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Letters Student joins new heritage cultural centre This summer I’m working as a heritage and cultural assistant at the Ladysmith Maritime Society. The funding for this position was provided by Young Canada Works. As a heritage and cultural assistant I am able to unite my passion for history, photography, and education. Every day I learn something new about Ladysmith’s rich history. I also enjoy talking to visitors at the Heritage and Cultural Centre. They often share personal stories that enrich and expand the historical facts of the area. It is people who bring history to life, and I have the honour to be able to document that history for future generations.

I work at one of the most beautiful places in Ladysmith, the LMS Community Marina and the Expo Legacy Building. As Post-Baccalaureate of Education student, I’m delighted that I have an opportunity to design educational activities for children, families, schools and community members.

When the Heritage and Cultural Centre opens, visitors will be able to learn about the past using an interactive approach.

Through family photographs, life size displays, authentic artifacts, and audio-visual technology, visitors will see, hear and touch the past. I am privileged to work with a volunteer team, who generously give of their time, knowledge, and expertise to the Ladysmith Maritime Society. Alyxandra McClure, BA

At the root of it On Root Street in Ladysmith we have a fenced public park which is very well used. Young people play basketball, play street hockey, much younger children enjoy the playground equipment and younger still romp on the grass.

Root St. Park has the signage posted at the gated entrance of “No Dogs Allowed”.

On a few occasions I personally have ventured across and have asked dog owners to please not have their dogs in the park and to please obey the sign. I was therefore especially surprised and completely dismayed when Sunday afternoon - I was invited into the park to see the other Ladysmith sign posted high on a separate fence “ Please pick up after your dog.

What is Ladysmith attempting with their written instructions? They have a double standard with the signs at Root St. No matter the children grow up facing this double standard as rules and regulations mean so little to so many as I walk around this town picking up beer cans, water bottles, pop cans and see

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dog faeces bags thrown all over. It was therefore of no surprise to me when this Sunday afternoon the family I spoke to used vile language in front of their children and threw a bag of dog faeces on to my property. - Vera M. Robinson

Dog Lovers Please contact City Hall or Parks Dept. to request STOP SIGNS and or SPEED BUMPS at our Transfer Beach Playground and dog park before a terrible accident occurs. Now! Unfamiliar visitors to Transfer Beach with their kids and dogs unloading and crossing may not notice a child or family pet anxious to get out and go are not aware of speeding vehicles entering or leaving this vulnerable crossing. Very Slow must be enforced now not later summer is here. Increasing traffic, looking for parking not for kids and dogs darting out.

- Bob Devine

Re: Marvelous Machines The thinly cloaked advertisement for a bigger, faster and likely noisier off-road vehicle (July issue) used for ripping up the backwoods and terrorizing what little wildlife still survives around Ladysmith is yet another example of everything that’s wrong with our world. The attitude that this planet is our playground, to be exploited, plundered, and used for whatever profit, fun and games we see fit, is old, tired and done. The yahoo mentality that your magazine seems to promote with this “extreme machine” is outdated at best.

We’re moving into another way of living/being on the Earth, a way that includes gratitude and for some a profound appreciation for the Earth’s bounty and support. We have great challenges ahead of us as we negotiate the powers and attitudes that would continue to degrade the health of our environment and consequently all life, including human. (Think tar sands, pipelines and fracking, manmade electro-magnetic frequencies, and fish farms to name but a few examples of issues that affect us all, whether we choose to know about them or bury our heads in the sand.)

We can still enjoy the “great outdoors” but we can do so with respect, rather than having to destroy everything in our path.

I challenge TAKE 5 to take on more topics that actually affect the people of this community rather than serve us the “feel goodyuk yuk-ain’t life grand” stuff that few people buy anymore.

More articles that are informative and helpful, such as those written by Rob Johnson, would go a long way to help initiate dialogue among citizens. As a magazine that boasts a wide readership, Take 5 has the opportunity to be a “change agent” or it can continue to rest on its advertisers’ revenues and maintain the status quo, which is, thankfully, on shifting ground. - ML Leidl Editors’ Note: The company that sells the off road vehicle featured last month in TAKE 5 was not advertising in the July issue and hasn’t for a number of years. As one of the only independent 100 per cent local publications serving this community, we are grateful for the support we receive. Our advertisers allow us to produce and distribute TAKE 5 to the community at no charge. We are an open forum for the community to express its opinion and various interests.

Letters to the Editor are welcome but subject to space and editing. Letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TAKE 5. email editor@take5.ca, or post at www.take5.ca

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Preserving the past for the future There are many things that make our community special. One of these is the way we celebrate our heritage, protecting and preserving it to ensure that future generations can enjoy and learn from it.

Council has worked closely with our citizens and neighbours on a number of projects and partnerships to help ensure our history is kept alive for future generations.

We are fortunate to have a dedicated Heritage Revitalization Advisory Commission working closely with Council on many of these projects. The Commission was first established in the 1980’s, made up of citizens appointed

by Council, is responsible for developing our Heritage Strategic Plan, which guides our heritage preservation efforts.

The Commission spearheaded the Community Heritage Register, an inventory of our historic buildings. Most recently, the Commission had heritage plaques installed on many of our most important buildings.

Several years ago, with the financial help of a local benefactor, the Town was very fortunate to acquire a fascinating collection of photographs and heritage artifacts from the family of the late Ray

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Knight, a history buff who saw a story in every photograph, piece of furniture, or implement, no matter how small. The Town worked closely with the Ladysmith Historical Society to establish a new home for the Knight Collection — the Ladysmith Archives. In addition to cataloguing and preserving the Knight Collection at the Archives, the Historical Society researches our heritage for groups and individuals wanting to know more about their own past and that of our Town.

With heartfelt thanks to the Ladysmith and District Credit Union for ongoing support, the volunteers of the Ladysmith Historical Society recently opened the Ladysmith Museum, bringing even more of our history to life for residents and visitors alike. This museum is almost entirely the work of a very dedicated group of volunteers who care about telling our story to one and all. Our small town also boasts another museum — the Maritime Museum at the Ladysmith Maritime Society Community Marina — which celebrates our connection to the Ladysmith Harbour over the years.

While the history of our Town’s streets, buildings, economy and people is well documented and preserved, it is important to remember that the story of our community goes back thousands of years, when the people of the Stz’uminus First Nation thrived on the shores of what they called Oyster Harbour and its environs with its rich source of fish and shellfish. The Stz’uminus people are working with the Town and community groups like the Ladysmith Maritime Society to help restore the health of our beautiful harbour. In addition, Council is working with Stz’uminus First Nation to add location signage in the traditional language.

In recognition of our special town’s 110th birthday in 2014, I hope you will take the time to stroll the Heritage Walk, study the metal heritage collage on First Avenue, visit the Ladysmith Museum and the Maritime Museum, read the heritage building plaques, and remember all those who went before us to build this community we call home.

The ore cart, part of the Artefact Route downtown Ladysmith. The historic Temperance Hotel in the background.

Photo: Cindy Damphousse

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Dust of Ages “Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.” ~ Confucius ~ The dust spirals up around me, dancing in the sunlight as I walk through fields of hay - cut, bale and harvest only days away. I pick up the pitchfork, and the pickaxe, the dusty lane kicks up behind, pulling at me heels. The earth is calling, time to strike. Out to the orchard I go to dig up the garlic, twisting scapes of the garden plot turned full and straight, reaching for the sun.

Sweat rolls down my face, neck and chest. Hot, hot, hot under a bare sky of blue. My spade pushes into the dirt. I pull at this root crop of the rural class, this food and medicine of ancient cultures. Unbidden I recall a lesson from the old school, about the 12th century English theologian Alexander Neckham, who considered this pungent allium a palliative for the heat of the sun in field labour. Hmmmm, memories tumble.

Dig, pull, dig, pull, hot, dust, sweat, swirling thoughts awander. What the heck, I take a bite of the garlic bulb, dirt and all, and shake my fool head. Bite me! What a kick!! I take another, mouth burning, sharp aromatics spiking a gritty mix that picks away at my insides, just as my back and skin sear under the deepest brightest hottest sun above.

A song pushes at my foot, the spade and rhythm in tandem. Ada Blenkhorn, across the continent by the Atlantic Ocean in 1899, offers a tune to live by...

Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side of life; It will help us ev’ry day, it will brighten all the way, If we keep on the sunny side of life.

And beneath me, up out of the hard dry ground, comes a rock of ages, the ace of spades in these here parts, way back when the miners ruled the earth.

Coal miner with a cart of ore. Horses and mules toiled along with the miners. 1915.

Photo courtesy of Ladysmith Archives 2007-034-1259

There’s a dark and a troubled side of life; There’s a bright and a sunny side, too; Tho’ we meet with the darkness and strife, The sunny side we also may view.

Way, way, down, below me, 600 yards and more, the echo of a time before. I strike now with the pickaxe, splintering this remnant of our Precambrian age, when the dinosaurs roamed and the palm fronds swayed. Was that a fossil etched for me to find? There’s so much before me.

No boss whistle ordering me to work I do strike again, and coal dust explodes into the air, black and gleaming, sharp and slicing, a carbon cloud and an anthracitic rock offering itself for harvest.

Was this from a tipple of the Dunsmuir Mines? A pocketful of dust and slag from a Collieries miner, coat and leggings tossed to one side, happy to be digging in the garden, sweating in the sun in the few hours afforded away from a long day’s hard work? Or did this pebble push up, freed of peat bog beginnings, fractured from a sinuous seam, seeking fresh air and the dawn of a new age in a paradise when coal was no longer king?

And too those who worked deep down in the mines that founded the Colony of Vancouver Island, who breathed the black air as Colonies united, and smote the black stones endlessly as Confederation promised it’s bounty above. What of them?

The midlands of Coal Tyee hold many beginnings, stories untold and never to be known. I think about the miners, their struggles and hard-won rights, a legacy for my benefit.

I inherit this life of beauty and promise with a wealth and power undreamed of in the poverty and transient hardships which faced the generations that forged these coastal communities of Vancouver Island.

