Seaside Times July 2010 Issue

WEST COAST CULTURE JULY 2010

Under the Sea

Live life on your terms Our caring

in-home support staff

helps promote independence within the comfort of your own home environment.

We help you get things done with grace and dignity so that your daily routine is as smooth and comfortable as possible.

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www.sidneyseniorcare.com email: sidneyseniorcare@shaw.ca SIDNEY AND EDUCATIONAL CENTRE

JULY 2010

T his M onth July 2010

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4 The First Word 6 Forbes & Marshall 10 Get Out! 14 Wrenderings Footprints 16 Smell The Coffee 20 24 Seaside News

page 8

Stay Local: We All Benefit

A Vacation From Our Vacation Saanichton Bay

Are You a Birding Fanatic?

A Little Prospect Lake History

Cold Coffee For a Hot Summer!

Pick Your Favourite

28 Green Initiative 32 Island Dish 36 Sumptuous Garden 49 Nature Lesson What’s Happening 51 Zais Astrology 52 Sudoku 53 The Soap Exchange

Berry Berry Nice!

Leaf Succulents

English Ivy

Arts & Entertainment Calendar What do the stars hold?

For all the addicts

Read About Some Great Local Businesses!

Emerald Sea Adventures.............................................................. 8 Sidney Nail & Spa....................................................................12 Red Barn Market......................................................................18 Simply Cremations....................................................................22 Canoe Cove Marina...................................................................34

Cover: Sea anemone, Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. By Anne Fearon-Wood.

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Cedarwood The

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Emerald Isle Motor Inn

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first wo r d

Stay Local: We All Benefit Although we may think here on beautiful southern Vancouver Island that we have largely missed the current economic recession and remain relatively unscathed, we have all seen some signs and symptoms and some local businesses have closed their doors.

Recently the US Gift and Home Industry launched an action plan called the 3/50 Project. It goes like this: Pick 3 independent retailers in your community that you would miss if they closed, visit them and spend $50 in each one.

Based on U.S. stats, if even one half of the population spent $50 per month at those stores, it would generate $42.6 billion in sales. Obviously Canadian stats would reduce that figure proportionately for our population, but you get the point.

For every $100 spent in locally owned stores, $68 returns to the community in taxes, payroll and other expenditures that support other local businesses and their employees. Spend at a national chain store and that figure drops down to forty-two dollars.

Community involvement works both ways. Many retailers believe in being involved and giving back to their communities as the right thing to do and

cheerfully donate to a wide variety of local cause, charities, fund raisers and sports teams and when businesses “give back” communities appreciate the support and respond. Businesses rely on their neighbors and it’s up to all of us to make our towns and communities special and to continually celebrate the good fortune we enjoy in living here in this gorgeous area where we have chosen to live and do business.

The 3/50 Project may be a baby step in weathering recessionary economic times, but it’s a step in the right direction. Invest in the businesses in your own community and build its economy through local employment. Shop locally where you can and develop relationships with the business owners and employees, where they will know your name and your likes when you walk in and where smiles are always free. Just like that old TV show, Cheers’ song; sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. Now that darn song will be stuck in my head all day. Enjoy the issue.

Tim Flater

Publisher

WEST COAST CULTURE

Our Office

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Tim Flater 250.686.1144

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East Saanich Rd

Wallace Dr

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Editor-in-Chief

Allison Smith 250.813.1745

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Patti Anthony 250.589.3690

Central Saanich Optometry Clinic Dr. Paul Neumann

#1, 7865 Patterson Road, Saanichton

Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9-5, Tuesday/Thursday 9-6, Saturday 10-4

250.544.2210 • www.cseyecare.com 4

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Printed 12 times a year in Alberta, Canada by McCallum Printing Group Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part 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.

Peninsula Country Market – The Bread Lady The Bread Lady, owned and operated by Scott and Janet Harper since 2002, has perfected recipes loved by the locals. Our family business involves help from our children Jessica, Becky, Shae, Travis and Bradley. Our older girls even took the “Food Safe” course this last year.

the children are very active in ensuring sales of the locallymade bread.

We have found a niche market within the Peninsula farmers markets and have developed a following for our product line. Each week valued and repeat customers visit the booth to purchase their weekly supply of delicious bread.

Each week at the Peninsula Country Market you have the opportunity to purchase from an assortment of 12 different varieties of bread. The choices include 100-percent whole wheat, nine-grain, flax, sunflower, honey oatmeal, fruit, herb, cheese etc. People from all over order and come and get our breads. We have lots of regular customers whom we enjoy very much and have gotten to know well over the years.

Our family loves being “neighbours” with Bill and Cicely – “the honey people” – and really enjoy the other vendors we meet and see each week.

We have lots of help with the business from our five children. The kids love to come to the Saanich Fair Grounds each week, taste all the delicacies from the other vendors and assist Mom and Dad with bread sales. It is a big job: the baking and bagging requires many hands and

Come and visit our family each Saturday at the Peninsula Country Market between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

We are also at the Sidney Market on Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

There is entertainment for the whole family and face painting for the children. You are sure to get a smile from all the vendors and enjoy the warm sun with a cup of hot organic coffee to go along with your weekly grocery shopping.

Voted the Peninsula’s Best Coffee !

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Saanichton: Mt. Newton X Road • Sidney: Beacon Avenue www.seasidetimes.ca

JULY 2010

5

A Vacation From Our Vacation

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 far as our family is concerned, I don’t think we were meant to go on vacation. At some point in our existence we must have somehow angered the travel gods and collected a whole heap of bad holiday karma. We are not talking monumental bad stuff happening while we are away, like being kidnapped and held for ransom or losing an arm while reeling in a marlin, but little stuff that adds up to a big pain in the tuchis. We have forgotten passports and tourist cards at airports, lost wallets on Mexican beaches, been badly sunburned, been poisoned, harassed by bikers and detained by Cubans.

The first time we both took a real vacation together was in about 1992 B.K. (before kids) when Lisa won a trip to Hawaii through work. This was exciting for us and we arrived without a hitch.

First day, Lisa sits in the sun far too long and is so scorched her face swelled up like a cro-magnon woman. After that, she wouldn’t leave our hotel room because she thought people would point at her a yell “hey it’s the missing link!” By the time she started feeling and looking better, it was time to go.

You just multiply the fun when you add children to the vacation equation.

6

SEASIDE TIMES

One year we surprised the kids with a spring vacation to Disneyland. On the first day, we decided to rent a stroller for our six-year-old Adam. Funny thing was our nine-year-old was the only one that used it! When we look back now, it was a little odd to see his toobig body contorted like a pretzel to fit into it. Then all day he doesn’t want to get out of it and do anything. We kept telling him that we are in Disneyland, “the happiest place on freakin’ earth” and he better smarten up or we would never be coming back.

It wasn’t until we returned to the hotel and he did an “homage” to the Exorcist, complete with pea soup vomit, that we knew something wasn’t right.

Stomach flu! He got it, then his brother got it, then his mother and I got it. I only have vacation video of us waking them up to surprise them before we left and that was it … the rest would have been just footage of us lying in bed moaning and then running back and forth to bear hug the toilet.

We tried renting a motor home once.

That was just a whole lotta driving and whole notta fun. One highlight though was cruising down the main drag in Kelowna with people honking at me to pull over. It seemed our sewage hose was dragging along the road for about a kilometer. On the bright side, I saved a trip to a sani-station! It was from that moment on that the wife and kids started calling me Clark Griswold.

The next year we decided to go to the Okanagan and rented a house on the beach that we found on the internet. Well, this was a case where the

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house didn’t match the photos. There was no beach, the house was an upand-down duplex and it was infested with ants. The icing on the cake was that the vacationers upstairs were of the biker persuasion and thought that partying 24/7 was an awesome idea.

When repeatedly pounding on the ceiling with a broom handle didn’t work, I was forced to ask my wife if she would go up and tell them to cut it out. When she refused, I wrote out my last will and testament and made my way up to their door. If you’ve never had the pleasure of telling a 320-pound Hells Angel named “Dozer” to keep the noise down, then you haven’t lived. I asked them to lower the volume and he, in turn, invited me and “my old lady” up for a drink. I counted my blessings and we packed up and stayed in my mom’s double-wide for the rest of that adventure.

Maybe we were never meant to leave the safety of our own home or perhaps we just plain aren’t supposed to be the travelling type. Then again, if we didn’t try new things we wouldn’t have all those old war stories to tell. In the immortal words of Ferris Bueller: “life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

JULY 2010

www.PeninsulaCelebrations.ca

2pm-4pm

Beacon Park Pavilion

July 4th - The Commodores

p u e n i L y l Ju Like the GIG?

July 11th - Ben Powell

Feed the PIG!

July 18th - Elvis

FREE ADMISSION - Your donation helps to fund this great event!

July 25th - Folk Arts Quartet

Thank you Peninsula Celebrations Partners, Supporters and Friends.

Aug & Sept Line up Aug 1st - Paul Wainwright Band Aug 8th - Timebenders Aug 15th - Jon and Roy Aug 22nd - The Sutcliffes Aug 29th - HoneyCrooners Sept 5th - Katzenjammers

Town of Sidney, Thrifty Foods - Sidney, The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, Tanner's Books, District of North Saanich, Salvador Davis & Co, Smith Manoeuvre, Victoria Airport Authority, Victorian Epicure, Marker Developments Mark’s Work Wearhouse - Sidney, Fresh Cup Roastery, Best Western Emerald Isle Motor Inn, District of Central Saanich, Peninsula Riparian Property Association, Scotia Bank - Sidney, Sidney Waterfront Inn, Vancouver Island Family Fitness Centre - Peninsula, Van Isle Marina, Re/Max Camosun Rogers’ Chocolates, Axys, A.J. Finlayson Architect, A Touch of Salt Spring, Christine Laurent Jewellers, Elevate Consulting, Sidney Cleaners, Malcolm Electric, Rumrunner Pub, Dean Park Pet Hospital, McTavish Store, Salon J Hairstudios, Scott Plastics, Twin Peaks Nursery, Duncan Cameron Project Management, Kiwanis Club of Sidney & the Peninsula, Ocean Promotion, Will Longgaphie Art & Design

Emerald Sea Adventures

by Daryl Ashby

Based on his youthful appearance, it’s safe to assume Captain Jeff Wonnenberg didn’t grow up on a steady diet of Gilligan’s Island. For that matter, his attention to detail and concern for our personal safety led me to conclude that, in contrast, our threehour tour would turn out just fine.

The 7:30 a.m. departure seemed a bit

early for a senior like me to kick the civic holiday into high gear. Besides, the weatherman forecast showers, so what was the big rush?

Having said that, there were eight other younger members of society already on board and eager to get the party underway, so a festive spirit soon overpowered the Emerald Sea.

e MeR a l d s e a a dvent URes W h a l e W at c h i n g :: W i l d l i f e t o u r s

Suzanne Huot photo

lo c at i o n H a s i t s advantages!

Closest to Killer Whale Travelling Routes Beside the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre Just minutes from Butchart Gardens,Victoria International Airport, the B.C. and Washington State Ferries and Downtown Victoria At the Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa – 9807 Seaport Place, Sidney 250.893.6722 or toll free 1.888.620.6722 :: www.emeraldsea.ca 8

SEASIDE TIMES

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Propelled by twin 225-HP Mercury engines, Jeff’s 30-foot, rigid-hull Zodiac skimmed over the two-foot chop as though it was polished glass, leaving those of us nursing old age at no risk of physical damage. Jeff was an attentive guardian, constantly checking over his shoulder to see how we were faring, and as the ocean spray found its way to where my wife and I were sitting, his concern for our level of enjoyment only seemed to heighten.

