TAKE 5 April 2022 Green Issue

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Letters Present World Crises Putin was left to go on unchecked for years, largely in part due to the corruption and greed of oligarchs in Russia and America. Trump added more empowerment to Putin through his alliance with Putin and his cabal. No one country (or countries) has the power or will to impede Putin. It is, as always, the “power of money,” corrupt alliances and unchecked power that gives Putin and his allies the absolute power they can wield, and the so called, “free world” countries have aided and abetted this situation.

These latest events will ultimately give China what they want: Taiwan and other geographic regions. North Korea will invade South Korea. The new “Axis of Power” — Russia, China, North Korea — will be impossible to contain, and even more problematic, when, and if there is a major conflict (war) between the Western democracies and this new alliance, what countries (combined, or otherwise) will be capable of dealing with them. And, of course, India will remain on the sidelines.

The reality our world, and what is left of our democracies, this planet is in crisis!

We have seen the movies, read the novels, read the non-fiction, historical books, journalistic writings and have seen the “scriptures” on the walls. History ALWAYS repeats itself. Is the human race addicted to self-harm behaviour?

We have not learned, or have chosen to be educated, by our past. These problems are not solely regarding world conflict; they include environmental crises and issues. We have disre-

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garded developing countries and the people(s) of these regions.

We have neglected our own people; we have neglected the health of our planet. AND these behaviours are not new — they have been on-going and repeated generation after generation.

Really, what did we expect? A happy future or storybook ending? It is ironic that we have so much in our lives and have taken so much for granted. We have not shared our wealth.

The ad says, “Speed kills,” apparently, so does greed and power that goes unchecked, along with the inability to stop repeating “bad behaviour” and historically bad actions.

— Steve Frankel, Ladysmith

Response to “Divisive Country” I want to thank Michael Rasberry for his letter “Divisive Country,” for bringing up the topic of rights and responsibilities in a free, democratic society. Yes, Canadians have a right to protest. They can even break the law, committing civil disobedience to try to make a point, if they are willing to face the possible consequences — fine or imprisonment — as protestors often do.

Mr. Rasberry suggests we listen to Mr. Brian Peckford, an original drafter of the Charter of Rights. I took his advice but found Peckford’s presentations full of misinformation.

Throughout Peckford’s lengthy presentations, he only talks about our freedoms to protest without once mentioning any of their limits, that protestors can’t infringe on the freedoms of other citizens. He doesn’t acknowledge that the protestors broke any laws.

Peckford describes the events in Ottawa and at the International Bridge as peaceful and legal — neither of which is true.

It is not legal to block traffic or honk horns all night, or to obstruct access to homes or businesses, or to block international trade, causing millions of dollars in losses. It is a misrepresentation of democratic freedom to claim that you can do whatever you want as long as you are peaceful.

The Internet has let the genie out of the bottle. More than ever, we have to challenge information, its source and intention. Many media platforms and commentators have discovered that giving voice to extremism, forwarding conspiracy theories, anti-government diatribes, planted disinformation from foreign sources, racism, religious intolerance, misogyny, xenophobia, medical misinformation, alien abduction stories and such are attractive click bait and very lucrative. Their claim to be simply providing a platform for everybody’s version of the truth is classic newspeak. There is only one truth.

They, in fact, sell lies for money — the more sensational the better — and do much harm propagating misinformation.

I venture to guess that Mr. Rasberry, like me, loves Canada, values democracy, and believes in the rule of law and the protection it brings. And like me, has some beefs about the way some things are run. Let’s talk about that, and cherish our freedom to do so. — Cody Good Letters to the editor on community topics and concerns are always welcome. But please note that opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of TAKE 5 or its agents. This is a Public Forum. Letters may be edited for length and legality.

Please include your name and contact info(contact info will not be shared but is for verification. Email; editor@take5.ca, fax: 250-245-7099, or: PO Box 59, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A1.

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Dispatch from Ukraine Dr John Potts from Ladysmith is in the Ukraine where he is volunteering with the Samaritan’s Purse, providing aid there.

TAKE 5 asked him to stay in touch as circumstances allow.

March 12, 2022 - I know that quite a few people back home are wondering what is actually going on in the Ukraine crisis.

I have been here for almost one week at this point, working with the Disaster Advanced Response Team from Samaritan’s Purse.

In case there are people wondering if the war in Ukraine is real, I want to assure you that I have been working with people who have run from the war. Some of the refugees I have met have had their relatives killed. Many of the families here have been dropped off at the border by the husband, who then has returned to Ukraine to fight. For us, it is like they are widows and orphans, and our calling as Christians is to reach out to widows and orphans. My work at this point is to provide medical care to refugees in Moldova, as they wait to move on to other countries.

The flow of refugees seems to change quite dramatically at times. We were at a border crossing that was handling 40005000 refugees a day last week, and now it is a few hundred only. Overall the numbers remain high as the war moves slowly forward.

It is clear that the next few weeks are completely unpredictable. Our team will do whatever work we are called to, as the Samaritan’s Purse leadership assesses the changing situation.

March 21, 2022 - I am now writing from southern Ukraine, where Samaritan’s Purse has set up an emergency medical clinic to serve the thousands of refugees being accommodated in this city.

We started seeing patients 4 days ago, so our work is now well underway. The numbers are steadily climbing and likely will continue to climb until we hit our ceiling of about 200 people a day. Today we saw 120 patients.

We have had a few very sick people arrive, and some have simply been loaded into an ambulance and sent off to the hospital. Most patients are the kind I would see in the doctor’s office at home. Some people are unable to access their usual medications because the supply chain is so disrupted by the war.

This is going to continue to be a very busy place. I am happy to be here, doing my share in caring for needy people in the way that Christ would have me serve. - John Potts Anyone wanting to donate towards the work with Ukrainian refugees can do so on the Canadian website https://www.samaritanspurse.ca/ Watch for dispatches on the TAKE 5 Facebook Page.

Dr. John Potts and the Samaritan Purse team assessed a child with a fever in emergency shelter in Ukraine. Photo submitted.

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You Helped Save 6 Acres of Mother Trees!

BY KATHY CODE The theme for Earth Day this year is Invest in Our Planet and there really is no better investment during these times of climate crisis than the protection of old-growth forest. Less than 2.7% of these precious forests remain in British Columbia and with more being clear cut every day, every acre saved is critical.

The Ecoforestry Institute Society is very proud to announce that we are now the owners of the 6 acres of breathtaking old-growth forest adjacent to Wildwood Ecoforest. More than 300 donors generously contributed to this initiative and we thank each and every one of you for caring and contributing to this campaign.

The 6 acre parcel contains towering old-growth -- huge cedar and Douglasfir Mother Trees hundreds of years old that soar to the sky. The giant maples

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drip with mosses and licorice ferns while the forest resounds with the songs of birds and eagles glide high on the air currents. This land used to belong to Wildwood and acquiring it allows us to forever steward the property and extend our wildlife landscape.

The land will be brought under the land trust deed that protects all of Wildwood, ensuring that it will always be stewarded by an ecoforestry-minded organization.

The property will be used for educational purposes, particularly programs developed in collaboration with Indigenous partners. We also plan to initiate research projects in coordination with academics and other professionals.

And so the investment we have made as a community will yield dividends for generations to come, as the forest guards the headwaters of the ephemeral streams that cross Wildwood, purifies our air, stores and sequesters carbon and provides homes for a richness of flora and fauna. Thanks to a good many donors, this tiny bit of heaven is now restored to Wildwood and saved in perpetuity.

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Trash talk!

A world of garbage

BY KERITH WADDINGTON “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.”

That old proverb, which means that what one person finds useless someone else might highly prize, has never been truer. As the world necessarily heads towards reusing and recycling, lest we drown in our own garbage, items that used to be considered “useless” are now valued, and valuable.

Plastic bottles, old metal or wooden bedframes, banana peels and potato skins, ripped couches and broken electronics — almost anything ever made contains potential, even after the original purpose for which it was built or grown has passed. And thanks to exceptional efforts by both the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), with their multiple drop-off depots and curbside three-stream collection program, consumers have multiple opportunities

Peerless Recyclimg Centre. Photo courtesy of CVRD

to reduce waste and keep the environment clean.

Numbers coming from the RDN are impressive.

To start with, the RDN boasts a diversion rate of 68+ per cent, making the RDN a world leader in waste diversion.