Selfless acts of sacrifice before me, the common good and our common future inviting membership in a society that values humanitarian virtues, ethical actions and democracy’s guiding principles.

The miners of Vancouver Island and their families are a hard act to follow. I sink my spade into the good earth, pull another palliative stock free and look to the sky.

A song of the Atlantic Ocean hangs in the air, no doubt carried in the hearts of many who worked mines deep under our Pacific shores ...keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side... I’m one with the dust rising around me.

Laurie Gourlay has not really worked with environmental groups for thirty-odd years, does not indeed farm 20 acres organically on Vancouver Island with life-partner Jackie Moad, and has in fact never worked a single day in his long and very comfortable life on this side of the grass, though he does not actively seek local solutions to global challenges.

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Tour de Rock Wall of Heroes Ladysmith & District Credit Union is demonstrating its continued focus on community by supporting a unique fundraising opportunity for the Tour de Rock this year.

Tour de Rock (Cops for Cancer) is an RCMP bike riding fundraiser that begins at the north end of Vancouver Island and covers the west, east and south coasts.

Riders travel over 1000 km during this two-week event to raise funds for children living with cancer. Funds raised are used for childhood cancer research and to send kids to Camp GoodTimes, a place where children fighting this terrible disease can feel welcome, accepted and understood.

A new mural will be painted in the

Priming the wall in preparation of the Wall of Heros mural at Ladysmith & District Credit Union. Photo: Lisa de Leeuw

lower parking area of LDCU, one which highlights the need for all in our community to continue to strive for a “path to a cure”. The mural will detail a scenic view of trees and a path, but the focus will be on an English-style rock wall.

This rock wall will be the fundraiser

portion of the mural and will allow anyone, for a minimum donation of $50.00, to have the name of their cancer “hero” painted on. Not limited to young or old, the cancer “hero” in your life may be a survivor, someone who carried the fight, or even a caregiver (those who have car-

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ried others as they walked their journey). If you would like to participate in the fundraising effort by having your hero’s name included on the mural, simply come into Ladysmith & District Credit Union (330 First Ave., Ladysmith) and make a minimum contribution of $50.00 to Tour de Rock - Account # 992800 / Mural. Include the name of your hero. (with correct spelling) The mural’s “grand reveal” will be on September 30, 2013 at approximately 2:00 pm, when the Riders will stop in Ladysmith. LDCU invites everyone who has participated in the mural fundraising effort to be present and to take pictures with the riders. As a community, Ladysmith can come together to congratulate the Riders on their continued dedication, as well as see a powerful reminder of local heroes of the fight. The mural will continue to be on display for the Ladysmith community throughout the following year. If there are any questions about this initiative, please contact Kim Judson. kjudson@ldcu.ca or (250)245-6390. For more information on the Tour de Rock (Cops for Cancer) effort, please visit www.tourderock.ca.

Show and Shine It’s the 10th annual Ladysmith Show and Shine and the committee is gearing up for another exciting show.

“This year the Pacific Westcoast Mustang group will be joining us,” says committee chair Ron Howe. “Through the years the event has grown to where we now have to cap it at 260 or we’d run out of room,” says Ron. The event takes up most of First Avenue downtown Ladysmith.

Festivities start on Friday, August 16 at 7pm with a Rod Run to start at the A&W Restaurant and go down the Trans Canada Highway south and turn on to First Avenue, south to Dogwood Drive then Davis Road and cross the highway at Coronation Mall. They will follow Old Chemainus Highway to the roundabout at the Best Western in Chemainus, then proceed back along the same route. The big Show and Shine is on Saturday, August 17, downtown Ladysmith. There will be trophies for peoples’ choice so come down and see the cars and vote for your favourite. Enjoy live music by Fred Izon and shop at the car related vendors’ booths. The show runs from 9 am to 3pm. http://members.shaw.ca/ladysmithsns/

Blackstaffs host fellow car historian of the Great Auto Race of 1908 On July 21, Shirley and Harry Blackstaff opened their doors and heritage automobiles to Jeff Mahl, the great grandson of George Schuster, the driver of the famous Thomas Flyer, the American, entry in the Great Auto Race of 1908. The BlackJeff Mahl and Harry Blackstaff share a passion for the Great Auto Race. Photo: Rob Johnson

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staffs were proud to show off their car which also participated in the world famous race. A 1906 Italian made Zust, one of the three cars that completed the race from New York to Paris was restored by Harry Blackstaff and his late brother Jim, along with many friends. The Blackstaffs’ car is the only one from the race still in private hands, the others being housed in museums as national treasures. Mahl, who is retracing the original route, first met the Blackstaffs in Buffalo, New York, where they were part of the Celebration of the 100th anniversary of the start of the race. - Rob Johnson

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charity name: Ladysmith Family and Friends Society. Note Great Lake Walk in the comments area or, mail a cheque to PO Box 1830 Ladysmith BC V9G 1B4 and reference Great Lake Walk. For more information on the walk or to join them and to register visit www.greatlakewalk.co

Staycation winner Ladysmith Accommodations Association recently announce the winner of the Staycation Prize during the Home Town Tourist Weekend. During the tour entry ballots were available in eight accommodations. Dave Taylor will enjoy an overnight stay at Page Point Inn plus vouchers for dining at the Mahle House restaurant and a voucher for Sealegs Kayaking.

LaFF Great Lake Walk On September 21, 2013, three of Ladysmith Family and Friends (LaFF) employees will participate in the Great Lake Walk, a 56 km walk/run around Cowichan Lake event to raise money for charities. Jacquie Neligan, Sandra Hendricks and Jill Collins will be collecting pledges and all funds will go directly towards LaFF regular programming and purchasing a much needed portable hand washing station for families and children to use during LaFF programming. Their goal is to raise $3,000.

In order to meet this goal, they are asking for pledges from local businesses and individuals. By making a pledge, you are making a difference in the lives of children and families in your community and tax receipts will be issued by LaFF on donations over $25.

There are three easy ways to support their cause. Drop by Aggie Hall Tuesday to Thursday mornings from 9:30am-noon and fill out pledge form or make a donation. Go to Canada Helps and make a donation online. www.Canadahelps.org and enter

Cedar Lions Club, in its on going support of local community charities in Ladysmith/Nanaimo, donated $570 to the Clay Tree Society for people with developmental disabilities. John Cummings, Past President, and Gordon Melliar, member, are seen here handing the cheque to Darryl Racine, Operations Manager, while students look on.

New heritage cultural centre at LMS Shirley Blackstaff and Marnie Craig are working on the new LMS Ladysmith Heritage Cultural Centre located in the old Expo Building. When it opens later this year, it will be an interactive learning place where heritage and cultures are shared.

The centre will focus on the waterfront industry such as fishing and oyster farming. ``We want this to be an interactive hands-on place,`` say the coordinators, who are creating exhibits that draw in the visitor and encourage you to explore what life was like by becaoming part of the exhibits. If you have any waterfront artefacts or photos please contact them at 250 245-0109 Photo: Marina Sacht

The newly elected President and Executive for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 171: Roy Empey, Jim Parks, Barb Martin, Violet Mortensen, Karen Graczyk, Jeanne Seney, Doug Hawkins, President Gary Phillips, Kevin O’Neill, Naomi Nakahara.

Photo: Rob Johnson

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BY ROB JOHNSON The Great Coal Strike of Vancouver Island 1912-1914, was one of, if not the most defining events in Ladysmith’s history.

It marked the end of the golden age of Ladysmith. Up until the strike Ladysmith’s future was unlimited. The City had grown by leaps and bounds. It was the second busiest port on the Island, it had an opera hall, 18 hotels, and so much more. Travellers would arrive almost daily from all over the country and the world. It was one of the nicest, cleanest and prettiest communities in all of B.C., especially for being a coal mining community. But that all changed with the 1912-1914 coal strike and the fallout from World War I followed up by the Great Depression.

The Strike started in September 1912, at the Cumberland mine of Canadian Collieries, a mine once owned by James Dunsmuir. He had sold the mine to Canadian Collieries a part of Canadian National Railway two years earlier, and was not directly involved in the strike. The strike was between the Canadian National Railway (Canadian Collieries) and the newly established United Mine Workers District 28. The union seized the opportunity to make an issue over the dismissal of Oscar Mottishaw and a man named Smith. Mottishsaw had previously worked at the Extension mine and had been on the Gas Committee there. While in Extension, he had reported gas in the mine which resulted in an area of the mine being shut down until ventilation was improved. Later, the working place assigned him in the mine ran out of coal and he was told that there was no more work for him. He was considered by management to be a disruptive force by strongly advocating the benefits of joining the union and annoying other workers. Daily he reapplied

Above: Coal miners at No. 5 mine set new record for 524 tons in eight hours. Photo Ladysmith Archivers 2007-034-4785 Below: Extension miners going into the mine Photo: Ladysmith Archives 2007-034-407

for work in the mine, but he was not rehired even though other miners were rehired, including some who had reported the gas in the mine. Then he moved to Cumberland, where he started work for a contract miner. According to the manager of the mine Mottishaw was being paid 30 per cent more than others working the same job, and they didn’t want to set a precedent.

The contractor was ordered by the management of the mine to let him go and didn’t indicate that Mottishaw’s past involvement with the gas committee was an issue.

It was felt that because he worked to create the establishment of the United Mine Workers Union, he was being unjustly treated. The union wanted him another worker who had been let go because the company felt that he couldn’t do the job, reinstated.

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Those miners that had joined the union decided to have a “holiday” as they could not legally go out on strike.. This “holiday” of support had been declared because they felt that the company had openly discriminated against Mottishaw and other men who were actively involved in organizing a union. It was their intention to be on “holiday “for only one day, but the company had other plans. The next day, the miners were ordered to remove their tools. The company’s position was that the action by those who went on “holiday” was a form of quitting, and locked them out unless they signed a company contract. On September 18 the workers at the Extension mine, where the Ladysmith miners worked, a voted to support their brothers in Cumberland . The vote was close as it passed with only 100 votes to spare.

On notice of the vote the company then notified the workers at Extension to remove their tools too. Now 1600 men were off the job.

