FISHBOWL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2021

DECEMBER 2021 - FISSUE #159

Everyday People Rock New Years Eve at the Legion, 8:30pm page 3

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THE FISHBOWL • MAY 2021 • PAGE A

On Our Cover

Everyday People rock New Years Eve at the Legion

Everyday People are all about the groove. Cherry picking from an eclectic mix of old hits and newer tunes, Everyday People puts together memorable dance sets that keep people moving all night long. Featuring Tara Hollingsworth and Billie Woods on lead vocals, with Mark LeCorre on lead guitar, Dave Campbell on bass and Bruce Cameron on drums and vocals, the five-piece rock band exudes positive energy that springs naturally from the friendships and connections they have made, on and off the stage.

Tara Hollingsworth (vocals, percussion) Tara first performed live on stage with Lane 31, but Everyday People has brought out her inner rock star. She has also sung with an all-female vocal quartet called Honey. “Everyday People is the first rock-and-roll band I’ve ever played in and by far the most fun I’ve had musically. What a riot it is to stand on the stage with these fine folks and belt out a tune.

I’m a latecomer to the stage and there’s no going back now.” When she’s not belting out tunes, Tara operates a popular BnB on the island.

Billie Woods (guitar, vocals) For Billie music has always been about fun and connection. It’s about connecting to her bandmates, listeners and sometimes even ‘the source’ itself. She is not afraid to let loose and really feel what she is playing.

Starting her musical path playing at senior’s homes as a child with her Grandma (so sweet!), she has gone on to release two solo albums and, along the way, has played live in five different combos on Salt Spring. She previously toured Europe opening for Allison Crowe and playing in her band while also documenting the tour on film. In Everyday People, Billie plays electric and acoustic rhythm guitar and adds her sweet vocals to many tunes. She is a talented sought-after photographer.

Mark LeCorre, (guitar, vocals) Mark spent his early 20s playing six nights a week in bars, back in the days when you could do that. He started doing sound in the same bars, and his gift for mixing live sound led him around the world over the next 25 years as the sound guy with some amazing musicians, from the Tragically Hip to Dido and Avril Lavigne. He was so busy with sound that he didn’t play much for a long time, but when he started playing live music again, he got invited to fill in with Thrufare, the band that eventually morphed into Everyday People. “Playing music in a band and sharing that with an audience is a super magical, powerful thing. I’m so happy to be doing this with this group of people and to be playing for all the (everyday) people that come out to our shows.” Mark owns and operates the iconic Tree House Café with his wife Terena.

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Dave Campbell, (bass guitar, vocals) Dave came to Salt Spring in the summer of 2002 to play a show at the Tree House and immediately decided to move here. A band member (Laughlin Meagher) had recently relocated to the island and they quickly formed a group called Drop Radio, which developed quite a following. In addition to Everyday People, he plays regularly with Tom Hooper & the Angry Hippies, and has performed stints with the Sharon Bailey, The Coalition, Hey Boy Hey Girl, Dave Jacquest, and many others. “In the last three years I’ve really, really enjoyed performing with such a fun and energetic group of personalities and performers in Everyday People!” In his day job he’s known as Dave the Chimney Sweep, keeping islanders (and Santa) safe since 2005.

Bruce Cameron (drums, vocals) Bruce has been banging the skins for a long time, first learning drumming rudiments in a Navy band that took him to the UK as a teenager. Prior to joining Everyday People, he played in several Salt Spring acts, including Lane 31 (where he first played with Tara), ThruFare (the precursor of Everyday People), the Sub Dudes, and even sitting in with a jazz quartet. His Calgary band Swamp Donkey (a country punk band which created the infamous album “Maximum Bar Tab, Minimum Wage”) still play the island occasionally, but he has found his true musical home with Everyday People. “I really love the way all five of us contribute to the vocals. It gives us so much room musically to cover some great tunes and share that energy with our audience.” Bruce is a pollster and communications strategist when he’s not making too much noise drumming on some nearby surface.