In fact, the success of the regional food waste and recycling programs, first introduced in 2009, has extended the operational life of the Regional Landfill by several decades: once slated for closure by 2016, it is now expected to remain operational until the early 2040s.

It gets better.

Ben Routledge, manager of Solid Waste Services for the RDN, expects two new bylaws, currently waiting for ministerial approval, to be passed later this year that will help the District reach its 2029/30 goal of 90 per cent waste diversion. Those bylaws include “mandatory waste source separation” (meaning businesses and multi-family dwellings will be compelled to use the three-bin system: garbage, compost and recycling) and “waste hauler licensing” (which supports commercial waste haulers by reducing their tipping fees, provided their loads contain less than 20

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Ben Routledge, Manager of Solid Waste Services for the RDN. Photo: Kerith Waddington

per cent recyclable and banned materials). For more information, visit: www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/solid-waste-bylaws.

Routledge says the end-goal of all these efforts is a “circular economy.”

“Society’s anthropogenic approach to waste and the natural environment needs to change, and through the adoption of eco-centric approaches that focus on reducing the economic and societal reliance on natural resource extraction, we can begin to eliminate waste as we know it,” he says. “If everything we threw out was able to be repurposed, reused and remanufactured, waste would be a thing of the past. The steps we take now help to realize that goal.”

So, just what exactly happens to items that come to the Cedar Road Landfill (and its sister operation, the Church Road Transfer Station)?

The RDN receives approximately 13,000 tonnes of recyclable materials annually, 7,000 tonnes of which are yard and food waste. That yard and food waste gets sent to Convertus at Duke Point, which in turn transforms it into compost, which is then sold here on the Island. New technology is currently being installed at the facility to increase capacity and reduce odours.

Metal waste arriving at the RDN landfill goes to ABC Recycling at Duke Point, where it is sorted into various material types, then sold to metal recycling markets for reuse and remanufacturing.

Mattresses are collected at both the Regional Landfill and the Church Road Transfer Station before going to Port Alberni, where they are disassembled into their various components and sold to various recycling markets Cardboard and paper go to Cascades Recovery, a Canadian company that produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibres.

Plastics collected at the facility also go to Cascades, where, after processing, the material is repurposed into new goods.

Regionally, the recyclable plastics collected curbside go to Merlin Plastics in Vancouver. Merlin Plastics is a recycler and processor of post-consumer and post-industrial plastic

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container packaging. They also work with brand owners, retailers and industry associations to improve packaging design for recyclability and develop alternatives for ongoing sustainable solutions.

Wood that arrives at the landfill is used to help support onsite operations. Ground-up wood is used in the building of roads and other earthworks at the facility, as a daily cover to prevent animals from accessing the waste materials and to stabilize the landfill tipping areas when the ground becomes wet from precipitation.

Propane tanks, TVs, fridges and freezers are also recycled at the Cedar Road Landfill.

Incredibly, even the solid waste — described as non-recyclable, non-hazardous municipal waste — has a purpose at the RDN Landfill! The on-site gas collection system collects and directs the gas produced by the decomposing waste to either an on-site flare station (where the harmful gases are burned, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality) or to the Cedar Road Nanaimo Bio-Energy Centre (where the gas is burned to create electricity, which is then sold to BC Hydro and used to power more than 400 homes within the region). The RDN Landfill has an average landfill gas capture rate of 73 per cent.

The CVRD has reason to boast as well, offering several private recycling depots, three CVRD recycling centres, threestream curbside pick-up in all member municipalities; and a Solid Waste Management Plan that supports the implementation of three-stream curbside collection in the electoral areas.

In 2021, the CVRD saw a 53 per cent waste diversion rate,

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with 42,279 tonnes of material landfilled, 35,140 tonnes of material recycled and 11,722 tonnes of material composted.

Ilse Sarady, senior environmental technologist for the CVRD, explains that most recyclable materials accepted at CVRD recycling centres are managed under the province’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program and that under EPR the producer is responsible to ensure that their products can be recycled, thereby incentivizing the creation of recycling programs.

In addition, the CVRD offers recycling programs for many materials that are not yet under EPR, such as mattresses, couches, armchairs and painted wood waste. For example, all couches and armchairs go to Fisher Road Recycling (FRR) in Cobble Hill, where FRR staff manually dismantle the couches to recover as much material as possible for recycling, including foam, metal and wood.

Unlike the RDN, the CVRD faces a unique challenge with its solid waste. In the late 1990s, the CVRD had to close its Koksilah landfill (which was at capacity) as well as its two aging garbage incinerators (at Peerless Road and Meade Creek).

The CVRD was unsuccessful in siting a new landfill within the region and so had to begin exporting garbage. Currently, the CVRD sends all regional garbage to a large landfill in Washington State called Rabanco Roosevelt Regional Landfill. The garbage is moved there via truck, barge and rail service.

As Sarady acknowledges, “The upside with waste export is the high cost, which motivates the many recycling programs that the CVRD offers, as it is more affordable to recycle than to throw things away.”

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For example, the CVRD was one of the first regional districts to start mattress and couch recycling to save on waste export. Reducing waste export and managing recyclables closer to home not only saves waste export costs, but also helps to support local businesses and create new employment opportunities in the region.

Further, and in the light of recent fires and floods that lead to road closures, creating recycling opportunities locally helps the region become more resilient to cope with climate change impacts. As part of their Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP; www.cvrd.ca/2979/Solid-Waste-Management-Plan), the CVRD continues to evaluate garbage disposal options as they become available while focusing on initiatives that will further the need to send materials to landfill.

Routledge gets the final word on waste and waste diversion.

“The most important thing people can do to support current waste diversion programs is to make sure they don’t contaminate the various recycling categories with materials that should not be in there. For example, only dispose of curbside recyclable materials at the curbside and contact the regional district if you are not sure what goes where,” he says. “People want to do the right thing, and they will if they believe their efforts are making a difference. There has been some bad press recently about waste not getting recycled as people expected it would. Frankly, those are a couple of bad apples in an entire barrel of good ones.

The efforts people are making is having a huge impact, and we are well on our way to creating a circular economy.”

The RDN-Solid Waste Facilities (Regional Landfill and Church Road Transfer Station) charge for all inbound materials.

However, there are multiple depots within the RDN that take recyclables and EPR materials for free. rdn.bc.ca/what-goeswhere. The CVRD charges for garbage and some recyclables such as mattresses, couches and wood waste. All EPR materials are accepted free of charge. cvrd.ca/2966/Recycling-CentreLocations-Hours-Accepte for reference.

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New Banners Announced Stz’uminus artist Jason Harris has designed two new banners to hang in Ladysmith’s downtown this summer.

Harris is an accomplished carver who

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The Parks, Recreation & Culture Advisory Committee and Public Art Banners Selection Committee both endorsed Harris’ submission.

The intent of the banner program is to beautify Ladysmith’s downtown core through public art while at the same time creating opportunities for local artists to showcase their work for all to enjoy.

Watch for the banners in May.

Spring Clean Up Week

BioBlitz is Back

The Town of Ladysmith’s annual Spring Clean Up is planned for April 19–25, 2022.

The popular bulk item door-to-door pickup service assists residents with getting rid of common household bulk items, such as furniture, mattresses, children’s toys and barbecues. Last year, the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) informed the Town that solid waste from our Spring Clean Up program contained a mix of materials that would need to be sorted to maximize recycling and diversion from the landfill.

The Town’s contractor Waste Connections will haul and dispose of items at the GFL Yard in 2022 as the Town of Ladysmith explores alternative longterm solutions.

As a sustainability leader, the Town is committed to collaborating with residents on opportunities minimizing the impact Spring Clan Up has on our environment.

The Town plans to engage with residents in the coming months on the value of the program and gauge enthusiasm for potential future requirements to sort bulk items at curbside — taking advantage of recycling and diversion initiatives provided by the CVRD.

The Yellow Point Ecological Society (YES) is proud to announce its 2nd Annual BioBlitz, a family-fun spring event for the Ladysmith/South Nanaimo and surrounding area on April 30 to May 2.

A BioBlitz can be described as “an intense community engagement to identify as many species as possible in a designated area.” In other words, the goal of our BioBlitz is to engage as many local people to record as many flora and fauna as possible during the three-day event.

