FISHBOWL MAGAZINE APRIL 2016

SALT SPRING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE

April 2016 - 7th anniversary FISSUE #92 FREE & EASY

HIlarious Theatre with

JAMES & JAMESY • 8

April Calendar of

STUFF to DO on the ROCK • 9

Dr. Patrick Callas discusses

Ending ANXIETY • 12 Guest Columnist

Ahava SHIRA • 14

Fishbowl Magazine Declares

No PLASTIC ’ MONTH BAG! APRIL IS

www.fishbowlmagazine.com read us online at issuu.com/fishbowlmagazine email us today at thesaltyfishbowl@hotmail.com

‘

Like us on Facebook at The Fishbowl Magazine

Japanese Garden Society presents

a tapestry of japanese sounds vol. 3 Anna Sato on vocals

Keita Kanazashi on taiko

Chie Hanawa on shamisen

new currents in traditional music

All Saints’ by-the-Sea April 15th (Fri) 2016

doors open 7:00 music starts 7:30 on sale @ Salt Spring Books tickets $20

students $10 @ the door only, children 12 and under free

On Our Cover

ENVIRONMENTAL CORNER

Fishbowl Magazine Declares April

“NO

PLASTIC BAG!” Month

REDUCE - Try to remember your shopping bags. Find all of them! We all have them! We all forget them! Make it a priority after you unload your groceries either take them out to your car immediately or put them by the door so you can’t miss them on your way out. Keep them on the front seat of your car so you won’t forget them when you go into the store. Remember your shopping bags for drugstore, clothing and gift purchases as well.

CHALLENGE YOURSELF - Every time you forget to take your cloth bags shopping with you have a self-imposed “fine” such as a $5 donation to the food bank or 50 push-ups and sit-ups when you get home.

REUSE - If you do end up bringing home some plastic bags, re-use them whenever possible. Not just the big ones but the smaller ones that you put your fruits and veggies in. When you have used up all your carrots, for example, turn the bag inside out and give it a good rinse (make sure you get it super clean, for health reasons) shake off the water and leave it to dry. The next time you buy carrots or broccoli etc., simply bring them home, “bag less”, and pop them into your ready to use clean bags!

A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER - Don’t forget to pack a cloth bag when you travel.

Especially to the warmer climates! A lot of those countries don’t have a recycling infrastructure in place and plastic bags end up all over their beautiful countryside, in a burn pile or floating in the ocean.

• Over 1 trillion plastic bags are used every year worldwide (Earth Policy Institute).

• About 2 million plastic bags are used every minute around the world (Earth Policy Institute).

• Americans use and throw away 100 billion plastic bags every year, which requires 12 million barrels of oil per year to manufacture. (The Wall Street Journal).

RECYCLE - Plastic bags are highly recyclable.

One ton of recycled plastic saves: • 685 gallons of oil • 5.774 KWH of electricity • 98 million BTU’s of electricity • 30 cubic yards of landfill space • Reduces air pollution • Saves sea creatures such as birds, fish and dolphins The ‘Take 2 with U’ challenge is simply this: take 2 pieces of garbage with you when you leave the beach, lake or hiking trail & you have made a difference

FISHBOWL

Scopes Brought to you by our own in-house astrologer who now goes by her numerologically correct name of “Ya Righta.”

^ When you get home today don’t be upset if your loved one gives you something unexpected and homemade. At least they tried to get your birthday right this year.

Aries:

_ Now that you’re single the liquor store has the perfect bottle of wine to set you up with!

Taurus:

d Romance is in the air today but only in Fulford. If you don’t happen to be in Fulford then chances are you’re going to strike out again this month.

With that said I am not sure about the accuracy of these horoscopes, so don’t panic yet!

Libra:

e Scorpio: The only way

you could do less at work this month is to start working at the competition!

Way to go Scorpio!

` You will overhear gossip today about your love life whilst you attempt to relax at the gym. Time to f step up the routine!

When your lover starts wearing more clothes to bed than to work, it’s a good guess a Your horoscope that your happiness is close to being over. is coming through a little fuzzy this month.

All I’m able to tell you is that it’s going to g be hectic and possibly traumatic. Wait that Bits and pieces of the day will flash could just be what’s on television, and not before your eyes. This is all due to the what’s going to happen to you. excitement and pleasure at a new found love - your love of drinking boxed wine. b Although you would like to do it all yourself Leo, the stars are insisting h This is a good that you work together in a team. Being month for dealing with things which have the Leo that you are, of course you don’t like this. You may need to hire a councilor to help actually been bugging you for a while. you through this one. Hold your tongue. You Start with editing your Facebook friends list. That always makes me feel better! chose to live on this island didn’t you?

Gemini:

Sagittarius:

Cancer:

Capricorn:

Leo:

Aquarius:

c This is a test horoscope. You will only receive this if you are at odds with the Stars.

Are you at odds?

Virgo:

i We hope this months Spring cleaning helps you accept the fact that you really are a hoarder the rest of the year.