The strike was only against Canadian Collieries as all the other coal mines on the Island were still working. On May 1 the United Mine Workers of America called for a strike to close all the mines on the Island in spite of the fact that these mines and their workers had legal contracts. Contracts that had been agreed to by the mines and a committee of the men that had been authorized to negotiate a contract on their behalf, as they weren’t represented by a union. The United Mine Workers of America issued its Notice of General Strike saying that the union, with the endorsement of the National Union, were on strike. It went on to say “Anyone going to work in these mines will be branded as ‘a scab’”. This strike in effect even though the most of the workers affected didn’t want to go on

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strike. They were on strike “Ballot or No Ballot”, according to the union.

By January 1913, the situation in Ladysmith had started to deteriorate as some of the Ladysmith strikers were wanting to return to work, and this was leading to unrest. Ladysmith’s Mayor George Hiller saw the potential danger of this situation. He sent a telegram to Attorney General Bowser asking for at least 25 special police to protect workers who were being harassed while going through the town to and from the work trains. The next day a similar request was made by some of the workers. Later that day Mayor Hillier sent another telegram requesting that the Provincial Police take over policing the City from the Ladysmith municipal police. As a result, the Province sent eight reinforcements to supplement the city’s police force of two. The situation remained calm until mid August. Production levels in the mines were starting to return to pre strike levels and the stress on the strikers was intensified. More and more miners were returning to work and strike breakers were arriving in the area filling the jobs vacated by the strike.

Barracks at Laysmith. The militia was housed here during the strike. Building was first a newspaper office and later the Native Sons Hall. Today it is the home of the Ladysmith Eagles.

Photo:Ladysmith Archives 2007-034-2637 Opposite page: Wellington Collieries Miners passenger train Ladysmith Archives 2007-034-442

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Finally on the morning of August 11 the tension between strikers and workers reached a crisis. Two strikers were attacked by four strike breakers resulting in one of them, John Pollock, being stabbed. Rumours were circulating that a number of strikers would be returning to work that day. In Nanaimo these rumours resulted in a crowd of 500 picketers and supporters taking to the streets of Nanaimo to show their support for the strike. By afternoon a mob of 600 to 700 marched to No 1 mine in Nanaimo, chanting and harassing the strike breakers.

The next day 1000 gathered at the Reserve mine in Nanaimo.

Some of the working miners were attacked, while others hid in the mine until the crowd left. The Mayor of Nanaimo called for more special police. It was reported that these additional special police would arrive the next day by train. When the train arrived, a crowd of 500 plus was waiting. The strikers and their supporters removed badges and guns from the police and threatened to throw them in to the bay. On August 12 strikers in South Wellington attacked the homes of many of the working miners and the managers but they were beaten back when the manager threatened to open fire on them. Meanwhile up in Extension more strikers threatened to march on the mine but the manager had armed about a hundred miners.

The same day, rumours were heard about a march on Exten-

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sion by the Nanaimo miners so the South Wellington strikers planned to join in. The Nanaimo strikers changed their minds and didn’t go but that didn’t stop the South Wellington strikers.

When they arrived at the mine they attacked the pithead and shots were exchanged. Word was sent back to Nanaimo that six strikers had been killed (untrue). Now, the march from Nanaimo began. A party of 600 strikers reached Extension later that day and more violence broke out. Miners’ homes were looted and equipment was destroyed. On arrival at the pithead they were greeted with rifle fire. Strikers broke into a local hardware store and stole guns and ammunition. Now armed, the invading force of strikers from Nanaimo was too strong for the miners to hold off and they fled into the woods. Twelve miners’ homes were burned and 11 others were looted. In addition 18 houses in the Extension Chinatown were looted and wrecked. Many of the families of the strike breakers or working miners were driven into the bush where they hid out for days without food and with only the clothes on their backs. In spite of all the shooting and destruction at Extension during this time only a spectator standing on a nearby hill was wounded by a stray bullet.

When word of the Nanaimo riots reached Ladysmith, and with the arrival of more strike breakers arriving in Ladysmith, a riot started. On the evening of August 12, 200 to 300 of the Ladysmith strikers and their families took to the streets smashing the windows of the homes of the working miners. The crowd grew larger during the evening and ended up in front of the Temperance Hotel on the corner of First Avenue and High Street. The Temperance was where some of the imported strike breakers were being housed. Just after midnight a charge of dynamite was set, resulting in minor damage to the hotel. Later that night a pair of general public supporters of the strike attacked the home of miner Alexander McKinnon who had supported the

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Above: Extension Mine turn of the century. Mules being taken into mine.

Photo: Ladysmith Archives 2007-034-381 Below: Working inside the mine. Photo: Ladysmith Archives 2007-034-087

strike in the early days, and received strike pay. He found that as the strike went on, he couldn’t afford to maker payments on his home, so he returned to work. A homemade bomb was thrown through the window of one of the bedrooms. The sound of breaking glass caught the attention of McKinnon. He found the bomb in the bedroom of his young daughters and while attempting to throw it out the back door, it exploded, causing the loss of a hand, the sight in one eye and hearing in one ear. The following day William Rafter and his three sons were attacked and badly beaten as they attempted to go to work.

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This violence led to Attorney General Bowser calling in the militia -150 troops to Ladysmith and another 650 to Cumberland. Martial law was never invoked, but it was obvious that the army was now in full control. He later sent an additional 50 men and two machine guns to support the troops. The strikers weren’t going to back down. It was reported that 1500 armed strikers blocked the road to Extension, but they didn’t take any action against the deployed troops who by that time numbered over 1000 in the area.

When the troops entered Extension, they saw much of the town in ruins and mining equipment burned.

Lieutenant Colonel Hall, in charge of the troops, found that the telephone and telegraph operators were leaking confidential information about his plans to the strikers. Even after he replaced these operators with his own men, the strikers learned of his plans as they had tapped into the telephone lines. In order to maintain confidentiality, his orders were relayed by Gaelic speaking solders and restricted communication to authorized personnel. With his lines of communication secure, plans for mass arrest were drawn up. Early in the morning of August 16, striking miners connected with the riots in Ladysmith and South Wellington were rousted out of bed by armed troops and escorted to the waiting police to be charged. In all, 213 strikers from all over the Island were arrested, 58 from Ladysmith. Two of the first from Ladysmith to be tried were union leaders who hadn’t taken part in any violence, but were found guilty of inciting a riot. They were sentenced to two years in the penitentiary. Three youths were also found guilty of rioting, and sentenced to two years in prison, while and additional 23 were sentenced to one year with a choice of paying a $100 fine or spending an additional 3 months in prison. None of the imprisoned miners served their full term, but the union leaders were the last to be released.

These riots and the control by the army along with the prison terms broke the spirit of many of the strikers. Some accepted an agreement that was the same as before the strike. Others held out longer, but more and more men returned to the mines. The labour movement across the province took up the cause, calling for a General Strike. Under this threat

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and the increased support of the strikers in the public because of the harsh treatment by the government, Premier McBride took the first steps to securing a settlement which was finally achieved almost a year to the day after the riots stated and the army was called in.

In the settlement the strikers were allowed to return to work with basically the same contract in place except that the miner owners agreed that the miners had the right to belong to the United Mine Workers of America if they so chose, but the companies did not have to recognize the union in any respect. What the miners ended up with was a union with no power. The International union failed in its organizing the miners.

This failure of the nnion lead to the withdrawal of the United Mine Workers Union from Island mines with the international union withdrawing its support for the local unions. By 1915 the locals on the island were finished and the area was never re-organized.

After the strike the community of Ladysmith was never the same. It had lost many of its businesses, and those that were still here had suffered. Many miners and their families left town looking for work in other parts of the country. Those that stayed, faced the tension that still remained long after the strike. It took a long time to mend fences. In the 1960’s, an author writing a book dealing with the strike invited some of those involved to the Travellers for an interview. Fist fights broke out between men who were in their senior years. Years later a worker’s son wanted to marry the daughter of one of the strikers. The daughters father said “ No daughter of mine will ever marry the son of a scab.” Memories of the strike run deep and long.

War would soon break out and many men left. After the war the Depression hit and the mine at Extension which had been struggling closed in April 1931. Ladysmith’s population dropped from 3295 in 1911 to 1400 in 1934. The City’s tax base dried up with many homes reverting to the City for unpaid taxes. At one point it was estimated that 60 per cent of the lots were now owned by the City.

Sam Guthrie, who was President of the Ladysmith local of the Mine Workers Union, and who was sentenced to two years in prison, never lost his desire to help the working man. After being released from prison, he took up farming and politics. He was first elected to the Provincial Legislature in 1920 serving for four years then in 1933 he was again elected to the legislature.

Another man arrested during the strike was Joseph Mairs, 21.

He was sentenced to 16 months, but three months into his sentence, died of medical complications. On the day of his funeral union supporters and friends made a line a mile long proceeding to his funeral. Today he is seen as a martyr and his death is remembered annually at his grave site here in Ladysmith by the Nanaimo Duncan and District Labour Council.

Acknowledgement: The Great Coal Strike a essay by John Alan Wargo UBC thesis 1962, When Coal was King JR Hinde 2003, Ladysmith’s Colourful History Ladysmith Historical Society 1985 Royal Commission “Coal Mining Disputes on Vancouver Island (1913) Samuel Price Ministry of Labour

Miner at work showing the face of a stall inside a mine.

Photo: Ladysmith Archives 2007-034-1116 Extension mine Photo: Ladysmith Archives 2007-034-1123 Patrolling the streets. Photo: Ladysmith Archives 2007-034-1213

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AUGUST AU A UG GU US ST T 2013 201 013

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ArtBeat in Chemainus ArtBeat in Chemainus continues with its unique blend of art and performers every Friday evening in August with new themes, artists, musicians, performers and more activities for everyone. Here’s what’s coming up. Aug. 2, Hawaiian Night

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Old time radio comes alive at Ladysmith Theatre The LLT Radio Troupe Theatre of the Mind presents two short radio plays on stage. Fibber McGee and Molly and Adventures of Philip Marlowe. The show plays weekends only at 2pm until Aug. 11.

