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Fassbender meets with SD 69 board The education minister didn’t bring a cheque when he met with the School District 69 board last Friday

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Local news for Parksville, Qualicum Beach and area

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Bear killings number rises his year, B.C. conservation and law enforcement officers in Central Vancouver Island and the Alberni Valley have destroyed more than double the number of black bears they did in 2012.

From April 1 to Nov. 21, officers destroyed 25 black bears, compared with nine for the same period in 2012. The number increased despite the fact that Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni have strategies in place to reduce conflicts with bears, such as bear resistant hardware on garbage containers and bear management plans.

B.C. Conservation Officer Sgt. Ben York said the region is an anomaly in the province, as bear killings generally are down this year.

“It’s the worst part of our job,” York said. “For the most part, [killing a black bear] is avoidable.”

This year, 325 black bears were killed by conservation officers in B.C., compared with 460 in 2012.

The 25 killed bears in the region had lost their fear towards humans, York said.

“It’s a behaviour progression.

Garbage and other attractants become low-risk to them,” he said. “Since the attractants are

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These two orphan black bear cubs are being rehabilitated at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association in Errington. Their mothers were killed by hunters and by B.C. conservation officers. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR] easy food sources, why not keep going back to it?”

Don’t leave things outside that bears can eat, York said. Attractants include unsecured garbage containers, fruit left in trees, barbecues that not have been cleaned, pet food, bird feeders,

livestock feed, compost, garden produce and chicken coops.

North Island Wildlife Recovery Association wildlife manager Robin Campbell explained that bears will get more calories from eating garbage in somebody’s alley than from foraging and

hunting in the wild.

Conservation officers are often criticized as killers, but most officers hate that part of their job, York said. “I’ve seen officers in tears after dealing with bears,.”

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2 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Education Minister Peter Fassbender speaks to reporters while Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell listens. Listening in behind are District 69 board chair Lynette Kershaw and trustee Ross Milligan.

[BRIAN WILFORD/OCEANSIDE STAR] North Island Wildlife Recovery Association animal care worker Cory Gardner cares for the orphan cubs at the centre. To rehabilitate them properly, she makes them afraid of human beings. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR]

Bear relocation does not solve problem BEAR , from Page 1 Bear Smart B.C. executive director Crystal McMillan said there is no excuse for bears being destroyed.

“If we keep removing the problem [by killing bears], what is the incentive for humans to change,” she said. “It creates a perpetual problem.”

McMillan described bears as feeding machines on paws that will go through big risks to get calorific food, which is why people need to keep attractants away.

Animal lovers should also refrain from feeding bears because the animals can find their own food.

Under the B.C. Wildlife Act, it is

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illegal to intentionally feed dangerous wildlife or leave in place an attractant that could be accessible to dangerous wildlife. Offenders could be fined up to $50,000.

B.C. conservation officers only remove or destroy animals if bears become a threat to humans by becoming accustomed to them.

“You cannot rehabilitate that behaviour,” York said.

In a few of the 2013 cases, the killed bears had been tagged, meaning they had been relocated to another area by conservation officers. York said this is another sign that relocation doesn’t solve the problem.

Due to a warm fall, bears are still out there instead of going down to hibernate. York said offi-

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cers are getting reports of sows and cubs running around when usually only young bears are still out looking for food.

Campbell said he expects the NIWRA to get more bears before the end of the year.

While certain agencies advise people to report every bear sighting, Taylor said conservation officers only want to hear about sightings when bear behaviour changes.

“If it’s a bear doing nothing in a rural environment, we don’t want to know about it,” he said.

“We want to know when it has found a new food source like garbage or when it causes damages to property. That’s an early warning sign but people can still correct the situation.”

Fassbender meets with SD 69 board BRIAN WILFORD OCEANSIDE STAR

Education Minister Peter Fassbender didn’t bring a cheque with him when he met with the School District 69 board at Family Place last Friday, just a willingness to work with the district to find solutions to its problems of a growing shortfall and declining enrolment.

“I’ve been there,” said Fassbender, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood and a former school trustee. “We will work with the board to help find savings.”

District 69 is looking at a budget shortfall of $2.4 million over three years and $3.4 million over five years.

Over the next five years enrolment is projected to decline and then rise over the subsequent five years to level just below the current student population of 3,960.

Fassbender said the province is

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“looking at ways of doing things differently.”

The province has already loosened restrictions on the ability of school districts to sell assets, he said.

It’s likely “tough decisions” will have to be made, he said, with the goal of putting “maximum dollars in the classroom.”

Speaking prior to his meeting with trustees, Fassbender said there was no particular reason for his meeting with the District 69 board.

He’s simply traveling the province touring districts and he’s now doing Vancouver Island and “seeing some great programs.”

He anticipated that trustees would have questions about the impact of Hydro rate increases and negotiations with teachers for a 10-year contract.

The ministry wants to see programs that are “flexible enough to provide students with the tools they need,” he said, and “business and industry working with school districts.”

It also wants to “change the attitude that trades aren’t as good as a university education.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 3

District 69 Superintendent Rollie Koop makes a point during Monday’s meeting at Springwood Middle School. [BRIAN WILFORD/OCEANSIDE STAR]

Closing schools will not end SD 69 woes BRIAN WILFORD OCEANSIDE STAR

Closing schools isn’t going to get District 69 out of its financial pit, senior district staff said Monday.

“We can’t close enough schools to save $3.5 million and still have seats for our students,” Superintendent Rollie Koop told an overflow crowd of more than 60 people in the multi-purpose room at Springwood Middle School Monday. “That’s not the solution.”

In three years, the district has to find $2.5 million a year in additional savings if it’s to meet its legal obligation of producing a balanced budget. It has to find another $1 million in annual savings — $3.5 million — in five years.

“We’ll be in free-fall for the foreseeable future,” said district secretary-treasurer Erica Bailey.

Monday’s meeting was the first in a six-week series of public meetings organized by the school

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board and district to arrive at a five-year financial plan “so we’re not bandaiding,” Koop said.

Bailey told the meeting that to get to $3.5 million in savings by closing schools alone, the district would have to close a secondary school ($850,000 a year), all three middle schools ($450,000 a year each), two large elementary schools ($415,000 a year each) and two small elementary schools ($260,000 a year each).

Still, it appears that closing schools may be part of the solution, as well as reconfiguring grades.

It’s true there is more money in education and fewer students, Koop said, but rising costs mean there are 1.5 percent fewer dol-

lars each year. He cited as an example the $100,000 hit the district is going to take when Hydro rates increase next April.

About 90% of the district’s money goes to salaries and benefits, he said, and “we’ve been chipping away at that for some time.”

Bailey presented figures showing about a 12 percent reduction in staff costs over the past five years, including an eight percent reduction in teacher costs.

“Those areas have already been hit,” she said.

The district has closed 33 classrooms, she said, but that saves only $45,000 a year.

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4 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Facilities remain biggest cost for school district SCHOOL, from Page 3 The board offices at Parksville city hall only cost the district about $30,000 a year, she said, whereas renovating a school site for board offices could cost $1 million, mainly in computer and utility charges.

“Facilities is our biggest fixed cost,” she said.

In 1985, Koop said, the district had 3,434 students in 13 schools.

Then the province decided it wanted students out of portables and provided money to build schools.

By 1999, the district had 5,629 students in 15 schools.

That has now fallen to 4,096 students (regular and international)

Rollie Koop in 15 schools, for an overall utilization rate of 71 percent.

Projections show that rate will worsen over the next decade as enrolment declines, with the higher grades being hardest hit.

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schools is not great,” Koop said.

Bailey noted that Qualicum Middle School, opened 11 years ago, is “a good building but half-empty.”

It and Oceanside Middle School have annual per-student costs ($1,944 and $1,719 respectively) hundreds of dollars higher than other schools, with most elementaries, for example, in the $1,100 range.

Those at the meeting agreed that the “anchor communities” of Parksville and Qualicum Beach should each have facilities for kindergarten to Grade 12.

There was a mixed reaction, however, to the suggestion that the K-12 path may not be “balanced” in the district, that is, one area may have the current splits of K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 but another area may have different splits, including K-7 and 8-12.

Deciding whether or not to take apart the middle-school structure, Koop acknowledged, “is going to be a point of tension.”

The next public meeting in the process, Monday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., in the multi-purpose room at Kwalikum Secondary School, will aim to establish criteria for weighing the options.

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Council mulls money options BRAD BIRD OCEANSIDE STAR

City councilors talked about weed, freeloading dogs, the cost of herding cats and $1,000-a-day hydro bills at Monday’s council meeting.

No, they weren’t smoking wacky tabacky.

They were discussing alternate sources of income for a city that’s facing large capital renewal and operating costs. The ideas for income came from the community – the Council Advisory Committee, chaired by Coun.

Al Greir.

The CAC asked the city to decline any requests to be part of a medical marijuana partnership, despite its being a potential income source. Greir said the concept is on rocky ground because the cost of regulated dope will far exceed what you’d pay for a joint on the street, so the plan may fail.

That raised a few eyebrows and ran into flak from Coun. Marc Lefebvre, who said we have no choice but to accept a grow operation if the government decides to put one, say, in the Agricultural Land Reserve.

He thought we should receive the recommendation as information only. Coun. Sue Powell agreed.

Chief administrative officer Fred Manson weighed in by saying grow operations are not permitted in either the ALR or the industrial park, so the committee’s report should be sent to staff as information.

A vote to pass the recommendation to decline involvement in medical marijuana failed, with Mayor Chris Burger casting the deciding ballot against.

On the issue of a casino in the city, council voted unanimously to investigate whether a couple of gaming corporations were interested in locating here. After all, said Burger, we face huge operating costs – including an annual hydro bill of $341,000 for street lighting and other demands.

“Yes, write that down gentlemen,” the public should know, he

told the press.

Coun. Bill Neufeld said solar power will be the dominant energy source within 20 years, and “I think it’s absolutely critical that we consider how to get into this market. It will be the main driver of our energy sources.”

Pets came next. Greir said the CAC believes that cats and dogs are both getting a free ride. A dog licence of $25 exists, but few residents actually buy one. Of 32 dog owners surveyed, only four had licences.

Playing on the city’s name, Greir quipped: “It’s called Barksville now.”

The mayor suggested they promote the dog licence bylaw more openly on their web page and elsewhere.

Manson said the SPCA used to look after animal control, but there’s a vacuum now. It would cost the city about $35,000 to hire someone, but dog licences would generate $25,000 a year at most, so it wouldn’t pay.

On cats, Burger said “we simply don’t have the enforcement capacity to try to herd cats.”

Greir defended the idea of licensing felines, saying that if a pussy is caught pooping in your yard and has no licence, you could report the beast’s owner to the city.

Proposed parking meters at beach parking lots raised more fuss.

Greir said the committee is aware that many people park all day in the Community Park, especially in summer. With meters, the tourists will pay more often than locals, he said, and the 75 spots there will open up more often.

Coun. Carrie Powell-Davidson said she doesn’t want meters at the beach obstructing the view.

But she likes the idea of having them in downtown parking lots near city hall. She pointed out that Nanaimo generates big money by charging for downtown parking.

See REVENUE, Page 5

NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 5

Councillor cautions against parking meters because it could hurt business REVENUE, from Page 4 Lefebvre advised treading carefully, as the costs of installing meters, monitoring them and processing tickets could exceed the income, and meters could also hurt business.

Powell cautioned that meters at the beach could push people into parking on Pioneer Crescent or elsewhere, creating new problems.

The sale of yard sale permits and permits for private parties at the park were also discussed.

Manson said sports field user fees are being examined.

Morrison said he wouldn’t want to see fees discourage some of the great events held here.

The possibility of selling the Parksville Community and Conference Centre was also raised, given the $250,000 (and rising) subsidy it gets each year. Burger praised it as an asset, and noted such centres often lose money.

Grier and Lefebvre said the city should hold a town hall meeting and ask people what they think should be done with the PCCC.

WEEKLY SPECIALS GE Free Oceanside members Gil Sampson and Lois Eaton show which box of cereal contains GMOs and which doesn’t. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR]

New group in region fights food GMOs JULIE BERTRAND OCEANSIDE STAR

A new local group aims to increase awareness of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and to work on banning them in the region.

GE (Genetically Engineered) Free Oceanside was formed this fall when a few members of the Qualicum Beach Garden Club and local residents decided to get together and do something about the spread of genetically engineered plants.

For member Gil Sampson, it all started when he attended a meeting of the Canadian Society of Questers in Fanny Bay. “[GMO whistleblower] Thierry Vrain was a speaker,” he said.

“It was the first time someone explained herbicide tolerant plants to me.”

Member Lois Eaton heard about the new group through being a member of the garden club.

“I have been health-conscious [for a long time],” she said. “I avoid

GMOs and eat organic food.”

One of the group’s first actions was to start a petition to ask Health Canada to label food containing GMO, as is done 64 countries around the world. The petition has since been given to Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney to present to the House of Commons in Ottawa.

Members are considering hosting regular movie nights during which they would show food documentaries.

At the municipal level, the group wants to convince Qualicum Beach and Parksville to declare themselves GE-free zones.

“Fourteen B.C. municipalities have already done this,” Sampson said. “Qualicum Beach is already pesticide-free.”

Members are currently researching what effects adopting a bylaw against GE has had on the 14 municipalities.

GE Free Oceanside is not alone in its work against GMOs on Vancouver Island.

