FISHBOWL MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2015

SALT SPRING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE November 2015 - FISSUE #87

FREE & EASY

SS Folk Club Food Bank Fundraiser

Barney Bentall & the CARIBOO EXPRESS • 6 November Calendar of

STUFF to DO on the ROCK • 9

Peter Vincent: Citizen at Large

THUS SPAKE Trip Advisor • 12 Sean Hogan

Remembering Our ANIMAL PALS • 13 Velvety-Voiced Pianist

Elizabeth Shepherd

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

November 25th

2013 SMALL BUSINESS of the YEAR!

Like us on Facebook at The Fishbowl Magazine

On Our Cover

Elizabeth Shepherd at Artspring Wednesday November 25th Velvety-voiced pianist Elizabeth Shepherd arrived on the international scene in 2006 when her debut album Start To Move was voted one of the top jazz albums of the year by the listeners of the influential Gilles Peterson Show on BBC Radio Worldwide. Since then, the Montreal-based soul-jazz innovator has established herself as one of the most alluring and imaginative artists on the scene today. Versed in equal parts Stevie Wonder, Salvation Army brass bands and classical sonatas, it is perhaps no surprise that this globetrotting talent has developed such a distinct and unique voice.

Elizabeth has been hailed as “a jazz virtuoso blessed with a pop sensibility,” praised by critics worldwide for her arrestingly original writing and soulful delivery. Along with artists like Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper, and Jose James she is seen as part of a wave of jazz musicians bringing the art form to a new generation of music fans.

The three-time JUNO nominee (Canada’s Grammy equivalent) has released four widely acclaimed records and toured extensively in North America, Europe, Japan and Mexico. She has sold out legendary clubs from Tokyo to Detroit, played major festivals like Montreal and North Sea Jazz Festivals, shared the stage with Victor Wooten, Branford Marsalis andChristian McBride, and opened for Jamie Cullum at The Hollywood Bowl. Elizabeth is also the only jazz vocalist to ever have been long listed for the Polaris Prize – Canada’s most prestigious music prize.

Are you New

to SSI? Having a Baby? Getting Married?

Don’t miss your opportunity for a great welcome wagon visit.

Call Jenny today for your greeting, free gifts & useful info 250-653-9222 or email langdonjennifer5@gmail.com

FISHBOWL

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

Aries:

Soak up these next couple months where your year round flannel wardrobe is temporarily weather appropriate.

Taurus: No matter how bad

you feel, take comfort in the fact that your mid-life crisis involves binge watching a show about outlaw bikers instead of actually becoming one.

Gemini: All you need to feel

Libra: Expect a drunk dial soon.

Scorpio:

You will get a new job! The stars predict you will hate it for completely different reasons than your old job!

Sagittarius:

Don’t be afraid to ruin your friendship by having sex. The friendship isn’t that great anyway.

Capricorn:

happy this month is a Spiced Latte and a barrel full of anti-depressants. It’s good to have goals that are achievable.

This month you will give up your seat to a lady you are only 50% sure is pregnant.

Cancer:

Aquarius:

It’s unfortunate that you can’t hide your gas emissions as well as Volkswagen did.

Leo:

Here’s hoping this year’s seasonal depression finally helps you catch up on all the TV shows you’ve been meaning to watch.

Virgo: The hardest part about

It’s the end of “Summer Fridays” at work and the beginning of fake doctors appointments! Happy November Pisces! “sniffle.”

Spend this month forgiving yourself and getting over the fact that you were accidentally attracted to your mom’s Throwback Thursday Facebook picture. this cold upcoming winter will be having to find people you’re attracted to for their personalities.

Pisces:

Find us at www.facebook.com/ thefishbowlmagazinessi Follow us on Twitter! @FishbowlMag

T H E F I S H B O W L - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 • PA G E F O U R

Price is Right

PRODUCT REVIEWS by: Genevieve Price Sponsored by

Maybelline BROW DEFINE & FILL duo The days of trying to to match your brow to your hair colour are long over.

Now it is all about defining your brow.

When choosing a brow liner you want to go a shade darker than your hair colour.

I loved this pencil, it has a roll up tip so no messing around with soft pencil tips in your sharpener and it gives perfect fine lines every time. The filling powder is awesome, the applicator is foam so it also helps blend and shape.

In just 2 easy steps you are out the door.

Step 1 Define and set brows with the defining pencil using short light strokes.

Step 2 Fill brows using filling powder, following along natural brow contour.

This is now a staple in my make up bag. $10.99

Bateman Has

Issues

starring the most awesome John Bateman If you’re like me, from time to time you must look yourself in the mirror and ask the person staring back at you, “What the hell is NASA up to?” My answer is almost always, “I have no idea, John.”