Twenty minutes after casting off we were drifting along the west side of D’Arcy Island inspecting the skeletal remains of a chapel that once served the predominantly Asian leper colony.

It’s hard to envision a more inhumane dumping ground for those who were afflicted with this disease and didn’t have the good fortune of being born Caucasian. The colony held 30 to 40 exiled souls captive at any one time from 1894 until 1924. Other than the weekly drop of bare essentials, they had no contact with the outside world. Few could have survived the isolation, let alone the disease.

In a matter of minutes we were cruising deep into American waters, running south and a few hundred feet parallel to the westerly shore of San Juan Island.

Old haunts were clearly visible: the likes of Garrison Bay where the Hudson’s Bay Company built a fort in 1853 (well recorded as the site of the British-American Pig War in the same year), to the remains of Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company’s mine which started operations in 1860, as well as the restored Lime Kiln

Lighthouse built in 1914 (representing the last major lighthouse to be established in Washington State).

Turning north we were given an opportunity to photograph Pacific white-sided dolphins, Steller sea lions, bald eagles and a variety of equally magnificent species in Isle-de-Lis, Gooch and Rum Islands. For those of us with an itchy shutter finger, every square inch of the Gulf and San Juan Islands represented a photographer’s paradise: certain to deliver images beyond our imagination.

Our closing adventure for the day was to sit off the starboard side of a working prawn boat and watch the crew retrieve their traps.

As a true host and as a gesture of goodwill, the first mate tossed us a fresh, 10-pound bag of the tasty crustaceans to sauté in a pan of garlic butter once we were home. I suspect this is a treat reserved for Jeff and his clientele.

For those of you looking to enrich your life, Jeff’s boat lacks nothing when it comes to instrumentation. It’s equipped with a hydrophone set into the hull so

we could eavesdrop on the eerie song of whales milling beneath the surface and, to those who consider a washroom a priority, there is a private head for those who desire that extra degree of comfort.

Emerald Sea Adventures guarantees you will see whales even if it requires a high-speed ride of your life across Georgia Strait to the Second Narrows Bridge, which was the case for the group touring before us.

The company offers excursions of all sorts, such as a life-challenging dive to the destroyer HMCS Mackenzie, sunk in 1995 to form a man-made reef.

Camera-hungry clients are guaranteed a photographic safari custom designed to suit their specific interests.

Captain Jeff isn’t a man to sit on his laurels and is receptive to any new ideas that promise a thrill and can be accomplished safely.

Kudos to Jeff for an awesome day! My wife and I now have 150 photos of our sea adventure exploring the magic of the Gulf Islands. And, by the way, the weatherman was wrong once again!

& BISTRO MUSE

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JULY 2010

9

Get o ut !

Saanichton Bay

by Frank Gee

The Get Out series is aimed at reminding us how lucky we are to live on southern Vancouver Island – one of the most diverse and livable places on earth! All my adventures are from the basis of a family with pre-teen kids. Get out and enjoy!

Best described as a strip of trees and shoreline that provides green-space to a residential area, Saanichton Bay Park is a little known treasure. Explored from a paved path overlooking the water or from the foreshore, I often find waterfowl and bald eagles here.

This is a very easy, short walk.

At the south end, the Sandhill Creek estuary mixes fresh water with salt. Whenever two habitats come together like this, there is always an increase in plants and animals because of the mixing. If waterfowl are paddling away from the shore look up: a bald eagle, thinking about duck for dinner, may be perched nearby.

The huge Cordova Spit, across the bay, shelters the waters from southerly winds; north winds are another story! While an amazing place of fragile plants, the spit is on the Tsawout First Nations Reserve, so visiting is not appropriate without permission. An opportunity to learn more about First Nations traditional knowledge is to join a paddling tour, in the summer, with Tseycum Tours (www.tseycumtours.com). They may explore parts of Sidney Island, which are similar to Cordova spit.

Beyond the spit is James Island. Now privately owned, it was an explosives factory until the early 1980s. The factory operated for over 60 years and employed many local folks, myself included. At one point there was even a community of employees living on the north end of the island. The nitro-explosives made there were shipped to isolated logging and mining camps along the West Coast.

It was an interesting place to work on two counts: production was broken down into small steps to limit dam-

age and casualties in the event of an accident; an unnerving concept. But the other thing about the factory was the nitroglycerine. NG opens blood vessels; in a controlled manner, this can make it easier for the heart. On the production line nitro fumes would cause migraine-like headaches the first week, as your body adjusted.

Tread carefully, but explore the mixed cobble and sand beach of Saanichton Bay. Various fish lay their eggs in the cobble areas. This provides food for many small creatures and is ultimately important to salmon populations. Some salmon are very important to Orca, therefore where you walk could be affecting killer whales! There are a number of tidal zone books and guides to use while exploring; let your kids learn by comparing their discoveries to the pictures. To the north, Saanichton Bay is protected by the rocky Turgoose Point. Overhanging firs provide perches for eagles and Arbutus trees cling to the bank.

The rocks can be slippery if wet, but provide a whole new environment to explore. Fishing from the dock at the end of James Island Road is popular.

Directions: From Lochside Road (just north of Mount Newton Cross Road) turn right onto James Island Road, take the first right (Arthur), then left (Lancelot) to the north end of the path.

Jim Laing – 250-652-2923

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JULY 2010

camosun Camosun Peninsula #14-2510 Bevan Ave., Sidney 250-655-0608 • remaxsidney@vreb.bc.ca

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William Bird

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enter to win!

a 1-Year Family Pass to the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre Deborah Gray

gray@island.net

Don Bellamy

Name: Phone Number:

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Drop off your entry at the Remax Camosun office in Sidney: #14-2510 Bevan Avenue (between First and Second Street)

Draw Date July 30th, 2010 * One Entry Per Family *

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Renee Colonnello

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SEASIDE TIMES

by Allison Smith

P

eninsula residents wanting to pamper themselves now have to look no further than Sidney Nail & Spa on Second Street just off Beacon.

The nail salon, run by owners Annie Nguyen and Maria Nguyen (no relation) has been open for just a short time but is ready to greet customers with great friendly service and a beautiful atmosphere.

The list of nail services is extensive, with everything from a simple nail trim to a full set of acrylics with french manicure. Waxing is also offered in the salon’s esthetics room, where clients can have a private treatment with one of the skilled staff.

I was lucky enough to be able to have a manicure and pedicure at Sidney Nail & Spa and am so happy the business has come to the area! I don’t often treat myself like this since going into town just to have my nails done didn’t seem worth the trip, but things might have to change now – everyone deserves a little pampering now and then!

And pampering was definitely what I received from the moment I walked into the salon. After choosing polish colours from a display of OPI and other brands, I was seated in a comfortable leather massage chair which I controlled with a remote. My feet were gently placed in a warm bubbling bath and I sat back and sighed with relaxation. My pedicurist, Annie, was skilled and efficient, quickly buffing my feet to baby softness and giving me a wonderful leg massage while all my cares seemed to drift away as quickly as the muscles in my back and shoulders loosened.

As Annie worked, I chatted with her about how she and Maria had come to Sidney. www.seasidetimes.ca

They’d been working at a nail salon in Victoria, she said, but had always wanted to open their own business after moving to the Island from Vietnam years before. Both mothers of two, Annie and Maria had come to Canada to join their husbands.

Opening their own nail salon took time, Annie notes. “Some were a great location but too expensive,” she says, “and some were less expensive but not a good location.” After doing their homework, Annie and Maria realized that the Peninsula wasn’t exactly overrun with nail salons and residents would probably appreciate a close option, so Sidney Nail & Spa was born.

Clients will appreciate the little touches offered at the salon: a flat screen television, the latest celebrity gossip magazines, fresh flowers and, of course, the wonderful massage chairs.

Treatment prices are extremely competitive and the full list of services offered make Sidney Nail & Spa the Peninsula’s newest can’t-miss, so the next time you’re in Sidney, stop in and see Annie and Maria and pamper yourself!

Photo caption, left to right: Maria Nguyen and Annie Nguyen, owners of Sidney Nail & Spa.

A Plague of Summer Guests

Y

ou just couldn’t resist bragging about living in the best place on earth when you sent that Christmas form letter to all your nearest and dearest.

Now with the summer holidays comes payback time. Suddenly the house guests are queuing up and your private sanctuary is about to become a bed and breakfast for freeloaders. It’s not that you’re a miserly recluse – you just need some space and here’s how to achieve it without feeling like you’re living in Heartbreak Hotel.

Houseguests are not all created equal and each requires some special handling.

Take the Eager Tourist. This individual expects you to be his personal guide. The first sentence he utters in the morning is “What are we going to do today?” while cramming his mouth with toast thickly slathered in the last of your homemade strawberry jam. Expecting to be entertained, he also assumes he will be chauffeured to various events and sights by yours truly, with nary an offer to help with the gas. He is up for anything ending in “-fest,” such as sandfest, musicfest, artfest, winefest, borefest etc … . How do you deal with this pest? Pick up a bus schedule and a guide to what’s on, buy a sheaf of bus tickets and send him out the door with a cheery wave. You are now left in perfect peace to pursue your own interests, having spared yourself the annoyance of being a tourist in your own town.

by Linda M. Langwith The most dangerous guest of all is the Mad Chef. You may be lulled into a false sense of security when this individual has the brilliant idea that everyone put some money on the table to cover the expense of feeding the hordes.

and will linger in the back of the cupboard gathering dust, such as White Truffle Oil. The Mad Chef does not believe in cleaning up as he goes – it will take you weeks to get the goo off the burners. A series of culinary disasters,

“The ‘eager tourist’ assumes he will be

chauffeured to various events and sights by yours truly.” ~ Linda Langwith This suggestion is usually made when you have an annoyance of guests exceeding the number of bathrooms and bedrooms in your home.

Once you agree to this seemingly generous gesture you are no longer in charge of your kitchen. He or she will source out the most esoteric and expensive of items that will only be used once

culminating in his masterpiece, Squirrel Bourguignon, will however have the desired effect of sending everyone packing, leaving you to enjoy the rest of the summer in blissful solitude.

Linda is the author of the mystery suspense novel “The Golden Crusader” published by Twilight Times Books. You can contact her at www.lindalangwith.com.

Then there is the Helpful Guest. This individual does not know the meaning of R&R. She is here to assist you in cooking, cleaning, laundry, gardening or whatever. Like the cat, she is always underfoot.

Should you make the hideous mistake of actually letting her give you a hand you will be driven insane showing her repeatedly where the cleaning supplies are, making sure she doesn’t ruin the coq au vin, turn your whites pink by washing them with colours on the hot cycle, and, travesty of travesties, mistake the lettuce seedlings for weeds. To achieve the goal of peace in your home, send the Helpful Guest out with the Eager Tourist. They will get along famously. www.seasidetimes.ca

JULY 2010

13

w renderin gs

Are You a Birding Fanatic?

by Jennifer Hill

In a recent article by Jack Knox (“How Victorian are you?” TC, May 23rd, 2010) Mr. Knox referred to a Facebook site developed by Kelvin Gawley entitled “You Know you’re a Victorian When … .” One particular item that made me chuckle was the following: “You know you are a Victorian if you get excited when you see a squirrel in your yard, but don’t look twice when you see a deer.” Oh, how true.

1. You won’t shovel out the driveway, or the front steps, or the sidewalk, or the back steps, after a snowfall, but you shovel off half the patio in your bathrobe and boots in subzero temperatures to spread seed on the cleared space because your juncoes are hungry.

