Comox Valley Record, July 26, 2023

Local hero awarded with Citizen Service Award but faces an uncertain future

“It was a quiet evening and there were not many customers,” said Comox Esso station co-owner Junyi Liu. “I was the only one there when it happened.”

It was just before 7 p.m., on May 20, that a woman crashed into a gas pump resulting in an immediate blaze.

“I was looking outside through the window when the vehicle hit the pump,”says Liu. “At that moment, I just pressed all the emergency buttons, grabbed the extinguisher, and ran outside.”

Once Liu witnessed the extent of the uncontainable blaze, he went straight to the car.

“I opened the driver’s door and took (the woman) out of her vehicle and moved her somewhere safe,” said Liu.

Though he briefly experienced fear, Liu’s instinct automatically kicked in.

“Everything I did was just automatic, I didn’t think about anything. It went so fast.”

A few minutes later, the Comox Fire Rescue arrived on the scene.

“It was a very spectacular fire,”said Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. “I didn’t realize the efforts that he had done until after we had seen some videos of him pulling out the woman. It was quite remarkable.”

Battling the blaze for more than three hours, and witnessing the firsthand damage caused by the flames, Schreiner noted that without Liu’s intervention, the event could have taken a darker turn.

“It was a very quick action on his part and more than likely save the life of the person in the car,” says Schreiner. “He made a big difference and

risked his own well-being in doing so.”

Citizen Service Award

On July 12, Comox Mayor Nicole Minions and Schreiner awarded Liu with the Citizen Service Award.

Granted only to those who perform outstanding civic acts, Liu was considered deserving of this distinction by the town council and fire de-

partment of Comox.

“It’s very rare (that we give this award),” says Schreiner. “In this particular case, he saved a life, which is something that the fire department couldn’t do because we could not be there that fast.”

Liu humbly received the award.

Comox Mayor Nicole Minions (left) and Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner (right) awarded Junyi Liu the Citizen Service Award on July 12, after the man saved a woman from the fire at the Comox Esso gas station on the night of May 20. (Photo from Town of Comox’s Twitter)

‘He saved a life’: Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner

Continued from Page A1

“That was a big surprise,”admits Liu. “I didn’t think that I did something big. I think anyone else who would have been there would have done the same thing as I did.”

An uncertain future

Despite being rewarded and praised by various community leaders, Liu’s future remains in a

precarious state.

Immigrating from China in 2015, the 40-yearold man devoted all of his life’s savings to buying the Esso gas station along with his cousin.

However, with the event that unfolded on May 20, Liu is left with nothing.

“It’s hard to say it and how I feel right now,” says Liu. “I was very busy when I was working there. I almost work every day, but now I have nothing to do.

“It looks like we won’t be able to rebuild the business with the money from the insurance company.”

But more importantly than the financial losses, Liu mentions that owning this venture was his opportunity to gain his permanent residency.

Now, he has to go through the immigration process all over again.

Regardless of the challenges he’s currently facing, Liu still adorns a shy but permanent smile.

Optimistic, the man has no intentions to leave the Valley - the place he now calls home.

“I’ve been here for eight years and it’s very beautiful,” says Liu.

“But the most beautiful part is actually the people here. Every time I came back from China people would say ‘Welcome home.’ It makes me feel very good. I like it here. If I have the chance to live here, I would like to dedicate myself to this community.”

The intriguing story behind Courtenay’s thrifted century-old guitar

know for sure how the instrument first came into the family, she speculates that her father gifted it to her mother.

On July 7, the Record published an article about the purchase and refurbishing of a century-old guitar found in a Courtenay thrift store.

Shortly after, Facebook user Kimberley Preston-Stevens commented: “This is crazy, I actually donated that guitar!”

In an attempt to unravel the instrument’s intriguing history, the Record reached out to Preston-Stevens and managed to track its history back to 1936.

“My earliest recollection of the guitar was when I was in Flin Flon, Manitoba,” says Preston-Stevens’s aunt Dorene Craig. “I remember my mother playing it when I was five.” Craig, 92, was born in Winnipeg, Man., in 1931. Though she does not

“My father was a repair jeweller, and he worked in Winnipeg, Manitoba for several years,” says Craig. “I think that he must have bought the guitar from someone in Winnipeg. He always wanted to give gifts to my mother.”

In 1936, when Craig was five years old, the family moved north of the 54th parallel to cold Flin Flon, Man. It’s there that Craig first remembers hearing her mother play the guitar at the city’s Pentecostal church.

“I don’t believe my mother ever had any lessons,” says Craig. “She just picked it right up and could play by ear. She was just following the music.

“I remember her playing at church services and when people came over to the house. Everyone would sing as she was playing.”

Craig recalls the sound coming out of the Hilo Hawaiian steel guitar to be a blissful one.

A little less than two decades after moving to Flin Flon, Craig got married and eventually moved to Southern California with her husband in 1955. When she had her daughter in 1961, her parents joined her and left the guitar behind in Manitoba.

It was only after the passing away of Craig’s mother that the guitar would make its reappearance in the family.

Brian Preston, Craig’s brother, embarked on a journey to trace back the guitar. After several phone calls and a few plane rides, the brother brought the lap steel to Campbell River.

“He thought it was a remembrance of his mother,”said Craig. “Every year I went up to see my him, I would see the guitar. My brother didn’t know how to play it so he just had it sitting in the living room by the fireplace.”

Five years ago, Brian Preston passed away.

His daughter, Kimberley Preston-Stevens, inherited the guitar and eventually donated the instrument to Courtenay’s Value Village.

It’s there that Comox Valley thrifter Jean Sarazzin bought the guitar last winter and called a local business to restore the guitar.

Once Sarazzin collected the restored guitar, he acknowledged that it would be a shame if the acoustic instrument left the Valley without ever being played in front of local music lovers.

Not a guitar player himself, Sarazzin agreed to lend his guitar to local musician Anela Kahiamoe.

Kahiamoe is set to showcase the guitar’s unique sound on July 27 at Comox’s Little Red Church. Co-headlining the 7:30 event with Anela will be choir director, jazz performer, and singer Jenn Forsland.

The event is sold out.

Olivier Laurin Record staff

The Hilo Hawaiian Steel Guitar style 695 serial # 3032, in its original shape. Photo supplied

The City of Courtenay plans to pay more for RCMP next year, capping off an 80 per cent increase since 2010.

Council approved a plan “in principle”to fund 3.5 per cent pay raises and $3,000 body cameras in next year’s RCMP contract. It’s the latest in a series that rose Courtenay’s policing contracts from $3.9 million to $7 million over 14 years.

Council’s approval is unofficial but signals that final approval will come before May of next year.

Councillor Melanie McCollum told the Record that the city approves contract hikes because of necessity. Council is not happy but feels it depends on RCMP to keep the community safe.

“It’s very difficult to do policing under any other system,” said McCollum. “It’s very frustrating because we as a municipality have no control over costs, and we are just told what the cost is.”

Council similarly approved hikes that came down the line in the previous nine contracts leading to RCMP’s cur-

rent deal. Pay raises for each RCMP member were factored in, alongside other expense increases.

“It’s basically this escalating cost that’s increasingly unaffordable.”

To pay for next year’s increase, the city would need a tax increase of 0.67 per cent, according to a city report. The

change would push costs over the city budget that was published in April.

The budget had already included an increase to residential property taxes of 8.6 per cent. Policing was noted as a leading cost in the books, comprising roughly one-fifth of operating expenses faced by the city.

Local and national pay raises

While costs increased for nearly a decade locally, the city also recently caught a bill from Ottawa.

Last year, a negotiation from the federal government took effect. It made Courtenay responsible to pay seven years of mostly back-dated pay raises.

As a result, the city’s contract with RCMP saw a year-overyear increase tripling that of the year before. The contract grew by roughly $740,000 without raising the number of officers.

Courtenay council in April said local governments would be forced to make difficult decisions to accommodate the change. Examples given were the possibilities of “cutting essential services, reducing polic-

ing levels, raising property taxes significantly, and/or cancelling work on local infrastructure,” council said.

Since 2010, the RCMP allotment in Courtenay has grown by three RCMP members (to allow a maximum of 31.4). In recent years, however, the detachment has seen vacancies of between 4 and 5.

The Record connected with Comox Valley RCMP, but the media relations officer declined to comment.

Crime in Courtenay

Policing costs aren’t the only thing that rose in recent history.

Between 2011 and 2021, the city saw an increase in criminal offences that closely resembles the contract hikes.

Offences in Courtenay rose 64 per cent between these years, according to data from the Province of B.C. The numbers are the most recent from the province to show crime trends in the area.

The Record created a graph to show the data. It contains the history of crime in Courtenay and its neighbour Comox, which this year was reported to have one of the lowest per-capita policing costs and crime rates in the province.

RCMP seeking assistance in Courtenay Canada Day fraud

Erin Haluschak

The Comox Valley RCMP is asking for public assistance to identify three suspects as more than $4,500 of welding equipment was taken from Canadian Tire on Canada Day.

On July 1, three suspects were seen on surveillance at Canadian Tire in Courtenay as they emptied out boxes of inexpensive items and replaced those items with significantly more expensive merchandise. The suspects left the store after allegedly only paying for the inexpensive items.

Anyone who believes they know the identity of the suspects, or has information about this incident, is asked to contact Comox Valley RCMP at (250) 338-1321 and refer to file number 2023-10502.

Record staff

- Comox Valley RCMP

Three suspects were seen on surveillance at Canadian Tire in Courtenay as they emptied out boxes of inexpensive items and replaced those items with significantly more expensive merchandise. Photo by Comox Valley RCMP/Submitted

More than $4,500 of welding equipment was taken from Canadian Tire

City of Courtenay launches survey to gain public insight into priorities

The City of Courtenay has partnered with Forum Research Inc. to conduct a telephone and online Resident Survey – Your Courtenay, Your Voice. The survey launches today, July 24, 2023, to gather thoughts and opinions from the community. Access the survey at https://survey. forumresearch.com/SE/1/COR2/

The online survey will be open until August 13. Once complete, the survey will:

• Provide input for the City’s strategic planning and budget process;

• Identify and confirm strategic priorities;

• Identify priority issues, programs and services;

• Gauge resident awareness of, and satisfaction

with, City programs and services;

• Identify service gaps or opportunities;

• Provide data for the City’s ongoing continuous improvement efforts.