Space exploration, indeed all things celestial sure have changed since I was a kid. I would like to note that I am actually talking about REAL space stuff and not about 4 stars that somehow form a unicorn wearing a neck brace, or Jupiter’s 2nd moon messing with your chi. If that is what you are expecting, you might as well put the magazine down and go an fixate on a pile of rocks. Since this is Salt Spring, I assume nine out of ten readers are now fixating on a pile of rocks somewhere.

When I was a kid, space was simple. There was one meteor shower a year, shuttles launched once in awhile and fixed a space machine, and people would wait patiently in their lawn chairs for extraterrestrial life to contact us. The faked moon landing was a memory, and Mars was more chocolate bar than planet. People would look to the night sky, drop acid and marvel at what wonders must exist out there. Soon after, the shuttle program was scrapped because, to be honest, The X-Files was on.

Then NASA scientists started to panic. All of a sudden interest had dropped and very few job postings mentioned being a “poindexter” as an asset.

So what did NASA do? They did what every other publicly funded entity does under threat: They started to spin. All of a sudden we were hearing about new planets that can be inhabited and subsequently destroyed by humans. Oh sure, 30 light years sounds pretty close, but in reality, with the propulsion we have, it would take us 2 million years to get there. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have that kind of time to throw around.

Next, NASA spent 60 light dollars advertising that sometimes a full moon is actually a “super-moon” because it might look bigger. The moon rises and sets for 8 billion years, then all of a sudden, in 2013 it becomes a super-moon once in a while? No. Now, it seems the final straw has hit the camel’s back. The camel by the way can be seen in the western sky, just after sunset. That final straw is Mars. I’m not sure why humans have decided to pick on Mars. Poor Mars must be sitting there, watching Earth being slowly destroyed, thinking, “Please don’t come here. Please don’t come here.” Then the next thing Mars knows is that there are 700 rovers crawling around, randomly digging holes.

Now, unfortunately, they have found liquid water on Mars. Big deal, I get 12 gallons per minute. “But!” you say, “That means there might be life out there!” Well duh! Look at the size of the universe, it’s literally infinite.

Believe me, I can get just as wrapped up in the wonders of space as the next space cadet. What I am concerned about is the fact that humans are actually wrapped up in the prospect of scraping earth and finding a new place to systematically destroy. Not only that, billions of dollars are spent in the process.

I say we go back to looking for aliens from our backyards. Hell, give me a lawn chair and some single malt and I’ll find them for us inside of 2 hours.

T H E F I S H B O W L - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 • PA G E F I V E

the

Singing Amma*

Lisa Sigurgeirson Maxx, ECE Nurturing, empowering & educating families for over 30 years *amma = grandmother in Icelandic Dear Singing Amma, If you have any advice that will help me to not raise my voice so much to my son, I’d appreciate it. I was raised by a really, stern father. I’m trying not to be as tough on my little guy as my dad was on me. But how do I get my five-year-old to mind me? signed, Trying-to-be-a-Good-Dad Dear Inspiring Dad, Parenting is the most important job we will ever do; we are raising the citizens and leaders of tomorrow’s world. And, parenting is the job most people never get any formal training in. We learn how to parent either by emulating what we thought our own parents did “right,” or by doing our best to not do to our little ones that which we didn’t appreciate having been done to us. Either way, we are stumbling in the dark, with our most formative years (approximately the first seven years of life) being our only “education” in the realm of parenting. It can be challenging to undo what became ingrained in us so early so I am always inspired by parents who are doing their best to break the not-so-great parenting patterns of previous generations.

Important building blocks for any healthy relationship – one in which people do not yell at each other as a regular way of being – are feelings of being safe and connected. When your son is “not minding you” look closely and you will likely find some breach of trust or loss of connection.

Focus first on rebuilding the connection between you: have some extra snuggletime or quiet story time; say “I love you” often; go outside and explore together; for father-and-son sometimes a play-wrestling match is a good re-connector – playful or gentle physical contact often goes a long way to rebuilding connectedness.

Children inherently want to please their parents – (I know, I know – it doesn’t always seem that way!) – but, it is a survival mechanism built into our DNA. If a child is bucking against your lead check to see: Are your expectations age-appropriate?

Are you respectful of the child’s stressors – are they tired, hungry, have they already had a busy day? Is your child testing healthy new levels of independence? Practice being playful – instead of stern or strict - whenever possible: “This robot must buckle you in your car-seat within ten seconds. Please help me count to ten now.”

(Said in your best robot voice, of course!)

As a general rule, if you would not want your spouse to speak to you, or for you to be spoken to by another adult, in a certain way, (eg “Get your coat on this minute!”), then it is likely an inappropriate way to speak to your child. Respect is a two-way street. Lead by example. Children learn by observing and then mimicking the people closest to them – you, the parents. If you want your child to respect you and to speak respectfully to you, it is imperative that you speak respectfully to them.

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!