Tickets are $10 and include a free sundae at intermission. The show is lively and watching the “sound effects” team is a show onto itself. Good value for a nice day out. 250-924-0658 ladysmiththeatre.com Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery Fine Craft Show Showcasing fine craft artists working with mediums such as ceramics, glass, fibre, metal and wood.

Guest Artist Jim Erickson is a set decorator and 2013 Academy Award winner for his work on “Lincoln.”

Opening night is Saturday, August 3, 2013, 7pm at the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery Show runs until Aug 25. 610 Oyster Bay Drive, 250-2451252 www.ladysmithartgallery.com Singing in the Rain held over by popular demand.

More shows have been added to the Broadway musical at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. The show runs until Aug. 31.

Tickets: 250-246-9820 www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca

with featured performer Tropical Vibe with Keoki.

Aug. 9, Kid’s Night with the zany antics of Oh! Ogopogo!

Aug. 16, Old Time Chemainus Costume Party. Featured

performers are soulful folk singer Chris Ronald and country/ folk songwriter and singer JoHannah Knight

Aug. 23, Luminaire Workshop and on Aug. 30, Luminaire Parade. More event information: www.ArtBeatChemainus.com.

New works by the Crofton Art Group Maritime themed display by artists of Crofton Art Group at Cowichan Bay Maritime Museum Aug. 25 to Sept.14, 2013, Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm. Official opening/reception on Aug. 31, 1pm to 4pm. 250-510-2700.

Concerts in the Park series continues Aug. 11 is the sounds of Latin and Spanish with the Pablo Diemecke string quartet. Blue Grass Fever hits Aug. 18 and the series concludes for the summer Aug. 25 with Cliff Marcil, vocalist, featuring “Oldies but Goldies”. Concerts take place 6pm to 8pm Sundays, weather permitting. The concerts are by donation, which helps to fund the programs at Ladysmith Resources Centre.

Author reading tour A Peek Freans tin biscuit box provided the essential ingredients for a fascinating assortment of highly entertaining anecdotal tales. Meet the author Jim Christy who will be reading from his book Sweet Assorted: 121 Takes From a Tin Box Thursday Aug. 15, Ladysmith Library, 7pm.

Left: Oh Ogopogo! entertains at ArtBeat in Chemains

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RDN - Area A School closures

BY ALEC MCPHERSON In the late 1980s and into the 1990s, parents, family and community leaders fought to have a secondary school located within North Cedar. For a number of years - dating to the 1950s – children from the rural areas had been bussed to secondary schools in the City of Nanaimo. These students were unable to participate in any extra-curricular or social activities due to regimented bus schedules that found them on the bus for up to three hours or more per day. The success rate for students from these rural areas was very low. In the mid-1990s, the Ministry of Education approved a secondary school in Cedar, assuring students of closer to home schooling from K through 12. In 2000, Cedar Secondary Community School opened. The school was purpose-built with all the requisite facilities to accommodate the school curriculum for Grades 8 through 12.; hallways, access and egress points were designed to handle 600 students. It was initially constructed to accommodate 425 students with the understanding that the school would be enlarged as the student population demanded. This newest school in the District is operating at 106 per cent capacity several years prior to when it was projected. The community support for the secondary school has been incredibly strong. Students have thrived in this atmosphere as evidenced by the fact that the graduation rate for the Cedar Secondary School at 97.1 per cent - some 5per cent higher than the District average of 92 per cent. Further, the post-secondary attendance rate for Cedar Secondary students varies between 20 per cent and 30 per cent whilst the SD 68 post-secondary attendance rate varies from 7 per cent to 12 per cent. Interestingly, in the 2013 Fraser Institute report

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on schools, Cedar Secondary school was ranked as having the 6th most significant increase in academic improvement over the past five years. Only one other SD 68 school achieved mention within the top 25 schools in the province.

What does one do with such an obvious success story? For the SD 68 Board of Trustees, the current answer is to close it and return to bussing students. In the process, remove any community support for the students, reduce the number of scholarships available to secondary students in SD 68 and ensure that the rural students have no opportunity for the extra-currlcular and social activities associated with a healthy school experience.

How Trustees came to this decision must be done through reverse analysis as the Trustees declined to provide answers to any questions posed during the so-called consultation period and continue to do so. The Save Cedar Schools Coalition and others believe that the entire process was flawed from the very beginning. I tend to agree.

School District 68 adopted three strategic planning goals, namely: • Meeting each student’s unique needs • Continuous improvement of instruction and assessment • Enhanced facilities for student learning It was said that these goals would achieve the Board’s vision of Success for All. Surely that would mean that the Trustees of SD 68 would try to emulate the success seen at Cedar Secondary School. The SD 68 Trustees adopted an optimal – in terms of student development and efficiency - school size plan from a Regina Public Schools publication (2007). For Secondary Schools this was set at between 600 and 1,200 students. For Elementary Schools the optimal school size was pegged at 200 to 400 students. Why or how the Regina Schools decision is analogous to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith schools is not divulged. It is notable that only two public

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secondary schools in the province are ranked within the top 25 schools by the Fraser Institute study. Like Cedar Community Secondary School, both of these schools have fewer than 600 students.

It is known that the Ministry of Education has advised SD 68 that unless or until the student population reaches 95 per cent of available space there will be no capital monies forthcoming for new schools. What is clear in the SD 68 Facilities Plan is that “Enhanced facilities for student learning” - specifically replacement of the Nanaimo District Secondary School – is at the top of their agenda. A table top exercise shuffling school populations around the game board shows that by bussing the Cedar students to one of the City of Nanaimo’s two “big box” secondary schools, it will put John Barsby at 11.6 per cent above capacity. With no capital monies for improvements to facilities, it is clear that our students will not enjoy the enhanced facilities and educational opportunities suggested by the SD 68 plan. In addition, the tremendous volunteer community support that has been a hallmark at all Area ‘A’ schools will be lost.

While I have centred the discussion on Cedar Community Secondary School, I am cognizant of the turmoil that faces parents and students in the elementary schools. SD 68 currently envisions that the conversion of Cedar Secondary will take two years. I submit that the conversions could be achieved in less than a year. At this point, having engaged architects to re-work the school, I expect that SD 68 is uncertain as to the cost of the conversion and uncertain as to where the funds are to found to effect the conversion. As a result of the uncertainty, if this plan goes through, the elementary students will be shuffled from one school to another over several years before transferring to a facility that will have a student population approximately 15per cent larger than considered optimal. This doesn’t sound like a plan that

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will enhance the opportunities for these students – at least not in the near term.

The SD 68 budget is approximately $124.5 million. While unable or unwilling to provide any analysis of the facilities financials, SD 68 has indicated that they will save $1.3 million in each of the first five years and $330,000 in each of the next 10 years. These savings represent 0.4 per cent in each of the first five years and 0.1 per cent in each of the following five years. I have a great deal of difficulty resolving these miniscule savings with the uncertainty facing our students for the coming years.

It appears to me that this whole exercise is more about the ‘bricks and mortar’ of a “new” school then enhancing or improving the education of the students.

Their announcement that the Cedar Secondary School would close and be converted to a kindergarten through Grade 7 school not only destroys a schooling success story, but, it also deals a blow to the social and economic fabric of the community. All done without any input from the Regional District of Nanaimo - the local government for the electoral areas in which school closures and con-

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versions have been announced. At the presentation by Dr. Player of the Facilities Plan, the Chair of SD 68 made a point of telling me that he would be working closely with myself and the RDN on the school closures. With absolutely no contact since that presentation and, judging by the statements in the press, a lack of willingness to consult with the RDN and myself, the following motions were presented to the Board of Directors at the Regional District of Nanaimo’s July 23rd 2013 meeting: Moved By: Director McPherson Seconded By: Maureen Young 1.That Staff be directed to correspond in writing with the School District 68 Board and the Minister of Education indicating the Board’s concern that the Regional District of Nanaimo as a local government in British Columbia has not been directly consulted in the District’s plans to close schools in the region, and, CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Moved By: Director McPherson Seconded By: Maureen Young 2.That Staff request that the District 68 Board add the Regional District of Nanaimo as a specific stakeholder for

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consultation under the District policies in place for public consultation when school closure and disposal of properties are under consideration to ensure that such an oversight does not occur in the future.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY I am grateful for the support provided by my fellow Directors. Hopefully, the Hon. Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education will consent to having an advisor review this plan’s effect on our students and community.

CVRD - Area H Updates on closures and boundary expansion:

BY MARY MARCOTTE During the months of May and June of this year, two important issues were brought to the attention of the public.

These issues will have an impact on the future of the North Oyster/Diamond area. I would like to give a brief update on the status of both the proposed closure of North Cedar Elementary School,

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and the turmoil such a closure would create and also the progress of the Timber West application for a development permit and the Town of Ladysmith’s interest in taking the TimberWest lands into the municipality.

As you know, School District #68 Trustees have been severely challenged to provide all the services that the local communities expect and still balance their budget as required by the Province.

Some very hard decisions on school closures and distribution of students were made on June 26. Thankfully, the Trustees took into consideration the input received from this community, and voted to extend the timeline for more consultation regarding North Oyster/Ladysmith schools until Dec. 1, 2013.

I thank them for the opportunity to explore all the options for these schools; and also for recognizing the importance of ensuring that these community educational facilities remain open and functioning. But there is not a lot of time to sit back and relax during the dog days of summer. To take advantage of the opportunity for further consultation which has been offered by the Trustees, we must remain engaged and involved in the process.

To this end, the core members of the Save Our School group has met over the summer to discuss how best to present the option or options for delivering the educational services that our children and grandchildren require. I and Ladysmith Mayor Rob Hutchins will continue to be involved in working towards a

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resolution to the dilemma faced by our citizens. If you wish to join this hard working group, I encourage you to send an email to marym@island.net.

I would like to thank Mayor Hutchins for his ongoing support and interest in working towards a solution. I am also very thankful to the parents of North Oyster School for bringing this issue to the public’s attention and to the North Oyster/Diamond community for their ongoing interest and support. All of your assistance is very much appreciated; it could not be done without your efforts.

