Oceanside Star December 25, 2014

| Dining Guide Page 20

Opinion Page 8

| Wild & Free Page 21

| Events Page 32

Nurse on mission of mercy to Madagascar

Scientists share their knowledge of the strait

It was the family’s first Christmas without mom

Qualicum Beach registered nurse Monica Ciolfi is off to Tamatave, Madagascar for eight-months on the Africa Mercy, the world’s largest charity hospital ship NEWS, Page 10

In the newly released book ‘The Sea Among Us’ a dozen experts share their lifetimes of knowledge gathered during their studies of the Strait of Georgia NEWS, Page 17

It was 1982 and Ary Sala was suddenly without a job and his wife, the result of a losing battle with cancer. So he piled his eight kids into an RV and hit the road NEWS, Page 26

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Vancouver Island NewsMedia Group

www.oceansidestar.com

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Oceanside Star

Local news for Parksville, Qualicum Beach and area

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Triplets Caitlyn, Matthew and Jacob Hammond, celebrated their first birthdays last month. They’re a handful for mom Carmen and dad David but their good health is a gift worth celebrating. For the full story, see Page 3. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR]

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 3

It’s a good kind of exhausted JULIE BERTRAND OCEANSIDE STAR

W

hen Parksville triplets Jacob, Caitlyn and Matthew Hammond celebrated their first birthdays with their first cake last month, their parents got an inkling of their personalities.

Mother Carmen Hammond said Jacob and Matthew dug in with both hands while Caitlyn just licked the icing on her cake.

“She’s such a girl,” Hammond said. “She didn’t want to get her hands dirty.”

The happy triplets are thriving in their parents’ care after being born two months prematurely at B.C. Women’s Hospital in November 2013. They also spent about two months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Vancouver and at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. During a recent appointment, their pediatrician said she is happy with them.

Matthew weighed only 1.25 kilograms (two pounds, 12 ounces) when he was born, compared with his siblings’ weight of 1.474 kilograms (three pounds, four ounces. He has now surpassed Caitlyn in weight and length.

The triplets all have weights corresponding to their developmental stage.

“This past year has gone by so fast,” Hammond said.

Hammond is still working with a local infant development program consultant and two therapists from the Family Resources Centre on the triplets’ muscle tone.

Jacob doesn’t like to crawl and already prefers to take steps with support from adults. Matthew doesn’t like sitting and would rather spend his time lying on his back. He often wears a foam tube across his back which forces him to lie on his belly. “We call it

Caitlyn, Matthew and Jacob Hammond seem happy exploring their home world of baby fences and toys. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR] the foam wings,” Hammond said.

“Jacob also wore them.”

Caitlyn crawls quickly and is fascinated by cords, especially if they’re attached to a computer, lamp or television.

The Hammonds’ living room looks like a toy store exploded in it. The couple uses baby fences and gates to corral the triplets.

“Jacob is not scared to go anywhere. He’ll crawl to a dark bedroom and close the door,” Hammond said. “Matthew and Caitlyn follow him.”

Life has become a bit easier for parents Carmen and David. The triplets take only three bottles a day, which means the family goes through only a tin of powdered

formula each week.

The triplets only cry when they’re hungry or tired. Matthew will cry if Jacob is crying, and vice-versa but Caitlyn doesn’t join in. Hammond said Caitlyn is a little bit more reserved than her brothers and is more independent, having no problem playing by herself.

The triplets usually sleep from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., leaving their parents free in the evenings.

“We just sit and watch television,” Hammond said. “It’s down time for the adults.”

Carmen said she’s exhausted but it’s a good kind of exhausted.

The next 17 years will be quite an adventure, she said. She’s planning to go back to work at Save-On Foods part-time next month. She has mixed feelings about it but they need the money for a bigger home.

“We’re on a very tight budget,”

Church Directory

she said.

The couple is thankful for all the gifts they’ve received from Oceanside residents, including enough baby clothes to dress the triplets until they’re five and a Christmas food hamper.

Three volunteers come in each week to play with and care for the triplets, giving Carmen break.

“Oceanside people have been good to us,” she said.

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JANUARY ACTIVITIES

MEMBERS & BONA FIDE GUESTS WELCOME

Qualicum Beach (250) 752-9632 GENERAL MEETING

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Thur., Jan. 22, 7:00 pm

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SPECIAL EVENTS NEW YEAR’S DAY LEVEE Thurs, Jan 1, Noon - 3 pm Qualicum Beach Pipe Band 1:30 pm Refreshments, Food and Live Music Public is Welcome BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Wed., Jan. 13, 4:00 pm

Sunday Services 10:30 am Everyone Welcome!

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

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NEWS

4 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014 FATAL ACCIDENT

Bowser man charged in hit and run imposed by provincial court Judge Ron Lamperson, including Bowser man made a keeping the peace, reporting to a brief court appearance bail supervisor and not possessin Courtenay last Thursing or consuming alcohol. day after being charged with Prad was arrested about 8 p.m. leaving the scene of an accident Wednesday after Comox Valley causing death in connection with RCMP received a tip that led a hit-and-run that killed a 48them to a property where a 2003 year-old cyclist in Fanny Bay. Ford F350 truck was seized. The Timothy David Prad, 55, was charge Prad faces carries a maxreleased on a $200 recognizance imum sentence of life in prison. with no deposit and no surety.

Sgt. Mark Whitworth, unit Prad, who wore a T-shirt that commander of the RCMP’s read “just because you CAN North Vancouver Island Traffic doesn’t mean you SHOULD” Services department, said more must adhere to conditions charges are possible. “A very bad decision was made,” he said. “It’s an unimaginable tragedy.”

Paul Bally Get the best Quality Bike was a father for your Buck at Island Cycle of two, a • Mountain • Road • Hybrid teacher at • BMX • New & Used Lake Trail Middle School REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES AND MODELS in Courtenay and a volTIRES • TUBES • LOCKS • LIGHTS • TOOLS unteer fire-

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114 Hirst Ave. E. • 250-248-0647 • www.icyclebc.com

fighter. He was riding his bicycle along the Old Island Highway in Fanny Bay on Monday, Dec. 15 when he was struck by a vehicle.

Bally, who taught at Lake Trail for 17 years, had a reputation for being able to make learning pleasant for everyone.

Students remember the incentive currency “Bally Bucks” he would hand out for answering problems during math lessons or responding to questions in French class.

Bally’s wife Evelyn called police and searched for her husband when he didn’t come home from his regular bike ride. She found him lying in a ditch more than four hours after he had left. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

Prad’s arrest came after Evelyn Bally made an anguished, tearful plea urging the driver involved in the hit-and-run or anyone with information about the collision to contact police.

Police said Prad couldn’t have been apprehended without the help of the community, adding that they are seeking more

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DRIVER AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

ICBC recently advised our staff of the best tips to ensure pedestrian safety, we thought we would share: • Always make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street. Never assume that a driver has seen you.

• Focus your full attention on what’s happening around you. Remove your headphones and never talk, text or use electronic devices in an intersection or while crossing.

• Wear reflective clothing or use reflective gear to make it easier for drivers to see you. This is especially important in wet weather and dark conditions when drivers may not be able to see you.

Have a safe and wonderful New Year!

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

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

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remains committed to completing a thorough investigation of all the circumstances surrounding this collision, bringing muchneeded answers to Paul’s grieving family.”

Prad is due back in court Jan. 15.

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information as the investigation continues.

In a statement, Insp. Tim Walton, who heads the Comox Valley RCMP, thanked the public for its support and assistance in the investigation. “Our team

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Timothy David Prad, 55, of Bowser, has been charged in the fatal hitand-run collision with a cyclist Dec. 15. [DREW A. PENNER/COMOX VALLEY ECHO]

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 5

Vancouver Island NewsMedia Group

Alla Holdevich, as the Virgin Mary, with Cyprian Pawlyshyn, took part in a Christmas mass at St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church in French Creek on Sunday, Dec. 14.

[JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR]

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At this joyous time of year, we want to thank all our clients for your continued support. We would also like to extend our Holiday wishes to family physicians & healthcare professionals who work with us. We wish you abundance, happiness and peace in the New Year.

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Please join us at our Open House on Saturday January 17, 2015 at our weight loss studio in Qualicum Beach from 1 – 5. Call us at (250) 594-7008 for more information or stop by our office on Memorial Ave across from Quality Foods.

NEWS

6 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014 FERRIES

Some savings as BC Ferries eliminates fuel surcharge VING NEWS SERVICE

B

C Ferries last week scrapped the 3.4 per cent fuel surcharge on ferry tickets, following worldwide declines in fuel prices.