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6 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Resident travels twice to Victoria only to learn cardiologist is sick JULIE BERTRAND OCEANSIDE STAR

A senior Parksville resident traveled twice to Victoria to meet her cardiologist only to be told the physician was home sick both times.

Janet Capp suffered a heart attack on Oct. 20. During her stay at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, she underwent a number of tests.

After coming home on Oct. 26, she scheduled an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morgan, a cardiologist operating out of the Western Cardiology clinic in Victoria, to get her test results.

As Capp does not own a car, she arranged with Wheels for Wellness, a nonprofit transportation society, for a ride to the clinic.

Because Wheels for Wellness volunteer drivers transport many clients during one trip, Capp had to leave home at 7:15 a.m., even though her appointment was later in the day. “When I got there, I was told my cardiologist had called in sick,� she said. “Office staff

Parksville resident Janet Capp rests at home last Thursday with a neighbour’s cat. She said she will call again the Western Cardiology clinic to schedule an appointment in the New Year. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR] had tried to call me to reschedule the appointment.

They could not reach me because I had already left home by the time the clinic

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She then waited to be picked up by the volunteer driver and arrived home at 4:15 p.m.

Capp’s appointment was rescheduled to Nov. 15 after lunch.

When Capp arrived that day at the clinic, she confirmed that Morgan was in the office and was

meeting patients. She then left the clinic to get a coffee at a nearby coffeehouse. She said that when she came back one hour before her appointment, staff told her the appointment would have to be postponed again because Morgan had become sick and had left for the day. “I asked to get my results from

another cardiologist at the clinic,� Capp said.

After waiting an hour or so, she said she was told by staff the cardiologist could not see her because he had to leave early and had to see many patients before his departure. “All this running around is causing me stress and costing me money,� Capp said.

She asked her family doctor to transfer her to a Nanaimo cardiologist. She was told nobody was available and that next time she booked an appointment with Morgan, she should make sure he would be there.

Western Cardiology administrator Mike Craig said Capp’s situation was the first time it happened at the clinic. The clinic has nine cardiologists on staff who see 75,000 patients every year. “I get [at the clinic] at 7 a.m.

[When cardiologists phone in sick], we call people from out of town first for obvious reasons,� he said. “Then we call patients from Victoria.�

He added that doctors do get sick from time to time and office staff do their very best to notify patients. “We appreciate patients’ time and efforts,� Craig said. “We do our best to accommodate everybody.�

The clinic has offered to transfer Capp to another cardiologist at the clinic.

City of Parksville appoints councillors to boards BRAD BIRD OCEANSIDE STAR

Contact Bill @ 250-951-1385

Each year at the first council meeting in December, Parksville’s mayor makes

annual appointments to boards, both voting and liaison. Monday night they were formalized.

The new audit committee consists of Mayor Chris Burger and Couns.

Al Greir and Carrie Powell-Davidson.

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Voting boards include the Arrowsmith Water Service Management Board, on which Coun. Marc Lefebvre will sit, with Mayor Burger the alternate; Burger will sit on the Englishman River Water Service Management Board, with Lefebvre the

alternate.

Peter Morrison was appointed to the District 69 Recreation Commission, and Sue Powell to the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board. Other appointments can be found on the city’s website.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

BRAD BIRD OCEANSIDE STAR

Storm sewers are expensive – even the plans that guide their renewal.

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Receive $750/ $1,000/ $1,250/ $1,500/ $1,750/ $2,000 / $2,500/ $2,750/ $3,000/ $3,250/ $3,500/ $3,750/ $4,000/ $4,250/ $4,500/ $4,750/ $5,000/ $5,250/ $5,500/ $5,750/ $6,250/ $6,500/ $6,750/ $8,000/ $8,250/ $8,500/ $9,250/ $10,500 in Manufacturer Rebates with the purchase or lease of a new 2013 [Edge SE]/ 2014 [Transit Connect (excluding electric), E-Series, F-150 Regular Cab XL 4x2 (Value Leader)] / 2013 [CMAX]/ 2013 [Escape S, E-Series], 2014 [Fusion S] / 2014 [Fusion (excluding S, Mustang V6 Coupe] /2013 [Fiesta S, F-150 Regular Cab XL 4x2 (Value Leader), F-350 to F-550 Chassis Cabs], 2014 [F-350 to F-550 Chassis Cabs]/ 2013 [Fusion S, Mustang V6 Coupe], 2014 [Fiesta S]/2014 [Focus S] /2013 [Focus S, Explorer Base], 2014 [Edge, Flex, Escape S and 1.6L]/ 2014 [Focus BEV, Fiesta (excluding S)]/ 2013 [Fiesta (excluding S), Fusion (excluding S)], 2014 [Focus (excluding S) and ST, Escape 2.0L]/2014 [Mustang V6 Premium, Explorer (excluding Base)]/ 2013 [Taurus SE, Edge AWD (excluding SE), Flex, Escape 1.6L, Transit Connect (excluding Electric)]/ 2013 [Focus (excluding S and BEV)]/ 2013 [Mustang V6 Premium, Explorer (excluding Base), Escape 2.0L], 2014 [Taurus SE] /2014 [Mustang GT] / 2013 [Edge FWD (excluding SE)]/ 2014 [Expedition]/ 2013 [Mustang GT]/ 2014 [Taurus (excluding SE), F-150 Regular Cab (excluding XL 4x2)] /2013 [Taurus (excluding SE)] / 2013 [Expedition], 2014 [F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) - Gas Engine]/ 2014 [F-150 Super Cab and Super Crew]/2013 [Focus BEV]/ 2013 [F-150 Regular Cab (excluding XL 4x2)]/ 2013 [F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) - Gas Engine], 2014 [F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) - Diesel Engine]/ 2013 [F-150 Super Cab and Super Crew]/ 2013 [F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) -Diesel Engine] - all Raptor, GT500, BOSS302, and Medium Truck models excluded. *Purchase a new 2014 Focus SE Sedan/2014 Escape S FWD with 2.5L engine/2013 F-150 Super Cab XLT 4x4 with 5.0L engine for $16,749/$22,999/$28,999 after Manufacturer Rebate of $3,500/$3,000/$9,250 is deducted. Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price after total Manufacturer Rebate has been deducted. Offers include freight and air tax of $1,665/$1,715/$1,765 but exclude variable charges of license, fuel fill charge, insurance, dealer PDI (if applicable), registration, PPSA, administration fees and charges, any environmental charges or fees, and all applicable taxes. All prices are based on Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Manufacturer Rebates are not combinable with any fleet consumer incentives. ▲Offer only valid from December 3, 2013 to January 31, 2014 (the “Offer Period”) to resident Canadians with an eligible Costco membership on or before November 30, 2013 who purchase or lease of a new 2013/2014 Ford (excluding Fiesta, Focus, C-Max, Raptor, GT500, Mustang Boss 302, Transit Connect EV, and Medium Truck) or Lincoln vehicle (each an “Eligible Vehicle”). 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NEWS || OCEANSIDE STAR || 7

City awards $232,224 sewer and storm master plan update contract to Parksville firm It is “critical that our models accurately predict demands on our systems as development occurs. In this way, our Capital program…will more accurately reflect the needs of the community,” Figueira wrote.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 9

Please Donate to SOS Caring for Kids at Christmas Program Call: 250-248-2093 or visit www.sosd69.com One community, sharing Christmas.

S O S Child, Youth & Family Centre 2 5 0 - 2 4 8 - 2 0 9 3 w w w . s o s d 6 9 . c o m 245

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Fire extinguisher technician Andrea Plan performs an annual fire extinguisher check at a Parksville business on Tuesday. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR]

Serious collision injures three women on Sunday JULIE BERTRAND OCEANSIDE STAR

A single vehicle collision seriously injured three women early Sunday morning.

The three women were traveling on Highway 19 at approximately 3 a.m. when their vehicle, a 2007 Mazda 3, had left the road to the right and entered a forested area just north of the Englishman River Bridge.

The car was destroyed by the collision and firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate two passengers.

“The condition of the vehicle was really horrific, “ said Oceanside RCMP spokesman Cpl. Jesse Foreman. “The first responders were surprised there wasn’t a death.”

All three occupants were taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital by ambulance.

The driver, a 33-year-old Nanaimo woman, together with her passengers, a 29-year-old woman from Nanaimo and a 25-year-old from Qualicum Beach had significant but non-life threatening injuries.

“One woman had a broken leg. It’s nothing that will kept them in the hospital for a long time,” Foreman said.

The RCMP Central Vancouver Island Traffic Services and an RCMP traffic reconstructionist are currently investigating the crash. Speed and alcohol have not been ruled out as contributing factors, but weather has.

“Visibility and everything else was good that night,” Foreman said.

CLIFF STEEN Born in Victoria, British Columbia July 4,1949 Gone suddenly October 22 2013 in Bowser, British Columbia.

I just want to express how grateful I am to all of our Bowser / Deep Bay friends, neighbors, golfing and fishing buddies. Thank you for your kindness, cards, flowers and food but mostly for your support. The flying of the flags at half mast at Arrowsmith Golf and Country Club - Cliff would be grinning like he just got “a hole in one “!!

Again, with flags flying at half mast at Deep Bay Marina - Lawrence Foort put out a spontaneous invitation to myself, my family, a few friends and members of the boating community to share a goodbye prayer.

We gathered together on the dock, we bowed our heads in prayer and turned our eyes to the sky as the doves (a special touch arranged by our dear friends Jan Thevarge & Lauren Ogloff ) circled overhead awaiting to give Cliff his angelic escort home.

We retired to Vancouver Island after selling our trucking business of twenty one years. Cliff and I have spent seven carefree happy years here. We love the island life and the people in this small close knit community. I have been blessed with thirty two unbelievable years with my soulmate, my husband Cliff.

Life will never be the same but the roar of “Thunder and Lighting” will continue to be heard on these waters for a long time to come.

Thank you everyone.

Deborah Gene Steen

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Opinion

We want to hear from you. Send your letters to letters@oceansidestar.com or call 250-954-0600

Oceanside Star

School district has learned from past mistakes

A division of the Vancouver Island Newspaper Group Limited Partnership

t a meeting the morning of Oct. 2, 2010, the District 69 school board was going to propose closing Kwalikum Secondary School.

Half the big hall at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre was set up with tables and sheets of paper.

It appeared the plan was that several dozen people would listen to the consultant, have a little discussion at their tables and provide feedback to the board and staff.

Instead, hundreds of people were lined up at the door.

District staff tried to turn them

Contact Us: 120-425 Stanford Ave. Parksville, B.C., V9P 2N4 Phone: 250-954-0600 Fax: 250-954-0601 Email: news@oceansidestar.com Classifieds/Obituaries: 250-947-2527 classifieds@oceansidestar.com Publisher Hugh Nicholson 250-954-0600, ext. 201 hnicholson@GlacierMedia.ca General Manager Judi Thompson, ext. 205 250-954-0600 jthompson@oceansidestar.com Managing Editor Brian Wilford 250-954-0600, ext. 211 bwilford@oceansidestar.com Reporter Julie Bertrand 250-954-0600, ext. 209 jbertrand@oceansidestar.com Circulation Manager John Sloan 250-954-0600, ext. 207 jsloan@oceansidestar.com Account Executive Tom Eardley 250-954-0600, ext. 202 teardley@oceansidestar.com Account Executive Jan Spink 250-954-0600, ext. 204 jspink@oceansidestar.com

This newspaper’s contents are protected by copyright and may be used only for personal, non-commercial purposes. All other rights are reserved.

Commercial use is prohibited. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the newspaper. For more information, please contact the publisher.

A

away, saying there would be another meeting, but the people were having none of it.

They piled in, the other half of the hall was opened and the meeting was rowdy and emotional.

“This is all about community,” Qualicum Beach Mayor Teunis Westbroek told the meeting.

The superintendent of the day soon retired, all but one of the trustees departed the board in one way or another, and Kwalikum Secondary stayed open.

Now we’re back at it: 71% capacity, costs rising by 1.5% a year,

$2.5-$3.5 million in cuts needed to balance the budget.

This time, however, the district board and staff have learned their lesson, starting the process with what acting superintendent Rollie Koop called Monday “a six-week conversation” with the public.

In 2010, the consultant’s data was challenged. This time Koop asked if anyone had any trouble with the board’s data. No one did.

The situation was laid out plainly, questions were taken until there were no more, and opinions were listened to

respectfully.

The meeting dragged a bit at times but for all the two hours and 20 minutes it took, it was well worth it.

At the end, the audience broke out into applause.

This process may yet get emotional, because there’s no question that a couple of middle schools are sticking out like sore thumbs, but it likely won’t be because people weren’t informed and weren’t given their say.

go through a lengthy process, involving another OCP review, which may trigger an even lengthier process for a RGS amendment, so that a commercial resort zoning can be changed into a residential development?

I thought Qualicum needed tourist accommodations. I was under the impression that the business community was looking for ways to enhance the town’s economy via tourism.

What has caused this major change in Qualicum’s community values and how will this change impact the near and far future of the town?

Charna Macfie, Qualicum Beach

have gone right out the window over the years.

So here are a few points for people doing this and thinking following too close is OK: • Your action is a contributing factor in accidents. It reduces safe stopping distance.

• The safety of others isn’t on your radar.

• You’re not going to get somewhere any sooner; if you get there at all.