And finally, an information item on this topic. On August 26-30, 2013 School District staff will be available at North Oyster Elementary School for registration of kindergarten and new students.

They can be contacted at 250-245-3330 during normal school hours.

Town of Ladysmith Application for a Development Permit and Boundary Expansion: As I have mentioned previously, there are two separate parts to the boundary expansion application that must be processed for the expansion to take place.

The first part is applying for and receiving a development permit. And the second part is the submission of a boundary expansion application to the Province and receiving permission from the Province to proceed with the process.

The process allows residents that reside in the Town of Ladysmith to have a vote in the matter, but does not allow the North Oyster/Diamond residents to participate in a formal voting process. A

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resolution to the Union of BC Municipalities has been passed by the CVRD Board requesting changes to the Local Government Act which would allow Electoral Area residents to have a vote.

This resolution should be considered at the 2013 Convention in September.

There have been two public meetings on the proposed boundary expansion thus far; one in the Diamond Hall and one in Saltair. Both of these meetings indicated that there is keen public interest and concern about the taking of land from the rural areas into the Town.

The Mayor of Ladysmith and representatives from TimberWest has agreed to participate in another public information meeting. This meeting will occur in late September at the NOAHS Community Centre. I will announce the date as soon as it is firmed up, and encourage you to come out and support the retention and protection of our natural resources and our rural life style.

Trillium Park in the Diamond has been a well kept secret for a number of years.

It is a hidden oasis in amongst a well kept neighbourhood. The trails meander among the evergreen trees and alongside the crystal clear creek. In the springtime, Trillium and other wildflowers are spectacular. It is a place of peace and quiet reflection.

However, recently the area has also been used by equestrians. Because the trail system in the Park was not designed for equestrian use, safety concerns have been reported. The trails are narrow, and

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often muddy; the sloping banks cannot safely bear the weight of horses. The CVRD has now installed signage prohibiting the riding of horses in the park.

I would like to assure horse riders in Area H that the CVRD and the Parks Commission recognize that there are a number of riders in this area. We are not opposed to equestrian use of appropriate areas; for example, Yellow Point Park is an excellent place for equestrian activities. Horses and their riders will continue to be welcomed in this park.

As well, additional equestrian trails have been factored into our future Parks development plans. There is a potential for development of “horse friendly� trails on the Heart Lake Development property. Although the park land has not yet been officially transferred to the CVRD we are working with the owners on an agreement that would allow development of the trails to start this fall. At this time, I cannot state a timeline for the development, but I will keep you posted when work begins. Once we are in a position to start the work, the Commission will be open for public input on the design of the trails, and would be happy to tour the area with you in order to hear your suggestions.

CVRD Area G Ladysmith overusing water license on Stocking Lake

BY MEL DOREY The Town of Ladysmith draws their water from two sources, Holland Lake and Stocking Lake. A problem arose a few years ago where the water from Holland taken at the Chicken Ladder downstream on Holland Creek had a lot of turbidity in it caused by fast water flows in the winter. During these times the town switched over to using only Stocking Lake water. Saltair and Ladysmith both have water licenses on Stocking Lake.

For the past 10 years the Town of Ladysmith has been exceeding their water license on Stocking Lake and often the

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amount is almost double their yearly water license volume. This is causing concern for Saltair residents, the CVRD and the Saltair Ratepayers Association. Will Saltair have enough water from Stocking Lake in a really dry summer, with climate change or when Saltair begins to grow its population? If Ladysmith continues to grow as predicted, possibly from the present 8,500 up to 21,000, and honours their water supply commitments to the First Nations, this is worrisome.

The CVRD manages the water system for Saltair residents as of 1987 when the Saltair Water Board dissolved. Because Ladysmith was mostly overusing the Stocking Lake water in the winter time when excess water flows down to the ocean, the CVRD agreed to help Ladysmith out with their problem by letting them use the extra water. Ladysmith has made several promises to try to rectify the extra use of Stocking Lake water and respect the water licenses. One promise that they made was to build a waterline from the main town to the Davis Road area so that Davis people could use Holland Lake water in the summer time in-

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stead of Stocking Lake water. This line was completed in 2012 and we hope this will show some positive results at Stocking Lake this summer of 2013. Another promise that has been made is that the town would build another line from Holland Lake to the top of Davis Road area to service the whole south end. This has not been done but is needed to service the for south end growth and to relieve the pressure on Stocking Lake use. Holland Lake itself has excellent water. The main problem is when the water tumbles down the mountainside towards the Chicken Ladder where the town taps into it, the water has turbidity. Going directly from Holland Lake to the users will cure this problem with a new waterline.

The Saltair residents are also looking to have better communication between the CVRD and the Town of Ladysmith on the water use of Stocking Lake where they each have water licenses. They need to report to each other on water usage so that we can have water security. This has been lacking in the past and citizens of both jurisdictions have been kept in the dark or at the very least not informed.

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Hertage Pubs serving up good times We’ve been dining, and socializing and raising our glasses in these places in some cases over a century. Here are some of the significant heritage pubs in our neighbourhood. Cheers!

Ladysmith Inn was built in 1900 in Wellington as the New Western Hotel, it was moved to Ladysmith where it sits today. This is the only hotel in Ladysmith still operating as a guest hotel. The Inn used to have a small creek running through the basement and it is reported that kegs of beer were placed in this creek to keep the beer cold. In 1913, the building was raised one storey to comply with licensing regulations.

In the late 50’s and early 60’s the New Western Cafe was the place to go after the bars closed and locals would descend for Tommy Ping’s sweet and sour pork or chow mein. Today it is a place where locals hang out. A welcome addition is the roof to patio that offers a quiet oasis complete with comfy chairs and a water-

The Horseshoe Bay Inn. Photo courtesy of Chemainus Archives/Museum

fall wall.

Built in 1892, Horseshoe Bay Inn was first used as a posting house for horse traffic and a port of call for loggers and sailors. The Inn had a blacksmith’s forge and butcher shop in the rear of the building. Matthew Howe, an engineer from England was the first proprietor.

Famous people have stayed there such as J.D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Zane Grey, and Pauline Johnson. Rates were a dollar a day or $6 for room and board per week. At the bar you could

get a bottle of Scotch for $1.25, Rye for $0.75 and the best French Brandy for $1.50. When the camps were closed the Loggers would stay at the Inn. A black bear was chained to a pole in the yard and men would stage wrestling bouts with him until he broke his chain and a man’s arm and had to be shot. Today rooms can still be rented and the bar is much the same as it was in the early 1900’s.

Lewisville Hotel was established in 1891. In 1883, Samuel Girdlestone Lewis accepted the post of teacher at

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Left: The Lewisville now the Green Lantern Photo courtesy of Chemainus Archives, Museum Right: Bryce, Linda and Matt Olson in front of the Crow and Gate Pub Photo submitted.

Chemainus. When the E&N railway came through town Lewis quit teaching and opened the Lewisville Hotel. Over the years the hotel has had name changes from the Lewisville to the Green Lantern. The owners of this hotel have all been great sponsors for many sports teams. There have been dances, musical shows, contests and many other events. In the earlier days there was also a grocery store alongside of the hotel.

The present day owner, Dave Prakash, who also owns the Ladysmith Inn, the Horseshoe Bay Inn and Saltair Pub has spent many years in restoring the outside as well as the inside to its present state.

The Saltair Pub was opened in 1982, prior to that it had been the home of the Knight family whom the road is named after. The Knights operated a tulip farm and while renovations changed the interior the outside still appears the same.

The original Saltair homestead was built

by G Robert Porter in the early 1900s.

There were 80 acres of farmland and forests with the Porters house the only residence. The old barn still stands on the property next to the pub along with some of the fruit trees.

The Wheatsheaf Pub`, established in 1885 as a stage coach stop, is the oldest hotel in British Columbia operating under its original license. In 1889 a special permit was issued to the Inn, as it boasted neither sleeping nor dining facilities, it could not be properly called a Hotel. It then became a Saloon, and livery stable. No women were allowed inside, customers must stand while drinking. The theory no doubt being that if you were sober enough to stand, you were sober enough to drink. Always friendly and informal with great food, this pub has been family owned by the Hutts since 1978. Today with the Wheatsheaf Sportsplex open, it hosts many sporting events.

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of Medieval Fairs complete with a naked Lady Godiva. They drew between 50007000 participants and got lots of press.

Nash started building the pub with materials he had collected and soon friends delighted with the prospect of a neighbourhood pub pitched in. Even to this day under the ownership of Bryce, Linda and Matt Olson most of the décor inside has been contributed by patrons.The pub flourished under the Olsons, with pond stocked with swans, and beautiful gardens.

Today, Matt manages the Crow which is also known for its scotch whiskey collection. With its warmth, civility and locality, the Crow opened the door to much that came later.

Bits and Bites

Bryce, Linda and Matt Olson at the Crow and Gate Pub

Summer just got better with the return of the Mahle House Garden Party and Wine Tasting on Aug. 25. This year’s event will be co-hosted by the North Cedar Volunteer Fire Department with partial proceeds going to the organization. The Mahle House owes its existence to the local fire department for saving the 1904 home from fire in the early ‘80’s. 250-722-3621 Francesco Longo of Ladysmith’s new restaurant D’Franco Italian has been making pizza and bread for over 20 years.

After trying six different types of flour he came up with a winner. “There must be something in the water or climate here because this is by far the best bread and pizza crust I have ever made.”

Bring your appetite and a friend to LMS Welcome Centre for Dine on the Dock.

Tickets are $15 which includes dinner.

250-245-1146. Also open at is Mink’s on the Dock Friday to Monday.

Crow and Gate Pub, established in 1974, has made a name for itself not only for its English fare and atmosphere but for being BC’s first Neighbourhood Pub under the new liquor laws. (l-r) The Mahle House harvest from their Original owner Jack Nash partnered garden. Photo: Nick Longo with the Cedar Lions and hosted a series Francesco Longo tosses pizza dough.