Your local Legion continues to offer a fantastic mix of fun and interesting music and food to get us through the grey days of fall and winter. We have live music every weekend showcasing great local talent as well as some off island favourites! KJ Craig has all the songs to bring out your inner star at Karaoke every second Friday, while Dayva continues to take us around the world with her delicious themed menus. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep on top of all of the exciting coming events.

This year the Legion is really excited to announce that we have the pleasure and privilege of ringing in the New Year with the fabulous Everyday People. Tickets will be available at the bar in December, details to follow soon!

THE FISHBOWL is brought to you by publisher Genevieve Price.

Ad Sales: Deadlines are the 10th of the month previous to book ad space & submit content.

Columnists: Dr. Hannah Webb, Seth Shugar, Jen Redpath, Jessica Terezakis, & Mishka Campbell.

Calendar events can be submitted up until the 15th.

Green Printing & Layout: Imagine That Graphics.ca

For rates & information call Genevieve today at 250.538.8427 or email thesaltyfishbowl@hotmail.com.

THE FISHBOWL • MAY 2021 • PAGE B

Price is

Right

PRODUCT REVIEWS by: Genevieve Price

routine

natural deodorant

When you start using a cream deodorant the first few applications feel a bit weird. But think of it like you are applying lotion, I use a little more than I would if it was a jarred lip balm, the formula softens instantly and does not have that gritty feel some other similar products do.

With activated charcoal, magnesium and prebiotic blend, this product is a much healthier choice to even the most natural stick deodorants.

The charcoal detoxifies, magnesium relaxes the pits to reduce stress sweats and prebiotics keep your skin healthy. There is a touch of baking soda for added deodorizing, just enough to keep most sensitive skinned people from getting irritation.

Did it work, yes, most days, like any deo, if you are stress sweating or detoxifying you might need something a little heftier but overall I was pleased.

We loved Sassy Sadie, spicy and sweet.

Available in mini’s and regular size.

Second Annual

Salt Spring Farm Stand

Light Up & Tour!

Last year was so well received we are doing it again!

December 4th & 5th / December 18th & 19th For more information and to find your printable map visit: Facebook Page: Farm Stands, Farmers and Foodies of Salt Spring Island • Fishbowl Magazine • The Salt Spring Exchange • Local Salt Spring Island Retailers For any questions please contact: Anastasia Williams at: anastasia17@shaw.ca Farms stands are responsible for all products sold at their stands and organizers are not liable

THE FISHBOWL • DECEMBER 2021 • PAGE 4

Live on Stage

in December

Although it’s a quieter month for our own ArtSpring Presents season (see the What’s Happening On The Rock section for a listing of all events), December does kick off with a real treat for theatre lovers.

Actor Jeffrey Renn is no stranger to the many stages and performance venues on Salt Spring Island. As well as the muchloved Shakespeare On Salt Spring plays with exitStageLeft Productions, Jeffrey has been a regular visitor to ArtSpring for creative residencies, a fabulous holiday season show last year, and part one of his tribute to the great Canadian poet Robert Service.

The show had been finely tuned since its original performance as a rough cut coming at the end of his first residency, and was a word of mouth hit with everyone lucky enough to see it.

So we’re especially excited to finally get to see the next instalment, and to dive back into the world of Service as a young man. We left young Robert navigating his way around family and new found friends in the Ayrshire countryside of Scotland. And that’s where we’ll be picking the story up, notably with his continued relationship with his pal Pat Dougan. These early experiences, before he headed westward to Canada as a young man, were the spark igniting his passion for language and adventure.

Renn is captivating as the solo performer on stage charged with bringing a myriad of characters to life. The quick-change between them, as well as from Service as a young boy to the older poet reciting some of his best-loved works, is a joy to witness.

At Your Service – The Life and Yarns of Robert Service (part 2) Tuesday November 30, Wednesday December 1, and Thursday December 2, at 7:30pm.