City of Courtenay residents (18 years or older) will either be contacted at random by a live telephone interviewer or have the option to participate in the survey online. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete and will be strictly voluntary, anonymous, and confidential.

For more information about the survey or experience issues with the online survey, please contact Forum Research at 416-960-9600 or inquiry@ forumresearch.com.

Sewer Extension South awaits provincial approval, rather than a vote

A vote may be unnecessary to move forward with the Sewer Extension South project, as the Comox Valley Regional District can gain approval through other means.

The extension project can be green-lit by provincial authorities rather than a referendum, CVRD told the Record. The approval would mean Union Bay and Royston households take on some construction costs for sewers, and that ongoing maintenance costs are shared by everyone on Comox Valley’s sewer system, including households in Courtenay and Comox.

As the Record reported in May, septic systems of Royston and Union Bay are the target of a new district project. The Comox Valley Regional District plans to replace these septic systems by introducing a sewer extension to the area.

The extension aims to stop pollution suspected to be coming from failing septics systems and to lay the groundwork for future development in the south Valley region.

There is a lot of review and public consultation to be done before the province gives its final approval, however, provincial authorities have been supportive so far, according to liquid waste manager Darry Monteith.

“It has been made clear though that protecting Baynes Sound is a high priority because of its cultural, heritage and environmental value,” she said. “The recent award of grant funding also indicates that this project is a priority.”

In 2023, the province announced a $30 million grant to help CVRD fund the project.

The sewer extension was previously a decision in the public’s hands. Affected communities voted in 2016, leading the project to be cancelled.

Soon, however, Sewer Extension South will be in the hands of the province.

In a different way of gaining approval for the project, the CVRD is adding the sewer extension to a long-term plan that manages waste in the Valley. The district started an “addendum” in 2022 to add the project to its Liquid Waste Management Plan.

The waste management plan is an outline submitted to the Province of B.C. If the province approves, CVRD gains the authority to move forward with the plan’s individual projects.

The situation changed between 2016 and the present because the district did not have a Liquid Management Waste Plan beforehand; this meant it could not borrow money.

The liquid waste management plan has been in the works since 2018. It undergoes years of review from local commissions, committees and the Province of B.C. before getting approval.

Monteith said the contributions from each local and provincial authority, combined with public input, ensure a fulsome approach to waste planning. The goal is to ensure that human health and the environment are protected as sewage systems move forward in the Valley.

The CVRD recently completed three openhouse sessions, including in the affected communities of Royston and Union Bay.

The process is in stage two of three and is expected to be completed in 2026.

Lockyourbike securely.Securetheframe, not just frontor rearwheel.Biketheftscan occur at anytime -day ornight.Remember to parkyourbike in awell-litarea

Connor McDowell Record staff

Comox Vampire groundbreaking to preserve military history

pire Pavillion.

Members of 19 Wing Comox and the Comox Valley Air Force Museum are taking the next steps to mark the centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force in 2024 with a very special display.

On July 20, a special groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Comox Heritage Airpark for the future Vam-

The goal is to bring the aircraft back into public display at the park on Military Row with the construction of a pavilion to house the Vampire, as the aircraft is primarily constructed of wood.

In 1948, the Air Force purchased 85 Vampires that were primarily assigned to auxiliary squadrons, and served the RCAF for 10 years. The Vampire never actually flew in Comox, howev-

er, its affiliation is with 442 Squadron (Transport and Rescue Squadron at 19 Wing) which initially flew out of Sea Island – now known as Vancouver International Airport prior to moving to its current location.

In December 1945, the Vampire became the first jet to operate from an aircraft carrier, the HMS Ocean, and a few years later in 1948, it set the world altitude record of 59,500 feet. That same year in July, it became the first

jet to fly the Atlantic crossing from the United Kingdom to Goose Bay, N.L. By the early 1950s, it had been determined that Vampires had been outstripped by newer jet aircraft, and by 1958, the Vampires were replaced by F-86 Sabres.

The goal is to raise $1.5 million for the construction of the pavilion to house the Vampire, and project team member Dave Mellin said fundraising efforts are nearly halfway toward

their goal.

19 Wing Honorary Colonel (HCol) Robert Quartermain also spoke at the groundbreaking event and said he would match donations from the public up to $50,000.

For more information or to donate to the project, visit comoxairforcemuseum.ca or stop by the Comox Air Force Museum on Military Row in Comox adjacent to the entry to CFB Comox.

Dignitaries and former and current military members gathered July 20 for an official groundbreaking ceremony for the Vampire Pavillion in Comox. From left to right: HCol. Robert Quartermain, project lead Dave Mellin, North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney, Col. (Ret’d) Sid Burrows, 19 Wing Comm. Col. J. P. Gagnon, 19 Wing Chief Warrant Officer Donald Farr and Vampire Pavilion committee lead Maj. Kevin Stevens. Photo by Erin Haluschak/Black Press

Summer celebration at Berwick Comox Valley

Olivier Laurin

Record staff

On a warm Thursday afternoon (July 20), residents of Berwick Comox Valley, alongside their friends and family members, enjoyed a wide range of appetizers elaborated by executive chef Ian Murphy. The invitation was also extended to people on the wait-

ing list.

The theme of the celebration: Summer!

“We just wanted to say thanks to everyone, including the people on our waiting list, and celebrate summer,” says community relations manager Joleen Shaw.

To go along with the feast, partygoers enjoyed live music and could participate in vari-

ous activities.

“We have Luke Blu Guthrie and Anela Kahiamoe playing the guitar out front,” adds Shaw.

“There’s also a photo booth and we’re printing those pictures in real-time so people can take a little momentum of their day.”

More than 200 people attended the celebration.

Summer celebration at Berwick Comox Valley, with live music and a delightful variety of appetizers. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

Berwickis a secondgeneration, family-runbusiness with a reputation forofferinganunparalleled standardoflivingwiththeamenitiesof a friendly andvibrantcommunity BerwickComoxValley offers independentolderadults a lifestylewithdiverse active livingprogrammingdesignedtohelp youlive active longer Simplylive andenjoyyourbestlife herewithus.

Over 200 people enjoyed a lively summer celebration at Berwick Comox Valley. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

Berwick executive chef Ian Murphy. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

orfinancefrom $299

Offer(s)availableonselectnewmodelsthroughparticipatingdealerstoqualifiedretailcustomers,onapprovedcredit,whotakedeliveryfromJuly1to31,2023.Allpricingandpaymentsincludedeliveryanddestinationfeesupto$1,900,$595documentation fee,$25tirefeeand$100A/Ccharge(whereapplicable).Excludesothertaxes,paintcharges($250,whereapplicable),licensing,PPSA,registration,insurance,variabledealeradministrationfeesanddownpayment(ifapplicableandunlessotherwisespecified). 2024Seltosbiweeklypaymentbasedon84monthsat6.49%APR.TotalPaid$54,418,2023Sportagebiweeklypaymentbasedon84monthsat5.99%APR.TotalPaid$43,498,2023NiroEVPremiumbasedon84monthsat6.49%,TotalPaid $55,267.Calculated usingprovincialandfederalEVincentiverebatestotalling$9000aftertax.2024Carnivalbiweeklypaymentbasedon84monthsat6.49%APR.TotalPaid$54,418.Otherleaseandfinancingoptionsalsoavailable.Dealersmaysellorleaseforless.Someconditions apply.Seedealerforcompletedetails.Vehiclesshownmayincludeoptionalaccessoriesandupgradesavailableatextracost.Alloffersaresubjecttochangewithoutnotice.°Unlimitedroadsideassistanceisonlyapplicableon2017modelsandonward.Formore informationonour5-yearwarrantycoverage,visit

orcallusat1-877-542-2886.Informationinthisadvertisementisbelievedtobeaccurateatthetimeofprinting.KiaisatrademarkofKiaCorporation.

Club recognized for donating food to Comox Valley Schools

Connor McDowell

staff

Comox Valley Schools thanks the Glacier Newcomers’Alumnae Association for fundraising and donating dry foods to students at School District 71 over the past two years.

Since the fall of 2021, the association donated over $16,400 along with wagon-loads of dry foods for students at nine schools.

In September 2021, members of the Glacier Newcomers’ Alumnae Association approached district staff and suggested they could donate funds and food products to

help learners get a good meal while at school.

The association collected funds through 50/50 draws and personal donations, and collected dry goods at their monthly meetings.

During the school year, members visit schools every month or two, where they meet with staff, drop off a wagon full of dry goods, and visit with students.

“The remarkable contributions of the Glacier Newcomers’Alumnae Association have had a profound impact on our schools and students,” said Geoff Manning, acting superintendent of Comox Valley Schools.

“Their generosity in donating funds and food for our lunch programs has made a significant difference in ensuring learners have access to nutritious meals. We are truly grateful for GNAA’s unwavering support over the last two years and for their dedication to helping our students thrive.”

The Glacier Newcomers’ Alumnae Association’s contributions exceeded all expectations, and these donations made a big difference in our schools for students.

Comox Valley Schools is incredibly grateful for their generosity towards our students.

Since 2021, the Glacier Newcomers’ Alumnae Association donated over $16,400 along with wagon-loads of dry foods for students at nine schools.

DearDoctors:

Itookmy 13 yearold sonforacheckup. The dentist examined him andclaimshe has 16 cavities! Hebrushestwice aday–always. Howisthiseven possible?