A driver with a car traveling

between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay or Duke Point and Tsawwassen will save $2.25. Foot passengers will save 50 cents.

In November, BC Ferries president and CEO Mike Corrigan wrote a message to ferry users stating that the corporation has

to pay off $3 million in a fuel deferral account.

Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said the fuel deferral balance is now less than $3 million and the corporation can take advantage of lower diesel prices well into 2016.

“The difference now is we have locked in or hedged a good deal of the forecast consumption for the remainder the fiscal year until March 31, 2016,” she said.

The corporation says it is positioned to pay its outstanding fuel costs in the first half of 2015.

Holiday

WORSHIP SERVICES St. Mark’s Anglican Church

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Dec 24 7:30pm & 10:30pm Holy Communion with Carols Dec 25 10:00am Holy Communion (no music)

www.stmarksqualicum.bc.ca

Knox United Church Parksville

Wednesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Services celebrating the birth of Jesus: 4:00 pm – Contemplative Service – There will be quiet music, communion and meditation.

7:00 pm – Family Service – This will be a traditional Christmas Eve pageant with readings, candle lighting, carol singing, music with the Knox choir, a guest musician and selections by the Knox hand-bell choir.

11:00 pm – Christmas Eve Service – At this service, there will be the joy of music, prayers, communion and candle lighting

Sunday, December 28 – Special Christmas Service: 10:00 am – This will be a special Christmas service with guest minister, Rev Brenda Faust.

A place of worship and service, friendship and informality, open to people of all ages and backgrounds.

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Foot ferry needs answer from province VING NEWS SERVICE

Dec 21 10:00am Festival of Lessons & Carols

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Marshall said the company will be able to pay off the remaining fuel balance without the surcharge, introduced in January and earmarked specifically to pay for fuel.

“We don’t gain anything at all,” Marshall said.

A CHRISTMAS EVE EXPERIENCE

PARKSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH - DECEMBER 24th Come Join in the Celebration at 5pm or 7pm/550 Pym St.

Catholic Church of Ascension Christmas Eve., Dec. 24th Masses: 5:00pm, 7:30pm & 10:00pm

Christmas Day, Dec. 25th Mass 11:00am 887 Wembley Road, Parksville

St. Anne & St. Edmund (Anglican Church of Canada)

Sunday, December 21, 2014

10.00 am The Advent & Christmas Carol Service

**Christmas Eve ~ Dec 24** 2.00 pm • A Contemplative Christmas Quiet instrumental music, readings and times of silence

uch like the $37-million water-treatment plant for Parksville and Nanoose Bay, Island Ferry Services Ltd. is awaiting an answer on its application for a grant from the Building Canada Fund.

The company is seeking $14 million from the federal fund to establish a high-speed, foot-passenger ferry link between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver.

The company’s application doesn’t need municipal or provincial support but the province’s input to the federal government on which projects should receive support is considered a significant factor in the outcome of the decisions.

Company operations director David Marshall said in September the funding is the “last piece” of investment needed for the project to proceed. The balance would come from private investment.

Island Ferries aims to put the service in motion

by March 31, a requirement set out in a lease agreement with the City of Nanaimo. The Nanaimo-end terminal for the city is set to be constructed on city-owned land in the south downtown waterfront area.

The maximum federal contribution from the fund to a private sector project is 25 per cent.

The B.C. Ministry of Transportation did not respond to direct questions on when a decision would be made or how many other projects are seeking provincial support.

“Minister (Todd) Stone met with the City of Nanaimo during (Union of B.C. Municipalities 2014 convention) and we understand this project is a priority for the City of Nanaimo,” said a statement from the ministry. “We are currently working with the city to fully understand all of their priorities for infrastructure in the future.

“The province anticipates many requests from communities for funding through the Building Canada Fund. As with all requests, we will review this to ensure the project is a good use of taxpayer dollar.”

The city and the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation have been seeking support for Island Ferries’ proposal. More than 1,400 form letters have been collected favouring the ferry link.

Karen E. Stewart B.A., LLB., LLM

Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public • Real Estate & Mortgages • Divorce & Separation Agreements • Wills, Estates and Elder Law • Family Law Matters

7.00 pm Christmas Eve at St. Edmund’s The Christmas story, carols, choir, communion, youth and children’s participation 250-248-3114 • parksville.anglican@gmail.com 407 Wembley, at Church Road

kes@shaw.ca 101-191 Jensen Ave. East, Parksville

Phone: 250-954-1445 Fax: 250-954-1430

NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 7

MORE FROM THE BETHLEHEM WALK

Record numbers turned out for last week’s 20th-annual Bethlehem Walk at the Parksville Baptist Church. Counter-clockwise from top left: Cheese mongers Daniel Robinson, Celeste Maguire and Jenny Robinson sell their cheese in the market. Caoimhe McSweeney, Brendan McSweeney and Olivia Gordon show the necklaces they were given at the jewelry stall.

Laura Charlebois and Simone Geary were guiding families to tables for hot chocolate and cookies. Mattaeus and Martina Wright watch volunteers make candles. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR]

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8 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

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

Oceanside Star

We need to be better at dealing with storms

A division of the Vancouver Island Newspaper Group Limited Partnership

his month’s big storm may be fading from memory as people wear out their stories of abundant wind and rain.

Yes, it was quite a storm but it was neither unusual nor unexpected.

It was forecast more than a quarter-century ago when scientists and world leaders gathered in Montreal over concern about the ozone layer.

Scientists raised eyebrows with their explanation of something else they were finding worrisome: When you burn fossil fuels, they emit carbon dioxide, which warms the atmosphere. Warm air can carry more water, creating longer periods of drought, followed by violent rain storms

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: 1-866-415-9169 classifieds@oceansidestar.com Community Marketing and Sales Director Andrea Rosato-Taylor 1-250-729-4248 arosato-taylor@ oceansidestar.com Managing Editor Brian Wilford 250-954-0600, ext. 211 bwilford@oceansidestar.com Administrative Assistant Paul Davies 250-954-0600, ext. 205 pdavies@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 Jan Spink 250-954-0600, ext. 204 jspink@oceansidestar.com Account Executive Tina Loubert 250-954-0600, ext. 202 tloubert@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.

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T

in which a month’s rain might fall in a day.

The water is also warmer, and warm water expands. This is not a worry if you’re boiling a pot of peas but, if the water is the size of an ocean, the tiny skin-andbone creatures inhabiting the shorelines will notice the effects.

This is what we experienced this month. According to the old forecast, we’ll likely get another such storm before this winter is out and almost certainly another at this time next year and the year after that.

This is the way it’s going to be from now on, so we need to get good at coping with these events.

We need municipal storm drainage systems capable of dealing with as much as a foot of rain

falling in a day.

We need to assess roads and bridges as to whether they can remain passable if struck with force by debris-laden river and sea water.

People living on slopes should consider geotechnical evaluations, excavations and retaining walls, anything to divert the flow of water, mud and rock.

Strategically placed walls and dykes may help the rivers stay in their channels. Perhaps emergency spillways can divert some of the river water to farmland.

Waterfront home owners are likely out of luck. Building up and back just delays the inevitable. Someday a storm-tossed log or boat will find its way into your living rooms.

What should home owners do when faced with fast-flowing, fast-rising water? Get in the SUV and try to drive to high ground?

Get out the kayaks and ride the waves? How about climb onto the roof? Not easy to do with kids in a storm. Can downed power lines still electrocute people in a flood zone?

A public education package would be helpful. Our neighbours in High River and elsewhere likely already have the answers.

These violent, destructive storms will be with us until the ends of our days, so let’s heed the advice of that great nature-lover Lord Baden-Powell: Be Prepared.

BRIAN WILFORD

>>Your Letters // email: letters@oceansidestar.com Take that pause and go to your realm of peace As many of us pause and reflect at this time of year, we realize Canada’s active war aggression means we’ll only have ‘whirled peas’ this Christmas.

The Bible says “there will be wars and rumours of wars” and then there will be a great call for “peace and security” before the final act of blind ambition comes to this world.

Meantime, it’s business as usual as people sleepwalk through their lives constantly reacting to unresolved conflicts from their past-and-present stressors, some being created by anonymous planetary masterminds.

So, take that pause, go to your realm of peace to find some solace in witnessing Its wisdom through your faith and in the splendor of nature.

Then, resolve to be that better person who treads lightly upon our Earth, our only home and be truly thankful, as I am for my wife, my health, my life and my many blessings.