9. You pay a neighbour kid $20 to roll on a carcass and lay still while you search the sky for vultures.

2. You insist on doing the dishes all the time because you have a bird feeder visible from the kitchen window.

11. You try to talk your kid into going to college in Belize so that you have an excuse to go birding there.

In the store I am often asked how I got into the birding business. I jokingly reply that I looked out into my backyard one day and saw that I had so many bird feeders and squirrel feeders that I had to come up with a way to buy my seed wholesale. I guess you could call me a “feeding fanatic.”

3. You spend 15 minutes preparing dinner for your family and 30 minutes mixing and putting out seed for your birds.

Recently, while surfing the web I came across a couple of sites that were devoted to determining whether or not a person is a true “birder.”

I have selected some of the ones I think are the best. If you answer “yes” to more than one of the following, you too may qualify as a “birding fanatic.” I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

4. Every coat in your closet has bird seed in every pocket.

5. You buy eight kinds of suet but only one kind of breakfast cereal.

6. There is more food in the house for the back yard birds than there is for your family.

7. Someone yells “Duck!” and you look up and shout “Where?”

8. Your spouse says “It’s either me or the birds,” and you have to think about it.

Dig iT HAnDweAr

The first working glove to “pamper” your manicure!

13. You know the early arrival date of every spring migrant in your area but can’t remember your anniversary or your spouse’s date of birth.

14. You have had at least one automobile accident because you were looking at a bird instead of the road.

15. You own more pairs of binoculars than shoes.

16. Your parents have all but disowned you because you will drive two hours to see a rare bird rather than drive 30 minutes to see them.

17. Your parents take you to show you the burial plots they have purchased and you are very pleased to see that there are 10 sandhill cranes wondering among the gravesites. “Oh, Mom and Dad will surely be happy here … “

19. The Rare Bird Hot Line is number one on your speed dial.

20. All the magazine subscriptions you receive have the word ‘bird’ on them.

21. When someone says there is more to life than birding, you question their sanity.

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SEASIDE TIMES

12. You rise before 4 a.m. to see a dull brown bird that doesn’t even sing well.

18. You take your binoculars and field guide to bed with you so you can identify the birds you see in your dreams.

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10. The first time you meet your future in-laws you demonstrate the courtship dance of the woodcock, replete with sound effects.

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22. You routinely identify the anatomy of your Kentucky Fried Chicken.

And finally, 23. You don’t blush when you say Bushtit.

JULY 2010

footprints

A Little Prospect

Great Times. Close By.

by Valerie Green The community of Prospect Lake, located in the northwest corner of the Saanich municipality, forms part of the vicinity known as Rural Saanich. It is made up mostly of small-scale farms. A close-knit, family-oriented area with little commercial development, the history of Prospect Lake is somewhat diverse.

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Back in 1863 a daily coach service from Victoria headed out along the west road (West Saanich Road). An early settler, John Stevens, thought a resting place for travellers along the route would be ideal so he established the Half-Way House Hotel. Soon the entire area opened up with land speculation, farming and logging and more settlers arrived such as the Kennedys, the Layritz, the Durrances and the Adams.

The boom years prior to the First World War also turned Prospect Lake into a lakeside resort for city dwellers and, with a much improved road system, automobiles became more visible on the roads. In 1967 the area around Elk Lake eventually became a Regional Park.

One example of the community spirit that surrounds Prospect Lake is the story of Prospect Lake Elementary School, dating back to 1894 when the original school was built on West Saanich Road. F. Heal was chairman of the School Board and John Young a trustee at the first school board meeting. The following year a Miss Clark was named “the designated teacher.”

Where Friends & Stories Meet

With a few grants from generous donors through the years, the little school managed to survive until the Saanich School District assumed responsibility in 1906. The school was then situated on 1.3 acres and the salary in 1915 of teacher, Mrs. Alderson, was $600 per year.

In 1923 Samuel Cameron granted part of his land to the School Board and the school grew and prospered.

By 1966, the old school was forced to close down and a new school was built a short distance down Prospect Lake Road in order to accommodate the growing community. Graham Rice was then principal, and throughout the 40-odd years since then, the school has managed to retain its rural image and has been a stabilizing influence within the area of Prospect Lake.

A 1912 heritage building nestled in the Heart of the Prospect Lake Community …

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SEASIDE TIMES

One small business, the Beaver Lake Store, is another example of a long-term landmark in the neighbourhood.

It was built by Eulalie and Bruce Willoughby around 1933 on West Saanich Road in front of the smaller original store which had then become a gas station. The Willoughbys ran the store until 1947 and the building stands today, awaiting a decision as to its future.

www.seasidetimes.ca

Lake History

Prospect Lake 1926. Saanich Archives 1981-013-018.

Two branches of the Oldfield family from Norfolk, England, also made their mark in the area.

John Oldfield purchased 300 acres at Prospect Lake with money made in real estate and moved there with his wife Emma in 1912. Their son, Clarence, had already cleared much of the land with the help of a friend. Eventually John and Emma built the Samuel Maclure-designed home (Norfolk Lodge) on Brookhill Road.

Clarence and his wife later moved into Norfolk Lodge and Clarence farmed the land until 1948. He was a Saanich councillor from 1924-1930 and a founding director and president of the Saanich Fruit Growers’ Association and the Growers Wine Company.

A cousin, Horace Oldfield, came to Vancouver Island at the age of 18 in 1895 and later purchased land at Prospect Lake where he kept poultry and planted an orchard. He made a good living selling his produce in town. In 1910, he built a house on Prospect Lake Road for his wife, Mildred, and two sons: Basil (Barney) and Brian.

In 1935 while still a teenager, Barney built a garage at 5295 West Saanich Road and, together with brother Brian, began repairing Model T Ford cars. In 1973 Brian’s son, Rob, took over the garage. Although rebuilt and much modernized, the garage still stands today.

Barney Oldfield’s many lasting inventions include a 12-sided rotating house at 5321 Old West Saanich Road, a specialized logging truck and his famous 1940 custom-built car called The Spirit of Tomorrow.

The car’s name is perhaps indicative of what Prospect Lake stands for today: a sense of permanency with its roots firmly planted in the past but always looking to the future.

Valerie Green is an author and historian and can be reached at valgee@shaw.ca.

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www.seasidetimes.ca

JULY 2010

17

T

Barn Baby Barn!

Red Barn Market is here are few what a local market things in my should be: fresh, bounlife that make

by Jennifer Bowles tiful and local. They have absolutely nailed me weak at the knees. I am useless at local: stocking shelves with yummy home clothes shopping, I don’t like shoes baked pies from Island bakeries and produce that has been and I run from pedicures (or maybe it’s them from me). But grown with care and attention from our farmers and the when I stand in an amazing food market my heart starting stores are beautifully laid out with a cornucopia of products! to pound, my eyes dart all over the room, my nose shifts into This place has a uniqueness all its own, armed with their own Pinocchio mode and I have to touch it, smell it, picture it in my special smoker that imparts their signature “smoked flavour.” mind blended with this ingredient and that – what it would be Red Barn market pumps out some serious food! like if I paired it with this cheese and that cracker, what wine would I choose? Oh, the possibilities! I always know I have a Try a wedge of their in-house smoked white cheddar or take “new crush” when that happens to me. Well, I have fallen head home a few beef-pork sausages in enticing flavours such as over heels in love. maple, jalapeño, mushroom and curry! Don’t stop there though, they also have plump portabella mushroom caps stuffed with Red Barn Market, any location (they have three), has me mile-high piles of cheddar cheese, chunky mashed potato and weak at the knees. Shelf after shelf exploding with incredible bacon, all wrapped up and ready to throw on the BBQ or in the marinades, lip smacking jams and jellies, fresh baked pies, oven and be paired with a crisp salad for dinner! Red Barn also artisan breads, local cheeses and the produce … oh the prostocks awesome salamis: all beef, Dutch, beer, turkey, honey duce: crisp local lettuces, punchy fennel bulbs, local luscious garlic, pepper ham and all-beef bologna! berries and the list goes on!

Like a dream sequence in slow motion I watched a Mom pluck a nectarine from the bunch in the basket; next to her was her little boy who was two. She paid for the nectarine and then took her water bottle and, over the grass, rinsed off his fruit. His little face lit up as he bit into that incredibly juicy morsel; sweet, sticky juice running down his chin as he clutched that perfect orb and he wasn’t letting go until the pit. I could taste that nectarine, just by looking at him, and it was perfect!

Red Barn has forgotten nothing: at every turn there was incredible staff, fully informed and ready to answer any question I had and the store was an absolute pleasure to peruse. But here is where they really blew me out of the water: with a growing number of individuals diagnosed with gluten intolerance or Celiac disease, Red Barn carries a ton of delicious, glutenfree products. Two packed aisles piled with gluten-free breads, crackers and so much more! This is must-see place for everyone – take a trip out today … I can guarantee it’s worth it!

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s m ell the co ffee

Cold Coffee For a Hot Summer!

by Steve Sheppard

Last month we chatted about how you can cook with coffee and I hope you enjoyed the recipes. This month we talk about coffee when it goes cold intentionally! The cold side of coffee during these hot summer months can take this amazing traditionally hot drink and make it the coolest new friend you’ll make all summer. I have three recipes that I would like to share and I can say that sitting on the boat with one of these in hand on a hot day is the only way to live … on the West Coast.

Around the Campfire Makes 4 servings

6 tbsp. freshly roasted coffee grounds 3 cups cold water 4 tsp. sugar 1 orange (peel only) 1 lemon (peel only) a couple dozen cloves 4 cinnamon sticks broken in half 8 oz. brandy Pour 2 cups of the water into a pan and place it over the fire. Peel the orange and lemon, trying to keep the peel in large pieces, and stick cloves into the peelings. When water is boiling, add coffee and allow to boil for 5 minutes then remove from the fire and add the last cup of water.

In a second pan place peelings and sugar and heat until sugar is melted.

Remove from the fire, strain coffee into a second pot, add brandy, stir and serve.

Café Au Vin Makes 1 serving

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Mix at high speed, pour into wine glasses and enjoy!

Spiced Coffee Makes 2 servings 2 cups of strong cold coffee 2 oz. light rum 2 tbsp. sugar 2 tbsp. light cream 2 cinnamon sticks broken down dash of powdered cloves dash of allspice Mix everything expect for cinnamon sticks in a large pitcher, pour over some ice cubes and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

When it seems that summer has finally showed and as you’re hanging out with your best friends, chillaxin’ away with a cold coffee in hand, you will realize how lucky we are to have so much fresh coffee and sunshine available to us here on the coast. P.S. Wearing a sexy bikini makes the above drinks taste even better … Steve out!

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JULY 2010

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What’s In a Name – Simply Cremations

imply Cremations and Funeral Services. Whaaaaaaat?

Double-take. The headline next to the lady with the smiling face said Simply Cremations. Hmmm, she has a lovely smile, but the name, really? So, off I go to investigate.

Susan Veale, the smiling lady in the ad copy, prefers the term funeral director, and is not my stereotypical notion of “undertaker.”

For starters, she’s not in a white monolith with hushed rooms and a doublewide side driveway. Her business is just across the highway from Sidney proper, in the new industrial park. OK, so this is some sort of industrial, cut-rate service? Wrong again. I tell you, Susan is all about shattering stereotypes.

I parked right in front of her location – Unit 2, 2075 Henry Avenue, just a couple of doors down from Melinda’s Biscotti. The exterior is identical to all the other units in that row. Having no idea what to expect, I open the door and walk in.

The reception area windows let the sun’s rays illuminate the light paneled flooring. There’s an area rug and comfy seating in lovely neutral shades. Susan greets me warmly and takes me into the next room.

Another stereotype shattered. Everywhere, there is life. There is a showcase filled with beautiful artifacts; each item designed to honour the personality of a loved one. For the inveterate sailor:

by Maria Kirley a 100-percent biodegradable urn composed of salt so the container can be dropped overboard at a favourite spot.