Follow us on Facebook at

The Fishbowl Magazine SSI

T H E F I S H B O W L - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 • PA G E S I X

MEL byitMelinda OVER Parks-Divers

Starting November 6th at Kizmit Galleria & Cafe, 6-8pm

Ok, I admit to having some very negative thoughts this month.

I decided to observe it and this is what I can say about it.

Firstly, I swear a lot when negative.

Potty mouth. And this...

Negativity can wash over you in a second with no warning. Something can just trigger it. In that moment, everything just sucks, instantly.

Negativity is kinda like having a paper bag thrown over your head. It is blinding and limits your vision. Usually you are too engrossed, it is hard to notice you are in it!

Barney CARIBOO BENTALL EXPRESS and the

Monday November 23, 2015 at 7pm

Tickets at SALT SPRING BOOKS and STUFF & NONSENSE On November 23, Barney Bentall brings his stellar showcase of performers to the Salt Spring Folk Club’s presentation, at the Fulford Hall. The cast includes along with Barney Bentall; Ridley Bent, Dustin Bentall, Wendy Bird, Matt Masters and the Gold Rush Allstars and special guests. This will be a tenth year celebration of the show’s incarnation and a stop on the western Canadian tour that is raising money for food banks in nine BC locations. The Cariboo Express is a highly entertaining, one-of-kind variety show hosted by Canadian music icon Barney Bentall and includes some of Canada’s finest roots and country musicians. It is all about laughter, storytelling and the timeless sound of contemporary songwriters with great respect for tradition. The show is a heartfelt set of roots, folk and rock favourites. Not only that, but the mandate of the Cariboo Express on this night to raise funds for the Salt Spring Food Bank. Through an inventive sponsorship model, local businesses are featured in song introduction monologues, using humour and sentiment to showcase the sponsor. Funds raised by this and other initiatives on November 23 will be matched by Barney Bentall’s Hawthorne Foundation. The Salt Spring Food Bank relies entirely on community donations of food and cash and a dedicated group of volunteers so this fundraiser is timely to stock up for the Christmas food hamper program.

It can take the form of anger, annoyance, judgement or whatever “Negativity can wash over you in a second demon is possessing you and it seems to like to invite it’s buds over with no warning.” once it busts into your being. It will call up self pity, sadness or any of the other “side effects” to hang out at your mental wellbeing’s expense.

How do you kick those jackasses out? First you have to recognize them. That alone has the bag lifting. Your vision starts to restore a little.

The next stage is a little work. Drop what you are doing and go for a walk. Get out in nature. Be alone. Sit on a beach. Take a pen and some paper and write your thoughts down.

Look at the horizon or, at night, star gaze. Pulling your eyes to the farthest point in your vision, expands your vision physically, and mentally. The space the negativity occupied will be replaced with awe and deep thoughts that pull you out of the little annoying moments and pull you out of your head for a while, and into those stars.

By this point, you will start to feel connected to the universe and all of its awesomeness, and less to that turd that was mean to you or whatever! Hope in humanity and life itself restored, you will be ready to shimmer some loving light again!

Negativity, be gone!

NATURAL HEALTH NOTES

with DR. PATRICK CALLAS MEDICAL OZONE for Arthritis, Herniated Discs, and So Much More!

Negativity, Be Gone!

Salt Spring Folk Club Presents

T H E F I S H B O W L - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 • PA G E S E V E N

Sandra

DIDRIKSON LOCKE Art Showing Sandra Didrikson Locke will be showing her latest works at KiZmit gallery starting November 6. Through her painting, Sandra explores her philosophies and environmental concerns. Inspired by nature and reflecting on a belief that life should be lived with integrity, her paintings explore an abstraction of “past”“present”and “future”.

Sandra studied fine arts at the University of Alberta and taught the Gulf Island Secondary School art program for over 25 years. Acting mostly as a guide and mentor, she encouraged students to explore and find their own style and appreciation for the visual arts. Her paintings have a freedom of expression and show an exploration of universal consciousness.

The Bee, as painted in oil on canvas (3’ x 3’), is a global indicator of the sensitive balance and current decline in the health of the environment.

Sandra is a long term resident of Salt Spring Island and lives on a farm in the agricultural land reserve. In addition to bee hives, the farm includes a large garden, greenhouses, fruit trees, several ponds, chickens, 2 horses and 2 dogs.

Sandra’s passions in life are family, art, enjoyment of nature and running.

Medical ozone is used by over 7000 Medical Doctors in Europe and thousands of other doctors worldwide but the medical use of ozone is relatively unknown in North America. Ozone has a wide range of therapeutic benefits for treating conditions ranging from herniated discs to the herpes virus, and has the ability to deliver oxygen to healthy cells and to destroy unhealthy cells such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and cancer. Our own antibodies produce ozone to kill bacterial pathogens directly and stimulate other immune responses.

Very few Naturopathic Doctors and MDs use medical ozone for patient care. I have specialized training in ozone and other oxidative therapies, and I have an ozone generator in my clinic, Island Natural Health.