Gord Byers Parksville

Local businesses helped with storm evacuations The City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, the Regional District of Nanaimo and Oceanside Emergency Support Services wish to acknowledge and thank local businesses for the service and support provided for more than 40 residents evacuated from Cedar Grove Campground, Parry’s RV Park and Little Qualicum River Estates during the storm and flooding

wouldn’t be ashamed to show visitors the downtown core.

We have taken friends to Qualicum Beach and Ladysmith and all have said, “Why can’t Parksville spruce itself up?”

Seems we now know why, and it’s time to get something done.

Kathleen Rowlands Parksville

Adult education cuts petty, backwards, hurtful

events.

The Parksville-Qualicum Beach businesses are: Buena Vista by the Sea, Deez Bar and Grill, District 69 Society of Organized Services, Oceancrest Motel, Oceanside Taxi, Riverside Resort, Sand Pebbles Inn, Salvation Army Thrift Store, Skylite Motel, Smitty’s Restaurant, Qualicum Foods.

Oceanside Emergency Support Services depends on the services provided by these businesses so our community team is able to provide the best possible care to residents in an emergency situation. Emergency Management British Columbia has a program to compensate businesses which

provide this level of support and service during emergency events.

Aaron Dawson Emergency Program Coordinator

Ashamed to show city’s downtown to visitors I wholeheartedly agree with Brian Wilford’s editorial on downtown Parksville (Dec. 18).

Quite frankly, Craig Street is a disgrace and very little has changed in the past few years.

New facades and a coat of paint would make a world of difference and the residents of Parksville

The B.C. government just announced another cut to B.C. universities and colleges.

This time they have cut funding for Adult Basic Education.

The ABE program has served as an entry point for thousands of British Columbians who, for whatever reason, did not succeed in the B.C. K-12 school system.

The cost of the program across the province was just under $7 million in its entirety. This is a small price to pay to allow people to upgrade and enter trades or academic programs to fill the ever-increasing skills gap.

This cut is petty, backwards and hurtful to citizens who want to pursue greater opportunity in our province.

Worst of all, this cut was unnecessary because the province is projecting a surplus of almost $200 million this year.

Sherry McCarthy, Chairperson, VIU Students’ Union 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 — YOUR LETTERS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 9

Non-voters need a positive reason to become engaged Janice LeClerc’s Nov. 27 letter in the Oceanside Star highlights a concern of many: How to ensure Stephen Harper’s Conservative government does not return to power in the upcoming 2015 federal election.

Although strategic voting and opposition cooperation are often discussed as methods to displace a given representative, there needs to be a loftier goal. Simply voting to get rid of someone falls short of exercising our democratic opportunity.

The situation that creates false majority governments is our antiquated first-past-the-post electoral system and our chronic voter apathy. We can hope that 2015 will be the last election

Star Poll Are you in favour of B.C. building the $8.8B Site C dam?

✭ Yes ✭ No Answer online at: www.oceansidestar.com Last poll’s question: Are you concerned about your food security?

Yes: 64% No: 36%

without some version of proportional representation.

The issue of low voter turnout is more elusive. Topics such as strategic voting do not entice a non-voter into the conversation.

For us to encourage involvement from the disenfranchised, those people must become engaged and that requires a positive reason to do so.

The Prime Minister is an obvious lightning rod for many complaints about our government. However, there are systemic problems we need to address so that whoever takes over that role does not have the same apparent dictatorial ability to run the country. We need non-whipped MPs, proportional representation, less top-down control from the main party leaders, non-adversarial cooperation between all parties between elections and MP representation of constituents to Ottawa and not the other way around.

The Green Party is one of our best ways to positively influence the other parties to adopt these changes.

In recent Canadian elections, the Green Party has won seats federally, provincially and municipally, all ground-breaking accomplishments that indicate the party and the voters are getting ready for immediate growth. The Courtenay-Alberni riding polls very well for the Green Party.

All parties need to state their intentions to restore a functioning democracy. Hopefully, a positive conversation can develop, one that engages the roughly 40 per cent of non-voters to participate, and that everyone votes for their true choice of candidate.

Glenn Sollitt, Qualicum Beach, GPC Candidate for Courtenay-Alberni

Thanks to your help, says SOS executive director Renate Sutherland, children will feel the magic of Christmas.

[LISSA ALEXANDER PHOTO]

We’ve all done our part this year It’s wonderful to see what can be accomplished when we all work together.

Thanks to your help, and the help of your readers, local children will be able to feel the magic of Christmas.

They will wake up on Christmas morning filled with wonder, knowing a package was delivered

just for them. And after they open that special gift, they can look forward to sharing a meal together, and they can go to bed with joy in their hearts and food in their bellies.

Your readers helped us collect enough gifts to ensure all local children have something to unwrap Christmas morning, and

their parents and guardians were given local grocery store gift cards with the funds raised.

What an incredible community we live in. It’s takes a community to raise a healthy and happy child, and we’ve all done our part this year. Merry Christmas.

Renate Sutherland Executive Director, SOS

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NEWS

10 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

Qualicum nurse on mercy mission to Africa I

n the New Year, Monica Ciolfi of Qualicum Beach will travel across the globe to Tamatave, Madagascar to volunteer her nursing services on board the world’s largest charity hospital ship, Africa Mercy.

The vessel belongs to the international charity Mercy Ships, which uses volunteer-driven hospital ships to provide free surgery, training and development to those most in need.

“A friend of mine told me about Mercy

Ships about six months after I started working as a nurse,” said Ciolfi, 26. “She knows I am adventurous and that I love to travel but I needed a bit more work experience before I could apply.”

Ciolfi has worked as a Registered Nurse for Vancouver Island Health Authority at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital since graduating from Vancouver Island University some three years ago.

Ciolfi will work as Ward Nurse alongside 400 professional volunteers from more

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than 40 nations, all of whom pay their own way to help change thousands of lives.

With lack of doctors, finances and facilities, the Malagasy people face conditions that aren’t seen in Canada: massive tumours, cleft lips and palates, cataracts and bowed legs, among others.

“I hope I get to see what I am capable of in terms of my career,” Ciolfi says. “I have never worked outside my surgical ward at home. I look forward to helping others by putting my skills to good use.”

Madagascar has on average only two doctors for every 10,000 citizens. It has more than 22 million people, nearly half under 18 and a sixth under five.

During the Africa Mercy’s eight-month stay in Madagascar, Mercy Ship volunteers plan to provide approximately 1,700 free surgeries for adult and child patients on board, to treat about 8,000 at a land-based dental clinic renovated for that purpose, and to provide health-care education to Malagasy health-care professionals and community leaders.

Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1 billion, with more than 2.35 million direct beneficiaries.

Nurse Monica Ciolfi is volunteering her services on board the charity hospital ship Africa Mercy (below).

Each year Mercy Ships has more than 1,200 volunteers from over 40 nations, including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health-care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers and agriculturalists.

For more, see www.mercyships.ca.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

Mobile research lab slated for VIU F

unding from the provincial government will result in the building of a state-of-the-art mobile research lab at Vancouver Island University.

Premier Christy Clark announced in October that $2.5 million will be provided for research projects across Vancouver Island’s three public universities.

VIU’s share of that will be $500,000.

Three scientific research students primarily using the lab will be Nick Davey and Larissa Richards, who are doing their PhD and masters out of UVic respectively, as well as Darien Yeung, a computer sciences undergrad at VIU. “With the funding we’re getting from the government, we’ll build

a state of the art mobile lab and buy new instrumentation that we can take with us out into the field to make chemical measurements there,” said Davey.

The projects Davey, Richards and Yeung work on look into human health and the risk of that when we come into contact with contaminated sites. The mobile lab and new instruments will able to identify contamina-

tion and health risks at a quicker rate and in more precise detail.

“We’re interested in human health so anywhere there is oil and gas and the potential for chemistry in the atmosphere, that’s the field,” said Davey, who hopes the new instruments will be purchased by next summer.

Richards says she regularly sets up experiments at VIU to look at different types of air samples.

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 11

Squire’s interim job made permanent Mike Squire has taken over from Al Metcalf as Parksville’s director of operations.

Squire, hired by the city as utilities manager in 2004, was appointed interim director when Metcalf retired this year.

The city said in a news release that Squire will remain as program manager for the Arrowsmith Water Service and Englishman River Water Service, a position he’s held since April 2011.

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NEWS

12 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

Public’s help sought in seaweed research A

team of researchers from Vancouver Island University and the University of Victoria is studying the

movement and fate of a seaweed called Mazzaella japonica, and they are asking for the public’s help.

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Since 2007, the BC Ministry of Agriculture has been issuing licences for the harvest of beach-cast seaweed (called wrack) between Deep Bay and Bowser.