Landlubbers who preferred puttering in the garden can have their ashes placed in the base of a birdbath. So many options: sundials, wind chimes, jewelry.

There are even beautifully decorated cardboard tubes in which to transport ashes to a favourite spot to be scattered.

care, setting up the services and filing all of the necessary paperwork.”

Another way to keep it simple? Prearranged services. I imagined that pre-arrangement would have an eerie, yucky feeling. Who wants to acknowledge that the world can go on turning without them spinning it? And yet, while speaking with someone who clearly had only the best interests of her clients at heart I recognized pre-

that our industry “isIt’sseenunfortunate as one that ‘rips people off’

As I view these items, I am reflect that Susan brings us ways to commemorate lives well lived and family well loved and she brings this forward in a natural, compassionate manner. We go farther back into the building, to a tastefully decorated sitting room and her office area. I ask her about the service she offers.

just at the time when they are most vulnerable. ~ Susan Veale

“It’s unfortunate that our industry is seen as one that ‘rips people off’ just at the time when they are most vulnerable. With us, that’s simply not the case,” she says.

“Our key is no surprises. We post our prices, we don’t hide them, we offer options and we work to keep them reasonable. No fancy showroom or huge fleet of cars. We keep it simple. Families don’t need additional stress at their time of loss. We handle everything, including transfer from the home or place of

Simply cremationS

Truly caring and professional services at a time of need or when preplanning

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arrangement as a planning tool, a way to have the last word, so to speak.

Pre-arrangement or at-need, Susan guides families through the process with minimum stress and complication. Whether you envision a memorial service and burial, a gilt urn or a cardboard box; whether you want a full out church service and internment or prefer to drift quietly off on an ocean breeze, it’s your choice. Call Susan, she’s all about keeping it simple.

You may find out more about the services offered at www.simplycremations.com and are welcome to call Susan at 250-656-7444 to arrange an appointment.

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SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

Muse Winery Honoured The award winners have just been posted for the NorthWest Wine Summit and Muse Winery has been awarded in many categories.

Muse Winery is a small boutique vineyard/ winery on the North Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island and is proud to have been awarded four Silver Medals and three Bronze Medals this spring. The competition encompasses wineries from B.C., Alberta, Oregon, Washington State, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

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The Summit is run

by Parks Redwine (yes, that’s his real name) who is the “Dean” of International Wine Competition Directors, having now put on over 30 competitions since 1982. The NorthWest Wine Summit (www. nwwinesummit.com) takes place in Oregon each spring and Redwine also produces another event in early September: VinoChallenge International (www.vinochallenge.com) in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Silver Medals were awarded to Muse for:

2009 – Bacchus “Noon Somewhere,” Estate, Vancouver Island

2007 – Cabernet – Merlot “Close the Deal,” Okanagan Valley 2009 – Ortega “Poetic Justice,” Vancouver Island 2008 – Pinot Noir “Latitude Attitude,” Vancouver Island Bronze Medals awarded for:

2007 – “Grand Dame Rouge” (Red Proprietary Bordeaux-style blend), Okanagan Valley

2009 – Viognier, Late Harvest, Oliver area vineyard, Okanagan Valley 2009 – Pinot Gris, Estate, Vancouver Island

Celebrations were just beginning for the awards received at the NorthWest Wine Summit when in came the results from the All Canadian Wine Competition 2010 and it’s Gold, Gold, Double Gold! The Double Gold went to the new Foch/Noir, a first for Muse Winery and the first Vancouver Island red blend. Also new this year for Muse Winery is its Rosé, winning Gold along with the Muse Ortega. Taking the Bronze was the new Late Harvest Viognier. Four medals and three of them new wines for Muse Winery; a fantastic accomplishment for any winery.

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www.seasidetimes.ca

JULY 2010

23

News from the Seaside Pick Your Favourite

by Tina Kelly, Ocean Advocate, Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre On the heels of Earth Day and the International Day of Biodiversity came World Oceans Day. The Government of Canada first proposed the idea of Oceans Day at the Earth Summit in 1992. From 1992 through 2008, it was unofficially recognized each year on June 8th.

Since a ruling by the United Nations in 2008, World Oceans Day is now officially recognized worldwide.

The theme for World Oceans Day 2010 was Oceans of Life, Pick Your Favourite • Protect Your Favourite.

The message behind this theme is

twofold. “Oceans of Life” recognizes how intricately our lives are tied to the diversity of the ocean. The ocean provides us with oxygen, food and medicine and also allows us recreation and enjoyment through diving, boating and fishing.

More than a quarter of the carbon dioxide that we put into the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean. The greater the ocean’s diversity, the better it can help to maintain the planet’s normal climate.

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Myself, I cannot pick just one. To appease my indecision, I have chosen a representative favourite from three of the world’s five oceans. From the Indian Ocean, my choice is the leafy sea dragon. They are stunning, whimsical and what isn’t cool about dragons?

In the Atlantic Ocean the winner, hands down, is the large, slow moving vegetarian sea cow, or manatee.

Closer to home in the Pacific, or more specifically, the Salish Sea, my top pick is the harmless filter feeding basking shark.

Other than being among my top favourite species, these three animals share another commonality. All three are listed as threatened or endangered. The effects of pollution, industrial run-off and poaching have initiated the Australian Federal Government to protect the leafy sea dragon.

Amid controversy and despite persistent threats, the Florida government recently downlisted the manatee from endangered to threatened.

Since 2007, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife Species in Canada (COSEWIC) has listed the basking shark as endangered.

www.seaquestadventures.com

24

how you can help conserve the world’s oceans. What would your favourite be?

An impromptu poll among friends and colleagues produced the following favourites: the giant Pacific octopus, grunt sculpin, Pacific spiny lumpsucker, harlequin bass and salmon shark.

www.seasidetimes.ca

Not everyone’s favourite species will show up on a governmental protection list, yet it does drive home the point of diversity and conservation. All species deserve our care and attention before there is the need to “list” them.

By acknowledging local favourites as well as those that do not live along our own shoreline, I acknowledge simple geography.

All oceans are connected. Some would argue there are not five oceans but one – the Global Ocean or the World Ocean.

Only 1.6 percent of this Global Ocean is protected. This small percentage includes Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

The World Conservation Union defines an MPA as “any area of the intertidal or subtidal terrain, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment.”

A mere 0.2 percent of the Global Ocean is designated as “no-take zones.” If we want to maintain the diversity in the ocean that provides us with oxygen, food, recreation and climate control, more of it must be protected.

So, this year, whether you celebrated Oceans Day or not, why not take the first step and pick your favourite?

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JULY 2010

25

Live Better, Non-Electrically

by Wendy Hacking

I

n my mind I pictured myself as Wile E. Coyote, skidding to a stop in his tracks amid a swirl of dust.

a whistling tea kettle, all perched upon a small black woodstove. All exactly like the ones I own.

It had started as a fine day as I headed out with a pal to visit antique stores. We planned to search for a “find” or two and stop somewhere new for lunch.

What brought me to a cartoon character skid stop was the sign above the display of these kitchen basics: Back in Tyme – Great Grandmother’s Kitchen.

Some of the stores we visited were more Ye Olde Junque Shoppe than Hoytie & Toytie Fine Antiques but that was okay, we were just having a day of fun.

Pardon me? I’m no granny, great or otherwise, and I actually do pay my hydro bill each month. But I love, and use regularly, every non-electric kitchen implement I own. Here they were, my reliable kitchen friends, being marketed as antiques. What did that make me?

Then a little cloud passed over the fun. There, in the front window of the last antique shop we visited before lunch, was a hand-operated, woodenhandled eggbeater, identical to the one in my kitchen drawer at home. Arrayed around the eggbeater were a potato ricer with its bright red beak-like handles, a polished wooden lemon reamer, a nest ofBoyd_SeasideTimes_Feb10 white mixing bowls sporting multi2/8/10 10:30 coloured dots, a Pyrex double boiler and

I felt quite old. As we entered and explored the shop further I spied a wind-up Big Ben alarm clock, a crockery crock for making pickles, a wooden rolling pin with spinning red handles, a Betty Crocker Cookbook featuring Easy Tomato Soup Cake, a clown head cookie jarPage and1a hand-cranked coffee mill. I AM have them all and use them often.

a visit to the should bring a

Yes, I treasure my heavy-duty stand mixer when I want to knead three loaves of bread at a time and I wouldn’t do without my refrigerator, toaster or electric hot water heater. I am not philosophically opposed to hydroelectricity, I’ve just never gotten around to upgrading to electric those non-electric gadgets and implements that are perfectly good and never fail me. I still do make that tomato soup cake and ice it with 7-Minit Frosting whipped to froth in my glass double boiler. Everyone raves about it.

You know what else? When the hydro fails, as it often does on this small Southern Gulf Island, guess where the neighbours congregate for something warm to drink and a bite to eat? Not the house with the electric teakettle and the food processor. No, they come to the house that can produce a frosted cake and a pot of tea even when the power’s out for days. My olde tyme kitchen helpers come through every time.

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GR EEN INITI ATIV E

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reducing cost to the consumer.

Green Village is the Peninby Leia Smoudianis These products, perfect for both sula’s number one source for the home and office, are made eco-friendly products and advice in Canada and come with a 100-percent money back guaranthat aims to make the transition to an eco-friendly life style tee. An equally important feature is that these products are not simple and affordable. This is the first in a series of monthly tested on animals and do not contain any animal by-products. columns that will promote sustainable, eco-friendly living in the community. Each month, a green initiative will be preStaff at Green Village describe the Soap Exchange as “earthsented by Green Village that gives the community the opporfriendly cleaning products at people-friendly prices.” The Soap tunity and resources to make simple lifestyle changes that will Exchange provides effective, non toxic, biodegradable cleaning benefit their own health and the environment. products in zero impact packaging. The refill station at Green Village provides all the necessary packaging for those just startThis month’s community green initiative is focused on ing to use their line of cleaning products, the Soap Exchange at Green Village. The and, for those who are going back to refill staff at Green Village is excited to introtheir containers. So if you are just starting duce the Soap Exchange which provides out, Green Village’s helpful staff will set a collection of biodegradable cleaning you up with everything you need. and natural bodycare products packaged in re-usable containers.

Popular products found at Green Village include Nature Power, a conIn Canada, the average person genercentrated citrus all-purpose cleaner. ates more than 836 pounds of household Another great product is Super Jet, a waste each year, and most household highly concentrated dishwasher detercleaners contain toxic chemicals that polgent that is chlorine free and safe on lute our ground water. The Soap Exchange crystal and plastic. Super Jet is also system reduces our carbon footprint by exceptionally economical as one refill eliminating toxic chemicals from entering of the detergent can last over 100 loads. The Soap Exchange our ground water and by reducing waste entering our landfill. also provides laundry products such as Stains Out, a citrusAn important aspect of the Soap Exchange products is that based fabric stain remover, and bathroom products such as they are family safe: they don’t contain parabens, sodium laurRed Marvel, a toilet bowl and bathtub cleanser. Some pereth sulfates or sodium lauryl sulfates. These products are very sonal care items include Vanilla Silk hair shampoo and Senseffective and have a proven track record in industrial, comibility hair conditioner, a dye-free and unscented product. mercial and personal care. For those who have sensitivities, The owners of Green Village: Lindsey Firestone, Greg Fireselect products are available dye-free and fragrance-free. stone and Chris Elliott, optimistically anticipate that by proWhile the health and environmental benefits are enough moting monthly green initiatives, the Peninsula will become to convince someone to make the change, there is the added one of the greenest, most eco-friendly places on earth. bonus of reduced cost to the consumer. By recycling and reWe can each do our part to make the Peninsula eco-friendusing bulk packaging, the overall cost to the consumer is ly by making simple lifestyle changes that will make a huge reduced by up to 30 percent. The highly concentrated powdifference in our community. ders and liquids can be diluted, further extending their life and

Sidney’s One Stop Eco Shop

open monday-saturday 10am - 5:30pm • sunday 11am - 5:30pm 2388 beacon ave., sidney, bC • 250.655.8994 • www.greenvillagesidney.com 28

SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

Sidney Health Fair – A Community Success

T

he success of the Fourth Annual Sidney Health Fair reverberated through the Fair’s exhibitors, organizers and attendees. Over 1,100 people visited the event which boasted a lineup of local Vancouver Island speakers, well-known health experts and over 100 exhibitors including health practitioners, retailers and community partners, a local farmers market and an interactive youth area, including a mobile T-shirt print shop.