• At night, your lights shining into the car and onto mirrors directly in front of you often causes that driver to reduce speed.

Lance Hughes, Coombs

BRIAN WILFORD

>>Your Letters // email: letters@oceansidestar.com Be thankful your husband is still alive First and foremost, I’m so sorry your husband has liver cancer. I certainly can relate, as my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer and was told he had two weeks to live that same day. He lasted 35 days, not 14. I drove from Hinton, Alta., to Edmonton, which is a three-hour trip, to be there with him.

Now let’s flip your Dr. Most’s coin. Why should she stay in Nanaimo when she could practise out of larger Victoria, where she can specialize in her chosen career. .

Now let’s flip your coin. You and your husband spend two hours driving to Victoria. Why not be thankful that you aren’t driving from Nanoose Bay to Nanaimo to catch a ferry to the Lower Mainland to then drive to a Vancouver hospital.

Now let’s flip my coin. You and your husband can drive together to Victoria. Donna, you can bleep and complain to Reg during your two-hour trip. You can complain to Reg about crazy drivers. Reg can complain to you about the weather. You both can continue to brainstorm and complain and write those letters together. I cannot do any of that. I suggest you put down your pen and try to enjoy each day you have together.

Kim Wirth, Parksville

Pheasant Glen brings shift in ideologies Times are changing in Qualicum Beach. The question is: Is it for the better?

Community values and the Official Community Plan community vision were changed overnight during a Committee of the Whole meeting about the Pheasant Glen development proposal.

Recently there has been a major shift in ideologies and values that is taking Qualicum in a different

direction than it has enjoyed in the past. Council’s recent decision to begin processing a costly development application for Pheasant Glen, is symbolic of this shift. Instead of thoughtful and long-term planning, we are choosing growth with no plan.

The recently revised OCP will be amended for a fourth time to allow the kind of growth and development that wasn’t supported by the community just two years ago.

This is not a simple rezoning application. Because the OCP and the Regional Growth Strategy contradict this kind of growth, there are unresolved questions about the legalities of the rezoning related to the Local Government Act. A majority of council has chosen to challenge these legalities, which leads to another question. What is so important about this particular development that council, and apparently the community, wish to

Please keep a safe following distance Can you drive? Then you’re in the minority.

As good drivers have already noticed, safe following distances

The Oceanside Star welcomes letters to the editor but we reserve the right to edit for clarity, taste, legality and length.

Submissions must include hometown and a daytime phone number for verification purposes only. Letters must include your first (or two initials) and last name. For best results, email your submission to letters@oceansidestar.com

OPINION Proposed fire hall project misses important info I do not dispute the need for a new Qualicum Beach fire hall, in a better location, and built to the latest building code standards. I do however challenge the following aspects.

The proposed new building site needs basic water, sewer, and electrical servicing plus extensive excavation to achieve a suitable building grade. This phase could cost up to 35% of the current project estimate, yet I neither saw, nor heard, mention of the objective professional analysis that should have been done showing the optional building sites and why they were rejected for the costly one chosen.

The project manager is to be “paid” $25,000 for his role. This is an unreasonably low payment for the serious project management workload that should be accorded a project of this cost.

I do not doubt that there has been a thorough gathering of the needs, wants, and wishes for the new fire hall. What I did not hear, and await further information on, is the professional Needs/Value Analysis that will sort out just what is a “need”, what is “wanted”, and what is “wished for” with an objective weighting of each.

Yes, for example, to the aspects of energy efficiency, decontamination, storage facilities, exhaust system, and the potential to later add to the structure. A “want” for an exercise room, and a big kitchen space, but only a “wish” for them to be fully equipped.

Only with this type of Needs/ Value analysis can one expect to obtain a full scope of work on which to provide a reasonable estimate of the project’s cost.

We are proposing a long-term 20-year borrowing scenario “for the first time” at the current Municipal Financing Authority rate of 3.5-4% for the first 10 years; a new “current” rate would apply in the second term (unless we are then able to pay off the complete loan at the end of 10 years) and it is very unlikely that the existing low 2013-14 interest rate will then be available. We should be proud in this day and age of financial chaos to

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013 be a debt free municipality!

Council should understand, and accept that QB taxpayers will be upset and question a proposed expense for a new facility that commits them to long term borrowing and leaves other needed projects in limbo. Their acceptance of the 2010 taxing for future needs reflected that “pay as you go” attitude. The majority of our current council seem to have a philosophy of “buy now, pay later” believing debt is quite “ok”, a good thing, everybody does it, let those that follow us worry about paying for it.

A review of the QB 2010 Capital Tax Plan shows an allowance of $6.15M in the years 2014-18; funding projected to not only provide for a new Firehall, but the necessary expensive equipment used in operating one. Currently, it appears the whole budget will be consumed on the building alone.

The same Capital Plan allows $0.49M/year for road overlays; the 2012/13 work in Chartwell and on Memorial South blew that budget.

The plan shows no projected realistic allowance for dealing with the identified need for traffic improvements at both ends of Village Way, 19A and Memorial, and Chartwell, a safer pedestrian walkway along the west half of our beautiful community beach area, and now we add a potentially costly problem with erosion control on our waterfront.

Where is the money going to come from other than QB taxpayer increases?

Gone are the days when one

could expect substantial financial assistance from provincial and federal funding; planning on capital expenditures “hoping” and “wishing” for such help is irresponsible governance.

Finally, we have the unaddressed issue of what to do with the old fire hall. One councillor is excited about the “valuable piece of real estate”. Perhaps true, but let us not forget that the development would likely be yet another one free of Development Service Charges to be absorbed

by QB taxpayers.

Len Gibson, P.Eng. Qualicum Beach

Proposed fire hall project misses important info It doesn’t matter what the season or the reason is, driving is dangerous and, if you forget that simple fact, it seems that it is my car you will be running into.

It doesn’t matter that WalMart

has TVs on sale. You need to shoulder check before changing lanes.

Target has a sale on furniture?

You still need to use your turn signal.

The Bay has that sweater you want at 50% off? You still need to stop at a red light before turning right.

The entire mall is 90% off?

Your vehicle still needs an attentive human to control it.

My child is worth more than the $800 you are going to save.

Your car will cost more to fix than what you are going to save when you wrap yourself around a pole.

Rushing out to buy inexpensive sale items is no excuse to put myself, my family, others or even yourself at risk.

Stop reading this thinking, “Yeah, I’ve seen some idiots on the road lately” and take some blame yourself. Odds are someone else is saying that, thinking of you.

Craig McKee, Parksville

Stay, Park 'n Fly

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 11

Star Poll Should GMO foods be labelled as such?

✭ Yes ✭ No Answer online at: www.oceansidestar.com Last poll’s question: Should a middle school be closed in District 69?

Yes: 66% No: 34%

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Health concerns focus on seniors DARRELL BELLAART NANAIMO DAILY NEWS

A common theme is emerging from a Vancouver Island-wide health consultation process: People want improved care for senior citizens.

Island Health is in the midst of developing its new strategic plan, Island Health 2018, which

will serve as a road map for what the organization hopes to achieve over the next five years.

An Island-wide blitz has spanned the Island to gather input to help Island Health refine its direction and shape its new strategic plan.

A team of 75 people spent much of the month on the campaign,

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which started in the Comox Valley in early November, then went to Duncan, followed by the North Island, then Port Alberni and the West Coast.

They arrived in Nanaimo Monday before continuing south to wrap up information gathering in Victoria, More than 40 people who turned out for the Nanaimo open house at Beban Park delivered a message heard often on the Island.

“The overriding issue was

100th Anniversary of Canadian Scottish Regiment

probably seniors need access to care and services,” said Grant Hollett, Island Health corporate director of planning, communication and engagement. “And we’re hearing that consistently across the Island to date.”

Information boards at the meetings explained how Island Health wants to put more emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.

Healthy behaviours such as exercising and not smoking can make a big difference in quality of life - a message members of the public said they support and agree with.

“Certainly we need to be there when people need support and intervention,” Hollett said.

“We anticipate there would be gains in our ability to provide sustainable health care if we had a healthier population.”

Other areas of focus include support for health-care professionals, staff and volunteers involved in care delivery, ways to “evolve” care delivery models and using innovation to enhance the value of service of care.

The final report will go to the Island Health board of directors, likely in the spring.

Island Health food security and healthy lifestyles project leader Analisa Blake makes a presentation to City of Parksville council last Monday on setting up a food security plan.

[BRAD BIRD/OCEANSIDE STAR]

Island Health official encourages city to make food security plan

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An official from Island Health, formerly Vancouver Island Health Authority, encouraged council to help set up a plan for municipal food security in a presentation Monday night, but she won few supporters.

Such a plan would look at food issues, including seniors’ abilities to access food and even open jars, said

Analisa Blake, IH’s project leader for food security and healthy lifestyles.

She dangled the carrot of government grant money now being available -- but a number of those present questioned the proposal.

“To this point, I can’t see the benefits outweighing the costs of having this for the city,” said Coun. Peter Morrison.

Blake said it wouldn’t be the city that runs the pro-

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gram; it would just establish a guiding document. “What you want to think about is where is the food coming from and are we comfortable with its security,” she said.

Chief administrative officer Fred Manson said the city doesn’t control food production, and in any case is already acting in the interest of food security whenever it can.

“In essence, you’re looking at, in analogy, a mini Official Community Plan… which could be quite costly,” Manson said, adding that Vancouver has spent years working on such a plan.

He said health is a provincial responsibility and if the city takes this on it is essentially accepting another provincial download.

Coun. Carrie Powell-Davidson had invited the speaker to council, saying she’s concerned about the issue.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 17

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NEWS

18 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

The architect’s drawing of the new Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park sign. Construction of the new sign should start next year. [BRAD BIRD/OCEANSIDE STAR]

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Parksville council agreed to a maintenance agreement with the province Monday, by which the province will use a portion of city right-of-way for a new sign at the park’s entrance.

Rathtrevor is one of the most popular parks on Vancouver Island, but you’d never know it by the inconspicuous sign that currently welcomes visitors.

“It’s about time,” said Coun. Carrie PowellDavidson. “I’m really pleased to see this coming forward.”

Construction is slated to begin next year. The province will be responsible for installation and maintenance costs.

The sign will be about a metre wide and five metres long, resting on a concrete and river rock base, and located on a triangular portion of an unimproved right-of-way north of the Island Highway, south of Resort Way and east of Rath Road. It will have low-voltage LED accent lighting.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 19

B.C. revs up highway safety review ROB SHAW TIMES COLONIST

Vancouver Island residents are being asked to give the B.C. government an earful about the speed limits, winter conditions and wildlife on most Island highways.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone has launched a two-month public consultation process on speed limits and safety hazards.

“We want to know what you think about speed limits and other safety concerns on our provincial highways,” he said Friday.

Most of Vancouver Island is included, with the exception of the Saanich Peninsula.

Drivers can use Twitter, email, a government website or regular mail to provide opinions on six Island stretches: • Victoria to Nanaimo (mainly 90 kilometres an hour); • Campbell River to Port Hardy

(mainly 90 km/h); • Parksville to Tofino (mainly 80 km/hr); • Nanaimo to Campbell River (mainly 110 km/hr); • Duncan to Lake Cowichan (mainly 100 km/hr); • Victoria to Port Renfrew (mainly 70 km/hr).

“This review isn’t about increasing speed limits,” Stone said. “It’s about ensuring we have the right speed limits.”

The government also wants feedback on how to deal with slow drivers.

Part of the consultation will focus on collisions with wildlife, which Stone said occur far too often on B.C. highways and need to be reduced.

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Local politicians and police departments will also be consulted, but Stone said his ministry is not willing to examine increased or better police enforcement of speed limits as part of the changes.

The government is planning one open house for Vancouver Island, at the Coast Bastion Inn in Nanaimo on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. There’s also a Twitter town hall on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. using the hashtag #BCSpeedReview.

The government has produced a guide with information about each stretch of highway and a feedback form at gov. bc.ca/safetyandspeedreview.

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wildlife collisions per kilometre, according to Ministry of Transportation data.

The review will also explore winter tires, which are required by law in some parts of the province. Stone said making winter tires mandatory provincewide would not make sense, but he does want to know what kind of winter tires people use and if the law should be updated.

The Transportation Ministry is also conducting a technical assessment of B.C. highways, and will combine the engineering work with the public feedback to recommend changes early next spring, Stone said.

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Carol Plaisier, CFP ®, FMA Investment Advisor

DECEMBER 2013

People sometimes try to cram a year’s worth of tax planning into one month, but not all decisions can be made before December. The harvesting of capital losses may be delayed until year end to determine if the potential tax burden of any realized capital gains might be offset.

People sometimes wait for December to make charitable donations. A little planning before- hand by making security donations ‘in kind’ will benefit your favorite charity as well as lessen your tax bill next April.

Maximize your TFSA (Tax Free Savings Account) contribution. It can be carried forward to the following year, but the sooner you deposit, the sooner your investment will start to grow tax free.

The same goes for your RRSP contribution, but you have only until March 1, 2014 to contribute and deduct for this year.

If you delayed taking your RRIF payment for the year until December, you have grown your portfolio tax free for this year. You may decide to make your next RRIF withdrawal in January 2014, and deposit the funds into your TFSA for the 2014 contribution. That way, the growth, as well as the withdrawal, will be tax free.