The target species in the study, MJ, is a Japanese red alga. Like many red seaweeds, MJ is rich in carrageenans, a compound used as a gelling and thickening agent in a variety of food, pharmaceutical and industrial processes.

“While this harvest has raised environmental concerns, the available information to date has been largely based on literature reviews and anecdotal observations,” says Sarah Dudas, a researcher in VIU’s Biology department.

“To investigate the fate and dispersal of this particular kind of seaweed, we are releasing small bundles of the seaweed tied with brightly coloured, non-toxic, biodegradable flagging tape at two sites in the Deep BayBowser region. A total of 100 small bundles will be released Alberni-Pacific Rim MLA Scott Fraser and Island Scallops CEO Rob Saunders examine some Mazzaella japonica on at two beaches and the tape the beach in Deep Bay in October 2013. [STAR FILE PHOTO] will be labeled with special identification numbers.”

Researchers will monitor the beaches on a bi-weekly basis between now Tracking the movement of MJ will help and Feb. 9 but, if any member of the pubresearchers better understand the fate lic happens to see the specially marked of this red algae within the ecosystem, bundles while strolling local beaches, Dudas says. they are asked to email jjholden@uvic.ca.

Understanding the dispersal patterns of “We’d like to know the date, time and beach-cast seaweed will also contribute to location of the sighting, as well as the col- more accurate calculations of the volume our of the flagging tape and identification of seaweed being washed ashore. numbers,” says Dudas.

Dudas asks members of the public to Information from the study will be used leave seaweed bundles where they are to develop a database and map of the disfound. After Feb. 9, researchers will gathtribution of the beach-cast bundles over er up any remaining biodegradable tape time. left on beaches.

With bright wishes at the holidays! Wishing our friends, neighbors, patients and associates a Merry Christmas

Back row from left to right: Dr. Aleem Kara, Cheri, Rachelle, Michele, Kailey, Heather, Leanne, Dr. Robert Wolanski. Bench: Kim, Brenna, Chelsea, Ivka. Front: Jessica.

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On Santa’s Knee

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 13

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A

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During this year’s Parksville Lions Breakfast with Santa, the Jolly Old Elf got acquainted with newborn Avaiya Ostergaard, as well as friends Emily Ackerman (above left) and Chyanne Davies, of Parksville. [BRIAN WILFORD/OCEANSIDE STAR]

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NEWS

14 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 15

Website helps make court accessible, fair STAR STAFF

L

ast week the Provincial Court of B.C. relaunched its website: www.provincialcourt.bc.ca.

“This project reflects our continuing effort to ensure that people interested in the Provincial Court can find the information they need and have confidence that the Court is

accessible, fair, and innovative,” Thomas J. Crabtree, Chief Judge of the Provincial Court, said in a news release. “It is one of several initiatives we have undertaken in recent years to be more accessible and open.

“We invite the public, and all users of the Court, to explore the relaunched website and make use of the resources we have provided there.”

The Court has been rolling out changes to its website for more than a year, starting with the overall look and structure.

More recent changes include: • Updating information with current legislation , resources and court data; • Replacing legal jargon with plain language, simple explanations and a less formal writing style;

• Making site navigation more intuitive; • Providing specific navigation guidance for groups of users, such as media, teachers, students, lawyers, and people appearing in court as litigants or witnesses; • Adding material and links to help people who are representing themselves in court; • Offering information and vid-

eos about recent innovations and initiatives to improve the Court’s service.

The relaunched site includes an anonymous survey.

The Court is asking users of the site to help improve it further by providing feedback on how well it meets their online needs. Comments submitted and survey results will guide future revisions.

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16 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 17

SCIENCE

What experts know about the Strait Knowledge gathered over lifetimes shared in new book

present, for consumption by the general public, a summary of the knowledge they’ve gathered over the years in relation to the Strait.

The large-format, hardcover book, 400 pages of colour photographs, maps and diagrams, “summarizes what the public gets when it invests in ocean science,” Beamish said, the idea being that an informed public

“makes good decisions.”

“I don’t usually write for the general public,” said Beamish, a member of the International Panel on Climate Change that received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 and a recipient of the Orders of Canada and British Columbia.

See SEA, Page 18

The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgia Edited by Richard Beamish and Gordon McFarlane Hardcover, 400 pages, 8.5”x11”, $39.95 Harbour Publishing BRIAN WILFORD OCEANSIDE STAR

“I

t is unique,” says Richard Beamish, co-editor of ‘The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgia.’

“We know of nothing like it anywhere in the world.”

Released in late November by Harbour Publishing, The Sea Among Us, edited by Beamish and Gordon McFarlane, both scientists at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo, is already attracting attention around the world.

In it, a dozen leading experts in their fields present what they’ve learned over their careers about the 6,515-square-kilometre of water between B.C.’s mainland and Vancouver Island: the geol-

Dr. Richard Beamish, co-editor of ‘The Sea Among Us’ and author of the chapter on The Fishes, holds up a Pacific skate. [www.richardbeamish.com photo] ogy, the oceanography, the plants and animals, including coastal birds, and the human uses, from pre-contact to the fisheries.

“Ten years ago, or even longer, we felt it was important to let people know what we were doing and what we know about the Strait of Georgia,” said Beamish, a zoologist who wrote the chap-

ter on ‘The Fishes.’

“We knew a lot was happening in the Strait and that British Columbians know very little about it.”

The danger of that, he said, is that people cease to value science and so government ceases to fund it.

So they asked the experts to

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NEWS

18 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014 SCIENCE

Scientists ‘writing about what we know’ SEA, from Page 17

maybe a dozen people,” Beamish said.

“If one gets read by a hundred people, I’m a superstar.

“Generally my papers are read by

“It’s about time we as scientists started writing about what we know in a comprehensive and integrative way

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so that the public knows it’s getting its money’s worth.”

The publication has already attracted the attention of scientists from Maine to Russia, he said.

“We’re hoping it sets a trend for similar publications in other areas.”

However, books like this can be expensive to produce.

For The Sea Among Us, the experts donated their contributions, including many stunning photographs from Bill Pennell, a research associate at Vancouver Island University’s Centre for Shellfish Research in Deep Bay. Their author royalties will go to the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

“They liked Dr. Richard Beamish with a Pacific the idea of hake. [www.richardbeamish.com photo] writing about what they have been studying for most of their lives, and writing for the public in terms of an ecosystem,” Beamish said.

As well, the Foundation helped to support the project, as did the Canada Council for the Arts and the B.C. Arts Council.

And then it turned out that “Harbour Publishing and (co-owner) Howard White had always wanted to put together a book on the Strait of Georgia and I think they made an extra effort to make sure we got the quality we did,” Beamish said, noting in particular the work of project manager Peter Robson. “They did a superb job.”

The project may have begun a decade ago but there was a push from Harbour to get it out for Christmas 2014, he said. “The first chapter came in five or six years ago, from John Clague (on The Geology) and the last came in five or six months ago and that was Terry Glavin (on The Pre-Contact era).

“While there’s a lot of material there, there’s really so little we know,” Beamish said. “We have a lot to learn and government is influenced by the public on how they spend their money.

“We’re hoping people will see the value of science.”

NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 19

Above: Robert Kilburn chats with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus during this month’s Milner Christmas Magic at Milner Gardens in Qualicum Beach. Right: Some of the Christmas decorations were made with plastic water bottles. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR]

Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year

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NEWS

20 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

Parts of Mount Washington resort open Saturday STAR STAFF

W

ith snow finally arriving, parts of Mount Washington Alpine Resort opened on Saturday.

The Tube Park and Easy Acres beginner area, with five magiccarpet areas are open, as are 10 kilometres of cross-country terrain and snowshoe trails.

The resort’s learning centre is offering beginner lessons and rentals.

Dec. 5 was the original opening day target but that was pushed back because of lack of snow.

But temperatures have now dropped, creating a more typical winter environment at the resort near Courtenay.

Some 70 centimetres of snow

fell last week.

“It’s great to see the last couple of weather systems line up like this,” Don Sharpe, resort director of business operations and marketing, said in a news release last week.

“The snowfalls we are seeing are noteworthy. As we get more accumulation, we will open more lifts and terrain as soon as

possible.”

The popular ski area normally shoots for 120 days of skiing and has 800 staff on the job.

A shortage of snow last year delayed the opening into January, giving skiers and boarders only 82 days on the slopes.

But proving that it’s impossible to predict weather, the resort opened early in 2012. That year,

Dec. 7 was the target date, but snowy weather meant ski lifts began running on Nov. 30.