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Attendees heard from local speakers such as Carolyn Herriot who talked about the zero mile diet and relationship expert Hazel Loewen who discussed love and connecting. As well, internationally recognized health experts tackled a wide variety of wellness topics: fitness guru Brad King discussed stress and health, woman’s health expert Lorna Vanderhaege talked about hormones and staying young, Dr. Kate Rhéaume-Bleue wowed the audience with a presentation on stress and insomnia and Clinical Counsellor Tamara Strijack presented on the roots of anxiety.

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“Our Back to the Basics theme was key to the Fair’s success this year – we wanted to communicate the idea of community and connecting with your neighbourhood health practitioner,” says Britta Frombach, president and co-founder of the Sidney Integrated Wellness Community Society, which organizes the Sidney Health Fair. Vendors were also positive about the Fair’s successes this year. “It felt great to be at the Sidney Health Fair and to put a face to our company and really engage people in what we’re about!” stated Samantha Wiger, chef/owner of Taste of Life Catering.

The Sidney Integrated Wellness Community Society (SIWC) is a non-profit health and wellness association with more than 60 members throughout the Saanich Peninsula. The SIWC serves the Island community using an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to healing. It endorses Islanders who are “working together to create the healthiest community in the world” in traditional and alternative health care choices. SIWC members can be found at www.SIWC.org or via the 2010 Health and Wellness Directory distributed on the Saanich Peninsula.

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Greg Harney • Victoria 250.405.7612 • www.shieldsharney.com

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Greg Harney

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250-704-6974 belms.home@shaw.ca www.seasidetimes.ca

JULY 2010

29

Sidney Pier Seaside Times SPA Ad June 2010 • Size: 7.75” (w) x 4.925” (h) • Final File • June 17/10

Summer Bliss at Haven Spa Keep your nails looking spa fresh!

For the month of July, with your Haven Manicure & Pedicure you’ll receive a complimentary take home OPI polish AND OPI avoplex cuticle oil.

Manicure & Pedicure - $150

Before your spa experience, we invite you to enjoy a workout in our ocean view fitness center, unwind in our eucalyptus steam room, or just relax with a cup of Mighty Leaf herbal tea in our peaceful sanctuary.

Add a gourmet spa bento box from Haro's Restaurant for $20.

To book your appointment Call 250-655-9797 Monday - Wednesday 9am-6pm | Thursday - Saturday 9am-7pm | Sunday Closed We are located in the Sidney Pier Hotel - 9805 Seaport Place, Sidney, BC Sidney Pier Seaside Times Ad June 2010 • Size: 7.75” (w) x 4.925” (h) • Final File • June 17/10

fresh flavours, casual comfort, genuine service

ribs & reds every sunday Join us every Sunday for our savoury Vancouver Island BBQ Pork Ribs, served with twice baked potato, seasonal vegetables and Caesar salad. Add an additional ½ rack for only $10.

We will also be offering an excellent value on selected red wines.

5pm - 9pm $24.95

For reservations: 250.655.9700 • www.sidneypier.com 30

SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

Youthful Enthusiasm at Victoria’s Fleet Review brates by eating the best porterhouse steak he can find at the best restaurant in each port.

Spectators and sailors alike saw one of the world’s largest fleets of foreign naval ships and military displays at our recent fleet review. It’s nice to know that these mature young officers and sailors help guarantee that we continue to enjoy our freedom and receive the thousands of products imported to Canada from overseas. The Canadian Navy did a great job bringing the Navy to Canadians. As they say in the navy: “Bravo Zulu.”

Moody ville Collectibles Vintage & Newer Household Items

by John Webber The average age in Victoria temporarily dropped by 40 years. New and career sailors brought their energy, excitement and enthusiasm from around the world to the International Fleet Review that highlighted the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy and demonstrated the traditional spirit of unity, freedom, strength, confidence and comradery between sailors, navies and nations.

822 Verdier Avenue Brentwood Bay, BC

(across from Brentwood Bay Lodge) 250-544-8181 • mville@telus.net

Over 8,000 sailors with an average age of 23 visited Victoria after completing operational training. They continually train to operate and maintain the navy’s high-tech ships while traveling to and from Canada. While on board various naval ships I saw many sailors who looked no older than sixteen.

New to Boating?

Safe Boating Fall Classes

Each navy gives their intelligent young citizens the opportunity to look forward to sailing the seas around the world while learning a trade, eating great food, creating lifelong friendships and building memories. It gives them a purpose to be part of the responsibility to protect our way of life.

Early September 2010

A Fleet Review means each crew shows off its pride by painting and cleaning their ship then decorating with flags, manning the rails and cheering as the reviewing ship passes.

They reward themselves by going out on the town to enjoy and explore what Canada has to offer. One U.S. sailor cele-

Imported Japanese Koi & Domestic Butterfly Koi Specializing in hard-to-find Koi varieties Aiding in Koi care & pond maintenance

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1901 Haldon Road, Saanichton • 250-544-8281

Saanich Peninsula Power Squadron

www.seasidetimes.ca

Promoting Safe Boating Through Quality Education

JULY 2010

31

island dish

Berry Berry Nice!

favourite ice cream! This month I am going to give you some fun berry recipes that are incredibly delicious and will be a beautiful addition to any summer meal you serve!

For information on where to find the freshest local berries in your area, visit www.islandfarmfresh.com.

BC Raspberry Martini Sauce For Roasted Pork Kebabs (Courtesy James Kennedy and The Cook Studio Café)

by Jennifer Bowles

Zanzibar Global Flavours

July is here and bushes everywhere are bursting with berries, berries and more berries! Raspberries, blueberries and blackberries are weighing down the vines with their luscious, juicy, goodness and they are just begging to be plucked! Rinsed under cool summer water, berries are so yummy to pop right in your mouth fresh, on top of cereal, in yogurt, thrown into pancakes, muffins, or mixed with your

15 ml. vegetable oil 225 ml. onion, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced 71/2 ml. juniper berries, crushed finely 750 ml. fresh raspberries 60 ml. gin 15 ml. apple cider vinegar 2 ml. salt 2 ml. black pepper 2 ml. paprika 2 ml. ground allspice 20 ml. white sugar, depending on sweetness of berries Heat oil. Add onion and garlic and

Local Tastes

Now Open for Dinner Thursday, Friday & Saturdays from 5:30

1164 Stelly’s X Road Brentwood Bay, B.C. V8M 1C3 (at the corner of West Saanich and Stelly’s)

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SEASIDE TIMES

• Professional Friendly Staff

www.peninsulaministorage.com www.seasidetimes.ca

slowly cook until lightly caramelize.

Add raspberries and juniper berries; cook until berries soften. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. Puree and pass through sieve.

Can be finished with butter if desired.

Marinated Skirt Steak With Blueberry Sauce (Courtesy B.C. Blueberry Society) Marinade 2 cleaned and skinned skirt steaks* 2 cups Merlot/ Cabernet blend wine 1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp. minced garlic 3 sprigs fresh thyme 1 small sliced white onion or shallots * flank steak may be used instead Blueberry Sauce 1.5 cups fresh blueberries 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp. dark red wine vinegar 3 tbsp. chopped Italian parsley 2 tbsp. minced onion or shallot 1 tbsp. chopped cilantro 1 tbsp. chopped mint 1 tsp. minced garlic 1/2 tsp. sugar 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes 1/2 tsp. sea salt 1/8 tsp. cracked black pepper to taste

For marinade: combine all ingredients, marinate for 24 to 48 hours.

Remove, season with sea salt and cracked black pepper and grill until desired doneness.

For sauce: blend all ingredients together until pureed in a blender or food processor. Season to taste. Serve poured over steak or as a side condiment.

MARO

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Summer Blackberry Mousse 1 lb. fresh blackberries 4 oz. caster sugar 1/2 oz. gelatine 4 tbsp. water 1/2 pint whipping cream Lay blackberries on a large flat dish, sprinkle with sugar and leave for 3 hours to allow the juice to run out; then sieve them.

Put the gelatine and water in a cup or small bowl and leave to stand for 5 minutes until it becomes a sponge.

Stand in a pan of simmering water until the gelatine has become clear. Remove from the heat, cool slightly and stir into the blackberry puree. Leave it until the puree starts to thicken and set. Whisk the cream until it forms soft peaks and then fold it into the puree.

Jewellery Repairs Custom Work & Redesigning *All work done on premises*

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250-655-0102

bistro suisse “A Taste of Europe”

Turn into a 2-pint glass serving dish and leave to set.

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Reservations: 250-656-5353 Lunch 11-2:30

Dinner 5-close

2470 Beacon Avenue JULY 2010

33

Messing About in Boats at Canoe Cove Marina

by Arlene Antonik “There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” ~ Ratty from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.

Prittie. “In 2008 we acquired a 55-ton Marine Travelift which is capable of hauling boats up to 70 feet in length and 21 feet in the beam. It’s the largest lift on the South Island.”

Although in the 1920s Canoe Cove was a safe-haven for rumrunners during U.S. prohibition, boats come and go for different reasons these days.

Over the years this stunningly beautiful, natural harbour has been transformed into one of the largest marinas on Vancouver Island.

The Marina specializes in boat service and repairs including bottom painting, detailing and polishing and mechanical equipment installation.

The marina is an authorized dealer of Yanmar, a highly-reputed manufacturer of marine engines.

Located on 44 acres at the northern-most tip of the Saanich Peninsula, Canoe Cove Marina offers sail and power boaters all the amenities of a one-stop, full service marina and boatyard.

“We currently have over 280 wet slips, 28 covered slips and 140 boathouses as well as a 120-vessel dry-land storage yard,” advised General Manager Don

Other services and amenities are provided through lease arrangements with Canoe Cove Yacht Sales, Blackline Marine (repair and refinishing, yacht rigging and metal fabrication), Oceansair Interiors (cushions, canvas, upholstery) and Canoe Cove Manufacturing which has built over 750 boats on site under the Canoe Cove brand.

EcoCruising Boat Tours and Charters docks here and offers water taxi service

to Portland and Sidney Islands, ferry service to Piers Island and tours and charters along the Sidney waterfront.

Visitors can watch wildlife artist Morgan Warren paint West Coast seascapes and wildlife in her A-frame studio overlooking the water.

“We have a family of swans that visit us practically every day along with seals and sea lions, otters, eagles and herons,” Don noted, “so it’s an ideal location for her studio. The wildlife is one reason we undertook a major renovation a couple of years ago to become more environmentally friendly.”

In fact, with the $1.2-million renovation now complete, Canoe Cove Marina is at the forefront of environmentally sound practices. The Marina joined the “Clean Marine B.C.” program which offers guidance in implementing “Environmental Best Practices” as part of the Georgia Strait Alliance.

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

34

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

The Marina now has a revamped drainage and water treatment system, double-walled fuel tanks and a large paved section in the boatyard on which repairs are done.

