Seaside Times February 2011 Issue by Seaside Magazine

WEST COAST CULTURE FEBRUARY 2011

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T his M onth February 2011

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Saanich Peninsula • Greater Victoria • Langford • Colwood

4 The First Word 5 Nature Lesson 9 Weatherwit 10 Smell The Coffee 22 Raincoast Update Sumptuous Garden 25 36 Walkabout Footprints 39

Thought You Might Like to Know

page 22

Our Colourful Ducks

February Weather Forecast

The People Who Harvest Coffee Pt. II The Sockeye Whisperer Heavenly Hellebores

More Misadventures on Calypso

40 Island Dish Footprints 44 47 Forbes & Marshall 48 What’s Happening 50 Zais Astrology 51 Sudoku 54 Last Word Leave Valentine’s Day to Him Long-Time Brentwood Bay Resident Jack Lenfesty Married in the Morning

Arts & Entertainment Calendar What do the stars hold? For all the addicts

Ophiuchus Say What?

Conversations From The Past: Bill Nye

On the cover:

Read About Some Great Local Businesses!

Champs Personal Training........................................................... 6 National Bank Financial.............................................................12 Want a Cookie®....................................................................... 17 DFH Real Estate.......................................................................18

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Thought You Might Like to Know restaurants and eateries are filled with couples that are eager to celebrate their relationship and the joy of their togetherness through delicious cuisines. There hardly seems to be a man or woman who is not keen to make the most of the day. The reason behind all of this is a kindly cleric named Valentine who died more than a thousand years ago. Every year, the 14th day of the month of February has millions across the world presenting their loved ones with candy, flowers, chocolates and other lovely gifts. In many countries,

It is not known exactly why the 14th of February is known as Valentine’s Day or if the noble Valentine really had any relation to this day. The history of Valentine’s Day is impossible to be obtained

Central Saanich Optometry Clinic Dr. Paul Neumann

Welcomes Dr. Gurpreet Leekha

Dr. Neumann and the staff of Central Saanich Optometry Clinic would like to welcome Dr. Gurpreet Leekha to our team. He comes to us from Coquitlam, B.C., and before that New York City, where he received his optometric education and then stayed to practice for five more years before returning to B.C. Gurpreet has special interests in the links between psychology and vision, and enjoys the challenges that come with specialty contact lens fitting and treating eye diseases. He also has undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Film Studies from Queens University. Gurpreet loves to volunteer his time, from giving free eye exams to children here in B.C., to visiting Chile in 2007 and Mexico in 2001 and 2008, providing free eye exams and eyewear to the underprivileged in those countries. He is able to conduct eye examinations in English, Spanish and Punjabi.

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from any archive and the veil of centuries gone by has made the origin behind this day more difficult to trace. It is only some legends that are our source for the history of Valentine’s Day. The modern St. Valentine’s Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition. As per one legend, the holiday originated from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis/Lupercalia, a fertility celebration that used to be observed annually on Feb. 15th. The rise of Christianity in Europe saw many pagan holidays being renamed for and dedicated to the early Christian martyrs and Lupercalia was no exception. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius turned Lupercalia into a Christian feast day and set its observance a day earlier, on Feb. 14th. He proclaimed that date to be the feast day in honour of Saint Valentine, a Roman martyr who lived in the third century. It is this St. Valentine whom the modern Valentine’s Day honours. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by the name of Valentine. While one was a priest in Rome, another was a bishop in Terni. Nothing is known about the third St. Valentine except that he met his end in Africa. Surprisingly, all three of them were said to have been martyred on the 14th of February. It is clear that Pope Gelasius intended to honour the first of these three aforementioned men. Most scholars believe that this St. Valentine was a priest who lived around 270 AD in Rome and attracted the disfavour of Roman emperor Claudius II who ruled during this time. Valentine was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Now you know…enjoy the issue.

Tim Flater

Publisher

Our Colourful Ducks

by Robert Alison Dapper ducks are a specialty on the Saanich Peninsula – some of the gaudiest waterfowl in the world live right here. The plumage of the males is so striking that they dazzle females without even bothering to do elaborate courtship displays, or to croon intimate vocalizations to successfully woo. They just pose and look great! The wood duck (pictured) is the most stunning of all, arguably the most attractive duck on Earth. It is a fairly common local fall, winter and spring resident. Historically these ducks were almost wiped out due to the extensive use of their feathers to adorn ladies’ hats and make fishing lures. In fact, wood duck protection was one of the primary reasons behind Federal migratory bird protection, which was put into place in 1916. Since then, wood duck numbers have recovered and the bird has been rescued from the brink of extinction. The harlequin duck is another spectacular local bird. Some harlequins stay here year-round, but most

Colourful waterfowl are powerful ecotourism magnets. The local harlequin duck population is among the most accessible anywhere, and naturalists and photographers come here just to see them. The green-winged teal is another local beauty, seen most often in the non-breeding period. Although male ducks are often extremely colourful, females are comparatively drab, which allows them to blend perfectly with background vegetation while they are incubating their eggs. As soon as clutches are complete, males desert their mates permanently so as not to draw attention to the nest sites. In summer, most male ducks shed their colourful feathers and become more female-like in appearance. This is because they undergo an annual moult at that time and are flightless, and bright colours during the flightless period could be fatal because the ducks would be easily spotted by predators.

England’s Green & Black

COV P E E

Daniel Le Chocolat Belge

move to interior British Columbia and Alaska to breed. These are sea ducks and are usually seen along the coast. The plumage of the males is awesome, and they seem to know it, spending much of their time posturing to every female that comes close. Females select their partners on the basis of colour richness, hue and texture. Most of the harlequins seen here locally in summer are yearlings, recognized by their comparatively drab colouration.

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www.seasidetimes.ca Publisher, Advertising Tim Flater 250.686.1144 sales@seasidetimes.ca • publisher@seasidetimes.ca

Editor-in-Chief

Allison Smith 250.813.1745 editor@seasidetimes.ca

Advertising Sales Sherry Ashbury 250.686.1973

This Month’s Contributing Writers Robert Alison • Rob Bond • Georgina Bourdeau Jennifer Bowles • Benni Chisholm Dianne Connerly • Sharlene Coss Michael Forbes • Moira Gardener Doreen Marion Gee • Chris Genovali Valerie Green • Wendy Hacking Carole Pearson • Steve Sakiyama Ada Serson • Steve Sheppard Debbie Sherwood • Fraser Smith • Anne Stopps Penny Thornton-Trump • Joanna Vander Vlugt John Webber • Heather Zais

Printed 12 times a year in Richmond, British Columbia by Rhino Print Solutions. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Reproduction requests may be made to the editor or publisher at the above contacts. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of the publisher and editor. Staff of the magazine cannot be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.

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A Date With The Hill & The Bay

by Joanna Vander Vlugt

o you hate to sweat? Is being a gym rat not your style? Well, getting fit doesn’t require a gym membership or expensive coordinated outfits. All you need is motivation and our great outdoors. Walk. Run. Cycle. Do something. Every Saturday morning I go for a run. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I pull on my old sweats, not the ones I wear to the gym, and stumble out the door. I hang a left at the end of my driveway and head towards Brentwood Bay. I run on my heels down a hill, applying the brakes, and I notice that one resident has remodelled his home. I peel around the corner and see the stairs: seven steps, seven more, 10 and then thirty-one. I run the stairs as best I can and by the end of my third repetition, my heavy quadriceps groan as I walk and gasp for air. It’s been a long time since I’ve pushed myself that hard. Why haven’t I been taking more advantage of mother nature’s gym? It’s tough and demanding and I don’t need a membership. I swing onto the paved walkway that follows the shoreline and, no longer thinking about the run or my breathing, I notice the moored boats. Whoa. What was that? No, it wasn’t a gym participant wearing the latest “it” labelled gym attire, it’s a harbour seal doing its morning laps.

My tattered running shoes thud across the wooden bridge and I plod up the dirt path. The furry rodents tucked in the underbrush must wonder about the gasping monster thundering through their neighbourhood. I come to the bottom of a long hill and realize this is going to be tougher than any inclined treadmill. My steps slow as I run up. I lean towards the road – it’s as if by shortening my body, I’ll lessen the difficulty. Not so. My heart pounds. I tell myself: “Don’t look up, stare at your feet – make it to the next stop sign.” I remember my home-made rule: if I stop and walk, then I must double back and run those walked steps. I reach the top of the hill, thinking that was a brutal climb but I did it. It’s a short distance home now. I’m awake – refreshed. I’m not a reality star. I won’t win the prize on the final episode. I’m my own champ, and that’s all that matters. I will rest, maybe try a different exercise during the week, because I know I have another date next Saturday with the hill and the bay. Where’s your next date? Joanna Vander Vlugt is a BCRPA-certified personal trainer and fitness instructor who makes house calls. She believes in fun and hard work, especially when it comes to working out. Joanna is proud of her clients, especially when they realize that they can participate in an intimidating spin class or run a mile on the treadmill. She’ll safely push you to your max and then haul you back. She will make sure you keep your fitness commitment to yourself. Joanna will design a personal training program to suit your needs, using your equipment, at your house, and if you don’t have equipment she’ll bring her own. Be prepared to work, and not just “show up” at Joanna’s personal training sessions. Expect to walk away feeling great … and a little sore.

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FEBRUARY 2011

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Thank You to the following Directors for their contributions in 2010

Sheilah Fea, Lisa Makar, Lloyd Gale, Fran Shields, Steve Shields, Jim Townley, Noel Pike, John Thorp, Stephen Scott, Julie Banister & Ryan Leinweber

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Fundraiser For Raven Raven Romaniuk is a 15-year-old boy who, over the past five years, has been experiencing severe epileptic seizures. He has undergone an extensive brain surgery to cure his epilepsy, yet seizure activity continues and is increasing in severity.

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It has been difficult for Raven to be in the hospital so frequently because he wants to be a teenager and learn about life experiences and growing up. His independence and daily freedom have been extremely limited. He has been in the hospital since December 13 through Christmas and New Year’s. His recovery in hospital is taking much longer than originally anticipated, and there will still be more recovery time needed once at home.

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His mom, Cindy (a self-employed single parent) has been with him on their difficult five-year journey. Raven’s father, from out of town, has also been visiting. Raven is currently at the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver and, as expenses mount, your generous support would be greatly appreciated. Everyone wants to see Raven at home; healthy, happy and living the joyous life that he deserves. Photographer Dave Hutchison will raffle a 16- by 24-inch framed canvas of the image shown, entitled “Just Posing” ($750 value, shown above). Second prize is one night at Cox Bay Resort in Tofino (off-season), with a value of $250; third prize is a 1.5-hour massage at Phi Massage (Britta Frombach, $130 value); and fourth prize is a one-hour massage at Sowelu Massage (Donna Kolabinski, $95 value). Raffle tickets are one for $10, two for $15 or three for $20. To purchase call 250-6551105. Draw will be held February 14th, 2011. To donate to Raven, please mail a cheque to: Cindy Thompson C/O Carol Woodcock P.O. Box 73, Saanichton, BC, V8M 2C3 Or donate to Raven via Paypal by visiting http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fundraiser-for-Raven/115857981820210 then clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

Photo: Rita Steenssens

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A story on Dave’s spirit bear photograph will be featured in Westworld Magazine, spring 2011 issue.

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w eatherw it

February Weather Forecast by Steve Sakiyama A brolly good time, don’t ya think? With all the recent rain, I’ve had to navigate through a sea of umbrellas in downtown Victoria during rush hour. By the way, why is it called “rush hour” when everything moves so slowly? It has given me a unique opportunity to observe different kinds of umbrella behavior. Now 98% of what I see out there are responsible brolly operators, but the other 2% fall into the following categories: First there are the Myopics who recklessly tip the umbrella forward so they can barely see what is in front of them. They walk very fast and are unaware that their umbrella could poke somebody’s eye out (a mother’s worst nightmare). Sometimes they “text” while walking (isn’t that against the law?). Next there are the Mary Poppins, who hold their umbrella high above them with an outstretched arm in order to wade through a crowd and avoid the dreaded umbrella collisions. Mary Poppins are very rare because they get zapped by overhead electrical wires or thrown high away by gusting winds just like Mary herself. Then there are the Southern Belles, who tip the umbrella back on their shoulder and gently spin it just like a summer parasol. They take a wandering path and, although seemingly harmless, the spray from the spinning umbrellas can be deadly. I’ve also heard that staring at the spinning patterns on their umbrellas induce a dream-like state, so be careful. Finally, there are the Hummers who have huge umbrellas of patio furniture proportions that squeeze crowded city sidewalks. Hummers are difficult to pass and they brolly-gate, so you have to slow down to let them pass. However, because of their capacity they have many friends (including me), and are popular with sports teams. I admit that I am a Mary Poppins and it looks like in February there will be more opportunities to refine my technique. The theme of this winter’s weather has been shaped by an

“average-strong” La Nina which brings with it a greater chance of cooler and wetter conditions for South Western B.C. Now in reality December was warmer than normal (by an average of about 1° C), but it did turn out to be wetter (17% more precipitation). Due to publishing deadlines it is too early to tell whether January followed the cooler and wetter theme, so I’ll report this in next month’s column. By the way, because of La Nina, warm water has piled up in the western Pacific, providing a massive source of moisture for all the rain and resulting floods in Queensland Australia. Is La Nina responsible in some way for extreme weather such as blizzards in the United Kingdom and the Eastern U.S. as well as the floods in Brazil? The answer is not clear, but these relationships (or “teleconnections” as scientists call them) are a fascinating subject of intense study. Although the message from the

scientific prognosticators is again a greater chance of cooler and wetter than normal conditions for February, there is a bright side. February has Valentine’s Day (!) so my sentimental forecast for the 14th is a mix of sun with puffy clouds in the shape of hearts and cupids (to see these you need to squint). Oh yeah, if you see a passing Mary Poppins please wave, then phone Transport Canada. I’ll need their help to get back to the ground. ~ Weatherwit Questions and comments? Email: info@seasidetimes.ca. For a Victoria weekend weather forecast blog go to: http://weatherwit.wordpress.com.