Answer:

Brushing‘twice aday’ has many connotations. Hereisapossibleexample ofa typical teenager’sday. They wakeupandeatbreakfast, typically cereal,oatmeal,orperhaps some eggs andtoast.Hopefullytheybrushtheir teethbeforetheyhead outthe door. They leavewithasugared coffeeortheirfavourite icedtea inhandandhead toschool. What’swrongwiththispicture? He may have nullified hismorningbrushingbecause his teethare coatedwithstarch, sugar,lactose, andmorefrombreakfast&beverage! At 10:30-10:45 duringtheSpare,hegets arice krispeesquarefromthecafeteriaplusanother bottle of icedtea. Lunchismoreprocessed food,suchaspizza pop,hotdog, or typical sandwiches withabagofchips. Classes continue allafternoon, andduringthatSpare heretrieves askittles from hisbag. Itclings to histeethfor 90minutes.

Schoolsout.Typically snackingtimefor teens.Dinnermightbe highstarch‘mac and cheese’,orperhaps chicken fingers&fries, orburger andfries.Thisis ‘highnutrition’ fortoday’s millennials.Onwardto‘game’for 1-2 hours. DuringGameboy,hevisits the fridgeforanythingremotelyedible andchugs morebeveragesin 6secondsflat.Perhaps a homework discussionwithparentsensues. He may havea snack in thebedroomor another beverage. On average,thisyoung man willpassfoodorbeverages past histeeth 11 times per day. Therepeat exposureofsugars throughfrequent snackingand drinking causethe acidityinhismouthtoremainhigh andallows plaque to accumulateon histeeth. Hisbrushing in themorning wasnegated. His 16 cavities suggestedhe may snackafter eveningbrushing. Heneedstobrushproperly at least twice dailybut his continual intake of snacks, beverages, andprocessedfoods barraged him. Doyouneedtobea dietetic scientisttoseethecarnagehe has created?

Theanswer isNO.Gobackto3squaremeals aday.Brush twice aday,floss, and expectonly theodd cavityin acheckup.We didcontact thismother,andshe admittedhe “likes” his sportbeverages, andsucks onthroat lozenges non-stop.Hismorningbrushingis in the shower.Andno–he doesn’tfloss. Herdentist did pickuponthatpart!Thisistoo common anoccurrenceinmanypractices today.

Record

Photo submitted

Has social media reached its peak?

Take social media, for example.

also social value – in the internet.

Editorial

Ducking blame is not getting housing built

There’s an old saying that the best time to plant a tree is 30 years ago. The second best time is now.

This is applicable to the situation around homelessness and supportive housing.

When should we have course corrected on providing more low-income and subsidized housing for the ever-increasing number of people losing their homes and finding themselves on the streets?

It would have been nice if former premier John Horgan had made building thousands of units of new housing across B.C. a major priority the second he entered office in 2017.

Then again, it also would have been great had the provincial Liberal governments under premiers Christy Clark or Gordon Campbell, in office from 2001, done more to stem the tide of the housing crisis.

No matter which city or town you live in, the housing crisis affects you.

It may not be as visible in Comox or Cumberland as it is in Courtenay, but it exists. And as aesthetically evident as the homelessness problem in Courtenay is, the larger cities have an even bigger problem.

Yet, when approached, all levels of government will say similar things: “We can’t do it without the help of the province or the feds,” or “it’s a difficult problem to tackle,” usually followed with back-patting as to how much their particular level of government has done to tackle the problem.

And yet, the crisis continues to grow.

Ducking blame is a fun sport for politicians.

But it doesn’t help build supportive housing, it doesn’t build subsidized housing, and it doesn’t build seniors housing.

The best time to create a sensible long-term plan to increase the housing supply, build more co-ops and low-income units, and open more drug and mental health treatment spaces was 30 years ago. The second best time is now.

-Black Press Media

■ Matthew Claxton GUEST COLUMN

Do you remember the feeling of getting a shiny new toy on Christmas Day, unwrapping it, and immediately wanting to play with it?

For me, it was probably a He-Man action figure, for kids of an earlier generation it might have been one of the first Barbie or GI Joe toys, later kids have had plenty of video games and Pokémon card packs.

By early spring, you notice that you haven’t played with that new toy in a while.

The shine has worn off. The paint is scuffed. You’ve broken the Power Punch Action by using it 200 times.

I’m starting to feel like it’s three months after Christmas for the internet.

Every decade since the early-1990s, when websites made their debut, there’s been something new and shiny to hold our attention. Wikis! Streaming video! Social networks! Smartphones, which put all of the above in our pockets!

But I think we might finally have run through every shiny and new iteration of things we can do online.

Facebook currently has about 2.93 billion active users. It might hit 3 billion, someday. Or it might not. Growth has slowed, and once you’ve acquired more than 36 per cent of all living humans on your site, you can safely assume you’re close to a plateau. Everyone who can use Facebook knows it exists. If they aren’t using it, what will convince them to start now?

And yet, Facebook is probably the high-water mark for any kind of social media site.

TikTok may be growing, but it’s at 1 billion users. Do you really think everyone on Facebook, and Twitter, and YouTube, and Twitch will abandon their current site of choice and switch? Or will TikTok also hit a plateau, and then begin a long, slow decline – as Facebook and Instagram likely already have?

(Twitter is the exception – its current owner seems determined to burn it to the ground before it can fade away.)

We’ve done social media. We’ve edited wikis. We’ve written blogs. We’ve posted photos. We’ve subscribed to too many podcasts.

Yes, we’ll keep doing those things. Yes, there is still value – business value, but

But it’s not a shiny new toy anymore.

For the last three or four years, there have been multiple attempts to create some new, cool thing on the internet.

Most of them have been extremely sad.

The push to create some kind of ill-defined metaverse/virtual reality realm only lasted about a year. Before that, everything was NFTs and crypto, all services would be “on the blockchain,” whether that made any sense or not.

None of them made any headway.

It’s probably for the best that the shine is wearing off the internet. It’s there, it’s useful, it’s a part of our lives, like phones were by the 1920s, or commercial air travel was by the 1970s.

Unfortunately, after 30 years of hype, the Silicon Valley types are still trying to find the pure dopamine hit of the next big thing. Or at least their owners are. It’s becoming a billionaire’s race to the bottom. They’re desperate to keep the internet from being boring.

But nothing’s more pathetic than someone trying so hard to be cool.

Matthew Claxton is a reporter at the Langley Times Advance, a Black Press publication.

LETTERS to the Editor

Send your letter to editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com. Please keep letters to a maximum of 350 words and sign with your name

and hometown. We reserve the right to publish and to edit for space/clarity. Please keep letters topical.We will not

run letters advocating for or against individual businesses (those associated with published news articles notwithstanding).

Email: editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are the sole opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the paper.

Indigenous Canada Day insert pleases Comox reader

Dear editor,

Thank-you for the insert of the Canada Day flag in the recent Record.

Ever since I saw this version a few years ago, I immediately felt that it was tremen-

dously appropriate. I felt it represented me as well as Indigenous citizens. Using the traditional Canadian maple leaf design and keeping the same red/white bar layout with the maple leaf in the middle, then overlaying

Indigenous designs on the red seemed very inclusive.

I felt it represented the original inhabitants and traditional keepers of this land as well as everyone else who came after, including

me, as settlers. I think it should become our national flag and I proudly hang my fabric version of this flag on Canada Day.

Christy Faraher-Amidon, Comox

Governments count on voter apathy to push their agendas through

Dear editor,

I read Edwin Grieve’s letter in the Record this morning. I agree with Edwin that people need to get out to vote when they have the opportunity. However, it isn’t surprising that voters become apathetic when the results of a referendum don’t satisfy the local government’s expectations and state that their plan “fails.”

For example, residents of Royston and Union Bay voted down the proposed Sewer Extension South Project (SESP) in 2016 because of the high cost for each property owner to pay. The feedback the Comox Valley Regional District received clearly shows this. It also shows that most people in the affected area support having a sewer system. You can read it, online, in their own propaganda.

GIVING BACK!

The Comox Valley is filled with businesses, organizations and individuals helping improve the lives of others. Comox Valley Record likes to recognize the many events that make our community a better place to live. Email your photos and submissions to editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Now, the CVRD has found a new way to proceed with SESP without residents being able to vote on it. And the price per homeowner is just as pricey as it was before and will likely be higher.

Yes, there was a small window of opportunity to provide feedback but that window closed June 30 and without cost-sharing details being made available. (i.e. How much are each of

the “partners” chipping in?)

It’s no surprise that people will just throw up their hands and say, “If my vote means nothing why bother?” My answer to that is: You need to bother because local governments can count on that apathy to push their agendas through.

Michael Goodhelpsen Royston

Crime S toppers will pay cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of persons involved in criminal activities in the Comox Valley.

New peer group for people affected by substance use

A peer group will be starting in the Comox Valley for people who support a loved one that uses or used substances.

The Holding Hope support groups fall under the umbrella of Moms Stop The Harm (MSTH), a network of Canadian families impacted by harms and deaths due to substance use.

Holding Hope provides mutual support and

healing by coming together to share stories, information and resources. The group aims to provide reassurance that no one is alone. The goal is to provide a safe place to build strength and resilience for families or friends who feel overwhelmed in supporting their loved ones. They provide a safe place to support, connect and share without stigma. The Holding Hope support group is free to attend, but registration is required.

Those who are interested can register via email to holdinghopecomoxvalley@gmail.com. The group has not yet set a meeting place.

Connor McDowell Record staff

The Holding Hope support groups fall under the umbrella of Moms Stop The Harm (MSTH), a network of Canadian families impacted by harms and deaths due to substance use.

ARTS ENTERTAINMENT& Comox Valley gallery features Courtenay artist Joe Ziner

SUBMITTED

Black Press

When I used to fish… is Joe Ziner’s visual record of a lifetime of creative production, primarily focused on printmaking, with intriguing forays into sculpture and drawing.

Ziner pioneered the Japanese art of Gyotaku (fish printing) on Vancouver Island, and his extensive collection traces the history of using nature prints to record the fisherman’s catch.

The son of working artists, Ziner was inspired to become an artist, encouraged by the recognition that creative output is real work. Ziner has ranged up and down the West Coast, from Vancouver to Alaska, supporting himself as a woods worker and fisherman as he appreciated living an adventure-filled, artistic existence.