Box Office - Tuesday-Thursday 10am-1pm | tickets.artspring.ca | 250.537.2102 | tickets@artspring.ca Please note – As per the current public health order, proof of full vaccination (seven days after second dose) is required for every patron age 12+ attending events. Patrons age 19+ are also required to show a piece of valid government photo ID. Face masks are mandatory at all times for everyone age 5+. Seating is currently at 50% capacity. See our website artspring.ca for more information about current protocols.

photo cre dit azzare llo photography

the

Sweet Spot with Seth Shugar

Star of the Sea Centre for Spiritual Living

November Offerings Tuesday, December 14

Poetry Evening: From Darkness to Light — Nurturing the Urge to Create

Online on Zoom 7pm to 8:30pm A collective of aspiring poets on Salt Spring will lead an evening of shared poetry with an invitation to participants to also share poems dear to their hearts or sprung from their pens. Poems perhaps might focus on the ending of the year, expectations of the return of the light, the nativity of hope, or our own surprising theme as gift. Join us to share, join us to listen.

Sunday, December 19

Winter Solstice Celebration

Online on Zoom 3pm to 5pm Winter Solstice, a pivotal day of transition when nature comes to a standstill. From this still point, our inner light aligns with divine light. The shortest day and the longest night invite us to begin the journey out of darkness as the light grows. Winter Solstice is an opportunity to reflect on the learnings and growth we have been gifted, to allow what has been incubating in the fertile darkness to awaken, to listen deeply to what wants to be birthed now.

Suzan Denis will guide participants in a ceremony of blessing our journey through 2021 and opening to our soul’s yearnings and aspirations as we move forward. During this gathering time, we spiral into our centre with visualization, nature mandalas, and music. We engage in communion with the divine as we create sacred space together. To our virtual gathering on Zoom, bring candles, natural objects, your journal, a small bowl, a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed and a sense of not knowing.

Let’s pause during this time of nature’s turning and give ourselves the gift of discovery as we enter into the mystery and celebrate the return of the light.

Please register at staroftheseassi@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link for both events.

Donations for participation in these events are welcome.

NATURAL SPRING WATER

Puncturing The Myth of the Romantic Rescue One of the most radical and perceptive books I’ve ever read about modern love is Shel Silverstein’s kids’ book The Missing Piece.

The nameless hero of the picture book is a character shaped like Pac-Man who can’t roll very quickly because, like the rest of us, it is missing a piece. And it believes that it is because it is missing a piece that it is unhappy. So it sets off in search of someone who will complete it, heal it, make it whole.

As we do.

After many romantic misadventures, it finally finds its missing piece. And this is where the story starts to get good. Because guess what? It doesn’t do the trick.

Now that it’s no longer missing a piece, now that it’s all whole and complete, it starts to roll so quickly it can no longer do the things it enjoyed the most back when it was still missing a piece: it can’t stop and talk to a worm; it can’t savor the bliss of a butterfly landing on its head.

And with this cute little twist, Silverstein serenely punctures one of our most cherished and harmful romantic myths: the myth of the romantic rescue, the myth that bewitches us into believing that if we are with the right person, we should feel whole and complete. Which, this story unceremoniously suggests, is bullshit. Because even when we finally find that special someone who completes us, Silverstein suggests, we still feel incomplete. Because even when our fantasies of fulfillment are totally fulfilled, we still don’t feel fully filled up.

“So that’s how it is,” our protagonist murmurs in a moment of profound insight.

And then it does something fascinating: it puts down the missing piece, rolls away and then… takes up its search for the missing piece all over again.

Which is completely baffling.

Until we realize that it is, in fact, not the same old search. The search now has a profoundly different quality to it because there is no longer any expectation that seeking will end in fulfillment. Our protagonist is still interested in a relationship, yes, but it has a completely different relationship to relationships. Because now it realizes that while a partner may add many sweet dimensions to its life, it and no one else is responsible for our its own fulfillment, and that to believe otherwise is not only to dangerously delude itself but doom to eventual failure any relationship it enters.

And because it is no longer in the clutches of the insidious myth that the missing piece should complete it, it is now free, for the first time, to pursue a radical new form of relationship that is neither fueled by redemptive fantasies nor burdened by regressive longings.

And this revolutionary new form of relationship is the topic of Silverstein’s masterpiece, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, which will also be the topic of the next instalment of The Sweet Spot.