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FEBRUARY 2011

s mell the co ffee

The People Who Harvest Coffee – Part II which in turn retains humidity and facilitates oxygenation. These conditions yield superb coffee, coffee that Antonio, a local coffee farmer, is proud to harvest. Each day starts at 5 a.m. during the coffee harvest season, when Antonio straps a basket onto his waist and sets out into the coffee fields. Many of the coffee plants are grown in the shade of larger trees and are found on steep hillsides that only mules and people can negotiate with any level of success. On many of these small farmer-run estates, coffee is still harvested by hand and a bush may be picked over a dozen times as the high quality farms only harvest when the cherries are at their ripest. “This ensures high levels of sweetness in the coffee,” notes Antonio.

by Steve Sheppard Coffee has come a long way since 1843, when a group of visionary exporters undertook the complex task of exporting coffee from Central America to London. Thanks to William Le Lacheur Lyon, captain of the English ship “The Monarch,” it was possible to transport several 100pound bags to Europe, eventually helping Central American coffee become world-renowned. The growing and trading of coffee changed these humble countries: they were modernized and young intellectuals could now continue their studies in Europe and return as doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs; contributing to the improvement of their current lifestyle. Many Central American people, however, didn’t have the financial means to travel abroad and many young men were raised to harvest coffee, learning from the land and the people with whom they work each day. Coffee harvesting traditions are passed down from generation to generation, much like the fishing and logging industries here in B.C. Central American countries and coffee are made for each other: many of the soils have a slight degree of acidity enriched by volcanic ash, rich in organic matter, that promotes a good distribution of the coffee plants’ roots,

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He studies the land carefully and plants his cuttings according to the phases of the moon. He learns from nature when he cultivates, and says that is why there are no large ant hills or pests in his coffee bushes. He plants all sorts of trees as well: plantain, orange, tangerine, lemon and guava; beanstalks, passion fruit and corn and roots such as potato and yucca. Antonio plants because he likes it and because he knows that the fruits they bear will provide his workers their daily sustenance, a variety of products they can eat and with which they can prepare refreshing beverages after a hard day’s work. The coffee plant tenders and “weeders” (as they are called), live among the crops in white houses with red doors, decorated with plenty of flowers, and with impeccable kitchens. Coffee pickers work from Monday through Friday and on weekends they go into town to visit their families, have fun, rest and go to church. The coffee cherries are brought to a main location to be de-pulped, washed to remove any excess pulp and then dried in the sun inside large compounds to reduce wind, increase warmth, speed up the drying process and provide security. During the drying phase they are turned many times, then packaged up and shipped to the local farmer co-op where they are sold for more than the world coffee price. The sacks range in size from 132 to 152 pounds and Antonio lets the younger workers handle the larger bags. “I’ve put my time in,” he smiles. Once night falls, Antonio concludes that at his 60-some years he is healthy because while he is on coffee lands: “Here I get up at 5:30, go out and walk. The day goes by without me noticing, I don’t even feel the weeks. I don’t even feel like going home, this land means everything to me.” Sounds like a great life to me, one of great reward and satisfaction … Steve out.

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FEBRUARY 2011

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Good Corporate Citizen by Doreen Marion Gee Impersonal. Profit before people. These are the stereotypes that have haunted financial institutions for years. But in the 21st century, banks are burying those myths in the sand. Like many modern companies, they are using their influence and wealth to do good charitable work in the community and be accessible friendly neighbours. National Bank Financial in Sidney is just such an example of a people-centred “good corporate citizen.”

a full service investment dealer. The Sidney office opened in 2004 and it caters to mature clients with substantial assets to invest. With the help of expert advisors, clients have access to a wide range of services and investments, such as RSPs, Maturities, Education Savings Plans, Estate Planning and Corporate Group Insurance Plans.

After 32 years in the banking business, Susan Dafoe still loves her job. She has been an investment advisor for National Bank Financial in Sidney since March 2007. As we talk in her office overlooking sumptuous Sidney Harbour, Susan is warm and personable.

Susan Dafoe educates her clients about managing their assets and makes sure that their money is in place for the costs of daily living. The goal is to maximize the financial success of investors. National Bank Financial is proud that its investors weathered the global financial crisis so well. The company’s advisors credit this success to the closeness they have with clients, in good times and bad. James Porter, senior vice-president and managing director, knows the secrets to the flourishing business: one-to-one relationships with clients where the company gives its staff the freedom to do what is in the best interests of the clients.

In her concise bio, Susan states that she “takes her relationships with her clients very seriously.” It’s clear that she is there to help her clients preserve and build on their wealth. Susan is also the face of progressive banking, where the human touch is a core value. Treating people well is integral to her job. With that small town spirit of helping others, Susan makes house calls to shut-ins and works closely with all of her clients in helping them meet their financial needs and requirements. As a subsidiary of National Bank of Canada, National Bank Financial is

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today know what is happening in every corner of the globe. This heightened collective awareness demands that corporations use their financial power on the world stage to improve people’s lives and mitigate some of society’s ills. National Bank Financial takes this philanthropic responsibility seriously. They have partnered with Free The Children, the worldwide network that empowers children and youth everywhere to help each other and make a difference. Last October the Sidney team joined a fundraising cycling tour from Victoria to Vernon that raised more than $10,000 for this charity. Local office staff donated about $1,000 to help children in this community and have launched a program where they will match the funds of any successful applicant in the Sidney school district who wants to improve the lives of kids. The Sidney branch funded a senior men’s Masters Curling League and is a “Gold Sponsor” for the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation:

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helping it towards the goal of purchasing equipment for the hospital’s new operating rooms. Other enthusiastic National Bank advisors across B.C. have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to help Alzheimer’s victims, raised funds for clean water projects in Third World countries, supported local hospices, provided bursaries for students and worked with youth and sponsored athletes – both old and young.

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FEBRUARY 2011

Vancouver Island’s Secret Naval Museum

by John Webber

idden away in Cowichan Bay is one of Canada’s little known but most interesting naval museums.

You will enter Canada’s private Battle of the Atlantic museum into George Cruikshank’s world of artifacts displaying the history of Second World War naval battles in the Atlantic Ocean – slanted mainly toward Canadian involvement with attacking and searching for Nazi submarines.

George’s enthusiastic and informative personal tour makes it more interesting than most other museums, because it’s “his” museum and he is willing to tell you an interesting story about each item. The museum includes a display honouring the first sailor from British Columbia to die in the Second World War – 20-year-old Midshipman Peter C. Piddington from Victoria – who died on October 14th, 1939 when the German U-boat U-47 sunk the British battleship HMS ROYAL OAK while it was anchored in Scapa Flow in Orkney, Scotland.

George is retired from the Canadian navy, with over 35 years service on Canadian naval ships and submarines, and has been a passionate collector of German and Canadian submarine artifacts for over 30 years.

the world for its size.

It’s a small museum, with hundreds of rare photos, maps, uniforms, badges, service records, flags, naval artwork, medals and models on display – all in 1,100 square feet.

If you wish to make an appointment to visit the museum, call George at 250-748-1238. If you like naval or WWII history, you will definitely like this museum.

I have visited many naval museums around the world and I’d put this one in the top 10 in

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Students Run the Gallery at Community Art Centre What better way to start the year in the Art Centre than to feature the work of our student artists! Last year the Arts Council organized a display of Parkland Secondary School art students’ work in the Gallery at Tulista Park. To build on that successful partnership, this year the Arts Council invited Parkland art students to have a second show and applied for a B.C. Olympic Legacy Spirit Festival Grant to help with the production of the student exhibition. The Arts Council was successful! This year’s show is titled: “Building our Arts Future: Our Students Run the Gallery.” Students, under the mentorship and guidance of the Arts Council members and Parkland art teacher Andre Gogol, will be responsible for all aspects of mounting a visual arts show, including advertising, opening, adjudicating and monitoring resources and display. Shows just don’t happen: students will learn what goes on “backstage” in a gallery.

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Two very enthusiastic and serious senior students have taken the lead. A career in the arts has been their goal for most of their young lives and they are ready to go on to the first step in their careers in the arts next year by attending Emily Carr University of Art and Design. You can imagine the delight in their faces as they described the five-hour wait along with hundreds of others to have their portfolios assessed in a five-minute process (to judge months of work). Kaylia Viola and Josianne Vlitos were among the few who had their portfolios (and their applications to the University) accepted immediately by the assessors. Kaylia’s portfolio was titled “Fragmented Memories” and she wishes to focus on visual arts and set design; Josiane’s was titled “How Media Affects Society” and she intends to study film and media. The show at the Community Art Centre at Tulista Park will feature the work of these two very committed art students along with the work of others from the Parkland art program. It opens Feb. 2 and runs to Feb. 27th, and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Level Ground pays an average of 26% above “Fair Trade” price to the farmers. This directly supports the pickers and their families by offering scholarships, medical insurance and clothing by being“hands on”in the communities the coffee is grown in. Because of this, the best quality beans are reserved for us to serve to you! • Our coffee is air-roasted in small batches right here in Saanichton – since 1997. • The coffee is roasted-to-order to provide maximum freshness for us to serve.

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Come on in and try the new lineup of full-bodied fresh coffee – now available in the gas bar as well! at the corner of Wallace Drive & East Saanich Road

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Want a Cookie® Dog Treat Company Gives Back Want A Cookie® has been busier than ever! Diesel, our four-year-old black lab, is still our president and official taste tester – he takes his role at Want A Cookie® very seriously! For those of you who haven’t heard about us, you’re probably wondering why your dog should be crunching up our dog treats. It’s simple: we make all-natural dog cookies that are wheat, corn and sugar free. We use only the best ingredients in our cookies because we love all dogs and believe that they deserve a healthy, low-calorie treat. Over the years we’ve built some great relationships with customers that believe in our product and continue to support us by purchasing our treats locally at Thrifty Foods, Co-Op, Sidney Feed Barn, Country Grocer, Market on Millstream, A Pet’s Life, Red Barn Market and PetSmart – just to name a few. We’ve also expanded sales to all of Canada, the U.S., Japan and Hong Kong.

the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children so that we can help Jeneece Edroff (pictured) fulfill her dream of building Jeneece Place. The Queen Alexandra Foundation (QAF) for Children supports the physical, mental and social well-being of children, youth and families, primarily on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands in B.C. A project of the QAF, Jeneece Place will be a home away from home for families traveling to Victoria for medical care. Located on the grounds of the Victoria General Hospital (VGH), the QAF will break ground in March with plans to open Jeneece

Place by the end of 2011. The dream of Jeneece Place was born from Jeneece and her family spending many months in home-like accommodations in Vancouver while she was at BC Children’s Hospital. She knows the great need for a place to stay close to VGH, as she has experienced firsthand what it’s like to be away from her home, her friends and her dogs Variety and Sir Penny, while undergoing surgeries and treatments. Starting this February, we will donate five cents from every bag of Want A Cookie® Dog Treats sold; to the QAF in support of Jeneece Place. With Valentine’s right around the corner, your love for your dog will help the QAF and Jeneece build, equip and operate Jeneece Place. For more information on Jeneece Place visit www.queenalexandra.org or www.wantacookie.ca. Woof!