There are tax planning strategies that you can begin in January, so you can be confident next December that you aren’t trying to do all of your tax planning at the last minute.

For further information, Carol Plaisier, CFP®, Investment Advisor with HollisWealth, a division of Scotia Capital Inc. & Insurance Advisor with HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.can be reached at the HollisWealth office in Parksville

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This article was prepared solely by Carol Plaisier who is a registered representative of HollisWealth™ (a division of Scotia Capital Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada). The views and opinions, including any recommendations, expressed in this article are those of Carol Plaisier alone and not those of HollisWealth. ™Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under license.

HollisWealth and the Scotiabank companies do not provide income tax preparation services nor do they supervise or review other persons who may provide such services.

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COMMUNITY

20 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

A event winners of the Parksville Men’s Bonspiel Nov. 29-Dec. 1: (left to right) Rob Hockley, Kevin Jones, Rick Jones, skip Dale Hockley. They defeated the Randy Zinkiew team from Kerry Park. [BRAD BIRD/OCEANSIDE STAR]

Kerry Park team wins 10th annual Thrifty Food Bonspiel at Parksville Curling Club

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The 10th annual Thrifty Foods Parksville Men’s Bonspiel burned up the ice last weekend at the Parksville Curling Club as 26 teams took part from as far away as Comox, Victoria and the Lower Mainland.

When the sheets had cooled the Hockley rink from Chilliwack, featuring two father-son pairs, went undefeated to win the A event and the Bob Hawkes Memorial Trophy.

“Kudos to the club, great ice and hospitality,” Dale Hockley said after defeating the Randy Zinkiew foursome from Kerry Park for the championship Sunday afternoon.

Hockley, 61, a retired RCMP officer, served at the Parksville detachment from 1973 to 1977.

The Hawkes trophy is named after the late Bob Hawkes, also a career RCMP man and former president of the curling club whose clinics taught hundreds.

His wife Judy was on hand to present the trophy. She and her staff prepared a delicious steak dinner Saturday night.

Local teams also did well. The Rob Willis rink won second in the B event, Mark Hoffman won the C event with Rob Findlay placing second and Bruce Feltham’s squad won D event, edging Carey Sulz.

In two of the final games, skips won it with last rock. Mark Hoffman drew to the house to take the C final, and Hockley came around a guard to tap back his opponent’s stone on the button and win the A event championship, with wife Tina in the stands.

Tina Hockley said her husband enjoys curling with their son Rob. See CURLING, Page 21

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 21

The 10th annual Thrifty Foods Parksville Men’s Bonspiel C event winners are from left, Wayne Strilesky, Tony DeMedeiros, Joe Jantzi and skip Mark Hoffman. [BRAD BIRD/OCEANSIDE STAR]

Chairman praises volunteers

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CURLING, from Page 21 The team’s other members are Rick Jones and his son Kevin. Such family pairings are rare at the elite level of the sport. This weekend they compete in the Brier playdowns to see who wins B.C. and plays for the Canadian men’s curling championship.

Chairman John Milroy praised the many volunteers who made the three-day event a success, including co-chairs Jim Hoffman, Rob Findlay and Bill Klein. Judy Hawkes ran the banquet and Ron Hoag, the bar.

Ice maker Tim Kottsieper did double duty, skipping a team and preparing the ice between draws.

Dale Hockley called the ice “the best surface we have been on in the province so far this year,” and they play most weekends.

Many local businesses sponsored the events and donated prize.

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22 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 23

Parksville renews chamber agreement as a whole is healthy financially,” Burden

that the federal government assists with the cost of summer students with an annual jobs

grant.

The fee agreement runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2014.

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Kim Burden and Robynne Shaw appear in front of council on Monday. [BRAD BIRD/OCEANSIDE STAR] BRAD BIRD OCEANSIDE STAR

The Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce offers vital and wide-ranging services to both its members and visitors and plays a key role in tourism, officials told Parksville council Monday night.

Executive director Kim Burden and chamber president Robynne Shaw appeared as a delegation on the occasion of council’s vote on the 2014 Fee for Service Agreement, with which the city helps to fund the Visitor Centre. Located on Highway 19A’s southern approach to the city, the centre costs $137,000 a year to operate, with 4,632 staff hours a year.

Council voted in favour of the agreement, which will provide $42,515 in support, the same as last year but adjusted for inflation (1.1 per cent).

Despite the support the centre still runs a deficit, but it’s been cut from $16,000 to about $7,300, Burden said.

“You continue to run a deficit, you’re going to go broke,” said Coun. Bill Neufeld.

“We’re not going to go broke,” replied Burden. Later, he told the Star the chamber is covering the deficit with revenue from other sources, so there is in no debt. In fact it has a contingency fund to deal with unexpected expenses at the centre. “The chamber

said in an interview.

At the meeting, he noted how moneysaving initiatives such as solar panels have been undertaken.

Their manufacturer says a 55 per cent drop in heating costs can be expected, Burden said, and he’s monitoring that.

He also noted

“We Depend on You… Please consider sponsoring an animal.”

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Qualicum Beach museum gets $15,000

wildlife@niwra.org

JULIE BERTRAND OCEANSIDE STAR

Town of Qualicum Beach council voted to give a $15,000 grant to the Qualicum Beach Historical Museum Society on a matching funding basis.

The society already receives an approximate annual grant of $35,000 from the municipality.

The society made the request in November as part of its 2014 fundraising initiative.

Town deputy chief administrator John Marsh explained to council that the society was hopeful of raising $10,000.

“We’ve raised the bar [to $15,000],” he said. “We talked to the society representative and she said it was something they could do in 2014.”

Coun. Dave Willie told council he had been very impressed with the society’s presentation last month, during which society members introduced their new board of directors and explained to council their strategic plan and fundraising plans for 2014.

“They’re going about it the right way,” he said.

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TOTAL PRICE1: $60,215**

*

$1,995* DOWN

LEASE APR

LEASE PAYMENT

1.9% 3.9% $668 *

1

60 MONTHS Taxes extra.

*

48 MONTHS

*

$3,995* DOWN

B.A., LLB., LLM

Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public s 2EAL %STATE -ORTGAGES s $IVORCE 3EPARATION !GREEMENTS s WILLS %STATES AND %LDER ,AW s FAMILY ,AW -ATTERS

kes@shaw.ca

Phone: 250-954-1445 101-191 Jensen Ave. East, Parksville Fax: 250-954-1430

Mercedes-Benz Nanaimo A Division of the German Auto Import Network 2472 Kenworth Road | 1-855-896-2420 | mercedesnanaimo.com

MercedesBenzNanaimo

© 2013 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 2014 B 250 with Sport Package/2014 C 350 4MATIC™ Avantgarde Edition/2014 E 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC™ shown above, National MSRP $32,500/$52,800/$57,800. **Total price of $32,915/$44,665/$60,215 and down payment include freight/PDI of $2,245, RDPRM fee of up to $55.49, air-conditioning levy of $100 and a $15 fee covering EHF tires. 1Taxes extra. 2Year End Credit Allowance applicable to lease, finance and cash purchases on the 2014 B 250/2014 C 300 4MATIC™ Avantgarde Edition/2014 E 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC™. *Lease offers based on the 2014 B 250/2014 C 300 4MATIC™ Avantgarde Edition/2014 E 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC™ available only through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services on approved credit for a limited time. Lease example based on $368 (includes $1,100 credit)/$458 (includes $3,680 credit)/$668 (includes $2,240 credit) per month for 48/39/48 months. Down payment of $990/$1,995/$3,995 plus security deposit of $400/$500/$700 and applicable taxes due at lease inception. MSRP starting at $30,500/$42,250/$57,800. Lease APR of 2.9%/2.9%/3.9% applies. Total obligation is $19,054/$20,357/$36,759. 18,000 km/year allowance ($0.20/km for excess kilometres applies). Finance example is based on a 60-month term and a finance APR of 0.9%/0.9%/1.9% with a price of $32,915/$44,665/$60,215. Monthly payment is $525/$664/$943 (excluding taxes) with $995/$1,995/$3,995 down payment. Cost of borrowing is $675/$853/$2,602 for a total obligation of $32,495/$41,835/$60,575. Vehicle license, insurance, registration are extra. Dealer may lease or finance for less. Offers may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. See Mercedes-Benz Nanaimo dealer for details. Offer ends December 31st, 2013. DL 9808

COMMUNITY

24 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Centre releases pileated woodpecker Sylvia Campbell Wild & Free A pileated woodpecker was admitted to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre after being found on the side of Qualicum Road. It may have been struck by a car but recovered quickly and was released.

The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker found in most of North America.

Best recognized by its large, dull black body and red crest, the Pileated Woodpecker is a permanent resident of deciduous, coniferous, or mixed forests

in southern Canada and in the western, midwestern, and eastern U.S. Dead and deteriorating live trees provide favored sites in which to excavate nest cavities, and hollow trees are typically used to roost in at night. Only large-diameter trees have enough girth to contain the nest and roost cavities, so there is concern for populations of this woodpecker forests are being converted to younger stands.

A pair defends its territory year-round, and a pair member will not abandon a territory even if its mate is lost.

Because of its size and strong chisel-shaped bill, this woodpecker is particularly adept at excavating, and it uses this ability to construct nest and roost cavities and to find food.

This woodpecker was possibly hit by a car but recovered quickly.

Considered a keystone species, the Pileated Wood-

pecker plays a crucial role in many forest ecosystems in North America by excavating large nesting, roosting and foraging

cavities that are subsequently used by a diverse array of birds and mammals—for shelter and nesting—particularly the larger secondary cavity users, e.g., Boreal Owl Wood Duck and American marten.

Pileated Woodpeckers accelerate wood decomposition and nutrient recycling by breaking apart snags and logs and may facilitate inoculation of heartwood in live trees with heart-rot fungi. They may also be important in helping control some forest beetle populations because their diet consists primarily of wood-dwelling ants and beetle larvae that are extracted from down woody material and from standing live and dead trees.

Please continue to vote for the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre at the Aviva Community Fund. Go to www.niwra.org and click on View this Idea. NIWRA is open for public viewing, gift shop purchases and animal adoptions until Dec. 19; 250-248-8534.

The Village Voices choir sings during Moonlight Madness. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR]

Enjoy Christmas in the Village Santa Claus is coming to town, or more appropriately, to the village.

The Qualicum Beach Downtown Business Association is hosting its fifth-annual Christmas in the Village event on Saturday, Dec. 7.

The festivities start at 9 a.m. with a Breakfast with Santa at Bailey’s in the Village, followed by a STORIES FOR CHILDREN, s e c o n d FOR CHR CHRISTMAS Poopballs Over breakfast at The Shanty 10:30

And Other Bedtime Stories

#120 - 425 Stanford Ave. E., Parksville

$

19.95

ISBN 9780992039004

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF 2 FAMILY PASS FOR 4 on the

Five delightful and amusing illustrated stories in hardcover by Nanoose Bay’s David R. Finn

Contest closes Monday at 5pm Dec 9th

Available at

“Christmas Express” Train !

www.caledonpress.com

Name: ________________________ Phone: _______________

Mulberry Books (Parksville & Qualicum), Nanoose Medicine Centre (Red Gap), Fairwinds Pro Shop (Nanoose Bay)

Must be 18 years or older to be eligible to win.

a.m. Free Holiday Stories for children 12 and under will be read at the Library beginning at 10 a.m. with another reading at 10:30 a.m.

Other free activities include include Pony Rides for Kids beside Dolly’s Home Hardware (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Photos with Santa at Pharmasave (12:30-2 p.m.), Cookie Decorating at Courtyard Café (1-3 p.m.) and Cupcake Decorating at Café Brie (1-3 p.m).

At 2 p.m., families are invited to participate in a Christmas Sing-Along at The Old School House Arts Centre, which will be decorated for the holidays. Many shops in and around downtown Qualicum Beach will also be open throughout the day.

Janice Hehr, AMP Renewing? Refinancing?

Consolidating?

CALL ME NOW! 250.951.5532 1-877.289.5448

MORTGAGE ARCHITECTS Email janice.hehr@mtgarc.ca

www.mtgarc.ca/jhehr

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 25

Hairstylist donates proceeds to SOS fundraising programs on our behalf,” says Renate Sutherland, executive director of SOS. “Every year we are reminded what a caring community we

SUSAN PEDERSON SPECIAL TO THE STAR

When Aneilla Veselisin moved in just down the street from Society of Organized Services a couple of years ago, she was already aware of some the services and programs that SOS provides to the community.

She soon started to go to the yoga class at SOS, and most recently signed up her young son for Guyz Time, an after-school program for boys in Grades 3-5.

“I hadn’t realized until I started to go there just how many things they offer to the community,” she says. “Of course I had heard about the Toy Drive through my work at Tigh-Na-Mara, but when I started talking to the SOS staff, I heard about all the other programs.”

Veselisin wanted to do something to support the SOS. When she found out about the SOS Caring for Kids at Christmas Program, the hairstylist at Tigh-Na-Mara’s Grotto Spa thought of a perfect tie-in for Christmas: Offer kids’ Christmas cuts for $25 and donate 100 per cent of the proceeds to the SOS. “Parents are already taking their kids in for haircuts before

run our Christmas program.”

Parents wishing to get those little heads (15 and under) looking smart in time for Christmas, can call Tigh-Na-Mara Grotto Spa to book an appointment at 250-2481838. Anyone wishing to donate directly to SOS can call 250-2482093, or visit the SOS website at www.sosd69.com.