The marine supply store stocks eco-friendly boat cleaning and maintenance products.

Do you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit?

Canoe Cove Marina is a community supporter and, as such, has signed on as the presenting sponsor for the 33rd “Victoria Classic Boat Festival” to be held this Labour Day weekend in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

Don intends to include the Marina’s “Genoa Chief” in the sailpast of classic, mostly wooden, boats – at over 70 years old it is one of the oldest working boats in this area and an obvious point of pride with the Marina’s staff.

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Seminars • Eligibility Assessments • Tax Reviews • 99% success rate • We know the process – if you’ve been told you don’t qualify, call us • Average refunds of $10,000 or more

’Tis a tip of the sailor’s cap to Don who is also the chair of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, another supporter of the Classic Boat Festival.

“I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the public to visit the Marina and take a look at the many activities taking place here,” Don said. “People can enjoy breakfast or lunch at the Canoe Cove Coffee Shop or take a short stroll up the hill to the Stone House Pub which has 12 brews on tap and pub fare made from scratch with locally-grown ingredients and fresh seafood.”

Some sunny day this summer, drive out to the end of the picturesque Saanich Peninsula and mess about with boats at Canoe Cove Marina – there’s nothing more worth doing!

Photo courtesy Canoe Cove Marina.

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The Cedarwood Inn and Suites – Your Home away from Home 9522 Lochside Drive, Sidney, British Columbia 250-656-5551 • 877-656-5551 • www.thecedarwood.ca www.seasidetimes.ca

JULY 2010

35

the sum ptu o us gar den

Leaf Succulents

by Rob Bond

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

Welcome to the world of leaf succulents – maybe the most underrated and overlooked player in the sumptuous garden.

“Succulent” refers to an amazing range of plants that rely on succulent or living tissue to store water.

Succulents are grouped according to how they store water. The leaves of leaf succulents are almost entirely composed of water storage cells, giving them a thick, fleshy look. Stem succulents, which are mostly cacti, store

water in their stalk and have very few, if any, leaves. Root succulents including Desert Roses hold their moisture underground.

The leaf succulent thrives in our hot, dry Saanich summers. Variety, drought resistance, easy care and visual beauty are an irresistible combination. Many varieties, sheltered from seasonal rains, can withstand a mild Saanich winter.

We may be familiar with succulents in the form of jade plants, hens and chicks, kalanchoe and sedum, but that doesn’t begin to describe the selection available. They range from the sensuous, pillowy mounds of some echeveria plants to the striking vertical build of the aeonium—which could well have been the model for the magical plant life in James Cameron’s movie Avatar.

There’s more to discover in the depths of the Salish Sea, especially for your travelling friends!

We’re all friends here

Treat them to a one of a kind experience in our underwater world.

Come and see our sea– we’re open every day at 10am.

9811 Seaport Place, Sidney, BC, V8L 4X3 250.665.7511 | www.oceandiscovery.ca

36

SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

Aeoniums start life as small, rosette-like swirls – happy faces. Within a year they become multi-branched and, as they age, assume the appearance of avant guard art pieces.

Their variety is fabulous.

Other succulents like “jelly bean” sedum spill over their containers like waterfalls, their shapes and colour changing through summer.

The “pencil” euphorbia resembles coral sending up tall green, coral-tinged, vertical fingers.

The frilly-edged, bumpy tongue-like leaves of the echeveria “maunaloa” call up childlike wonder in us all.

Succulents are very versatile: they star as the focal point for a grouping, serve as conversation pieces and provide the striking beauty of a living sculpture. Their colour palette varies from near-black to ethereal shades of pale cream and pink. Yes, a designer’s dream.

Not only that, they thrive on neglect. My customers love them if only because they allow gardeners to be irresponsible. A drought-resistant beauty is a real pal and one that belongs in your garden.

Photo of Rob courtesy Jeremy Ferguson. Succulent photo courtesy Carol Clemens.

Get the service you’ve always wanted.

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Kayaks & Surf Skis *offer expires August 31, 2010. Must be 18 or older. One hundred dollars paid to new members who open a personal package account; minimum deposit $1,000. Twenty-five dollars paid for each pension/payroll direct deposit to a maximum of $50 paid. Full details in-branch or online at www.iscu.com.

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JULY 2010 Page: 1

Date:

37

Ice Cream: Sublime … Every Time

W

by Jennifer Bowles

hen you think of the quintessential “all time treat,” what do you think of? Does ice-cream come to mind? Oh you bet! That glorious sweet, creamy treat that brings back so many memories of hot, sticky summer days, a few dollars tucked in hand from Grandpa and off down the road you would run just waiting to set your lips to that dreamy scoop of goodness. The hot apple, cinnamon pie fresh from the oven, enveloped in beautiful, warm, flaky, buttery pastry with a dollop of cool old-fashioned vanilla oozing and melting over the top. That, my friends, is what dreams are made of.

down a scoop of summer cherry or chocolate chip mint. I know for certain that kids couldn’t survive without cookie dough, or bubblegum. Frankly, I think we can all agree that we can however skip the old “octopus cone.” Not exactly the “go-to” dessert for the next family BBQ.

Ice cream has really evolved over the last century, pushing its way into the world of the sublime and ridiculous. Top shelf restaurants all over the world have jumped on the ice cream truck and have attempted to reinvent our beloved treat by bringing in a few new flavours. How about these ones I found: spinach, garlic, eel, blue cheese, octopus, eggplant, shrimp, bacon, collagen (yes collagen!) and, wait for it … charcoal … how char-ming, and how about this little ditty? A la mode your freshly baked pie … cobra! Um, let’s see … CHECK PLEASE, NOW!

But we are forgetting one kind of ice cream that is most coveted: the old “soft serve.” That glorious twist cone that seems to twist forever, dipped in warm decadent chocolate, or plain, it doesn’t matter, it all tastes the same … amazing. But if you are looking for a little “twist” on your twist cone you should check out BreadStuffs Bakery in Brentwood Bay. They offer a twist cone with a “flavour burst.” The ice cream is twisted plain vanilla, but you get to choose which burst you want to add a little “va va va voom” to your cone! Check out your options: chocolate, butter pecan, black raspberry, cheesecake, pistachio, coffee cream, blue goo (cotton candy) and peach!

The cones are twisted as usual and then on the edge of the twists, you have the burst of your choice! Very yummy indeed!

Breadstuffs also offers milk shakes, sundaes, floats and their very own take on a “blizzard” – the razzle dazzle.

I am a firm believer in the old adage that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” What was wrong with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry? Nothing, but in all honesty, I would never turn

To get your very own ice cream treat, visit Breadstuffs Bakery at the corner of Verdier and West Saanich in Brentwood Bay.

Your Ice Cream Dreams Have Come True in Brentwood Bay …

F or A ll Y our G ArdeninG n eeds Instant Colour Our Specialty Great Selection of Hanging Baskets Perennials in Colour Arriving Weekly

has Soft Serve Ice Cream, Milk Shakes, “Razzle Dazzles,” Sundaes & Floats!

Monday-Saturday

1191 Verdier Ave. (at W. Saanich Rd.) Brentwood Bay • 250-652-5162 38

SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

250-658-8812 5450 Pat Bay Hwy. Victoria, B.C.

WH Y WA I T U N T I L T H E WE E K E N D TO G ET T OG E T H E R W I T H F RI E N D S? During the week we’re always serving up lots of fun in our lounges and on our patios. Great appys and delicious entrées to choose from like our Butter Chicken and Fettuccini Alfredo. We also offer a full bar menu with all of your favourites.

So what are you waiting for?

www.whitespot.com

2401 Mt. Newton X Road, Central Saanich, B.C. 250-652-9500

$5 OFF DINNER

MONDAY – THURSDAY

IslandBlue’s Art Store Now Open in Sidney 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

JOIN US FOR DINNER MONDAY TO THURSDAY AND RECEIVE $5 OFF ANY BILL OVER $30.

Valid from now until JULY 31st, 2010. Valid for dine-in only. Maximum discount $5.

Not to be combined with any other promotional offer. No cash value. Limit one coupon per visit. Valid only at Central Saanich location.

This summer... have a ball!

The Summer season holds a wealth of sights, sounds and memorable experiences. Spend more time enjoying the things you want to do... on your own time with an Auriga scooter by Invacare.

Come take one for a test drive and watch it open up a whole new world of possibilities.

sales • service • rentals Victoria 1856 Quadra St (250) 384-8000

• Sidney 7-9764 Fifth St (250) 656-6228 www.seasidetimes.ca

• victoria.medichair.com JULY 2010

39

Live Music

Surprise Sale!

Presents A Passionate Farm Experience (weather permitting)

Fridays & Saturdays at the Pizza Oven!

Pizza Oven is OPEN!

The

Wednesday to Sunday

The Roost Garden Market 9100 East SaanichRd 250 655 0075

Artisan Breads Local Meats & Cheeses Local Seasonal Produce

A Passionate Farm Experience

Come On In

SALE!

www.roostfarmcentre.com

The

For Fabulous Summer Savings!

SALE ENDS JuLy 7th

Open Monday - Friday 9:30-5:00 Saturdays 10:30-4:30 • Sundays 12-4 9774 Third St., Sidney, B.C. V8L 3A4 (behind the Bank of Montreal)

250-655-9558 • www.smashinfashin.ca

Did You Know …

At Spelt’s Coffee Shop we serve level ground coffee because: • 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.

4 Months For $99.99

www.levelground.com Come on in and try the new lineup of full bodied fresh coffee (served in compostable ecotainers) and let us put a smile on your face!

250-655-3393

www.thebodybarngym.com

101-2245 James White Boulevard, Sidney, BC, V8L 1Z5 40

SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

at the corner of Wallace Drive & East Saanich Road

My Husband The Ant Bully

I

t all began with the removal of an ant-infested cedar tree. Being from the Prairies, we had no idea carpenter ants were a wooden homeowner’s nightmare and that we were about to enter a long cold ant war.

Our first clue that the war had begun in our newly-constructed home was the night noises – the munching in the rafters of our bedroom. Of course we blamed it on rats, but an inspection the next day revealed nothing – no droppings and all looked well. It was only when we took a flashlight up at night that the army was obvious: unlike other ants, they’re nocturnal.

We retreated to make our first plan of attack. Allergies prevented professional pest control and most commercial poisons, so strategy number one was antdrops. They eat it, take it to the nest, share it and voila – problem solved. It got them out of the bedroom all right … and into the kitchen where we began playing cat and mouse.

In our ignorance of ant lore we failed to realize that the parent colony, where old Queenie lives, is located somewhere outside in cozy wet wood or decaying fruit.

The activity inside was only a satellite colony, which starts overnight while you sleep – not good news.

Every summer the ants gathered in force and every summer my husband would be on hands and knees stalking ants while simultaneously running white powder perimeters before nightfall. This was the new weapon of choice: powdered ant killer, the white death that perpetually encircled our home all summer.

Alas, carpenter ants are not only tenacious but crafty. They simply found a fence post next to the house to climb up and continue along their merry little way. I’m sure I saw cheesy grins on their faces.

Lying on his favourite couch, eyebrows knit in concentration, my husband the ant bully pondered tactics. A light bulb went on. If we can keep the dog in with an electric fence, we can

by Moira Gardener keep puny pests out the same way.

So with an inventive mind and the talent to build anything, he began the year of the electric ant fence.

Yes, we had wire strung all the way around the perimeter of the foundation, attached to a consumer bug zapper. What was really funny was it worked! The ants crawled up the concrete, hit the electric fence and were propelled off the house – fried.

This became summer entertainment for red necks and we’d invite friends for coffee and sit on the deck to watch ants zing.