We’ve always tried to give back to our community to say “thank you.” We’ve donated our time, money and dog cookies to: The Salvation Army, Our Place, SPCA, Victoria Adoptables and the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind (thanks to Brian Adam from 98.5 The Ocean FM). We’ve done pictures with Santa and the Easter Bunny and even put on Dog Fashion Shows to help raise funds for these non-profit organizations. Without your continued support none of the above would have been possible. Because of you, we’ve reached one of our goals of becoming a household name, brand and company that you can trust. What are our future plans you ask? Well, as I’ve said above: we’ve always tried to give something back, so here is our next goal, and it’s one we can only do with your help! Want A Cookie® has partnered with www.seasidetimes.ca

FEBRUARY 2011

DFH Real Estate – 50 years and Thriving In 2011 DFH Real Estate celebrates its 50th anniversary. The company was initially called D.F. Hanley Agencies Ltd. after its original owner, Dominic Hanley, who started the venture in 1961 with an office on Quadra Street in Victoria. “It started with a commitment to the ‘golden rule’ of treating others as you would want to be treated yourself,” says Mike Nugent, managing director of DFH. “Mr. Hanley’s mission statement is as valid to us today as it was in 1961.” In 1976 Jack Clover took over and was joined by partner Brian Sharp in 1978. They shortened the name to DFH (from D.F. Hanley) and ran the company successfully until their retirement. “Some of our more mature clients who have lived on southern Vancouver Island for a while still refer to DFH as ‘D.F. Hanley,’” Mike notes. What is the secret behind DFH’s 50 years of success? John Bruce, manager of

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by Anne Stopps the Sidney office (which opened in 1996) says it comes down to the company’s experienced, knowledgeable Realtors® who, with dedication to their clients and the community, often go beyond the call of duty. “We are also a very compatible group who enjoy getting together for lunches, pot luck dinners and barbecues,” John adds. “It’s still really a familytype business.”

Dragon Boat Festival, Gordon Head Soccer, Gorge Vale Golf Championship, Cowichan Tennis Club, Peninsula Baseball and Softball Association (Sidney) and many more. For the past eight years, DFH has been involved with C-FAX Santas Anonymous. Each year a donation of $50 is made to the society for each

In 2008 three new partners – Peter Gaby, Kevin Sing and Mike Nugent – took over the helm when Brian Sharp retired Photo: A group of DFH employees and their families prepare and today DFH for the Sidney Days/Canada Day parade. continues to thrive. Over 140 Realtors® new listing obtained from November in offices in Victoria, Sidney, the Westthrough January. The amount raised is Shore, Shawnigan Lake, Lake Cowichan then partially matched by TD Canada and Sooke (home to the newest DFH Trust and Megson Fitzpatrick Insuroffice) have helped the company become ance. DFH also holds other events one of southern Vancouver Island’s top throughout the year that raise money real estate firms. By focusing on indusfor Santas Anonymous. try-leading training and providing faceChild Find BC is another great proto-face communication they deliver gram the company has endorsed for extraordinary service to their real estate eight years. Children are finger-printed clients. then recorded in an ID booklet which “With the increased complexities also lists the child’s medical informathat surround buying and selling tion. The booklet is then kept by the real estate today, this commitment to parent in case of need. building skills and providing top serLooking forward to the next 50 years, vice is critical to ensuring that all our the DFH agents know they will thrive agents, whether new or experienced, only by continuing to honour the key deliver on all aspects of their clients’ elements of professional, personal and transactions,” Mike says. ethical service and by strengthening the DFH maintains a long-standing company’s reputation as one of the best reputation for supporting communreal estate firms to work for and do busiity events, amateur and professional ness with on Vancouver Island. sports teams and charitable organizaNo doubt Mr. Hanley would be tions such as United Way, Sidney Canproud. ada Day Parade, ArtsReach, Victoria www.seasidetimes.ca

FEBRUARY 2011

The Endless Loop of Giving & Granting by Debbie Sherwood Wouldn’t it be nice if you could present a gift and then it kind of cloned itself to be spread around? The gift that keeps on giving, so to speak. A donation to a Community Endowment Fund can accomplish just that. Here’s how it works: when a contribution is made to the fund, the capital remains intact and the investment income earned is used for granting, thus providing access to permanent sources of support. A Foundation Society is the instrument that works to collect donations that feed the fund, as well as seeking qualified beneficiaries of the dividends. Across Canada, foundation societies exist to help people give back to the communities they care about in a way that is simple, convenient and lasting. The Saanich Peninsula Foundation Society (SPFS) is one such group that

helps make it happen and keeps it local. “Who?” you may ask. Perhaps the area’s best kept secret, the group has actually been in existence for over 10 years. Its mission is to improve the quality of life here by promoting and increasing responsible, effective and accessible philanthropy. Anyone can give any amount. SPFS offers a permanent source of funding, administered by its “big sister” the Victoria Foundation. Returns are disbursed via a granting process to organizations that contribute to the interests of the Saanich Peninsula in the areas of education, recreation, culture, environment, health and welfare. So now, in addition to death and taxes, there is a third certainty in life – a guarantee that charitable donations

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Past recipients have included: Peninsula Soccer, Crossroads Community Restorative Justice Program, Peninsula Museum Society, North Saanich Free Ride Bike Park, B.C. Aviation Museum, Sidney Concert Orchestra and 676 KittyHawk Squadron Air Cadets. The Society recently expanded its activities in a pilot project that engaged local high school students in a regional “Youth in Philanthropy” (YIP) program. Emulating a model that exists nation-wide, the Society set aside a portion of its grant money and recruited a group of Grade 11 Stelly’s students enrolled in the Global Perspectives program to seek out worthy recipients on the Peninsula. The students’ assignment included doing research to identify and evaluate the needs of potential recipients, presenting their findings to the Society and making recommendations for granting that earmarked fund. Unlike the rest of their classmates who had to find ways to raise funds, the YIP group’s mission entailed how to best spend money, a task far more difficult than it may appear. Someone once said, “Giving away a dollar is easy; giving away a million dollars – well, that takes practice.”

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made to the SPFS will ultimately result in benefits to fellow Peninsula residents for present and future generations.

The YIP group recommended directing the allotted funds to the Boys and Girls Club in Brentwood Bay, specifically the Youth Leadership program. They produced a thorough report and a compelling case for supporting the Boys and Girls Club.

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For grant applications or to find out about contributing to the SPFS endowment fund, visit www.saanichpeninsulafoundation.ca/ or contact board chair Clive Tanner at Beacon Books, 2372 Beacon Avenue, 250-655-4447.

And so the cycle of giving continues. If you belong to a group that could use some support for a special project in our community, you’re invited to apply for grant funding to SPFS. But don’t delay: February 28 is the deadline for 2011 requests.

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Admiral´s Ro Admiral´s Roofing ATTN: Paul P ATTN: Paul Pellow 5417 WEST S 5417 WEST SAANICH RD Admiral´s Roofing B VICTORIA BC V9E1J9 ATTN: Paul Pellow Finlayson VICTORIA Bonet CANADA CANADA Architecture Admiral´s Roofing 5417 WEST SAANICH RD VICTORIA BC V9E1J9 by Dianne ConnerlyATTN: Paul Pellow CANADA 5417 WEST SAANICH RD James David James David VICTORIA BC V9E1J9 alentine’s Day approaches, and guess what? Your Admiral´s Roofing fax 1 866 725 fax 1 866 725−6046 ; toll 1 877 478−4593 CANADA heart is trying to tell you something: it wants to bePaul Pellow ATTN: James David healthy physically, emotionally and socially. 5417 WEST SAANICH fax 1 866RD 725−6046 ; toll 1 877 478−4593 14661997AB 14661997AB VICTORIA BC V9E1J9 James David Your heart might send valentines toCANADA let you 14661997AB / TD /Y/ /P/3/N/ / 14661997AB E / ADI Page fax/some 13UWWP 866of 725−6046 ; toll 1 877 478−4593 know how to14661997AB make this happen and those/ E / 2506521818

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Dogwood Estates: A Success Story! (VIC)Victoria / Roofing Contractors / 1102 #4 - 7855 East Saanich Rd., Saanichton, B.C. With fewer hours of sunlight during February, it’s all too easy to veg out in front of the TV. Break that habit with Tel: 250.656.2224 • Fax: 250.656.2279 a 30-minute “social studies” session. Turn off the TV and phone a friend, or visit a neighbour, relative, or someone in a care facility who would be overjoyed to have the company.

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• Keep the horses before the cart/Since self-esteem’s a healthy art. Physical changes can lead to a better self-image, but when it comes to a major change in diet and/or exercise, it’s important to have a decent self-image before you start. Good self-esteem means we like ourselves enough to take care of ourselves. So before you make a change, make up your mind: you are worth it! • A healthy heart gives many a beat/It all begins with what you eat. You have heard the saying “eat a hearthealthy diet,” but this valentine implies a question: Are you doing it? A few simple changes in eating habits can make a big difference. Enjoy a variety of foods. Emphasize cereals, breads, other grain products, vegetables and fruits. Choose lower fat dairy products, leaner meats and food prepared with little or no fat.

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FEBRUARY 2011

rain coast update

The Sockeye Whisperer

by Chris Genovali, Executive Director, Raincoast Conservation Foundation Raincoast Conservation Foundation biologist Michael Price (pictured below with his son) is truly a local boy made good. A fourth-generation Vancouver Islander, he was born and raised in Saanich, playing hockey and lacrosse with the Saanich Braves. Michael’s great grandfather founded Price’s Lock and Safe and his family continues to run the busi-

ness. Being the rebel that he is, the family couldn’t get Michael out of the woods to work in the store. Michael went to Spectrum High School and graduated from the University of Victoria with a BSc in biology. He now lives in Smithers with his wife Clare and son Anian. Currently, Michael is back at UVic undertaking an MSc in biology, focusing on host-parasite dynamics, foraging ecology of salmonids and how commercial industries such as fin-fish aquaculture may alter natural processes. Specifically, Michael’s research aims to identify and understand human stressors that threaten Fraser River sockeye salmon during their early marine migration through the Strait of Georgia. The productivity of Fraser River sockeye has been declining since the mid-1990s to the point where they are near unable to replace themselves. Reduced productivity is believed to occur during the early marine phase. Michael’s study will improve this poorly understood early marine lifehistory phase in terms of migration

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timing, movements, sizes, stock proportions and stock-specific attributes that will improve fisheries management for the conservation of sockeye.

2010 will be forever etched in the memories of most British Columbians as the year sockeye salmon returned to the Fraser River en masse; the largest return in a century. An estimated 34 million sockeye found their way home, and we wondered how they were able to return in such abundance. In the fall of 2009 we were all wondering why sockeye destined for the Fraser had disappeared (a record-low 1.5 million returned), and a federal judicial inquiry was established to investigate. During both occasions, with Michael leading this research for us, Raincoast has been at the forefront of addressing these questions. Raincoast’s salmon team is participating in the federal inquiry to improve the understanding of factors affecting sockeye populations. Our recently published article, with Michael as lead author, in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, describes wild juvenile salmon infected with sea lice in multiple regions of coastal B.C., and our submitted manuscript to PLoS ONE is the first to illustrate the magnitude of sea lice infection on juvenile Fraser River sockeye after they migrate past farms in the Georgia Strait.

My First Date

by Penny Thornton-Trump

’ve forgotten his name, but do remember he was Dutch, a blue-eyed blond and very pleasant looking. We were in grade nine, so we would have been about fourteen. This was to be my first date.

With my best sweater, skirt, nylons and garter belt lent to me by my mother, I was over the moon with excitement. Such luxury! And feeling so very grown up! I was allowed a little pale lipstick and mother pinched my cheeks to show a pinkish blush. I remember repeating this pinching process throughout the evening when I thought this handsome fellow wasn’t looking.

each other, couldn’t we just be friends first?” “No,” he answered, “that won’t do, as some older fellow will snap you up when we get to the senior school and I’ll never have a chance again.” Of course I knew the answer then, but wanted to talk it over with my Mom. Her wisdom concurred with mine and she also said that a whole new chapter of my life was to open up in senior school. “Also,” she said, “you’re much too young to go steady.” I broke the news to this handsome fellow on Monday and he was crestfallen. He never did arrive at the senior school in September, as his family had moved away. Looking back, if I’d gone out with him again, I would have had to teach him to walk on the traffic side of the sidewalk, and I doubt that would have gone over well.

My shoes were brown Oxfords and the bane of my existence. I had none of the other, modern shoes of the day, as Mother insisted on very correct, comfortable footwear. How I hated those shoes! It was to be a dinner date at the lovely Royal Anne Hotel on the main street of Kelowna, B.C., in easy walking distance of my home; however, at the designated hour my date arrived in a taxi. My Mother was highly amused. He was dressed in his best duds, and shy and embarrassed introductions were made. This was new territory for me and I expect for him as well. I gaily skipped out to the taxi and immediately got into the front seat beside the driver with my date getting into the back sitting alone. How was I to know, as this was my first taxi ride as well as my first date?

I wish I could remember his name – but I do remember him and every detail and nuance of my first date. As well as my terrible shoes!

Be my valentine

Dinner was a pleasant affair with chitchat about school, families and the upcoming summer holidays. We would both be going to the senior school following the summer, and we talked of our excitement and fears. Following dinner we strolled through the beautiful city park. As we slowly made our way home, I was feeling quite grown up and even a little bit romantic. He held my hand, which was all right with me but he was always on the wrong side of the sidewalk. My parents had instilled into my older brother that men must walk on the traffic side of the sidewalk when accompanying a young lady. Proper manners were very important, they said. I was acutely aware of this terrible blunder and felt the eyes of the whole world upon us. A little later we reached my home and on bended knee he asked me to go steady. He said he had noticed me at school as early as grade seven, and had finally had the nerve to ask me out.