Our contribution to this annual event, as citizen scientists, will be available to scientists everywhere who monitor changes in our environment. This year, we are making a special effort to include as many invasive species as possible and we have enlisted the Invasive Species Council of BC to help. Did you know there are over 40 invasive species in the Ladysmith Harbour alone?

Join us to find out what’s there that shouldn’t be there.

To join the fun, download the iNaturalist app on your phone and start taking pictures of any life form--alive or dead, native or non-native--and try and identify what you’ve seen. When you enter the photo, other iNaturalists will help identify your find. If you are an early morn-

Artist Jason Harris showing his Ladysmith banner designs.

Photo: Vera Harris

developed an interest in the traditional craft through his late father.

The 2022 theme for Town of Ladysmith’s Community Banner Program is Community on the Coast; Harris drew on his inspiration living near the Salish Sea, particularly in his portrayal of an otter searching for its next meal in Sea Searching (Otter). The second banner design by Harris is Hummingbird Season, which is a tribute to the season of Spring.

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ing bird watcher, you can start at dawn. If you prefer species that are active just before dusk, you can continue until dark. If you are a night owl and happen to hear one, you can record the sound on the app. But, only photos taken during the designated dates and times (6 AM on April 30 to 8 PM on May 2nd) and in our chosen geographical location will count towards the YES BioBlitz.

Still have questions? Join our kick-off webinar with guest speakers at 7:00 PM on Tuesday April 26th. An expert panel on flora and fauna, invasive species, and iNaturalist BioBlitzing will be there to answer everything.

For more information visit yellowpointecologicalsociety.ca or email yesbioblitz@gmail.com or call Carrie at 250 951-3794

Water to Earth Month Kicks off with Activities The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) along with their partners presents the sixth annual Water to Earth Month. This year’s themes are Groundwater and Climate Change. World Water Day continues up on April 22.

Extreme heat, wildfires and floods in B.C. have brought more awareness to the topic of climate change and the impacts we are seeing in our own backyards. How we can lessen and adapt to these impacts are the focus of the Water to Earth Month events residents can take part in.

“Water to Earth Month is a fun, hands-on way for residents of all ages to learn more about the environment and how we can all help to protect it through simple changes and small actions,” said Tyler Brown, RDN Chair.

To register for events, visit the RDN Team WaterSmart Get Involved page for online activities and following the RDN on social media for fun contests. Activities throughout the month include workshops, an educational walk with a local biologist, a“Bio-Blitz”, (see story page 18), an invasive plant pull, and a litter clean up party, or organize one for your own community, There’s also online contests where you can share how you are making a difference to conserve water or reduce the impacts of climate change on the RDN’s social media channels for a chance to win some great prizes.

For details visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/team-watersmart.

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Eastern Star Fundraiser Members of the Sharon Chapter No. 4 Order of the Eastern Star were delighted to donate $500 towards the training of seeing-eye dogs. The money will go to BC and Alberta Guide Dogs that works to meet the growing demand for professionally trained Guide Dogs and Autism Support Dogs.

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All monies raised in BC stays in BC. They breed, raise and train dogs, which are given at no cost to the recipient, who can be an autistic child, a sight-impaired person or someone suffering from PTSD (usually first responders).

The local chapter has sponsored puppies from the beginning of the program, and have donated a significant amount of money every year, explains Hague.

Yellow Point Farms farm store opens Yellow Point Farms owners Justin and Becca Dault have opened their new farmstore. They are first generation farmers

(l–r) Cynthia Hague, PM, secretary Sharon Chapter No. 4 Order of the Eastern Star, John Phelan, WP, Lynda Phelan, PM, Jacquie Hancock, Worthy Matron, and Stephen Vrskovy, past grand patron BC and Yukon, representing BC and Alberta Guide Dogs and also representative of Order of Eastern Star service dogs in BC. Photo: Marina Sacht

Baby goat yoga at Yellow Point Farm. The new store is now open.

Photo submitted.

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who quit their former careers to develop a small market blueberry farm into a sustainable, diverse, educational and agri-tourism hub.

Currently, they grow blueberries, garlic and other seasonal produce using regenerative agriculture practices. Plus, they raise miniature producing livestock — goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry. All of the animals have a purpose on the farm and play an integral part in the farm’s ecosystem.

Becca was an elementary teacher long before she was a farmer (and still is a teacher on call for SD68), and her passion for education shows. She is focused on developing the education and agritourism side of the farm. They have people come do field trips, work experience, volunteer days, farm tours, visit the petting farm and everyone’s favourite — their signature baby goat yoga! It’s a fun, therapeutic event with a certified yoga instructor and, of course, the baby goats that jump on your back or snuggle up under you while you practise yoga.

The farm store is open Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays.

New ministers Appointed for Land Stewardship, Municipal Affairs Premier John Horgan has appointed Josie Osborne as minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship and minister Responsible for Fisheries, and Nathan Cullen as minister of Municipal Affairs. Premier Horgan has also named MLA Doug Routley as parliamentary secretary for Forests to support the important work of Minister Katrine Conroy to modernize forestry in British Columbia.

“The new ministry for land stewardship reflects the fact that natural resources are foundational to our province and they are the backbone of many local economies,” says Premier Horgan.

Community Fund gets boost The Rotary Club of Ladysmith, a strong supporter of local and international initiatives, recently presented a cheque for $5,000 to the Ladysmith Community Fund Society. The Club was represented by President Frank Elsom, and the gift was accepted by Charlie Schaal, Secretary of the LCFS, and Laurie Bienert, Executive Director

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of the Nanaimo Foundation. The Foundation holds the Fund for LCFS, and issues charitable tax receipts for donations. The fund is invested with Nanaimo Foundation’s other holdings, thus enjoying a higher rate of return from the combined assets. The Ladysmith Community Fund also received an additional $7,000 in gifts from private donors, bringing its total to $23,000 in its first year.

Under its management agreement with Nanaimo Foundation, LCFS will receive revenues earned by the Fund on an annual basis, and will return those to the Ladysmith community in the form of grants. Because the principal in the Fund remains, the grants will continue every year, and increase as the Fund grows. Ladysmith charities may also continue to apply for grants offered by the Nanaimo Foundation.

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Laurie Bienert, Executive Director of the Nanaimo Foundation, Charlie Schaal, of the LCFS, with Ladysmith Rotary President Frank Elsom, Photo: Bruce Whittington

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Donors wishing to make a contribution to the Fund can do so with a cheque to the Nanaimo Foundation, with “Ladysmith Community Fund” in the subject line. There is also a donation link at www.nanaimofoundation.com. Contributions can also be made through the Nanaimo Foundation’s portal at www. canadahelps.org. For more information about the Ladysmith Community Fund, visit www.ladysmithcommunityfund.ca.

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Find out more about how you can help ‘bring the community together through the arts’ by joining and volunteering at CVCAS.ca/volunteer

Wounded Warrior Run

Spring Art Tour The Arts Council of Ladysmith & District is presenting the 2022 Spring Art Tour. Visit the studios of 16 artists from Chemainus, Ladysmith, Cedar and Yellow Point from April 22 – 24. Enjoy a self-guided tour to view their work and watch some live demos. Tour hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pick up a brochure at various locations and the visitor centres in Ladysmith, Duncan and Nanaimo. Brochures can be downloaded ladysmitharts.ca/spring-art-tour.

New Board for CVCAS A new Board of Directors was voted in by members of the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society at its March 10 Annual General Meeting.

Bob Johns will be Chair; Bev Knight, Vice Chair; Kathy Wachs, Treasurer; Craig Spence, Membership; Val Bob, First Nations Committee; Craig Harris, Fundraising; Diana Durrand, Rainforest Arts Rep; and Barbara Allen, Accessibility Rep. Bob Johns is taking on the Chair’s role a second time, replacing Bev Knight, who will be Vice Chair.

Ladysmith Lions Zone Chair Betty Anne Hebert, Leslee Banks, and Colby Crocker from the Cedar Lion Club presenting their donation to Director & Past Runner Jacqueline Zweng of the Wounded Warrior Run BC. The cheque was presented on March 5, at Ladysmith Legion Branch 171. In addition, the Ladysmith Lions also presented a cheque for $500. Photo: Allen McDermid

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A Hul’q’umi’num’ Cowichan Ethnobotany You don’t need to be a plant lover or botanist to appreciate Luschiim’s Plants: Traditional Indigenous Foods, Materials and Medicines by Dr. Luschiim Arvid Charlie and Nancy J. Turner. This is a beautifully written and researched book that you will reference many times over.