Unfortunately, it was a short-lived success and only worked for about a week upon which the counterattack came. The little troopers laid down their lives for their comrades – creating a bridge of dead carcasses to crawl over – and yes, it was gross! So ended the year of the ant fence – ants 10, humans zilch.

You would think it was time for an exterminator, but this had become a personal vendetta for my husband.

After a boric acid and sugar failure, he discovered the marvel of diatomaceous earth; microscopic diatoms, shells really, that cut the exoskeleton so the ant dries out.

The final battle began. He was a man possessed: buying the diatomaceous earth by the 50-pound bag. Eventually not only the perimeter was white – so was the entire front and back yard.

So he waited, watched and sprinkled earth. With time and tenacity, amazingly enough it worked. The yard was now white earth, but the ants were gone. To my husband’s credit, his perseverance had won the war.

And the ants? Oh yes, every year they try again but they’re now no match for my husband – the ant bully.

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How Superstitious Are You?

by Pene Beavan Horton Lately I’ve been thinking about stepping on manhole covers … or rather, why I don’t step on them.

Before my Mom died, we’d be walking and talking when we’d come upon one of these metal covers sunk in the cement sidewalk and we’d split apart like a stream hitting a rock. She’d go one way and I’d go the other, both of us careful not to touch any part of the metal at our feet in case we fell through into some horrible sewer. This hasn’t happened to me yet (touch wood!) but you never know.

I’m not walking under any ladders either. Common sense suggests that walking under ladders may be unsafe, but apparently it’s Christianity, not practicality, that’s the origin of this superstition: a ladder leaning against a wall forms a triangle with the wall and the ground. People believed that this triangle signified the Holy Trinity and to enter into such a sacred enclosed area was a punishable offense.

Google “superstitions” and you’ll find hundreds of them. I’m curious as to how they start, and why most of them embed themselves in our subconscious.

For instance: the devil can enter your body when you sneeze and having someone say, “God bless you” drives the devil away. So that’s why we do it?

The dried body of a frog worn in a silk bag around the neck averts epilepsy and other fits. No logical reasons offered, but since when are superstitions logical?

Beware of Friday the 13th! This one is so ingrained that more than 80 percent of high rise buildings don’t have a 13th floor. Many airports skip the 13th gate and hospitals and hotels rarely have a room thirteen. Fridays and the number 13 are both associated with bad luck so the combination makes it a good day to stay home and crawl under the bedcovers.

What about black cats? If you live in the United States or Europe, a black cat passing in front of you makes your bad luck worse, but in the United Kingdom and Japan black cats bring good luck! No explanation. They just do.

“A swan’s feather, sewed into the husband’s pillow, will ensure fidelity.”

Who knew? Did some wife sew a swan’s feather into her husband’s pillow and congratulate herself thereafter on his fidelity? Did she pass on the advice to her daughters? And did they pass it on to theirs?

A shortage of swans, feathers, daughters and their husbands precludes testing this happy outcome.

Break a mirror … oops! Seven years bad

luck. Why? Well, the first mirrors were so expensive, if you broke one you might serve seven years as an indentured servant to the owner of the mirror. Few people could afford to just buy a replacement.

There’s more, but let’s end with Mr. Skinner’s pigeons.

“In 1948, behavioural psychologist B.F. Skinner published an article in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, in which he described his pigeons exhibiting what appeared to be superstitious behaviour.”

Even though their food dispenser was programmed to release food at set intervals regardless of what the pigeons did, Skinner watched them trying to influence their feeding schedule through ritualistic behaviours.

He then tied this in to the nature of superstitious behaviour in humans.

Can we extrapolate from this that when we step around a manhole cover, or keep our fingers crossed on Friday the 13th we’re behaving like irrational pigeons?

Probably.

But if you do just happen to find a fourleaf clover ... remember that it brings good luck to those who keep it in the house.

And don’t forget to send us one!

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JULY 2010

43

A

Why Then, the World’s Mine Oyster

by Martin Blakesley

while ago, I went down below the house, bucket in hand, to gather some oysters for a late supper.

It was the end of another work week, the view down the Sound was stunning and, with such a low tide, the pickins were easy. Shucking away, I thought of my good fortune, of the fact that our world – mine and Carrie’s – continues to hold promise, just as oysters promise pearls: “Why, then, the world’s mine oyster, which I with sword will open,” I mused.

Well, our fire and ice oysters were delicious and the wine, flowing with the conversation, led us to the inevitable – are oysters really aphrodisiacs?

I said yes, that it all started with the age-old belief that oysters possess the powers of the human attributes they resemble. Ever since Aphrodite sprang from the sea on an oyster shell and gave birth to Eros; ever since Juvenal wrote about the wantonness of women after they had ingested wine and ate giant oysters and ever since Casanova attrib-

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uted his prowess to daily consumption of 50 raw oysters, people have considered oysters aphrodisiacs.

Those zany Australians, I told her, are now infusing farmed oysters with Viagra, inspired by the experience of a marketing exec who sprinkled crushed Viagra on his oysters, in the apparently confirmed believe that “a spoon full of oyster would help the medicine go down,” with doubly-uplifting results.

Carrie countered, tactically, that she’d read that aphrodisiacs exist more in folklore than fact; that there’s no scientific proof that oysters are anything but a healthy, low calorie food full of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, as well as vitamins and minerals and omega-3 fatty acids; as such, they’re perfect for low-cholesterol diets. None of these components are known to affect sex drive or performance, she said; moreover, oysters placed only sixth on a Top Ten List of Aphrodisiacs she’d seen, well behind “Respect,” which placed first.

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We discussed a famous 1954 experiment, in which a light-tight tank of oysters, flown from one lab in coastal Connecticut to another lab in mid-western Illinois, confirmed the relationship between oysters, tides and, ultimately, the moon.

Initially confused, the jet-lagged oysters continued to open and close in synchrony with the Connecticut tides. Over a period of a few weeks, though, the phase of their open-close cycle shifted to coincide with the tidal patterns in Illinois, were Illinois on a seacoast: amazingly, the oysters somehow “knew” they had been displaced almost a thousand miles westward and adjusted accordingly.

Speaking of adjusting – to ensure that their shells grow apace with their soft inner selves, oysters secrete a material called nacre, for centuries the iridescent stuff of buttons, guitar necks and pistol grips, and literally the “mother” of true pearls.

Continuously deposited onto the inner surface of the shell, nacre smooths the shell surface and encapsulates irritants such as particles of grit, creating that which we recognize as a pearl.

It’s perhaps this that makes oysters most noteworthy – gastronomical, mythological and astronomical connections aside: when something gets under an oyster’s skin, rather than complaining, it gets to work making the best of the situation, transforming something bothersome into something smooth, round, and beautiful. And we can all take a lesson from that.

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Whatever Will Be, Will Be

into thinking about I am a freak. Or, just one job or career at the very least, goal, but rather to become more aware of some would say that I am a little bit

by Flo Follero-Pugh their strengths and abilities, the gifts and disturbed. I am the proud mother of a talents they will take anywhere on their happy, healthy four-year-old girl, and I journey. To the best of my ability, that awareness is what I hope have a terrible little secret: I can’t wait until she’s a teenager. to foster in Kimberly as she grows older. I hope no matter what My daughter Kimberly and I go on our weekly play dates obstacles we may face, I will always with her friends around the Peninsula. On most normal days, find the energy and an argument will break out between two or more of the kids heart to be an ally (“I want that toy! It’s not your turn! You ate all the goldfish!”). for her on her own With a lot of negotiation – and some parental intervention – personal journey. the kids will resolve their conflict and all will be well again.

As I write this, I’m sitThe adults sigh with relief and someone will remark, “That ting in the play room at was nothing! Just wait until they’re teenagers!” Everyone Hillside Mall, watching laughs, and some will groan with an audible mixture of fear Kimberly zip by me in a and exhaustion, “Oh no! Not teenagers!” plastic orange car. She’s Yes, teenagers. We’ve all made the same jokes, myself pretending that some included. But each time, somewhere in the back of my head, I big Lego blocks are the can’t help thinking, “But it’s going to be great, isn’t it?” At this mail, and she’s busy point, those of you who are raising teenage children or granddelivering her letters children will chuckle knowingly: “Be careful what you wish and packages to anyone for! You have no idea what you’ll be up against.” who happens to be in the play room with us. While I watch her, I think No, I don’t – at least not as a parent anyways. But for a decto myself: I don’t care whether she grows up to be a courier, a busiade now, I have been working as a career counsellor with ness executive or a roller derby queen; I just want her to be pasteens and young adults and I love it. I love my work and I am sionate about whatever she does. Kim glides past me in the orange constantly amazed by the hope and energy I meet in my clicar and shoots me her funny, wicked, four-year-old grin; and for ents – from the street kid to the PhD candidate and everyone some reason I hear that old Doris Day song go through my head: in between. Time and time again, the thing that inspires me most is their willingness to look inside themselves; to figure “When I was just a little girl out what they’re passionate about doing. There’s usually at I asked my mother, ‘What will I be? least one hobby or interest – whatever it might be – that we Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?’ can use as a springboard to dream of possible jobs or longHere’s what she said to me. term careers. That passion, above all else, is what I want for ‘Que sera, sera.

Kimberly when she hits her teenage years.

Whatever will be, will be.

The future’s not ours to see.

Back in my world of preschooler antics, my friends and I will Que sera, sera.’” watch our little ones at play, and sometimes we comment on the qualities we see in each other’s kids: “He’s so strong! He’s going to What will be, will be. play football! She’s such a good actress! She’s going to be on the Flo Follero-Pugh, M.Ed. runs WorkFlo Online Career Counstage!” These are easy comments to make, dreams to dream in selling in Saanichton. She’s pretty sure that Kimberly’s resumébetween the playground skirmishes. But we have no crystal ball, would include the finer points on hosting tea parties and trainand it’s too early to make these kinds of calls for certain. Even ing to be a Jedi Knight. Email them at follero@shaw.ca. with the teens I counsel, I encourage them not to get trapped

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47

Beautiful Biodiversity or Menace: English Ivy

by Sheri Rypstra I am concerned. Now that winter has set in and the deciduous trees have shed their leaves, take a drive down the Pat Bay Highway or stroll through a park such as Blue Heron and observe the inordinate number of trees succumbing to the exotic but invasive English Ivy (Hedera helix). It seems that over the last few years this problem has grown,

literally, or perhaps I only notice it more now that I live in Sidney.

Either way, it begs the question – given enough time, will we have many mature trees left standing on the Peninsula?

I have to admit, I thought ivy was parasitic – I was one of those passionate radicals who would rip it off any

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tree near enough to “rescue” and taught my kids to do the same. Imagine my surprise when my first internet search on the subject revealed articles by people who were just as passionate for the virtues of ivy!

These articles claimed ivy increases the biodiversity of an area, provides cover for birds and bats, and healthy trees would not succumb to the extra weight during a windstorm.

It was here that I learned English ivy is not a true parasitic plant, such as the mistletoe, and the aerial rootlets are used only for clinging.

Introduced to North America during colonial times as an attractive ornamental, English ivy is native to most of Europe, northern Africa and parts of Asia. There are two distinctive growth stages. The juvenile stage has the well known five-lobed leaves. The arborescent or mature stage has lobeless leaves, occurs where the plant is in full sun and is accompanied by dark fruit. This stage is often seen high in the crowns of trees.

In its native range, ivy attracts more than 70 species of nectar-feeding insects, 16 species of berry-eating birds and is grazed by deer. (Its fruit is mildly poisonous to humans.)

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The more I researched however, the more my original fears were justified.

Granted, when kept in check, ivy in gardens is aesthetically pleasing. When

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yards are neglected or abandoned though, this aggressive introduced species quickly escapes, covers and kills many native plants.