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Heavenly Hellebores

Rob Bond (pictured) and partner John Doyle are the proprietors of Doyle & Bond Home and Garden by Rob on West Saanich Road. Their goal is to create stunningly beautiful spaces for home and garden. With The Sumptuous Garden, landscape designer Rob spreads his knowledge and passion around the Saanich Peninsula.

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When the hellebore arrives as a harbinger of spring, it comes with pedigree: the ancient Greeks used it to cure insanity (no records remain to prove their case). In the Middle Ages, it was a component in exorcisms and banishments (we could use it on politicians) and witches of yore believed hellebore dust could make us invisible (excellent for spies and gossips).

Plant hellebores from the front to middle of a border. Plant them as stellar specimen or en masse. Clump-forming, easy-on-the-eye evergreen foliage unifies a bed. That means foreground or backdrop for summer flowers and solid bones in winter. Keep trimming spent flowers and tattered leaves, of course.

I love the show-stopping Ivory Prince (pictured). Fabulous creamy veining through evergreen foliage provides year-round beauty. Its long-lasting flowers are creamy white flushed with pink and green. Romantic, yes?

Better still, the hellebore bewitches the eye. It zaps the monochrome of early spring with fantastical colors from creamy whites to the palest of greens, from blush pinks to satin reds and from purples to near-black. All at once, the world transforms from black-and-white to Technicolor.

Finally, hellebores have life beyond the garden. Fill a shallow bowl with floating flower heads, stand back and suck in the beauty. Then add some candlelight. Shazam! Talk about a spell.

Hellebores are easy to grow. They like deep well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. They prefer some sun, especially in the morning, but no afternoon sunburn, puhlease. They tolerate shade, but heavy shade brings minimal magic. Once established, they ward off drought.

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The hellebore, clearly, is no bore.

Photos courtesy Carol Clemens.

Better still, horticulturalists are experimenting with hellebore alchemy: gardeners can expect new varieties that flower earlier and for longer, hellebores with remarkable disease resistance and hellebores with uplifted heads and even double blooms. These come in addition to traditional attributes including deer and rabbit resistance, abundant buds, long-lived evergreen foliage and shade tolerance.

A Balanced Dance by Moira Gardener

ast month we looked at Julie Carter’s work training stock dogs at Meadow Oak farm. We discovered that successful stock training is about relationship and co-operation. It is the partnership between dog and trainer that makes for successful herding. This month we look at the details of how this teamwork is achieved. This balanced dance of dog and sheep, choreographed by the trainer, starts in a small round pen. The goal: to get the dog comfortable with the sheep and “defuse their need to bite.” Julie explained it like this: “The dog will only use their mouth when they’re under pressure and stressed. We talk calmly and quietly and block them with our body to prevent them from coming onto the sheep with their mouths. We stay with the sheep at all times as the dog goes around them to protect the sheep. “It’s important to use ‘dog broke’ sheep, ones that come to the handler for safety. If the sheep don’t come to the handler

it’s dangerous for the sheep. We also pack a lot of sheep in a small pen and take the young dog around them to see them close, smell them and learn not to be scared. This helps a lot with the need to nip. Very few border collies that are bred for sheep herding bite, and it’s forbidden in the world of sheep trials.” A typical training session will be 10 to 15 minutes in length as the young dog is under pressure from both handler and sheep and is being asked for total self-control. The dog and the sheep tire quickly, and tired sheep can make mistakes – splitting away from the pack and putting themselves in danger. Once the two dancers, the sheep and the dog, are familiar with each other they’re ready to train in a small 100by 100-metre field. Then, as the dog becomes a controlled obedient partner with the trainer, they are ready for the big field.

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Julie also shared a bit about the commands and the breed. Lie down means stop. The dog can choose to lie down or stand, as long as she stops. The bigger and young dogs usually choose to stand because lying down makes them slow when speed is required to round up stray sheep. I asked about the use of the whistle. It is blown to tell the dog which f lank, or side of the herd, to go to. To get the dog to go in the direction the trainer wishes, the whistle is blown followed by the vocal command. If the dog goes the wrong direction the trainer says “uh.” This lets the dog know to stop and go the other way. Gradually the voice command will be dropped. C

This breed of collie controls the herd with their eyes by staring the sheep down. The technique is one of predator and prey. Sheep move ahead of the dog out of fear. The trainer teaches the dog boundaries, and to keep sheep moving in a calm, controlled manner. Collies only nip on the nose in self-defense if a ewe becomes aggressive. Y

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Julie and her dogs train 12 months a year – rain or shine. Only a bad snowfall might stop them. Her future goals are to compete in the U.S. finals and be invited to compete at the Soldier Hollow trial in Salt Lake City. We wish Julie the best and thank her and her dogs for the wonderful show of skill we so enjoy watching from our perch at the Deep Cove Store. Photo courtesy Jim Gardener. Moira Gardener is a freelance writer. Contact information is moiragotmail@gmail.com.

Excited to be part of the Art Community of the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands. Island Blue Print Co. Ltd. Downtown: 905 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8V 3K3 Tel: 250.385.9786 Sidney: 2411 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC V8L 1X5 Tel: 250.656.1233 Website: www.islandblue.com Toll Free: 1.800.661.3332

This paper is lucky. Lucky as an Irishman wearing horseshoes on his rabbits’ feet in a field of four-leaf clovers kind of lucky. Of all the printers in all the world, this single sheet of paper had the genuine good fortune to find its way to Rhino Print Solutions. There, the tender hands of our press operators sent in on a wondrous journey through a state-of-the-art Heidelberg press where it drank in a rainbow of flawlessly mixed inks before being trimmed to a place just beyond perfection. And then, it met its long-lost paper brothers and sisters in the comfort and security of a finely crafted binding; the lucky sheets of paper that you are holding right now. This paper is lucky because it was printed by Rhino Print Solutions. rhinoprintsolutions.com

www.seasidetimes.ca

FEBRUARY 2011

Your Mortgage: Forced Savings or Forced Investments? by Fraser Smith

or most Canadians, their mortgage is the lar-

discover that they are house rich and cash poor. Their savings

gest debt they will ever take on. Virtually all

are trapped in their house. Another way to say it is that their

those people who leveraged to the hilt to get

equity has been sitting doing nothing at all for them for the

their home with the giant mortgage and the

past 40 years – it has not even earned interest.

huge monthly payments are content that while

it is their largest investment, it is also their best investment. Few Canadians regret buying that first home.

The forced savings over those 40 years will now need to be turned into monthly cash flow to make up the cash flow shortfall. Many will attempt to solve their problem with the abom-

The monthly pain we sign up for when we take on that

ination that is the Reverse Mortgage, or they will have to take

25-year mortgage contract is palliated in modest fashion

out a line of credit to live on or they will have to sell the house,

when we repeat the refrain so commonly heard: “At least these

downsize and live off their newly liquidated forced savings. One

huge mortgage payments I make every month are forcing me

way or the other, on a certain day in their retirement, a large

to save for the future.” We take some comfort that the huge

proportion of the cash-strapped middle class is going to give

debt we have taken on is slowly reduced each month because a

back the equity in their homes to the banks in order to generate

portion of the payment is applied against the loan.

cash to live on or they will be forced to downsize.

The “Canadian Dream” for millions of Canadian families

Most Canadians are laboring under the illusion that the

is to have the mortgage paid off by the time they retire. Their

government will find a way to fix the many problems extant in

hope is that no later than the day they work their last shift, they

the pension plan realm. Not a chance. Our pension plans have

will burn their mortgage. With no more mortgage payments to

fallen victim to two intractable problems. The first is that we

service, they will have $1,500 per month to divert to buy some

are living longer as life expectancy continues to increase. Just

investments to offset the fact that they will soon be unemployed

as problematic, 2011 is the year the baby boomers officially

and have no monthly cheque coming in from their job.

commence retirement. Canada has more baby boomers per-

At sixty-five, we will add together the CPP, perhaps some pension money, possibly some RRSP income plus the newly liber-

centage-wise than any other country in the world, and they are poised to wreak havoc on our pension system.

ated $1,500 mortgage payment, to determine how much income

If you can’t depend on government to solve the problem,

we will have during retirement. Some people may well discover

you will come to the conclusion that the solution is to take

that this exercise will provide enough income each year for the

matters into your own hands and create your own personal

next 30 or 35 years of retirement. These will be the well-off Can-

pension plan. How do you do that? You start by changing the

adian homeowners, and we do have some wealthy Canadians.

way you think about your mortgage payments as providing

What about the not-wealthy Canadians? If 10% of Canadians can be considered wealthy, then the other 90% are not

forced savings, and instead think of them as your opportunity to add to your personal pension portfolio every month.

wealthy. This very large group is the middle class of our econ-

Perhaps the single most important fact to recommend this

omy, and it is they who tend to arrive at retirement only to

approach is that the government is not involved in managing

SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

your future. There is no capital R (which stands for

year are a very powerful way to accelerate the speed at which you pay off

Registered) in PPP which stands for Personal Pen-

your mortgage. Sooner is better when paying down non-deductible interest

sion Plan©.

loans like your mortgage, and sooner is better when you are adding investments to your retirement portfolio. You will be doing both, simultaneously.

That is the magic of The Smith Manoeuvre. This year marks 26 years since we developed The Smith

Wealthy people carry debt just as you are doing now, but their debt is dif-

Manoeuvre and introduced it to Canadians with the

ferent. Theirs is tax deductible. Yours could be too if you have the time to

help of Vancity Credit Union in Vancouver. Thou-

learn about The Smith Manoeuvre. If you would like to investigate further,

sands of Canadians have implemented The Smith

buy The Smith Manoeuvre at Tanner’s or order the book and the calculator

Manoeuvre and more are doing so each year. The

online at our website – www.smithman.net – we will mail the combo to you

heart of the Manoeuvre revolves around the concept

the same day. You may also pick up from our office at the Victoria Airport.

of using those monthly forced savings for a better

To learn about the Manoeuvre from Fraser Smith directly, call 250-656-

purpose – use the savings as fast as they are formed to

7077 and ask for LuAnn, referring to this Seaside Times article.

invest into the economy. Instead of 25 years of forced savings that are diminished each year by the rate of

Convert your mortgage interest into tax deductions!

inflation, the homeowner can enjoy 25 years accumulating assets that appreciate in value over time. If your mortgage payment this month reduces

Thousands of Canadians have learned how to utilize The Smith Manoeuvre to convert their mortgage interest into tax deductions which they receive every year for the rest of their life. For instance, mortgage interest of $10,000 per year gets converted into a $10,000 tax deduction, and those deductions produce tax refund cheques, year after year, for you and your family.

your loan by $500, don’t let that new equity sit there moldering while inflation destroys its value at more c

The Sm

onsid ith Man ered than 2% every year until you die. CInstead, oeuback for imtake anad vre p ia

gage payment and get it invested in something solid,

several options such as more real estate or stocks,

THE SM IT H MAN OEU VRE

choice. You will almost certainly improve your net worth over the years ahead. That’s how the wealthy get wealthy and that’s how the wealthy stay wealthy.

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something blue chip. You can build your PPP using

neou nal g fin sly c ancia o tax l stra refun nverts m tegy ds, s ortga simu perio g h e o ld of th rtens inter e mo est to clear the rtgag amor po e and ti z choos rtfolio of a tion build inves ing to s a fr tm ee an fund This d the fu ents of y wond our o ture for th e w fo r ful pr n r e we ogram your fam althy you il . If y is . can not r you mak eserv mone h e it ed y is tax d ave a m ortga re e will ge not in quired fr ductible. No n , om creas The you, ew e, th Smit e be your h Ma debt noeu nefits are Miss vre is free no op of a C a p n le o d gal. r ertifi ed Fin tunity – ledge use th ancia able e ser l Plan abou vices t Th e Sm ner who is ith M k “A m anoe nowust r uvre e a d their . for th tax b ill an ose lookin finan d inc g to cial redu rease secur c Can e their ity.” adia n Ta xpay “...a ers F snow e d e ratio you tw balling n virtu eak th ous c e nos and ircle es of the ta th a both t lets xma Jona the b n.” than anks Chev reau , Na tiona ISBN l Pos 0-97 t 3

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This strategy was developed in 1984 by Fraser Smith with support from Vancity, and is now utilized by financial planners across Canada.

If you would like to arrange a complimentary meeting with Fraser Smith to learn how The Smith Manoeuvre might improve the future for your family, please call LuAnn at 250-656-7077. There are reviews that will interest you at our website www.smithman.net.