Respected Cowichan Tribe Elder and botanical expert, Luschiim Arvid Charlie began his education in early childhood, learning from his great grandparents and others of their generation. Luschiim’s Plants represents his dedication to the survival of the Hul’q’umi’num’ language and traditional knowledge of plants for future generations. From the healing properties of qaanlhp (arbutus) to the many practical applications of q’am (bull kelp), the information presented in this remarkable guide shares knowledge of plants that Luschiim is familiar with through his own Elders’ teachings and by way of direct experience over the course of his lifetime, and was compiled from field outings and interviews with notable ethnobiologist and botanist Nancy J. Turner.

In this unprecedented collection of botanical information, over 140 plants are categorized within their broad botanical groupings: algae and seaweeds, lichens, fungi and mushrooms, mosses and liverworts, ferns and fern-allies, coniferous trees, deciduous trees, shrubs and vines, and herbaceous flowering plants.

Each entry is illustrated with a colour photo and includes the plant’s common, scientific and Hul’q’umi’num’ names; a short description; where to find it; and cultural knowledge related to the plant.

Additional notes encompass plant use, safety and conservation; the linguis-

Dr. Luschiim Arvid Charlie. Photo: Nancy Turner

tic writing system used for Hul’q’umi’num’ plant names; and miscellaneous notes from interviews with Luschiim.

This book will fascinate anyone with an interest in plants of the West Coast and their traditional uses by Coast Salish peoples.

Luschiim’s Plants is available at bookstores for $29.95. The Ladysmith & District Historical Society is presenting this book in its “Historically Speaking” series on April 19, 2022, at 7 p.m., via Zoom. Please email museum@ ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca for a link.

Live Theatre Returns The curtain is rising once again at the Ladysmith Little Theatre.

After two very unsettling years of a global pandemic, Ladysmith Little The-

atre is finally able to safely open the doors to full capacity audiences.

When the theatre closed in March 2020, the ensemble cast was just beginning to rehearse the final production of the season, The Ladies of the Camellias.

Fast forward two years later, and after many, many months of Zoom rehearsals, Ladysmith Little Theatre is proud and excited to present a period farce, The Ladies of the Camellias, written by Lillian Groag and directed by Charles Harman.

The run has 12 performances over three weekends, opening on Thursday, April 21, 2022, with its final performance on Sunday, May 8, 2022.

Showtimes include Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m.

Get you tickets early! The Box Office is open Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. Visit www.ladysmiththeatre.com

(L-R) Brenda Clark, Susan Warner, Ken Hiebert, Mike Dietrich, Inge Cathers, Michael Robinson, Mort Paul, Gordon McInnis. Photo submitted.

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Get into the Murals of Chemainus Thousands of visitors come each year to marvel at the wall art of Chemainus, and now they’ll have a chance to experience some serious humour and adventure inside the paintings too.

Author Craig Spence, a BC Book Prize nominee, will take you “behind the bricks and mortar” of Chemainus in The Mural Gazer, a direct-to-web novel that follows the trials and tribulations of Buddy Hope and the book’s namesake, Harry Sanderson.

Nudging 100 years on his “odometer,” Harry is known throughout Chemainus as the Gazer. Locals are used to seeing him sitting in his walker in front of the town’s murals for hours, “like the only customer at a drive-in movie.”

Entranced, Harry relives his own stories and the tales of his community and ancestors in his mural gazing “expeditions.”

He finds an unlikely biographer in Buddy Hope, a recently retired journalist and “refugee of domestic strife,” who takes a job as handyman-companion, moving into a Bigfoot camper parked in Harry and Bernice’s back driveway.

The stories Harry and Buddy chronicle go back to the 1860s.

A blend of fact and fiction, they are intended to question, challenge, wonder and laugh at the historical events of our place and times. As a colonial descendant, World War II vet, truck logger and retiree, Harry re-evaluates his personal history through memories evoked in the murals.

For visitors and residents alike The Mural Gazer will add a new dimension to the famous art of Muraltown.

Print and ePub editions of The Mural Gazer are planned for this summer, The direct-to-web edition can be opened at MuralGazer.ca. Readers are asked to “buy-in” to the D2W edition for five dollars.

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The Hellebore — A Wonderful Year-round Plant

BY FERN HIETKAMP, MASTER GARDENER The hellebore is an excellent plant for gardens on Vancouver Island, where our winters are short and spring starts early.

Hellebores have a beautiful form and colour, with blooms that last from February until May. The foliage is evergreen here on the Island, so it’s a plant that can be part of your year-round garden plan.

The common name for hellebore is “Lenten rose” due to the rose-like flowers that appear in early spring around

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the Christian observance of Lent, the six-week period before Easter. The hellebore is in the Ranunculaceae family, the same family as buttercup, Rananculus anemone. Hellebores are a good choice for the year-round gardener, as they can be successfully grown in most zones, are low-maintenance, deer resistant and reliably produce beautiful early flowers every spring.

A unique feature of hellebore is once the buds turn to flowers, their blooms face downwards. Many gardeners like to plant hellebore flowers on a hillside or in raised flower beds to better enjoy the blooms. Hellebores can be planted with companions from early flowering bulbs and rhizomes, such as snowdrops, crocus, muscari (hyacinths), daffodils, trillium, to later spring/summer plants, such as phlox and bleeding heart.

One thing to keep in mind is that hellebore has toxic properties. They are usually left alone by deer and rabbits due to the fact that the leaves produce poisonous alkaloids, making them distasteful.

Gardeners who have sensitive skin may want to wear gloves when handling the plant. Once planted, hellebores do well

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Hellebore buds in garden on Koksilah Road, mid-January 2022.

Photo Credits: Fern Hietkamp

by being left alone, other than putting manure or compost around it once a year.

Hellebores are tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions and do best in partial shade with rich, moist and welldraining soil. They are an easy to grow perennial and, once planted, continue to bloom for a number of years.

When planting hellebore, don’t plant too deeply, as this can affect flower production. The crown of the plant should be just slightly buried beneath the soil.

When new growth stalks start to emerge in late winter or early spring, remove old or damage foliage back to the base of the plant. Early in the year, an annual application of manure or compost will help hellebores have a good grow-

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ing and flower production season. Hellebores grow actively in spring and fall and need plenty of water during these times.

Heat makes hellebores go dormant, so less water is needed in the summer. Once planted, hellebores can be fussy about being dug up and moved, so it’s best to leave them in place if you can.

Hellebore can be susceptible to insects specifically harmful to the plant, and to some fungi. The best way to control either is to check the plant on a seasonal basis and remove dead or dying leaves.

One of the most interesting things about the hellebore is the range of varieties that are available at nurseries. Trials on hellebore cultivars produce new trends every year. There are ever different colours to choose from, increased plant heights, the development of outward facing blooms and more exotic patterns of speckling, veining and rimmed edges. As wonderful as the new varieties are, the true value of the hellebore as a reliable, hardy winter-spring blooming plant makes it already special and an easy choice for your garden.

Hellebore variety — “True Love” (part of the Wedding Party Series). Photo: Fern Hietkamp

Certified Master Gardeners are volunteers who provide education to the home gardener using current, science-based horticultural knowledge that exemplifies environmentally responsible practices and stewardship.

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RDN Area A Cedar With the upset of adjusting to daylight savings time over, we can get ready to plant our gardens and enjoy the warmer weather. As with every summer, many of us will speculate over how much rain we will or won’t get and we’ll worry about wildfire risks near our homes.

The RDN Board recently endorsed a Regional Strategy for Rainwater Management for the region. Working collaboratively with member municipalities, provincial governmental agencies and community partners on implementation, the strategy forms the foundation of a sustainable approach to rainwater management within the RDN. Due to the number of overlapping jurisdictions present in the region, including private forestry, municipalities, provincial

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ministries and First Nations, rainwater management has been tackled in many different ways, using various standards, policies and approaches. However, the regional strategy will attempt to bring this all together, applying scientific and research-based decision-making to protecting our water resources regionwide.