Pisces:

cOLUMNISTS: John Bateman • Dorothy Price GREEN PRINTING & LAYOUT: IMAGINE THAT GRAPHICS.CA Peter Vincent • Dr. Patrick Callas • Marsha Moreau aD sALES: Deadlines are the 10th of the month Lisa Sigurgeirson Maxx • Sean Patrick Hogan previous to book ad space & submit content.

Melinda Parks-Divers • Matt O’Connor • Ken Brudner Calendar events can be submitted up until the 17th. sponsors: Dorothy teaches classes & retreats locally & worldwide.

Dorothy classestoday & retreats worldwide.

Pharmasave • Barb’s Bakery & Bistro • Hawthorne Hill teaches Call Genevieve at 250 538locally 8427 or&email Visit www.santosha-yoga-retreats.com or phone 250.653.4655 Gravel Sales • Valcourt & Sons Roofing • John Lefebvre thesaltyfishbowl@hotmail.com for rates250.537.7675 & information.

Visit www.santosha-yoga-retreats.com or phone THE FISHBOWL is brought to you by publisher Genevieve Price along with the following local columnists & sponsors.

Salt Spring Island’s #1 Source for Arts, Entertainment & Culture.

Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages.

2013 SMALL BUSINESS of the YEAR!

T H E F I S H B O W L - A P R I L 2 0 1 6 • PA G E F O U R

Price is Right

PRODUCT REVIEWS

by: Genevieve Price Sponsored by

LOOKY EYES False Lashes I won’t lie, applying little tiny fibres so close to my eyeballs was not something I was looking forward to doing and I did get a few in my eye.

Instructions suggest to apply a coat of your favourite mascara prior to applying the gel. If you are going for a more natural look, you can skip this step.

Once you’ve applied your mascara, apply one coat of the gel. Please note that it dries very quickly, so you will need to work fast. I completed one eye at a time.

Apply one coat of the fibres, let set and follow with a coat of gel. Repeat until you’re satisfied with the product to lash ratio.

Despite the stray fibres, I must admit the product lived up to my expectations.

My lashes were a hit!

Removal of the product works best with warm water and an oil-based cleanser.

For Everyone

T H E F I S H B O W L - F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6 • PA G E T W E L V E

with Salt Spring Island teacher Dorothy Price

Yoga

EXPECTATION

EXPECTATION: a belief that something will happen or is likely to happen.

Having expectations can both help and hinder your journey through life. Here are a few ways that expectations can determine your reality.

Studies show that your chances of succeeding with your goals increase when you have a high expectation that you will succeed. Conversely, if you have a low expectation of succeeding your chances for success decrease.

Why? When you expect to succeed you will stay positive and energetic about your goals. When you expect to succeed you are strategically planning, problem-solving and adapting. Thus creating an all-around healthy, happy and optimistic state of mind.

Others will see someone who is motivated and worth giving their time and effort to.

They might contribute to your success by giving helpful advice or opportunities.

If you have a low expectation for success the exact opposite happens. You could lose your drive to complete your goal and stop using your brain power to troubleshoot challenges. If you don’t radiate your intention for success, others won’t be as willing to offer help or opportunity because they don’t see it as a good investment of their time. Ultimately you could become depressed or angry.

Beware; the following expectations will create grief in even the most optimistic people...

• Expecting the desired result to be handed to you on a silver platter. In other words, expecting not to put in the work.

• Expecting life to be fair. The sooner you get over it and get on with it, the better!

• Expecting everyone to agree with you. Remember that everyone has an opinion.

Your opinion is not the only one. Learn to listen and accept that there may be different solutions for different people Now let’s look at projecting your expectations on to others...

Having too high, or unrealistic, expectations of others can create confusion and stress for both children and adults. But, nowhere has there been more destruction than when “negative” expectations are placed on children. This disastrous effect is apparent in the self-fulfilling prophecy of the “black sheep of the family”. Often it starts with parents who cannot accept a child that is difficult, inferior or different from the norm. The parents project their own insecurities and dissatisfaction on to the child. They start to have low or negative expectations for the child. This is a form of Childhood Emotional Neglect. Often they will express this low expectation in comments like “You will never amount too much” or “I expect you will cause me a lot of trouble” or “You will never fit in”. Eventually, the child starts to believe these projections and starts to act in the way they are expected to. It becomes hard for them to see their value and their self-worth. This will have lifetime consequences.

Through mindfulness and self-observation yoga helps us to see things more clearly.

Still, it requires a lot of soul searching to see real truths. Let’s ensure that our expectations help us, and others, flourish and grow. Your thoughts and words have more power than you realize. Use them wisely!

See you on the mat! ~ Dorothy Dorothy teaches classes & retreats locally & worldwide.

Visit www.santosha-yoga-retreats.com or phone 250-537-7675

Bateman Has

T H E F I S H B O W L - A P R I L 2 0 1 6 • PA G E F I V E

Issues

starring the most awesome John Bateman Question: Why do I now have a dog living in my house? Since the gerbil tragedy (get your mind out of the gutter), I have not consciously made a decision to bring a domesticated animal into my house. Incidentally, I had 2 gerbils. One was fine, the other had epilepsy, which caused me no end of anxiety. This has since affected every relationship I have tried to nurture with quadrupeds.

