I contributed to my RRSP again this year, as I’ve done for many years. But I also have a TFSA, and I’m wondering whether it would be better to start contributing more to that than to the RRSP? - Angie S., Toronto, Ontario

A

- With an RRSP, you have to ask two basic questions: What is my marginal tax rate when I contributed to the RRSP? What will be the marginal tax rate when I plan to withdraw the funds from my RRSP? In most cases, you will be in a lower tax bracket when you retire.

But if you expect to be in a similar or even higher tax bracket, then it might make more sense to load up your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) to the maximum levels each year. That’s because in a TFSA, the money will not be taxed when it is withdrawn from the account.

With an RRSP, you get a tax deduction for the year in which you make contributions. Investments inside the RRSP are sheltered from tax until you withdraw the money, at which point they must be taken into income where they are taxable at your marginal rate at the time of withdrawal. At maturity, you can, of course, roll over your RRSP into an annuity (very low rates at present) or another plan, like a Registered Retirement Income Fund, in which you must withdraw a specified minimum amount each year until the fund is depleted. Withdrawals are taxed as income at your marginal rate.

When withdrawing from an RRSP at retirement, you will want to make sure that you keep your income below the Old Age Security income threshold, or your OAS benefit will be “clawed back.”

TFSA benefits Tax-Free Savings Accounts are a bit different. You can contribute up to a maximum $5,500 annually to

a TFSA, and there’s no income or means test involved. There’s also no cutoff date - you can contribute any amount at any time you want through the year, as long as you don’t exceed the maximum in a given calendar year. You have to be over 18 and a have a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number.

Any unused contributions can be carried forward and added to the maximum contribution in a future year. Unlike RRSPs, there’s no tax deduction for contributions, but income generated within the plan whether interest, dividends, or capital gains - is completely tax-free.

As with RRSPs, the benefits of the dividend tax credit, the 50% capital gains exemption, and capital losses are lost within a TFSA. And as with RRSPs, the rules and regulations for TFSAs can get complicated.

Qualified investments are very much like those allowed for RRSPs: cash, stocks listed on designated exchanges, mutual funds and ETFS, bonds, GICs, and certain shares of small business corporations. Shares traded “over-the-counter” on dealer networks or exchanges are not qualified TFSA investments.

“In kind” contributions of qualified investments are also allowed (for example, stocks transferred from a non-registered account). But any in-kind transfer will trigger a deemed disposition of the security at its fair market value, which will be considered as the amount of your contribution. If there’s a capital gain, you will have to take 50% of the gain into income for tax purposes. But if there’s a loss on the disposition, you cannot use it to offset other gains.

Contribution traps In deciding on RRSPs or TFSAs, one of the most common problems people encounter is running afoul of the rules related to withdrawals and contributions.

This frequently happens for those

who use their TFSA like a debit casrd. This usually results in a confusing cycle contribution and withdrawal in a calendar year, so that you could end up with so-called “excess amounts” in your TFSA - that is, contributions over and above the $5,500 annual limit for the year.

The CRA levies a tax penalty of 1% per month based on the highest excess TFSA amount in your account for each month in which an excess exists. This means that the 1% tax applies for a particular month even if an excess amount was contributed and withdrawn later during the same month. The excess-amount tax kicks in on the first dollar of excess contributions.

Ideally, you should use both types of plans - but for different purposes.

Most commonly, an RRSP is used for long-term retirement savings, allowing money to accumulate and compound on a tax-deferred basis inside the plan for 25 or 30 years or longer. TFSAs tend to be used for shorter-term savings goals over five to 10 years or so, such as a down payment on a home, a new car, vacations, and so on. However, TFSAs

are also useful for investing funds that are not required for income needs after retirement.

Robyn Thompson, CFP, CIM, FCSI, is the founder of Castlemark Wealth Management, a boutique financial advisory firm specializing in wealth management for high net worth individuals and families. Contact her directly by phone at 647-352-5735, or by email at rthompson@castlemarkwealth.com for a confidential planning consultation. Follow Robyn on Twitter and Facebook.

Notes and Disclaimer

© 2016 by the Fund Library. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without prior written permission is prohibited.

The foregoing is for general information purposes only and is the opinion of the writer. No guarantee of investment performance is made or implied.

It is not intended to provide specific personalized advice including, without limitation, investment, financial, legal, accounting or tax advice. Please contact the author to discuss your particular circumstances.

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Junior caddy program to be offered at Comox Golf General manager invites youth to apply for one of ten spots being offered

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff The Comox Golf Club is introducing a junior caddy program this year.

Once established, it’s going to be just one of a few golf clubs in Canada that offer this type of program.

The brainchild behind this plan is Jesse Moussa, the new general manager at the Comox Golf Club.

“I want to bring the kids back to the golf course,” said Moussa. “And the only way to do that is to introduce them to grassroots golf for kids.”

Moussa’s knowledge in golf he initially derived through his caddying experience when he was still a young man. He wants to share that experience with the youth who could one day have an impact on the game’s future.

Moussa says it’s a good way to create movement in the golf industry, which he said, is currently struggling.

“I want to reintroduce that to the game of golf because that’s where I started,” said Moussa. “I believe there’s a lot who started playing golf this way.”

Moussa has worked out a plan in partnership with the Comox Golf Club and Westview Ford owner Neil

New caddyshack for junior golfers under construction behind Comox Golf Club manager Jesse Moussa Van lerland.

The plan is to introduce the program to 10 young participants, age 14 to 18 years old. To be accepted, each candidate has to go through an interview process to be conducted by Moussa.

Those interested in joining can come out on March 13, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

There is no fee to join but the right “attitude”

would be the pre-requisite and also they must have access to their own golf clubs.

“The first thing I expect from this is to be a part of junior golf and support for the sport,” said Moussa.

“The second is I will commit my time to train these kids to become golfers or better at the game of golf if they’re interested.

“The goal is to build character and life skills

lessons using golf as the platform.”

Participants will get the opportunity not only to earn some money in the process, but also learn about the etiquette of the game, develop good manners, good behaviour, and absorb knowledge and education from some of the older and senior players.

They will develop camaraderie within the group, learn about team work

and become responsible citizens. Other benefits are tips the young caddies would be receiving from guests.

“Fifty per cent of anything that is brought in in the form of tips from caddying will be donated back into the program to help further the education and the future of golf,” said Moussa. “Fifty per cent of the money will be kept by the caddy.”

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A caddyshack is now being constructed adjacent to the pro shop where the young caddies will be able to hang out in.

“They will have have a place of their own and not feel like they’re in the way,” said Moussa. “We are going to weave them within the fabric of the Comox Golf Club.”

Moussa wants to offer this program to kids in Comox but he is also open to interested youth from Courtenay.

“We would like them to be in Comox so that they can ride their bikes here and be a big part of it instead of having to worry about trying to get here,” said Moussa.

The responsibilities participants are expected to perform include carrying the golf bag, do general cleanup around the area, raking traps, collecting the balls at the driving range, replacing and fixing divots, measuring yardages and wiping clubs.

“They need to have a professional attitude and be professionally dressed which we can help them with if they would like that help,” said Moussa.

In return, the members of the caddy program can hit golf balls all they want and play golf at appropriate times, which is outside peak hours.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

Medical marijuana hearing now March 14 The public hearing on the bylaw amendment to allow medical marijuana to be grown on Agricultural Land Reserve properties in Courtenay has been postponed to March 14.

The hearing had been scheduled for March 7, but council hopes to finish up early that night in order to attend the Downtown Design Workshop.

City council invited to First Nations event

Courtenay council has been invited to attend a “Community to Community Forum” organized by the K’omoks First Nation.

The event was cancelled last year, but since then the city and the KFN have worked on an agreement to provide water and sewer services to reserve land along the river near the Condensory Bridge.

CAO David Allen said he thinks the KFN would like to have an official signing of this agreement at the “Community to Community” event.

Staff are working hard to complete the agreement, he said, but some matters are still being hammered out “in camera”.

Allen said the KFN has also recently hired a new band administrator.

“We’re a bit in the dark right now,” Allen said about the form of the event. “I’ll find out what kind of protocol they want.”

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in carrying freight.

And he asked the audience to imagine light rail transit from Courtenay to Nanaimo so that you could leave your gas guzzling pick-up truck at home.

McKay said as far as getting people to use alternative modes of transportation (walking, cycling, public transit) the city of Nanaimo’s target is to get 24 per cent of people taking trips less than 2 km using them, up from the current 8 per cent.

Vancouver’s target, he noted, is 50 per cent.

“We’re trying to create a minimum grid,” he said.

“Just do something, and you can move from there.”

Nanaimo is setting aside $1 million a year for alternative transportation networks.

“It’s not much, but it’s a start.”

McKay said Nanaimo and other Island municipalities need a lobbyist in Ottawa to take advantage when the federal government hands out funding to shovel-ready projects.

“Communities do it all the time,” he said.

Little by little, piece by piece, cycling networks and trails taking shape in the Valley, throughout Island

BY DEBRA MARTIN Echo Staff A small volunteer organization drew a big crowd Monday night.

The Comox Valley Cycling Coalition had booked the small downstairs Evergreen Lounge for its annual general meeting.

But a standing-room only crowd showed up to hear keynote speaker Nanaimo Mayor Bill McKay, and other local government officials for updates on cycling networks here and elsewhere on the Island.

“Let’s take the Leap – From Imagination to Reality” was the theme for the evening, and attendees learned how dozens of seemingly small steps were being taken to build cycling (and pedestrian and transit) networks for travel that might some day join up for something much bigger.

Mayor McKay, who is also the Chair of the Island Corridor Foundation, gave a brief overview of the work being done to preserve the old E&N Railway line, and to restore train service on it once again.

Apart from the train service, groups and municipalities are busy working on using the rail right-of way to build cycling/pedestrian trails.

One example is the work already done and being continued by the Courtenay Rotary Club on the “Rail Trail”, which now runs from Fifth Street down to 26th Street.

The club is also busy restoring the century-old heritage Courtenay Train Station.

In the Nanaimo Regional District gas tax

Big crowd was out for Cycling Coalition’s annual general meeting Monday night federal funding has been received to work on a 10 km trail hooking up Parksville, Coombs and French Creek. The City of Nanaimo has completed a 1 km trail downtown, and the train station has been fully restored and now houses a pub-restaurant in part of it.