Church Directory Aneilla Veselisin gives a young client a hair cut as part of her fundraiser for SOS. Veselisin will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to SOS for every child’s $25 haircut, through Dec. 14.

Christmas,” she says. “Why not make that an experience that also supports their community?”

Veselisin is hoping to raise $1,000 for SOS, and is running

the promotion from now through Dec. 14.

“We are very moved when people in the community show the initiative to run their own

Sunday Services

live in and, without their support, we simply would not be able to

10:30 am

Everyone Welcome!

Dementia affects everybody When an Oceanside resident receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, they are not the only ones who are affected.

“Dementia can profoundly impact the lives of those closest to the person, including caregivers, family members and friends,” says Jane Hope, regional support and education coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. People who are caring for someone with dementia will experience the challenges associated with the disease in their own unique way.

“It is important to recognize that there are many different approaches to supporting someone with dementia, and caregivers often need to explore a variety of techniques and strategies to determine what works best for them.”

About one in 11 Canadians

over age 65 already live with They serve as a forum for shardementia. The diagnosis triggers ing practical tips and strategies a flood of emotions, says Hope, for coping with the disease.

The groups including fear, anger, sadness, help create embarrassment and disbelief. At support and the same time, it may also profriendship with vide a sense of relief, as it offers an explanation for the symptoms others whose lives are affectpeople experience.

“There is no right or wrong way ed by dementia. For more to feel,” she says. “Everyone is information on unique in how they will perceive the Qualicum their disease and the challenges group contact it brings to their life. What is Elise Wilson important to understand is that at 250-248-2719, the changes you are seeing in and for Parksyourself are due to the disease. ville contact They are not your fault.”

Hope toll-free To help area residents who at 1-800-462are dealing with the impact of dementia, the society runs free local support and information groups • Blue & Multi Driveway Chips in Parksville • Construction Aggregates and Qualicum.

Island Cycle Get the best Quality Bike for your Buck at Island Cycle

• Mountain • Road • Hybrid • BMX • New & Used REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES AND MODELS TIRES • TUBES • LOCKS • LIGHTS • TOOLS 114 Hirst Ave. E. • 250-248-0647 • www.icyclebc.com

GRAVEL MART • Garden Soil • Bark Mulch • Lawn Sand • Compost • River Rock

Trucks for Hire Pick-up or Delivery LICENSED DISPOSAL SITE FOR

Yard, Garden & Wood Waste FREE SCRAP METAL DROP OFF INCL. APPLIANCES 911 Church Road, Parksville

250-248-3693

Open Monday-Saturday 8 am-5 pm Closed Sundays www.porterwoodgravelmart.com

2833 or jhope@ alzheimerbc. org.

187 Alberni Hwy. Parksville, B.C.

250-248-8794

To advertise on our Church Listings please call Judi, Jan or Tom at 250-954-0600

26 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CLUES ACROSS 1. Indicates before 4. Printed from a plate 10. Brain activity test 11. Wading birds 12. Atomic #18 14. Writer Tan 15. Tear 16. An unfortunate accident 18. Send out rays 22. Emphasize 23. Genetic throwback 24. A large and noisy party 26. With reference to 27. Mild yellow Dutch cheese 28. Aoudad 30. 100 = 1 tala in W. Samoa 31. Military mailbox 34. No. Saudi Arabian desert 36. Constitution Hall is HQ 37. Scree (plural) 39. Apple, pear, quince 40. Religious song 41. 17th Hebrew letter 42. Attached at the base

48. Reflexive form of one 50. Carbolic acid 51. Worldly rather than spiritual 52. Worked for income 53. A Loloish language 54. One point E (clockwise) of due N 55. Common college degree 56. Of cadmium 58. East by north 59. Delightful surprises 60. Color CLUES DOWN 1. Female peafowl 2. Return to custody 3. Citizen of Cairo 4. What was that?

5. Gardens in fishbowls 6. Cause to be or to become 7. Civic or Accord 8. Chicories 9. Set of data 12. Fan-based music awards 13. Wealthy 17. __-fi: “Star Trek” genre 19. Helped

20. Blue Nile source (alt. sp.)

21. Starch wheat 25. Breakfast citrus 29. Flying saucer 31. Monastic Republic Mount 32. “Miracle on 34th Street” actor John 33. Ancient C. American people 35. Dug lower 38. Restricted in outlook 41. Liquid body substance 43. Ragged 44. Unagitated 45. Hostelry 46. Leopold’s crime partner 47. Spanish footwear museum city 49. Slur over in pronunciations 56. Constitution state 57. Atomic #55 THIS WEEKS SUDOKU ANSWER

HOROSCOPE

SUDOKU

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Aries, delay your plans for the time being. A number Libra, conflicting emotions arise in the week ahead. of unexpected tasks that will require your undivided You have the desire to fulfill people’s expectations of attention in the coming day, so clear your schedule. you, but you also just want some time to yourself.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Assume the role of the strong and silent type this Scorpio, maintaining your focus on chores is nearly week, Taurus. You do not have to share your opinions impossible this week, when you are easily distracted with everyone, as an air of mystery may boost your by anything else that sounds interesting. Try to get popularity. your work done.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 It can be easy to allow excitement to overtake your SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Reestablish your priorities, Sagittarius. Doing so will logic, Gemini. But you need to be patient and not allow exuberance to interfere with the tasks at hand. help you live up to your end of the bargain on various commitments. If necessary, ask others for help.

That is a recipe for trouble.

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 A hefty workload at the office may zap your desire to Expect to be busy for the rest of the month, Caprido much else. However, don’t pass up the opportu- corn. With potential birthday celebrations and holiday nity when a social engagement beckons this week. tasks to complete, spare moments are few and far LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 between.

Leo, you will have to continue your rather hectic AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 pace this week, even when you start to feel tired.

Aquarius, learning a new skill this week will only add Fortunately, you are excited about some of the things to your already vast repertoire of abilities. This is one on your to-do list. more reason to have a positive attitude.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Virgo, getting involved with the right people now opens doors that previously may have been closed Emphasize feeling good about yourself this week, to you. Do not squander the opportunity to use these Pisces. Doing so will enable you to help others in the near future. new contacts.

• Oil and filter change • Cooling system drain & fill • New wiper blades • Tire rotation • 32 point maintenance and safety check • Brake Inspection

$

ONLY

rs

THIS WEEKS ANSWER

94

95 (MOST CARS)

(Vehicles requiring specialty wiper blades, filter, oil or coolant will receive equivalent credit)

Kerry & Renata – Owne

YOUR SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED! 464 East Island Hwy.

250-954-0029

kerrysautoshop.ca

Come and discover why our customers are raving about our great service.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 27

Plus win a $201300 shopping spree!!! just in time for christmas! enter often at all participating merchants for your chance to win a weekly lotto max ticket from every participating business. lotto MAX TICKET WINNERS DRAWN nov. 21st, 28th & dec. 5th, 2013!

2013 Christmas Shopping Spree Drawn December 13, 2013

$

Participating Businesses & this week's LOTTO Max Ticket WINNERS! • ARBUTUS Emporium

Caleb

• Paulan Jeweller's

Bill Schoonderbeek

• Brown Eyed Susan's Bert Frost

• Petite Pizzazz

Lin Faurbrother

• Coombs Junction Furniture

• QB Pharmasave

Pamela Garrow

Doug Krem

• QB Toy Shop

Linda Vass

• Covet

Jennifer Hawkins

• Cruiser's Grill

JOYce Westra

• Second Ave. Clearance #1

Kelly Clayton

• Cultivate Garden & Gifts

Cheri Prince

• Second Ave. Clearance #2

Heather Thompson

• Faye's Gifts

Lesley Diotte

• Suzanne's

Marilyn Lysne

• Gold & Silver Guy

Carol Chapman

• Total Design Hair

Jessie Miskovich

• M&N Mattress

Hank Barendse

• Vintage Bath

Maureen Debiasio

• Mercedes Lane

Karla Thon

• Walkabout

R. Martiner

• NIWRA

Shirley Petrie

CONTEST RULES- All Prize Winners must be 19 years of age or older to be eligible to WIN. All prizes must be accepted as won.

Grand Prize winner must reside in the Oceanside area, and be available to spend the prize money on or before Dec 24th 2013.

All the Grand Prize money of $2013 must be spent at participating merchants. All employees of Glacier Media and their immediate families are not eligible to win.

Lotto Max Tickets claimed with I.D. at the OCEANSIDE STAR, #120 - 425 Stanford Ave. E Parksville

28 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

“win Millions” contest participating merchants

S SA SATURDAY, ATURDAY DECEMBER DECEM MBER 7TH 10am - 5pm

Buy 2 get one FREE on Kids Clothing #211-2nd Ave., Qualicum Beach

250.752.1937

Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm Sun 11am - 4pm

www.qualicumtoyshop.com

Your Y our One Stop Children’s Shop

Petite

PIZZAZZ

Modern styles for “Every” woman!

Committed to: - Personal service and attention to fit your body -Value priced affordable quality -Wide selection Many Canadian made lines in stock

For at work, at home or at play, Petite PIZZAZZ will dress you in comfort and style. You’ll be impressed!

SEASONAL HOLIDAY FASHIONS NOW PRICED TO CLEAR!!!

50% OFF

691-A Memorial Ave., Qualicum Beach 250-594-0040

Natural Soap and Aromatherapy Products for Bath & Body Holiday Gift Sets Lovely Warm PJ’s & Nightshirts Eco-Friendly Soy Candles We have a delightful selection of Stocking Stuffers …

FILL YOUR BOOTS! Wish lists available Mon - Sat 10 - 5 • Open Sundays in Dec. 12 - 4 106 Second Avenue Qualicum Beach

250-594-BATH (2284)

Like us

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 29

“win Millions” contest participating merchants

SALE ON NOW! ANY PURCHASE OVER $1000 Receives a 2 night stay at ($600 value!)

Reef Point Cottages in Ucluelet

PAULAN

Full Line of Fine Jewellery Canadian Diamonds Goldsmith on Premises

Jewellery & Goldsmith Ltd. #107-198 E. Island Hwy., Parksville

Tel: (250)

248-6438

DOOR CRASHER R SPECIAL! 3 PC. NESTING TABLES $

ALL LAMPS

50%OFF

SOFAS AND LOVESEATS $ 99 Starting at

999

33

FREE BED-INA-BAG with purchase of a

QUEEN SIZE MATTRESS SET

800 CONTINUOUS COIL KING SIZE MATTRESS WOW! $

All BEST

RECLINERS Buy One, Get One

50% OFF!

499

SOLID PINE 5 DRAWER CHEST Available in 2 Colours Only Reg. $499.99

Brown-Eyed Susan’s, Qualicum Beach will be open Sunday Dec 8, 10 & 22 from 11-4pm to assist you in selecting the perfect gift

210 W W. SSec Second cond Av Ave Ave., Q Qu Qualicum Beach

250-738-0638

WAREHOUSE WAREHOUS EH O OUTLET OU UT TLET LE

ONLY

$

Reg. $1499

ONLY

$

777

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE!

CABINET BED 9 COLOUR OPTIONS · Queen Size:66.5”, Double:60.5” · Solid Wood, Made in BC · Free-Standing, Storage Drawers · Cool Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress • MON. - SAT. 9:30am - 5:00pm • SUN. & HOLIDAYS 11:00am - 4:00pm p

1343 Alberni Hwy PineTree Centre, Errington

250-248-2224

199 99

SOFA/CHAISE

To Port Alberni

WE ARE RE HERE E

To Qualicum m Beach

Coombs Junction C

FURNITURE MATTRESS & APPLIANCES

To C Coombs mbs “Goats on Roof” “Go f

2701 Alberni Hwy, Coombs 250-752-4205 www.coombsfurniture.ca

PARRY

JIM

30 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

“win Millions” contest participating merchants

CHRISTMAS AT WALKABOUT November 28 th – December 24 th

30%Off 50%Off 20%Off ICE BREAKER MIGHTY NIGHTIES

"QQBSFM r 'PPUXFBS r)PNF%FDPS Matt and Nat Second Denim Yoga Jeans Mavi Numph Oxmo Covet Darling Pink Martini Buffalo Dex Yumi Uttam Boutique MinkPink Vince Camuto Matisse Pyrrha Sweet Harriet Justine Brooks Lisa Fletcher

SANUKS

Check Ou t “BLUEBEOur Ne w R

RY Arri JEA val NS”

Clothing Company

Tofino: 368 Main St. 250-725-2860 Qualicum: 702 Memorial Ave 250-738-0522 www.covettofino.com

STAFF PICK FOR Don’t settle for a Charlie Brown tree.

At Cultivate we have the freshest and best trees ever, in all sizes. Douglas, Frasers, Nobles, Nordmans, Sub Alpines and Grand Firs, all BC Grown. Not to mention a great selection of fresh cut greens, garland, wreaths, holly and all the glitter picks and bling you could ever want to make your decorating sparkle. Come down and see Shirley and her staff and be inspired.

& FOOTWEAR

AAll Sale Items Final Sale

#2-177 #2 177 West Westt 2 2nd nd A Ave., ve Q QUALICUM UALICUM BEAC BEACH

(250)-752-4565 • www.walkabout.ca

Short of MONEY… for CHRISTMAS? Bring in your old and broken GOLD today!