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The “Bend over” test It takes a lot to pull a guy out of retirement, but recent marketplace developments are urging me to put on a clean shirt, put down the television remote, finish that beer and get back to work. But not just anywhere, I was thinking about Lululemon, the yoga wear giant whose corporate motto must read: Crowd Pleasing Posteriors since 1998.

In case you’ve lived in a Tibetan monastery for the last ten years and don’t get out to the mall much, I’m talking about the company that produces those delightful form fitting yoga tights. Pants that do for the butt what push up bras and low cut tops do for the bust.

Just as tops have been getting lower and lower, so has the material in their stretch pants been getting clingier and clingier until one observer, (make that blabbermouth) said, “Hey, wait a minute, these things are made of Saran Wrap.”

To which most women responded, “Duh. Why do you think we bought them?”

But the complaints were valid; the latest batch of tights was a little too clingy,

sheer enough in fact to make a hooker blush. Where the old pants disciplined the cellulite molecules making them march as a team, the new batch highlighted every cheeseburger a gal ate since puberty. I know this because I’ve just spend the last 36 hours going over every image I could find on the Internet, to which all I can say is, “holy smokes.”

The press, knowing full well that any story with the word “butt” in it sells, jumped all over this issue, the end result being, much to my personal disappointment, a recall of the offending pant.

Before we continue, a little something about Lululemon; a company that has “educators” not sales staff and “guests” not customers. For those who don’t have a life of their own, there’s also a Lululemon lifestyle, which as far as I can see is approaching life with your best cheek forward.

Lululemon’s founder Chip Wilson is ready to help educators adopt that lifestyle, some might say over eager as, according to Wikipedia, educators are “given certain books that founder Chip chose as being critical to his development and each employee is required to read every one.” That’s why I’m sending him my prized but slightly dog-eared copy of Batman and Robin, the True Story. With his interest in tights, he’s gotta be interested.

The company, unlike Mark’s Work Warehouse, has their own online videos, a guest feedback forum and a blog called Ask Britt where customers can ask Lululemon’s lead product educator tough questions like, “Dear Britt, do these make me look fat?” To which Brit responds, “No dearie, overstuffed bratwurst is just the look these days.”

But back to our story, for some reason the “too sheer” complaints wouldn’t go away, causing Lululemon’s now terminated President, the Margaret Thatcher of ladies wear, to fire back with unprecedented candor. “You’re buying the pants too small,” she said to the guests, add-

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ing, “Girls, do your bend over tests. Put them on and bend over, get one of our educators over to check them out.”

When I heard “bend over tests” that’s when I knew it was time to get back in the job market. With 65 years of checking out women’s bottoms, the company can’t afford not to hire me. Knowing that the CEO position is open, I asked Britt about qualifications and she listed the following, which I did not make up, mainly because they’re just too stupid.

According to Brit, the successful applicant “Needs to lead the organization to create components for people to live long, healthy and fun lives.” Apparently being a powerful communicator in Sanskrit helps. And if that’s not enough, knowing how they got the caramel in the Caramilk bar would be a major plus.

Which is surprising, because if I had to go to the mall in those sheer tights, I’d be laying off the candy.

I can’t rightly say I know how to get women to live longer, but I sure know how to increase men’s life expectancy.

Encourage nurses to wear the new sheer tights. Meanwhile it is imperative all extended care homes get rid of any nurse name Gary. Having a 55-year-old male nurse, with a five o’clock shadow, waking you up with, “time for your enema, Harold” is definitely not good for longevity.

Now as far as Sanskrit is concerned, I’m not what you call a powerful communicator, but I know enough to get by, all the important phrases like, “I’ll have the deep dished pepperoni, extra pineapple, hold the kale.” Or, “up yours, Gary.”

Admittedly I don’t know the Caramilk secret, but I do know how to put the nuts in the nut bar, and that’s by hiring people like me.

But as any business owner will tell you, the most important consideration in choosing a CEO is finding one who can pay for himself. That’s why my first step after being hired will be to raise my $5 million salary (plus beer expenses) by auctioning off the ridiculous Lululemon name to the NBA where it would go to the highest bidder. For a paltry $5 million bucks, plain old Don Smith from Butt Cheeks, Omaha can be transformed into that overnight sensation Lulul emon, who not only is effective from the three-point line but also is also far more accurate at peeing in a mop bucket than that Canadian pipsqueak Justin Beiber.

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(See Entertainment Tonight for details.)

For the new corporate name I suggest something a little more traditional, Butts R Us, or maybe Bottoms Up, which we’ll also adopt as a signal to perform a Bend Over test.

And that’s only a sampling of my ideas, hire me as CEO and watch me go. But even if you choose another, there’s no hard feeling, I’ll gladly work as an educator, especially if I get to run the bend over tests.

An exceptional red, whether you’re bent over or not, from the Rhone, Rasteau, Perrin, $22.

Delbert is the co-proprietor at Mahle House. Read more at Slightlycorkedandmore.wordpress.com

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Horseshoe Bay Inn opens new cafe This unique neighbourhood inn, pub and restaurant has had a long colourful history in the town of Chemainus. It was establish in 1892 as a posting house for horses and carriages and a port of call for sailors. A liquor licence was granted because there was no “house of entertainment” between Nanaimo and Maple Bay. Entertainment not only included spirits and beer, but wrestling bouts with a black bear were part of the pub’s history. Much has changed since its humble beginnings and following a recent renovation to update the dining room, owner Dave Prakash has created a new and updated family restaurant that is sure to make “ The Shoe “ a favourite spot for all ages to enjoy.

We recently spoke with General Manager Wendy Baker about the reno. Baker

has been with the “Shoe” for 24 years.

Description This was a room previously used for banquets and party rentals. It had in the past been opened as several different restaurants, never succeeding because it did not have its own entrance. You had to come in through the hotel lobby. Very outdated and not easily accessed. We renovated it and updated it by taking out the wall to the large lobby and putting in a separate entrance, making it larger and brighter and much more modern, but keeping a lot of the heritage charm of the room.

Why we did the renovation

Dave Prakash purchased the Horseshoe in July 2012 and immediately saw the potential in the unused room. He saw all the families staying across the road at the Best Western, not being able to bring their kids in for a meal.

What’s special about this project?

Part of this room is original to the 1892 building and it was very sad to see some of it renovated, but having said that, there is a huge demand for family restaurants in Chemainus.

Clockwise: The Shoe Cafe a modern take in the historic Horseshoe Bay Inn. The dining room after and before the renoavtions.

Photos: Rob Johnson

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What were some of the challenges along the way?

Likewise being such an old building, a lot of it was not square or level, so there were lots of challenges that way, and trying to fish new wiring through very old wood and solid walls was very challenging to say the least. We were working with the original 30’ ft unusable chimney that could not be removed because it goes upstairs through the hotel rooms. (it would have been an engineering nightmare).

How did we overcome challenges?

We had to reface a lot of spaces to make things true. We decided to reface the old chimney with new stone and attach electric fireplaces that gave a very modern touch.

Our favorite features are the stone fireplaces that gave the room its biggest transformation. And the front entrance lounge area is very comfy.

We were all hoping that once we started ripping apart walls of such age that we would find a treasure, but nope! And our resident ghost didn’t even have a problem with any of this. Maybe he’s been reborn.

The fireplace is a focal point for the room as well as adding a modern touch to the cafe. Owner Dave Prakash relaxes in the comfortable seats with an enlargement depicting the Horseshoe Bay Inn’s early days. Photos: Rob Johnson

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For years the Ladysmith & District Marine Rescue Society (LDMRS) has been working hard to make boating a safer and more enjoyable experience for our community. And here’s how you can help and have fun as well. Haul out your favourite Hawaiian island attire for a night of fun and fundraising at ‘Castaway Casino’ at the Aggie Hall, 6pm, Saturday August 10.

LDMRS is presenting this dinner and fun casino night with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the purchase of a new rescue vessel.

There are some fabulous raffles and live and silent auction items up for grabs. Quality Foods has donated a ‘Wine & Dine’ 3 hour cruise on the original “SS Minnow”, and WestJet offers 2 return tickets to anywhere they fly, both up for auction. Raffle prizes include a 1st prize of a fully outfitted kayak (paddle, PFD and safety gear), 2nd prize is a guided fishing trip, and 3rd prize is a Bed & Breakfast package at Blanket & Spoon. Raffle tickets are $10.

LDMRS, a non-profit society, has been supporting the efforts of Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 29 (RCMSAR-29), formally Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, in providing daily year round marine search and rescue services from Dodd to Sansum Narrows since 1997. RCMSAR 29 is one of the busiest units in the region. In the past fiscal year the volunteers were tasked to 40 missions, took part in 61 on water training exercises, 40 classroom training sessions and various other training and community activities. Costs for their rescue vessel and maintenance, boathouse and operating costs (hydro, insurance etc.), safety and survival equipment for missions and crew, are not funded. These assets are obtained through fundraising and are owned by the Society. Despite being one of the busiest units in the region LDMRS’s current vessel is one of the oldest and is quickly reaching the end of her service life. They have therefore begun on a fundraising campaign for a new vessel which will ensure their ability to reach mariners in distress faster and ensure the safety of the volunteer crew. Total cost for the new rescue vessel is in excess of $300,000. Through BC Gaming Grants and various other fundraising efforts they are now less than $50,000 away from their goal. While they have come a long way, there is still a substantial amount to be raised.

Other community engagement includes being an integral part of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Mission is to promote public Boating Safety throughout the Region.

Safety Checks - A ‘Pleasure Craft Operator Check’ is a service provided to ensure private boats meet Transport Canada Marine Safety standards.

Youth Safety –the unit has been involved in boating safety outreach to children in the community. Water and boat safety is presented relevant to the groups age.

Kids Can’t Float offers free day use of the PFDs. This program is in place at the Ladysmith Maritime Society Community Marina.

Tickets to the Casino Night are $30 and available at Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, InsuranceCentres Ladysmith, Art of Brewing, Chemainus Chamber of Commerce, LMS Community Marina, from any LDMRS member or by calling 250-245-5565.You must be 19+ to attend.