Although building trails along the rail right-of-way isn’t cheap, McKay asked the audience to imagine what they would cost if the Foundation didn’t

own the rail line property.

McKay said there’s been much confusion about the Island Corridor Foundation.

It was formed in 2003 to ensure that the rail corridor was held in perpetuity for the public, rather than being sold off piecemeal by Canadian Pacific Rail.

“In exchange for tax receipts we got it for virtually nothing,” said McKay. The not-for-profit foundation includes represen-

tation from a number of Island regional districts and First Nations.

The 290 km long rail line is regulated by the BC Safety Authority. Service on it was shut down because of the deteriorating quality of the line.

Thousands of rail ties and joints must be replaced to make the line usable again.

There are about 3,500 land use and crossing arrangements on the line, McKay said, and these

Coalition has digital cycling map ready The Comox Valley Cycling Coalition is now in its seventh year. Its initiator was life-long cyclist and enthusiast Ed Schum.

The group is small and relies on volunteers. With four political jurisdictions in the Valley, there’s “a lot of politicking to do” said group president Marg Harris.

The Coalition was excited to recently complete a Comox Valley digital cycling map funded in partnership with local governments.

The Coalition’s fundraising efforts allowed it to make a substantial financial contribution to this initiative. They also provided many volunteer hours to make this map a reality.

The group is now working on preparing a ‘Z card’ paper map, a foldable map that cyclists could carry with them on their travels.

One of the successes this past year has been providing almost 400 children with basic Bike Safety skills through the Bike Safe Rodeos at the elementary schools.

The group has also linked with Lauren Lan and the iRide program which is provided through BC Cycling. iRide is focused on bike handling skills enabling us to modify our program and focus specifically on road safety skills.

More school Bike Rodeos are already booked for the spring and the coalition also plans to offer more adult Bike Safety courses.

Many of the members have also volunteered their time for special events such as the bike parking area at the Air Show and the Filberg Festival. A “Christmas Lights Ride” was also started last year.

For more information about the Coalition please go to: http://www.cyclecv.com

generate about $900,000 a year in revenues. There are no land use fees levied on any municipalities.

Again, he said, imagine what Canadian Pacific or other private interests would be charging for the land use and crossing arrangements.

McKay said that commercial partners say that “unbelievable opportunities” exist for the rail line

(Continued on page 18)

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25 years of counting trumpeter swans

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This year is the 25th anniversary of the Comox Valley Trumpeter Swan Count.

We are the only place in BC who has a regular swan count with information going to Ducks Unlimited Canada and the PaciďŹ c Flyways statistics.

The Comox Valley is a globally signiďŹ cant wintering bird area. Data from our counts is an important contribution to understanding overall population trends and is used to implement management plans for Trumpeter Swans within the PaciďŹ c Flyway and throughout North America.

Habitat restoration, genetic studies, biological data collection, banding, migration studies and

mortality research are the programs currently being implemented in the Comox Valley.

The Trumpeter Swans have a tumultuous past being hunted to near extinction by the late 1800’s. Both the USA and Canada made laws with stiff penalties for poaching Trumpeter Swans in 1917. Thanks to these laws we still have Trumpeter swans.

Once the swans started eating crops, the farmers became concerned. They had been told that 10 swans could eat as much as a cow. By January, 1990 there were over 1000 Swans in the Comox Valley. So in effect, they were feeding 100 free loading cows that also damaged their ďŹ elds by compacting the soil and digging holes.

(Continued on page 18)

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(Continued from page 17)

The Canadian Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Canada, BC Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries and Food along with local farmers, cooperated on a comprehensive Trumpeter Swan Management Project which started in the Comox Valley 1991.

The Trumpeter Swan Count also started in the 1991-1992 season. The goal was to figure out just where and when the Trumpeter Swans, Tundra Swans, the occasional Mute Swan plus 5 kinds of geese frequented the fields.

We started with 40 counters making up 15 teams to count 21 areas covering the open farm lands from the Oyster River to Fanny Bay. Counting takes place from the last week of October until the last week of March at 10:00 Tuesday mornings.

After the count we’ve gone for coffee at a local restaurant to socialize and report the mornings’ counts. To date we have had six coordinators of the swan count.

To my surprise Ernie Stefanik and I are the only two still alive.

Over the years the swans have moved around depending on the crops, the water table, and the hazing practices of the individual farmers.

To start with, Graeme Fowler of DUC had a team of SPCA rescue dogs who like to herd. He trained them to herd swans and geese out of areas they were not welcome.

This may have looked strange to onlookers, but was quite effective in training the swans to stay clear of those fields; including the grass next to the tarmac at Comox Valley Air Port.

Forty-five gallon drums and barrels placed upside down on posts at regular intervals were placed in larger fields to interrupt the landing area of the swans.

Trumpeter Swans are the largest waterfowl on the continent and like 747 jets, need a large area to take off and land.

By interrupting the landing approach, the birds tended to skip that place and go some-

where where landing was easier.

Other hazing methods included: electronic avian deterrents, bangers and cracker shells, flash tape, pennant flags, black flags, decoys, & air horns and all worked to different degrees.

In the end, they were too labour intensive for the result achieved. Rather than using deterrents, DUC has used cover crops and lure crops to try to attract swans to certain fields.

Feeding behaviours were analyzed in the first two years of the program to correlate habitat with use by swans.

In the fall, swans mainly eat in vegetable fields. They love corn and potatoes and like many of us they go for the highest sugar available first.

As the winter progresses, swans start preparation for their spring migration by eating in grass fields with a diet higher in protein. The Italian Rye Grass seems to be the favourite spring food supplementing the rhizomes and tubers in the intertidal zones.

Driving around the Comox

Valley you may have noted flashers or other things hanging from the hydro lines in opened areas.

These were the idea of one of our local Hydro workers after he had been called out to several bird strikes which caused power outages.

Digging through his truck he came up with this invention of a short length of rope and a piece of plastic pipe, which he hung from the wires in high bird contact areas.

The hanging pipes made the wires appear larger so the birds could see them and avoid the wires and sure death. This is now widely used for this purpose.

Our highest count was February 5, 2008 with 2906 Trumpeter Swans. The past few years our numbers have been dropping.

With the potato fields on Knight Road gone, replaced with grass. Plus the swans have been arriving to major flooding and stopped just long enough to catch their breaths before con-

tinuing to drier fields down Island.

The Trumpeter Swan is a hallmark in history with its recovery being remarkably fast, going from ‘critically endangered’ to ‘least concern’ classification on the endangered species list.

Such a success story is rarely found in conservation with species recovery.

Our Swans are coming from Northern Alaska’s Brooks Range, north of 60.

This area is now available to them thanks to global warming where thousands of new acres vastly increase the nest areas.

Historical nesting areas include Cook Inlet and nearby Prince William Sound.

From there to the Comox Valley is the same distance as from here to Toronto.

Steph Nathan has been the swan count coordinator for the past 10 years for the Comox Valley Trumpeter Swan Management Project.

The article was presented at the Comox Valley Nature’s annual general meeting.

All seed bank ‘CV Winners’ off to a second year of growing The Comox Valley Seed Bank is pleased to announce the 2016 All CV winning vegetables and 2017 test candidates. The winners were the test candidates that performed the best around the Valley in 2015. They are the Brown Teddy Bear bush bean, the Valencia slicing bush tomato, the Red Russian kale, the Waltham Butternut squash and the Rouge D’Hiver early Romaine lettuce.

(Continued from page 16)

The Vaillant family grows and collects seeds of All Comox Valley winners and candidates (they are holding squash, top: winning butternut, candidates from left: spaghetti, buttercup, Sweet Dumpling).

“We need to get lobbyists in Ottawa working our behalf.”

McKay ended his presentation with a short video on work that’s been done in Indianapolis, a U.S. city that has very cold winters. That city built a “culture trail” for cyclists and pedestrians that’s well used. A “Polar Bear Pedal” was highly successful, showing that people will walk and/or cycle even on the coldest days.

That’s something that Courtenay Councillor David Frisch saw first-hand recently when he visited Ottawa for a Federation of Canadian Municipalities

This summer volunteer growers will amass 1000 seeds of each variety by selecting seed from 20% of the best performing plants around the valley.

These seeds will be preserved by freezing, and distributed either via the Seed Bank Curating program or CV Growers and Seed Savers to future growers so that they can grow locally adapted as well as delicious varieties.

(Continued on page 19)

conference on sustainability.

Frisch gave a presentation on some of the transportation ideas he learned about at workshops and meetings in the capital city – which is the second coldest in the world. He displayed a few charts that showed cycling lanes in Ottawa were actually fairly well used, even in the height of winter.

Also speaking at the meeting were Comox Councillor Barbara Price; Rob Crisfield, (Operations Manager for the Village of Cumberland; and Karin Albert, CVRD Parks Planner.

They talked about work already done or being planned in their jurisdictions for new trails and cycling lanes.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016 (Continued from page 18) The 2017 test candidates are red slicing, bush tomatoes (Pollock, Siletz and Big Russian), winter lettuces (Dixter Romaine, Bronze Arrow Oakleaf and Blackhawk Looseleaf), good storage squashes (Vegetable Spaghetti, Sweet Dumpling, and Burgess Buttercup), pole beans (Scarlet Emperor Runner, Hilda Romano and My Polish Hair Dresser) and one kale (Black Tuscan).

The candidates were selected because of their good productivity during both cool and wet and hot and dry summers.

This summer volunteer growers will test them around the Valley to ďŹ nd the 2017 All CV winners!

This is a unique seed amassing program.

Normally seed in local Seed Banks is collected from only one or two growers.

Recently published research suggests that seed must be collected from more growers and plants in order to protect its genetic diversity (Its genetic diversity that helps plants adapt to climate change).

The program is the ďŹ rst in the world aimed at preserving the genetics of locally adapted vegetable varieties (non-hybrid and free of patent protection) by having volunteers grow organically a signiďŹ cant number of the same variety in at least ďŹ ve different gardening environments around a region.