An ozone generator creates ozone from pure oxygen via a high voltage gradient.

Ozone is unstable and must be used quickly before it breaks down again into oxygen. It cannot be bottled – it must be produced and used within 40 minutes of production at room temperature.

Arthritis Ozone therapy not only relieves the pain of arthritis but also allows for regeneration of the joint. Any joint can be treated with ozone injections including shoulders, hips, ankles, low back and neck.

In a study of patients with knee arthritis who had not responded to typical therapies (including drugs, physical rehabilitation, steroid injections and acupuncture) were treated with ozone injections directly into the knee joint. The response was rated good in 84.1% of patients while only one patient responded poorly to treatment.

98% of patients reported that their quality of life had improved with treatment, and 91.3% noted a marked improvement in agility, daily activity and social activity. Some of the side benefits experienced by patients were improvement in hearing, vision and energy and the disappearance of numbness and tingling in the lower limbs.

Lumbar Disc Herniations Studies have shown that the non-surgical treatment of disc herniation using ozone therapy is effective. Surgery for disc herniations has not shown the same benefit.

Ozone injection allows for shrinkage of the herniated disc without an open surgical approach. Ozone therapy also signicantly reduces inflammation and pain.

Viral Diseases including Herpes and Hepatitis Ozone is capable of destroying viruses by both directly damaging the viruses and by stimulation of the immune system. The viruses most susceptible to ozone therapy are Hepatitis C, Herpes 1 and 2, Cytomegalovirus, HIV, and Epstein Barr Virus (the cause of some cases of chronic fatigue syndrome).

Medical ozone has many more uses that I do not have room to detail here.

The Cariboo Express has become a sought-after event across western Canada that makes a significant impact on each community it touches with both its fundraising model and highly engaging show. What better way to spend a Monday night in November than at a show that is not just an incredibly enjoyable favourite for all ages, but one that makes a difference in the community too.

Highlights include: • Diabetes & diabetic leg ulcers • Any infected wounds or skin ulcers • Hemorrhoids • Raynaud’s disease – ozone can reduce or stop attacks for at least 3 months after treatment

Donations are eligible for a tax receipt and can be made that night to support the food bank with matching funds. Tickets are available at SS Books and Stuff & Nonsense.

Do you have a comment, question or a topic for Dr. Callas? If so please contact him at 250-537-0035, info@islandnaturalhealth.ca or Facebook: DrPatrickCallas

T H E F I S H B O W L - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 • PA G E E I G H T

presents November 8th @ Artspring

AN EVENING WITH

JANICE STEIN

BELZBERG PROFESSOR of CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

this November enjoy a wild range

of shows at ArtSpring

This November, ArtSpring brings you a myriad of performances and events to enjoy.

Montreal-based soul-jazz musician Elizabeth Shepherd is one of the most imaginative artists on the music scene today. She is a jazz virtuoso blessed with a pop sensibility and performs at ArtSpring on November 25 at 7:30 pm. According to the Montreal Gazette, “Whether you’re a hipster, a purist, or a Diana Krall-loving softie, she will win you over.”

Bouge de là Dance Co. also from Montreal and one of the most innovative dance/theatre companies in Canada devoted to new work for young audiences, performs Bedtime! at ArtSpring on November 10th at 7:30pm. This unique and playful piece for all ages explores four slices of life drawn from childhood where beds are transformed into territories of multiple possibilities. Choreographer Hélène Langevin also leads a workshop on structured improvisational dance on November 9th at 5pm.

Young artists from the University of Victoria play duos and trios of Haydn and Debussy on November 8th at 2:30 pm. This recital features Chloe Kim on violin, Aliayata Foon-Dancoes on violin, Evan Hesketh on viola and Shiun Kim on cello.

Canadian pianist and Steinway artist Arthur Rowe performs November 16 at 7:30 pm. He is Professor of Piano at the University of Victoria and the Artistic Director of the Victoria Summer Music Festival. He is also a critically-acclaimed recitalist, soloist with orchestra, and chamber musician.

On November 21 at 9:30am embark on a wild operatic journey with Lulu, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Lulu is one of the most important stage works of the 20th century and this William Kentridge production stars soprano Marlis Petersen as the notorious femme fatale.

Enjoy ArtSpring’s Youth Art Program Exhibit: Day of the Dead – Frida and Diego Style! on Nov. 1st and 2nd in the gallery. (The opening reception takes place on Oct. 31st at 3:30pm.) The exhibit is a result of the art program, facilitated by local artist Tracy Harrison, which invites young artists (ages 10 to 14) to partake in art-making and explore the work of master artists.

For more information about these incredible events and performances, visit www.artspring.ca. To order tickets, call the ArtSpring Box Office at 250.537.2102 or visit www.tickets.artspring.ca.

at the University of Toronto’s Department of Political Science and Founding Director at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs – at 7:30 pm

November 19th @ Artspring

AN EVENING WITH

DR. GARRY ROGERS SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST

with the Geological Survey of Canada in Sidney, BC who specializes in earthquake and tsunami studies.