Book cover and ad designed by Art Department Design www.artdepartmentdesign.com

FEBRUARY 2011

LEGO® Exhibit on Now at Sidney Museum

ondon’s Tower Bridge and the Taj Mahal in Sidney? These are just two of the incredible collection of more than 250 models on display at the Sidney Museum. The sixth annual LEGO® exhibit is on now and runs until the end of March. This is one of Sidney’s highlights of the year and attracts as many as 10,000 visitors to the Museum. The colourful models appeal to all ages and excite today’s LEGO® enthusiasts. The models date from 1974, and Dads can be heard telling their children “I used to have that!” Sidney Museum hosts monthly exhibits

throughout the year that range from wood carving to weaving and spinning, but January through March always had very few visitors. When challenged with what to exhibit during these quiet months, Peter Garnham, the museum director, offered to display his family’s collection of Lego® models. They were normally stored in boxes and in August he and his two sons started to assemble all the models to be ready for New Year’s Day. Now, after six years’ experience, a number of the models are stored in their completed form and the task is less daunting. The collection started 25 years ago as birthday and Christmas presents and has continued to grow and now the family owns most of the 250 models on display. Each year new models are added, and this year’s show piece is London’s Tower Bridge (shown) which is nearly four feet long. In addition, the Victoria Lego® Users Group (VicLUG) supplies a collection of original and highly imaginative models including Robin Hood and his Merry Men high up in a tree. Not all the models are for young children, and some carry the advice 16 years and up. One such model is the Taj Mahal, with nearly 6,000

pieces that took 35 hours to build, and the Star Wars Millenium Falcon, with over 5,000 pieces and a collectible value of $1,500. LEGO started in 1932 in the Danish village of Billund where Ole Kirk Christiansen created wooden models. Two years later he called his business LEGO, a combination of the two Danish words “leg” and “godt” which means “play well.” Although his wooden toys were well made, he struggled to make a living and then in 1947, when plastic was more readily available, Ole developed a modular truck that could be built and taken apart. In 1949 the Lego Group started producing interlocking building blocks with studs on the top, but they had difficulty with quality control. It was not until 1958 that the bricks we know today were developed. The present day models can be quite sophisticated, with a wide variety of building blocks. Lego® is also used in high schools and universities teaching computer programming with the “Mindstorms” range, and robotic competitions are held across the country. The Sidney Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is by donation.

Brighten up your winter days … the Screaming Bird Café at invites you to bring a friend for breakfast or lunch on us. Purchase one entrée and receive the 2nd entrée of equal or lesser value for free. *dine-in only, offer expires Feb. 26th, 2011* 250-652-5162 • Café Tues - Sat 7:30 am - 3:30 pm 1191 Verdier Avenue (at West Saanich) Brentwood Bay 30

SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

Sidney’s Beautiful Strangers by Pene Beavan Horton “I forgot my umbrella!” ruefully acknowledging leaving home without it as the rain streams down our faces.

Most of us are essentially alone, even if we live with others. No one else can sit in the dentist’s chair for us. No one else can die instead of us. So the human connection, however brief and however small, generates a warmth that is incalculably precious. Sidney is a town full of beautiful strangers who greet each other in passing with a nod, a smile, a murmured “hello” or a sentence or two. Standing in line at the bank, you might find out that the person beside you is from Glasgow. Or they might have just returned from the Bahamas. They share this little snippet of conversation and for a few moments make you a part of their life. On the surface these friendly connections with other human beings whom we don’t know may seem irrelevant and unimportant, but they contribute to the character of our town. They form the basis of comfort in our surroundings. Beautiful as Sidney is, with its stunning view of Mount Baker across the blue water, clean streets and well-tended shrubs and flower beds, it’s the people who make this town a pleasure to live in. We citizens of Sidney may not all know each other, but we do greet each other with kindly good will. We catch someone’s eye and say things like “… nice day!” if it is, or

Dog owners and passersby exchange smiles, pausing for questions and answers about the dog, and then go their separate ways, still smiling. Sometimes even the dogs smile. These brief encounters create little sparks of pleasure, linking two strangers together for less than a minute but adding to a feeling that all’s right with the world. We know the world isn’t all right, of course, and we know that there may not be many places left where strangers share a smile and a hello. But those of us who live here are thankful that Sidney is a friendly town. If we smile first, whoever catches our eye usually nods and smiles back. If they don’t, our day isn’t spoiled. If they do, there’s a brief mutual acknowledgement that a shared greeting is enriching. Aloneness shouldn’t be confused with loneliness. If we are lonely (and even if we’re not!) we can join clubs or churches or help any organization as a volunteer, etc. … but underlying all of these things, at least here in Sidney, the people we meet and greet on the street make us feel part of the whole – connected to the community in a very special way. It is something to cherish, and it seems that most of us do.

Estates Have Rules Are you an Executor or Administrator of an estate and uncertain about your duties or entitlement to remuneration? Executors have obligations to heirs and those with statutory rights. Sometimes Executors overstep their authority or fail in their duty to others.

www.henleywalden.com

Are you an heir or a potential heir to an estate? Do you know your rights? Do you have questions about joint accounts or transfers of property to avoid probate fees? Is there a presumption of advancement or a resulting trust? Are you an adult child estranged from your parents for no good reason? Forced accountings, will variations, contested estates, caveats and temporary administrators appointed by the courts: Jim Fowler has done them all. Jim has 24 years of experience dealing with estate issues. If you have any concerns, please contact Jim at the Sidney law firm, Henley & Walden.

Tel: (250) 656-7231

201-2377 Bevan ave. Sidney, B.C. v8L 4M9

www.seasidetimes.ca

FEBRUARY 2011

Sidney Pier Spa Seaside Times Jan 2010 • Size: 7.75” (w) x 4.925” (h) • Final File • Jan 17/11

We’ve found a new leaf… and we’re turning it over ver Come and celebrate with us on Friday February 4th from 5:30pm – 8:30pm 2011 represents a time for change at Haven Spa, including a brand new Spa menu featuring the internationally respected Aveda skin, body and make-up line. We're hosting a fabulous party with mini treatments, demonstrations, beverages and snacks! Live entertainment with Maria Manna! Bring your co-worker, husband and best girlfriends!

Every guest receives a $25 voucher towards the purchase of a 60 minute Haven Spa treatment!

Space is limited, reserve your spot today! Please RSVP at candice.kelly@sidneypier.com Call 250-655-9797 www.sidneypier.com/spa-fitness

Have You ‘Bean’ Rewarded Lately ? New Join The Fresh Cup Bean Club & Earn Freshly Roasted Organic Coffee™

Free Beans ! ( See In-Store For Details)

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2 Locations

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YOU CAN DRINK• Sidney: Beacon Avenue Saanichton: Mt. Newton X Road IT BLACK ! 32

SEASIDE TIMES

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Strutting My Stuff at Mount Newton Centre

by Benni Chisholm I once was a model in a real fashion show. The occasion was a fundraiser for Mount Newton Centre, a day health centre for seniors. The event consisted of lunch and the flaunting of gorgeous garments from two Sidney shops. My participation helped increase the Centre’s finances and the fun of strutting my stuff made a modelling career seem imminent. Mount Newton Centre normally focuses on vital assistance rather than on fickle fashion and like a precious gem it shines with surprises. Situated near the Saanich Peninsula Hospital on Mt. Newton Cross Road, it provides local residents with foot care, baths, shampoos, blood pressure controls, card games, entertainment and lunch – all in an attractive facility staffed with capable professionals and cheery volunteers. The Centre is graced with easy parking for visitors and has a bus with a driver that helps clients with mobility problems. A little-known surprise is the respite offered by the Centre to 24-hour care-givers. These tireless workers receive much needed free time to shop, clean house, relax, etc. Mount Newton Centre has an amazing Loan Cupboard containing almost every piece of medical equipment known to mankind – wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, hospital beds, hip cushions, bath seats, commodes, bedpans and more. The items, purchased by the Centre or by generous locals, are maintained by skilled volunteers. Loans are made by donation or by a small fee. Mount Newton Centre thrives on community support such as Christmas tree decorating parties and the fashion show that inspired my modelling dream. Those fundraisers were successful, but my dream was derailed by a professional prerequisite: a tall, willowy figure. My short, stumpy figure is still agile enough for locals to see me strutting my stuff around local shops. But rest assured, if immobility ever strikes my joints, muscles or little grey cells, I’ll know where to turn for physical and emotional help: Mount Newton Centre, of course! www.seasidetimes.ca

FEBRUARY 2011

Top Romantic Restaurants on the Peninsula B.C. wood and the decorative panels in the dining room represent various scenes associated with the customs and heraldry of the Royal Family, designed by Sheldon Williams, a well-known local artist. The menu consists of Tuscan-prepared food infused with West Coast flavours. The Latch Restaurant utilises fresh local produce and the artisan bread and Italian ice cream are made on the premises. The candlelit dinners and cozy romantic atmosphere definitely give The Latch an old-world feel.

Haro’s Restaurant + Bar (pictured at right) at The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa is a casual elegant waterfront dining experience with expansive views of Haro Strait. The restaurant’s Pacific Northwest cuisine embraces seasonal seafood, local meats, dairy and produce. Everything is made from scratch – even the pasta! Haro’s also features a fine selection of Canadian wines.

by Georgina Bourdeau

Zip Around

The SeaGrille at Brentwood Bay Lodge (pictured at left) is an impressive West Coast oceanfront restaurant. The interior, with a wood-burning fireplace, is tranquil and pleasing to the eye. SeaGrille combines flavours, colours and textures with local seafood, organic and free range top quality ingredients. The wine list is comprised of award-winning local wines. Deep Cove Chalet, with its hand-carved wooden beams and picture windows with views of Deep Cove and the beautiful grounds of the property, is a wonderful place to share a cozy romantic dinner. The restaurant’s classic French cuisine and world-class wines transport you to another world where culture and fine dining were showcased. The menu is extensive and the dishes are visions of culinary artistry. Valentine’s Day gives us an opportunity to infuse our relationship with romance and dining out provides quality time to spend with one another. Here are a few tips to make this Valentine’s Day dining experience successful:

17-20

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When I think of Valentine’s Day and restaurants, the Disney movie Lady and the Tramp always comes to mind. That intimate dining experience, looking into each other’s eyes. Sharing a plate of spaghetti and listening to the song “That’s Amore.” It has an old-world feel to it. Dining out on Valentine’s Day should be intimate and sensual, but times are changing and more foodies are out looking for culinary experiences and moving away from the intimate old-world feel for more airy modern environments. The menus have changed from traditional to lighter dishes infused with flavours from many different areas and regions of the world. Emphasis is now placed on local produce, meats and seafood. The restaurants I have chosen are from the old Cher world but with the new fresh perspective of the modern Mini Bag $170 generation. Take note to make reservations well in advance so as to not face in long lineups. AA disappointment waiting MUST HAVE! MUST HAVE! The Latch Restaurant, located in Sidney, is part of a heritage house built in the 1920s as the residence British Columbia’s lieutenant governor. The interior of the restaurant is made of stained

Heartfelt Expressions

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SEASIDE TIMES

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knickerbockers.ca • brightoncollectibles.com Secret of Love Heart Necklace $58

Visit us at the Home Show Feb. 18-20 at Save on Foods Memorial Centre

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Put an effort into your appearance for this occasion – pre-

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tend it’s your first date and you want to wow the person. During dinner conversation set aside the worries of the kids, bills and the office and above all turn off your cell phone! Really listen and talk to each other. Make eye contact and be attentive. Talk about what you love about each other, things you still have in common and new adventures to try out together. Read out a prepared Valentine’s Day toast to your loved one. Don’t forget to flirt with each other, hold hands, touch knees and play footsies under the table.

6,000 full colour 2-sided business cards * 3.5” x 2” $

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Most of all have fun; this is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with each other and show that your love is still strong and vibrant.

6,000 full colour

Photos courtesy Brentwood Bay Lodge and The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa (respectively).

2-sided postcards* * 4” x 6” $

299.00

6,000 full colour 2-sided doorhangers * 4” x 12” $

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All above printed on 14 pt. complete with satin varnish finish. *Prices based on a supplied PDF file set-up properly for press. Delivery & taxes extra. Custom sizes also available, please call or email for pricing.

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Home and Garden Home and Garden

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Great Selection of Orchids & Candles www.seasidetimes.ca

6666 West Saanich Road Brentwood Bay (beside Butterfly Gardens)

778-426-4436 • doyleandbond.ca FEBRUARY 2011

Enter to Win

1 BodyBugg Calorie ManageMent SySteM & 3 PerSonal training SeSSionS to enter: Just show reception that you have checked in at panorama recreation on facebook places and receive an entry to win until

feb 28th.

note: bonus entry to all our fans feb 28th.

More Misadventures on Calypso – Summer ‘10 by Sharlene Coss

on our facebook page by

(value $369)

When skipper tore his Achilles tendon and scuppered the summer’s plans, crew was heartbroken but undaunted. But the skipper and crew are nothing if not flexible. The first six weeks were spent recuperating at home and then we flew to the Netherlands to recuperate on Calypso. There followed a series of ever-changing plans that had us firstly staying in Holland all summer to thirdly finally making our way to France.