In the early 1980s, Ziner’s interest in printmaking expanded to include screen printing and letterpress, and he soon set up his own print shop in Courtenay. In 1999, Ziner spent the year producing his artist book The Dinghy, made with woodcut prints and lead type.

The story is inspired by his personal journals, written while Ziner was liv-

ing in seclusion, lakeside on a coastal island. Produced in an edition of 36, copies of The Dinghy are held in the collections of the Canadiana section of the British Library, the Red Path

Library at McGill University, and other public and private collections.

The story captures the cultural ethos of the West Coast during the 1970s. Ziner’s woodcut print Overview, Hem-

ming Lake, Thurlow Island (2004) provides an epigraph to the story, with its depiction of Ziner perched on a high bluff, listening to the gear grinding, rumbling intrusion of the

logging trucks below.

With more than 50 years of creative output, Ziner creates art to record the world he lives in deep relationship with; the people, the places, and most especially the fish. For Ziner, fish printing began a lifelong fascination with printing processes.

If you’ve ever left the Laughing Oyster Book Shop in Courtenay with a bookmark, you have held one of Ziner’s prints in your hand. He has designed 40 bookmarks for the Laughing Oyster over the past 23 years. A commemorative print of the full collection will be available for purchase, both at Artful : The Gallery and Laughing Oyster Book Shop. When I used to fish… is often the initiating signal for tales of adventure, hilarity, the uncanny and the unimaginable. Come share your fish tales at Artful : The Gallery. Opening reception with the artist in attendance is set for July 29, from 7 to 9 p.m.

The exhibition runs July 26 through Sept 2nd at Artful : The Gallery, 526C Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC. Gallery Hours: Wed to Sat., 12 to 5 p.m. Visit artfulthegallery.com or follow us on Instagram @artfulthegallery.

Joe Ziner pioneered the Japanese art of Gyotaku (fish printing) on Vancouver Island. Photo supplied

The music of Robert Schumann coming to Comox

Kaimerata pays tribute to 19th-century composer

Robert Schumann was not only one of the greatest composers of the 19th century, but his wife Clara was one of that century’s greatest pianists.

And Kai Gleusteen is not only a brilliant violinist but his wife Catherine Ordronneau is one of the most remarkable pianists ever to perform in the Comox Valley. Ordronneau has been responsible for preparing a massive amount of music for this year’s festival and organizers are looking forward to hearing her amazing performances in all the works except when she is allowed a much-needed break for the string quartet.

This year’s 10th Kaimerata Festival features some of Schumann’s greatest chamber music masterpieces, as well as two brilliant solo piano works that Schumann composed for his wife Clara. In addition to concerts on Denman Island and in Parksville, Kaimerata will also host two concerts at Comox United Church.

The first concert on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. will include Kinderszen – Scenes From Childhood - a set of pieces for solo piano that are not children’s pieces but rather an adult’s reflections on childhood. Many pieces in this set will be familiar to audiences. Also in this program are the second Sonata for Violin and Piano and the first Piano Trio.

The second concert on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. will feature excerpts from works that can be heard in their entirety at the concerts on Denman Island on the following weekend. These include the Piano Quartet and Quintet

which are arguably two of the greatest chamber music works of the 19th century as well as the second String Quartet and the exquisite Fantasiestüke for violin, cello and piano.

Gleusteen hails originally from Calgary and Ordronneau is from Paris but for the past two decades they have been based in Barcelona, Spain spending their summers on Denman Island with Kai’s parents. The Kaimerata Festivals are held every year in Barcelona before being brought to Vancouver Island. Gleusteen and Ordronneau will be

AC/DC tribute taking the stage at Simms Park

Rock or Bust brings the music of AC/DC to Simms Park on Sunday, July 30 at 7 p.m. as part of the free Simms Concert Series.

Rock or Bust, the ultimate AC/DC tribute band, was founded in 2019 and has played from northern B.C. and Alberta to rock crowds as far as Los Cabo Mexico. The band is made up of musicians that play the part of the original AC/DC band members to deliver the look and sound of the real deal.

joined this year by Kaimerata veterans Dan Scholz and Beth Root Sandvoos on viola and cello respectively. A welcome newcomer to Kaimerata this ear is Quebec violinist Paule Prefontaine.

Comox United Church (now air-conditioned) is located at 250 Beech Drive in Comox. Both concerts begin at 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online at Kaimerata. com or (cash only) at the door. Ticket prices are $25 for a single concert or $45 for both concerts.

This is a high-energy show that will have you out of your seats rockin’ till the end of the show and wanting more with hits such as Highway to Hell, Shook Me All Night Long, Hells Bells, Back in Black and many more of AC/DC’s other great songs.

Simms Millennium Park is located by the 5th Street Bridge and across from Lewis Park. Please bring your own lawn chair or blanket. Other featured Simms Park performances on Sundays at 7 p.m. include The Sharp 7’s on August 20 and Jeff Plankenhorn on August 27. A Food Bank Drive will also be included as part of the August 27 concert.

For concert information, call the Courtenay Recreation Lewis Centre at 250-338-5371 or get updated information at courtenay.ca/simms.

Violinist Kai Gleusteen and pianist Catherine Ordronneau are in the Comox Valley for the Kaimerata Chamber Music Festival. Photo supplied

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‘A huge success’: It’s a wrap!

Despite feeling exhausted after this year’s festival, Vancouver Island Musicfest’s artistic director and producer Doug Cox is delighted by how the event turned out.

“I don’t think it could have gone any better,” says Cox. “From all ends it was a huge success.”

According to Cox, this success is in large part due to the 1,200 volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event come to life.

With the presence of more than 9,000 concertgoers, Cox extends his thanks to the crowd.

“The energy was phenomenal,” adds Cox. “It was peaceful, respectful, and wonderful. We didn’t have a single arrest or a single forced removal from the festival site.”

This year’s festival showcased the potential of more than 50 bands and 250 musicians coming from all over the world. More than being an artistic event, the festival has proven over the years to be an economic powerhouse for the Valley.

“There have been numerous surveys done and they say that

Lead singer and guitarist of the Jack Semple Band performed on the last night of the Vancouver Island Musicfest at the venue’s main stage. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

for every dollar spent on producing a festival, there’s three to four dollars that come back to the host community,” explains Cox. “Our operating budget was around $1.8 million this year. Multiply this by 3.5 and that would give you a pretty good estimate of what comes back into the community.”

Adding onto the economic benefits generated by the event, Cox emphasizes the positive impact of the festival on the attendees’ mental health.

“I have so many people that

have written to me through Facebook or via email to say that the festival brought their spirit back and restored their hope for humanity,” says Cox. With final thanks to the support of more than 130 sponsors who made this event possible, Cox wishes to see everyone next year.

“If you don’t know what Musicfest is about, please come, check it out, and join us,” says Cox. “Become a volunteer or just come as an audience member next year because you will be moved.”

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For nearly a century, the Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club keeps on rolling

Inclusive sport aims to break stereotypes

Olivier Laurin Record staff

This story is part of the Comox Valley Record’s summer edition of Trio Magazine, published quarterly and available throughout the Comox Valley. The summer edition is available at the Record office (407D Fifth St.) and at businesses throughout the Comox Valley.

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The Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club wants to dispel stereotypes surrounding the sport.

Legend has it that explorer Sir Francis Drake - the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world - was playing lawn bowling on the shores of

England when the Spanish Armada appeared in the distance.

Despite the impending assault from the Spanish war fleet, Drake calmly insisted on finishing his game.

Tracing its origins back to ancient Egypt, this ‘sport of kings’ is now accessible to the general public, says Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club spokesperson Sandy Tonnelier.

Making its first appearance in Cumberland, lawn bowling was brought to the Valley by the Dunsmuir family in the mid-19th century.

Proud Scotsmen, they exported this tradition to the Island.

In 1926, Cumberland’s aristocracy invited Courtenay mayor Franck McPherson and his councillors to bowl.

Deeply charmed by his experience, McPherson brought the sport to Courtenay and had a bowling green built on his property. He invited mem-

bers of the community to spectate and play.

By 1935, lawn bowling became so engrained in the city’s identity that the Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club made its appearance in Lewis Park.

Nearing its 89th birthday, the club can now be found in Bill Moore Park.

Tonnelier admits that times have changed. What was once considered a noble activity is now likened to an ‘old person’s sport’ solely practiced by retired and non-competitive seniors.

“The majority of the 60 club members are over 65 years old and some are even nearing their 90th birthdays,” Tonnelier concedes.

She theorizes that this may be the reason why younger generations equates the sport with old age.

One factor that stands out is that lawn bowling is extremely inclusive, notes Tonnelier.

Continued on Page A31

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A single game of lawn bowling generally consists of 18 to 21 ends and last about two hours. The game can be played in singles, pairs, doubles, triples, or fours. Photo by Ali Roddam

Typesets and fonts play an important role in your print advertising

While typefaces have developed tremendously over the years especially today when changes can be made at the push of a button, there are some basic principles that must be kept in mind when making a choice. The first is legibility, followed by readability and aesthetics.

ica or Arial are more often used for headlines or short blocks of text.

were better for younger users.

Ihave always found typesetting a fascinating part of visual communication.

With today’s technology, there is a vast selection of different typefaces which can be quite confusing or intimidating when trying to design a website, brochure or even an ad in this newspaper.

It may seem like a matter of personal preference but research has shown that typefaces and their fonts can dramatically shape your communication and how people actually read.

Typographical scholar Beatrice Warde observed that fonts not only embody style, emotion and authority they are in fact the clothes that words wear. And when you think in those terms we all know that the way we dress speaks volumes about who we are as individuals. Warde, by the way, made a name for herself in the early 1900s as one of the very few women working in the field of typography. Her comments still resonate more than 100 years later.

Before continuing here are a few basics that will help clarify some terms. Typeface is the basic design of the letters, numbers and symbols while a font refers to the variation in width (e.g. condensed), weight (e.g. light, bold), slope (e.g. italic), size (10 pt., 14pt.) and so on.

Legibility is concerned with how individual characters can be distinguished from each other.

Readability refers to how the text can be read as a whole and aesthetics is the core design principle that involves visual elements such as balance, movement and shape.