He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria where he is Principal Investigator for establishing the offshore seismograph network attached to Ocean Networks Canada’s underwater cabled NEPTUNE observatory. Last year he concluded a fifteen-year tenure as a member of the Standing Committee for Earthquake Design, which is responsible for earthquake resistant provisions in the National Building Code of Canada and for the past decade he has been Canada’s representative on the UNESCO Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Pacific Tsunami Warning System.

Tickets to both forums are available at ArtSpring by calling 250.537.2102, or by visiting www.tickets.artspring.ca or Salt Spring Books. $15 Forum Members; $20 General Public.

T H E F I S H B O W L - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 • PA G E E L E V E N

T H E F I S H B O W L - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 • PA G E T E N

Marsha’s

Book

Now showing in November at

Reviews

Bridge

with Marsha Moreau

Julie

In the Unlikely Event

by Judy Blume Who doesn’t love Judy Blume? Even if you weren’t of an age to be reading her books for youth as they were being published, you had to have heard of her, and to have some idea of the doors that she opened for young people’s literature. She’s written over twenty books for kids of varying ages, and a few for adults as well.

Her frank, straightforward style and ability to be both storyteller and counsellor rolled into one has won the hearts of many. Musician Amanda Palmer wrote a delightful song about her and the positive influence Judy Blume has had on her life (find it online- it’s worth a watch). However, I suppose the flip side is that anyone writing realistically about the issues young adults face is bound to garner some criticism, negativity and even outright book banning. I should really rephrase my opener. Some people have an outright hate on for Judy Blume, but I am not one of them. I love Judy Blume.

In the Unlikely Event is her first book for adults that I have read, and I really enjoyed it. Told in the same no nonsense way as her YA fiction, this novel has a premise “Her...ability to be rooted in an event that actually both storyteller and occurred in Blume’s hometown, counsellor rolled into while she herself was a teenager living there. Elizabeth, New Jersey one has won the was the site of a series of horrific hearts of many” plane crashes in the early 1950s.

The central character, Miri, experiences all the angst of any teen, but is also thrown into the tragedy that every single person in her community must face, simply because of their geography.

It is unimaginably distressing to think about the loss of life and destruction happening repeatedly to such a small place, but how this town finds a way to cope, and how individuals react in the face of disaster is just a part of the story. It’s Miri herself, as well as her family and close friends, that give this novel a full scope of the impact, as well as a riveting portrayal of the time period. This story is told in several short chapters, with many different points of view, which only adds to its depth. The author is careful with her words, and not overly descriptive, but she creates a vivid world nonetheless. One that she’s waited over sixty years to share. It has so been worth the wait.

MAD COAST

Howard

“I like to paint images that invoke a sense of wonder and self-discovery through the simplicity of our connection to beauty and nature.”

www.barbsbakeryandbistro.ca

TOURNAMENT

A FUNDRAISER for KENYAN SCHOOL GIRLS Friday November 6th, 2015 at 1pm Upper Hall at All Saints Anglican Church Cost: $20 including dessert and tea/coffee For Tickets contact: Lynda 250 931 1214, Mollie 250 537 8978 or Ruth 250 537 9682 Also at SOLID at 131 Fulford Ganges Road

Fantastic Door Prizes, Top Score Prizes, Silent Auction Help keep these girls in school!

Community Open Houses

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6th

ANNUAL

FCLLINU IC

10:30-2:30pm

In April 2015, the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development authorized the second phase of a governance study for Salt Spring, as a followup to the first phase conducted in 2013. The purpose of this study is to conduct the research and comparative analysis between the existing (rural) form of governance and an incorporated (municipal) form of governance, and to engage the community in a discussion of the results in preparation for a possible incorporation vote, should sufficient community interest exist.

This study is being overseen by an objective, ten-member volunteer Incorporation Study Committee (ISC) that was assembled by SSI’s three elected representatives. The ISC was formed in June and selected a consultant, Urban Systems, to undertake the study.

The first phase of this research and analysis has been prepared and was issued in October as the Preliminary Incorporation Study Report (available at www. ssiincorporationstudy.com). The ISC is hosting two Open Houses for the community to present highlights of this information and, in conjunction with the consultant, to be available to answer questions on a variety of topics. The Open Houses will be held:

Sunday, November 22, 2015 1:30 – 4:30 pm (Fulford Hall) Monday, November 23, 2015 1:30 – 4:30 pm (Meaden Hall) More information is available at

www.ssiincorporationstudy.com.

with Matt O’Connor

The Project In 2005 my mother made an investment that would change our lives. She bought a trailer and not just any trailer but one with a view we’d been drooling over for years, situated across from our favourite beach and just off shore, the picturesque Chantry Island lighthouse. Location: Southampton, Ontario, a Lake Huron cottage town with white sand beaches and rolling dunes. Ecstatic and counting our blessings we quickly realized that the trailer or “the cottage” as we preferred was going to be quite the project, not the simple exchange of cash and land we had initially thought.