Seth is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Marital and Family Therapist and Board Certified Life Coach. He works with individuals and couples in private practice. You can reach him at sethshugar@me.com or book a session at www.sethshugar.com

THE FISHBOWL • DECEMBER 2021 • PAGE 5

SHOP LOCAL

Invest in your island's future.

If you drink wine, drink local wine.

If you eat pie, eat local pie.

If you use soap, use local soap.

If you eat chocolate, eat local chocolate.

If you drink coffee, drink it from a locally made mug.

If you love stylish eyewear, buy from a small business.

If you like fashion, buy from a local storefront.

If you like giving gifts, build beautiful baskets full of unique locally sourced items.

If you’re Santa, fill your stockings with local!

THE FISHBOWL • DECEMBER 2021 • PAGE 6

Beaver Point Hall’s Little (2 Day) Christmas Craft Fair Unique, local, beautiful gifts for the holidays

The annual month-long winter show hosted by Salt Spring Arts, which kicked off at the end of November, showcases high quality arts and crafts by up to 100 local creators from Salt Spring and the Gulf Islands. The show continues at Mahon Hall through December 22. Visitors can enjoy the winter season by gifting beautiful and unique handcrafted pieces — all with their special story to tell. From tactile pottery to contemporary jewellery, fine textiles to natural artisan soaps, original paintings and stunning woodwork, there is a special gift for everyone. And in addition to visual art, there is also a curated selection of locally created books and CDs. Island shoppers can be proud to be supporting their local community: 65 percent of the show’s profits go directly to the participating artists. The remaining revenue goes into running the gallery and our community arts programs, such as Artist in the Class and Art Therapy. This year Salt Spring Arts will once again offer free kids ’holiday craft workshops during the first three Saturdays in December.

Artcraft Winter is pleased to offer a safe and festive season that maintains all the current B.C. protocols for retail outlets. The show is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

artcraft winter Gallery + Shop

Local. Unique. Beautiful

Mahon Hall

| Nov 26 - Dec 22

Well folks, it’s that time of year when we really do “Need a Little Christmas” and Beaver Point Hall is stepping up to the plate with a Little Christmas Craft Fair on December 4th & 5th.

Happily, things are getting better but because we are such a cozy Hall, sadly there will be no traditional Friday night dinner or any sit-down dining for that matter. So, we are dropping Friday night from the Fair this year Our goal is to provide a joy-filled spirit of the season experience while keeping everyone safe and well. In order to do that, we have some of the finest artisans on the Island presenting their creations for you and we are following the BC Health Authority’s protocols including mandatory masking, physical distancing, and collecting contact tracing information. For the safety of all, our Vendors and Volunteers are double vaccinated and we will be scanning attendees’ BC Vacc cards. There are currently no restrictions on the number of Santa’s shopping helpers able to be in the Hall at one time. So, come and join us as we put a little holly-jolly normal back into the season.

Saturday, Dec 4th 10 am – 5 pm Sunday, Dec 5th 10 am – 4 pm

8th Annual

Festival of Trees

After moving to the Harbour House from the Golf Course the Festival of Trees has continued to grow and support both the Copper Kettle and the Food Bank The idea is that various local stores and organizations decorate an artificial tree. There are anywhere from 6-10 trees annually. Salt Springer Islanders are asked to come and choose their favourite tree by placing a donation for the Food Bank under it. Money donations for Copper Kettle are also appreciated. The trees are set up at Harbour House Thurs., Dec 2 and taken down Mon., Jan 3.

The tree judged with the most donations is declared the winner and rewarded by having its picture in the Driftwood. The Festival is open 10am to 8pm daily Dec 2 to Jan 3.

THE FISHBOWL • DECEMBER 2021 • PAGE 7

Roundup: Best books of 2021

Mishka’s

Book

VICTORIA’S

Reviews

SUE DECKER BAND DEBUT

On Friday December 3rd, 2021 @ 7:30 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #92

An evening of original roots and blues with the Sue Decker Band.

Rhythm section has deep roots on Salt Spring Island.