That was the fourth year in a row that the resort opened early in November.

The resort typically attracts more than 300,000 visits annually.

To track what’s happening on the mountain, go to mountwashington.ca.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 21

WILDLIFE to be learned about it.

It is one of the smallest northern owls.

Males weigh about as much as an American Robin, females only about 25 per cent more.

They prey on small mammals, primarily deer mice and white-footed mice, which it hunts at night from low perches.

Like many owls, it has asymmetric ears, which allow prey to be accurately located by hearing alone.

Many Saw-whet Owls move south in winter.

Males provide almost all of the food, females incubate and brood the young. They

nest in holes and take readily to nest boxes.

Resident populations are present from B.C. to Oregon, Idaho, and Montana; south at higher altitudes along the Rocky, Cascade, Coastal, Sierra Nevada, and Sierra Madre Mountain ranges to Oaxaca, Mexico, including southern California, southern Nevada, central Arizona and Santa Cruz and Santa Catalina Island.

Public viewing of the centre is now closed and will reopen one week before spring break. Animal admittances may still be brought to the centre. A staff member will help you. NIWRA staff and volunteers would like to wish you a Merry Christmas.

WEST COAST FACTORY DIRECT HOT TUBS

The wildlife centre receives Saw-Whet owls this time of year, usually because of vehicle collisions. [NIWRA PHOTO]

Injured owl flew into pickup truck bed cover Sylvia Campbell Wild & Free

Y

et another saw-whet owl was admitted to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre last week as a victim of a vehicle collision.

This bird flew into the cover of a pickup truck bed.

Although the Northern Saw-whet Owl is one of the most common owls in the forests across southern Canada and the northern U.S., much remains

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NEWS

22 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014 SPORTS

Field set for 2015 BC Junior Curling Championships T

he full line-up for the 2015 Tim Hortons BC Junior Curling Championships has been decided.

Eight Junior Men’s and eight Junior Women’s teams have now qualified for the junior provincial event which takes place at Parksville Curling Club from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3.

The Junior Men’s and Junior Women’s finals will be televised on Sportsnet on January.

Visit www.curlbc.ca for the TV schedule.

On the Junior Men’s side, Team Tanaka will be returning to the Championships. The team, who represent Abbotsford Curling Club, also competed last year. .

Another team competing is Team Henderson, from the Victoria Curling Centre, who qualified in the Coastal Playdowns B event.

They will be joined by fellow

Islanders Team Croteau who qualified from the C Event. The team curls at the Victoria Curling Centre and Juan de Fuca Curling Centre.

Team Carpenter, from Royal City Curling Club, also qualified in the Coastal C Event.

The winner of the Kootenay playdown, and qualifier for the Interior region, is Team Bartlett.

The team plays at Grand Forks Curling Club and Invermere

Curling Club.

The junior men from the Coastal playdowns will be joined at the Championships by two rinks from Vernon Curling Club, Team Love and Team Schiman.

The final team in the Men’s draw will be Team Loeppky of Prince Rupert Curling Club.

Whilst there will be quite a few curlers making their Championship debut on the Men’s side, the Junior Women’s draw contains

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several familiar faces including members of all three medal winning teams from last year.

Team Daniels, who qualified in the Coastal A Event, is made up of three gold medallists from the 2014 Tim Hortons BC Junior Curling Championships. Sarah Daniels (Skip), Marika Van Osch (Third) and Megan Daniels (Lead) will be hoping to repeat last year’s success alongside their new teammate Dezaray Hawes (Second).

The 2013 Canadian Junior Champions, Team Brown, will also be competing after they qualified at the Okanagan playdown. It is the same rink that won the national title two years ago and took silver at last year’s BC Junior Championships.

Shawna Jensen, who was a bronze medallist in 2014, will this year skip a team made up of curlers from three different locations - Powell River Curling Club, Juan de Fuca Curling Centre and Delta Thistle Curling Club. Skip Shawna will be joined by Third Katherine Silversides, Second Michaela Douglas, Lead Rebecca Douglas and Fifth Sarah McCrady after they qualified in the C and F Event at the Coastal playdown.

Vancouver Island’s Team Coulombe, who represent Victoria Curling Club and Juan de Fuca Curling Centre, will also be competing at the Championships.

The team qualified in the A and B Event at the Coastal playdown.

Another team who qualified from the Coastal A and B Event is Team Zucchet, who represent Chilliwack Curling Club.

The final team to qualify at the Coastal playdown was Team Egan from the Coquitlam Curling Centre.

They will be joined at the Championships by Team Fisher, representing the Vernon Curling Centre, who made it through the Okanagan A and B Event.

The final team rounding out the field will be Team Connell from Prince George.

The results of Curl BC playdowns can be viewed on www. playdowns.com under the BC tab.

Admission to the championships is free. For information about the Parksville Curling Club, visit www.parksvillecurling.com.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 23

$12-million care boost to help addicts, mentally ill on Island

I

sland Health says it’s expanding support for people struggling with mental illness and addictions by providing more beds, care teams and support services totalling $12.3 million.

The health authority plans to open 28 new supportive recovery

beds for substance abusers and 14 new specialized mental-health care beds across the Island, the health authority announced last week.

Health Minister Terry Lake said the 2015 expansion is part of a three-year, $26.6-million plan that started in 2012 to improve

mental-health and substanceabuse services.

“They are providing expanded support, beds and enhanced care teams, ensuring that services wrap around the individual, taking them from the hospital to the community and back to their families,” Lake said.

Only a few locations of the new beds in the north, central and south Island have been decided.

Island Health is preparing requests for proposals for bids on the contracts for beds and services.

New services in the Central Island include:

Neelam and husband Mark started M & N Mattress Shop in Parksville, Dec. 2, 2000.

M & N Mattress shop is the home to the Ironman Recovery Mattress, Convertible Cabinet Bed and BC made mattresses and furniture. Boasting the maple leaf in their logo Neelam is very proud to offer Canadian made products.

Neelan Nagra M & N MATTRESS SHOP With Neelam’s expertise and help of her sales staff, Sukh and Carol, M & N Mattress Shop has set new sales records each year. This has allowed Mark to open another location in South Surrey/ Whiterock, WR Mattress Gallery, which is also doing very well.

Neelam’s success in business shows her dedication to the customer’s needs. Please do come by the showroom at 291 E. Island Hwy, Parksville and Neelam & her staff will greet you with a friendly smile. Neelam takes the time to listen to her customers and help them make the best decisions. If you are looking for a good night sleep, come see Neelam at M & N Mattress Shop.

• Two shelter beds for youth with concurrent mental-health and substance-abuse issues, possibly in Nanaimo; • Six supportive recovery beds for women; • New Assertive Community Treatment team for Cowichan Valley.

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24 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

NEWS

Take the plunge New Year’s Day

T

he 25th-annual Regional District of Nanaimo Polar Bear Splash takes place New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, in the chilly waters of Parksville Community Beach.

Members of the Arrowsmith Search and Rescue water rescue team will be in the water to provide assistance and encouragement.

Hot beverages and snacks will be available on a donation basis.

Parksville Volunteer Fire Department firefighters and first responders will also be present to provide onshore medical-aid.

With safety in mind, participants in the swim are reminded to be careful of their alcohol consumption the evening before.

Some 200 people of all ages take part in this event with at least another hundred friends, relatives and spectators present to offer encouragement, applause, and possibly a warm, dry towel at the end.

Bring a few extra items, such as water shoes to help with tender feet, an extra towel or two, and warm clothes to change into.

The actual plunge takes place at noon with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m.

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Taking the plunge during last January’s RDN Polar Bear Splash. [STAR FILE PHOTO]

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 25

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NEWS

26 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

The first Christmas without Mom ARY SALA SPECIAL TO THE STAR

I

n 1982, business in Calgary was promising as it has been for the last decade.

Financially, my future as a realtor looked encouraging but for Maria, my sweetheart and mother of four sons and four daughters, her cancer showed signs of returning.

We were still hopeful, even though the doctor had told us there was nothing that they could do.

Our last straw was to seek a cure available only in the U.S. Arrangements were made by four families to take care of our children and Maria and I took up residence in Mesa, Arizona.

Maria did well in the warm climate. She started to look really good, even to the point that a return to Calgary was arranged.

Those plans changed abruptly April 18 when she passed away in her sleep.

It took me three days after her passing to return home.

The children had expected Mom would be home again. This we never expected.

Within a few days, I was confronted with another major chal-

The singing Sala family in the Eighties: four sons, four daughters and dad Ary. lenge: the collapse of the Alberta economy.