Straight out of the 1970’s our cottage was complete with indoor/ outdoor carpeting, stained glass, yellow countertops and backsplash, faux wood panelling, and original appliances. Upon first glance this retro look was right up our alley. “We can work with this!” mom exclaimed excitedly, picking up various items to fit the aesthetic including miniature disco balls and dishes with vintage prints matching the wallpaper and curtains. As with most projects once started you discover much more needs to be done than you were anticipating. This is how our project moved from a remodelling to a complete overhaul.

Our first task was to remove the plastic carpeting in the sunroom.

My twelve year old self was in heaven. Demolition and remodelling was something of a dream job for me. I eagerly jumped into the role of handy man, throwing items “ As with most projects once into the discard pile and ripping started you discover much up the carpet where it had already come loose. Of course, more needs to be done than after 35 years of wear and tear, you were anticipating.” things were bound to get worn, rusty, and very dirty. With a final full bodied rip of the carpet I flew backwards forcefully landing on my hand, not hard enough to cause a break, but with exaggerated misfortune landing me on a rusty nail.

From there it was off to the hospital for a tetanus shot.

We took ownership at the beginning of my grade 8 year and spent weekends escaping our hometown, three hours south, to work on what would become our summer home. The last day of fall had come and gone and we continued working into the winter for a short time without power or heat.

All winter, and every winter since taking possession, we have worried about “the cottage”. “How’s it doing braving the snow storms? Has water leaked through the 35 year old window panes?”

Every year, we return in the spring thaw, un-batten the hatches, creak open the door, unsure of what we’ll find on the other side. We’ve been lucky. Just as we were when “the cottage” came into our lives and as we’ve been every summer and weekend spent there at the lake. I haven’t been back to ‘O’Connor’s Oasis’ in many years but the image of my mom and dog enjoying the place we poured our hard work and love into all those years ago warms my heart. Looking back, I know that I was, and still am, the luckiest kid of all.

T H E F I S H B O W L - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 • PA G E T W E L V E

kind

PETER VINCENT

CITIZEN at LARGE

Ultimately, the naked truth is always revealed on Trip Advisor.

There, comments attached to the Maligne Lodge were less than kind. Comments like “RUN!”, or “Room 113 filthy/stinks/old/avoid,” or tellingly, “they sell you on the newer rooms and then when you arrive they put you into dirty old rooms.” To the hotel’s credit, management replies to each of the comments in a lovely fuzzy-warm corporate speak . . . “We offer our sincere apologies for falling short of your expectations. Your comments have been reviewed by our entire management team” etc but really, the proof is in the pudding. Of the 473 reviews for the motel, over 100 are in the ‘poor’ to ‘terrible’ categories. I backed out of the parking lot and never looked back.

Thus spake Trip Advisor.

No site has changed the travel landscape as significantly as Trip Advisor. According to a recent article in the Washington Post, Trip Advisor now boasts 250 million reviews from 84 million submitters, with 160 new posts per minute. Yes, per minute. And a new feature on their mobile app entitled “Near Me Now” which brings up a whole panoply of diversions in your vicinity. Brilliant.

How important is Trip Advisor to the health and well-being of a hotel or restaurant? In a recent poll of 2800 participants, 41% look to the internet first when planning a trip. That’s 5% more than those who relied on friends and family. Internet planning increased over 7% last year alone. It’s a big deal.

So how do we size up here on provincial, bucolic, eclectic Saltspring Island? All over the map of course. What else would you expect? The #1 restaurant goes to Jana’s Bake Shop, off the beaten path in an industrial park. I stopped in at Jana’s and asked her “how’s biz,” ensconced as she is amid upholsterers and financial advisors, far from the madding crowd of Ganges?

“Great!” was the reply. Visitors see Jana on Trip Advisor, punch the address into their GPS, and presto. I love technology.

All the other usual Saltspring suspects are there, with varying numbers of stars ranging from ‘unforgettable’ to ‘absolutely abysmal.’ In fact, many a happy schadenfreuden hours can be wasted reading the scathing comments from tourists experiencing Saltspring’s “hometown” brand of hospitality.

Like any self-respecting traveller, I throw out the hometown highs and the scores from the Russian judge to come up with the unvarnished straight goods. In this case, I have to agree. Jana concocts some drop dead irresistible treats. Just GPS her!

with Sean Hogan

REMEMBERING OUR ANIMAL PALS

Thus Spake Trip Advisor

A sunny late September afternoon found me in the lobby of the Maligne Lodge, Jasper, Alberta, witnessing a world weary desk clerk get a proper dressing down from two irate guests. “That suite is nothing like it says on your web site! It says ‘refurbished!’”