Once large sections of solid ivy occur on the forest floor, no other plants can develop and these ivy “deserts” effectively destroy habitats for native wildlife.

Also, in warm, moist climates, ivy climbs trees in such high densities that they fall from the sheer weight of the load, especially when wind is involved. Interestingly enough, this negative result does not occur in ivy’s native range. It is considered such a threat that the sale and import of English ivy has been banned in Oregon.

As well as ivy’s tendency to inhibit the growth of native plants and trees through overgrowing, it has an association with the harmful pathogen bacterial leaf scorch (Xylella fastidiosa). This bacterium impacts a variety of plants and threatens crops such as grape and alfalfa. The disease spreads via sharpshooter insects such as the leafhopper.

So, what can be done about it?

UVIC has implemented “GOMER” (Garry Oak Meadow Ecosystem), a restoration project where students pull all invasive, non-native species out and plant thousands of native plants in their stead on the berm between Cedar Hill Cross Road and Finnerty Gardens. The program is labour intensive and requires continued monitoring.

Similar plans occur throughout the Victoria area, including Swan Lake/Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, Fort Rodd Hill and Royal Roads University. The Moss Rock project includes broom removal by local citizens and the Uplands Park project has acquired the help of the Girl Guides of Canada, who have been involved since 1993. Locally, Reay Creek Park also has a co-operative program to improve the trout and salmon habitat of this area, including the surrounding parkland.

These are but a few examples, and I can’t help but wonder, couldn’t the Peninsula community and municipality pull together to save native plants in other parks before the problem worsens? www.seasidetimes.ca

JULY 2010

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Seaside Cultural Scene

The cultural scene by the seaside in July by will spark your imagination. The “Summer Arts & Cultural Festival” July 12 to August 7, 2010 has plenty of activities for our children and visual arts programs offered by the Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula are underway this month. The Avatar Circus Project is being held at the Mary Winspear Centre on August 6 and “All the World’s a Stage” is being performed July 23 at 7 p.m. in the Charlie White Theatre. The production is performed by our children and produced by Mountain Dream Productions.

Prior to the performance of “All the World’s a Stage,” Mountain Dream Productions and the Mary Winspear Centre offers a funfilled two week summer camp for youth. This summer children will use their imagination, create wonderful performing arts, sing and dance their way to stardom and want more.

Mountain Dream Productions & The Mary Winspear Centre Presents

Mountain Dreams Productions held an open house for our children on June 6th, 2010 and had one really great stage moment when six-year-old Nathan loved the way the lights changed him into different colours. The Triple Threat Students delighted everyone who came with a sneak preview of the upcoming summer activities. Along with the “Summer Arts & Cultural Festival” for youth, “Triple Threat Hit the Road” was presented in June. Many parents and friends came out to see the show June 24 in the Charlie White Theatre. As one parent stated: “It’s wonderful to see the end result with all the costumes, set pieces, and lights.” Taught by the creative and talented Margaret Watts, these dynamic opportunities for our children prepare the performing arts students for their life long journey.

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Margaret and Claude Watt brought live musical theatre to Victoria and the Island as Mountain Dream Productions. Their dream is to bring happiness to the community through performing arts by producing top quality Canadian musicals and making these available to families at affordable prices. This is accomplished by giving professionals, students of theatre arts and those who love performing the opportunity to enjoy their craft, and by giving people the chance to share in the creation of original musicals and create a touring company to bring our Canadian productions to all of Vancouver Island.

For more information visit www.marywinspear.ca, www. mountaindreamproductions.ca, www.cacsp.com or call the Mary Winspear Box Office at 250-656-0275.

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JULY 2010

Until Oct. 9 (Saturdays) Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stelly’s X Road 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. www.peninsulacountrymarket.ca Great farm-fresh produce and home-made goods, live music, free parking, free admission.

Until Oct. 30 (Saturdays) North Saanich Farm Market

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

St. John’s United Church gardens, 10990 West Saanich Road www.northsaanichfarmmarket.ca Seasonal produce, baked goods, dried fruit and preserves, eggs, seeds and plants, arts and crafts and live music.

July Wednesdays Daisy-a-Day Trips For Seniors

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (lunch included) 250-507-2336 for details and bookings Escorted outings with Driving Miss Daisy ® in groups of three. Select from: garden tours, nature walks, beach strolls, museums, ecocruises, shop hops, harbour walkabouts, parades, tourist attractions and more!

July 5-9th, 12-16th, 19-23rd & 26-30th Mr. Organic’s Summer Camps For Kids

Vantreight Farms Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

250-655-9156, davefriend@friendlyorganics.ca Where kids learn to grow health-friendly “organic” food and have fun. Your child will learn about: good bugs vs. bad bugs, companion plants, seeding, the wonderful world of worms, creating raised beds and transplanting.

Cost is $115 per week or $25 daily drop-in.

July 10 4th Annual Water Garden Tour

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

A self-guided tour of some of Victoria’s finest water gardens. Light refreshments, live music and a closing reception at Gardenworks on Blenkinsop. Tickets $25 at Cannor Nursery, Dig This stores, Elk Lake Garden Centre, Gardenworks and Michell Brothers Farm Market.

July 15-18 Victoria Taste 2010

July 3-24 Essence – Italy and France Exhibition of work by Sheena Lott

Winchester Galleries Ltd. 2260 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria www.winchestergalleriesltd.com Featuring new works in watercolour and oil depicting the artist’s impressions of the essence of the French and Italian culture and scenery.

www.victoriataste.com Victoria’s festival of food and wine, Taste is a culinary tourism experience all around downtown Victoria as well as farms and vineyards throughout the Saanich Peninsula … an extra long weekend of 15+ tastings, seminars and events.

July 25 July 4 - Sept. 26 (Sundays) Bamberton Mystery History Tours

1451 Trowsse Road, Mill Bay 250-743-9196, dalexander2@shaw.ca www.bambertonhistoricalsociety.org Bamberton is one of the province’s most important historical industrial sites but it’s still a mystery to most. 90 minute guided tours tell the compelling story of how this unique community went from Dust to Bust!

Tour of Farms 2010

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

250-652-9100, www.islandfarmfresh.com A self-guided tour of the farms and farmland of the Saanich Peninsula and Cowichan Valley. Enjoy a leisurely ramble and find out what it’s like to be a farmer … and have fun too! No admission fees. Tour maps available at above contacts.

what’s happening | july 2010

Peninsula Country Market

Zais Astrology – July 2010

by Heather Zais (heather_zais@telus.net) Aries march 21 - april 19 You switch gears suddenly and others try to follow your lead. Your mind is strong and your ideas fresh – even pioneering in some way. Travel may be required to pull it all together, but that is fine with you. You’re a whiz kid.

Libra september 23 - october 22 Mate or partnership matters are in focus. Sudden beginnings or endings surprise others as the urge for change compels you to action. Some elope. Meet in a secluded spot as your personal image could be altered by your choices.

Taurus april 20 - may 20 You will feel like you are in a transition of sorts. Don’t be afraid to go forward and let the past go. It’s time to reinvent yourself. Health changes will have a positive affect. Stay or work close to home until things look secure.

Scorpio october 23 - november 21 New or renewed activity could see you picking up where you left off. Your skills are honed and you step into a new level or activity. Even if you are the new kid on the block – you are the one to succeed or lead.

Gemini may 21 - june 20 You have boundless opportunity this month – near or far. Make sure you grasp the brass ring as it swings in your direction. Your status will be changed or improved easily. Your excitement can be a motivating factor for others.

Sagittarius november 22 - december 21 Your relationships are altered in personal or business matters. A new arrangement makes you feel more positive about the future. Some stress gets alleviated or a burden lifted. Your level of excitement increases with freedom.

Cancer june 21 - july 22 Activity behind the scenes works to your advantage.

Others see you as the lucky one. Silence is golden for you right now. Let others show their hand before you show yours. Matters move in a good direction with little effort.

Capricorn december 22 - january 19 Change occurs around home or base of operations.

It seems timely. This can be by choice or not, depending on the circumstances. Work or career ambitions are advanced. A move or new circumstances are energizing.

Leo july 23 - august 22 You are energized, making an urge to travel very strong.

This can be for business or pleasure or both. In any case, the connections will be positive. You visit unique or unchartered territories one way or the other. It’s interesting.

Aquarius january 20 - february 18 You change the way you look at things. Your mind opens or expands to the new or unusual.

Take up a study, teach, write, etc. Others see you in a different light. Your entertainment or creative side comes out. It’s good.

Virgo august 23 - september 22 You benefit from the past or others. There may be some paperwork required, so get it done.

Burn the midnight oil if you need to find out information. Your position or status is enhanced.

Advance or change occupation.

Pisces february 19 - march 20 Your finances, assets or worth increases. Some of this can seem like a stroke of luck. Avoid schemes by checking details. Changes you make can be good for all concerned. Relationships of all types are energized or settled.

Spectacular Floatplane Tours • Gulf Island Tour

• Saturday Market at Salt Spring Island • Tour of Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula • Gourmet Beach Picnic Tour (featuring The Roost Farm Bakery!)

250-654-0646 • www.patbayair.com 52

SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

JULY 2010

Sudoku Puzzles

Middle of the Road

3

July 2010 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. * Sudoku Solutions can be found on page 46.

Hardly Simple

3 6 5 4 1 9

9 1 3 5 9 3

7 1

2 8 4 6 3 3 6 8 5 1

2 6 8

7

6 1 3 5 1 2 7 5 7 8 1 9 1 4 1 3 9 7 3 8 5 6 2 2 3 3 5 4

Puzzle by websudoku.com

Fun Excuses to Celebrate July!

July 1st – Canada Day July 3rd – Dog Days of Summer Begin July 5th – Caribbean Day July 7th – Macaroni Day July 9th – National Sugar Cookie Day July 11th – Cheer Up The Lonely Day July 18th – Cow Appreciation Day July 19th – Stick Your Tongue Out Day July 21st – National Junk Food Day July 23rd – Mosquito Day July 27th – Bugs Bunny’s Birthday July 29th – National Lasagna Day

1

Puzzle by websudoku.com

8

Exceedingly Evil

4

2

8 5 9 8 1 7 1 5

2 1

6

7

6 2

5

2 9 5 2 7 3 6 9 5

Puzzle by websudoku.com

YOU JUST PROVED ADVERTISING WORKS

British Columbia Aviation Museum

Coordinates: 48°38’ 123°25’ 1910 Norseman Rd., Sidney, BC next to the Victoria International Airport

250-655-3300 • www.bcam.net

To advertise contact Tim Flater, Publisher 250-686-1144 sales@seasidetimes.ca

Adults $7 • Seniors $5 • Students $3 Accompanied Children up to 12 Free • Group Rates Available

Open 10 am – 4 pm Daily Until September 30th

54

SEASIDE TIMES

www.seasidetimes.ca

JULY 2010

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.

The Peninsula’s Best Open Air Market

‘EvErything FrEsh’

www.peninsulacountrymarket.ca

• Free Parking • Live Music • Free Admission 1528 Stelly’s X Road (Saanich Fairgrounds)

Ever y Saturday

June 5th – Oct. 9th

9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Community Partners : WEST COAST CULTURE

Knickerbocker’s

Unique Home Accessories & Gifts

EscapeSolutions.com

Private Condos for Perfect Holidays

Vancouver Island and Mexico

Call to Book Vendor Space 250-216-0521 Peggy Yelland & Associates Inc. is a local Saanich Peninsula accounting firm which provides: •

Personal & Corporate Income Tax

•

Bookkeeping/ Payroll/ Bill paying

•

Financial Statements

•

Consulting & New Business Advisory

•

Construction Specialists