• GOLD JEWELLERY • ALL KARAT GOLD 9K to 24 K

PAYING CASH FOR GOLD Any y Condition Broken or Not

JEFF

WEMBLEY MALL, PARKSVILLE

250-586-2555

OPEN TUES. THRU SAT. • 10:00-5:00 PM

OPEN 9AM-5PM DAILY 609 East Island Hwy, Parksville (across from Chrysler Jeep)

250-248-0093

www.cultivategarden.com

Find us on Facebook.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 31

“win Millions” contest participating merchants

SECOND AVE CLEARANCE Your Fashion Outlet Centre NEVER PAY FULL PRICE FOR FABULOUS FASHIONS!

Lorna of Second Avenue Clearance invites you to come in and see the Fabulous Fashions & Accessories for this Christmas Season.

Find Gifts for all the ladies on your Christmas list.

ARTHRITIS? DIABETES? ACHES AND PAINS? SORE BACK? NOT SLEEPING?

Official Sleep Product T3 RECOVERY MATTRESSES ARE THE ONLY MATTRESSES THAT ARE CLINICALLY PROVEN TO: INCREASE SLEEP EFFICIENCY, REDUCE PAIN • Increase Oxygenated Blood Level Flow to your tissues, muscles and skin • Balance Body Temperature • Aid in Healing & Muscle Recovery

ALL STOCK MUST BE LIQUIDATED

All Stock 50% Plus a Further 40% off! WOW!

BEST VALUE EVER

Check out the Great Selection of Winter Coats

50% OFF PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 40% OFF MUST LIQUIDATE ALL FALL INVENTORY Best Values Ever Offered.

Shop Daily For Best Buys Ever……

Also available for adjustable beds with multiple positions &massage

PLUS: ࠮ 5H[\YHSS` (U[P 4PJYVIPHS ࠮ +\Z[ 4P[L 9LZPZ[HU[ ࠮ 4VSK 4PSKL^ -\UN\Z 9LZPZ[HU[ ࠮ 9LK\JL ;VZZPUN ;\YUPUN MVY H TVYL YLZ[M\S ZSLLW ࠮ 9LSPL]L 7YLZZ\YL 7VPU[Z ࠮ 9LK\JL (JOLZ 7HPUZ ࠮ 9LK\JL 4V[PVU +PZ[\YIHUJL MYVT `V\Y )LK 7HY[ULY 469, Clinical Studies performed by: Medical centres in major Universities such as Univ of Chicago, University of Indianapolis, Univ of Texas, Univ of Pennsylvania, Univ of Alberta, Univ. of California and more.

Visit www.recoverymattress.com

MON.-SAT. 9:30am-5p SUN & HOLIDAYS 10am-4pm

Since 2000

291 E. Island Hwy. PARKSVILLE (across from Thrifty Foods)

250- 248-7133

www.parksvillemattress.com

146 W. 2ND Ave., QUALICUM BEACH

250-752-8780

32 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

“win Millions” contest participating merchants

Shop for all of your toys and giftware and receive a stocking (value $19.99) with purchases over $40

Purchase one photo frame, get a 2nd at 50% off regular retail, of equal or lesser value

Expires Dec.24/13

Christmas in the Village Dec 7th Pictures with Santa 12:30-2pm

Sterling silver charms from $29

INTRODUCING PANDORA’S WINTER 2013 COLLECTION.

STORE HOURS: Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm Saturday 9-5:30pm Sunday 10-5pm

142 Second Ave. W Qualicum Beach, BC 250.752.1391 www.fayesgifts.ca

LIVE WELL WITH

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED FOR 30 YEARS 720 Memorial Ave., Qualicum Beach 250-752-3011

Wrap up your shopping list in style!

WINTER HOURS OPEN 9am-3pm 7 DAYS A WEEK!

ILL R G IINN WHISKEY CREEK

NEXT TO THE GAS STATION

BREAKFAST BURRITO SPECIAL

Wrap up your BUY shopping list in2,style!

GET 3RD

20

% off

REGULAR PRICED

TOPS!

(for a limited time only)

*Please advise server of coupon prior to ordering. Limit one coupon per customer, per visit. Coupon has no cash value. Excludes beverages and taxes. Expires Dec. 12, 2013.

FREE!

ACCESSORIES! *

OUR MEGA MOZZA MUSHROOM y MEAL IS BACK! (for a limited time only) ONE MOZZA MUSHROOM BURGER with choice of soup, salad, or fries

1-826 Island Hwy Parksville

250-248-7224

PLUS TAX

We make it easy to plan a fun and festive event with W great food the whole gang will love.

C 250-752-4814 to reserve your preferred date.

Call

ON ALL

Travel trends Collection arriving soon!

8

$ 00

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY WITH US NOW!

*

LIMITED TIME ONLY

WE DELIVER

8

$ 00

PLUS TAX

*Coupon required. Please advise server of coupon prior to ordering. ering. Limit one coupon per custom customer, per visit. Coupon has no cash value. Excludes beverages and taxes. Expires December 12, 2013.

IT’S WORTH THE DRIVE TO CRUISERS!

Like Us

3680 Alberni Hwy., Qualicum Beach 250.752.4814 • www.cruisersgrill.ca

FREE

WIFI

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 33

“win Millions” contest participating merchants

Total Design Hair Studio

“YOU DESERVE THE BEST”

Wishing all of our clients a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Celebrating 23 Years in business and counting, thanks to you!

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

For the love of your life!

Award Winning Hairstylists

OPEN: Tue. – Fri., 10am – 5pm Sat., 10am – 3pm by appointment only.

Evenings by request

www.glorioushairdos.com Ph: 250-248-2229 B171 Weld St. PARKSVILLE

Pirkko Payne, Master Stylist, welcomes new and former clients to Total Design Hair Studio for all of their beauty needs this holiday season!

FINAL THREE DAYS THIS THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY DRAW FROM SANTA’S SAC & WIN A DISCOUNT

COME CELEBRATE WITH US!

from

15-50% OFF your Purchase

BE ENTERED FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THE DAILY DRAW FOR A $25 GIFT CARD AND THE GRAND PRIZE: A $100 MERCEDES LANE GIFT CARD!

FINAL DAY OF SALE SAT., DEC. 7 Some exceptions apply – visit store for details.

SHABBY CHIC FURNITURE

20% OFF

119 Craig St., Parksville, B.C. (250) 248-2662

COMMUNITY

34 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

New joint photography exhibition from Tullis couple opens at Nemeth Gallery

E

veryone’s welcome to come to this Friday’s reception at 7 p.m. for the December exhibitions at the MAC. Enjoy light refreshments, meet the artists, and be introduced to the new board of the Oceanside Community Arts Council.

The new board members bring a range of skills from fine arts to business and media. Officers are Joe Straka, President; Deborah Sears, Vice President; Liz DeBarros, Treasurer, and Dave Klinger, Secretary. Members at large are Heidi Abbott, June Boggs and Mary-Anne Peterson.

The OCAC Wednesday Painters’ group show ‘Catz and Dogz’ will be held in the Oceanside

Gallery at the MAC Centre until Dec.21. Long-time member Elsie Griffiths gives a capsule view of the Wednesday Painters: “We have been painting together in the MAC every week for the past two years as well as plein air painting during the summer. Some of our members have painted together for many years previously at various locations in Parksville, but we find the MAC has a creative environment that inspires us. Stimulating conversations as well as unorganized critiques of the art work take place on a regular basis and the 16 artists are continually striving to improve their painting through these friendly discussions.”

A joint photography exhibition

by Tim and Janet Tullis opens in the Nemeth Gallery.

According to Tim, “It’s very unusual for a husband and wife to have an exhibition together.”

Janet took up photography seriously after the couple moved to Oceanside 18 years ago as a way to capture images for future art projects.

She soon found the medium suited her creative vision. Janet has exhibited in various DeCosmos Fine Art Society shows at The Old School House and the Gallery at Qualicum Art and

CANTANDO CHAMBER SINGERS advise you to Mark your Calendars – Saturday, December 14th, 2:00pm. Watch for three ships sailing into Parksville. The first full of merry, musical men singing – “I SAW THREE SHIPS”. From the second ship will come the sweet sounds of women’s voices singing a 16th Century prayer. And here comes the third ship loaded with mince pies, Christmas cake, shortbread, fudge and other delicious treats for our Christmas tea.

We’ll delight you with an eclectic mix of Christmas songs from many centuries and many countries.

All this for only $10.00!

It will be the best Christmas concert deal in town so watch for those three ships then join us in the Lounge, Knox United Church, 345 Pym Street, Parksville, 2 pm, Saturday, December 14.

PARKSVILLE & DISTRICT MUSICAL ASSOCIATION presents

I SAW THREE SHIPS

CANTANDO CHAMBER SINGERS Seasonal music and refreshments Saturday, December 14, 2013, 2:00pm Knox United Church Lounge 345 Pym St., Parksville

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Bottoms Up by Janet Tullis.

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Janet and Tim’s photographs have also been accepted in prestigious juried shows such as MidIsland Photo Exposition, Island Exposures Gallery, and The Old School House.

In addition, Janet recently had one of her images accepted for the Lions Gate Photography

Club’s Nature Exhibition.

Several of Tim’s images grace the pages of the VIU ElderCollege brochure and various fly fishing publications like Island Fly Fisherman and The Gilley.

Both Tim and Janet are active members of the Oceanside Photographers and the Probus Club of Qualicum Beach. Janet is also

a member of DeCosmos.

The next event at the MAC will be a special edition of ‘Tales for the Telling’ when Brian Lecky and Marva Blackmore bring W-Interlude.

To hear the stories behind our best-loved carols, mark your calendars for Friday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Choristers organize concert NOTICE 2014 DOG LICENCES NOTICE TO DOG OWNERS IN ELECTORAL AREA E (NANOOSE BAY) ELECTORAL AREA G (FRENCH CREEK and DASHWOOD) ELECTORAL AREA H (QUALICUM BAY, DEEP BAY and BOWSER) Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 939 states in part that no person shall own, keep, or harbor a dog over the age of six (6) months unless a current valid license has been obtained for the dog. License fees are as follows: a)

For each spayed or neutered dog: $15.00

b)

For each unspayed or unneutered dog: $25.00

All above license fees are subject to a discount of $5.00 if paid between December 1, 2013 and January 31, 2014.

Dog licenses may be purchased/renewed from the Regional District of Nanaimo oĸces located at 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC, the Parksville/Qualicum SPCA at 1565 Alberni Hwy. in Parksville, BC and the Salish Sea Market at #110 – 6996 West Island Hwy., Bowser, BC. Bylaw No. 939 further states that the owner of a dog shall not permit or allow their dog to be at large or to harass or molest a person or an animal. Regular patrols of the District are conducted and any impounded dogs will be held at the Parksville/Qualicum SPCA.

The Craig Bay Choristers invite you to join them for an early celebration of the season with ‘December is ...’

Under the baton of director, Alan Whitmore, the Choristers will perform at Knox United Church, Parksville on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 from Knox United Church office and through Chorister members.Partial proceeds will go to Oceanside Hospice Society.

The audience will want to join in singing well-known Christmas songs such as I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree and other well known Christmas carols.

Carl McLuhan will accompany the Choristers, ably assisted by the Craig Bay Musicians and special guest artist Karen Withers Janssen on flute.

Send us your news: news@oceansidestar.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 35 B

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36 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Boundaries – our emotional property line Diane Hancox The Joy of Being Jung

B

oundaries define how we interact with others and how we allow others to interact with us.

Psychoanalyst and philosopher Jacques Lacan stated that boundaries define us as individuals, outline our likes and dislikes, and set the distances we allow others to approach us.

They include physical, mental, psychological and spiritual boundaries.

We learn how to set boundaries from our childhood experiences.

Physical and emotional abuse clearly crosses boundaries.

Boundaries can also become distorted with emotionally distant or controlling parents.

When personal boundaries are routinely broken, we learn that our own needs and feelings do not count and that we are required to accept how others treat us without question.

Professor Dr. Nina Brown defined four major types of psychological boundaries.

People with ‘soft’ boundaries merge with other people’s boundaries. They put their hands on strangers and let others touch them inappropriately.

They get too close to others too fast. They may take on and feel responsible for the feelings of others, giving too much.

They easily become emotionally overwhelmed, and yet may ‘crave drama.’ They often resent others who may have ‘used’ or ‘manipulated’ them.

Their emotional houses have no fences, gates, locks or even doors.

People with ‘rigid’ boundaries are closed off so nobody can get physically or emotionally close to them.

However, the rigidity can be selective depending on circumstances. They appear aloof and distant, and do not talk about or show emotions. They are extremely self-sufficient, rarely

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asking for help. Their emotional houses are surrounded by immense walls with no gates.

A ‘spongy’ boundary style is a combination of having both soft and rigid boundaries. Although these people permit less emotional contamination than soft people, but more than rigid people, they are unsure (lack the selectiveness) of what to let in and what to keep out.

A ‘flexible’ boundary style is desired. It is similar to the selective rigid boundaries but in this case, the person discerns (selects) what to let in and what to keep out.

How do we know when boundaries are being crossed? Start noticing situations that are draining or stressful. Are we acting under obligation, being nice, or letting someone manipulate us?

Look for feelings of resentment or discomfort. The resentment often indicates that we did not assert ourselves and thus let a boundary be crossed or remain to be crossed. Discomfort may be a cue that someone may be

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Diane Hancox is a counsellor and presenter based in Parksville.