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Care to join LDMRS? New Society members are always welcome! Members can choose to join the Society or the Unit 29 or both. Contact Nick EppEvans Station.Leader@rcmsar29.com Inquiries can be made on line to: president@rcmsar29.com or by calling 250245-5565.

Crew heading out on a tasked mission. Photo submitted

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August

10, 7pm, Accordion Day, Waterwheel Park – Chemainus 250-416-0382

1- 6, Art Deco Fashions, Nanaimo Museum, 100 Museum Way 250-753-1821

11, 7pm, LRCA Concert in the Park –Pablo Diemecke, Amphitheatre Transfer Beach 250245-3079

1-22, 9:30am, Gyoungil Ko – Soul of Seoul, Nanaimo Arts Council 250-259-4750 Rutherford.

Rd. 250-729-3947 1-25, 11am, Munsch to Say, Chemainus Theatre Festival 9737 Chemainus Rd. 250-246-9820 1-25, 7pm, Singin’ in the Rain, Chemainus Theatre Festival 9737 Chemainus Rd. 250-2469820 1-30, 9am, Jr. Golf Summer Camps, Eaglequest Golf, 1601 Thatcher Rd. 250-754-1325 1,8,15,22,29, 2pm, Jazz, Crofton Hotel & Pub, 1534 Joan Ave, Crofton, 250-324-2000 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 6pm, Ladies Night, Eaglequest Golf, 1601 Thatcher Rd. 250-754-1325 2,9,16,23,30, 5pm, Art Beat – Interactive Art Walk & Street Party, downtown Chemainus 2-4, Ladysmith Days, various locations see complete details in this issue 3-25, 12pm, Fine Craft Show, Ladysmith Waterfront Art Gallery 610 Oyster Bay Dr. 250245-1252

12, 11am, Urban Polls demonstration, Pharmasave 411 1st Ave. 250-245-3113 Drop In Center 9824 Willow St. 250- 246-2111 6,13,20,27, 3pm, Tuesday Night Make It, Bake It, Grow It Market, 1st Ave. Ladysmith 250-245-2112 6-10, various times, 2013 Architect’s Exhibition, Port Theatre 125 Front St. 250-754-8550 6, 1pm, Mt. Brenton Garden Club meeting, Calvary Baptist Church, 3318 River Rd. 6, 7pm, Town of Ladysmith Council meeting, 410 Esplanade 250 -245-6400 7,14,21,28, 10am, The Wednesday Market, Waterwheel Park, downtown Chemainus 7,14,21,28, 10am, Seniors Peer Counselor on duty, 630 2nd Ave. 250-245-3079 7,14,21,28, 6:30pm, Bingo, St. Mary’s Parish Hall, 1135- 4th Ave. 250-245-3079 7, Men’s Night, Cottonwood Golf Course, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-245-5157

3,4, 10:30am, Ladysmith Maritime Society Harbour Tour, 610 Oyster Bay Rd. 250-245-1146

8, 7pm, Swan Exhibiting Artists, Nanaimo Arts Council 259-4750 Rutherford Rd. 250-729-3947

3,4, Wheaty Adult Soccer Tourney, Wheatsheaf Sports Complex, 1820 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3141

9,10,11, Budda Slow Pitch Tourney, Wheatsheaf Sports Complex, 1820 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3141

3,4, 1pm, The LLT Radio Troupe, Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Rd. 250-924-0658

9, 10:30am, Books on the Bus, Trolley stop at the 49th Parallel Grocery Store 250-210-0870

3, 11am, Ladysmith Days “Kids Fun Zone”, Aggie Field 1110 1st Ave.

9, 5pm, Dine on the Dock, Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina 610 Oyster Dr. 250-245-2245

3, 7pm, Fine Craft Show Opening Night, Ladysmith Waterfront Art Gallery 610 Oyster Bay Dr. 250-245-1252

9, 9pm, Skellig, The Sportsman Pub 640 1st Ave., 250-245-8033

4,11,18,25, 2pm, Jazz, Crofton Hotel & Pub, 1534 Joan Ave, Crofton 250-324-2000 4, 11am, Kids Count Fun Zone, Transfer Beach 4, 1pm, Free Dyslexia Information Seminar, 11874 Elliot Way 250-245-8412 5,12,19,26, 4:45pm, Bingo, Chemainus Senior

10,11, 10:30am, Ladysmith Maritime Society Harbour Tour, 610 Oyster Bay Rd. 250-245-1146 10,11, 1pm, The LLT Radio Troupe, Ladysmith Little Theatre 4985 Christie Rd. 250-924-0658 10, Ladysmith & District Marine Rescue “Casino Night Fundraiser”, Aggie Hall 1110 1st Ave. 250245-7045

13, 6th Annual Cowichan Valley Hospice Golf Tournament, Cowichan Valley Golf & Country Club 1-888-701-4242 14, Women’s Night, Cottonwood Golf Course, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-245-5157 14, 7:30pm, The Robert Cray Band, The Port Theatre 125 Front St. 250-754-4555 15, 9:30am, Pandamania Daycamp, Calvary Baptist Church, 3318 River Rd. 250-246-9121 15,16, 12pm, Broody Rooster Art Show and Sale,2980 Giovando Rd., Cedar 16, 10am, Rod Run, Ladysmith 250-924-0114 17,18, 10:30am, Ladysmith Maritime Society Harbour Tour, 610 Oyster Bay Rd. 250-245-1146 17, 10am, Ladysmith Show & Shine, 1st Ave Ladysmith 250-924-0114 17, Fun Day T.D. Bank, Wheatsheaf Sports Complex, 1820 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3141 17, 6pm, Summertime Pops by the Sea, Maffeo Sutton Park 250-686-4773 18, 9am, 2013 Kidney Walk/Run/Paddle Event, Maffeo-Sutton Park 250-722-0129 18, 7pm, LRCA Concert in the Park – Blue Grass Fever, Amphitheatre Transfer Beach 250-2453079 19, 1:30pm, The Nanaimo Hard of Hearing Group, Christ Community Church, Bowen Rd. 250-616-2962 19, 5:15pm, Chronic Pain Support Group, 11114th Ave. Rm 101 250-667-5587 www.chronicpainsupport.ca 19, 7pm, Town of Ladysmith Council meeting, 410 Esplanade 250 -245-6400 20, 1pm, Good Timber, Port Theatre 125 Front St. 250-754-8550 20, 1pm & 6pm, Nanaimo Cemetery Tour, meet at Howard St. entrance 250-753-1821 21, Men’s Night, Cottonwood Golf Course, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-245-5157 21-22, 7:30pm, The Beach Boys, The Port Theatre 125 Front St. 250-754-4555 22, Neil Diamond Tribute, Chemainus Legion, 9775 Chemainus Rd. 250-246-4532 23-25, Summertime Blues, The Port Theatre 125 Front St. 250-754-4555 23, 5pm, Dine on the Dock, Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina 610 Oyster Dr. 250-245-2245

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23, 9pm, Splinter, The Sportsman Pub 640 1st Ave. 250-245-8033 24,25, 10:30am, Ladysmith Maritime Society Harbour Tour, 610 Oyster Bay Rd. 250-245-1146 24-25, Nanaimo Gladiola and Dahlia Society’s annual show, Country Club Mall 250-722-2109 24,25, Kid’s 5 Aside Soccer Tourney, Wheatsheaf Sports Complex, 1829 Cedar Rd. 250-722-3141 24, 11am, 40th Anniversary Open House, Ladysmith Preschool 232 High St. 250-245-4712 24, 1pm, Purple Martin Open House, Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina, 610 Oyster Bay Rd. 250-758-2922 24, 7pm, Chemainus Jazz Festival, Waterwheel Park, downtown Chemainus 250-416-0382 24, 9pm, Music from the Big House, The Port Theatre 125 Front St. 250-754-4555 25, 9am, Arts on the Avenue, 1st Avenue Ladysmith 25, 12pm, Mahle House Garden Party, 2104 Hemer Rd, Nanaimo 250-722-3621 25, 7pm, LRCA Concert in the Park – Cliff Marcil, Amphitheatre Transfer Beach 250-245-3079 26-30, 10am, Crofton Art Group’s Maritime Display, Cowichan Bay Maritime Museum 250510-2700 26, 7:30pm, Chemainus Rod & Gun Club meeting, Chemainus Fire Hall 27, 7pm, Ladysmith Camera Club – “How to Print Like a Pro”, Hardwick Hall 3rd. & High St. 250-606-7011 28, Women’s Night, Cottonwood Golf Course, 1975 Haslam Rd. 250-245-5157 29, 10am, Open House, St. Joseph’s School, 9735 Elm St. Chemainus 250-246-3191 29, 11am, 4 Simple Chair Exercises demonstration, Pharmasave 411 1st Ave. 250245-3113 31, 10:30am, Ladysmith Maritime Society Harbour Tour, 610 Oyster Bay Rd. 250-245-1146 31, 1pm, Crofton Art Group Reception, Cowichan Bay Maritime Museum 250-510-2700

September 1, 10:30am, Ladysmith Maritime Society Harbour Tour, 610 Oyster Bay Rd. 250-245-1146 2-6, 10am, Crofton Art Group’s Maritime Display, Cowichan Bay Maritime Museum, 250-510-2700 3, 1pm, Mt. Brenton Garden Club meeting, Calvary Baptist Church, 3318 River Rd..

3,10,17,24, 3pm, Tuesday Night Make It, Bake It, Grow It Market, 1st Ave. Ladysmith, 250-2452112 For complete community calendar listings visit take5.ca/calendar

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CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS ACCOUNTING SERVICES with 23 years experience, providing full accounting solutions to include payroll T4’s and CRA remittances. betterworth@shaw.ca 250-802-0048 THINKING OF SELLING YOUR HOME? Perhaps ready for a fresher look in your existing home? The affordable design services provided by Rooms n Blooms can help. Call Shar at 250-245-0548 or email shar@roomsnblooms.ca ARE YOU DOWNSIZING, moving, clearing an estate? We are interested in purchasing jewelry, china collectables, small appliances, small furniture, and newer inside/outside home décor.