There are two basic groups of typefaces serifs and sans-serifs. Serifs like Times New Roman or Garamond are considered best for long text passages while san-serifs like Helvet-

Ronna-RaeLeonardMLA Courtenay-ComoxConstituency

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There are many studies that have been conducted to find out how people respond to different typefaces. In one study by Adobe to determine reading speed, each participant read the same selected long passage, 300 to 500 words, but set in 16 different typefaces.

What it found was that Garamond, Helvetica, Calibri and Times were at the top with scores ranging from 312 wpm to 277 wpm.

It also discovered that age factored into the equation with reading speed dropping during middle age and different typefaces performed differently for young and older readers. For example, Garamond was better for older readers while fonts like Helvetica and Arial

This just touches the tip of the proverbial iceberg. It takes a bit of research to choose the right typefaces for your message but there are a few things to remember.

Keep it simple by limiting the number of typefaces and fonts you use. Too many makes your message confusing and unattractive.

Typesetting is an art and merely choosing a typeface because you personally like it might not bring the results you want.

However, choosing the right one can go a long way in helping to get your message across.

Joe Smith is a communications consultant and an accomplished fine artist. He can be reached via email at joesmith@shaw.ca

PleasebeadvisedthattheTownof Comox2022AnnualReportisnow availableatTownHallforpublic inspection.Copiesofthereportcan alsobefoundontheTownofComox websiteatcomox.ca/annualreport AsperSection99oftheCommunity Charter,councilwillconsideradoption oftheAnnualReportatitsRegular MeetingonJuly12,2023.

Writtensubmissionswillbeaccepted byCounciluntilnoonon Tuesday, August1,2023 andmaybeemailed tocouncil@comox.caordropped off/mailedto1809BeaufortAvenue, Comox,BCV9M1R9.

■ Joe Smith

Hullo fast ferries to start Nanaimo-Vancouver service in mid-August

KARL YU Black Press staff

New fast foot-passenger ferries servicing Nanaimo and Vancouver are expected to set sail in mid August.

In a press release, Vancouver Island Ferry Company said its pair of Hullo ferries – Sthuqi’ (pronounced sta-key) and Spuhéls (spah-els) – will begin service Aug. 14, with reservations beginning early next week.

The vessels will leave the terminal in Nanaimo at 6 a.m., 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and the Vancouver terminal at 8 a.m., 12 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. initially, with more sailings to be added later, noted the press release. Sailings from Nanaimo at 8:30 p.m. and from Vancouver at 10:30 p.m. will occur for events and special occasions.

At a media event on Thursday, July 20, Alastair Caddick, Hullo CEO, said the company is anticipating the official

launch. With 354 seats, the first price level of the ferry will offer comfort seating for $40, while the upper level offers premium seating for $50 and business seats for $60.

“We think the demand will be very high,” said Caddick. “We think people are going to like [that it’s] 100 per cent reservable … You’ll be able to select a seat the same way when you’re going on a flight or to a concert and you’re like, ‘I want to sit next to my friend and

I want to in this seat.’ That’s to be expected now of modern travel.”

Regional District of Nanaimo Transit is working on a shuttle bus service, with an estimated start in January, and Caddick said Hullo is also working on its own service, which he hopes will be in place for Aug. 14, but not guaranteed.

“We will have a brand-new parking lot that will have 300-plus spots and so certainly people can park here and that’ll help their connectivity,” said Caddick. “We will put in place a shuttle bus that will take people from the port, into downtown, and then we’re working with buses, the ride shares. We’re working with all of these different providers to ensure that we build greater connectivity over time.”

So far, 70 employees have been hired and the CEO estimated crews would be in the range of 6-10 people.

“We’ve got some flexibility based on how many passengers are on board and the service we’re going to provide,” Caddick said.

Sam Chaudhuri, Hullo operations manager, said the engine is fuelled by a blended fuel comprised

of biofuel and diesel.

“The propulsion system for this catamaran is water jet propulsion and we have four MTU engines for that,” said Chaudhuri. “Each engine is capable of delivering 1,440 kilowatts, so that makes it 5,760 kilowatts for the entire propulsion system. Apart from that, we have two Caterpillar generators for supplying electricity and hotel load.”

Tickets can be booked from Aug. 14 onwards, said the press release, but earlier sailing dates may come online after July 28.

❝ You’ll be able to select a seat the same way when you’re going on a flight or to a concert and you’re like, ‘I want to sit next to my friend and I want to in this seat.’ That’s to be expected now of modern travel.❞

ALASTAIR CADDICK, HULLO CEO

Easy to learn, no complicated rules

Continued from Page A28

Being inherently gender-neutral, lawn bowling is one of the rare sports where men and women compete on an equal basis.

“It has very little to do with whether you’re a man or a woman,” says Tonnelier.“It’s your skills that count. There is a bit of strength involved, but it’s really about skills and some of our best bowlers are women.”

The inclusivity of this game extends beyond gender. The local club has produced numerous champions who represented Canada on the world stage including visually impaired Paralympic athlete Ed McMillan.

“It’s a very fun sport,” says L’Arche resident Mandy

Smith. “It’s worth it to be able to go out and bowl on the lawn. It can be pretty competitive, but you can also just go out and have fun.”

The sport has no cumbersome or overcomplicated rules, and one can learn to bowl within half an hour.

Similar to curling but on lawn, grapefruit-sized bowls are played on long skinny stretches of pristine grass. To start, a player has to throw a small white ball called the ‘jack’ to the back section of the green.

Following this initial move, teams will have to deliver their bowls alternately and try to target the jack.

When all bowls have been rolled, the point count begins. The team closest to the jack

wins the ‘end.’

A single game generally consists of 18 to 21 ends and last about two hours. The game can be played in singles, pairs, doubles, triples, or fours.

The Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club offers one of the least expensive memberships in the Valley, according to Tonnelier. For $150, bowlers can enjoy an outdoor season from April to October and move indoors on mats for the winter at the Filberg Center.

The few things needed to practice this sport are a set of casual sporting clothes and a pair of flat-soled shoes to not damage the lawn.

For the first few tries, the club can provide new bowlers with balls and valuable mentorship to get started.

Photo by Ali Roddam

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B.C. police warn of dangers in creating 3D-printed guns

Lauren Collins Black Press Media

If you can Google, you can get the schematics to create a 3D-printed firearm or weapon, says B.C.’s anti-gang police agency.

That was the message from the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit Tuesday (July 11) warning the public, parents and their children of the dangers of 3D printers.

“You can literally go on to the internet and Google 3D printing schematics and plans, and unless there’s oversight in visibility of what is being done, there is a risk that our children might be printing things that we wouldn’t want them to have,” explained Staff Sgt. Baltej Dhillon, program manager for CFSEU’s crime guns investigative and intelligence group.

“Because it’s so new and we’re still learning ourselves the risks and dangers to it, this is an extraordinary step that we’re taking to make sure our children don’t find themselves in a situation and parents don’t find themselves in a situation that

they’re having to come to a police station and bring their child along. That make be a best-case scenario. The worst-case scenario is the child getting hurt.”

Police have dubbed them privately made firearms, but plans can also include 3D-printed “brass” knuckles, knives and grenades. CFSEU had several 3D-printed guns on display, along with a 3D printing in progress for the frame for a Glock 26.

“It really didn’t take our team long to figure out how to print from the online sources,”noted Daisy Wong, lab manager with CFSEU’s Provincial Forensic Firearms Lab.

Wong is part of a team that takes the seized items, assesses them and determines if they can readily be made into a firearm.

If they can, then it’s likely a prosecutable offence.

What the team has found is that 50 per cent of them are “failed jobs,” which have flaws and can pose structural integrity issues, but the rest are operable as is.

A 3D printer can make about 80 per cent of a firearm and

the remaining 20 per cent are all parts that are legal to purchase, such as barrels and trigger mechanisms.

Dhillon has had a decades-long career in policing, but he never expected to 3D-printed guns as a cause for concern.

“Privately made firearms are here to stay, but this technology is absolutely scary.”

Operations officer Insp. Joel Hussey said Tuesday’s warning is about being aware and mitigating the risks with what the technology can do.

“That is what is concerning to the public is that they’re being made to look like real guns –that is concerning. Also equally disturbing, as you see here, they’re made to look like toys, so they also pose that risk to public.”

In Canada, the number of privately made firearms in 2021 was “just shy of 200,”but it rose to 500 the following year.

Comparatively, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the U.S. seized about 8,500 in 2020. That number rose to 19,000 in 2021.

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Heat dome deemed deadliest in B.C. history: report

Wolfgang Depner Black press Media

The heat dome that killed 619 people two years ago was the deadliest and one of the costliest disasters in B.C.’s history and pushed critical infrastructure to the limit, pointing to various gaps in the province’s ability to respond.

Those are among the conclusions of an independent report commissioned by the provincial government and released this month.

But the report also finds that government has made important changes to how it will manage future disasters, while urging additional improvements.

The report from the Canadian Climate Institute identifies the heat wave between June 25 and 30, 2021 as the deadliest disaster in provincial history.

“We estimate that avoiding these deaths has an economic value of $5.5 billion dollars when based on the [value of a statistical life],” the authors note. “We also found that health-care costs attributed to the heat wave amounted to $12 million.”

These figures make for uncomfortable reading but only hint at the incalculable toll of

the disaster, which hit different regions and different groups differently.

“The vast majority of people who died in the 2021 heat wave were exposed to extreme temperatures in homes without functional mechanical cooling,” the report reads. “In addition, areas with a lot of asphalt and concrete surfaces and a lack of tree cover — often in socially and materially deprived neighbourhoods — experienced some of the hottest outdoor and indoor temperatures.”

The heat wave also pushed

critical infrastructure in areas such transportation, power generation and health to the limit.

“During the heat wave, a number of hospitals became dangerously hot and had critical equipment outages,” the report states.

While B.C. did not experience widespread power outages, local outages “suggest the potential for major system disruption.” Such outages would not only impact utilities and businesses, but also create the risk air conditioners, heat pumps,

chillers and fans will fail when people need them most.