I swore that I would never own a pet. Pets start out really cute, you get emotionally attached, they live a few years then die (not always in that order). Oh, by the way pets cost an average of twelve thousand dollars annually, and that is just for my personal pet related psychologist bill. Did I mention that pets let you into their lives then die? The other financial ramifications of pet ownership are the vet bills. Basically they eat something stupid, then you give the vet one thousand dollars to get it removed.

Another reason I am averse to pet ownership is philosophical in “With all the above being nature. Why do some animals get taken into consideration, to live in horrific conditions only somehow I currently to be killed and consumed, while have 9 pets in my house. others sleep in beds and wear Why, you might ask?” little vests? To be fair, I think we should be eating all animals as we are currently at the top of the food chain. It took our ancestors millennia to train animals to be eaten, and now we all of a sudden are expected to switch to fruit, vegetables and some nuts. As a matter of fact, I don’t think any vegetarian or political vegan should own pets simply because pets are made of meat. Hypocrites.

With all the above being taken into consideration, somehow I currently have 9 pets in my house. Why, you might ask? Children.

Question: Why do I have children? Let’s save that for another day.

Somehow, through the magic of children, I have ended up with 2 goldfish, 2 cats, one gecko, 3 budgies and a puppy. It’s a nightmare.

This all started with the best of intentions. Learning from their father, my kids went straight to the hollow promise and vowed to look after each pet, every single day. They did look after the pets for the first day of each and every day, but it ended there. Why did I believe them? Aside from the last 4 parties I attended, do I look like I have just woken up with the word sucker written across my forehead in sharpie?

The problem is that children, before they start to get awkward and smelly, are cute. Just like our new puppy. They utilize this cuteness for their joint sinister agenda of survival and conspicuous consumption.

They look at me with their big eyes and say, “Can we please have a house sheep?” Then somehow, despite me yelling “no!” straight into their faces for 30 consecutive days, I end up at a farm buying a house sheep. Later I realize that house sheep don’t actually exist.

T H E F I S H B O W L - A P R I L 2 0 1 6 • PA G E S I X

kind WE ARE PART of the SOLUTION.

paws with Sean Hogan

Anniversaries are a chance to mark time and celebrate, walk down Memory Lane, and reflect deeper on whatever got us to this place, to the here and now. We may even start anew, move forward in a different direction, toward a future that one day will become, itself, a marker in time.

This issue of the Fishbowl is such an occasion.

I joined the contributing team at Fissue #48, August 2012 and here we are, #92. Forty-four issues later.

Wow. What an honour to be involved with our community’s monthly arts and culture magazine; I am so grateful to Genevieve and Stephanie for supporting me and the BC SPCA with this platform. Together, we have partnered with the Fishbowl team to bring to the attention of readers, matters and perspectives on companion animal welfare and, overall, the promotion of kindness to each other -- animals and humans.

Today, in celebration of our accomplishments together, I renew my commitment to writing this column, Kind Paws, for the purpose of promoting local acts of kindness toward ourselves and other animals (human and non-human) as a way to liberate us from cruelty. Taking a moment to pause and choose a kinder way could turn out to be the revolution we have been waiting for.

This is a lofty goal, I know, but I’m a water sign and a dreamer so I come by it honestly and astrologically. I dream in utopia’s and given where we live, with so many kind and generous people, of all stripes and types, it’s hard to believe our community couldn’t be one day voted the best place on earth to be an animal.

Really, I ask you, why not?

Building a humane community for all inhabitants requires us to shift from the larger perspective of the whole, all the way down to the individual, and ask, “are we making the kindest choice, here?”

The easiest way to answer this is to ask another question, “will anyone be harmed by this action?” and if the answer is yes, maybe an alternative to taking that action could be: pause, wait and, maybe, take no-action at all.

When we speak for those who cannot for themselves, bring forward concerns about welfare, ask questions, and get involved, for instance as a volunteer at an animal shelter, we are part of the solution. When we adopt and not shop for our pets, we change the game. Promoting kindness to animals and humans is just a starting place, however. For more information about making a difference in our community, visit www.spca.bc.ca.

Salt Spring Island is a community of animal-loving folks and that bodes well for our future. Thank you dear readers for supporting the good work of a lot of people helping animals. There’s so much further to go in this journey toward a cruelty-free community. Will you join us and be part of the solution?

The Optimistic Environmentalist: Progressing Towards a Greener Future

by David R. Boyd

BOOK LAUNCH Tuesday April 19, 7pm at the Library “A hopeful, inspiring, and honest take on the environment Providing a powerful antidote to environmental despair, this book inspires optimism, leading readers to take action and exemplifying how change can happen. A bright green future is not only possible, it’s within our grasp.”

T H E F I S H B O W L - A P R I L 2 0 1 6 • PA G E S E V E N

Celebrate Earth Day

EVERYDAY!

Calling all musicians, talented performers, community group activists, food vendors, silent auction prize donators, volunteers, kids activity specialists, etc, etc who would like to be part of the 2016 Earth Day Celebration in Centennial Park.