250.656.7271

visit www.panoramarecreation.ca for details

Despite the disappointment of a much shortened cruising season, skipper and crew had some amazing adventures. Cruising at a very leisurely pace allows one to savour the experience. Making our way from the north of Holland to its most southerly city of Maastricht, the geography remained flat and bucolic but dotted every few miles with amazing moorages in ancient villages, towns and cities. We were constantly reminded of the role Canada played in the First and Second World Wars. When we moored in Arnhem and Nijmegen, the sites of major battles, we felt a real connection to those two historical cities. (Skipper’s father was wounded in Holland). In Nijmegen we were lucky enough to moor just below the famous “Bridge Too Far” of book and movie fame. The route through Belgium was a much shortened version of the original plan. It was almost surreal as we crossed the border into Belgium. It was a case of “A hill! A hill!” Suddenly the locks were not only closer together but were deeper and scarier as we climbed the hills and valleys of the Meuse River through Belgium. The écluses in France were smaller but even more frequent. Our daily exercise was hanging on to the lines for dear life to avoid losing Calypso to the violent current as the water either entered or left the locks. Canal tunnels, now in the mix, will range from a few hundred metres to five kilometres as we make our way south. Luckily our first encounter was scary but fun! The most pronounced differences between the three countries are landscape, language and food. Both last year and this year we struggled mightily with the Dutch language. No matter how hard we tried, we just couldn’t get our tongues around the guttural sounds of their language. Luckily, as almost everyone speaks English, communication was easy. On a few occasions we were berated for not knowing Dutch. This was hard for us to understand and while we politely explained that we were trying to learn, secretly we

SEASIDE TIMES

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DEALOLOGY Experiences of Merit Travel Talks Join us for our free presentations to learn more about travel to your favourite destinations.

really wanted to remind them that unlike French, Italian or Spanish, Dutch wasn’t high on the top 10 list of Berlitz language schools. On the other hand it was a joy to hear French spoken as soon as we crossed the border. Belgium has two official languages – Flemish and French – and as we were in the southern province of Wallonia the locals speak French. Our high school French was remarkably better than we remembered and for the most part we managed both in Belgium and France – along with a lot of facial and (polite) hand gestures. That being said, it took us three days to sort out a new French phone and internet connection. Welcome to the land of the intransigent Frenchman. We have now hit the foodie jackpot! Our experiences with Dutch food (with apologies to Dutchmen everywhere) was much like the landscape – a little flat. Belgium and France are the lands of croissants (delivered hot to the boat in the morning), paté, frites, moules, amazing pastries and wonderful cheap (!!) wine and beer. Crew discovered a terrific beer – a Belgian Leffe Ruby – that saw her draining the keg (albeit a small one) dry within a few days at our “local.” In Charleville-Mézières we had an awesome celebratory meal of salmon with a lobster sauce for crew and a duck confit for the skipper. Finished off with a cappuccino nightcap in the square – superb!

Feb 10 Exploring Europe: Coach Tours vs. Cruises (River and Ocean) Feb 24 The Plains of Africa – with Collette Vacations Mar 10 South America – Focus on Peru Presentations held in your local office at the following times: Shelbourne Plaza: 10am | Sidney: 2pm | Colwood: 7pm Space is limited – please RSVP to guarantee your seat. Sidney 105–2506 Beacon Ave. | 250.656.0961 Colwood 1913 Sooke Rd. | 250.478.9505 Victoria 3617 Shelbourne St. | 250.477.0131 1.800.409.1711 merit.ca ON–4499356/4499372 | BC–33127/34799/34798 | QC–7002238 | Canadian owned.

The experience common to all travel is the people you meet along the way. We can’t say enough good things about the Dutch fellow boaters – they are always helpful and appear out of nowhere to assist with mooring. They are happy to share boating knowledge to make cruising safer and more enjoyable. The rivers and canals of Europe are filled with boaters from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Britain. Throw in a few Aussies, New Zealanders and a couple of Canadians and you have a boating community who share amazing experiences. Oddly, we have never met a French boater. It is ironic that while most foreign boaters dream of cruising the stunning canals of France, the French themselves vacation in their villas and manors in the countryside. Go figure! Calypso is spending the winter in the very north of France in a tiny village only a few miles from the Belgium border – but hey – we are in France! Returning home to family and friends is always a much anticipated joy. How happy we are to make dates to meet at our favourite restaurants, cafés and coffee houses and to get back into our normal Canadian routines. But secretly, the crew is already busy planning next year’s cruise. Paris – here we come!

Family Grillhouse With a Friendly Bar Grillhouse 6:30am - 9:30pm • Bar 11 am - 11pm

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FEBRUARY 2011

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SEASIDE TIMES

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footprints

Conversations From The Past: Bill Nye Nye: Yes, I like the simple life. Q: But it’s rumoured that you are really a man of wealth – so why do you choose that lifestyle and how do you make your living now? Nye: Rumours, rumours … don’t believe all you hear. I was once a longshoreman and have seen most of the world in my time. Q: You wear an earring in one ear and carry that old gunnysack over your shoulder and, excuse me for saying so, but your clothes are somewhat ragged. If you do have money somewhere, why do you choose to live like this? Nye: Who says I have money? I told you those are just rumours! (I could see I had irritated him with my persistence.)

by Valerie Green Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down and talk with some interesting characters from Greater Victoria’s past? If so, wonder no more. In a series of upcoming “interviews,” imaginary conversations will be conducted with some well-known (and some lesser-known) men and women from Greater Victoria’s colourful history. Although these conversations are merely creative figments of my imagination, they are all based on fact. In his day, Bill Nye was dubbed Victoria’s first “rag and bone” man. He lived in a shack on Humboldt Street (then known as Kanaka Row) and was a very familiar sight on the streets of Victoria at the turn of the 20th century. (Interview conducted in 1905). Question: Is Bill Nye your real name? Nye: No. My original name was Thomas Chaplin but I decided I liked humourist Edgar Wilson’s character “Bill Nye” so I assumed that name some years ago. Q: Is it true that you live in a very rough shack on Kanaka Row?

Q: Well, let’s discuss how you make a living today. Nye: I salvage junk – plain and simple! Every day I head down to the James Bay flats and I search for treasures – sometimes just wood for a fire, sometimes bottles. Some of the more unusual items I’m able to sell. That’s how I make my living – off other people’s junk! Q: Tell me about the strange “craft” you use to travel around the flats.

is quite water-logged. Aren’t you afraid of getting sick because of the dampness? Nye: What’s to be afraid of? If I get sick, I will most likely die. We all die eventually – so what’s the problem? Q: What indeed? (If he wasn’t concerned, why should I be)? In point of fact, Bill Nye lived a good long life. When he eventually died in 1944 he was residing in slightly better quarters on Blanshard Street, but still existed as a virtual pauper. Gossip continued to abound in Victoria when it was rumoured he owned property in Australia and England and was indeed a man of great wealth. No one, however, ever discovered the real truth about Victoria’s “rag-and-bone” man. Bill took all his secrets to the grave with him. Photo: Bill Nye at Ogden Point, age 81 – courtesy of VCA 98405-05-759.

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Nye: Not strange at all! I use an old barrel which I sit in and then flap my hands in the water or sometimes use shingles as my paddles. I can travel quite a distance that way to find my treasures. People throw away the most interesting items. Then I head up the Gorge waterway to relax – very pretty area, you know. Q: Yes indeed. What do you say to people who accuse you of being eccentric? Nye: I tell ’em to mind their own business! They live their life the way they want to and I live mine this way. Nobody’s business but mine. Q: I hear your shack on Kanaka Row www.seasidetimes.ca

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FEBRUARY 2011

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Leave Valentine’s Day to Him by Jennifer Bowles

Gentleman, this one’s just for you! Listen up: it’s Valentine’s Day this month and you can bet the special person in your life is expecting something spectacular! Unfortunately, this year the $40 gas card ain’t gonna cut it. Only kidding, I know it was at least $60 and included a deluxe car wash. No, this year I want you to pull out all the romantic stops, so listen carefully. Here’s a fool-proof tip – when in doubt, ask the experts … butchers, florists, etc. Explain your situation, and likely they can help with EXACTLY what you need. Keep in mind that this meal will require about 45 “active” minutes, so budget your time accordingly.

up the flowers (hint – roses are beautiful but the price doubles on Valentine’s Day. Get a big bunch of assorted flowers; break up the bouquet, pull out a special flower to deliver with each course and put the rest in a vase).

Shopping List: 1 bottle chilled champagne and wine (as needed) Beef Tenderloin Steak x 2 (have the butcher cut them to the same size) 100g fresh crab meat – (spring for the good stuff) 1 bunch asparagus

Following are step-by-step dinner instructions, complete with beverage suggestions and a few “extras” that will take your Valentine’s night from mediocre to memorable!

1 pound butter 1 package Béarnaise sauce (it’s powdered sauce … no one has to know) 2 sweet potatoes

First – Reassure your partner that you’ll take care of everything for Valentine’s Day; they can relax and get ready for the incredible night you have planned.

Fresh strawberries 1 wheel brie cheese

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1 baguette 1 box chocolates (again – go for the good stuff) Fruit jam (check the fridge)

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Prep – Wash the strawberries and bring the brie to room temperature – set the oven to 425°F. Season the tenderloin with salt and pepper and set aside. Peel the sweet potato and slice into wedges, toss in olive oil and spread on a baking sheet. Trim the woody stem-end from the asparagus.

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Throw the baguette in the oven for 5 minutes to warm. Pour two glasses of champagne. Slit a strawberry at the base and slide onto the rim of the glass. Brie goes in the microwave for 40 seconds (until just melty). Place brie onto a plate and top with a spoonful of the fruit jam and serve with sliced baguette. Now is a great time to put the sweet potato in the oven.

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First Course – Serve the champagne with an appropriately gushy toast (see: Coleridge’s Desire) and flower #1. After a shared sip or two serve the brie and strawberries – trust me, this is a great first course.

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Main Course – Check on the sweet potato (turning every 5 minutes) until golden; this dish takes about 30 minutes. Heat a heavy bottom pan on medium-high. Set a pan of water on high with a lid (this will be for the asparagus). Once the pan is hot, put in a little oil and sear the steaks for 3 minutes a side. Once done, remove from

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pan, set aside and cover with foil. While the steak is resting, make the béarnaise as per directions on the package. Next, blanche the asparagus for 3 minutes in the boiling water – try and time all of this to coincide with the sweet potato being ready. Quickly stir the crab with the béarnaise to heat it. Plate the dish as “chefly” as you can – steak topped with a few asparagus spears, some crab and béarnaise. Place a few fries on the side and serve with flower #2, a glass of wine and more flowery prose.

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Dessert – Aside from the chocolates and flower #3, this is where the how-to ends. You’ve come this far – the night is sure to end well.

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FEBRUARY 2011

Valentine’s Day Getaways on the Peninsula

by Georgina Bourdeau A Valentine’s Day getaway is where you can celebrate love and affection with the most special person in your life. My ideal spot would have doves flying overhead and cherubs hovering throughout the establishment. The floors would be covered in rose petals and there would be lots and lots of chocolate. Everything – the bed, bathtub and toilet – would be heart shaped. Perhaps I’m asking too much. As I scoured the Peninsula I came up with three locations that inspired romance in me; whether it took me into the past, was contemporary and beauti-

ful with ocean views or had the most unbelievable romantic packages. These are my choices for a Valentine’s Day getaway on the Peninsula.

a complimentary two-course gourmet breakfast. Beacon Inn has received a triple AAA Diamond rating from the British Columbia Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Guild. Come check them out this Valentine’s Day and you’ll understand why.

Just a heads up: call and book the rooms in advance so you won’t be disappointed.

The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa (pictured at left) is a waterfront spa resort. It is beautiful, modern and dog friendly.

Sidney’s Beacon Inn (opposite page) is Canada’s only Select Five Star accommodation. With its Edwardian- (early 1900s) inspired décor, rich wood settings, velvet brocades and queen feather beds, it just oozes romance. Fireplaces and spa-like en suites with soaker or jetted bathtubs will welcome you after you’ve discovered the boutique shops, bookstores and Roger’s Chocolate only a stroll away in Sidney-by-the-Sea. The Inn is intimate and the service is high quality and friendly. Perhaps in the evening you will enter the sitting room to sip on some sherry. In the morning you and your sweetie can enjoy

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There are suites with covered balconies, oceanic panorama views, king size beds and five piece spa bathrooms. During the day a walk along the waterfront and out on the pier is a great way to spend the day with a loved one. The Valentine’s package is the cat’s meow and I’m sure the cherubs would approve. It includes a Relaxation Couples Massage, Valentine’s table d’hote menu for two, sparkling wine and chocolates. Did I mention the chocolates? Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa (shown above) is Victoria’s only Five Star Oceanfront Hotel Resort and Spa. With ocean view, your own private hot tub, $150 certificate for dinner, celebration champagne tray and two all-day passes to Butchard Gardens, it’s like they have done all the work for you. All you and your valentine have to do is take total advantage and enjoy the most romantic days of your life. They also have a romance package that includes $500 spa certificates, scuba dive packages, hand-made chocolate truffles, kayak adventures and sushi lunch for two.