The lobby air was quickly becoming tense. I retreated to my SUV and took a quick look at the motel’s website, and indeed the corporate images and write-up belied the reality.

paws

Island Natural Health

Naturopathic Medical Clinic Dr. Patrick Callas

Christin Boyd

Naturopathic Physician

Bowen Technique Practitioner

Amber Wood

Dr. Adella Gerry

Registered Acupuncturist

Naturopathic Physician

250-537-0035

190 Long Harbour Road, Salt Spring Island www.islandnaturalhealth.ca

Bibliophiles

UNITE!

The 9Th Annual Giant Book Sale & Jewels For Literacy

The Salt Spring Literacy fundraiser sees thousands of books — many of them in as-new condition — set out in some 40 categories for the sale, which runs from 10 am to 4 pm on all three days.

Salt Spring Literacy Society members also have access to a special Preview Evening on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, with literary guests, wine, appys, and the chance to peruse the books and purchase two favourites. Society memberships cost $10 and can be acquired at the door.

New this year, Salt Spring Literacy has a gem of an idea.

They are hosting the first jewelry fundraiser.

Take this opportunity to clean out your closet and find a new home for your used jewelry. Drop off boxes for donated jewelry can be found at Cafe Talia, Mondo Trading Company and every major book drive.

They welcome necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings. Costume, handmade, vintage and designer jewelry all applies. The sale will be held at the

GIANT BOOK SALE

on November 20th-22nd at Farmer’s Institute.

For more info, call SS Literacy at 250-537-9717, or send an email to coordinator@saltspringliteracy.org.

EVENT November 22 (location, time tba) “Remembering our Fur Family & Friends” Whenever someone we love dies, it’s normal and natural to have feelings that wrench at us, seemingly ‘tearing our heart from our bodies.” It’s culturally acceptable for family and friends to show compassion and understanding when the loss concerns someone close to us - like a spouse, child, or family member. Even an entire community may rally and support the significance of the loss. Depending on the circumstances of the death, sudden or expected, tragic or ending-suffering, our grief may be complicated and take a long time to resolve.

Unfortunately, the same culture of tolerance and respect doesn’t exist when the one who died was a companion animal. Some consider grieving animals as “silly,” because “it was just a pet,” and besides, “the cycle of life” takes us all. Such dismissive expressions do not take into account that many people consider pets members of their family. The experience for some pet owners when a beloved companion dies may be as intense as or greater than for any human they have loved. Grief may be complicated by our culture’s “Unfortunately, lack of empathy and value for animals. the same culture...

We know from social media how many doesn’t exist when the family pets have birthday parties, how one who died was a many videos we have on our phones companion animal.” of our dog chasing his tail, and also how many of our pets come from rescue animal shelters. It’s also telling how much money is spent on our furry family members, for instance, the U.S. market for pet care products and services totalled nearly $56.4 billion in 2014 (BCC Research).

We also know from Canadian surveys that nearly 65% of households have at least one cat or dog (CFHS, Pets in Canada, 2012) and that a majority of pet owners have more than one domestic animal in their home. The fact is, domestic pets are a significant part of the fabric of our lives, and these are the animals we don’t eat.

Rather, we’re talking about the animals who sleep in our beds, lick our nose, and make us laugh with their antics.

In a culture that values animals for their intelligence and individuality, we have celebrations of lives just as we do for people.

We acknowledge losses experienced. After all, and if only it were otherwise, our pets never live long enough with an average lifespan of 12-15 years. Depending on how we came to be together, the time from the start of our relationship until its end may be very brief indeed.

On Salt Spring Island, we have an opportunity on November 22nd to come together to acknowledge and celebrate the lives of our pets who have died. The BC SPCA branch will be hosting a “Remembering our Fur Family & Friends” candle light vigil and prayer ceremony in the afternoon (location tba). Details will be posted on our Facebook events page and will be circulated to Fishbowl readers online. Please join us in changing our companion pet culture from death-dismissive to embracing loss together.

T H E F I S H B O W L - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 • PA G E T H I R T E E N

T H E F I S H B O W L - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 • PA G E F O U R T E E N

Let’s talk Chicken!

by CHEF KEN BRUDNER

EP “Crystallize” now available for download.

Islander

Chicken “factories” have sprung up all over North America and have become the most alarming as far as slaughtering, butchering and distribution as there seems to be no concern of any ethical treatment of their livestock and how they produce their product. Witnessing a 70 foot trailer jam packed with screaming hens made me aware of their ill fate.

These days, people who order chicken that is served in restaurants that most can afford, might be surprised of the process that this poultry goes through from birth to their inevitable demise.