Vivian Vaillant of Comox says, “I will be growing those seeds because I don’t like to waste time on seed that doesn’t do well. My experience with the seeds I get from the Seed Amassing program is that they are tried and true producers for the Valley. I like that I can save them year after year. “That saves me a lot of money, and seed collecting is great fun for the kids�.

As you are planning your garden, consider growing Winners and Candidates.

The Seed Bank is looking for volunteer growers who are experienced and have established gardens. Seeds or plants, and instructions will be provided free.

For information please contact Royann at royannjean@gmail.com.

Teresa Colby is passionate about fruit tree growing and grafting

CV Seed Savers sponsoring new local small businesses at annual Seedy Saturday on March 5 in Courtenay Teresa Colby got started on her heritage fruit tree business four years ago. She found an old apple tree that produced red-eshed fruit and was good for making a magen-

ta coloured apple sauce.

After two decades of harvesting, Teresa wanted to secure the variety by growing it at home.

Grafting expertise was provided by Patty Rose

Appointment

facebook.com/ComoxValleyEcho

Canning applesauce, drying or freezing chunks for pies are other ways to preserve surplus for winter enjoyment. There is value in food quality and security.

Hot dry summers and more extreme wind events challenge gardeners.

With fruit trees there are choices between very dwarfed, shallow rooted trees or ones on deeply rooted, mid-sized rootstock.

Dwarf trees need more water and need staked always to prevent being toppled in wind storms.

However, smaller trees are easier for managing pests, pruning and harvesting.

Mid-sized trees take longer to come into fruit bearing but are stronger and long lived.

Teresa is happy to help folks work out the pros and cons of varieties, tree sizes, rootstocks and pollination.Â

2016 Seedy Saturday Comox Valley

The Comox Valley Growers and Seed Savers present “Seedy Saturday 2016 - Celebrating Soil� pn March 5 at the Florence Filberg Centre.

(Continued on page 20)

- MARCH 4 & 5 ONLY (FRIDAY & SATURDAY)

Andrew Franklin, Director of Digital Development is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Baziuk as B.C. Digital Editor.

Laura graduated from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2007. She worked in various newsrooms, including the Peace Arch News, the Province, the Canadian Press, and most recently, CKNW Radio. She spent four and a half years there, as a reporter and anchor, and was sent to Tofino to cover the whalewatching boat capsizing in 2015.

SCRATCH & SAVE

Laura grew up in south Surrey and lives in Vancouver.

She enjoys reading crime novels, baking and eating cookies!

Please join us in congratulating Laura on her appointment as B.C. Digital Editor.

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who managed the regional compost centre. The resultant four year old tree can now provide scion material for grafting additional trees and ďŹ rst fruits are expected this summer.

That is a relief because the mother tree has succumbed to old age and someone’s chainsaw. Grafting heritage apple and pear trees has become a passion for Teresa.

She will be at Seedy Saturday for the ďŹ rst time this March selling yearling fruit trees in 2 gallon pots for planting out this spring. Come early for the best selection or pre-order for 2017 stock. “It is wonderful to be able to munch on different kinds of apples from summer to late fallâ€? says Colby.

A favourite very early variety is the Russian Red Astrachan with tasty small red apples in late July.

This harvest is followed

by Gravenstein, Redfree and King.

Most of Teresa’s focus is on winter storage apples like Golden Russet, Belle de Boskoop and Bramley’s Seeding.

While tangy and delicious fresh, these apples can be kept in home cold storage from late fall to spring.

Although these storage apples may wrinkle and soften, they still carry their nutritional punch and all without waxes and pesticide residues.

19

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(Continued from page 19)

Jungian perspectives on retirement, midlife

“The Valentine Musical Show/FoodBank Benefit”, was successful in raising $1,710.00. Thank you everybody who contributed their time, energy,talent and money, for without you this event would not have happened. Thank you Kelly Pound for providing such a great space. In the above photograph taken in front of John’s Independent Grocery,from left to right, Comox Valley Food Bank president Jeff Hampton; owner of John’s Independent Grocery, John Jerczyaski, who will sell food to the Food Bank at cost; organizer Ian Christopher who is giving Jeff Hampton an envelope containing $1,710.00. and Marty Douglas, Managing Broker witiih Re/Max Ocean Pacific Realty and financial sponsor of this most worthy cause.

The Comox Valley C. G. Jung Society presents “I’m Retired! Now what? - Jungian Perspectives on Midlife and Retirement” by Jungian Analyst John Betts on Friday, March 11, 2016 at North Island College.

For some, retirement is a relief; for others, it’s a curse. In this lecture, John helps us investigate the experience through Jung’s notion of a midlife crisis. Retirement can be seen as a critical period in our lives that requires us to re-evaluate our attitudes and behaviours, and reconfigure aspects of our psyches to cope with life’s new demands.

John Betts (MA, Psychology) is a Zurich trained Jungian Psychoanalyst, who works in Victoria. He supports several Jungian Societies with his lectures, and has produced the ‘Jung Podcast’, free lectures on Jung’s Analytical Psychology. See www.jungian.ca The presentation is at 7:00 PM, in Room 203, Tyee building, and costs $20 at the door, or $15 for members. Email cvjungsociety@gmail.com for more info.

Learn about hunting for rare rhodo species Rhodo expert Steve Rafferty will prove that his enthusiasm for elusive “species rhododendrons” knows no limits at the next monthly meeting of the North Island Rhododendron Society (NIRS) March 8.

In May and June 2015 on

a trek led by Steve Hootman, Executive Director of the Rhododendron Species Foundation to the Indian Himalayas, Rafferty and other “rhodo obsessives” from the US and Canada were on an Indiana Jonesstyle hunt for rare rhodo species found only in this

area.

Rafferty, a member of the Victoria Rhododendron Society chapter is a retired gardener and a self-taught expert in species rhododendrons (varieties that grow naturally in the wild.)

NIRS meetings are held every second Tuesday of

the month in the Comox United Church hall, 250 Beach with doors opening at 7pm and the meeting starting at 7:30PM. Refreshments are served and guests interested in membership are welcome to attend. ❑

Switch to Quality Home Insurance

Over 30 Island vendors of seeds, plants, gardening supplies and services, a seed exchange as well as a soil preparation, and mason bee workshop are featured.

The event also features food, snacks and refreshments as well as a children’s activity room and many community action groups.

This year another attraction will be “School Garden Art” which will be displayed throughout the facility. The art was supplied by more than 10 local schools which will each receive $100 towards their school garden.

Seedy Saturday continues to support local and Island enterprises and will include 6 new and beginning local businesses. Joining us for the first time will be “Bugs with Benefits”, “Living Soil Sustainable Landscape Design”, “Sweet Rock Farm”, “Annie’s Dahlias”, “Lighthouse Greenhouse Technologies” and “Colby Fruit Trees” Come and join us on Saturday March 5th at the Florence Filberg Center, 10am to 3pm.

Admission is $5 per person, children are free.

A complete list of vendors as well as a schedule of events can be found at www.cvgss.org For more information email us at cvseedsavers@gmail.com or call Sylvain Alie 250-336-8632 Schedule of events 10am - Doors open 10:30 – 11:00 Soil Preparation Workshop – Leslie Cox “The Duchess of Dirt” 11:10- 11:40 - Plants create Wondrous Music Devmurti Kalsa 11:45 – 12:15 - Soil Preparation Workshop – Leslie Cox “The Duchess of Dirt” 12:30 – 1:30 - Mason Bees – Rose McCulley 1:45 – 2:15 - Soil Preparation Workshop – Leslie Cox “The Duchess of Dirt” All workshops are in the Rotary Room (downstairs) The soil preparation workshop is repeated 3 times to better fit your schedule.

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Insurance is sold through BCAA Insurance Agency and underwritten by BCAA Insurance Corporation. Some conditions apply. Offer is valid in store or by phone and applies to new policies only. To be eligible, you must have a current home policy with another provider (a copy of your current home insurance policy must be present at the time of redemption) and your current home insurance policy must expire between February 1, 2016– April 30, 2016. BCAA received the highest numerical score among home insurance providers in Western Canada in the proprietary J.D. Power 2012–2015 Canadian Home Insurance Customer Satisfaction StudiesSM. 2015 study based on 7,466 total responses and measures satisfaction among 12 home insurance providers in Western Canada (AB, BC, MB, SK). Proprietary study results based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed March–April 2015. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. Husky trademark and its use is granted by Husky Oil Marketing.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

CV Nature launches monthly free public walks with trip to the Union Bay Coal Hills

Comox Valley Nature is pleased to repeat its monthly free public nature walk series.

As part of its educational mandate Comox Valley Nature invites the public to monthly public interpretive walks to experience sites of environmental interest. in the preceding three years, CVN’s February walk will be at Union Bay’s Coal Hills.

The Union Bay Coal Hills site is a very special post-industrial ecosystem in the Comox Valley, with a rich local history.

It is a south-facing heat absorbing area which can present many interesting biological features. It is an excellent location to appreciate the return of early sprin g, and the many restoration and enhancement efforts that have mitigated the site’s coal mining impacts.

Union Bay Coal Hills an important part of the valley’s cultural history. This post-industrial coal and rail site was de-activated and capped in the 1960’s.

It is a good example of the environmental successional processes associated with coal mining restoration and rehabilitation and the problems associated with such sites. The site is monitored monthly

by Comox Valley Nature for Bird Studies Canada’s seabird survey. It is home to a rich, and sometimes surprising, birdlife.

The walk will be led by Dr. Loys Maingon (RPBio) and President of Comox Valley Nature. Interested participants are invited to meet either in front of the Old Church

21

Ask The Dentists!

Drs. Manny Karamanis & Brett Burry

I’m Losing My Teeth!

What Are My Options?

- My teeth are shot. There is no nice way to describe it. I've been told I need the last half dozen teeth I have left pulled and fitted for full dentures. I'm 63 years old with no dental insurance. I can't spend more than $10,000 in total. Other than traditional dentures what options can you offer me?

Dear Doctors

Explore the cultural and biological features of Union Bay Coal Hills on March 5 walk Theatre on Harmston Ave, in Courtenay at 9:00 am, or at the park entrance at Union Bay at 9:30, Satur-

day, March 5.