According to the written report, “rainwater management is the approach used to control, treat and convey precipitation within the landscape, using both natural and built infrastructure. Sustainable, resilient rainwater management considers the full hydrologic cycle, and changes in climate, when identifying opportunities for safely capturing, storing, treating, conveying and discharging water on the landscape. Drought is as much a part of the hydrologic cycle as floodwaters are, and resilience requires building flexibility into the landscape to lessen the severity of the impacts of both extremes.

Considering rainwater as a resource that can be used to solve problems, rather than a nuisance, is a key element of adopting a resilient strategy for rainwater management.”

If you are interested in learning more about this new strategy, search for Regional Strategy for Rainwater Management on the RDN website (rdn.bc.ca).

As the weather warms and rain shows up less in the forecast, our attention will

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turn to the potential for wildfires in our communities. Prior years’ experiences show clearly that no area is immune to the risk of a fire. While we thank our various fire departments (mostly volunteers in the rural areas) for their diligence and quick action, there is much we can do to help mitigate the risk on our own properties. There are many resources on the Internet to help guide rural homeowners in ways to protect their property. And in some areas, the RDN has developed Community Wildfire Protection Plans to help guide that process. Whether your area is covered by a plan or not, work with your neighbours to determine how to react to fire in the short term. Who has the tools to fight a fire, haul water, move livestock or provide shelter? Who needs physical assistance if a fire breaks out nearby? In all cases, be prepared before the situation arises.

Local residents also play a key role in protecting public forests and range lands from fire. The RDN encourages anyone who sees potentially harmful smoke or flame, or suspicious fire activity, to report it as soon as possible. Fires can be reported to 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on mobile devices; suspicious and destructive fire activity can be reported by calling those numbers or 911.

I wish you well for this summer, and hope none of us need to worry about water or fires. Take care.

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Author at the base of the world’s largest Spruce tree, Quinault, WA. Photo submitted.

CVRD Area H North Oyster/Diamond Townhall Meeting Finally — it seemed like COVID would never let up — I can announce that an in-person town hall meeting will be held at the North Oyster Community Centre on May 12 at 6 p.m. Send me an email on what you would like included on the agenda by the middle of April; that way I can include the topics in my article for the May edition of the TAKE 5. I am so looking

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forward to this, and I hope to see you there.

Official Community Plan — Have Your Say! The rest of this article is about the Official Community Plan (OCP). The CVRD is placing ads in the TAKE 5 (please see ads pages 6,8-9) with details and dates of how to get involved in the modernization of the OCP. To join a community circle and become part of “Plan your Cowichan” have a look at these ads or check out: www.planyourcowichan.ca.

The CVRD has the experts when it comes to community planning and zoning bylaws; I’m not one of them, but I am a pretty good learner. When I learn something, I like to create a framework to understand the context of the subject and how the different parts relate to each other. In the case of the OCP, I visualize it as the tree trunk and the eight policies and their objectives as eight large limbs. Each of the large limbs become smaller branches that are the zoning bylaws. It is pretty simple, and maybe you will add other features to this framework to make it better.

The CVRD started with nine different Electoral Area OCPs and merged (harmonized) them in one document. With regards to our tree: yep, heavy duty grafting was required, and it resulted in the Harmonized OCP. Now with the recent announcement of community circles (see planyourcowichan.ca ad), it is working on the limbs of the tree — and in time the zoning bylaws.

So why — what’s so important about an OCP? Well, to start with, an OCP tells your elected officials what the community wants: what development and where it should go. And if they don’t listen then you can tell them where to go.

The OCP represents the collective voice of the community.

It articulates the community’s values and its vision for future growth and development. It should direct where growth should occur — and where it should not; what must be preserved and protected.

This still may not interest you enough to get involved. So, let’s branch away from the metaphorical tree and go out on a limb to the zoning bylaws. Zoning bylaws impact you every day. Here is a direct quote from the CVRD Advisory Planning Commission Handbook: “Zoning implements the OCP by converting OCP policies to land use regulations. The zoning regulations generally affect the use of land, by categorizing properties for a specific range of permitted uses, densities, siting and building form. It is one key method of implementing the future direction of the community as stated within the goals, objectives, and policies of the OCP.” Basically, most things dealing with land use — what can be done in commercial, industrial and residential zones — and all types of details from new buildings, to additions, noise, nuisances, home businesses (called home occupation in the bylaw, which always confuses me) setbacks, fence heights, and it goes on and on. (Note: Roads are not included — that’s provincial jurisdiction.)

Still not interested or still doubtful this is of importance for you? Zoning bylaws also apply to your neighbour. Did you check to see what their property is zoned as? It might be different than yours. What does that zoning permit entail? And what happens when the zoning bylaws change? How will that impact you? The place to start is to get involved in having a

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voice in the modernization of the OCP. Check out the dates for the community circles. The CVRD is hosting a series of them in April and May. Or start or join your own community circle.

As mentioned in the beginning, go to www.planyourcowichan. ca for details and also check out Guy Dauncey’s article on page 36. Don’t wait — this won’t happen again for another 15 or 20 years. Ben.maartman@cvrd.bc.ca; 250-510-5930

CVRD Area G Saltair/Gulf Islands CVRD Budget 2022 Within the CVRD Property Taxes, there are requisitions for community budgets wholly funded by an area, collection of areas or the whole CVRD region.

For example, the cost of maintaining and improving Saltair Community Parks and Trails is completely funded by Saltair taxpayers, while the cost of Regional Parks and Services is shared by the whole CVRD region.

As I reported in February, except with respect to the Saltair Water System budget, there is no overall increase to our community expenses in the 2022 CVRD Budget. I have managed to balance the contract increase for Saltair Fire Protection with decreases, Community Works Fund, operating reserve and capital reserve dollars. Despite this, Area G will see a slight, 0.95 per cent overall increase in property taxation. This will be slightly different for Saltair and Gulf Islands taxpayers, as these areas participate in different CVRD services.

Managed Forest land makes up 97 per cent of Area G, and under BC Assessment, there was an approximately $1.7 million decrease. Residential taxation will take on a small increase due to this decrease. The 2022 Area G taxation increase is an average of 0.95 per cent over 2021 taxation.

Saltair Roadwork Have you noticed the clearing of debris/sod at the sides of our local roads? Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) crews have cleared areas alongside the roads to provide better drainage and safe passage by vehicles. This has created a wider shoulder for pedestrians and cyclists in most areas — a great improvement. All Saltair roads are under MOTI. If you have an issue, call MainRoad at 1-877-215-6006.

Modernized Official Community Plan (MOCP) In 2017, the EA directors supported a Harmonized Official Community Plan (HOCP) that would include all nine Electoral Area Official Community Plans (OCPs) in one overarching document with Local Area Plans for each Area. In the fall of 2021, this process was completed with the creation and authorization of Bylaw No. 4270.

Now, we start the work of modernizing the HOCP and Local Area This process is very different than the way we modernized our OCP in the past when only Saltair residents were involved. All the CVRD Lead Community Circles and Policy Goal events are being held virtually. To start, check out Plan Your Cowichan at www.planyourcowichan.ca and the CVRD ads in this issue of TAKE 5 pages 6, 8-9 for information including a Calendar of CVRD led community circles and links for registration, facilitating your own community circle, policy workbooks, toolkits and more.

Under Draft Bylaw 4373 MOCP, the eight policy goals will be: 1. Mitigation and adapt to the climate crisis

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2. Manage infrastructure responsibly 3. Make distinct, complete communities 4. Expand mobility options 5. Protect and restore natural assets 6. Strengthen local food and agricultural systems 7. Enhance regional prosperity 8. Improve governance, implementation All these policy goals will impact Saltair. It is important to attend these sessions or work through the workbooks.

What concerns do you have about water sustainability, additional septic systems in a clay soil base, traffic increases, additional impervious surfaces, drainage including drainage onto adjacent parcels, drainage pressure on oceanfront parcels (soil stability), noise, crowding, heat domes, atmospheric rivers, loss of trees and vegetation that provide shade/ cooling and slow drainage flows, backyard chickens, sustainable food, and so on?

Saltair Easter Event Saltair Easter Event in Centennial Park is back after being on pause for two years. Saltair Association for Local Teamwork will be hosting this event on Easter Sunday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to

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noon. Volunteers are needed.