Sue Decker: vocals, guitar, lap steel guitar; Bruce Cobanli: bass; Denny Box: drums; Gavin Hodgins: mandolin, guitar Two of Salt Spring Island’s native sons join acclaimed songwriter and slide guitarist Sue Decker in her new band for an evening of original roots and blues. Bruce Cobanli and Denny Box got their start in music growing up on Salt Spring Island. Denny remembers Bruce as “an They are delighted to have their musical paths cross once again in this band fronted by Decker with Gavin Hodgins’ versatile playing on guitar and resonator mandolin.

The Sue Decker Band delivers a fresh blend of original roots and blues. The band infuses evocative and contemporary song writing with the echoes of early blues, folk and jazz and the sheer joy of making music. Sue Decker’s soulful voice, earthy slide guitar playing, and ‘outlaw country’ song writing sensibility make for a powerful combination. In 2019, Sue released her debut full length album Outskirts of Love to international acclaim. As a songwriter, she is just as likely to meet her muse in a Bessie Smith record as she is at a Steve Earle concert. Sue is thrilled to be playing electric lap steel and grooving on stage these days with her versatile and talented band.

“We have proof here that Ry Cooder and Lucinda Williams once hooked up. Decker is a mind-blowing talent that makes you think she’s making this music just for you. Not to be missed.” ~ Chris Spector, Midwest Record "Trendsetter who played in bands, and sported fine suits with narrow ties while t-shirts and jeans artistic were the norm”. Denny is not short on flair himself–a spirited drummer who draws inspiration from early jazz, mid-century novelty music, and percussion from around the world.

Bruce, who trained in jazz bass at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, has returned to Salt Spring recently and has immersed himself in the art and music communities.

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www.DocksideRealty.ca THE FISHBOWL • DECEMBER 2021 • PAGE 8

I’m continuing my with Mishka Campbell December tradition of sharing my favourite and not yet reviewed books of the year: “Little Cruelties”, by Liz Nugent is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read. It tells the story of 3 brothers, beginning at a funeral (although we don’t know whose), and lays bare the misdeeds and mistreatments these 3 suffer at each other’s hands. It’s family dysfunction at its best (worst?!).

“Shuggie Bain”, by Douglas Stuart won the 2020 Booker prize.

Set in Glasgow in the 1980s, this is the story of a family struggling with addiction, poverty, and abuse. Although it’s a dark read, it is redeemed by the shining light that is the character of young Shuggie himself. An unforgettable story.

“Hamnet”, by Maggie O’Farrell is the story of…do I really have to explain? There’s a famous playwright, who is never mentioned by name. He writes a well known play with a central character whose name is very similar to that of the playwright’s own son. This is a short but gorgeous novel, that’s written in a style that you either love or hate. I LOVED it. I was moved to tears even though I knew what was coming, so yes, I think this book is definitely something special.

“The Death of Vivek Oji”, by Akwaeke Emezi, is set in Nigeria and is a beautifully sad tale of grief, love, acceptance, identity and friendship. By the title we know to expect Vivek’s death and we learn how that came to pass, as well as glimpse who Vivek was in life.

Masterfully written and incredibly moving.

Here’s a few of the best non-fiction: “Crying in H Mart”, by Michelle Zauner, is a coming of age memoir that chronicles her mother’s cancer diagnosis, and their complicated relationship. “Braiding Sweetgrass”,

by Robin Wall Kimmerer, is phenomenal. I don’t know why it took me so long to finally read it, but if you haven’t yet, I’m going to have to insist that you do. “84, Charing Cross Road”, by Helene Hanff, is one of the best things I’ve ever read. What’s to love? The lost art of letter writing, England rebuilding after the war, a writer’s acerbic wit, casually mentioned great works of literature, and the unbelievable kindness.

Crack-your-heart-right-open-generosity. And that dear readers, seems like the perfect place to bid you adieu. Until next year.