The heat wave also threatened workers’ safety, lowered productivity and cut agricultural production by $25 million, the report finds, with the proviso that the outcomes could have been worse when compared to other disasters.

“While not catastrophic, these impacts are significant and highlight the importance of protecting workers across all industries and, in particular, preparing B.C.’s agricultural sector for more frequent extreme heat,” it says.

The report also finds that provincial institutions and policies were not designed to effectively respond to an event like the heat wave and that the current approach to reviewing and understanding disasters has not been optimal.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said the province took immediate action to protect people from the effects of extreme heat in the future.

“While we continue to strengthen our heat preparedness, the recent report from the Canadian Climate Institute covers a range of topics that have been comprehensively reviewed by experts — such as

the Coroner and BC Centre for Disease Control — and acted on by the [province] over the past two years,” he said.

Looking at the government’s response to specific recommendations, the province has taken steps to make an estimated 8,000 portable air conditioners available to vulnerable residents over the next three years, along with other related measures.

The province is also factoring heat-related risk into infrastructure decisions and is considering a proposal that all new residential buildings provide one living space that is designed not to exceed 26 C in temperature as part of an updated building code coming into effect in December 2023.

Government is also factoring in heat-related concerns when building new infrastructure, such as renewing and expanding long-term care facilities.

New alerts, an extreme heat preparedness guide and nearly $2 billion in funding for First Nations and municipalities have also come available in response to the recommendation that businesses and employers receive the tools and information they need to protect themselves and their employees from extreme heat.

Steps have also been taken to ensure a co-ordinated provincial response to future events and the government plans to introduce an updated Emergency Program Act this fall with a focus on disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, recovery, and climate adaptation.

Dix also pointed out that the provincial government is strengthening the ambulance service and has launched a human resource strategy to add more health-care staff throughout B.C.

The report from the Canadian Climate Institute joins other findings, such the BC Coroner’s independent death panel review, in assessing the heat wave and making recommendations.

“We are pleased to share that the [province] has completed, or made significant progress on, all recommendations provided by the BC Coroner’s independent death panel review,” Dix said.

“Experts advise us that we’re in a better place than we were in 2021. There’s no doubt that we’re going to continue facing extreme heat events in the future — and we’ll continue to take action to build on this work to keep people safe.”

Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June of 2021. A new report into the disaster that killed 619 people pegs the cost into the billions in making multiple recommendations. (Black Press Media file photo)

The Comox Valley Cougars recently competed at the Provincial Track and Field Jamboree (ages U16 - senior) in Nanaimo. Photo submitted

Comox Valley Cougars excel at competitions

SUBMITTED Black Press

The Comox Valley Cougars recently competed at the Provincial Track and Field Jamboree (ages U16 - senior) in Nanaimo July 6 from 8 and the JD Champs for ages 9-13 this past weekend in North Delta with a long list of great results. Full results are available through www.bcath-

letics.org.

Notable results from Nanaimo from Gillian Galik, Tyson Servos and Kaiden U-Ming. They were all named to the B.C. team travelling to Sherbrooke, Que. in August to compete at Legion National Championships for javelin. Galik and Servos won their events at provincials and U-Ming was second. Galik also finished with the silver medal in pentathlon, completing five events in one day.

Comox council prioritizes hard surface pump track

SUBMITTED

Black Press

A community pump track is gaining traction after Comox council recently approved a motion to prioritize the youth outdoor recreation amenity.

Council is keen to move ahead on the project in a shorter timeframe as part of the commitment to the Youth Outdoor Recreation Assessment report.

A pump track is a designed track of rolling topography where the pumping motion used by the rider’s upper and lower body creates the momentum needed to propel the cyclist through the course.

“Council revisited the 2021 Youth Outdoor Recreation Assessment report and noticed there was high demand in the surveying for

bike-related amenities,” said Comox Mayor Nicole Minions. “Diversity of cycling infrastructure in our community is desired and building a pump track, currently not offered in our town, will provide a great opportunity for free, unprogrammed leisure opportunities for our youth.”

Staff will bring back a report to council this fall with some possible location options for a pump track. The refocus on the pump track means that staff will work to complete this project in the future.

As was the case previously, the skatepark initiative will continue to be pursued and is grant-dependent to offset the cost of this project.

To keep informed on the latest news on the pump track project, visit comox.ca/pumptrack

-Town

of Comox

An example of a pump track located in the Lower Mainland. (City of Chilliwack photo)

TheOASISE7L&E7B

•Size:83.5x83.5x36inches •WaterCapacity:320USGal

Courtenay club hosts lawn-bowling

ladies from across the Valley

Connor McDowell Record staff

THISISTHE

On July 18, twenty-eight ladies from Nanaimo, Qualicum and Courtenay lawn bowling clubs gathered in Bill Moore Park.

Many participants had come dressed in grass skirts, outlandish floral tops and wildly elaborate hats.

The clubhouse was decked out in Hawaii decor, and the dulcet sounds of Polynesian music put everyone in the mood for a relaxing day on the greens. For fresh socializ-

ing, teams had been formed by pairing ladies from different clubs.

“All of the ladies I spoke to raved about how extraordinary it was to enjoy a relaxing day with lawn bowlers from other clubs,” said Sandy Tonnellier.

Judging from the laughter and multiple hugs between previous strangers, the event was huge success.

The Hawaiian Day event is just one of several initiatives of the CLBC that aim to provide bowlers an opportunity to enjoy the greens in a non-competitive, less taxing and more

social way other than entering in leagues or tournaments.

In July and August, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10 am, bowlers are invited to drop in to the club and participate in short games. The format will be determined depending on the number who show up.

Community members are invited to come by and watch and those who wish to try out the game are offered three sessions by club coaches to learn the basics, stance, delivery, aim, weight control, jack placement, and etiquette.

Photo submitted

Naturopathic approach to ‘leaky gut’ focuses on goals and tailored strategies

SUBMITTED

Black Press

The prevalence of intestinal hyperpermeability, also known as “leaky gut,” has gained attention in recent years.

Normally the small intestine aids in the digestion of foods and absorption of nutrients, while also acting as a barrier to harmful substances. These functions become compromised when the lining of the small intestine becomes excessively permeable, allowing harmful substances to enter the bloodstream. Factors such as dietary choices, chronic stress, certain medications, infections, and digestive microbiome imbalances can compromise intestinal barrier integrity.

Naturopathic medicine offers a comprehensive approach to addressing these factors, with a focus on individual health goals and tailored strategies. While there isn’t a onesize-fits-all solution, incorporating specific practices into one’s lifestyle

can improve intestinal hyperpermeability.

As a naturopathic doctor, my role is to help patients identify and achieve their health goals through personalized plans. To support “leaky gut”, some strategies have shown promise:

1. Dietary Adjustments:

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet is essential for healing the digestive lining. Emphasize whole, unprocessed foods rich in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. On the other hand, it is important to minimize or avoid foods that can exacerbate digestive inflammation, such as refined sugars and processed foods.

2. Nutritional Support: Certain nutrients play an important role in restoring digestive health. L-glutamine, an amino acid, aids in intestinal cell regeneration. Omega-3 fatty acids, from fish and algae, possess anti-inflammatory properties. Herbal medicines possess healing properties and can aid in soothing the intestinal lining. See your natu-

ropathic doctor to help you choose the right supplements.

3. Digestive Microbiome Balance: Balancing the digestive microbiome is important to protect the intestinal lining. Probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria, while prebiotics feed these bacteria. Incorporate fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and tempeh into your diet and consider high-qual-

ity probiotic supplements.

4. Stress Management: Chronic stress can impair the digestive barrier by causing mast cells to release their contents. Implementing stress-reducing practices like meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, and regular physical activity can help us reduce the impacts of stress on our body.

5. Identifying Food Sensitivities: Food sensitivities and allergies can contribute to increased intestinal permeability. Working with a naturopathic doctor can be beneficial to identify and eliminate potential trigger foods through an elimination diet or specialized testing.

Addressing intestinal hyperpermeability requires a multifaceted approach, and naturopathic medicine offers effective strategiesBy adopting dietary modifications, incorporating digestive-healing nutrients and herbs, balancing the digestive microbiome, managing stress, and identifying food sensitivities, individuals can take proactive steps towards restoring digestive health.

If you feel like naturopathic medicine can help you, Contact Dr. Shawn for a complimentary “meet the doctor” visit.

Dr. Shawn Peters, ND is a naturopathic doctor practicing in downtown Courtenay. Contact via 250-897-0235 or www.getwellhere.com

Normally the small intestine aids in the digestion of foods and absorption of nutrients, while also acting as a barrier to harmful substances. Black Press file photo

Thesleepindustrytodayispromoting2thingsthatIthinkarefoolish.“Youneedtohavea goodnight’ssleep”implyingthatifyoubuyourmattressesthat’swhatwillhappen,15+years warranty”.#1.IknowI’mnotthebrightestcrayonintheboxbutIdoknowifIdon’thavea decentnight’ssleepI’msnarky(mywife’sterm)andnotperformingatmybest.DoIreally needsomebodytotellmeto“getagoodnight’ssleep”?Havewereallygivenupallcommon senseandneedthissageadvice?#2.Thisistheonethatreallygetsme.Thewarranties are“visibleheightloss”warranties.Here’swhythisisascam.We’veallsatonacouchthat thecushionisshot.Sitdownandyourkneesareateyeballlevel,the cushionhaslostallits abilitytoholdyouup,ithasn’thoweverlostanyheight.Sohowisthisawarrantywhenit’s almostimpossibletomakethemattresslosethe1.5-2”ofheight?Igaveuponmainstream mattressesyearsagobutIstillcontinuetolookattheminthehopesthatmaybetheyactually willproducesomethingthatwouldliveuptomystandards.InresearchingthisarticleIfind itinterestingthattheydon’tactuallytellyouthewarranties,youhavetocontactaretailer tofindthefineprint,andtheydon’ttellyouwhatqualityoffoamsthey areusing.AtJohn’sI makeitsimpletoseewhatyou’reactuallygettinginbothwarrantyandquality.Ourwarranties

aresimpletheyare5yearsproratedonmostofourmattresses,10yearsproratedonourlatex mattressesandhere’sthefineprint.Warrantiescoverexcessivesoftening.Somesoftening isnormalandunavoidable.Becauseyoucanflipourmattressesandpotentiallyreplacethe pillowtopsthesofteningwillbeminimal.Inourmattressesweuse onlyfoamsthataremade inCanadaortheU.S.AllourfoamseithermeetorexceedCertiPUR-US®standards.Thisis oneofthehigheststandardsintheindustrytoday.Thatmeanssafe, cleanmattressesforyou andyourfamily.OurTalalayLatexmattressescontainthebest,cleanestlatexwecanget.92% purelatexbyvolumemakesthisoneofthepremierproductsinthemarket.Ourfoamshave neverbeencompactedeither,manymattressescomemachinerolledintoaboxwaytosmall. Thisdamagesthemattress.Ourmattressesaresimplewithveryfewcomponents.Simple isbetterlesscomponentstofail,mostofourmattressesarezipperedsothatontherare occasionacomponentfailsitcanbeeasilyreplacedwithoutbuying awholenewmattress.This constructionalsoallowsforustobeabletobuildyourmattressdifferentlyfromsidetoside.If you’dlikefirmer/softerthanyourpartnerthisiseasytodoandatnoextracharge.