Saltair Centennial Park Revitalization Plan I continue to receive communications from people who want to see the tennis courts resurfaced and/or a pickleball facility in the park. These improvements are included in the 2021 Saltair Centennial Park Revitalization Concept Plan. I would love to see these and many other improvements. Unfortunately, a 2020 survey indicated that 70 per cent of the respondents did not support a tax

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increase of any kind to fund such improvements. In June 2021, the CVRD Parks and Trails Department conducted another survey, which would add to the results of two earlier surveys and perhaps modify the plan. The results of this survey have not yet been shared with the board. Moreover, work on the plan was delayed due to staffing changes/departures within the Parks and Trails division. I expect an update soon. lynne.smith@cvrd.bc.ca or 250-7011407. More info SaltairNews.ca

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They may look pretty but these Yellow iris are smothering the native plants along Quennell Lake’s shore. (below) Close up of blossom. Photos: Nick Longo (left) Workers pulling invasive species. Photo: Cheryl Bancroft

Invasive Species: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

BY K. BRAUCKMANN, EIS NATURALIST When invasive species pop up in conversation, it is often when discussing how destructive and annoying they are.

Many of them are just that, but these species are here to stay. Invasive species are introduced either accidentally or purposefully by humans. Usually it happens because people find value in them and do not realize the impact they can have on native ecosystems.

So how can we see any good in these invasive species as we work to control their impact? We can take a moment to appreciate some of their interesting or even beneficial aspects, many of which are the reason they were brought here in the first place. Here are a few invasive species that we have on Vancouver Island that we can learn to recognize.

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) can be found in most open spaces on the Island. In the spring, the Trans-Canada Highway is decorated with scores of yellow flowering shrubs. The removal of this invasive species is a priority because it can create impassable thickets, making it difficult for large mammals to migrate, and they stifle the growth of native species. Despite its current threat to native ecosystems, it was originally planted purposefully for its beautiful

flowers. Scotch broom flowers are a great food source for many pollinators, like hummingbirds and bees. Unfortunately, each plant can produce approximately 18,000 drought-and-fire-resistant seeds per year, making it nearly impossible to eradicate once established.

Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) can be found throughout the waterways of Vancouver Island, including the wetlands at Wildwood. It is most noticeable in late spring and summer, when its yellow flower is in bloom. Although beau-

tiful, this aquatic plant is colonizing Quennell Lake; it smothers the native shore plants and alters the lake’s ecology by making the lake edge inaccessible for species that rely on shallow water.

It is extremely difficult to destroy and spreads via horizontal roots, root fragments and the large seed pods. A positive observation I have made at Wildwood about this species is that Pacific tree frogs (Pseudacris regilla) love to hide from predators on the long leaves.

Speaking of predators, the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is the size of a dinner plate and has a huge appetite. It was brought to BC to be cultivated for its meaty back legs but is now everywhere. Their ability to travel between water systems and lay 20,000 eggs in one season has made them a highly successful invasive species. The American bullfrog will eat anything that can fit in its mouth: other frog species, small fish, salamanders, insects, snakes, turtles and even the occasional duckling.

Vancouver Island is home to an amazing array of diverse species, including the invasive ones mentioned above. Now that we know our impact on the ecosystems that we live in, we can effect positive change. If you have invasive species in your yard, learn how to identify, remove and dispose of it safely and get to work! https://www.ecoforestry.ca/event-listings.

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Community Planning for the Future We Want

BY GUY DAUNCEY Let’s start with a test: What does OCP stand for? Old cobbler pudding? Offduty Celibates Party? No, it stands for Official Community Plan, the draft of which concerns everyone who lives in the Cowichan Valley outside of North Cowichan, Duncan, Lake Cowichan and Ladysmith.

A good OCP is an inspiring vision of a community’s future. A bad OCP is a book of waffle that makes your brain weary and includes no commitments to act. We want the good one, not the other kind.

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The CVRD planners have written the first draft. If you search for “CVRD Bylaw 4373,” you can find it and print a copy. During April, they are offering 14 opportunities to participate in online workshops, two for each of seven of the OCP’s eight goals.

It opens with a vision statement: “Surrounded by thriving natural environments and farmlands, the Cowichan Valley is a collective of vibrant and distinct communities.” That’s pretty good.

It continues: “Our connection to nature is at the heart of our identity. … Growth is incremental and managed. … Resilience to emerging trends will define our community’s future.”

So, let’s dive in!

Goal 1 is to “mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis,” and the workshops are on the Wednesdays of April 13 and 27, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Are the actions and policies proposed sufficient to reduce our climate pollution from transportation and natural gas by 40 per cent by 2030, within 8 years? What more is needed? That’s for you to decide.

Goal 2 is to “manage infrastructure responsibly,” and the workshops are on the Tuesdays of April 5 and 19, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is about solid waste, recycling, sewage, energy, drinking water, and stormwater. It’s also about our aquifers and watersheds, and ecologically destructive logging practices that cause flooding, harm fish habitat and wash forest topsoil into the ocean.

Go to Cowichan Bay after a massive rainstorm, and you’ll see what I mean, as the topsoil from forest clearcuts is washed down the Koksilah River, driving the sealions away and turning the ocean brown.

Goal 3 is to “make distinct, complete communities,” which addresses — among other things — the affordable housing crisis. The text reads, “Compared to the rest of BC, housing is generally more affordable for owners, but somewhat worse for renters,” which might be true if this was the 1980s. Are the policies sufficient to end the crisis?

The workshops are on the Wednesdays of April 6 and 20, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Goal 4 is to “expand mobility op-

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tions.” This addresses the reality that 90 per cent of our trips are by private vehicle, producing 79 per cent of our dangerous greenhouse gases; that transit is minimal; that safe separated bike paths are few and far between; and that the CVRD has almost no jurisdiction in this area. However, the OCP also includes measures the CVRD can advocate for.

How can we make it easier for people to travel by bus and bike? The workshops are on the Thursdays of April 7 and 21, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Goal 5 is to “protect and restore natural assets” — our forests and rivers, creeks and wetlands. What must we do to protect our watersheds and the ecological integrity of the forest? How can we protect the frogs, the bees and the native plants the birds depend on? The workshops are on the Saturdays of April 9 and 23, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Goal 6 is to “strengthen local food and agricultural systems.” We all love our farmers, yet we import 95 per cent of our food. What changes are needed so that they can grow much more local food? What would it take for farm workers to be able to live on the farms where they work? The workshops are on the Saturdays of April 9 and 23, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Goal 7 is to “enhance regional prosperity,” which is about business and the supposed need for more industrial land to build warehouses to store all the things we buy from Amazon. How can we make our economy green and circular with zero waste? The workshops are on the Tuesdays of April 12 and 26, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Goal 8 is to “improve governance and implementation,” which is how the goals and policies will be implemented and progress will be measured. There are no workshops for this.

If you read the draft OCP, you’ll be better equipped to participate. If you have ideas for change, bring them with you. The OCP lays the foundation for our region’s zoning bylaws, local area plans and development permit areas, so it matters. Ideally, it stands for Obtainable Community Progress. Let’s make it so! See www.planyourcowichan.ca.

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Worry About Your Fridge There’s a woman in our neighborhood - I can’t give you her real name or my wife will kill me - but we’ll call her “Alice” because that’s not her real name.

Alice is a true believer, especially when it comes to health. She tends to believe those who failed grade nine science over those who aced it, like Dave at the Vitamin Hut who, according to the sign over the door, has been bashing your toxins since 2006.

But, as Alice will tell you, there’s a lot of false information out there, so you can’t be too careful. With the intellectual rigor of fans voting on Dancing with the Stars, and Dave’s help, she navigates through the dangerous shoals of personal health care. Her latest tactic in the battle for wellness is to avoid germs entirely. She does not allow germs to touch her bare flesh. When faced with a doorknob, she pulls her sleeve over her palm before opening the door. She also employs her wrists, elbows, shoulders and both butt cheeks, all fully clothed of course.

All this fancy maneuvering only makes germs laugh. If Alice had remained awake in grade nine science, she would know that germs aren’t stupid.

On more than one occasion, they have nearly taken over the planet. Germs use door knobs as staging areas. They post lookouts and, when they see Alice coming, it’s “Okay, germs, get ready. Looks like she’s planning to use the old sleeveover-the-palm trick again. On the count of three – JUMP!” Once the germs have established a beachfront on Alice’s sleeve and - after a short break for high fives and regrouping - it’s a forced march up the sleeve, over the shoulder and, from there, a swan dive into Alice’s partially exposed chest. (And Alice wonders why she al-

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ways gets chest colds.)