What’s Happening on the Rock December Live Entertainment

MOBY's Live Entertainment 1 Wednesday Music Bingo (730pm) 3 Friday Ollie Happyness (730-11pm) 4 Saturday Sharon Bailey duo (730-11pm) 7 Tuesday Trivia (730pm)

8 Wednesday Music Bingo (730pm) 10 Friday Buck Dodgers (730-11pm) 11 Saturday Mike and Margo (730-11pm) 14 Tuesday Trivia (730pm) 15 Wednesday Music Bingo (730pm) 17 Friday Simone and Mike (730-11pm) 18 Saturday TBA live music (730-11pm) 21 Tuesday Trivia (730pm) 22 Wednesday Music Bingo (730pm) 26 Sunday TBA Boxing Day live music 28 Tuesday Trivia (730pm) 29 Wednesday Music Bingo (730pm) 31 Friday TBA NYE Live music

December 1 – December 30 (Mon/Wed/Fri 10AM – 5 PM, Tues/Thurs 9AM – 5PM, Saturdays 10AM – 3Pm).

(Art) Avril Kirby. Conversations with Thomas. “Conversations with Thomas” is an ongoing project exploring what happens when art and photography meet and melt together with a twocentury, two-continent gap between great, great, great grandfather, Thomas Hastings and great, great, great granddaughter, Avril Kirby. The show will be available to view in the Community Program Room when not in use. st

th

Tuesdays, December 7th & 14th, 7:30 – 8:30PM. (Language) Spanish Conversation Group - ZOOM. This free event is a chance to chat with other Spanish speakers or learners in a fun and relaxed atmosphere on ZOOM. All levels of Spanish are welcome - from beginners to native speakers. ¡Hasta pronto!

To register please email: programs@saltspringlibrary.com Thursday, December 2nd, 7PM. (Poetry Open Mic) Kevin Spenst. Please join us on ZOOM at 7PM with featured poet Kevin Spenst. Spenst is the author of Ignite, Jabbering with Bing Bong, and Hearts Amok: a Memoir in Verse (all with Anvil Press), and over a dozen chapbooks including Pray Goodbye (the Alfred Gustav Press), Surrey Sonnets (JackPine Press), and Upend (Frog Hollow Press). He lives in Vancouver on unceded Coast Salish territory. Log-in at 6:45PM to sign-up to read a poem, and at 7 PM to listen.

To register please email: programs@saltspringlibrary.com Tuesday, December 7th, 2 PM (Art) Avril Kirby Artist Talk.

Conversations with Thomas. Listen to the Avril Kirby discuss her exhibit at the library “Conversations with Thomas”. Vaccine card and mask are mandatory for this event.

Legion Branch 92 Entertainment Schedule Meat draw every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 5-7 December 3rd The Sue Decker Band 7:30 December 10th Doug and the buds 7:30 December 11th Pride Karaoke 7:30 December 17th The Van Dangos 7:30 December 18th Ugly Christmas Sweater Karaoke 7:30 December 31 Everyday People NYE Bash 8:30

ArtSpring Entertainment Schedule At Your Service - The Life & Yarns of Robert Service (part 2) Tuesday November 30, Wednesday December 1 and Thursday December 2 | 7:30pm $30 adult | $5 youth Vetta Presents: Vivaldi’s Orchestra Monday December 6 | 7:30pm $20 (SOLD OUT)

Salt Spring Singers Saturday December 11 | 7:30pm Sunday December 12 | 2pm $20 adult | $5 youth GISS Music Wednesday December 15 Thursday December 16 | 7:30pm $15 adult | $5 youth Viva Chorale! ‘Wind in the Willows’ Food Bank Fundraiser Friday December 17 | 7pm $25 adult - includes $20 Food Bank donation $5 adult | $2 youth (ticket only)

FILMS at FULFORD HALL Dec. 10 to 12, 2021 Friday, Dec. 10: 4 pm: BEANS 7 pm: THE NEW CORPORATION with filmmakers Jennifer Abbott & Joel Bakan in attendance Saturday, Dec. 11: 4 pm: FIRST WE EAT 7 pm: THE MAGNITUDE OF ALL THINGS with filmmaker Jennifer Abbott in attendance

Sunday, Dec. 12: 4 pm: FIRESTARTER: The Story of Bangarra 7 pm: JIMMY CARTER: Rock & Roll President

THE FISHBOWL • DECEMBER 2021 • PAGE 9

Jen’ll Tell Ya Featuring Jen Redpath & Jessica Terezakis

Dear Jenn and Jess, I have been mostly single and I am worried that I have had too many sexual partners? What’s normal for someone in their 40s?