This year’s celebration promises to be the best Earth Day Celebration ever - with MC Arthur Black, returning guest speaker (via Skype) our beloved MP Elizabeth May, music by local band Flower and much more! Yoga all day by the gazebo, Kids Zone and fort building, food by Fix Taco and Al’s Gourmet Falafel and Fries, stage opens at noon with musical acts and speakers until the evening.

Be part of the fun on Friday April 22nd 2016 by donating a silent auction prize, singing in the sing-along, bring your whole family for the kids’ zone, circus demos and eco-building workshops. Get connected with your local social consciousness groups, demo an electric bike or car!

Contact Alex Lyons 250-538-7573 to add your name to the list of participants and let us know what you can do to make this year’s celebration the best one ever!

April 22nd, noon to 5pm

in Centennial Park

April 22nd

Permaculture DESIGN CERTIFICATE at Golden Tree Farm

Golden Tree Farm is excited to offer our third annual Permaculture Design Certificate course June-Sept. 2016 taught by Brandon Bauer, Erinanne Harper and guest teachers. (See ad and contact planeterin@gmail.com for details).

Permaculture is a very useful skill set for anyone wanting to grow food, heal land, use water and resources efficiently, and/or build a healthy community overall. Permaculture is a method of designing food, energy, and resource systems based on successful natural models to support human needs as well as all life. Good permaculture design follows designated ethics, principles, and strategies, implementing systems which become more resilient, functional, and productive over time.

While permaculture is usually applied to growing food and gardens, there are many extensions of the permaculture approach into community living, economic and political systems, communications, energy, building, and technology. Permaculture is beyond sustainable; it aims to heal damage and build a healthy regenerative system for all relevant elements of a given situation.

Through a balance of hands-on and lecture style presentations, we will delve into many topics including: ethics, principals and practices, ecology, plant propagation, pruning, soil, composting, sheet mulching, mapping and design, natural building, food forests, orchards, hedgerows, guilds, rain catchment, ponds, earthworks, water treatment and harvesting techniques, animal husbandry, herbal medicine, seed saving, renewable energy, appropriate technology, regenerative business, sacred economics, mushroom cultivation, and disaster preparedness. Students will come away with a good set of practical and design skills, a broad understanding of these topics, and a network of community support and resources to draw from.

COMMUNITY ENERGY CONFERENCE Saturday April 23rd at Gulf Island Secondary The theme of the event is ‘Creating a Low-carbon Future,’ with a focus on opportunities for community solar, energy efficiency for homes and businesses, practical renewable energy technologies and zero carbon transportation with electric bikes and vehicles.

Doors open at 8:30 am for coffee, muffins and networking. Speakers and workshops from 9:30 am until 4:45 pm, followed by a social.

The keynote speakers are: John Farrell, director of democratic energy at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and widely known as the guru of distributed energy.

Alex Love, general manager of Nelson Hydro, sponsor of Nelson Community Solar Garden.

Following the keynotes, there will be over a dozen workshops on methods and technologies that can be implemented by homeowners and businesses today.

Tickets on Sale Now! Available at Salt Spring Books at the advance price of $15 include Friday evening Film Night at Mahon Hall.

Tickets sold at the door day of conference will be $20, Film Night $5.

T H E F I S H B O W L - A P R I L 2 0 1 6 • PA G E E I G H T

JAMES & JAMSEY HILARIOUS THEATRE with FEARLESS PLAYERS

this

April April showers bring May flowers, or so the saying goes. Well, the flowers are already out and ArtSpring Presents programming is in full bloom this month.

The popular 605 Collective (recently renamed Company 605) returns to ArtSpring on April 5th with Vital Few, a brand-new work that pushes the company into new physical territory that negotiates group dynamics and the preservation of self. Also, join Company 605 dancers Josh Martin and Lisa Gelley for an energizing dance workshop on April 3rd.

Be immersed in magic and mystery on April 15th with master illusionist Vitaly. Join the fun as objects disappear, reappear, levitate and much more!

Celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death on April 23rd with Salt Spring resident and actor, playwright, and novelist Chris (C.C.) Humphreys and friends for an evening of scenes, songs, sonnets and swordplay. Come revel in theatre and music, beer and blades…as the Bard of Stratford is laid to rest!

Vancouver’s Vetta Chamber Players (which includes Salt Spring resident and violinist Joan Blackman) perform Vivaldi’s ever popular Four Seasons.

The music is paired with the premiere of a special work inspired by the sea and its seasons – composed by Vancouver’s Jeffrey Ryan, in collaboration with Sahtu Dene and Coast Salish storyteller Rosemary Georgeson. This incredible evening of story and song takes place on April 27th.

Also this month, seize the opportunity to see three live broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. On April 2nd see Puccini’s Madama Butterfly – a story about a young Japanese geisha and a visiting American naval officer. Then on April 16th, see Roberto Devereux, a story about Queen Elizabeth I, forced to sign the death warrant of the nobleman she loves. Lastly, on April 30 watch Elektra, Strauss’s mighty take on ancient Greek mythology.

After the Met Opera on April 30th, join storyteller Dave Phillips for a cemetery walk and then attend the Death Café for a conversation about death moderated by Salt Spring Hospice facilitators over tea and goodies.