Anyone interested in participating in CVNS activities can contact us at

the website http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/ or Loys Maingon (CVN President) at 250-331-0143.

Bid on painting to help refugees On Saturday March 5th, Valley citizens are hosting a Kurdish fundraising dinner to help bring a refugee family who have recently fled from Mosul, Iraq to Ankara, Turkey and are waiting to come to the Comox Valley.

Along with the dinner, there will be an auction. If you are interested in supporting this cause, but are unable to attend the dinner, here is an opportunity to support the event from home.

Brian Buckrell has donated an original acrylic painting for auction. Briain is a well-known local artist who exhibits his work in galleries all over Canada. His painting titled “Blue Lake” is an inter-

pretation in blues, yellows and orange, from an autumn day hike along Comox Lake.

His donated painting (18 x 24 inches acrylic on canvas and framed) is valued at $1300. We are accepting advance bids ahead of the evening. We will accept any bid of $750 or more.

To view the painting or to make your bid contact Claire at 250 898 8322. Advance bids will be accepted until 4pm on Saturday March 5th.

For more info. or to make a tax deductible donation go to our facebook page (Comox Valley Iraqi Kurdish Sponsorship Group).

Tune in to Chopped Canada as local food chef and entrepreneur competes for grand prize

Tune into Food Network’s Chopped Canada Saturday, March 5 to see Comox Valley’s Lynda Smith test her culinary talents against other chefs on episode nine, Duelling Over Devilled Eggs.

Competitors race against the clock to turn mystery ingredients into three-course meals.

Course-by-course, judges decide which competitor will be chopped from the competition until one winner remains

to take home the $10,000 prize. Smith will be up against competing chefs Melanie Robinson (Sebright, ON), Paresh Thakkar (Sarnia, ON) and Dan Worth (Fernie, BC).

Duelling Over Devilled Eggs airs at 6:00 pm PT followed by a repeat airing at 9:00 pm and again on Sunday through Wednesday.

Visit www.foodnetwork.ca/ shows/chopped-canada/schedule/ for showtimes.

Answer - Let us 'think aloud'. It sounds like you are headed to not having teeth left in your mouth.

Wearing traditional dentures only allows you to exert between 10% and 30% of your normal bite force. They are certainly an option but they can be improved upon significantly. On average, about 90% of patients with full upper dentures are basically satisfied with them. They get used to them after a while, and unless they have an unusual situation with the roof of their mouth, we hear few complaints about them. Lower dentures however, are an entirely different story. They don't have the suction or support the uppers do. They flop around and move. This makes eating a chore and can be a major irritant to many denture wearers. Today, the standard of care when dealing with lower dentures is quickly changing to include dental implants.

The addition of dental implants provides some much needed stability and improved function as well as providing chewing stress on the jaw bone which decreases bone loss over time If the conditions in your mouth are right – you may be able to have two full sized implants placed in the lower jaw with a denture affixed to them There still will be some denture movement and you may still have difficulty eating some foods but you will have much better function than without the implants.

This would most likely bring you in under the $10,000 limit you mentioned. Four implants, on the other hand, will give even better retention and function especially if there has been significant bone loss. Four Implants will allow you to eat pretty much anything you desire without lower denture movement. This option will exceed your budgeted amount however, but we have patients who tell us this is a significant improvement over what they previously had.

Only you can decide what option is best for you and whether spending the additional funds will be worth it in the long run.

Again, this is all speculative without an examination – so we suggest you see a dentist and have an examination to ensure you are a candidate for these dental implants!

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22

Your opinion about the appearance of your dentures is very important. When getting new dentures some people are looking for a big change

the try-in stage of making dentures you are able to see what they look like in your mouth before they changed. The Denturist will have to follow certain parameters to set the teeth properly but many things are usually variable such as tooth colour, shape and size. The try-in stage is your opportunity to see what the teeth look like before they are Denturist. You are the one wearing the denture, you should be happy with how it looks.

Jan Lefeber Denturist

CONSULTATIONS: A great service if you are planning your landscape, need general information on plant care or if you have no idea what to do with your garden. It helps you to avoid costly mistakes. GARDEN MAKEOVERS: We renovate existing gardens creating the “wow” factor. LANDSCAPE PLANNING & INSTALLATIONS: Working in close consultation with you, taking all your needs into account, we will produce the design that’s right for you and make your outdoor living space an extension of your home. GARDEN MAINTENANCE: We will take care of your gardens as if they were our own. PRUNING: Hedges, shrubs, vines, fruit trees, ornamentals & topiary pruning as well.

BALCONY, DECK & PATIO PLANTINGS: We decorate the area using potted plants, planter boxes, trellises, etc. THEMED GARDENS: Special plantings for nautical themes, beach themes, tropical themes, Japanese themes, rock gardens, miniature gardens, etc. Planting of flowers for outdoor weddings and special occasions. We are not a lawn maintenance company although we will consult with you on how to take care of your lawn. Linda Pritchard has 34 years of horticultural knowledge and landscape experience.

Ph: (250) 339 7 233 #204-1819 Beaufort Ave, Comox BC

If you were a home owner looking to have a heat pump installed what would be the top 5 questions you would ask?

The top 5 questions I would ask if I was purchasing a heat pump are: 1. Does the person installing the refrigeration lines and starting up the system have a Red Seal Refrigeration Ticket? (ask for proof) 2. Is the person installing the sheet metal TECA certified and in possession of a Red Seal Sheet Metal Ticket? (ask for proof) 3. Can I see a heat loss calculation for my home?

4. What kind of energy savings can I expect with the new system?

5. Do you have any installations I can see and customers I can speak with?

With these 5 questions answered you should have a good feel of who will provide you with the best quality installation of your new heating system. For more info on service or installation of heating/cooling systems visit tempriteclimatesolutions.com

A: Yeast vaginitis is a common vaginal infection that affects up to 75% of women at least once in their lifetime.

Symptom include itchiness, redness, a whitish discharge and pain. Yeast vagnitis can occur in healthy individuals.

If you are experiencing vaginitis for the first time see a Doctor to confirm that it is a yeast infection.

Pregnancy, menstruation, stress, poorly controlled diabetes, tight clothing, excessive use of douches and medications can increase the risk.

Treatment is usually accomplished with vaginal creams or ovules used for 1, 3 or 7 days or a single dose of an oral tablet. The infection will usually resolve in 72-96 hours.

These products are effective and have very few side effects with the exception of mild irritation on application.

Whenever a previously quiet cat shows a behaviour change such as vocalizing at night, we need to look at possible underlying reasons for it. If the cat is older and weight loss is also a concern, one of the major rule outs is hyperthyroidism – this is a disease of the thyroid gland where cats have too much thyroid hormone present in their bodies. Restlessness and sometimes increased thirst and hunger can also be observed. Intermittent vomiting or diarrhea and urinating in inappropriate places are other symptoms seen, leading to a reduced quality of life and discomfort for the pet. Not all cats experience all of these signs at the time of diagnosis. There are also less visible reasons to treat as well: Hyperthyroidism leads to heart disease and high blood pressure which can cause heart failure, sudden blindness, or sudden death. This can be prevented with timely treatment of the condition. Talk to your veterinarian about your concerns.

Bloodwork usually can make the diagnosis of thyroid disease and will also help to rule in or out other diseases causing similar or identical symptoms.

We were skiing up on Mt. Washington on the weekend and when we came back I noticed the white part of my eye was filled with blood! What happened?

You didn't mention any discomfort or problem with your vision so I assume you suffered a small bleed from a broken blood vessel near the surface of the eye. These sometimes happen from increased pressure around the eye because of an involuntary “Valsalva” maneuver (forcing exhalation against a closed mouth and nose). Lifting the skis, bracing for a tricky run, straining to come off the ski lift, or trying to pop one's ears while adjusting to different altitudes could have done it. The bleeds are often unsightly but usually go away within a few days. If it's getting bigger, getting uncomfortable, happening frequently, or affecting the vision, get it checked out.

Kyle Corey (Technology Specialist)

For some people it really doesn’t matter whether they buy a MAC or PC. There is adefinite price hike, as Macs are usually more expensive right out of the box.

You should always consider which programs you can’t live without and if they are available for both platforms. Some of the most common examples, include Microsoft Office, Simply Accounting, Quick Books, games such as NHL 2010 and so on.

Some software, like Microsoft Office has a Mac version, but needs to be repurchased (unless you have a 5 license copy of 365), some have an online version that is cross compatible like Quick Books Online and finally some are PC only like Simply Accounting 2015.

You could install a program such as Parallels which allows you to install Windows on your Mac. This requires the Purchase of the Parallels program and Windows operating systems. It can begin to get pricey.

Once you are able to get your Apple outfitted with the software you need, there is a slight learning curve, but you will soon discover that a Mac is a great option. Many find Apple products more intuitive, better built, and tend to hold a higher resale value. If there are Mac users in your immediate circle of friends, they are your best advocates for the product and will be more than glad to share some very important tips.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call me.

PC Mac Android Apple

250.702.5764

kyle@geektweaks.ca

I have dark hair, I don't want to go gray but I want to have age appropriate hair, what do you recommend?

Q: I think that I may have a Yeast Infection what can I do?

office@trcs.ca

Our 12 year old cat started meowing recently at night. She keeps waking us up. What is going on, and how can we stop it? She is also looking a little thinner.

Are Macs the right option for me?

TECHNOLOGY

Jan Lefeber Registered Denturist

What kind of services does your company offer?

Hair Colour

I need new dentures but I’m not sure if I want a big change in appearance, do I have a say in how the new dentures will look?

DENTURES

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

Leanne OWNER

As we age our skin lightens and our hair lightens by going gray. So it is best when wanting to cover the gray to use lighter shades than your natural. Multi-dimensional colours are beautiful, youthful and easier to maintain than one flat, solid colour. We have various colours and techniques to camouflage the gray and achieve an age appropriate, unique hair colour that also suits your skin tone. Ask about our non ammonia, no odor permanent hair colour that covers those grays taking years off your appearance! Phone today to book your complimentary consult with any of our colour experts.

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23

World Community screens the film, 1971, on March 8

On March 8, World Community marks the 45th anniversary of a dramatic event that helped shape history. The award-winning film produced

by Laura Poitras, 1971 (80 min), will screen at 7pm in the theatre at North Island College, Courtenay.