In a week I lost my sweetheart and my financial stability. It was too much to bear at the same

time.

However, because of faith in our Heavenly Father whom we trusted to help us, this was answered in many different

ways.

It was our youngest son Monty’s third birthday and the children and I decided to go ahead with it, even though mom

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would not be there. It was good that we did this. It focused our attention on happy things.

While funeral arrangements were made, I mulled over several questions, like what to do next and how to survive.

After several days, I had a plan.

We used to live in a motor home for several months in the southern States. We sang as a family, and I thought we could travel through the U.S. for a year, making stops to entertain elderly and sick people.

Six months after Maria left us, our home in Calgary was converted into a duplex and rented and we took off an our journey.

We were soon stymied, however, because we weren’t allowed to make money in the U.S. with our musical performances and we had to leave within a month.

What to do now? Our home in Calgary was rented.

We decided to head for B.C. Time was of the essence because winter was coming.

I will never forget the pouring rain coming down like buckets on the windshield. I thought, “What did I do to my children?

How can we survive living in an RV in this wet climate?”

In Vancouver, I turned the motor home into an RV campground by a river, exhausted but happy to have found a spot for a good night’s rest.

The next day, a Sunday, we were greeted by sunshine and a warm welcome from the members of our church.

Soon the children were placed in schools and some kind of normalcy was returning to our daily lives.

We began performing our Christmas program. Our singing not only helped the elderly and sick, it helped us overcome the loss of a wonderful, loving mother and sweetheart.

One time we performed in a nursing home. After we finished our program, a gentleman with tears in his eyes thanked me, saying, “I am so ashamed. My wife, to whom I was married for many years, passed away a year ago. I have been very upset this whole time, and here I see all your children happily performing, yet their mother died only a few months ago.”

Two weeks later, we received a cheque in the mail from him and he thanked us for our performance.

Christmas 1982 brought much love, even though Mom was missed dearly.

We received much back from those for whom we performed, lifting their spirits in their old age. As the saying goes: “Where much is given, much is required.”

We received the Christmas Child a long time ago in our childhood. With that knowledge, we learned to give, and received much in return.

Ary Sala lives in Fanny Bay.

NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 27

Bureaucratic delays plague passenger-rail plan VING NEWS SERVICE

The resumption of passenger rail service is reportedly blocked by bureaucratic delays, preventing track repairs needed to make Island rails safe to carry trains up to 80 km/h.

Island passenger rail service has been caught in a catch-22 situation since the service ended in 2011, due to safety concerns about the state of rails. Passen-

ger trains can’t resume without a service agreement with Via Rail, and Via will not fund the service unless the tracks are safe.

Graham Bruce, executive director of Island Corridor Foundation, which owns the track, has therefore led the campaign to build a $20-million track repair fund.

A new service agreement was signed in June and Via board ratification took a while longer.

The plan was to hire crews to

do the track repairs over winter but the money for the work is tied up in red tape.

“It’s all part of the process,” Bruce said. “The full package has been submitted a while ago to the federal and provincial government. They’re now doing their assessment of it all.

“The funds are committed, they have to do the approval process.”

Bruce said he can’t predict how long that will take, Until then, no

repairs can be done.

“This is taxing a lot of people’s patience, but we’re moving,” Bruce said. Via released a redacted copy of the new rail agreement .Under the new agreement, the first train departs Nanaimo at 7 a.m., then departs Victoria heading north at 9:15 a.m., which could support some southbound commuter traffic in the morning.

But the afternoon train leaves Victoria at 2:45 p.m. - before most

office workers get off work.

The schedule meets Via Rail’s mandate, which is “for rail operation, not commuter service,” said Singh Biln, Southern Rail chief mechanical officer.

“However, we know we want more than that. Not only shoppers and tourists, but also people who want to go city-to-city, for various events. Also, it makes more sense for commuter operations to be based out of Nanaimo.”

NEWS

28 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

Friends organize celebration of life for Patrick Nicholson at the PCCC

F

riends and family are celebrating the life of Patrick Nicholson, for years the radio host of 99.9FM The Lounge, on Saturday, Jan.10, 2 p.m., at the Parksville Community & Conference Centre.

Nicholson died last month of multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer, at age 67.

Nicholson loved music and working in the community. He

specifically enjoyed being part of anything that supported youth and music, including being Emcee of the annual Premiere in Qualicum Beach.

In keeping with this, the Kwalikum Secondary School Fine Arts Society is creating a Patrick Nicholson Memorial Music Scholarship to be awarded annually to a student who is furthering a career path in a music-

oriented field.

Donations can be made to the KSS Fine Arts Society at the Celebration of Life or dropped off c/o Ian Lindsay at the Re/Max Realty offices in Parksville (101897 Island Hwy.W., V9P 2E9) and Qualicum Beach (113 West Second Ave., V9K 1T5).

For more information call 250757-8279 or email sherriverdec@ shaw.ca.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 29

ElderCollege adds new courses to spring schedule T

he Spring Calendar of the VIU ElderCollege Learning for Life program is now available and the course listings offer much to challenge, interest and inspire.

One new course invites photographers to develop the composition and technique of their work through The Art of Photography while another suggests means of Seeking Happiness While Living with Chronic Pain.

Two other recent additions are concerned with the environment, the one offering practical suggestions for energy efficiency in the home and the other taking a more philosophical approach to environmental awareness and values.

And there are of course some old favourites, such as Law for Seniors and Climbing your Family Tree—An Introduction to Genealogy.

All instructors are volunteers, and VIU ElderCollege is fortunate to have so many enthusiastic experts to call on.

Although VIU ElderCollege is a program of Vancouver Island University, it is organized and presented through a volunteer society, of which VIU ElderCollege students are members.

The annual membership fee is $20, which also allows free access to Milner Gardens in Qualicum

Beach (a VIU facility), as well as full use of the VIU library for the duration of the course and beyond. Membership is required to register in a course. The per course registration fee is $40 plus GST ($42 total).

Most classes meet once a week for two hours over a six-week period. All are held during daylight hours, usually at either the VIU campus in Nanaimo or the Parksville VIU campus at city

hall. Both locations are accessible by bus and parking nearby.

There are no exams or compulsory assignments; there is much class participation and a relaxed atmosphere; and there is pleasure in getting together with people who share one’s interests.

See www.viu.ca/eldercollege or pick up a Spring Course Calendar at one of the VIU campuses or your local library, or call 1-866-734-6252.

COMMUNITY

30 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014 Team Leader required to manage a team of volunteers to encourage the public to buy pins and/or flowers on designated street corners, in shopping areas, at markets and at community events.

FACILITATOR: Co-facilitators needed in Parksville for monthly support group for caregivers of people with dementia. Training will be provided.

YOUTH ACTIVITY ASSISTANT: Outgoing, fun-loving individual to work with at-risk youth in drop-in program: meal prep, clean up and assist with activities. Previous experience

free parks and playgrounds in Oceanside: letter writing, email, social media, and brainstorming.

Strong communication skills required, must be organized and detail oriented.

HAPPY HOUR ASSISTANTS: Serve refreshments and appies to seniors, possibly dancing with seniors, clean up after Happy Hour Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, 3- 4:45 p.m.

COORDINATOR: Organized and dependable individual with strong interpersonal skills required in Qualicum Beach to solicit, schedule and manage

required.

ADVOCACY OUTREACH VOLUNTEER: Assist with advocacy activities to promote smoke-

volunteers according to organizational needs/events.

KITTY CAT FOSTER HOMES: Foster domestic kitty cats while recuperating from neutering/ spaying or vaccinations, anywhere from 2-3 days to 2-3 weeks.

No cost to foster parents. All food and costs covered. Other pets must be spayed/neutered and current vaccination proof required.

There are many more volunteer opportunities. The Oceanside Volunteer Association is at 10221 Second Ave. West, Qualicum Beach, V9K 2S5; (250) 594-2637; oceansidevolunteer@shaw.ca.

BOXING WEEK BLOWOUT! S UDE INCL

$

0

%

Y A P + T ’ DON R A E Y T NEX 1

$ OR

CING OFF

ERS

3

$

DON T PAY –––– until ––––

NEXT YEAR

12,999

INCLUDES

$

4,503

IN CASH CA AS A S SH H CREDIT EDIIT ED T8

Forte SX shown4 - hwy / city 100km5: 5.3L/8.0L

Offer based on new 2015 Forte LX MT with a price of $12,999, including delivery, destination, and a $4,503 cash credit 8.