-D Hi D, Great question-- and definitely one that a lot of folks have!

According to a 2007 Global Durex survey, which polls people and their sexual habits, Canadian women reported having 10 partners in their lifetime, with Canadian men reporting 21 in theirs.

Let’s try and unpack some of this with some simple math!

If someone started having sex when they were 18 and was mostly single their whole life, if they had sex with one person every year, by the time they were 30, they would already be over the 2007 national average for women. By the time they were 40, they would be over the male average.

Should someone be relegated to one sexual partner for an entire year to keep their numbers within the national average?

Absolutely not!

These numbers just reflect averages and there are certainly many folks who fall way below and way above the “average”. This study also doesn’t reflect the wonderful gender diversity out there!

For a lot of folks, real life isn’t a romantic comedy where they find “The One”. There are many different configurations of relationships, including choosing to be single and for many of us, those configurations change many times over during our lifetimes.

There are also many people who choose to have one sexual partner, or whose numbers fall under the national average, or who choose to not have sex at all. It is important to remember that we are all diverse in the ways we express our sexualities!

It seems the problem isn’t how many sexual partners is too many or too few, the problem is that we live in a culture where both too much sex and too little sex are somehow both a bad thing.

So, to answer your question D, Simply, there is no normal! The number of sexual partners you have is entirely up to you, as is who you share that information with.

Choice is at the crux of what is sexually liberating, and a healthy sexuality is always self-defined - whether you have sex with a hundred people or have sex with no one.

And- Pro-Tip for everyone: the maintenance of good sexual health is dependent on communication, consent, informed decision making around protection, and frequent sexual health check-ups like routine STI testing.

That's all folks -

Stay Sexy Salty!

THE FISHBOWL • DECEMBER 2021 • PAGE 10

Every Dec. 6, Canadians recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Join in community to renew our strength, honour the lives of women, and hope for more inclusive and peaceful communities.

December 6th Memorial Ceremony Monday, December 6, 2021, 5pm Livestreamed on Facebook: @islandersworkingagainstviolence Hosted by The Circle and IWAV In Memory Of Geneviève Bergeron Maryse Laganière Hélène Colgan Maryse Leclair Nathalie Croteau Anne-Marie Lemay Barbara Daigneault Sonia Pelletier Anne-Marie Edward Michèle Richard Maud Haviernick Annie St-Arneault Barbara Klucznik-Widjewicz Annie Turcotte

Third Party Reporting: A Simple Anonymous Way to Report a Sexual Assault Sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes in Canada, with around 90% of all cases not reported to police. The decision whether to report or not can be a complex and difficult. Many survivors are reluctant to report or engage with the criminal legal system, for various reasons.

Others choose not to report because they know the person who has assaulted them—a reality in up to 80% of all sexual assault cases.

Sexual assault survivors on Salt Spring and the other Southern Gulf Islands now have another option: a simple and anonymous way to report a sexual assault called Third Party Reporting (TPR). TPR means that another agency acts as the third party, which submits information to the police on the behalf of the survivor. In this case, the coordinator of the Sexual Assault Response Program at IWAV is the third party.

Here’s how it works: With the help of our coordinator, the survivor provides the information and fills out a simple form in our office. We then submit the detailed information without the survivor’s name. We act as a bridge between the survivor and the police.

The police enter that information, including the perpetrator’s name, into an online database that tracks repeat offenders and patterns of behaviour of people who commit sexual assaults. If the police ask for more information about the assault, the survivor chooses whether or not to provide more information.

There is no time limit for TPR; the sexual assault could be one that is recent or one that happened many years ago. The report allows survivors to share what happened to them in a safe and confidential way without the fear of being arrested, deported, believed, or judged.

It’s an opportunity for survivors to ask questions, get connected to other resources, and be supported in making informed decisions about their care.

There are a few instances where survivors cannot use TPR, such as when a child is at risk of harm, if the safety of a person or the public is at imminent risk, or if the sexual assault occurred in an intimate or domestic partnership or relationship. TPR is rarely used for survivors under 19 but can be used in certain circumstances.