For tickets to any shows at ArtSpring call the Box Office at 250.537.2102 or visit www.tickets.artspring.ca.

For a complete listing of events at ArtSpring visit www.artspring.ca/events.

Did you know that most of our ArtSpring Presents shows have a youth ticket price of only $5 courtesy Country Grocer’s generous support?

James & Jamesy, the two masterful British comedians behind 2 for Tea and High Tea, touch down in Salt Spring with their latest elegant, hilarious, and visually exquisite comedy James & Jamesy in the Dark. It’s raw, poignant, and performed… in the dark.

“While on tour in 2014, we experienced a three day power outage,” recounts Jamesy. “Throughout the prolonged periods of darkness we became increasingly experimental with our use of flashlights, and delighted in the creation of comedy that was both enlightening and quite literally - dark.”

In James & Jamesy in the Dark, the dynamic duo step onstage as performers and lighting designers, conjuring a story about finding meaning in life and the integral value of friendship in that journey.

“These guys are maestros at making theatre magic with the simplest of elements. It’s like watching two big imaginative kids in a tent with flashlights, as they bring to life a whole world and invite you to step inside. They may be big kids, but James & Jamesy are exploring big questions about the role of the artist and the power of creation.

And they’re breaking down the fourth wall so you can be part of the fun. It’s an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss it.”

CBC

With a spotlight affixed to each of the performers’ costumes, the 13-time Best-of-Fest winners conduct audiences’ attention with meticulous precision, creating a high-contrast world of shadow and light that immerses audiences and redefines interactive theatre. Blending comedy, mime, clown, puppetry, and dance, James & Jamesy’s theatrical wonderlands are hailed “a child’s imagination on steroids” (London Free Press) and “complete and utter fun” (CBC). This is staged imagination at its finest.

On stage at ArtSpring Apr 7th - 10th Tickets: jamesandjamesy.com - Opening night $15, $5 youth

T H E F I S H B O W L - A P R I L 2 0 1 6 • PA G E T E N

PETER VINCENT

Marsha’s

Book

CITIZEN Reviews at LARGE

with Marsha Moreau

Saltspring Bucket List Having spent the last thirty years entrenched on Saltspring Island, having experienced the best and the worst, the romance and tearful breakups, resisted the temptation to rent a U-Haul and move off this “godforsaken rock” (actual quote from ex-girlfriend), I have compiled a bucket list of SSI activities which I feel is proof positive that I qualify (despite bi-weekly forays to Costco) for “Saltspring” status. See how many you can tick off: 1. Travelled on all three ferry routes, and been stranded in the parking lot on at least two. Extra points given if you have needed a deck hand to jump start your island car.

2. Fought the hordes at the Saturday Market on a July long weekend to purchase a six dollar cookie.

3. Had a cappuccino at the McLeod Brothers’ Saltspring Roasting Company and lunched at Barb’s Buns. Extra points if you remember The Chatterbox Café.

4. Sat on the boulders outside The Tree House Cafe listening to local musicians’ croon to the starry night. Extra points if you strolled along the Boardwalk to the end and stared dumbfounded over the Cudmore Gap. 5. Shopped at venerable Mouat’s, the oldest store on the island (established 1907) where you can find everything from bath tubs to bird seed. Extra points if you have tripped on the uneven floor in the basement.

6. Hiked the park triple crown - Ruckle, Duck Creek, and Mount Maxwell.

Extra points if you are accompanied by a golden Lab. Take away a point if it is a Jack Russell terrier.

7. Stood at the end of Fernwood Dock and watched the sun come up over Trincomali Channel.

8. Bicycled the St Mary Loop, beginning and ending at Portlock Park. Extra points if you have cycled up Ganges Hill, in the summer, with ferry traffic, and lived to tell the tale.

9. Watched a movie at the Fritz Theatre, with double butter popcorn and sprinkled with yeast. Extra points if you remember the cat.

10. Attended an Islands Trust meeting, awake and alert during the entire three-hour saga. Extra points if you interrupted the proceedings with either cheers, jeers, or catcalls.

11. Had your car repaired at Murakami’s Auto Repair, and stood patiently in line for your opportunity to talk to the master himself. Extra points given if your story was piteous enough for Richard to waive the repair bill.

12. Scrambled your way up the maze of trails, past the faerie doors to the summit of Mt Erskine, sat on the bench sipping coffee from a thermos, marveling at the view below. Extra points if you wrote something pithy in the notebook hidden under the granite dog water bowl.

13. Attended either a high brow concert at Artspring or a low brow foot stomper at Fulford Hall. In other words, been to a Valdy gig of one form or another.

14. Kayaked to Chocolate Beach for an afternoon picnic.

15. Spent an afternoon sharing the dock with grisly old hippies at “clothing optional” Blackburn Lake. Extra points if you helped them with their sunblock cream. Ew.

Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis How did I miss this book?

I remember having an awareness of the Giller Prize finalists but somehow didn’t realize that Fifteen Dogs is the one that won that prestigious Canadian literary award. Finally, someone put it in my hands and I had the opportunity to read what sounded like a unique creation. An outside of the box premise, coupled with some (potentially) heavy philosophical threads piqued my interest.