She is the author of ‘Soul Reflections: Living a More Conscious & Meaningful Life,’ available for $15. Visit www.corecounselling. ca for workshop and counselling information. To reach her, call 250-586-7380 or diane@corecounselling.ca.

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violating our boundary, such as when an inappropriate question is asked.

People with healthy boundaries are firm but flexible. They respect their feelings, needs, opinions and rights, and those of others.

They are responsible for their own happiness and allow others to be responsible for their happiness. They are assertive and respectful of the rights of others to be assertive.

Their emotional houses have fences and gates that open only to those who respect their boundaries.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Your Community

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 37

Or call to place your ad:

MARKETPLACE Book your ad ONLINE:

classiďŹ eds.oceansidestar.com

250-947-2527 Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm Email: classiďŹ eds@oceansidestar.com Fax: 250-954-0601 #120 - Stanford Avenue East, Parksville, BC V9P 2N4

REMEMBRANCES

DEADLINES:

Thursday’s Paper - Tuesday at 3pm OfďŹ ce: 250-954-0600 Circulation: 250-954-0600 ext. 207

COMMUNITY

OBITUARIES

EDUCATION

CLASSES & COURSES

ANNOUNCEMENTS OBEDIENCE TRAINING IN NANOOSE BAY For dogs 6 months and older. Register now for classes starting Friday, January 3rd. Comprehensive 8 week coursenf teaching all the basic good manners every dog needs to know. Class size limited to ensure individual attention PLUS one-on-one sessions at no extra charge. I am a SMALL DOG SPECIALIST but LARGER DOGS are WELCOME! 15+ years experience instructing classes for ALL breeds at all levels.

Jayne 250-821-1983 www.trainingwithjayne.weebly.com

PSYCHICS AMENDOLA, George Adolfo Passed away peacefully at Eagle Park Lodge in Parksville, B.C. on November 25, 2013.

Born in 1925 in Toronto, he is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Shirley; and will be dearly missed by his daughters Marilyn (Alex Lawryk), Christine (John Popp), Carolyn and Cheryl; sister, Norma D’Angelo and brothers, Ernie and Bill; stepchildren, Christopher Turzak and Laura (Darryle Thompson) and step-grandchildren, Carlie and Colton Thompson. He was predeceased by first wife Mary (1985) and daughter Diane (1993).

George faithfully served in the Canadian Armed Forces for over 20 years, including serving overseas in Metz, France and working at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

During his years of service, he also was a Security Instructor for the Department of National Defence.

After retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces, he assumed several security-related positions, including with Corrections Canada and the Hudson’s Bay Company.

After his retirement, George moved to British Columbia, where he enjoyed the beautiful scenery and climate of the west coast.

George was an avid baseball fan and in his youth, was a promising player who attracted scouts from major teams.

He was also a talented snooker player, who took part in many tournaments and always enjoyed a challenging match. Later, he took up bridge and enjoyed some spirited partnerships with his friends at the local senior’s centre. He was a loyal and life-long Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs fan and rarely missed watching a game. George had a wonderful sense of humour and could always be counted on to add a little dry wit to any situation. He will forever be in our hearts.

A Memorial Service and celebration of George’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2013 at St. Stephen’s United Church, 150 Village Way, Qualicum Beach, B.C. If desired and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation (www.nanaimohospitalfoundation.com) or the S.P.C.A., Parksville/Qualicum Beach Branch (www.spca.bc.ca/branches/nanaimo).

COLLINS, P. Fay Passed away peacefully at Parksville, B.C. on October 20, 2013. She was 93 Ί years old – born April 15, 1920 at Regina Saskatchewan.

Predeceased by her beloved daughter Kathy, parents, sister Myra and brothers Joe, Denny and Harry.

Survived by son Desmond (Grace), daughter Darlene (Gerald), son-in-law Tom, grandchildren Debra, Brent, Kerry, Karen, Lorne, Tracey and Trevor, great-grandchildren Leanne, Lori. Peter, Cooper and great-great- grandchildren Emma, Josh, & Max; sister Geraldine, nieces, nephews and friends.

Mom was a proud and caring Mother and Nana who always put her family first. Her family genealogy and photo albums are a tribute to our family. She loved to watch curling and that, she passed on to her children.

Many thanks to her good neighbours Carlo and Joan for all their care and support. Cremation has taken place and a private Committal Service with family will be in the Community Cemetery at St. Walburg, SK. Interment will be beside her daughter Kathy and where other family members are buried.

We love you Mom and Nana.

Jean was born in Parksville, B.C. September 9, 1918 and passed away peacefully there at Trillium Lodge November 2, 2013.

Predeceased by her parents Allan and Rachel Ford, brother Bill Ford, sister Margaret Rafter, husband John Daniel Murray, and daughter Margaret Ann Hrechka. She is survived by her son Allan, several cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. No formal service by request, but private interment will take place in December. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Trillium Lodge or St. Ann’s Church Parksville B.C. A special thank you to all the staff at Trillium Lodge for the their loving care and fun shown to Jean.

Passed away peacefully on November 19, 2013 Rita Poole, wife of Douglas Poole for 66 wonderful years. Rita was born in Southend-on Sea, Essex, England. They immigrated to Canada in 1975 and settled in North Vancouver until work took the family to Fort McMurray, Logan Lake and Grand Forks. Finally they retired to Qualicum Beach in 1987. They became instrumental in having the Macintosh building rebuilt at the Qualicum Beach Museum. Then they became involved with moving the original St. Stephens Church up the rail tracks to its present location in Heritage Square. They were among the first group of local citizens to start the successful campaign to save what is now the Heritage Forest. For many years Rita volunteered at the Museum as a Guide and as a Garden Sitter at the annual Mars Garden Tour. Rita was a passionate gardener all her life and could not pass a nursery without checking out the plants.

Rita will be missed by her husband Douglas, son Ian (wife Kimi), grandson Alex, granddaughter Nicole, daughter Susan, grandson Paul (wife Diane), great granddaughter Julie and her many friends.

There will be a Memorial Service at Parksville Fellowship Baptist Church, 550 Pym Street, Parksville, on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 11:00am followed by a tea. In lieu of flowers a donation to the Cancer Society would be appreciated.

EMPLOYMENT

TRUCKING & TRANSPORT

ACCOUNTING/ FINANCIAL

DRIVERS WANTED AZ, DZ, 5, 3 or 1 with airbrakes: Guaranteed 40 hour work week + overtime, paid travel, lodging, meal allowance, 4 weeks vacation/excellent benefits package. Must be able to have extended stays away from home for 3 months at a time. Experience Needed: Valid AZ, DZ, 5, 3, or 1 with airbrakes, commercial driving experience. Apply online at www.sperryrail.com under careers.

FastTRACK Application.

FULL TIME OFFICE ASSISTANT Full time position requires excellent working knowledge of Sage 50, Excel, Word.

Contact by email only: wcooke@shawcable.com

GENERAL EMPLOYMENT Experienced SALAL pickers (Long Salal) wanted currently paying $1.50 for 1.5lb bunches. 1-604-483-9263 or 1-604-483-9550 Tbird Evergreens

POOLE, Rita 1927 - 2013

MURRAY (NEE FORD), JEAN ANN. SEP 09, 1918 − NOV 02, 2013

PSYCHIC MIRACLES by Luna.com. Call and get a free reading by phone. Love, money, job, family, restores broken relationships, solves all problems permanently.

1-866-229-5072.

JOURNEYMAN Automotive Service Technician(s) in Hanna Alberta. Hanna Chrysler Ltd. offers competitive wages from $32/hour, negotiable depending on experience. Bright, modern shop. Full-time permanent with benefits. Friendly town just 2 hours from major urban centres. More info at: hannachrylser.ca. Fax 403854-2845; Email: chrysler@telusplanet.net.

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TRADES HELP NEC - NORTHERN ENERGY CONSTRUCTORS is continuing to grow and has openings for: Fabricators Full Benefit Package along with competitive wages. Please submit your resume via fax 250-562-8101 or email hrmanager@nec-bc.ca

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FOR SALE - MISC BUTCHER SUPPLIES, Leather + Craft Supplies and Animal Control Products.

Get your Halfords 136 page Free Catalog 1-800-3537864 or Email: order@halfordhide.com Visit our Web Store: www.halfordsmailorder.com Christmas Violin Sale, Child’s & Adults, Violin’s & Cello’s & misc. .460 Trans Canda Hwy, in Duncan.

1-250-701-2035.

ECLIPSE SCOOTER, windshield & canopy incl’d, red, exc cond, $4000 obo, 1-778-421-4743 FREEZER, UPRIGHT, Wood’s, white, 5’ high, 27� deep, 25� wide. $200. Exc cond. Call (250)586-8611 HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best Price, Best Quality. All Shapes & Colors Available.

Call 1-866-652-6837, www. thecoverguy.com/newspaper

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38 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Christmas Corner UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

Green Thumb Garden Centre, Sat., DEC. 7 , 10-3.

Don’t miss this super fun holiday event! A perfect opportunity to experience fabulous local foods, do your holiday shopping and visit with Santa (10-12:30).

Dec 7th, 10am - 2pm, St. Michael’s Hall, 4017 Victoria Ave, (off Norwell) Perogies, Borsch, Cabbage Rolls, Homemade Baking, Jams, Ukrainian Novelties, Concession and more.

Raffle prizes worth over $1000.00 to be won.

6261 Hammond Bay, Nanaimo. www.greenthumbnanaimo.com

BUSINESS SERVICES FRANCHISES

PERSONALS

ESTABLISHED Motorcycle Dealership located in the Fraser Valley. Excellent location and facility. Contact via email: valleyyamaha@shawbiz.ca

DANIELLE’S REFLEXOLOGY and hypnotherapy, certified, full body massage, clean, healthy alternative; lymphatic cleansing, relaxing & energizing. 250-751-5844

HOME BASED Embroidery Business for less than $10,000. Get started in the promotional products industry. Work from home on your schedule. Call Nicolle at 1-866-890-9488.

NOI’S A1 Thai Massage First in Customer Service & satisfaction. 9:30-5:00 Mon-Sun. New Attendant. 486C Franklin St. (250)716-1352.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES GET FREE VENDING Machines Can Earn $100,000.00 + Per Year. All Cash-Retire in Just 3 Years.

Protected Territories. Full Details. Call Now 1-866-6686629. Website WWW.TCVEND.COM.

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Free Christmas Farmers Market

RENTALS

THE BEST RELAXATION MASSAGE To relieve stress/ rejuvenate body, mind and spirit. Certified.

By appointment only (afternoon/eves.)

Sherri (250)756-0907

COMPLETELY renovated, 1bdrm Apt in a NON-smoking building. Suitable for single.

Very quiet near seawall. Super clean. $685mo. IMMED. No Pets. 250-668-7975 NANAIMO: Choose your area, best selection and prices for Bach, 1, 2 & 3. Call Dennis 250-268-7368 PARKSVILLE X-Large 2BR, garden level. Security Camera & parking incl. D/W, W/D optional. Near beach/ downtown. Small pet considered, $795+ 250-248-8592 RETIREMENT Apartments, All Inclusive. Meals, transportation, activities daily. Short Leases. Monthly Specials!

Call 877-210-4130

SUITES FOR RENT BACHELOR hydro, heat incl., light cooking facilities, small fridge. Fully furnished. $495/mo. plus damage deposit. Avail immed Nanaimo nr town. 1.604-312-8824.

SMALL 1BR bsmt ste, priv ent in driveway, newly reno’d, $700 incl hydro, suits 1 or 2, departure bay area, avail now, small pet negot, 250-756-0135

HOUSES FOR RENT NR VIU & hosp, lrg 3 bdrm w/ste, bright, beaut, 2 bath, w/d, d/w, gar, 2 L/R, n/s, n/p, $1100, NOW (250)7587399 or cell 250-714-8254

RENTALS & LEASES

HOUSES FOR RENT 2 BR 2 storey loft, 3 mins to Parksville, 5 appls, Large 1/2 acre groomed yard, storage shed. Long term leased considered, ns, avail now. $1050/mth. 250-927-1497, 250-248-6629 CUTE 1000SF , 2 bdrm, office, 1 bath, Rancher, DT Parksville, beautifully landscaped yard, single car gaage in back, n/s, pet neg & pet deposit req’d, $1050/m.

Call (250) 248-3734 or cell 250-947-5426 BEAUTIFUL QUALICUM BEACH home, 3 br, 2 bath, large 1300 sq ft, new appls, double garage, patio, deck, fenced yard, close to schools & shopping, long lease, ns, immed $1200 + utils, 250927-1497, 250-248-6629

N.NANAIMO NEWER executive 5-bdrm, 3-bath, stunning ocean view, 3,000sf, air/cond, near Woodgrove, schls. Available immediately. No smoking/ pets/partiers $2100/m. 250714-9087 1-604-415-3582

WAREHOUSE 1500-6500sf Warehse, Parksville for rent 25x60, 2pc washroom, 200amp 3ph, 12x14 OH door 20’ ceiling $1150/mo. Call Daryl at: 250-248-7031

1251 Westurne Heights MLS# 365491 - $190,000 A must see!! This wonderful 2003 built 3 bedroom 1.5 bath rancher in the Whiskey Creek area is perfect for a small family or retired couple! Open concept, laminate floors, fully fenced yard and great neighbourhood!