For more information, please contact the coordinator of the Sexual Assault Response Program: sarc@iwav.org

Films at Fulford Hall!

December 10 to 12

The Salt Spring Film Festival presents three nights of awardwinning films at Fulford Hall, December 10 to 12, with visiting filmmakers including Jennifer Abbott and Joel Bakan.

Jennifer Abbott will present her two latest documentaries, including THE MAGNITUDE OF ALL THINGS at 7:00 pm on Saturday, Dec. 11. This moving exploration of personal grief and climate change recently won Leo Awards for Best Direction, Screenwriting, Cinematography and Sound.

Joel Bakan, Abbott’s co-director for THE NEW CORPORATION: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel, will join her onstage at 7:00 pm on Friday, Dec. 10, to present the followup to the 2003 film which Abbott codirected with Mark Achbar. Exposing how companies are disingenuously rebranding themselves as socially responsible, this much-anticipated sequel was named Best Canadian Documentary by the Vancouver Film Critics Circle.

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

 Aries Maybe

the

Mayans

The worry you're feeling is

dyslexic and they meant 2021…

unnecessary…

because

hope to see you in 2022…

can't

the

One of the things you've always liked about life is how seemingly lucky

you

are.

Expect

big

changes this week.

 Gemini

Suzanne Crocker chronicles the challenging year her Yukon family spent eating only food they either grew themselves, harvested or hunted, in FIRST WE EAT, screening at 4:00 pm on Saturday, Dec. 11. This experiment in sustainability and food security was named Best Canadian Documentary at the prestigious Hot Docs, and will be presented by Oscar-winning documentarian Nettie Wild, the film’s Story Editor.

behaviour.

avoid

you

rumours

anyway.

 Taurus

The only narrative film among five documentaries, Mohawk filmmaker Tracey Deer’s celebrated coming-of-age story BEANS will kick off the series at 4:00 pm on Friday, Dec. 10. Set in 1990 during the 78-day armed standoff known as the Oka Crisis, BEANS was named Best Canadian Feature Film at VIFF.

A smash hit Down Under, FIRESTARTER tells the story of the spectacular Bangarra Dance Theatre, a groundbreaking Indigenous contemporary dance company. Directed by Wayne Blair and Nel Minchin and screening at 4:00 pm on Sunday, Dec. 12, FIRESTARTER won the Australian Oscar for Best Documentary.

were

 Libra

 Scorpio Avoid

serious

questions

wherever possible today.

 Sagittarius

The older you get the more

been

you're starting to realise that

taught will be forgotten in

everyone else is an idiot. Happy

a

Birthday!

Everything crazy

you

have

moment

of

rash

 Cancer

 Capricorn

You are important, at least as

Although danger is never far

important as the discovery of

away, it really isn’t ever that

the dock leaf when you were

close either, you live on Salt

stung by stinging nettle as a

Spring.

child.

 Leo

 Aquarius

intentions to nurture the fig tree

you can or cannot do.

Use the watering-can of good of expectations. There, enjoy figuring that one out.

 Virgo

Don’t let anybody tell you what

 Pisces You’ll

undergo

a

crisis

of

conscience when you realize

Most of your ideas will turn out

that 1980 is as long ago from

to be excellent ones today.

today as it is from 1939.

The film series wraps up at 7:00 pm on Sunday, Dec. 12, with Mary Wharton’s crowd-pleasing JIMMY CARTER: Rock & Roll President, in which the revered politician and humanitarian’s 1977 election was supported by such musicians as Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, James Brown, Dolly Parton and Aretha Franklin.

Tickets for all films are $10 (+ service charges), except for the 7:00 pm screenings on Friday and Saturday nights, which are $15 (+ service charges). Advance tickets are available via the link on the Festival’s website: www.SaltSpringFilmFestival.com.

We strongly encourage purchasing your tickets in advance as these screenings are expected to sell out. Parking is limited so arrive early and carpool if possible.

In accordance with pandemic protocols, masks must be worn at this event. Vaccine passports will be scanned and ID will be checked at the door, as per provincial health regulations.

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