Our story begins with drinks at a tavern in Toronto, followed by a wager between two gods, Hermes and Apollo. The crux of the bet is this: if granted human intelligence, would animals be just as unhappy as humans? The gods bestow this “gift” to a group of fifteen dogs at a veterinary clinic they pass, acknowledging that the contest is won (or lost) if at least one dog is happy at the end of it’s life. For most of the novel, the gods remain in the background. This book is really about the dogs themselves and the surprising choices “An outside of the box they begin to make from the premise, coupled with moment they become aware of some (potentially) heavy their own consciousness. Not philosophical threads...” all of them embrace this new way of being. Factions emerge, with some dogs attempting to be more “dog”, while others begin to view the world in exciting new ways, like Prince, who is moved to become a poet. Some of these dogs have hard and sad lives. Bad things can happen to any dog, even those who aren’t already struggling with these new feelings that lead them to unprecedented self-reflection. Some of these dogs form beautiful relationships, with profound and affecting results.

I won’t give anything away; you’re going to have to read this one yourself to find out how successful this experiment is. It’s worth reading for the genre-bending concept alone, but it’s the dogs themselves, in their raw and vulnerable states, that truly make this an award winning story. The author includes a note at the end, in which he explains that all of Prince’s poems are written in a style that was invented to make poetry accessible to both dogs and humans. If you read each short poem aloud, you can also hear one of the fifteen dogs’ names. Try it, it’s delightful. In fact, it reinforces that Fifteen Dogs is actually a compelling, insightful, complex meditation on what it is to be human, disguised as a book about dogs.

T H E F I S H B O W L - A P R I L 2 0 1 6 • PA G E E L E V E N

My Food atters M Labelling Labels

by CHEF KEN BRUDNER

It’s been encouraging to me lately to see that more shoppers are taking a look at the ingredients listed on food products as they take a gander down the aisles of their favourite grocery store. That’s the good news of the month. The bad news is that most of us don’t...still!

But by the ambiguous nature of marketing experts that food manufacturers rely on to sell their product, we are being manipulated and mislead in such a way as to make the ingredient list not as important as the other marketing gimmicks and information (true or false) that they plaster on these items.

Trouble is... it works. Take a look at what takes the most space in a food shop. Usually it is processed food, obviously because there is more demand for these items and that’s largely to do with marketing schemes, especially if you are trying something for the first time. Assuming that people knew exactly what was in what they are buying, it could be safely speculated that that item wouldn’t be in their cart.

If you purchase processed foods either at a supermarket or eating establishments, you will notice that in most cases that the ingredient list of these brands is outrageously big. Discover why yourself. Look at all those ingredients you cannot pronounce usually at the bottom and never if it were offered, would order in a restaurant.

Claims of being “natural” or “no artificial ingredients” can be contradicted when they use for instance; pyridoxine hydrochloride, calcium pantothenate, malto dextrin, sodium diacetate, disodium insonate, disodium guanylate, trisodium phosphate, tartrazine, sodium hexametaphosphate, tartrazine, BHT, artificial flavour and soy oil processed with a component of gasoline, all synthetic food additives hidden among the “good stuff.” Did you get all that!?

Food manufacturers in Canada can legally label their products “natural” if they have only natural, unadulterated ingredients. Products can be labelled as having “natural ingredients” if there are some, even when there is the presence of chemicals or synthetics. Consumers should be aware that just because something has natural ingredients it does not mean it is free of bad fats, sugars, and sodium.

It is a common opinion that most if not all our purchased food should come with no label. Apple anyone?

In today’s food world we must become more diligent in making sure we know what we are eating. Take advantage of the provided list and become more aware of what you are putting in your body. Be particularly aware of; wheat tortillas, breakfast cereals, frozen ready to heat dinners and the massive amounts of corn starch (gmo unless organic) used.

Did you know that the second ingredient in icing sugar is corn starch?

I laugh when I read a package of rice for instance, which makes claim of “gluten-free.”

Well, rice doesn’t have gluten in the first place!! Duh!! Minor detail, but we should know what we are reading.

Check out those lists...will ya?

Love What You Cook, Love What You Eat! allmyfoodmatters@gmail.com

T H E F I S H B O W L - A P R I L 2 0 1 6 • PA G E T W E LV E

NATURAL HEALTH NOTES with DR. PATRICK CALLAS How can you END ANXIETY before it ENDS YOU? We all will experience anxiety in our lives, that’s unavoidable. However, how severe it will be and how long it will last totally depends on how you deal with it.

I personally suffered with anxiety for 20 years. It was suffocating. I’d be panicked, sweating, unable to think. At times I worried I was dying. I felt so unsure of myself, conflict crippled me, social situations felt unbearable, and I procrastinated on any tough decisions because I was paralyzed with doubt.

Today I can confidently say that I have not experienced severe anxiety for over a decade.

Although going through naturopathic medical school and starting my own business were chocked full of stress and anxious moments, it did not hijack my life any more!

ENDING ANXIETY Here are some Quick Fixes and Major Renovations. These solutions have worked for me, for my patients and they will work for you too! But only if you apply them.