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Getting away with your loved one is a time to reconnect with each other: to let your worries and fast-paced lives drop by the wayside. To see in each other the spark that brought you together in the first place. To discover new and wonderful things that lay hidden beneath the surface and only needed a chance like this to surface and surprise each other. Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to say “I love you,” something we may take for granted. Spending the day together discovering what the Peninsula has to offer: the waterfront walkways, Sidney’s pier, wineries, bookstores galore, antiques and artists around every nook and cranny, you get the opportunity to share something with that special person. You get to share a part of yourself, your thoughts, ideas, inspirations and your heart. Isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is really about? Photos courtesy Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa and Beacon Inn (respectively).

• Comfortable, clean & healthy fresh air environment • Quality, nutritious foods • Exercise yards up to one quarter acre • Feline “Cuddle Time” • K-9 Playschool course • All managerial staff “Certified Kennel Technicians” • Recommended by veterinarians • Full grooming services available

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FEBRUARY 2011

footprints

Jack Lenfesty: A Long, Long Time Brentwood Bay Resident by Carole Pearson Jack Lenfesty remembers the day he almost drowned in Brentwood Bay like it was yesterday. Considering this happened in 1930, this is no small accomplishment.

Street. He enjoyed the outdoors and often rented a cottage near the water in Brentwood Bay, near the ferry dock.

“I was about five or six,” says Lenfesty (pictured at right with his father in the 1930s), “and I was walking along the float outside the Broadhurst’s Boathouse. I was looking this way and that at the boats out in the water and I walked right off the end of the wharf.”

Some residents he recalls from the early days were brothers Norman and George Broadhurst and Captain Babington who operated a commercial boat house which offered storage and repair service. It was from their wharf Lenfesty took his tumble.

Lenfesty now figures his buttoned-up overalls filled with enough air to keep him afloat. Meanwhile, a neighbour, thinking all was okay, called across the yard to the boy’s father, William “Lenny” Lenfesty. “Don’t you think Jack has been out there long enough?” she shouted. Realizing what had really happened, the elder Lenfesty sprinted down to the water and pushed his son onto the beach. Lenfesty remembers nothing more but waking up in his bed. Jack Lenfesty was born on Jan. 2nd, 1925. His family originally lived in Victoria, where the Beacon Drive-In is located today. William Lenfesty was the owner of Pichon and Lenfesty Sporting Goods, at the foot of Johnson

In 1928, the Lenfestys purchased a house back from the shoreline, behind the cottage. It’s the house where Jack Lenfesty still lives today. Lenfesty met his wife, Juanita, at the roller skating rink at Cloverdale and Douglas streets and they married in 1952.

“We came out here every summer,” Jack Lenfesty remembers. “My friends in town would get to play baseball during the summer and I figured I missed out. I didn’t realize they would have given anything to be out here.”

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Lenfesty remembers seeing Captain Babington (“I think his name was Hugh but we only knew him as Captain Babington”) stride down to the water for his daily swim. “He was quite a corpulent gentleman and he would carry a towel and a thermometer. He would put the thermometer in the water and then take a reading. If it wasn’t ‘right,’ he would turn around and walk back home.” There was Harry Gilbert, who started Gilbert’s Guide Boathouse in 1927. His son, Jim, took fishing parties out in their 30-foot boat. Other neigh-

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bours were Harry Norman and his orchard of cherry and apple trees next door and the Peden family up the road. William “Torchy” Peden was a world-renowned cyclist from the 1920s to the 1940s. In 1938, Lenfesty says, the Parks Board decided to create a public walkway and ordered the removal of all the cottages and boat houses at the waterfront (pictured). Some buildings were demolished but many were dismantled and rebuilt nearby. The cottage rented by the Lenfestys is among the few still standing, now painted pink by an owner. After serving two-and-a-half years in the army, Lenfesty later found employment with British Columbia Steamship Services as a freight clerk from 1946 to 1951. He had an opportunity to travel on many of the Princess ships up and down the B.C. coast in what was originally expected to be a summer job. After leaving B.C. Coast Steamships, Lenfesty worked as a

game warden, which occupied the majority of his working years. He retired in 1983 and since then has used his time to build models of several of the Princess ships in his basement workshop with one a work still in progress. He and Juanita enjoy gardening and watching the birds at the feeders outside their window. Lenfesty says, simply: “I live in the best place in the world.”

www.seasidetimes.ca

FEBRUARY 2011

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Married in the Morning by Michael Forbes

Forbes & Marshall are the hosts of 98.5 The OCEAN’S popular morning show. They are one of the only married morning show teams in Canada and have two children, Noah and Adam. Join Forbes & Marshall weekday mornings from 5:30 to 10:30 a.m. As I sit here in the Ocean studio and look at Lisa, I think to myself how blessed I am to have her as a partner in life. The path that we chose as a couple is not an easy one but every day it’s rewarding both professionally and personally. I would say the number one question people ask us on a regular basis is “How can you work every day with someone you are married to; do you fight?” My usual response is “It’s OK as long as she doesn’t violate the restraining order.” Actually, if you saw the room we’re in, you would notice that we are separated by plexi-glass which makes things look a tad like visiting day at William Head. Most people would agree that if given the choice between working with their husband or wife and a root canal, the root canal would win hands down. It ain’t an easy road. Think about our situation for a minute. Even though we LOVE radio and wouldn’t trade this for anything, you are essentially locked in a small room every day with someone who knows you better than anyone and then we’re asked to sound like we’re the

life of the party! Have you ever heard those couples that say that after 30 years of marriage they have never had a single fight? Wow! I think those people either have serious avoidance issues or are medicated. How can you not fight with your spouse? Those long standing issues that you have in a relationship seem to pop up from time to time no matter who or where you are.

it in the end. In my world that person is Lisa. If our radio show and life were a ship, she would be the one who keeps a steady hand on the rudder, steering a course through the occasional squall. Bickering can be a positive thing. Kathy Marshack, who has written the book Entrepreneurial Couples: Making It Work at Work and at Home says it best: “There’s potential for tremendous personal growth. When you’re confronted constantly by someone who knows you so well, you’re going to have an extraordinary opportunity to work on your flaws and develop as a person.”

So yes, we have had the occasional fight and there are some disagreements about how we are going to present things on the air or who forgot to turn the dishwasher on but we always seems to be able to get over these challenges quickly and with a short memory. Truth be told, it does take one of you to decide to be the bigger person and realize that too much drama is not worth

That’s the way we feel. In a perfect world you should start your married life as a lump of coal and all the friction over the years will polish you into a diamond! The truth is, it ain’t a perfect world and usually you just end up accepting each other as a couple of unvarnished lumps … sitting in front of the tube … one of you hogging the remote. So if I had any advice for a person who asks how I work with my wife I’d say that you better learn to let her do the steering; otherwise the only growth you’ll experience will be the goose egg on your forehead from a well-flung rudder.

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FEBRUARY 2011

Until March 31

6th Annual Lego Exhibit

what’s happening | february 2011

Sidney Museum, 2423 Beacon Ave., Sidney Daily 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 250-655-6355sidneymuseum.ca Bigger and better than ever with over 250 Lego models from pirates to Star Wars, cranes to castles are on display at the Sidney Museum. This year the Tower Bridge of London is the feature exhibit (nearly four feet long!). Free admission, donations welcome.

February 2 Night of Hearts: Artists For AIDS Show McPherson Playhouse, 5-8 p.m. 250-384-2366 communications@avi.org Join us for an evening of music and art. Meet the artists and view the 2011 Artists for AIDS lottery collection. Free admission. Appetizers. Cash bar. The 12 art pieces were curated by Fran Willis and represent Vancouver Island’s most prominent artists.

February 5

for St. Valentine’s Day, including arrangements and compositions by Chatman, Fairbank, Lauridson, Porter and others! Tickets $15, students $10.

February 14 Companions of the Quaich Dinner & Tasting Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, 7 p.m. 250-658-1109, wuhrer@shaw.ca Jay Wheelock, brand ambassador for Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., will introduce some of the premium scotch whiskies marketed by the firm while we enjoy another fine dinner prepared by Sheena Hogan, executive chef of Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa. As always, Jay will have one or two surprise whiskies. Dinner & tasting $60, dinner only (designated drivers) $50.

February 14 Valentine’s Day Skate Juan de Fuca Arena, Victoria 10:30 - 11:20 a.m. 250-478-8384 www.westshorerecreation.ca

Sounds of Motown

Two-for-one admission; skate with your loved ones!

Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney 7 - 11 p.m. 250-891-0762 www.fortheloveofafrica.org

Feb. 17 - March 6

Featuring the legendary Vic High Band. Tickets $35; available at Tanner’s Books, Ten Thousand Villages and by contacting above. Silent auction; free shuttle available.

February 13 Amour et Musique St. Elizabeth’s Church, 10030 Third Ave., Sidney 2:30 - 4 p.m. Via Choralis, the Saanich Peninsula’s own Chamber Choir, will present a concert of songs appropriate

Through The Lens II Coast Collective Art Gallery, 3221 Heatherbell Rd., Victoria Open Thurs. - Sun. 12 - 5 p.m. 250-391-5522 www.coastcollective.ca Discover the amazing variety available from modern photographic techniques as well as the striking beauty of traditional photography. Free admission.

February 18 Pro-D Day Skate & Swim Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, Victoria

1 - 2 p.m. skate 1 - 3 p.m. swim 250-478-8384 www.westshorerecreation.ca Toonie admission for the skate, regular admission for the swim.

February 22 Canadian Federation of University Women Saanich Peninsula Meeting Mary Winspear Centre Sidney, B.C., 7 p.m. 250-656-7010 www.cfuwsaanichpeninsula.org The evening’s speaker will be Nikki Wright, executive director of the Sea Change Marine Conservation Society. She plans to review the highlights of the Saanich Inlet and Peninsula Atlas of Shorelines inventory with a view to how we can all conserve what we treasure in this beautiful corner of the coast. Community mapping is a global movement which showcases the stories, resources and initiatives of local people in their own communities.

Feb. 28 - April 11 (Mondays) Art History of the Northwest Coast – Kwakwaka’wakw Cultural Group UVic Continuing Education Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. 250-472-4747 www.uvcs.uvic.ca/community/ courses/winspear/ In this course instructor Kerry Wilson will examine a variety of themes relating to both historical and contemporary Northwest Coast Art, with roots and traditions in the Kwakwaka’wakw cultural group. $125 + hst.

CRD Regional Parks February Schedule All programs are free unless otherwise noted. Pre-registration is not required unless otherwise noted. 250.478.3344 • crdparks@crd.bc.ca • www.crd.bc.ca/parks Saturday, February 5th, 1-3:30pm

Sunday, February 13th, 1-2:30pm

Moss Landscapes of Vancouver Island (Guided Walk) – Adults Only Francis/King Regional Park (Saanich)

Rotten Luck (Guided Walk) – 5 years+ Francis/King Regional Park (Saanich)

Join guest CRD Regional Parks’ naturalist Kem Luther to discover the strange lives of mosses. Learn how to identify the most common species in our region. $7/person + HST. Register by February 4th. Space is limited.

Deep in the forest, things are falling apart! On this winter walk, a CRD Regional Parks’ naturalist will introduce you to the decomposers of the woods and discover how they keep the forest healthy. Meet at the nature centre off Munn Road.

Saturday, February 19th, 10am–12pm

Lone Tree Hill Ramble (Guided Walk) – All ages Lone Tree Hill Regional Park (Highlands)

Sunday, February 6th, 1-2:30pm

Ugh! A Slug! (Guided Walk) – All Ages Mill Hill Regional Park (Langford) Walk with a CRD Regional Parks’ naturalist to peek under fallen logs and leaves in search of the giant gastropod that is one of nature’s best recyclers. Meet at the kiosk in the parking lot off Atkins Avenue. BC Transit #50 or #53.

Lone Tree Hill not only offers great views but a chance to watch the antics of ravens and other local birds. Wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars if you have them. Parking is limited so carpool if possible. Meet at the parking lot on Millstream Road.

Sunday, February 20th, 1-2:30pm

Saturday, February 12th, 10:30am-12pm

Nature CSI (Guided Walk) – All ages Elk Beaver Lake Regional Park (Saanich)

A CRD Regional Parks’ naturalist will teach you some tips and tricks for beginning and budding birding enthusiasts. Meet at the nature centre off Metchosin Road. BC Transit #54 or #55.

Do you ever go into the woods and not see any animals? Spend some time fine tuning your investigation skills and learn to be a nature super sleuth with a CRD Regional Parks’ naturalist. Meet at the nature centre in the main Beaver Lake parking lot. BC Transit #70 or #75.

Birding Basics (Guided Walk) – All ages Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park (Metchosin)

Saturday, February 12th, 7-9pm

Sunday, February 27th, 1-3:30pm

Owl Prowl (Guided Walk) – 8 years+ Mill Hill Regional Park (Langford)

The Other Side of Witty’s (Guided Walk) – 8 years+ Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park (Metchosin)

Owls are amazing birds! Join CRD Regional Parks’ guest naturalist David Allinson for this exciting adventure into the dark woods to look for and call owls. $7/person + HST. Register by February 11th. Space is limited. BC Transit #50 or #53.