Whistleblowers from Watergate to WikiLeaks and Edward Snowden have revealed secrets that exposed government wrongdoing. But long before these events, one group of citizens risked everything when they uncovered illegal government spying programs.

The FBI was unaccountable and untouchable until March 8, 1971, when a group of ordinary people who called themselves The Citizens’ Commission to Investigate the FBI, broke into a small FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania, took every file, and shared them with the American public.

After the break-in, the group sent the

files to the Washington Post which published them and shed light on the FBI’s widespread abuse of power involving intimidation of law-abiding citizens including peace activists and feminists.

This helped lead to the country’s first congressional investigation of U.S. intelligence agencies.

The activist-burglars then disappeared into anonymity for forty years.

Until now. Never caught, these citizens reveal themselves and share their story in the documentary. Using a mix of dramatic re-enactments and candid interviews with all involved, the film is a real life thriller.

“This is a cautionary tale that shows what can happen under laws such as C51when agencies like CSIS do not have proper oversight”notes programmer Janet Fairbanks.

Admission is by donation. Everyone is welcome. FMI: 250 337-5412

How do whitening toothpastes work and how effective are they?

I’m buying a house and need a down payment.

What are my options?

HEALTHY FEET

Q: What products and services are available to help with my Plantar Fasciitis pain?

A: Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common foot conditions and causes products and treatment options exist, including stretching the foot and calf regularly, wearing a night splint that keeps the foot stretched during sleep, taping the foot, and wearing arch supports, insoles or heel cups.

Drop by The Home Medical Shop® and have one of our

services we provide that may relieve your plantar fasciitis pain and get you back on your feet again.

Once your feet are happy, Walk into Spring and join us for an inspirational weekly walk designed to soothe the soul, encourage healthy habits, boost your endorphins, and welcome the coming season. We will be having 6 fresh air walks and goal setting starting Monday, March 14 @4:30 pm.

Claim your space now by calling us @250-338-0903 or email tracy@thehomemedicalshop.com.

Bring a friend or meet a new one while checking out the new Spring Shoes & Sandals at Pavia Shoe Co.

I DIDN’T GET MUCH FRUIT LAST YEAR, HOW CAN I ATTRACT POLLINATORS? Dr. Colleen Clancy & Dr. Ann Lu Dentists

DENTISTRY

Whitening toothpastes contain abrasive particles that scrub off surface stains on teeth. Some also have ingredients that break down and dissolve stains. Whitening toothpastes help keep the surface of the tooth polished and lighter, but they will not change any colour or stain that has been absorbed into the porous enamel. Only bleaching can reach these particles.

ROOF CLEANING

Funding a down payment can be tough, especially for first time buyers. For purchases up to $500k, your down payment can be as little as 5% of the purchase price (above $500k the % gets larger) – but in our area where even starter home are expensive, this can still be a lot of money. Luckily, you do have a few options which can be combined if needed: 1) your own savings, 2) a gift from family, or 3) a personal line of credit. Saving your own down payment is the most traditional option - you just need to show 3 months bank history of the funds. Gifted down payments are also common today, with parents or grandparents helping out. The gifts must come from a direct family member (parents/grandparents), so gifts from your siblings or godparents don’t work.

Line of Credit borrowing can also be an option but you must have strong credit and enough income to support the LOC payments as well as all other debts. If you have questions about the best down payment strategy for your purchase, give us a call today!

A scene from ‘1971’ remembers famous whistleblowers

Whitening toothpastes are a good tool for people who find they are accumulating lots of stain between dental cleanings. However, some people find whitening toothpastes too harsh, causing sensitive teeth.

220-444 Lerwick Rd. (in the Thrifty's Crown Isle Shopping Centre) 250-338-2599

How do I get rid of the moss on my roof?

Bob Poje Owner

Don’t have it power washed. Power washing blasts off the protective granules and will shorten the life of your roof.

Do have your roof professionally cleaned to insure the roots of the moss are killed. Otherwise it’s like cutting your lawn. A temporary fix but it always grows back.

Make sure whatever company you hire has all the credentials. This includes work safe and liability insurance. Don’t be responsible for the mistakes of others.

Bob Poje Budget Roof Cleaning Comox BC

250-465-2047

Marnie

The best pollinators for fruit trees are our native mason bees. They fly early, when your fruit trees are blooming.

About the size of houseflies, Blue Orchard bees (Osmia lignaria aka "mason bees") are so named because they create rows of cells in their nests divided with walls of clay.

A single female will visit as many as 17 flowers per minute.

1-Provide a home for them-mason bee houses (nesting boxes) are available for purchase or you can make your own. It may take at least a full season for them to find your nesting box house. If you don’t have any luck attracting them, purchase mason bee cocoons.

2-Hang the house out of the rain, facing south or east at eye level, once temperatures outside have warmed to 12-14C 3-Dig down below your garden soil near the bee house & expose a clay layer, or keep a bowl of moist clay nearby for them to use as construction material along with a source of water.

Monday to Saturday - 8.30-5 Sunday 9.30-5

Why would I need a hearing test if I don’t notice a hearing loss?

Jennifer Frey, Registered Audiologist

As with other health issues, it is important to identify hearing loss early. Hearing loss tends to occur gradually and many people don’t realize a problem is developing. It is often apparent to others before obvious to the individual. Early diagnosis of hearing loss means more effective treatment, reduced risk of auditory deprivation and better communication ability. A hearing test is painless and quick. It should be an annual part of ongoing health care such as dental check-ups and other routine evaluations.

Call us today for a complimentary hearing test and a demonstration of the latest hearing aid technology.

1.888.850.9979

24 FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

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FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

DEATHS

DEATHS

DEATHS

DEATHS

INFORMATION

INFORMATION

Ernest David Black

Millie LeDahl

August 1, 1931 to February 14, 2016

On Friday, February 26th, 2016, Millie LeDahl was welcomed in peace by her son Rick along with her parents Fred and Ola, sister Jessie and brother John.

Millie is survived by her husband Don, sister Lucy, children Joanne (Grant), Merle (Corrine), Rob (Marion), Murray (Shelia), as well as thirteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and many dear friends and family.

A service for friends and family was held at Comox Valley Funeral Home, Cremation and Reception Centre on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016.

A summer celebration will be held at Miracle Beach, a place Millie loved. Date to be decided later.

The family wishes to thank Dr. T’ien, Dr. Nel, nurses Shelly, Isabella, and Suzanne at St. Joseph’s Hospital and our many caring and comforting friends.

Comox Valley F H UNERAL

OME

CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 1101 Ryan Road, Courtenay

250-334-0707

VERA KRAHN October 18,1942 – February 5, 2016

Ernie’s life came to an end when the increasing severity of the symptoms of Parkinsons that he had resisted for many years overcame that resistance.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Diane Palmason; his children Laurie Schneyer (Joel), Andrew Black (Cheri) and Linda Black (Mike Zabinski), their mother Beverley Koger; and his four granddaughters Jessica Demeester (Matt), Sarah Black, Julia Schneyer and Isabelle Schneyer.

He is also remembered by his step-family Esther Hutton, Craig Hutton (Andrea), Eric Hutton (Caroline), Tracy Hutton (Ian MacLeod); and Diane’s five grandchildren Sebastian, Nathan, Oden, Cora and Emmett.

Ernie received his Bachelors degree in Agriculture from Macdonald College, and went on to earn a Masters degree in Geology from McGill University. He was rightfully proud of his 60+ year career as a geologist, first with several companies, and then as an independent consultant. He was honoured in 2012 with an award from the Mining and Exploration Division of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration “in recognition of (his) professionalism and contributions to the Mining Industry.� His three children were thrilled to surprise him by traveling to Seattle, WA to attend this event.

His many achievements as a skier, and as runner on the roads and track, were also a source of pride and pleasure.

Several events are being planned in Ernie’s honour, including a Walk/ Run Brunch on Saturday, April 9 from 9am to 1pm at 2464 Avro Arrow Drive. There will also be an Open House for family, friends and neighbours on Saturday, April 16 from 10pm to 2pm at the above address.

BAULCOMB – FRANK LEONARD December 7, 1962 – February 20, 2016

“A life well lived I am born as a true German but my heart belongs to Canada�

It is with sad hearts we announce the passing of Frank Leonard Baulcomb on February 20, 2016, in Courtenay, BC.

Vera is survived and will be dearly missed by her son Thomas (Kate); grandchildren Celine, Stephanie and Shanna; her great-grandchildren; sisters Inge, Monika and Anke, as well as her nieces and nephews.

A Service of Remembrance in celebration of Vera’s life will take place on Monday, March 7, at 1:00PM from COMOX VALLEY FUNERAL HOME, CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE, 1101 RYAN ROAD, with interment at Courtenay Civic Cemetery.

Fellowship and refreshments will follow in the “Garden Room� of the Funeral Home.

For those wishing, donations in her memory to the MS Society, P.O. Box 656, Campbell River, BC V9W 6J3, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, P.O. Box 1225, Comox, B.C. V9M 7Z8 or the Canadian Cancer Society, #102 – 1509 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 2K6 would be appreciated.

Comox Valley F H UNERAL

Denied Long-Term Disability BeneďŹ ts or other insurance?

Frank is predeceased by his father Desmond Baulcomb. He is survived by his wife Christine Baulcomb, mother Annabelle Baulcomb; daughters Jacqueline Baulcomb and Celina Baulcomb; brothers Craig Baulcomb (Daisy Baulcomb) and Dean Baulcomb as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

In Frank’s leisure time he enjoyed surfing, had a passion for cooking for his family, walking his dog, the outdoors, his animals and had a love of music. He coached Rugby and had a life long dedication to the game. He belonged to the Comox Kickers Men’s Rugby, previously Nanaimo Hornets and Richmond Rugby Club. Frank’s working life involved a 30-year career with Canada Post.

OME

CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 1101 Ryan Road, Courtenay

250-334-0707

Your Community, Your ClassiďŹ eds.

A celebration for Frank will be held Sunday, March 6th with a memorial rugby game to kick off the day at 2pm Cumberland Village Park. Celebration of Life will follow at 4pm at the Fallen Alders Hall, 3595 Royston Road, Courtenay, B.C.