Quick Fixes: • Stop being anxious about anxiety. We all experience anxiety. Feeling bad about our anxiety feeds the spiral of anxiety. Forgive yourself. You are not unique or alone. Most importantly ‘know’ your anxiety can and will end!

• Breathe. When you’re in a high anxiety or panic state, don’t you love hearing this advice? But your breath is key. The trick is to breath slow and more rhythmically.

Take 6 breaths per minute and breath quietly. Need help? Download the Breathe Sync™ App on your smart phone.

• Take GABA 100 – 400 mg per day as needed. It is fast-acting! You’ll feel it working within 15 minutes.

Major Renovations: Heal your gut. Much anxiety is caused by poor digestion. Even if you do not have any obvious symptoms. Repair your gut by removing food sensitivities, and adding in ginger and big doses of probiotics daily.

Eat 3 or more grams of omega-3 fatty acids daily. These healthy fats help wire the brain and reduce inflammation. They can take up to a month to have a beneficial effect so be patient.

Face what needs to change in your life! Change is scary and it can be hard. Otherwise, we would all do it more often. Anxiety often has its root at things in your life that need to change, but we are too scared or unaware of them.

There is much more you need to know about Anxiety and how to prevent it.

That’s exactly why I created a Series of Health Talks just for you.

Starting every Thursday, from April 7th to 28th.

“The Anxiety Solution Series” with Dr. Patrick Callas, ND WHERE: Island Natural Health Clinic at 190 Long Harbour Rd. at 5:30 pm These talks will teach you exactly how to heal anxiety and also how to protect yourself from anxiety EVER hijacking your life (again).

If you have any questions or comments for me, write to info@islandnaturalhealth.ca or DrPatrickCallas on Facebook.

MEL byitMelinda OVER Parks-Divers Holding On I sent him off to school but all I really wanted to do was scoop him up in my arms and cuddle. Maybe we could make popcorn and watch movies or make those sugar cookies that we started months ago for Christmas. The dough sits in waste in the crisper of our fridge.

He was tired and frowned with brow deeply furrowed this morning, exclaiming he was not feeling well. Truth is, he was fine. Just tired. It was so hard to wake him this day. Reason being, we stole some time in the evening after a busy weekend, to roll around and be silly way too late. We were snuggled in, eyes droopy, when we called for puppy dog to come take her spot at the end of the bed. “Roo, Roo...come Roo.” His silly sister runs in with hands held up like paws as she pants and barks, rolling herself into us on the bed! “Good Roo!” We play into her joke with enthusiasm, “You want some scratching behind your ears? Good puppy!”

She had been away for the weekend and we missed her. We all had just converged at home about 1 hour ago. We had been off delivering goods to a store in Duncan and looking for snowboard pants for the boy, as a school trip to the mountain is coming up. Sister just returned from a weekend snowboard trip with friends.

The days are so busy. We work. When we don’t work, we are busy catching up on laundry or house work, making dinner or prodding the kids along here or there between school, soccer, after school classes and play dates. That is what takes priority. The raw end of the deal is the moments of cuddles and funny conversations that have been sacrificed to keep the schedule rolling on time, or close to on time!

We are the family that is regularly late. Why is that? Because I can’t surrender those precious moments of rolling around laughing in a make believe play session anymore. Or the bedtime delays as we huddle tightly together laughing at funny animal videos on our little devise, glowing, illuminating his pale freckled face in the darkness. As I glance at his youthful gorgeousness, or indulge in my teens willingness to cuddle next to me, I feel completely whole and happy. And I am not willing to let that moment slip away easily as I know it is fleeting. I hold on to it, and grin happy and slightly guilty, as I inhale it deeply…

Producer of turmeric based elixirs for health, vitality and enjoyment! moonshinemamas.ca

T H E F I S H B O W L - A P R I L 2 0 1 6 • PA G E T H I R T E E N

the

Singing Amma*

Lisa Sigurgeirson Maxx, ECE Nurturing, empowering & educating families for over 30 years *amma = grandmother in Icelandic

Local favourite

returns to

SALT

Moby’s Pub April 15th at 9pm

Help singing amma!

I am in Disneyland with a pre-tween who is plagued with “annoying” thoughts of girls, crushes, sexy feelings and he is just devastated because he feels like he can’t have fun at all! Any suggestions for how I can help him enjoy the “happiest place on earth?” signed, a desperate parent who just wants her boy to be happy! dear desperate-for-happiness, First of all, I will say “congratulations!” – you have a pre-adolescent who feels safe enough to share his wild array of current feelings with you! Begin by acknowledging yourself for creating a relationship he trusts. This in an invaluable gift.

Now, about “tweens” - children between the ages of nine/ten and twelve/thirteen, as in, be“tween” middle childhood and teenager or, the onset of adolescence: even though physiological changes may not be noticeable as yet - (hair growth, voice deepening, breast development or menstruation) – it is helpful to be aware of the huge volume of hormones that are already beginning to course through their young bodies.