James Andersen, One Percent Realty Vancouver Island Phone: 250-618-6063 Email: islandwestcoastliving@gmail.com Website: www.islandwestcoastliving.com

14 x 64 mobile. All renewed, 5 appls, rent to own, 25% down, I will carry the rest.

(250)248-2973

Parksville Office PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DEPT. To view properties contact Debbie Taylor 248-6100 Addresses are provided for a drive by only. Please pick up a rental application for an appointment to view properties at Royal LePage, 127 Alberni Hwy., Parksville. __________________________ HOUSES: 7-145 Weld St, 1 bed, mobile centre of Parksville $650, Dec 1

418B Hirst Ave, Duplex, 3 bedrm, 1 bath, clean & bright, $1100 Immed

HOUSES FOR SALE

MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES FOR SALE

LANDSCAPING

736 Humphrey Rd Parksville, 3 bed, 2 bath + family room, garage, $1350, Dec 1

REAL ESTATE

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868 Reid Rd, 3 bedrm, finished bsmt $1000 Immed 903 McFeely Dr. semi furnished waterfront cabin with 3 pce bath $650, Sept-June 2014 only 582 Panorama Pl, Parksville, 3 bed, 2 bath furnished long term, $1300, Jan 1

LAWN & GARDEN CURB APPEAL, yard care & Junk removal, Best rates.

Sue or Chris 250-937-1908

Families go through decorating phases Shirley Eppler Down the Garden Path

M

y daughter asked me if we had to put all of the handmade ornaments on the tree this year that her and her younger brother had made through the years. This led to a conversation about the many phases of Christmas tree decorating that one goes through in their lifetime.

When you’re really young, the more colours, glitter and sparkle on the tree the merrier. Lovingly draped around the tree are the paper links, popcorn garland, the painted pinecones, the balsam wood stars with glue globs and sequins, the cardboard and cotton batten Santa hats.

As you get a little older, those handmade ornaments gradually get culled out or broken, not to survive another festive season.

And that’s OK because as a teenager you’re battling childhood, wanting to be grown up and cool and if your friends see your daycare creations they might laugh.

When you’ve moved out of the house into your own place you realize that you are responsible

for decorating but you have little money so you ask Mom for any baubles that she can spare and you hit the discount stores for cheap things that leave more glitter on your hands and the floor than on the tree but it’s all yours and you’re happy.

You get married and for a few years you might want to impress the in-laws and you try to present a pulled together tree on little income. You say you share the decorating with your spouse but really he’s only allowed to put the star on.

Then you have children. Now you’re back to paper links and cotton batten hats but they’re so cute and your children are so proud of their creations. You give up the decorating of the tree and let the children take over.

At some point you want your tree back. You’re a little older and can afford nicer baubles and you want a tree worthy of a magazine spread.

You tell the kids they can have their own tree in the family room, maybe a potted live one.

Your tree in the living room is yours and yours alone. On goes the white lights and glittery ribbon, the real glass baubles that sparkle in the light along with the crystal icicles. Maybe red and gold or blue and silver but only two colours max. Beautiful.

Tree decoraton at the Eppler house.

Eventually after a few years, the kids ask why you don’t want their ornaments on your tree.

You sigh, silently bidding farewell to that magazine spread tree, and you hand over the decorating once again to the kids, combining the assortment of baubles accumulated over the years and letting them decide that perhaps

the cardboard Santa hat with the cotton batten falling off should stay in the box this year.

The kids get older and move out and you send with them a box of the least treasured ornaments that secretly you’re glad to get rid of and never really liked in the first place. You get your tree back but perhaps you miss hav-

ing the kids at home and you hang a few of their special baubles on the tree as you reminisce and wipe away a tear.

After a year or two you’re over it and you have your magazine tree back but the kids start going elsewhere every other year so hauling a big tree in and decorating seems to be such work for just the two of you so you get a smaller tree.

Then you become grandparents and spend some holidays at other houses so you don’t bother with a tree every year.

At some point your knees start to hurt or you’ve put your back out one too many times and suddenly hauling out totes of holiday glitter doesn’t seem like an enjoyable thing to do and the thought of having to pack it all away again just makes you exhausted so you hang a few things on a houseplant and call it done.

We will be picking out our tree this week and I’m already wondering what the kids will choose to hang on it. I’m secretly hoping that we can leave the pinecone animals in the box but for now, in this phase of life, it’s out of my hands and the tree will be beautiful no matter what.

Shirley Eppler is the owner of Cultivate Garden & Gift at 609 East Island Highway at the south end of Parksville. Email comments to shirley@cultivategarden.com.

NEWS

OCEANSIDE EVENTS E-mail events@oceansidestar.com

DEC. 5 ■ Parksville Newcomers Club meets 7:30 p.m., Parksville Community & Conference Centre.

Guest speaker from Parksville Emergency Services. All welcome.

■ Oceanside Breast Cancer Support Group meets 7 p.m., The Gardens, Qualicum Beach. Info: 250752-8066; amen@shaw.ca.

DEC. 6 ■ Qualicum Acoustic Café with singer-songwriters Dennis Lakusta and Gerry Barnum, 7:30 p.m., , Rotary House, 211 Fern Rd. W., Qualicum Beach. Starts with open stage, followed by feature act. $5 at Vintage Candy Shop.

■ Dan Brubeck Quartet tribute to Dave Brubeck on his 93rd birthday, 7-9 p.m., Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. Tickets $20 at The Old School House Arts Centre or by calling 250-752-6133.

■ Craig Bay Choristers Concert and Benefit for Hospice, 7 p.m., Knox United Church, Parksville.

Tickets $10 at Knox United. Info: 250-752-6227; www.oceansidehospice.com.

■ Oceanside Stroke Recovery group meets Fridays, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., St. Columba Presbyterian Hall, 921 Wembley Rd., Parksville. Stroke survivors and caregivers welcome. Bring a lunch.

Info: Kathleen 250-586-6766.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

DEC. 7 ■ Christmas Bazaar and Craft Sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nanoose Library Centre, Nanoose Bay. ■ Tree Trimming Party, 1-3 p.m., Parksville Library. Drop in and make an ornament for the library tree. Festive music and refreshments will be on offer. A free drop-in event for all ages.

■ New Vendor Errington Hall Christmas Craft Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1390 Errington Rd. Admission is free.

■ Coombs Country Christmas Craft Sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Arrowsmith Hall, Ford Road, Coombs. Handcrafted gifts, free admission, concession. Proceeds support tCoombs Fair and 4H. Info: www.coombsfair.com; 250-752-9757.

DEC. 8 ■ Parksville Lions and Save-On Foods Free Family Skate, 12:151:45 p.m., Oceanside Place. Skate rentals also free. Children under 19 must be accompanied by an adult. Info: 248-3252.

■ Oceanside Hospice Society ‘Seasonal Candle Lighting to Remember,’ music, readings, quiet reflection, 2 p.m., Garry Oaks room, Parksville Community & Conference Centre. Info: 250752-6227; www.oceansidehospice. com.

■ Parksville Ukulele Circle meets 2:30-4 p.m. at the MAC, 133 McMillan St., Parksville. Open to all ukulele players. Info: parksvillecirclejam@shaw.ca; Liz 250586-5803. $5 at the door.

DEC. 10 ■ Qualicum Beach and Area

Newcomers Club meets 10:15 a.m., St. Stephen’s Church, Village Way, Qualicum Beach. Info: qbnewcomers.org.

mas Concert,” 2 p.m. to 4 p.m at 144 Middleton Avenue. Tickets $7 Members $10 Public. Refreshments served. Door prizes.

DEC. 11 ■ Grief Support Group, Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m., Knox United Church, Parksville. People who have experienced a loss of any kind or are alone/lonely can be uplifted by a small group of people in a similar situation. A safe and confidential place to share. Info; 250-248-3927.

■ Ladies Badminton every Wednesday, 1:30-3 p.m., Arrowsmith Activity Hall. Info: Margaret 752-1103.

DEC. 15 ■ Parksville Lions and Save-On Foods Free Family Skate, 12:151:45 p.m., Oceanside Place. Skate rentals also free. Children under 19 must be accompanied by an adult. Info: 248-3252. n Tim Hortons Free Skate, 23 p.m., Oceanside Place. Info: 248-3252.

■ Christmas Bird Count for the Parksville Qualicum Beach area needs volunteers. Pick up a Feedercount Checklist, complete with instructions at Buckerfields Parksville after Dec. 1. To sign up as a field participant or if you have questions, contact Sandra 250-2485565. Sponsored by Arrowsmith Naturalists.

■ ‘Comfort and Joy!’ The Musical Spirit of Christmas, presented by the Oceanside Concert Band and the Oceanside Grandmothers, 2:30-4 p.m., Knox United Church, 345 Pym St., Parksville. Features soloist Rosalee Sullivan and Second Wind, a saxophone trio.

Admission by donation shared equally between the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers Campaign and the Salvation Army Mt. Arrowsmith Community Ministries.

DEC. 12 ■ Life After Death, with Stephen Austen, 7 p.m., Parksville Community & Conference Centre. By donation. Info: Shift in Action 954-1002.

DEC. 13 ■ Tales for the Telling, Stories for Adults, features W-interlude with Brian Lecky and Marva Blackmore, Stories and Songs of the Season, 7:30 p.m., McMillan Arts Centre, 133 McMillan St. Parksville, $10 at door.

DEC. 13-31 ■ Winter Wonderland On Ice, skate under sparkling lights at Oceanside Place. Times: www. rdn.bc.ca.

DEC. 14 ■ ‘Original Show’ Errington Hall Christmas Craft Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1390 Errington Rd. Admission is free.

■ Parksville Seniors Drop In Chorus presents “The Christ-

DEC. 18 ■ Grief Support Group, Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m., Knox United Church, Parksville. People who have experienced a loss of any kind

Sponsored by ReThink ReStore

Brubeck son honours dad Friday, Dec. 6 would have been Dave Brubeck’s 93rd birthday.

This veritable legend in the history of jazz passed away in Norwalk, Connecticut on Dec. 5, 2012, one day before his 92nd birthday.

Dave’s son, Dan, who, over the years, has played in several of his father’s ensembles and is internationally celebrated as one of the world’s finest jazz drummers in his own right, has put together a recording and concert touring project in the form of a superb quartet that pays tribute to Dan’s illustrious father and his eternally inspiring music.

They’ll be playing the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre Friday, Dec. 6, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

An intriguing additional emphasis of this quartet is the performance of several

Dave Brubeck compositions as vocal pieces with the wonderful lyrics that were written for them by Dave’s wife, Iola Brubeck.

The quartet members are: Dan Brubeck - drums, Roy Styffe - alto saxophone, Tony Fosterpiano and Adam Thomas-bass and vocals.

Dan says, “The music I am presenting in Qualicum Beach in celebration of my Dad’s birthday will have even greater significance to me, in that I will present it the way my Dad conceived it, but was seldom performed, namely, with vocals.

This will be a rare thing that has special meaning to me. I look forward to it.”

Tickets are $20 at The Old School House Arts Centre reception desk or by calling 250-752-6133.

SPCA Pet of the Week IZZY is an older calico kitty who came to the shelter as a stray. This big gal enjoys a good ear scratch and can be viewed at the SPCA shelter located at 1565 Alberni Hwy, Errington or call (250) 2483811 for more info.

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 39

or are alone/lonely can be uplifted by a small group of people in a similar situation. A safe and confidential place to share. Info; 250-248-3927.

DEC. 21 ■ Christmas on the Farm, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Morningstar Farm and Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, 403 Lowry’s Rd., Parksville. Open house, free Carol Wagon rides, live music, live manger scene, warm munchies, hot mullings, cookies and more. Info: 250-954-3931 and see cheeseworks.ca.

■ Twas the Night Before Christmas, Stories and Songs for Children, 1 p.m., McMillan Arts Centre, 133 McMillan St., Parksville. $5 at door (adults free if accompanied by a child).

DEC. 22 ■ Parksville Lions and Save-On Foods Free Family Skate, 12:151:45 p.m., Oceanside Place. Skate rentals also free. Children under 19 must be accompanied by an adult. Info: 248-3252. n Tim Hortons Free Skate, 23 p.m., Oceanside Place. Info: 248-3252.

DEC. 23 ■ Holiday Swim, 1:30-4 p.m., Ravensong Aquatic Centre.

Special admission rate. Info: 752-5014.

A Community Non-Profit Volunteer Association

IMPAIRED DRIVING The holiday nights will be bright with red and blue lights.

In 1976, prior to the Drinking & Driving Counter Attack programs, there were more than 300 fatalities from alcohol-related collisions in our province. As awareness and enforcement campaigns increased, this number dropped to 116 in 2009. With the new toughened and immediate impaired legislation, last year there were 58 fatalities from alcohol-related collisions. Despite this swing in the right direction, 58 fatalities is still unacceptable and completely needless.

If you are having a few drinks this holiday season, please find a safe way home. Expect and embrace the fact that there will be extra enforcement and roadblocks this holiday season.

Parksville Community Policing Office 100 E. Jensen Street Parksville Tel. 250-954-2223 Fax 250-954-0410

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Visit our website at www.rethinkrestore.com and check out our upcoming classes and workshops.

Qualicum Beach Community Policing Office #104 – 660 Primrose Road Qualicum Beach Tel. 250-752-2949 Fax 250-752-2947

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