UPGRADE TO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE FOR ONLY $9 WEEKLY3

2015

LX MT

19,582

INCLUDES

$

3,500

LX MT

2015

CASH PURCHASE PRICE

$

2

US BOODN ELS CASLEH M 14 CT 20

NG R IN H IC LE DU ND E V A E IV T EST D R TH A N N IV E RSA RY A 0 OU R 5 ED TO B E E NT E R

AR W I N A CSee in store foor details FINANCING AVAILABLE

7

OWN IT FROM

$

39+ 3

WEEKLY

IN CASH CREDIT8

0

$

Rondo EX Luxury shown4 - hwy/city 100km5 : 6.3L/9.2L

DOWN PAYMENT

DON T PAY –––– until ––––

NEXT YEAR

0%

FINANCING FOR 84 MONTHS 3

4

Rio4 SX with Navigation shown - hwy / city 100km5: 5.3L/7.3L

Offer based on new 2015 Rondo LX MT with a price of $19,582, including delivery, destination, and a $3,500 cash credit 8.

CERTIFIED • 135 Point Inspection Report

PRE-OWNED

• 30 Day/ 2,000 Km Exchange Privilege

• Car Proof History Report

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA

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• Paintless Dent Removal Coverage

EVERY CERTIFIED COMES WITH . . .

• Keyless • 4 FREE – Remote Lube Oil Replacement and Filter Changes (12 mo)

(1 at inception)

(6 mo/max $1,000)

Offer based on new 2015 Rio LX MT with a price of $14,102, including delivery, destination, and a $1,500 loan rebate 6.

2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX #KT15-17A

Clean Fully Reconditioned Supercharger Loaded

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FINANCING AVAILABLE

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*See dealer for complete details, exclusions, or limits

• Special Bank Rates

• 90 Day FREE Trial Sirius XM Radio

PURCHASE A VEHICLE BEFORE DEC. 31 AND RECEIVE A $ .00 GAS CARD

FINANCING AVAILABLE

2013 HONDA CR-V

FINANCING AVAILABLE

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2013 CHEV SONIC

2010 CHEV EQUINOX LT

2013 FORD F-150 XLT V6

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Accident Free On Star Great Gas Mileage Tire Pressure Monitoring System Power package, tinted windows and more.

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Great Economy Still Under warranty Fully inspected Low Km’s Well equipped, Eco-boost V6, Auto., 4x4, Crew Cab, XLT package

MARKET VALUE $14,995

MARKET VALUE $21,995

MARKET VALUE $31,995

SALE PRICE $13,995

SALE PRICE $19,784

SALE PRICE $29,995

TH

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Meet The HARRIS KIA Difference

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KIA CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED

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74 +

LX MT

2015

CASH PURCHASE PRICE

Offer based on new 2015 Sorento LX AT with a price of $26,782, including delivery, destination, and a $2,000 loan rebate 6.

ON SE

FINANCING AVAILABLE

$

LX AT A

Sorento EX shown4 - hwy / city 100km5: 9.0L/12.7L

ING FINANC NTHS MO 4 8 O T UP

UP TO

2015 US OOWN N O WN IT FROM B

WEEKLY W

6,000

15 FINAN ON ALL 20

500

E TIM ITED LIM

Offer(s) available on select new 2014/2015 models through participating dealers to qualified retail customers who take delivery from December 2, 2014 to January 2, 2015. Dealers may sell or lease for less. Some conditions apply. See dealer for complete details. All offers are subject to change without notice. All pricing includes delivery and destination fees up to $1,665, AMVIC fee, tire levy and $100 A/C charge (where applicable), and excludes taxes, licensing, registration, insurance and dealer administration fees (up to $699). 1“Don’t Pay Until Next Year” (60-day payment deferral) applies to purchase financing offers on all new 2015 models on approved credit. No interest will accrue during the first 30 days. After this, interest starts to accrue and purchasers repay the principal plus interest monthly over the term of the contract. Offer ends January 2, 2015. 2Cash bonus amounts are offered on the cash purchase of select new 2014 models and are deducted from the negotiated price before taxes. $6,000 maximum cash bonus amount only available on the new 2014 Optima Hybrid EX (OP74CE) and includes a $1,000 ECO-Credit. 3Representative finance example: 0%/0%/1.99% financing offer for 84 months available on the new 2015 Rio LX MT (RO541F)/2015 Sorento 2.4L LX AT (SR75BF)/2015 Sorento 2.4L LX AT AWD (SR75CF) with a selling price of $14,102/$26,782/$28,282 and includes a $1,500/$2,000/$2,500 loan rebate. 364 weekly payments of $39/$74/$83 for 84 months with $0 down payment. Credit fees of $0/$0/$2,021. Total obligation is $14,102/$26,782/$30,303. See retailer for complete details. 4Model shown MSRP for 2015 Forte SX (FO748F)/2015 Rio4 SX with Navigation (RO749F)/2015 Sorento 3.3L EX AT AWD (SR75HF)/2015 Rondo EX Luxury (RN756F) is $26,695/$22,395/$34,495/$32,295. 5Highway/city fuel consumption is based on the 2015 Rio LX+ ECO AT/2015 Forte 1.8L MPI 4-cyl MT/2015 Sorento LX 2.4L GDI 4-cyl AT/2015 Rondo 2.0L GDI 4-cyl AT. These updated estimates are based on the Government of Canada’s approved criteria and testing methods. Refer to the EnerGuide Fuel Consumption Guide. Your actual fuel consumption will vary based on driving habits and other factors. 6Loan rebate amounts are offered on financing offers on select new 2014/2015 models and are deducted from the negotiated purchase price before taxes. Offer ends January 2, 2015. 7Cash purchase price offer for the new 2015 Forte LX MT (FO541F)/2015 Rondo LX MT (RN551F) with a selling price of $12,999/$19,582 includes a $4,503/$3,500 cash credit. Offer cannot be combined with 0% financing. See retailer for complete details. 8Cash credit amounts are offered on select new 2014/2015 models and are deducted from the negotiated cash purchase price before taxes. Available on cash purchase offer only. Offer varies by trim. Certain conditions apply. Offer ends January 2, 2015. See your dealer for complete details. 9$1,000 Holiday Bonus amounts are offered on select new 2015 Winter Edition models and are deducted from the negotiated purchase price before taxes.

A il bl fi i ff l th 2015 F t LX AT Wi t SE (FO74SF) 2015 R d LX AT (5 t) Wi t SE (RN75SF) 2015 R d LX AT (7 t) Wi t SE (RN75TF) d 2015 O ti LX AT Wi t SE (OP74SF) Off d J 2 2015 F if ti 5 t i it ki ll t 1 877 542 2886 Ki i t d k f Ki M t C ti

RECORDING SECRETARY: Needed by Parksville organization to keep an accurate record of monthly board meetings and all motions and resolutions.

THEATRE COMPANY: Help with basic carpentry, sewing, technology and communications, committees, organizing, bargainhunting, painting, decorating, crafts.

DAFFODIL CAMPAIGN LEADERS: Pin Distribution Leader required to manage a team of volunteers to distribute and collect retail pin boxes to high traffic locations in the community. Street

Roy Berentsen Ashley Henry Sales Manager

Jeremy Allen Christine Wright Chris Martens Natalie Dumont Grant Brown

Financial Services Financial Services Manager Manager

Sales Consultant

Sales Consultant

Sales Consultant

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2575 BOWEN ROAD, NANAIMO

1.888.389.1091 www.harriskia.ca

Rachel Roy Sales Consultant

Kurt Mason Sales Consultant

Dave Bare General Manager

Customers Voted Us

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 31

CHRISTMAS IN OCEANSIDE

BOXING WEEK

NO TAX SALE On all floor stock and custom orders December 27th - 31st (excludes special offers & discounted items)

Merry Chris t from our fammas ily to yours!

Top left: Dorothy May brings Toto to Buckerfield’s for a picture with Santa Claus. Top right: Dixie Garriot (left) and Sue Mueller interact with the crowd during this month’s Bethlehem Walk. Above: Barb Campbell kneads fresh dough to make bagels during the Bethlehem Walk. [PHOTOS BY JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR]

westcoastfurnishings.ca 250-756-7707 Find us at the south end of Metral Drive in the Remax Centre, Nanaimo

COMMUNITY

32 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

OCEANSIDE EVENTS E-mail events@oceansidestar.com

DEC. 27 ■ Movies at the PCCC presents the animated comedy The Box Trolls (PG), 6 p.m., and the drama The Judge (R), 8 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door. Concession available. For more information see: www.parksvillecentre.com.

DEC. 29 ■ Movies at the PCCC presents the animated comedy The Box Trolls (PG), 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., and the drama The Judge (R), 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. $5 at the door.