Comox Valley F H UNERAL

OME

CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 1101 Ryan Road, Courtenay

250-334-0707

If YES, call or email for FREE initial legal consultation and protect your right to compensation.

778-588-7049 Julie@LawyersWest.ca www.LawyersWest.ca CANADA BENEFIT Group Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888511-2250 or www.canadabeneďŹ t.ca/free-assessment

9/52Ă–#/--5.)49 Ă–9/52Ă–#,!33)&)%$3

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

DEATHS

DEATHS

Chief Norman Frank April 27, 1925 to February 27, 2016 Surrounded by family, Chief Norman Frank, Nim nim um, passed away peacefully at home on February 27, 2016. He was born in St. Joseph’s Hospital on April 27, 1925 to Isaac and Louisa Frank and lived his entire life in the Comox Valley.

Norman started work at an early age in the fishing and logging industries and retired at the age of 75 as the skipper of his seine boat the Courtenay Maid.

During World War II, as soon as he was old enough, he joined the army. On his return, he was able to purchase his home on the Dyke where he lived for 70 years.

Norman was a hereditary, as well as, the elected chief of the K’omoks First Nation for over 30 years. He was a quiet man, generous to a fault and always willing to help others.

Norman was predeceased by his wife, Barbara in 2009, and siblings Irene, Jake, Mona, Bessie, Stanley, Mabel and Vincent.

He will be forever loved and missed by his children Kerry & Shelley, April & Doug, grandchildren Sean, Michael, Katherine, Amy, Kelly & Emily and their children, his special niece Donna Frank, close cousin Violet Wilson and brother Stanley, as well as, a large extended family and many friends.

Thanks to Dr. Reggler, Home and Community Care Nursing, and the KDC Health staff especially Bernice Whonnock.

At his request, there will be no service.

SYKES – DOROTHY CLARICE January 7, 1932 – February 26, 2016 Dorothy passed away peacefully on February 26, 2016 at Glacier View Lodge in Courtenay, B.C. She was pre-deceased by her husband Jim Sykes, her son Brian Sykes and her son-in-law Mike Murray. Dorothy will be greatly missed by her son Paul Sykes (Leanne), her daughters Daneen Karch (Gordy) and Heather Murray, her grandchildren; Amanda, Matthew and Carver as well as her great grandchildren; Brett, Ava and Chevi.

In her leisure time Dorothy loved to garden, play cards, bake and go for walks. She was very outgoing with a great sense of humour. Dorothy so loved her family and great long-time friends.

Private family arrangements.

Comox Valley

FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 1101 Ryan Road, Courtenay

250-334-0707

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

FINANCIAL SERVICES

PETS GOLDEN DOODLES. 9 wks with 8 wk shots & dewormed.

250-287-8181. (Nancy)

Always in our hearts Mr. Tickety - Boo

WE BUY: Antiques, coins, silver & gold. Call Ron for secure house calls. 250-204-1237.

Oddball Antiques, Campbell River.

FUEL/FIREWOOD

In Loving Memory of

Larry Yanick Gone are the days we used to share, But in our hearts you’re always there.

Forever loved and remembered.

Franki, David, Dawna, Logan, Lauren, Zhenya, Glen, Olivia, Finnegan

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS INFORMATION HIP OR knee replacement?

Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restrictions in Walking/Dressing? Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Tax Credit $20,000 Refund. Apply Today For Assistance: 1-844-453-5372.

PERSONALS IF YOU want to drink it is your business. If you want to stop it is ours. Phone A.A. 250-3388042 Call anytime 24/7

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES RESIDENT MANAGER Quatse River Campground Port Hardy Previous experience in campground management an asset. Competent repair and maintenance skills and a Valid BC drivers licence are required.

Apply with resume to: Manager, Box # 1409, Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0 Email: nvisea@island.net 250-949-9022 Closes March 11th, 5pm

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. 1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com LARGE FUND Borrowers Wanted Start saving hundreds of dollars today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts.

We don’t rely on credit, age or income.

Call Anytime 1-800-639-2274 or 604-430-1498. Apply online www.capitaldirect.ca

WANTED: FIREWOOD, cash paid for 1-100 log truck loads of ďŹ rewood grade ďŹ r. Near Cookcreek. 250-650-1322.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE 1 Litre Beer bottles, 15 EZ top plus carboy $40.00 OBO evenings call 250-898-7301 POLE BARNS, Shops, steel buildings metal clad or fabric clad. Complete supply and installation. Call John at 403998-7907; Email to: jcameron @advancebuildings.com REFORESTATION Nursery seedlings of hardy trees, shrubs, & berries for shelterbelts or landscaping. Spruce & Pine from $0.99/tree. Free Shipping. Replacement guarantee.

1-866-873-3846 or www.treetime.ca SAWMILLS FROM only $4,397 - Make money & save money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT 1-800-5666899 Ext:400OT.

RENTALS APARTMENT/CONDO

TRAVEL EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS TIMESHARE CANCEL YOUR timeshare.

No risk program stop mortgage & maintenance payments today. 100% money back guarantee. Free consultation. Call us now. We can help! 1-888-356-5248.

TRAVEL SAVE 30% on our Heart of the Arctic adventure. Visit Inuit communities in Greenland and Nunavut aboard the comfortable 198-passenger Ocean Endeavour. Call for details! 1800-363-7566 or visit online www.adventurecanada.com (TICO#04001400)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES NEW EXCITING mini VLT’S. Produce buckets of cash monthly. Attracts customers like money magnets. Locations provided. Ground oor opportunity. Full details call now 1-866-668-6629. Website www.tcvend.com

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES HEALTHCARE DOCUMENTATION Specialists are in huge demand.

Employers want CanScribe graduates. A great work-from-home career!

Train with Canada’s best-rated program.

Enroll today. www.canscribe.com.

1-800466-1535 info@canscribe.com Teachers ! Innovative ? Enthusiastic ? B.Ed.? 4R’s Education Centre wants to hear from you ! B.C. cert. not req.

Call 250-338-4890

START A new career in Graphic Arts, Healthcare, Business, Education or Information Tech. If you have a GED, call: 855-670-9765

HELP WANTED

BARTENDER

Experienced Bartender required for local establishment.

Apply with resume to: bartendingjob@yahoo.ca

HOME IMPROVEMENTS FULL SERVICE Plumbing from Parker Dean. Fast, reliable, 24/7 service. Take $50 off your next job if you present this ad. Vancouver area. 1800-573-2928.

#(%#+Ă–#,!33)&)%$3 Ă– $BMM

Brand New 2 and 3 Bdrm Apartments for rent OPEN HOUSE Saturday’s from 10-2 6 major appliances Acadia on the Walk 355 AnďŹ eld (across from Best Buy) No smoking and no pets Rents starting at $995.

Free TV and Internet promo Ph. 250-926-5501 www.veyronproperties.com

WANTED TO RENT 2-3 Bedroom house required for long term rental. Must be pet friendly please call 778427-1119 after 6:30 PM

LABOURERS

Required full-time for a shellďŹ sh aquaculture operation.

Must be self-motivated, have a valid driver’s license; lift over 50 lbs.; be in good health; seaworthy and be able to be on call; have knowledge of construction and power tool use.

Wages: $12.00/hour to start.

Send Resume to: Team@ ManateeHoldings.com

SERVER

Experienced server needed.

Apply with resume between 9 and 11am, Monday to Friday, ask for Barry.

The Whistle Stop Pub, 2355 MansďŹ eld Dr., Courtenay, B.C.

4HEĂ–KEYĂ–TOĂ–YOURĂ– NEWĂ–#!2%%2

WHAT'SON In the Comox Valley 4 FRIDAY

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE BOOKS, COINS, STAMPS

October 21, 1937 – March 4, 2012

FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

PETS AND LIVESTOCK

EVERYTHING

FOR EVERY PET A great read for any pet owner. • Tips on socialization and pet etiquette • Training tips, games and activities • Exercise ideas • Feeding, grooming, dental care, etc.

Runs 2nd Friday of every month!

Book your ads now with one of our Sales Representatives

250-334-4722

25

of the Victoria chapter will regale armchair adventurers with descriptions of his search for elusive “species rhododendrons� in the high reaches of the Indian Himalayas. NIRS meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month in the Comox United Church hall, 250 Beach with doors opening at 7pm and the meeting starting at 7:30PM. Refreshments are served and guests interested in membership are welcome to attend.

Pearl Ellis Gallery in Comox presents: COMOX VALLEY WOOD CARVERS • If you are interested in any type of wood carving please join us at the Royston Community Hall every Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 3 PM for a day of carving and learning about carving. No experience necessary. FMI call Al at 250-331-0156 or Jim at 250-3395350.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE • Friday, March 4, 1:30 pm at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 218 Church St, Comox. “Receive children. Receive meâ€? Christian Women in Socialist Cuba. On March 4th Christians in more than 170 countries and in 2,000 communities across Canada will gather to learn about, pray for, and celebrate Cuba in solidarity with the women of Cuba through the World Day of Prayer. Please join us and invite your friends and family to attend.

COURTENAY LEGION • Meat draws every Friday, 5-7 pm.

COMOX LEGION • Meat draws every Friday, 9 WEDNESDAY 3 p.m. Open to all Legion members and signed in guests. Friday is still drop in BINGO • Running every Wednesday at the darts night 7.30 pm toe line, $2.25 per Cumberland Legion with proceeds for person.

CCSS. Doors open at 6:30. Game starts at 7. Beginners welcome!

5 SATURDAY

10 THURSDAY 4TH ANNUAL SPIN-A-THON • Comox Community Centre presents fundraiser March 5 & 6 with proceeds benefiting Canadian Tire Jumpstart and St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.Get a team together and register by calling 250-339-2255.

LADIES LEARNING CODE • Presents HTML & CSS For Beginners on Sat. March 5th, 10am-4pm, at North Island College in the Tyee Room. No programming knowledge or math skills required! This friendly, collaborative workshop offers a 4 to 1 learner to mentor ratio. Tickets are $55 per person, and include a yummy catered lunch! Get yourself and your friends registered now at Ladies Learning Code Courtenay.