Join a CRD Regional Parks’ naturalist for a look at Witty’s Lagoon from a different point of view. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a lunch. Meet at the nature centre off Metchosin Road. BC Transit #54 or #55.

Coppelia

Double Diamond February 11 & 12 – 8 p.m. Neil Diamond tribute artist Bill Zaalberg is back with his 11-piece Vegas-style show group for two sizzling performances.

All Tickets $45 +hst

Mary Winspea r Centre SEASIDE TIMES

Friday, February 18th – 8 p.m. Ballet Jorgen presents Coppelia, a story that takes you into the magical world of Dr. Coppelius, a disillusioned toy maker in search of the perfect partner. Adults $35 +hst, Srs/Students $30 +hst Children 12 & under $15 + hst

250-656-0275 • www.marywinspea r.ca www.seasidetimes.ca

FEBRUARY 2011

Zais Astrology – February 2011 by Heather Zais (heather_zais@telus.net) Aries (march 21 - april 19) Contact past, stable alliances you can rely on. Information exchanges show how ideals have changed so be more convincing when selling them on your plans. The playing field opens up. Consider your options affecting status or position.

Libra (september 23 - october 22) You are the centre of attention in any venue now. Show your moves or creative talents to admirers. You will be feeling freer as some burdens move to a different level or past you. Your romantic or love life heats up.

Taurus (april 20 - may 20) Your popularity rises. Patience pays off as you see your wishes unfold, even though the direction has changed. There are many roads to the same town. There is financial support for the asking. Others bet you’re a winner.

Scorpio (october 23 - november 21) Conclude present matters so you can move on to the next stage of your plans. A lot hinges on where you want to be or operate from. Renovate if it saves time and money. Make decisions about duties, research and time.

Gemini (may 21 - june 20) Travel or distance matters may be tiring, but it will be important to follow through. Others have some influence on where and what your input is. Out-wait the opposition and you will have clear sailing. It’s your game now.

Sagittarius (november 22 - december 21) Communications of all types keep you busy. Some may require travel – short or long. In any case, you will be more mobile. Involvement with family or community is stepped up. The new moon brings opportunity and renewal.

Cancer (june 21 - july 22) A major focus on finances will motivate you to check out all sources. Some of what belongs to you is attached to others; make sure control issues are dealt with. An accurate evaluation of property and assets benefits you.

Capricorn (december 22 - january 19) You are focused on sources of income – new or renewed. How you handle this requires a level head; crunch the numbers. Look at all the alternatives and opportunities available to you and lucky connections behind the scenes.

Leo (july 23 - august 22) The way you relate to others will be important now. There is a competition of sorts on a business or personal level. Try to float somewhere in between. Let them show their hand before you decide on how to manoeuvre.

Aquarius (january 20 - february 18) You are raring to go. The new moon in your sign is at the beginning of the year of the rabbit/cat. If you have been waiting for your chance, you get it now. Make the changes required for your further success. Focus.

Virgo (august 23 - september 22) Your responsible attitude and work ethic is appreciated by those who count. Positive changes are slowly occurring around you in personal or work relationships. Be patient and let it unfold naturally. Check health issues.

Pisces (february 19 - march 20) Your intuition inspires you in refreshing ways as you see how the future is likely to unfold. Meet with key people in private to get their input. Your confidence will grow with the positive steps you are taking. Income changes.

Attention Writers:

WE WANT YOU!

We’re looking for more passionate writers who will focus their writing on our local scenes: everywhere from the Gulf Islands to Downtown Victoria and the West Shore. We have an editor and proofreader, so no need to worry about spelling or punctuation – we’re just looking for interesting and informative articles on anything you think our readers will enjoy!

For more information or to submit an article, email editor@seasidetimes.ca 50

SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

FEBRUARY 2011

Sudoku Puzzles

Middle of the Road

9 8

February 2011 Keep Your Brain Healthy The Alzheimer’s Association recommends doing puzzles like Sudoku to strengthen brain cells and the connections between them.

Instructions Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

1 1 8

* Sudoku Solutions can be found on page 46.

Hardly Simple

5 7 3

4 9 8

2 9

1 6

8 2 6 7

1 9 7 2

9 3

1 9 3

4 6

2 2 4 6 9 4 8 6 2 3 1 7 7 6 4 3 6

Puzzle by websudoku.com

1 5 3

The history of Valentine’s Day – and its patron saint – is shrouded in mystery. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men – his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Exceedingly Evil

Puzzle by websudoku.com

7 5 4 9 6 8 1

2 5

3 4

5 2 4

1 2 4 5

9 6 8 3 1

Puzzle by websudoku.com

Liza Glynn’s Fight For Freedom by Ada Serson Since July 1998 Liza Glynn, a Brentwood Bay resident, has been living with the dreaded disease MS (Multiple Sclerosis), a neurological disease that causes muscular in-coordination.

taurants, the ferries and Butchart Gardens. June 10, 1995 saw her marrying David Glynn and on July 17th, 2003 a little boy named Tenney was born. Liza and David are now divorced.

Liza is 44 and was born in Beirut, Lebanon. Her parents were of Armenian descent. In 1976 the civil war in Beirut caused her parents to emigrate to Canada and the family settled in Toronto. Liza graduated in 1989 with a Tourism Industry Administration diploma and moved to Victoria, working in hotels, res-

Liza lives in Brentwood Bay in a modest rancher with two caregivers working shifts. I have great admiration for the way she lives her life. She is a vibrant woman and has the most engaging smile. How can anyone with that kind of burden always crack a joke and love life and parties the way she does? Liza is a fighter. She swims every day, exercises on her indoor bike, does weight bearing exercises, eats well and, above all, believes in miracles.

Mobility Solutions

If all goes well, Feb. 16 to Feb. 22nd, 2011 Liza will be in San Diego with both caregivers to have CCSVI (the Liberation Treatment) with Dr. Hubbard. The Liberation Treatment for MS seems to stop the development of further MS attacks and in some cases improves mobility. Liza goes on faith. She does not have the money to pay for this but trusts that God will provide. We all know that God is not going to let dollars rain from Heaven, but maybe we can help ease her burden a little. A group of friends and our church (Peninsula Anglican Church) are fundraising for her. Liza needs approximately $19,000. This includes airfare for herself and two caregivers, accommodation and food for seven days and of course the operation. In the unlikely event that more than that amount is raised, the extra money will go to Kampala, Uganda where our church has a connection with a home for orphaned girls. Liza is a realist. She knows that nothing may change. She knows that the surgery might go wrong. But to think that after this operation she might be able to stand up and/or that the progress of MS could be stopped or even slowed down would be an incredible gift not only to herself but also to little Tenney. He might grow up knowing his mother a little longer in his young life.

Victoria: 1856 Quadra Street • (250) 384-8000 Sidney: 7 - 9764 Fifth Street • (250) 656-6228 www.victoria.medichair.com

Liza’s surgery will be on February 18th, 2011 at 8 a.m. Donations can be made at the Royal Bank to: Liza Glynn (Liberation Treatment) savings acct. #00200-5001904. Please keep Liza and Tenney in your prayers and thoughts on February 18th.

Top Mortgage Advice Your mortgage is important… trust an expert who knows the local market and can connect you with the right lender. DBA: Invis – Chatterton Way *E&OE

• • • •

Purchasing or renewing Mortgages for the self-employed Refinancing for renovations or investments Debt consolidation to control interest costs

It’s worth a call to find out your current options. 52

SEASIDE TIMES

Hein Moes, Mortgage Consultant 250.812.3548 | heinmoes@invis.ca www.heinmoesmortgages.com Over 25 years experience in financial services

Proudly Serving Saanich Peninsula. www.seasidetimes.ca

No Miracles in Paradise by Wendy Hacking Ah, living the life of Riley on a small southern gulf island: peace, quiet, ocean waves and forest trails. And then, on a recent snowy morning in Paradise, Riley took a holiday. I woke with a jolt at 1:15 a.m. to the screech of the wired-in smoke alarm. My heart rate might have signaled imminent stroke but the nightlight clicking off signaled a hydro outage. The smoke alarm frightened our puppy who jumped onto our bed and promptly threw up. I cuddled the pup to calm him down before changing the bed sheets by flashlight (try it some time). Puppy and I cuddled some more as I tried to return to slumber, hoping for a miracle: hydro by morning. Alas, the hydro company generates electricity, not miracles. In the morning’s weak dawn I started up the generator to give power to the refrigerator and to the well-water pump. The fridge went on, the pump did not. No water. I phoned the hydro info line. “Power outage caused by a snowstorm. Estimated restoration time: 10 a.m.” 10 a.m. came and went. No hydro. No water. I shoveled a patch of snow off the lawn for our puppy’s ablutions and then phoned the hydro info line again. “Estimated restoration time: 11 p.m.” With no running water on the horizon I phoned the plumber about the non-functioning water pump. When I got voicemail I had no way of knowing if the plumber was caught in a snowdrift, out fixing other pumps or wisely sunning himself in Acapulco. I hoped for another miracle. Miracles being what they were that

week, I located buckets, donned Gortex and trekked outside to our inground rainwater cistern. The puppy did not offer to shovel a path for me through the snow. I knelt in the slush and dipped bucket after bucket into the cistern to collect water to flush toilets. Happiness can be situational and this was one of those situations when happiness was a flushing toilet.

Neighbours phoned, checking in: “What time have you heard?” I stoked the fire and re-shoveled the snow from the puppy-path and lawn. A bowl of soup, heated for supper on the woodstove, prepared me to crawl into bed to keep warm.

I brewed tea – using bottled water – and turned off the generator to conserve gas. I cuddled the puppy and read by the fire glowing in woodstove.

Maybe Riley would know when Paradise would return to our cold, dark and waterless patch on this small southern gulf island.

11 p.m. came and went. No hydro. No water. No plumber. I phoned the hydro info line: “Estimated restoration time: 4 p.m. tomorrow.” Returning the phone to its cradle with a crash and a curse I scared the puppy who promptly relieved himself in our bed. I hoped a miracle would bring the plumber the next day with Riley hitching a ride.

Help Your Community And Enjoy Fresh Local Music !

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Fee the Soul Vol. 2

‘Second Helping’

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For Lyrics & Song Samples Visit www.feedthesoul.ca www.seasidetimes.ca

FEBRUARY 2011

last wo r d

Ophiuchus Say What? Like lots of people, I began 2011 with change in mind. Eating more healthily was the first adjustment I was determined to make, and going hand-in-hand with that was the lofty goal of exercising more. OK, OK, exercising period. My third and somewhat smaller (although no less important) resolution was to floss my teeth. Sounds simple, but flossing is something I’ve never really done unless absolutely necessary. A recent visit to the dentist, however, struck fear in my heart when he pronounced “you MUST become a flosser” and then went on to tell me how many of my teeth were close to becoming cavity-stricken. So. Flossing, eating healthily and working out. Three resolutions, goals, changes to my life or whatever you want to call them. The one change I didn’t plan to

make, or have any say over making, was being told my zodiac sign had

changed. A Sagittarian from the day I was born, I was now being told that I was something else entirely. Not one of the other 11 signs, but a new sign named Ophiuchus (pronounced “o-few-cus”).

Beacon Cat Hospital Dr. Ellen Guttormson

The only strictly feline hospital serving the Saanich Peninsula

A little background: On Jan. 13th, millions of people were shocked to find out that their astrological signs had changed. According to Parke Kunkle, an American astronomer of the Minnesota Planetarium Society, the signs of the zodiac have changed because the gravitational force of the Moon has managed to tilt the planet’s axis a bit since the Babylonians determined the dates of the Zodiac 5,000 years ago. That means that the earth’s relationship to the stars is now different and the new zodiac signs have been adjusted to deal with the earth’s new orbit. If this is to be believed (more on that later), here are the new zodiac signs: Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16 Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11 Pisces: March 11-April 18 Aries: April 18-May 13 Taurus: May 13-June 21 Gemini: June 21-July 20 Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10 Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16 Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30 Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23 Scorpio: Nov. 23-29 Ophiuchus: Nov. 29-Dec. 17 Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20 Even as tattoo removal clinic phone lines jammed, however, the new zodiac was disputed and termed a hoax. Parke Kunkle’s discovery only addressed sidereal zodiac, which is based on constellations – so the change only concerns people in the East. Westerners adhere to tropical zodiac that is fixed to seasons (equinox to equinox). Basically, say experts, if you’re a Westerner, your zodiac sign has not changed.

Purrrrrfect Care

9711 A - 5th St., Sidney, British Columbia 250-656-5568 • www.beaconcatvet.infovet.ca 54

SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

Glad that’s all sorted out … and now if you’ll excuse me, this Sagittarian has a date with the treadmill and some dental floss. Editor-in-Chief

FEBRUARY 2011

Sidney introduces a brand new service for seniors

“You can’t turn back the clock. But you can wind it up again.”

Call (250) 656-7176 for more information.

 

               

                  

   

     