Concession available. Info: www. parksvillecentre.com.

DEC. 30 ■ Movies at the PCCC presents the animated comedy The Box Trolls (PG), 4 p.m., and the drama The Judge (R), 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. $5 at the door. Concession available. Info: www.parksvillecentre. com.

DEC. 31 ■ Free Tim Horton’s New Year’s Eve Family Celebration, 5-8 p.m., Oceanside Place. Winter Wonderland, pond hockey, crafts, music, countdown at 8 p.m. RDN: 248-3252.

■ New Year’s Eve dinner and dance with the Bev Finch Band, Legion Branch 49, 146 Hirst Ave. W., Parksville. Dinner 6:30 pm., dance 8 p.m. Tickets $40 at the Branch, cash or cheque, advance sales only. Fundraiser for the Branch. Info: 250-248-6842.

■ New Year’s Eve dance with Johnny Inappropriate, doors

open 8:30 p.m., Parksville Community & Conference Centre.

Food truck, cash bar. No minors.

Tickets $30 at the PCCC, Wilde & Sparrow, Shades of Green, and online at vanisleevents.ca. Fundraiser to send the Oceanside Bantam Generals to a tournament in Portland, Oregon in January.

■ New Year’s Dinner and Dance at Smoke’n’Water restaurant, 1600 Stroulger Rd., Nanoose Bay with live classic rock music from Paul and Jess. Four-course dinner and dance $59; dance-only $15.

Music starts 8 p.m. Call 250-4687192 for tickets.

JAN. 1 ■ New Year’s Day Levée, noon to 3 p.m., Qualicum Beach Legion, Branch 76, 180 Veterans Way. Refreshments, food, live music.

Public welcome.

■ 25th annual Regional District of Nanaimo Polar Bear Splash, register 11:30 a.m., splash noon, Parksville Community Park. Free event.

JAN. 3 ■ Super Hero famil fun swim, 10 a.m. to noon, Ravensong Pool.

Wear a cape and mask. Info : RDN 752-5014.

Qualicum Beach

Nanoose Bay

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

OCEANSIDE EVENTS

to the Canadian Cancer Society, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., parking lot of Thrifty Foods Parksville.

E-mail events@oceansidestar.com

JAN. 5 ■ Tai Chi beginner class, 6-8 p.m., St. Edmund’s Church. $ 20 per month, $50 for 3 months. Parksville Tai Chi: 954-1002.

JAN. 4 ■ Nanoose Bay Lions Club Christmas tree chipping, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nanoose Place. For pickup: Mike 250-468-2368, Ron 250-927-0518.

■ Hud Elgood, Branching Out Urban Forestry, Christmas tree chipping in return for donations

JAN. 6 ■ Dad’s Night Out free skate for dads and kids, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Oceanside Place.

Sponsored by Building Learning Together. For more, information: RDN 248-3252.

JAN. 7 ■ Grief support group for the lonely or those who have experienced any kind of loss, 4-5 p.m., Knox United Church. Small group, confidential. Info: 250-248-3927.

JAN. 8 ■ Tai Chi beginner class, 9:30-11:30 a.m., St. Edmund’s Church. $ 20 per month, $50 for 3 months. Parksville Tai Chi: 954-1002.

■ Parksville Newcomers’ Club meets 7 p.m., Parksville Community Centre, 132 Jensen St. Speaker is RCMP Cpl Jesse Foreman.

JAN. 9 ■ Free Technology Topics Workshop, Tech Chat Q&A, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Family Place, 494 Bay Ave., Parksville. Info: 250-947-8258; blt@sd69.bc.ca; www.blt.sd69. bc.ca.

JAN. 10 ■ Free skate with the Oceanside General, 2-3:30 p.m., Oceanside Place. Info: RDN 248-3252.

JAN. 14 ■ Grief support group for the lonely or those who have experi-

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 33

enced a loss of any kind, 4-5 p.m., Knox United Church. Small group, safe, confidential. Info: 250-248-3927.

JAN. 16 ■ Jazz at the MAC presents the Erika Phillips Quartet, 7 p.m.

Tickets $15 at the McMillan Arts Centre, 133 McMillan St., Parksville. Info: info@mcmillanartscentre.com; 250-248-8185.

■ Free Technology Topics Workshop, Introduction to Editing/Formatting Documents, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Family Place, 494 Bay Ave., Parksville. Info: 250-947-8258.

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34 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

COMMUNITY

MORE CHRISTMAS IN OCEANSIDE

Left: Parksville Baptist Church volunteer Katie Bradley was a carpet seller during this month’s Bethlehem Walk. Right: Mike Thomson (left), Scott Lee and Sean Stickel were on pedestrian and vehicle traffic-control duty outside the church during the Bethlehem Walk. [JULIE BERTRAND/OCEANSIDE STAR]

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CLUES ACROSS 1. Hindu stratification 6. Least harm 12. Medical confinement 16. Silver 17. In a sick state 18. Belonging to me 19. 1/2 an em 20. “Makeover’s” Pennington 21. Take a seat 22. 1/10 meter (abbr.)

23. Atomic # 13 24. Fallow deer genus 26. Skin lesions 28. Charlie Parker’s sax 30. 31st state 31. Disparity 32. Poking stroke 34. Long time 35. Wm. the Conqueror grave 37. Hosts film festival 39. Mend 40. Gear teeth 41. Of cadmium

43. 1618 Reformed synod 44. Fringe-toed lizard 45. Where passengers ride 47. 1/60 hour (abbr.)

48. Initials of TV cartoon father 50. Pack down 52. ___ and feathered 54. Hyperbolic cosecant 56. Operating system (abbr.)

57. Atomic #99 59. Crown owned Isle 60. Santa __ trail 61. Booze support group 62. Footcandle 63. Retaliations 66. Natural logarithm 67. Quality of usefulness 70. Sitting position 71. They turn litmus paper red

CLUES DOWN 1. Brandy region of France 2. Equally 3. Spittles

|| OCEANSIDE STAR || 35

4. Very small 42. Feline 5. Ethiopia 43. Have already done 6. Filled with sediment 46. Rifle barrel cleaning tool 7. An antiviral AIDS drug 47. High IQ group 8. Saudi king to 2005 49. Libra constellation 9. Early word forms 51. Perch genus 10. Yes in Spanish 53. Summer precipitation 11. Ketchup veggies 54. Ancient Roman boxing 12. Used to have (Scottish) gloves 13. Old Greek storyteller 55. Silver Skates’ Brinker 14. Den 58. Cobblestone 15. Stockings 60. Policeman (French) 25. Scottish road surface 64. Pizza, apple or chiffon 26. Diego, Francisco, Anselmo 65. Winglike structure 27. Bodily cavity 68. 37th state 29. Durations 69. Potato state 31. About gene 33. “Footloose” actor Kevin 36. Supply THIS WEEKS SUDOKU ANSWER weaponry 38. Neither 39. Capital of Syria 41. Shortcut

HOROSCOPE

SUDOKU

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you feel amazing this week. Your enthusiasm can be quite contagious, and many friends may come calling in the hopes that your good vibes rub off.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 You may have difficulty solving a difficult problem at work this week, Taurus. Take a methodical approach, and the solution will come to you before you know it.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Things may not have been going your way, Gemini, but there is still no reason for disappointment. You will find a way to bounce back from these setbacks in a few days.

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, your presence alone is enough to impress people this week. Focus all of your energy on positive things, and you will accomplish quite a bit before the week is over.

LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, now is a good time to assess your health goals and make a few plans for the new year. It’s within reason to change your diet or start a new exercise regimen.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Incredible efficiency this week has you zipping through your to-do list, Virgo. Enjoy some relaxation time once you have completed all your projects.

LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23

Work and family issues are on your mind, Libra. Find ways to balance work and family as best as you possibly can. Don’t be hard on yourself if you cannot manage everything.

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, this week is a great time to complete projects that have been on your plate for quite some time. All you really need to do is set your mind on them.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, you may feel rushed by external pressures, but it’s really up to you to set your own pace. If you keep a calm head, things will fall in place and you can complete your tasks.

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 This week some people close to you need a little space.

Honor their requests and show them some respect, Capricorn. Your relationships will weather the time apart.

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, things are bound to move quickly once you put a plan in motion. Get all of your ducks in a row to make a smooth transition. You may have to do some homework.

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 You can probably have fun in any situation this week, Pisces. Your youthful exuberance will keep you busy and laughing.

THIS WEEKS ANSWER

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NEWS

36 || OCEANSIDE STAR || THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014

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