COURTENAY LEGION • Meat draws every Saturday 2-5 p.m. in the lounge.

COMOX LEGION • Meat draws are held every Saturday 3 p.m.

6 SUNDAY CORONATION STREET FAN GATHERING • Sunday March 6th - 2pm-3pm, Kiwanis Village, 635 Pidcock Avenue. Enjoy a good chin wag about all the happenings on the Street such as Kevin and Anna, Leanne and Simon and Carla with her extended family! And the rest of the gang on the “Streetâ€?. 3.00 cash at the door. Bring along a friend or two! More info call Wendy 250 897-3697 Email: cvcorriefanclub@shaw.ca

INTERFAITH EXPLORATIONS • First of Four.

Thursday, March 10 at 7 pm, at the Bon Buddhist Centre (corner England and 4th streets). Geshe Yong Dong will be leading the presentation. Time for group discussions, time of fellowship which reflects and honours the faith/cultural tradition of the evening. No charge, everyone welcome. Sponsored by Unity Comox Valley and St. John the Divine Anglican Church

11 FRIDAY

THE CV JUNG SOCIETY • Presents a lecture “I’m Retired! Now what?â€? by Jungian Analyst John Betts on Friday, March 11, 2016 at 7:00 PM, Room 203, Tyee building, North Island College. Admission is $20 at the door, or $15 for members.

12 SATURDAY

FIDDLE CONCERT • Join International Fiddle star, April Verch and her band at the Big Yellow Merville Hall for some toe tapping old time and cutting edge fiddle music from one of North America’s best. Tickets $20/$10 at Long & McQuade, Blue Heron and Sound Plant. FMI Craig 339-4249. www.aprilverch.com EASTERN STAR SPRING FLING TEA AND FASHION SHOW • Saturday, March 12, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the Evergreen Seniors Lounge at the Filberg Centre. Sandwich, dessert, tea or coffee. Featuring Shar-On’s All Size 7 MONDAY Fashions. Tickets $10 each, available at COMOX VALLEY SENIOR PEER SUPPORT • Is a the door. Sponsored by Florence Chapter seniors supporting senior organization. No. 53 Order of the Eastern Star.

We provide emotional support to vulnerable seniors and we are recruiting 13 SUNDAY new volunteers. If you have some time and you would like to do something that can make a huge difference to a lonely CHARITY POKER TOURNAMENT Supporting senior, we want to hear from you. the Canucks Autism Network. March 13 at Training and support is provided. The the Best Western The Westerly Hotel, next training is March 7, 8, 14, 15: 9:30 Courtenay. Starts at 1 pm. Buy In: $50. – 12:00. For more info or to book a 100 tickets only, available at the Westerly training seat call: 250-871-5940 or email: front desk. First place $1,000. Prizes down to 5th place. FMI: 250-792-5546. seniorpeercounselling@shaw.ca CRIBBAGE • Every Monday night, 7:00, at STRATHCONA SYMPHONY • Come out on the Royston Hall, corner of Old Island Sunday March 13th at 2:00pm to the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay to hear the Highway and Royston Road.

LADIES AUXILIARY DROP-IN BINGO • Comox Strathcona Symphony Orchestra (SSO) in Legion Ladies Auxiliary Drop-in Bingo, their Music for the Young and Young at upper hall. Doors open 6 pm, bingo 7 Heart concert. In this fun, interactive and p.m. All money goes to charities. Free informative concert, the audience will experience music from a varied repertoire. coffee and tea.

Selections from Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Henry Mancini, Haydn’s 8 TUESDAY Surprise Symphony, as well as Mozart and Handel, to name a few, will THE COMOX VALLEY GENEALOGY GROUP • demonstrate the personalities and varied Meets on Tuesday, March 8; Church of sounds of the instruments of the orchestra.

Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1901 In addition to the orchestral music, there 20th St. Courtenay. Meeting starts at will be an Instrument Petting Zoo provided 7pm. Speaker to be announced later. by Long & McQuade Tickets $10 (children Everyone Welcome. Come and discover 9 and under Free with adult) available at your ancestors. FMI -Marlene 250-334- Blue Heron Books, Comox; Laughing Oyster Books, Courtenay and at the door.

3080 NORTH ISLAND RHODODENDRON SOCIETY • Doors open 1:30pm FMI 250 331 0158 For the March 8 meeting, Steve Rafferty

26 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC MARCH 4, 2016

ECHO

etc.

NIC FILM EXPLORES REFUGEES FLEEING HOMOPHOBIA Experience Canada’s refugee claim system through the lives of five people fleeing homophobic violence in their home countries, at NIC’s community film night Thursday, March 10.

NIC’s Global Learning Initiative presents Last Chance, an awardwinning documentary with unique insight into the challenges of the Canadian refugee system.

Last Chance shares asylum seekers’ fear of deportation and anxiety as they as they navigate the Canadian system and await a decision that will change their lives forever.

The documentary is widely considered the first film to follow individuals from their home countries to their arrival in Canada, one of the world’s first countries to accept asylum seekers based on sexual orientation and identity.

The film took three years to film and a decade to make.

It is directed by Canadian filmmaker Paul Emile d’Entremont and produced by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).

The screening takes places at the Stan Hagen Theatre, at NIC’s Comox Valley campus, starting at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm. A short discussion of the film will follow the screening.

POKER TOURNEY FOR AUTISM A charity poker tournament supporting the Canucks Autism Network will be held March 13 at the Best Western The Westerly Hotel, Courtenay.

Starts at 1 pm. Buy In: $50. 100 tickets only, available at the Westerly front desk. First place $1,000. Prizes down to 5th place. FMI: 250-7925546.

COMOX MUSEUM AGM MARCH 12 The Comox Archives and Museum Society is pleased to announce that our Annual General Meeting will be held at 2 pm, on Saturday, March 12 at the Lions Den, on the lower level of 1729 Comox Avenue.

There will be a brief meeting followed by election of the board.

Refreshments will be srved, and Pam Moughton will give a power point presentation on the 102nd Battalion, followed by a performance by the Just for Joy Singers, of “Songs of the Spit” and “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.”

The public are invited to attend, and to view our new exhibit featuring the 102nd Battalion, at the Museum upstairs.

For further information please contact the Museum at 250-3392285 or comoxmuseum@shaw.ca

NEW PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT OPPORTUNITY The Comox Valley Community Foundation announced today the creation of a new grant opportunity for registered charitable organizations in the Comox Valley.

The CVC Foundation has dedicated $10,000 this year (2016) to support professional development initiatives. Successful applicants will be eligible for up to $2,000 per organization.

“Comox Valley charitable organizations play an essential role in creating a better future for all in the Valley,” said CVC Foundation President Dr. Norman Carruthers.

“We all benefit from the passion and talents of the many employees and volunteers who work tirelessly to make the Comox Valley better.”

The Comox Valley Community Foundation recognizes that many organization’s resources are stretched to the maximum. Often the most critical need they have is greater support and training for their staff and volunteers. The Foundation has dedicated these

funds to help address these requirements.

The Comox Valley Community Foundation has been assisting registered charities to acquire or upgrade critical capital resources for the past 20 years. This new CVC Foundation grant is designed to help them address the need to strengthen the skills and capabilities of their workers.

Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2016. Successful applicants will be announced in June!

Interested groups are encouraged to learn more about the criteria and application process at cvcfoundation.org. For further information contact the Comox Valley Community Foundation by calling 250-338-8444 or email cvcf@shawcable.com.

PUBLIC SPEAKING TOPIC FOR WOMEN If you would like to learn how to perfect your already confident public speaking skills, then plan to attend the Wednesday, March 9th meeting of the Comox Valley Women’s Business Network (CVWBN).

Held on the lower level of the Black Fin Pub in Comox. Doors open for networking at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting, which includes a delicious plated meal. Registration cut-off is 5:00 p.m., March 7th. For more info r visit www.CVWBN.org.

FREE TAX FILING

BY VOLUNTEERS

Magician Greg Ladret

LIONS CLUB MAGIC SHOW The Royston-Cumberland Lions Club proudly presents The Magic of Greg Ladret on April 30.

Doors open 6:30 pm, show starts at 7 at the Lewis Centre, Courtenay.

Tickets cost $12.00 e ach per adult; child 13 to 17, $11; chid 5 to 12, $10, children 4 and under are free. Family pack: 1 adult with 4 children, $45. Tickets at Your Dollar Store or More, 1599 Cliffe.

It’s that time of year again and our group of volunteers will be at the Lions Den (1729 Comox Ave., Comox, 250-339-6232) every Tuesday from 1 pm to 3 pm for the months of March and April to E-file taxes for seniors, families, individuals, persons with disabilities, students and newcomers to Canada who are eligible for this free service.

Our volunteers have been trained by the CRA to file very basic income tax returns. Basic eligibility is as follows: Single individuals - up to $30,000 Couple - up to $40,000 Single with child - $35,000 Each dependent - $2,500 Interest income less than $1,000 Our volunteers are not trained to complete complex returns for individuals who: 1. Report income for self employment, rental income, capital gains/ losses; 2. Claim employment expenses; 3. Are deceased or bankrupt.

Photo identification or other acceptable identification will be required.

visit us online... www.comoxvalleyecho.com

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

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29

NOLA Nighthawks return to jazz club Thursday, March 10

Our exciting Spring Season continues at The Avalanche Bar, on March 10th at 7:30 pm with the return of Andrew Homzy’s NOLA Nighthawks.

Homzy’s shows are always popular and always different. So what’s News and what’s Blues? Andrew has arranged and prepared an entirely new program - a dirty dozen - for his return to the Avalanche.

On the program will be some of the first Blues compositions ever written, including “Aunt Hagar’s Blues” by W.C. Handy known as the “Father of the Blues” and “Barnyard Blues” which was Side B on the very first jazz recording made in 1917. New pieces include “Joy In The Streets” composed by Vancouver clarinetist, James Danderfer and “Hurricane Season” by contemporary New Orleans trumpeter Trombone (sic) Shorty AKA Troy Andrews.

Other old/new works will include a waltz (gasp!)

by Scott Joplin and a very dynamic piece which Duke Ellington, dedicated to the women of Africa.