These hormones can cause mood swings, reactionary behaviours, and uberawareness or preoccupation of the opposite sex. The brain, during these years, is also rewiring, in preparation for puberty and adulthood, which can cause sudden, wild, emotional storms. Be empathetic and give your child reassurance. Allow them to choose to be close or to be alone for a bit, and be sure to reconnect and practice deep listening as soon as they are ready to be with you. Bear in mind, they are just as confused by their behavior as you may feel. Perhaps even more so.

Talk with your tween about how new hormones are developing in his body, getting him ready to grow from a boy into a man. Which takes a long time. Years, in fact! (Children, though beginning to crave a need for independence can also worry about growing up and not having “mummy” there if they need her.) A tween may suddenly experience separation or sleep anxiety.

Tell him it is all normal. And, even if other kids don’t talk about it they are going through their own version of transformation, too. It can be a very private, and often confusing time, which is great to talk about with a parent you feel safe with. I strongly recommend reading Speaking of Sex by Meg Hickling. It is an entertaining and direct approach on how to answer the wild, weird and wonderful questions children of all ages will have about sex. Reassure him that no question is un-ask able to you; you’ll be there, whatever he might wonder or need from you, you’ll do your very best.

Also, perhaps over-excitement, fatigue, and hunger could be playing into the hormonal surges and causing an overload? Remember, whenever there are “upsets” re-focus on the basics: sleep, food, quiet time to regroup – (ya, right, at Disneyland??!!!) - and maintaining/regaining connection. High protein snacks every two-and-a-half to three hours, as well as adequate sleep, can do wonders to keep hormones in relative balance.

Send your parenting questions to: the.singing.amma@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/thesingingamma Could a private session with the singing amma be helpful for you and your family? email: lisasigurgeirsonmaxx@gmail.com to book your session today!

T H E F I S H B O W L - A P R I L 2 0 1 6 • PA G E F O U R T E E N

Christine Nina Gay JUNE 29, 1953 JANUARY 1, 2016

Chris’ professional life was founded on her ability to articulate verbally what others often could not do for themselves. Chris was an early interventionist, working with children with disabilities and their families and caregivers.

Advocating for their rights, seeing only the abilities rather than the disabilities, and adapting their world for inclusion became her raison d’être.

Chris loved music, writing, life and mostly her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. Chris is survived by her life partner and best friend, Jim Maurice; her children- Kate (Kipp), Jean-Paul, and Eve; her grandchildren- Kai, Kumi and Kobe; her brother Ron and beloved mother, Nina.

Many people were inspired, mentored, loved, appreciated by Chris Gay and touched by her heartfelt writing.

I will be hosting a gathering for anyone who wants to say goodbye and share their stories of Chris as a community. Chris would like people to laugh and hug and dance and listen to music.

Please join me on Saturday, April 2nd - 1pm to 5pm or later We will meet on the beach by the old Local in Gasoline Alley at 1:30 to commemorate a bench in her memory. It was a spot she would go to watch the sunrise and take in the water views. Then we will move to Beaver Point Hall to come together not to grieve but to celebrate. It will be casual and spontaneous. Chris hated surprise parties.

“We dedicated 2015 to us, with our imperfections, insecurities, and indelible spirit.

We guaranteed, it would be a year well lived.” ~Jim Maurice

Meet Your with AHAVA SHIRA

Muse

I have an insatiable curiosity about the creative process. As a creative mentor, listening to artists talk about the intricacies of their craft is one of my happiest places. Through these conversations, I have been developing my own theory of creativity.

Creativity = presence + curiosity + openness + supportive community Creativity isn’t only expressed in paint on canvas, words on the blank page or bodies on the dance floor. It is also raising children, planting seeds or promoting a healthy community. Creativity is any activity that invites us to show up fully and discover new ways of seeing and being with ourselves and others.

Want to initiate your own creative process? Here are some guidelines to get going: 1. Begin where you are. Don’t let thoughts of what you have not accomplished deter you.

2. Allow yourself to fumble, make mistakes and fail miserably.

3. Make friends with the mystery. Uncertainty is a part of every creative process.

4. Look for opportunities to create with others. In a community of creative individuals, everyone has a chance to shine.

5. Set a deadline. When I told the late Great Arvid Chalmers I wanted to perform, he told me to book the date so I would have to go through it. (And I did!)

Whether your kind of art-making celebrates the beauty of nature, makes meaning of loss and difficulty, or protests against injustice, it is not a luxury, but a necessary part of a happy and peaceful life. Creativity keeps us active, alive and vibrant.

“I am your own way of looking at things,” She said. “When you allow me to live with you, every glance at the world will be a sort of salvation.”

- William Stafford, When I Met my Muse Ahava Shira, PhD works with writers and artists as a mentor and guide to their creative process. Learn more at www.lovinginquiry.com

EMBRACE of the SERPENT A fundraiser to support

Saltspring Youth April 7th, 7:30pm

at The Fritz - Tickets $20

White logo below

FRI APR 15 | 7:30PM

VITALY

AN EVENING OF WONDERS BEYOND ILLUSION

Proudly sponsored by Victoria Olchowecki 537-2102 | www.tickets.artspring.ca

Adults: $23 Youth: $5

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