It’s not just with the battle against germs that Alice misses the point; it’s also in the smart meter thing. She insists that the new smart meters being installed by the hydro company pose a health risk. So far, the health risk has been limited to the BC Hydro employee she chased off her property with her electric hedge trimmers.

If I were going to be afraid of an electronic device, I’d be more concerned with garage door openers than smart meters. A smart meter ticks quietly away when you leave a bedroom light burning; a garage door opener can sling a 200-pound door around as if it’s nothing. When your smart meter malfunctions, you’re overcharged; when your garage door opener malfunctions, you can be decapitated.

Cell phones can also be scary. How do they make our voices travel through the air like that anyway? Phones are dangerous because, unlike a smart meter, you hold them up against your ear, millimeters away from your brain. Although, in Alice’s case, that might not be true.

But if you’re looking for the most diabolical apparatus in your house, look no further than human’s best friend - the fridge. You can tell your fridge has gone over to the dark side when things start to go missing: beer, ice cream and cookies, to name a few at random. You know how it goes: you’re certain there’s one beer left but you can’t find it anywhere, even when your wife looks for it.

Then come the mysterious noises. And I mean loud, scary noises like in a Steven Spielberg movie. You’re slouched on the couch watching a Top Gear rerun when your stupor is interrupted by what sounds like an overly-enthusiastic knock on the door.

You get to the door, open it, and…no one. You walk down the hall to the back door, an Alfred Hitchcock soundtrack playing in your head. No one there, either. If it’s a summer night, and you live in a subdivision, maybe you’ve been pranked. But it’s the middle of winter, you live in the country, it’s pouring rain, and kids don’t play knocky knocky nine doors anymore because an app hasn’t been developed for it, and it requires getting off the couch.

Aside from intermittent noises, and what sounds like two mice arguing over

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who gets the last pop tart, there’s also the mysterious water puddled on the floor exactly where a half-asleep guy plants his bare feet when reaching for the milk in the morning.

“Just a leaky fridge,” you might say.

And if it leaked regularly, that would be the logical answer. But it doesn’t. Weeks can go by and there’s not a drop. You forget about it, think the leak’s gone, then, this time with socks on, you reach for that milk, and… “AAAH!” Is someone living in your fridge? A clumsy someone who knocks over the occasional water bottle while practicing a tricky yoga maneuver? Let’s ask an expert. That would be Roger, quintessential appliance repairman, a man who can fix anything because he comes equipped. And by equipped, we mean with a well-loaded pocket protector.

This should come as no surprise, since Roger is a Pocket Protector Grand National regional winner…twice…in the lightweight division. A usual load for Roger’s pocket is a half-dozen Bic fine points, 2 HB pencils, one carpenter’s pencil, two thermometers, three mini flashlights, six crayons, and a tongue depressor - what you get when you bring in a professional.

Roger just stands and listens as I explain our fridge problems. When I finish, he uncrosses his arms, adjusts his bifocals, pulls up his pants, opens the fridge door and reads the make and model number. Then, suspicions confirmed, he nods once to himself. Next, he sits us down over coffee and cookies and carefully explains how certain models of Maytag fridges - not, coincidently, made on the graveyard shift - exhibit problems for which there are no rational explanations.

“What kind of problems?” my wife wants to know. Roger twirls his finger around slowly and starts making the Outer Limits sound; you know, the old TV show that began with the test pattern going up and down and the warning, “Do not adjust your set. We control the vertical, we control the horizontal.”

My wife’s hand slaps to her mouth in horror. “Aliens! Our fridge has aliens?”

I rush in to help, grabbing her hand in support. “Don’t worry, dear,” I say.

“We’ll get a new fridge.” Roger shakes his head sternly. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You don’t want to piss this

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fridge off. It’s probably befriended all your other appliances, like your printer. Does it also make funny noises that come and go, seemingly at random?”

We admit that it does. “Let me guess,” he says. “It’s a Kodak, right?”

It is indeed. “Maytag, Kodak, same deal. All made under the same roof. Your fridge is communicating with the printer.

Once that happens,” he shrugs, pulling a business card from his wallet, “You’ll need this man’s services.” The card reads: Winston Dunlop, Senior Appliance Exorcist.

“Winston does colonic irrigations in the off-season. I happen to know he’s running a two-for-one exorcism special this month. Who knows, maybe your friend who opens the door with her butt might be interested in his services too.”

My wife and I agreed; it sounded like something Alice could get behind.

If you’re the kind of guy who can keep up your end of the conversation even if the topic is thread count, or are considered to be the go to guy when it gets down to stacking pillows.

Then there’s a darn good chance you’ll pick up bottle of french rose despite the high price, light colour and skunk cabbage nose.

Our choice would be Isla Negra Rose. Around $10. On sale a lot.

Follow Delbert at Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com

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Tasty tidbits of foodie news and views

BY ELLY SMITH

A Taste of Europe Comes to Ladysmith From her early years of cooking, baking and being an all-round foodie, making charcuterie boards for friends and family was a natural next step for the new Ladysmith business owner, Sarah Ward of Fig & Olive.

In late October 2021, she set up a commercial kitchen in Ladysmith, making charcuterie boards and boxes for local businesses in the area. “I took a few samples to my girlfriends’ home parties, and they were a big hit,” says Sarah. “I want to feed people, create joy, and work with other women in business.”

How does she decide what goes in the boxes? “Whatever is fresh, on hand,

Sarah Ward of Fig & Olive offers charcuterie for large groups or individual servings. Photo: Elly Smith

Sean Fisher, owner of Roberts Street Pizza, with the new pickle pizza.

Photo: Elly Smith

whatever inspires me, and what matches the other foods. Themed boxes are fun; for example, in March, I added Irish cheeses for St. Paddy’s Day.” Boxes she prepares can accommodate all food and allergy types. Collaborating with her clients, Sarah creates the boxes that will work best for their event. She sources many products locally here in Ladysmith and from Salt Spring Island, and each box has her signature olive

branch from her tree in the backyard.

Sarah adds, “Leftover food or fruit that isn’t used goes to the local shelter, no waste in the kitchen!”

The charcuterie boxes come in five sizes, ranging from a one-person box; extra small for two; small for two to four; medium for four to six; and large for six to ten persons. Sarah has also created handheld cups with an assortment of delicacies on skewers that are

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perfect for walk-around parties. Platters, grazing boards for banquet tables, takeout charcuterie boxes — whatever your occasion, let Sarah at Fig & Olive create something special for you!

Serving up aliens and humans Where does a Resident Alien go for Pizza?

Why Roberts Street Pizza naturally!

The cast and crew enjoyed sampling their way through the great menu while they were in town filming, and to the delight of new owner Sean Fisher, they also filmed the final episode of season one on his restaurant patio.

As a young high school student, Sean joined the team of Robert’s Street pizza, working part time in the kitchen and on the road delivering. From there, it was years learning all about the pizza making business until COVID arrived, at which time, Munroe, the founder and original owner, decided to hand over the reins to Sean.

Sean says, “The upside of COVID has been that more people want to support a local business, so our deliveries increased.”

The challenges of COVID were mostly with the suppliers and the closure of the pizzeria for a month due to supply issues. Now, he tries even harder to shop locally. Hiring delivery drivers during COVID was another challenge but reaching out into the community through his staff and the high schools really helped.

Coming up: Pickle pizza lovers the long wait is over! Celebrate a new addition to all your favorites in April with this “dilly” of a pizza. Let’s say this three times quickly: “Pickle Pizza for pick-up, please!”

Sean is passionate about giving back to the community, and Roberts Street Pizza is a proud sponsor of the Ladysmith Secondary School Graduation Class of 2022 and the Ocean Clean-up Day on April 24.

If you are opening a new restaurant, have a new chef, celebrating a milestone, created a new menu or have anything food related to share with the TAKE 5 community, TABLE TALK welcomes you to submit your news/info to Elly at info@take5.ca.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING April 1 to April 3rd. Mayday for our Children – Visual art presentation. St Josephs Art Studio Gallery 9735 Elm St. Chemainus Noon to 4pm or by appointment 250 210 2237 April 2nd – Rotary Shredding Fundraiser for Ukraine 11am to 2pm Ladysmith Secondary High School April 22 – 24 Spring Art Tour 10am – 5pm Chemainus, Ladysmith, Cedar & Yellowpoint https://www.ladysmitharts.ca/spring-art-tour April 24 – Ocean Clean Up Day @ Ladysmith Community Marina Info@sosscuba.ca FOR SALE FISH FISH FISH. Buy direct from the guy who caught it! High-quality salmon, lingcod, rockfish. All fish blast frozen at sea. Satisfaction guaranteed! Call Jim at oceandancer.wallace@ gmail.com or 250-245-5957/250-739-1123.