Two Valley volleyball players compete for BC U16 teams at Canada Cup

By Record staff

Keona Savage and Carson East had oncein-a-lifetime experiences over the weekend, as members of their respective BC U16 teams at the Canada Cup in Niagara, Ont.

Savage and East, both representing the Comox Valley Volleyball Club and Ecole Mark R Isfeld High School were selected from 96 athletes for their respective BC U16 provincial volleyball teams on July 12.

The invitational-only tryout was a six-day event with the selected players continuing to train with their 14-player teams for an additional six days in Kamloops at Thompson Rivers University before flying to Ontario on July 18, for the Canada Cup.

Both B.C. teams went through pool play at the national tournament undefeated, before facing some adversity in the playoff round.

The boys dropped only two sets in the round-robin portion, eking out a 3-2 victory over Alberta Blue (27-25, 23-25, 22, 25, 2520, 15-10) and sweeping Newfoundland and Quebec, 3-0.

They opened their playoff round with a hard-fought five-set loss to the powerhouse Manitoba team, losing 15-17 in the tiebreaker.

The boys rebounded with a 3-1 victory over Alberta Black, before dropping another fiveset heartbreaker to Saskatchewan, this time falling 17-19 in the tiebreaker.

They finished in style, with a 3-0 victory (2520, 25-18, 25-20) over Quebec to capture the bronze medal.

Manitoba swept Saskatchewan for gold. The

Savage and Carson East of the Comox Valley Volleyball Club and Ecole Mark R Isfeld High School were selected from 96 athletes for their respective BC U16 provincial volleyball teams on July 12. The Canada Cup was contested July 19-23 in Thorold, Ont. Photo supplied

only two sets Manitoba lost in the playoff round were to B.C.

The girls also ran the table in their round robin, beating Manitoba in five sets (30-28, 1325, 25-12, 19-25, 15-9), sweeping Alberta Blue, and disposing of Saskatchewan in four sets.

The girls faced Alberta Black to open the playoff round, sweeping them once again, before things went south for the team.

They lost all three remaining matches by 3-1 margins to Alberta Blue, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

The Canada Cup brings together Canada’s next generation of high-performance athletes to compete for their home province/territory in a national championship. There were U16 and U18 tournaments for both girls and boys.

The 2023 event features nine provincial/territory teams, including both male and female athletes on a national scale.

Members of the general public will see an increase in traffic from Monday, July 24 through to mid-September along Kilmorely Road, Ryan Road, Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and Piercy Road. This is in support of projects and contracts being conducted at 19 Wing Comox.

The vehicles will be dump trucks with pup trailers and will be running Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Questions can be directed to Capt. MacNeil, 19 Wing Public Affairs by phone at 250-339-8201 or via email at 19WingPublicAffairs@forces.gc.ca

There will be an increase in dump truck and pup trailer traffic from Monday July 24 through to mid-September in support of projects and contracts being conducted at 19 Wing Comox. Photo supplied

Inlovingmemoryof RobertJon Lannan

June27,1945 – July10,2023

It iswithsadheartsthatwe announce the passingof BobLannan.

He waspredeceased by hisparentsBrianand Evelyn,andyoungerbrotherRon.Heissurvived by hiswifeKaren,daughter Stephanie (James), sisterSharon Morrison,andmany inlaws, nieces andnephews.

Bob wasborn in Tofino, spent hischildhoodin Calgary, thenhis teenage yearsin Comox with hisDadbeingposted to the RCAFbase Hethen movedback toCalgaryto furtherhiseducation and workat the Calgary Herald, underthe mentorshipofhisfavourite uncleOrrin.He moved toVancouver towork as a linotype machinistin1967,wherehemetKarenandthey marriedin1969. Theythentravelledextensively beforeStephanie wasborn,taking a‘Roundthe World’tripin1971 – 72. Getting toknow other culturesandcustoms wasimportantto him.

He wasanaccomplishedsculptor, enjoyed dabblinginmany otherartforms, and could fixalmostanything.Aftermovingas a family toComox in1996, Bob was a memberofthe Classic Cruiserscarclub formanyyearsand enjoyedbeingintheparadesanddrivingthe gradsaroundinhis convertible Aftermanyyearsofillness,Bobleft us at his chosentime, usingthehelpof MAiD, with Stephanieand Karen by hisside TherewillbeaCelebrationofBob’sLifeatalater date.

In loving memory of Floyd Merrill

With great sadness we announce the passing of Floyd A. Merrill aka Froggy just 18 days short of his 92 birthday. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Joyce M. Merrill and a large loving family. Floyd was born in Maple Grove, New Brunswick. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at an early age and rose to the rank of Warrant Officer in Armament (Weapons Tech) trade, in which he spent 38 years with two overseas tours, France and Germany, before retiring. Floyd also worked in the Halifax Dockyard for a short period before retiring for good. Floyd and Joyce then moved to Sooke and finally the Comox Valley. He was also a Prostate Cancer survivor.

Floyd spent many hours volunteering with Meals onWheels and other like charities.

Floyd was an avid golfer and many a frosty morning he could be seen awaiting the all clear to start golfing. Floyd had six witnessed hole in ones of which he liked to tell about. He enjoyed the competitive spirit and many the friendships the sport offered. He also competed in the Senior Games in the sport.

Many thanks to Dr. Mcfadden and the office staff, for looking after him all these years. Also to the caring staff at the North Island Hospital ComoxValley in his final days.

Work Handypersons

Coming Events

Back Yard Art Show

Bonnie Davy & Patrick Cullen

August 5th & 6th

11 am to 4 pm daily

2010 Partridge Place Courtenay

Auto Body Painter Required for busy Campbell River collision repair shop. Flat rate or straight time. Apprentices with recent experience considered. Sikkens paint, Benefits. 250-923-2422. willowpc@telus.net

Remembering Loved Ones

In loving memory of Winsby, Alice Miriam

The family of Alice Winsby is saddened to announce her passing on July 5, 2023, at the age of 101 in West Kelowna.

Born in Winnipeg to Bill and Minnie Thompson, Alice grew up in the Dunbar area of Vancouver. She married her husband, Roy, in 1943 while he served in the Canadian Army. Following the Second World War, the couple moved to Kelowna, where Roy worked as a pharmacist and Alice worked for several years at the Daily Courier.

Subsequent moves took them to Port Moody and Comox.

During her years with Kelowna Little Theatre, Alice won a Best Actress and three Best Supporting Actress awards at regional festivals. Kelowna wasn’ttheonlyplacesheperformed.Shestartedat16withtheVancouver CommunityPlayers.OntheCourtenayLittleTheatrewebsite,youcanstill see Alice’s name listed for 8 plays she directed in the 1960s and 70s while living in Comox.

She has been a director, production manager, and front-of-house manager.

Her background in acting no doubt stood her in good stead when she entered a different type of theatre—politics. Alice was elected to the Comox Valley School Board and served for 13 years, then sat on the Comox town council for 2 years before returning to the Okanagan. She was also a long-standing member of theWomen’s Liberal Commission.

Alice is survived by her sons Bryden (Colleen) of West Kelowna and Malcolm (Edna) of North Vancouver; grandchildren Bryden John and Meghan; their mother Deb; step-grandchildren Tira and Trina and their families; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, sister Muriel, and her husband Frank.

The time and location of a remembrance gathering will be announced at a later date.

Condolences can be sent to Springfield Funeral Home in Kelowna.

Lorne, a resident of Cumberland, died peacefully at his home on Saturday July 15th, 2023 comforted by his loving family. Lorne was born February 25th, 1943 in Prince Albert Saskatchewan. Lorne spent his early working years as a surveyor. He honed his skills as a master carpenter and specialized in framing, spending many years in the Yukon, but his love of BC brought him to Cumberland in the early 90s. Upon his retirement, his love of gardening overtook his love for work. You could go anywhere In Lorne’s backyard and find veggies growing.Everyoneknewthatthebackdeckwas thegatheringplacewhereheheldcourt.Hewas also a great cook and his Caesar salads and pies were epic. Neighborhood children were always welcome and dogs known or unknown could wander through the yard or house and always get a treat. Lorne also enjoyed a good challenge of cribbage, darts or pool.

Lorne was a loving husband to Marylee, is survived by children Sandra (Paul), Angela (Blair), Melanie, Sandy, grandchildren Amanda, Ryan, Raven, Gabriel, Simon, brothers Ron (Gail), Arnold (Gladys), sister Audrey (Rodney) and many nieces and nephews. Lorne was predeceased by his parents Edwin and Lena Selander and his first wife Marredy. He will always be remembered for his strong work ethic, solid character and his generous nature.