The process involved after slaughter is also a concern. Through modern methods, the meat of the now killed birds is subject to a drenching in water and often injected with a soy protein. This process is to add more weight to the meat as it is packaged and ready for market. More poundage means more cash for the producer, as we buy it by weight. If there is water or liquid in the package you have just purchased, you can be sure that what you are about to eat has been through this scheming process. It also destroys the substance, structure and integrity as the liquid saturates, especially the most loved white breast meat because of its sponge-like properties. I contacted one major distributor and inquired about the soy protein, but unfortunately I did not get a response.

“Farmhouse Chicken” is a pretty safe choice. You will not find any liquid in your package as they use a drier process for production and although they use some antibiotics in the early stages of their lives, they use far less than these “factories” do.

You can find this brand at Country Grocer. Sure it is a little pricier but why would you want to pay for water that just continues to seep out of the meat when you don’t get back that weight which you have paid for? So what is more expensive, I ask?

Thrifty’s sells an organic line of chicken which I find to be of very good quality and is competitive in its pricing.

We are fortunate to have ethical and dedicated farmers here on Salt Spring that supply Country Grocer and Natureworks with fine quality birds that are magnificent and huge with a unique wild flavour.

I encourage all to watch the most lauded documentary from 2008 by Robert Kenner named “Food. Inc.”, if you haven’t already.

Also, although horrific, I suggest you watch http://www.goryfoodservice.com/.

This video is presented by Change.org. It is their intention to inform people of the cruelty to animals and what you and I are consuming with our food choices specifically from particular food distributors.

Maybe this gives us the answer to “Why did the chicken cross the street?

Watch what you eat, Watch how you feel!

THE FISHBOWL is brought to you by Stephanie Rhodes & Genevieve Price along with the following local columnists & sponsors.

We are Salt Spring Island’s #1 Source for Arts, Entertainment & all things island style. Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages.

photo courtesy Angelo Scaia

Hmm, did you know these tasty birds have risen to the top of the list for most consumed meats in North America? Unfortunately, there is a sad story behind all of this.

ORA COGAN

continues to make waves with her ethereal psychedelic-country sound.

ELIZABETH

SHEPHERD

VELVETY-VOICED SOUL-JAZZ

Salt Spring born & raised artist, Ora Cogan is teaming up with Trish Klein of acclaimed alt-folk band, The Be Good Tanyas to co-produce a new record.

Ora Cogan is an innovative songwriter. Her music interweaves folk, psychedelic-country, dream pop and Americana. She is a mesmerizing vocalist whose ethereal sound draws comparisons to Angel Olsen, Karen Dalton, and Mazzy Star.

Ora has toured across North America and Europe while writing songs for the likes of Frazey Ford, co-founding Her Jazz Noise Collective, and releasing 5 solo albums to date, claiming a place in the heart of Vancouver’s indie music scene.

537-2102 | www.tickets.artspring.ca

Adults: $23 Youth: $5

The new EP ‘Crystallize’ is out now on Hidden City Records and serves as a taste of what can be expected with the new full-length album.

“Crystallize” sets Ora’s voice in a vivid ambience of shimmering electric guitar, vintage keyboards, and post-rock style drums. Stand out tracks include the lush “Re-patterning”, as well as a psyche-folk reinvention of Slim Whitman’s classic ballad “End of Nowhere.”

This month, Ora will be hitting the road in to play shows in Portland, Seattle, New York and Toronto and all over BC. For tour dates and to download the “Crystallize” EP go to: www.oracogan.com Cogan is currently on island, collaborating with Salt Spring photographer, Angelo Scaia to create a music video for the song “End of Nowhere.”

The full-length record is slated to be released in 2016.

cOLUMNISTS: John Bateman • Dorothy Price • Peter Vincent Dr. Patrick Callas • Marsha Moreau • Lisa Sigurgeirson Maxx Sean Patrick Hogan • Jenny Redpath • Melinda Parks-Divers Matt O’Connor • Lucina Sliwowska Dorothy teaches classes & retreats locally & worldwide. sponsors: Mrs. Clean Laundromat • Pharmasave s Bakery & Bistro • Hawthorne Hill Gravel Sales Visit www.santosha-yoga-retreats.com or phone 250.653.4655 Barb’ Valcourt & Sons Roofing • John Lefebvre

2013 SMALL BUSINESS of the YEAR!

WED NOV 25 | 7:30PM

GREEN PRINTING & LAYOUT: IMAGINE THAT GRAPHICS.CA aD sALES: Deadlines are the 10th of the month previous to book ad space & submit content.

Calendar events can be submitted up until the 17th.

Call Stephanie today at 250 538 8164 or email thesaltyfishbowl@hotmail.com for rates & information.

Find us at www.facebook.com/thefishbowlmagazinessi

Follow us on Twitter! @FishbowlMag

Now you can read the Fishbowl ONLINE at issuu.com Just type Fishbowl Magazine in the search bar.

Tell your off island friends!

You can also visit our website for the current issue and all other information at www.FishbowlMagazine.com

www.fishbowlmagazine.com

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