HEALTH & WELLNESS TAI CHI for mental & physical health. Beginner class starts September & January, Monday mornings. Ongoing class every Wednesday morning. For class time and location and more information, visit www.taichinanaimo.org or call Sara 250-245-1466.

WORKSHOPS THAT HEAL. Anyone Can Massage! The Sanctuary – 1 day Retreat; Fun With Essential Oils; Art Heals; and more! Info at www.wildflowernaturalhealth.ca.

YOGA BY THE SEA with Elly - Wednesday mornings 9:30 – 10:30am, Nanaimo Curling Club, 106 Wall Street, off Comox. All levels welcome!

Information & Registration - ellybythesea@gmail. com .

BUSINESS EXPERIENCED HOUSESITTER Now offering senior companionship, respite care and concierge services. Peaceofmindcare. wordpress.com. Contact Kathleen at kgrcoaching@gmail.com or 250-619-0786.

I CAN EDIT. Copy editing, proofreading, structural editing & more. Fiction or nonfiction, web content and eBook prep. For more info, email editican@gmail.com.

EDUCATION SHEEPSKIN TANNING, ORGANIC & ETHICAL. Respectful of earth and animals.

April 8, 9, 10, 2022, from 10am to 3pm, at the North Oyster Community Centre; $385 includes supplies and your own sheepskin rug to take home. Contact www.fernandroe. com or email hello@fernandroe.com.

HOME & YARD PAINTER. Certified journeyman. Clean, efficient, respectful, punctual, responsible.

20+ years’ experience. WCB coverage.

Enhance your enjoyment of the home you love. Call Howard 245-2751.

KB HANDYMAN AND YARDWORKS. Minor carpentry work, decks, fences, power washing, tree pruning, yard clean up, lawn fertilizing, mowing. Seniors discount.

Contact Karl kbhandymanandyardworks@ gmail.com or 250-714-2738.

APRIL 2022

DARRELL ESSAR RENOVATIONS. Over 30 years’ experience, certified journeyman carpenter. No job is too small, from fences, decks, tile work, hardwood flooring, painting, drywall, etc. For free estimate, call Darrell 250-714-3823.

MAKE IT NICE. Qualified, experienced, gardening and fruit tree pruning. Available for private, residential gardens. Please call 250-754-9346.

CONCRETE RESULTS. Foundations, retaining walls, patios, driveways, walks and stairs. Full forming and finishing. 40 years’ experience. Email Gord at concreteresults@ live.com.

HEART LAKE ROOFING for all your roofing repairs 250-668-9195.

MUSIC & ART IRISH CONCERTINA CLUB FOR BEGINNERS at Cedar Heritage Hall 1644 MacMillan Road, on April 3 & 10, May 1 & 15; June 5 & 19, Ages 12–90 years; learn scales and simple toe-tappin’ Irish Dance tunes; $5 at the door. There are Irish music fans around the world and it is not necessary to be of Irish ancestry to learn Irish music.

Please pre-register and to borrow a beginner concertina, contact Morgan greengarden@ shaw.ca or 250-245-5778.

EXPERT FINE ART CLASSES. “My fine art practice makes me fully alive and gives my life meaning and purpose.” Is this what you want?

If so, visit www.strasbourgthomsponstudio. ca or call Barry at 250-210-2237.

QUALITY RENOVATIONS. Big or small. 25 years’ exp./journeyman, affordable. For free estimate, call Lars 250-616-1800.

PETS

ALL ACRES providing all aspects of tree work. Pruning, falling, hedging, dangerous tree removal. Fully insured. Professional work at reasonable rates. Call 250-246-1265.

PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SERVICE “leash ’em & walk ’em” with Marlena. I have Animal First Aid, CPR and criminal record check. My service for all pet includes dog walking, home care visits, overnight in your home and much more. As my love is yours! Call 250-246-3394.

SENIORS HIRED HAND for independent elder, odd jobs, companionship, meal prep, etc.! Valid First Aid/ CPR, clean driver’s record, Level 2 FOODSAFE and handywoman. Call Marilyn at 250-606-7069.

LOOKING TO LEAVE A LEGACY BEHIND? TAKE 5 offers book and ebook publishing along with video production services. Whether you are looking for a family memoir, a cookbook that can be passed on for generations or a beautiful coffee-table book, we can help you get it ready to print. Give Marina a call at 250-245-7015 for a quote on your book, ebook or video project.

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Spring Forward!

“Spring has sprung, the grass is riz, I wonders where the birdies is.”

— Anonymous Yikes! Spring has indeed sprung ... with a vengeance. That cold snap and a fair bit of wet stuff falling from the heavens has once again lulled me into a sense of false security. Everything here at the farm appeared to be in a state of suspended animation. Those in the know say not to rake up the leaves or disturb the dead blanket of ground cover — they’re home to butterfly larvae, microbes and worms. Good enough for me.

But all of a sudden, like a film on fast forward, everything started to sprout out of the ground and on the trees. How had I not noticed this?

So, now I’m running madly from one task to the next. When I walk out the door, I have my hand pruners in my holster, grab the long handle adjustable loppers and let’s not forget the snazzy pole pruner.

I don’t get far, just inside the orchard, because that’s where I’ve planted, thinned and replanted a bed of rhubarb, 21 plants in all, but hard to see under a million weeds secured down by blackberry vines. I fall to my knees and start my work.

Then realizing my other rhubarb patches around the farm are probably in the same condition, I truck on past the horse barn, where, as I look up at the attached trellis, make a mental note that 90 per cent of these grape vines need to be pruned off — like last month — but after I see to the rhubarb. Already too late to divide some of these massive clumps.

I’ve been “spreading the rhubarb love” since the first spring after our arrival here in October 2004. Originally, our

Jackie Moad showing off her harvest. Photo submitted.

sweet friend Lynne Wallace had placed several plants in a huge mound of goat manure. It was from those six “mothers” that I started my plots. I now have 48 beauties. I’ve sold them at the 49th Parallel grocers, the Cedar Farmers’ and Market Women’s Institute table and at the farm gate; I’ve canned it, froze it, jammed it. But for the last few years, it’s been one of two magic ingredients in Jessie’s plum-rhubarb wine!

But then I look up and notice for the very fi rst time the almond tree’s full pink blossoms. When did that happen?

Thankfully, it’s the only thing here that doesn’t need attention. Well not the only thing — there’s those daffodils, which like the rhubarb, are indeed the gift that keeps on giving, multiplying every year, and this will not be the year to split and transplant them either.

They will be in full bloom, hundreds of them, by the time this here panic message is read. But right this minute, it’s almost past time to pick, bunch, and get that old table and “Lynne’s Daffodils” sign out at the gate.

The sea of daffs now catches my attention, specifically the ones I transplanted years ago around all our new “great deal” fruit trees. Yes, the fruit trees.

That reminds me that I need to get all those mason bee cocoons from Maggie,

pretty up the eight condos (or should I say “Mason lodges”!) and get them up before those fruit tree buds start to break out in outrageous flowers.

But before that, gotta get rid of all those suckers at the base — they don’t call them suckers for nothin’ — then the three Ds (dead, damaged, diseased), then thin out and then shape. Have I mentioned how many fruit trees we have? Would I like some camembert or brie with my whine?

I just have to keep reminding myself of the end result: I just gave the last two wintered apples to the sheep (much to the horses’ chagrin ) and still have enough frozen apple juice to last until this year’s pickin’s are ripe for pressing.

All this past winter and until harvest, we will be enjoying the dried and canned fruit, with enough for gifting too. And look at me, crying the blues. Give that head a shake, Jackie. The hard work now will pay off real soon. Then that familiar voice inside snaps me back to reality, Those grape vines aren’t going to prune themselves. Move it!

Jackie Moad is in high gear now with spring orchard chores, playing catch-up until the cows come home — and there are no cows on that 20 acres of organic paradise, just lots and lots of blossoms.