Wendy 250-245-2079, Fern 250-924-4419. hidden-treasures@hotmail.ca EDITING AND PROOFREADING SERVICES, professional, affordable, no job too small. Web content, ad copy, papers, presentations, manuals, novels, correspondence - if it has words, I can help! www.islandeditor.ca 250-751-EDIT (3348) jea.larche@islandeditor.ca

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BEST FISH & CHIPS IN TOWN! The Cook House located next to Wash Me…on Ludow Rd. near Bottle Depot. Pre orders recommended 250-714-3450 FAMILY MEMOIR EDITOR/WRITER: With 20 years’ editing/writing experience, and respect for family stories, I’ll help you create a memoir to pass on to future generations. Free consultation: Kari, 250-245-2751, karimagnuson@shaw.ca.

SPECIAL EVENTS PHOTOGRAPHY. Don’t trust just anyone. We have years of experience from weddings, family portraits to glamour and corporate clients. Free DVD and photo book included of your images. Email for quote and portfolio. marinasacht@yahoo.ca or call 250-245-9165

AUGUST 2013

HEALTH & BEAUTY ALLEGRO HAIRDRESSING When the Salon comes to your home. For all your family’s hairdressing needs. Call for your appointment 250-616-3709 (leave message for Debbie) ISAGENIX DISTRIBUTOR - Get Lean & Healthy Fast - Less than $5/ meal. Our protein shakes are amazing! - No Gluten, Wheat, Barley or Trans Fat. www.taketimetoday.com Suzanne Deveau 250245-8407 BOWEN TECHNIQUE is a gentle soft tissue remedial therapy that resets the body to heal itself. Useful for joint, back and neck pain, frozen shoulder, asthma, chronic fatigue and many other problems. For information and appointments call 250-245-7738. Lilja Hardy FMBAC in practice since 1994. www.bowtech.com

EDUCATION DOING FAMILY RESEARCH? the Ladysmith Archives, located under Tim Horton’s, have Ladysmith newspapers dating from 1902, some on microfilm, also B.D. & M. going back many years 250-245-0100 for an appt.

HOME & YARD PAINT & SAVE OPTION: Do it yourself, with a little help from a pro together we can make your job more affordable and accomplish a great look.

Making the world a brighter place for over 25 years. Call Harvey - 250-245-2174

HANDCRAFTED GEMSTONE NECKLACES. Jade, garnet, lapis, aventurine and more! $20 each. See jewelry table at Campers Corner Saturday flea market, 8am-3pm. 250-245-3829

CEDAR UNITED SUMMER HALF-DAY CAMP. One week only August 19-23 from 1-4pm. Free for children 5 -11 enjoy games, crafts, songs and puppets. Located in south Nanaimo. Everyone welcome. To reserve call Cindy 250-245-5778

CANDLES AND ACCESSORIES for your home and garden. Contact Jenn Meuser, 250-619-6520 or jennm_PARTYLITE@shaw.ca and ask how you can earn FREE PARTYLITE products when you host a PARTYLITE party

PLAY BRIDGE WITH BRIAN WEEKLY highly recommended lots of fun, great system, get scores and record of hands. Thursdays @ 1:00 pm Cedar Heritage Centre1644 MacMillan Road, Cedar. 250-753-2522

“KAREN’S INDUSTRIAL SEWING” IS BACK! Relocated to North Cedar/Akenhead Rd. Open for alterations and repairs, Production work etc… for appt. call 250-323-6322

GIRLS IRISH DANCE classes held in Cedar, Sundays 12:00 - 1:00. Beginner to advanced levels for ages 6 - 16. Begins Sept. 8th. First class is free. High quality instructors. Cindy 250245-5778 or Alison 1-250-888-9421

SASSA’S HOME AND GARDEN CARE. No job to small. Affordable honest work. Duo team.

Cleaning, Gardening and Painting, outside and inside your home or business. 1-250-218-4735 1-250-886-8201

OCEANVIEW PIANO STUDIO: fun, affordable, quality piano lessons to begin in September. Call Marianne Wilke, B.A., RCM X, @245-5954, or email at mwilke@shaw.ca for more info. Seniors receive 10% discount.”

THE HAPPY GARDENER. Weeding, Digging, Cutting back (blackberries, etc), Tidying up, Miscellaneous Yard Work. Cheerful and Conscientious. Call David at 250-722-3599

CUSTOM WINDOW COVERINGS Blinds, draperies. Free estimates. Serving Ladysmith & Chemainus. Hall & Associates 250-616-9505 Over 20 years experience FOR ALL YOUR SEWING NEEDS -bedding, window treatments, couch & chair covers, cushions, pillows, special accessories & decor, dressmaking & alterations - what ever comes to your mind, Elke 250-618-1172 - info@ egrstudios.com

PIANO LESSONS now accepting beginner to advanced students, private home studio. Call Josslyn and start playing today 250-245-0067

EXPERIENCED, RELIABLE, BONDABLE, RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & LIGHT CONSTRUCTION CLEANER has openings in the Ladysmith area. Rates start at $18.00 per hour.

Seniors Discount. Refs available 250-327-9644 CINDERELLA’S RESIDENTIAL CLEANING Service, Contact Erin @ 250-924-4475 or Cell 250-741-7916

ORGANIZED PICKERS clear up ripe & windfall fruit & leave you 1/3. You can pick in Duncan, Ladysmith or Nanaimo & enjoy a portion of the harvest you worked! call 250-245-4073 to register http://cowichangreencommunity.org/ cowichangreencommunity.org

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ISLAND PRUNING - Professional tree care from large scale orchards to budding new trees.

I can meet any pruning need. Shrubs, vines and ornamentals. Call Darcy Belcourt 250-245-1260 LADYBUG’S MEW for Meticulous Garden Care contact “Farmer Doug” for a free quote 250-7139682 or doug@ladybugsmew.ca “When you hire Farmer Doug, you get Farmer Doug!”

HOW IS YOUR CONCRETE DRIVEWAY? Need a facelift? Have your driveway cleaned and sealed to improve the curb appeal of your home. See our website www.sealtechspecialties.com SealTech Specialties, 250-734-2681 QUALITY RENOVATIONS big or small. 25 yrs exp/journeyman, affordable. For free estimate call Lars 250-616-1800 AGILE HOME REPAIR & IMPROVEMENT For all your carpentry and home repair needs. From repairing/replacing siding, decks, fences to interior finishing including home ventilation. Fully insured.

Call IAN 250-714-8800 AJ”s PLUMBING AND GAS -Licensed-BondedInsured. Service-Installations-Renovation -New construction. Quality workmanship. No travel charges. Free estimates. On time every time. 250802-7123 TRUSTED HOUSE SITTERS retired couple to housesit, take care of your pets and garden.

Security clearance, local ref, 7 days minimum stay Contact s.v.ceceline@gmail.com OVERCOAT PAINTING - Professional - Reliable Reasonable. Operating 8 years in Ladysmith. No job to small. Will do minor painting repairs. Special senior rates. Call Nicole for a free estimate. 250667-4355 PITTER PATTER PAINTERS local, reliable, professional painters, “PITTER PATTER LET’S GET AT ERR” 1-250-886-8201 NEAT & TIDY HOUSEKEEPING 30 + years exp. Business Cleaning. Laundry Service.

Personalized Errand Service. Locally owned & operated. Bondable. Serving Ladysmith and surrounding area. Call:Sheila at 250 245 4356 cell 250 668 5177 PETS HOME BUDDIES - PET & HOUSE CARE since 1994. Licensed, Bonded, Insured. Professional, kind-hearted, experienced and reliable care for all pets. Pet First Aid and CPR Certified. Certified Security Professional through Westguard Security.

When loving care and security are essential, Peggy Wildsmith- 250-245-0151 PROFESSIONAL PET CARE SERVICE: leash ‘em & walk ‘em with Marlena. Insured & bonded.

Animal First Aid and CPR. Service for all pets

AUGUST 2013

including dog walking, home care visits, overnight with pet in your home and much more. As my love is yours! 250-246-3394 KITTY KORNERS CAT HOTEL - Purrsonalized Quality Kitty Care. Daily health checks, experienced with special needs kitties.

Reasonable rates. Available 24/7. 2 km north of Nanaimo Airport. Take a virtual tour www. kittykorners.com 250-740-CATS (5287) SENIORS SENIOR CARE & FAMILY HELPER with Linda.

Mature, experienced, reliable help. Transportation, errands, healthy meals, overnight stays, pet care and light house keeping. Excellent references.

Criminal record check, first aid. Linda Stedfield 250-755-1335 lstedfield@gmail.com LYNN’S SENIORS CARE HOME - High Quality Personalized Care. Warm caring environment, great food AND snacks, family events, couples and pets welcomed, ocean views, gardens. North of Ladysmith. 250-245-3391 www.lynnsseniorcare.com FOR RENT APARTMENT FOR RENT Seniors block 53 plus 2 bedroom well maintained 1000sq.ft. newly updated cupboards, new carpet, drapes, repainted W/D-F/S-N/P’s-N/S Now available. No elevator free storage & parking. $750.00 mth plus hydro. References 250-758-5816 BRIGHT OCEAN VIEW DELUXE BASEMENT SUITE 900sq ft- W/D F-S-D Level entry-Parking.

Suitable for single person who enjoys a quiet area. 250-245-8388 $750.00/mth ONE BEDROOM NEW DELUXE APARTMENT $850 mth. Air conditioning, stainless steel appliances, Washer & Dryer, Sky lite, Crown Mouldings, Granite Counter tops etc. Located Ladysmith Trading Company Building downtown Ladysmith. N/S N/Ps 250-246-6624.

WANTED TOUR DE ROCK LADYSMITH has an account Junction Bottle Depot if you want to donate bottles to the cause. If you are unable to drop them off, please call Cherie at 250-245-4160 and she will pick them up.

LOCAL HANDMADE PRODUCTS. From art to jewelry and in between. Listings being accepted.

No fee. For details visit www.take5.ca/estore TAKE 5 CLASSIFIEDS WORK. 30 words for $17 plus tax. Print and online edition.

Directly mailed to every household from south nanaimo top Chemainus. 250-2457015 info@take5.ca www.take5.ca

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