We would like to commend the Comox Valley Regional Hospital community care nursing staff, especially Heather for her extraordinary compassion, and doctors Fehlau and Nakova, and heartfelt gratitude to Lorne’s daughter

Look for me in Rainbows

Time for me to go now, I won't say goodbye; Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.

In the morning sunrise when all the world is new, Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Time for me to leave you, I won't say goodbye; Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky. In the evening sunset, when all the world is through, Just look for me and love me, and I'll be close to you.

Sandy for her loving care that enabled him to remain at home.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Canadian Red Cross.

Lorne’s annual Cumberland potato lottery will be held in honor of him on Saturday August 5th 2-5 PM. This will be a celebration of Lorne’s incredible life. Please join us 2817 Maryport Avenue,

It won't be forever, the day will come and then My loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.

Time for us to part now, we won't say goodbye; Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky. Every waking moment, and all your whole life through Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Just wish me to be near you, And I'll be there with you.

byVickyBrown

KristaManuel

Remembering Loved Ones

In loving memory of Victoria Keryluk

July 21, 1936 – June 16, 2023

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Victoria Keryluk. Vicky, age 86, passed away peacefully at the NorthVancouver Hospice with family by her side. Victoria (Mandryk) was born on the family farm in Shorncliffe, Manitoba. As one of five siblings – three girls and two boysher early years were very happy and full of love. Her life’s adventure began when she married Bert Keryluk, a service man in the Canadian Armed Forces. At a young age of 21 years, she never looked back. She moved across Canada embracing each new posting with her husband. Vicky and Bert were married for 62 years. When they moved from Bagotville, Quebec, to the Comox Valley, British Columbia, they knew that Courtenay was where they wanted to retire one day. Purchasing a home in Courtenay allowed her to enjoy her love of having her own garden. Her home always had a welcome mat out for friends and family, who would end up goinghomewithsomeofherharvest,including any fruit that was in season at the time.

She was very much an advocate for education. Even though her education was limited by the demands of farm life, she was immensely proud that both of her children earned university degrees.

Vicky threw herself into her volunteer work. Community meant a great deal to her. She was recently honoured for volunteering for over 30 years with the Comox Valley, St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary. She was also excited to be actively involved with the Ukrainian Club. Before she moved from the Comox Valley to North Vancouver, she was thrilled to see so many new Ukrainian families join the club. It was time, she said, to pass the reins to the new members – with their new ideas and new ways of doing things.

She moved to North Vancouver to be closer to family. She had a lot of different plans she

wanted to do after her move, but unfortunately, they did not come to fruition.

Vicky is survived by her sister Mary Starodub and brother Willie Mandryk, (Vera Mandryk), hersonKenKeryluk(MelissaWee)anddaughter Sharan Clark (John Clark), and grandchildren Zac, Stephanie, Jack, and Mac Keryluk and Ashley and Harrison Clark. She will be greatly missed.

Many thanks to the medical teams at Lions Gate Hospital and the North Shore Hospice for their professionalism, kindness, and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please support one of Vicky’s charities: The Cancer Society, The Canadian Red Cross, andThe Kidney Foundation.

EvaMarie Atchison(Rachert)madeherfinal journeyonJuly14thwithherniece Daunine, nephewJoeandhercatFranie at herside Marie waspredeceased by herhusbandof57 years, Grant, whopassed awayMay 7thofthis year Shewillbesadlymissedbyallofhernieces andnephews,theirchildren,theirgrandchildren andhernumerousfriends Sheissurvived by 3 Sisters-in-Law,Marion (Winnipeg), Maxine andEileen(Edmonton).HerparentsBarbara andJohn,as wellasherSisterErna(Ernie)and Brother Andrew (Therese) werewaiting togreet herassheleft usbehind InMarie’swords“Ihave had awonderfullife for98 years.I lovedGrant andhe wasthebest husbandever.”Theytraveledtheworldtogether livingin Whitby, Ontario; Midlothian, Texas; Werribbee,Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; Seattle,Washingtonandfinally Courtenay,B.C. Their retirement farmwason DoveCreek Road Whenthatwas toomuch forthemtheylanded atCinnamonHillFarmwiththeThorburnfamily, onanacreoflandandinamodularhomewhich wastheirdream.

Marielovedthehummingbirdsand watched themwithglee Shelovedherflowersandthe garden,shespoiledhercats rottenandthey showeredherwithlove throughoutherlife. She was a sharp cribbageplayerandpretendednot to care whenshe‘skunked’heropponents She exerciseddaily, even at 98.Shehad a beautiful smileandhereyes twinkledlikediamonds whenshe washappy.

Mariehasleft animprint onourheartsthat will remainwithus forever.

Avery special Thank You to alloftheamazing staffonunit3B at the ComoxValleyHospital

A

11a.m.Thefuneralservice willbelive streamed throughthechurch.Herremainswillbeinurned withherparentsin Regina, Saskatchewan. In

Where a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories

Remembering Loved Ones

Place your condolences online. (Visit your local newspaper website, obituary page)

In loving memory of Emily Marina Savage

Emily Marina Savage, daughter of Bill and Isabel Harrison, was born on July 6th, 1938, in Invermere, BC and passed away peacefully in Courtenay, British Columbia, on June 27th, 2023.

Marina was predeceased by her husband, Robert (Bob) Savage, who passed away in 2016. Her family and friends will miss her dearly. The family wishes to thank all the healthcare staff at North Island HospitalComox Valley for the fantastic care they provided Marina.

A private, family ceremony will be held on September 9th in Edgewater, British Columbia. In lieu of floral contributions, those wishing to may donate to the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation (101 Lerwick Rd., Courtenay, BC V9N 0B9. Ph 250-331-5957 Ext 65435).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Telford, Toneff & Boyd Burial & Cremation Centres in Comox, British Columbia. Condolences may be offered at www.telfordtoneffboyd.ca

As Long as Hearts Remember

As long as hearts remember, As long as hearts still care, We never part with those we love ~ They’re with us everywhere ~ So many of our precious memories, Of those we hold dear, Bring peace and comfort to us now, And keep our loved one near.

Inlovingmemoryof MaryEverson

(Helen Mary Rowena)nee Frank

MaryEverson(Helen MaryRowena)nee

Frank (January 1,1946) wasborn in Comoxto Margaret “Audie” and Andy Frank Shemetand married Wayne Everson(November2,1963)and movedaroundBCand Albertaastheirfamily grew.

A fluentKwak’walaspeakerandmemberofthe

K’omoks FirstNation, Marywas committed to herfamily, andgenerouswithher knowledge, love, caring, andhugs. She was a permanent fixture ofthe ComoxValleyandservedon many boards,committees, andorganizations throughoutherlife. She wastheultimate mom.

Sheispredeceased by herparents, herloving husband Wayne, herpartnerof59 years;her siblings Florence,Frances,Marilyn,and Walter Jr; herchildren Ralphie,Reggie, and Stephanie; andher grandchildrenChristopherandKellie

Sheissurvived by hersisters Fernanda, Martha, and MaryAnn;herchildren Rob,Nick,Rick, Charlene,Andy, Danny,Krissy, Jessie, and Anna; manygrandchildrenand great-grandchildren, and over44 yearsof fosterchildren.

Mary passed away peacefully atComoxValley HospitalonJuly13,2023.She wassurrounded by herchildren, grandchildren,andfamily

A servicewasheld Monday July17,2023in

Kumugwe, theBighouse in K’omoks at 11am. It followedtraditional Kwakwa̱ka̱ ’wakw protocol. Thedownpourimmediatelybefore theservice followed by immediate sunlightwas atestament

In loving memory of Alexander Cameron Lyle

July 2, 1931 – July 16, 2023

to how special Marywas to ourpeopleandthe ComoxValleyas a whole

Our dad Alex passed away peacefully at the legendary age of 92 at home, in the home he built, surrounded by the love of his wife and children on Sunday, July 16, 2023 in Comox, BC. Alex led a nomadic life in his childhood living in various cities across Canada including Edmonton, Sudbury, Toronto, Port Hope and Chatham. Alex joined the Royal Canadian Airforce (RCAF) in 1950 and enjoyed a successful 36-year career retiring as a Warrant Officer with 407 Squadron, CFB Comox in 1986.While enlisted, his nomadic lifestyle continued across the world taking him to many interesting cities including Adelaide, Athens, Belfast, Brisbane, Cairo, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, London, Honolulu, Nadi Fiji, Pisa, San Francisco, Trondheim and everywhere in between in Canada. Despite all his travels, Alex professed the most beautiful place on earth was the Comox Valley therefore always kept his home and his bank account in Comox. Comox and in particular the Lorne Hotel, held a special place in Alex’s heart as this is where he met the love of his life Rosemary, a visiting ski instructor / registered nurse from Sydney, Australia during a Christmas party in 1969. Affectionately known as “Big Al” by his children and all their many friends; our dad truly was “The World’s Greatest Dad”! Alex was famous for Saturday night pizza, homemade bread and cookies as well as enjoying a cold Kokanee Light each evening. Our dad was a proud and humble man of few words. We all knew how much he loved us deeply and unconditionally though he might not say it out loud. We treasure our memories of growing up with him and surrounding him with love and affection during his passing. This was an incredible gift for our family.

Alex is survived by his loving wife Rosemary of 53 years and their five children: Elizabeth, James, Laura (Dean), Mary (Jonathan) and William (Christal) along with 9 very loved grandchildren (Jack, Zoey, Claire, Elise, Eric, Adam, Cameron, Olivia, and Isla).

With sincere gratitude our family wishes to thank Dr. Itta Winter and staff at Wavecrest Medical Clinic for providing our whole family with such kindness and compassion during our dad’s palliation at home. Itta you are such a special doctor. Thank you to The Medicine Shoppe Comox too for always going above and beyond for our family.

To honor our dad’s wishes, there will be no service but rather a private family gathering. If you are as fortunate as us to have a “World’s Greatest Dad” in your life too, please make sure you love on them to the end even when times are difficult. The gift of being present for your dad at the end of his life is immeasurable and worth all the struggles.

Rest easy Big Al, we got it from here.

With all our love, Rosemary and the kids.

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