Spanning traditional jazz repertoire to contemporary and popular New Orleans styles, Homzy’s 10-piece NightHawks

cooks-up an exciting gumbo stew of NOLA music - all transformed into a Mississippi melting pot of song, improvisation and dance that forms the basis for a large part of the history of 20th Century Popular American Music.

“To list the incredible mentors these musicians have had, and to list the fine jazz musicians with whom they have played, would fill pages. Homzy’s NightHawks have such a wealth of talent and experience, and their passion for this music is outstanding,” Homzy said in a recent interview Andrew Homzy’s NOLA Nighthawks have played to sold-out and recordbreaking audiences on Vancouver Island ranging from Courtenay to Nanaimo to Crofton and Victoria.

Drawing from the best professional musicians available in Nanaimo, Andrew Homzy formed his N.O.L.A. Nighthawks in the summer of 2014. A 10-piece group, it includes two trumpets, two trombones, baritone sax, clarinet (the instrument which defines New Orleans music), piano, guitar, bass and drums Andrew Homzy’s

N.O.L.A. NightHawks are: Dean Boland & Greg Bush, Trumpets Darren Nilsson & Craig Burnett, Trombones Rod Alsop, Baritone Sax - Claudio Fantinato, Clarinet Rob Uffen, Bass - Jesse Marshall, Guitar Alicia Murray, Drums - Andrew Homzy, Piano & Arrangements A Nanaimo resident since 2009, Homzy has become a vital musical

force on Vancouver Island after having been a prominent figure on the Montréal jazz scene for more than 40 years. The Andrew Homzy Jazz Orchestra has been featured many times at the Montréal Jazz Festival, and often broadcast over CBC/ Radio-Canada.

In 1999, Homzy was commissioned to direct a special concert/broadcast celebrating Duke Ellington’s 100th birthday

which was subsequently captured in a professional world class recording issued by Justin Time Records. The orchestra included musicians from 15 different countries.

So if you love New Orleans jazz, don’t miss this great concert. Admission is $10 for members, $12 for non-members. Where else can you expect to find great live jazz prices like these? That’s because our mission is to offer Comox

Valley folk the opportunity to affordably expose themselves to the very best in live jazz music in a club atmosphere. See for yourself why Courtenay has emerged as the hottest jazz spot in British Columbia.

For more information about the Jazz Society and its forthcoming schedule of Thursday Night Jazz events, visit www. georgiastraightjazz,com or follow us on Facebook.

Ontario folk musicians share the power of a song “The power of one person and one instrument – engaging and exciting in itself. I believe that’s the root of folk music.”

With her third album, Apartments For Lovers, Shawna Caspi taps right into those folk

roots, stripping away the session musicians and elaborate arrangements of her previous records in favour of a simple, authentic sound – her solo guitar and voice.

The result is a collection of songs that is

close-up and honest, showcasing her warm vocals, classically-trained fingerstyle guitar playing and intimate songwriting in a genuine, powerful way.

Caspi, who was born in Ottawa and now lives in

Toronto, will showcase the beauty and power of those songs March 6 in Comox with another folk musician with Ottawa connections who knows the power of a folk song, Tony Turner.

(Continued on page 30)

CVAG hosts closing celebrations for ‘Meeting the Ground’

The Comox Valley Art Gallery will mark the closing of Renée Poisson’s sweeping exhibition Meeting the Ground with a full day of activities on Saturday March 5.

There will be an all-ages Make Art Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., an encore of the community performance We Rise, We Fall at 2 p.m., a book preview and a closing reception.

Activities will start at 11 a.m., when participants in Make Art Saturday will be invited to create and decorate floating assemblages in response to Meeting the Ground. At 12:30 p.m. participants will go to the Courtenay River to launch the pieces they created.

Make Art Saturday is open to everyone of all ages. Admission is by donation, and materials are provided by the gallery.

At 2 p.m. there will be a presentation of We Rise, We Fall, a collaborative performance that is part of Poisson’s exhibition Meeting the Ground.

After the performance there will be a preview of a publication that will flow from Meeting the Ground, and following that there will be closing remarks and a reception.

Meeting the Ground, which has been on display at CVAG since Jan. 22, is a multi-facetted exhibition that is based on several years of Poisson’s artistic inquiry

into questions related to aging and death.

Poisson, a Merville resident who has practiced art for more than five decades, used sculptural elements, video installation, soundscape, performance, printed material, and interactive public response to explore the theme.

Running concurrent to Meeting the Ground is a community exhibition called Falling. This is an ongoing community response to Poisson’s exhibition, where members of the public of all ages are invited to create art that is hung in the CVAG community space.

Both Meeting the Ground and Falling are open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until the closing event on March 5. After that the gallery will close for installation until March 18, when the next exhibition program opens. The CVAG shop remains open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Make/Repeat/Alter -- the next exhibition program at CVAG -- will feature the work of artists Eric Lesage, Janet Wang and fine arts and robotics students from the North Island Distance Education School. It opens Friday, March 18, with an artist talk at 6 p.m. and a reception at 7 p.m.

For details about CVAG exhibitions and events, call (250) 338-6211 or visit www.comoxvalleyartgallery.com.

One of Renee’s puppets on display in the CVAG window gallery

30 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC MARCH 4, 2016

Free workshop for Preschool, Kindergarten students at Beachcombers

Kindergarten and grade 1 students enjoy an outdoor lesson in the playground at Beachcombers Academy.

Comox Fire Captain recognized for 35 years of service Comox Fire Rescue Captain Bill Windram has recently completed 35 years of service. Bill joined the department in 1981 as a 30 year old.

Bill has been and still is a huge part of the fire department. He has responded to over five thousand emergency incidents and assisted the department and community in so many ways.I am proud to call Bill my friend and truly appreciate all he has done for us and the support he has shown me.

Chief Gord Schreiner states: “I am very proud of

Bill. I have served beside him for his entire fire service career. He has been a good friend and great mentor, and positive role model for others to follow.

He is the type of guy who is always helping others. He continues to impress me with his positive attitude and willingness to assist us in the many things we do.”

He continues to lead a Platoon of firefighters and provide duty coverage from time to time.

Comox Fire Rescue has nine members with twenty years or more of fire service.

Captain Bill Windram

Beachcombers Academy and Little Oysters Preschool is hosting a free workshop for children who will be entering kindergarten or preschool in September. The event will take place on Monday, March 7that 11:00 am to 12:00 am.

The same day there will also be an open house that is open to the community from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm.

The Ready, Set… Learn! workshop is open to 3 to 5 year olds and their parents.

Families of young children are invited to enjoy an activity, tour the school and preschool, and delight in the playground overlooking the ocean. Participating children will receive a small gift. While this event is free, please register!

The Little Oysters Preschool offers an exceptional preschool program that encourages children to develop a love of learning, integrates nature, and includes play-based learning. Beachcombers Academy’s music teacher gives a weekly music lesson in the preschool and children are welcomed to participate in Beachcombers Academy’s seasonal celebrations.

Beachcombers Academy’s kindergarten and primary program includes quality academics, weekly coastal science class, dedicated music and art programs and additional enriched programming. “The school is lovely,” says en-

LuckyWestJet ticket winners

A very entertaining Rotary fundraising dinner-theatre was held at the Florence Filberg Centre February 18-20 featuring the musical revue “Meet Me at the Jukebox Diner” with director, Gloria Herauf and The Beach Street Players. Donated prizes were raffled off to raise funds. The Grand Prize of a return flight for two on any scheduled Westjet flight was won by Rhonda Liesch and her mother Sue Hipwell from Campbell River. The award was presented by MC’s, Angela Walker, Event & Fundrasiing Coordinator for Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society and Richard Skinner, President of the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise. Congratulations Rhonda and Sue! Thank you Westjet for supporting this important fundraising event.

Submitted by: Robin Harrison, Chairman, Public Image Committee, Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise

(Continued from page 29) While she never had one particular musical influence growing up, Caspi found inspiration in a wide variety of independent singer/songwriters as she played and sang her way through the folk music scene. Some of these artists are now her peers, and she has shared the stage with several of her favourites, including Rose Cousins, Jon Brooks, James Keelaghan, Old Man Luedecke, Suzie Vinnick and Garnet Rogers.

From cafes, soft-seat theatres, living rooms, festiTony Turner, who lives in Ottawa, first became aware of the power of music as a youngster at the end of the 1960s folk revival.

Turner’s songwriting has garnered a lot of attention. His much-loved anthem “Circle of Song” is one of a handful of Canadian songs recently published in Rise Again, the 2015 sequel to Rise Up Singing, the popular folk music songbook.

Last year, Turner found

thusiastic parent Amy Rowes. “If you want to provide your children with a great education, in a pristine environment, with small class sizes then Beachcombers Academy is the school for you.”

The school is operated

by Beachcombers Education Society, a non-profit society, that operates the Beachcombers Academy & Little Oysters Preschool for the benefit of students and families. An optional bus service is available.

The Open House is from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm and is open to students and community members of all ages. Teachers, who teach preschool to grade 7, will be on hand to answer questions until noon . Everyone is welcome!

Beachcombers welcomes enquires. Prospective students and their families may book an appointment for a personalized tour of the school and an introduction to the program.

For more information, or to register for Ready, Set… Learn! please email Principal Wendy Preston at principal.beachcombers@shaw. ca.

For more information about Beachcombers Academy & Little Oysters Preschool please visit the website at www.BeachcombersSchool.ca.

Open House Monday, March 7th, 2016 10:30 am to 1:00 pm.

himself on an even bigger stage when he released the political protest song “Harperman” and was suspended from his job as a federal government scientist two months after the song was posted on YouTube.

He chose to retire while the investigation into whether he breached the federal government’s values and ethics code for public servants was taking place. The song propelled Turner into the national spotlight and garnered him an international award.

Turner and Caspi will bring their songs and their stories to the Comox United Church Hall at 250 Beach Dr. The show, which starts at 7 p.m., is all-ages, and admission is $15 or pay what you can.

For more information, contact Comox United Church at 250-339-3966.

For more information about Shawna Caspi, please visit www.shawnacaspic.om For more information about Tony Turner, please visit www.tonyturner.ca

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.MARCH 4, 2016

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