serving the discovery islands for 20 years - since 1992 ... · for janitorial services for quadra...

March 2, 2012ISSUE 520 Serving the Discovery Islands for 20 Years - since 1992

This year we will be donating $44,000 to 11 community groups across Quadra and Cortes Islands

through the Quadra Legacy Fund.

Coastal Community believes in making a visible and meaningful difference in the communities we serve, and in order to build healthier Island communities it is important that our funding dollars remain local. We are pleased to partner with local community groups that work hard each day to make a meaningful difference in each of our communities.

To ensure that our funding allocations best meet the needs of our communities, Coastal Community looks to our regional Community Connection Councils, which are made up of members from your community. Our councils provide us with

insight and recommendations as to which proposals best meet the needs of your local communities.

The recipients for 2011 were: Old Farm Community Garden, Quadra Children’s Centre, Quadra Circle, Quadra Island Fall Fair, Quadra Island Recreation Society and Discovery Island Emergency Preparedness Association, and on Cortes Island, Cortes Island Museum & Archives Society , Cortes Community Health Association, Cortes Community Radio Society, Cortes Island Emergency Services, Southern Cortes Community Association, and Old School House Art Gallery.

In addition to our Quadra Legacy Fund, Coastal Community will donate additional funds through a number of community programs including over $131,900 to 49

community groups across Vancouver Island through our Coastal Spirit Fund Branch Investment Program, which empowers our employees to make funding decisions based on the needs of their local communities. Other Community Investment programs include Fundraising Fridays, Employee Volunteer Program, Scholarships, and Young Entrepreneur program.

Our Commitment to the communities we serve is not only important to our employees and our members and clients, but it is a part of who we are at Coastal Community. By being leaders in building healthier communities, and making those meaningful and visible differences, Coastal Community believes we have the opportunity to enrich peoples’ lives.

Coastal Community Credit Union Donates Through Quadra Legacy Fund

2 Discovery Islander #520 March 2, 2012

INVITATION TO TENDER #0203-2012FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES

FOR QUADRA ISLAND BRANCHVancouver Island Regional Library is seeking Tenders from qualified janitorial service contractors to offer janitorial service to the New Quadra Island Branch Library located at 654 Harper Road, Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, BC. The Quadra Island Branch is approximately 3,200 sq. ft. in total size. Tenders must be delivered to the Purchasing Department, Vancouver Island Regional Library, Central Services, 6250 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 6M9 prior to 3:00 p.m., Local Time, Friday March 9th, 2012 the “closing date and time”. A site visit to view the area of work is mandatory. The mandatory site visit is scheduled at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 24th at 654 Harper Road, Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island. Bidders not attending the site visit will not be allowed to submit a Tender.Invitation to Tender documents are available by contacting Elisa Balderson, Purchasing Phone: (250) 729-2307 or email: [email protected]. Please state Tender Number and provide your Name, Phone number and Email address.The lowest or any Bid will not necessarily be accepted. The Vancouver Island Regional Library reserves the right to accept the Tender which it deems most advantageous.

Museum Book Sale and Fundraiser

Running out of good books to read? The Museum at Campbell River has the answer. The 7th Annual Used Book Sale and Fundraiser is coming up soon from March 3 – 7, and judging by the donations coming in, the sale will have a treasure trove of reading material filled with a broad range of subject areas, from mystery to adventure to history, both fiction and non fiction. This year we have a large selection of geography and travel books, along with biographies, crafts and Canadian authors. Sale runs from noon to 4:00 p.m. all days.

Donations to the sale are still very welcome! Drop your previously loved books off between noon and 5:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday from now until March 1st at the Museum (preferably at the back entrance off 4th Avenue). Please note the Museum is closed on Mondays.

We gratefully accept all donations but no encyclopedias, school texts, romance novels, Reader’s Digest or magazines.

3Discovery Islander #520 March 2, 2012

MONDAYParent & Tots, QCC, 9:30 am - 12 pmLow Impact, 8:30 am, QCCYoga with Josephine, Room 3, QCC, 10 am -12 noonKarate, 4:30 pm, QCCSing for Pure Joy! Room 3, QCC, 3 - 4:30 pm, All welcome.Weight Watchers, QCC, 6 pm - 7 pmAlcoholics Anonymous, Quadra Children’s Centre 7 pmMandy’s Movielicous night in the HBI Pub 9:001st Monday - Quadra writers group, 7 - 9 pm 285-3656

TUESDAYSpinners 10:00 am – 12:00 QCCQuadra Children’s Song Circle, Room 3, QCC3 - 4 pmZUMBA- QCC- 6-7 pmAl-Anon Meeting, Quadra Children’s Centre, 7:00 pm Folkdancing, QCC, 7:30 pm, Sept 21-Apr 26

WEDNESDAYParent and Babes 11 am QCCFood Bank 1-2:00 p.m. (1st & 3rd Wed of every month) QCCUofQ Pub education from your Neighbours. HBI pub 7:00 pmHand-drum Circle, Upper Realm, 7:45 - 9:15 pm1st & 3rd Wednesday Food Bank,QCC 1 - 2 pm

THURSDAYParents & Tots, QCC, 9:30 am - 12 pm Karate 4:00 pm QCCPrayer Meeting, Quadra Island Bible Church, 7 pmDrop in games and wing night, Legion, 7:00 pm. Sound Spirit Kirtan - QCC - 7-8pm - By Donation

FRIDAYAlcoholics Anonymous, 8 pm Quadra Children’s Centre Fridays – Live bands in the HBI Pub 9:00 pm

SATURDAY“Fun Ride” Easy to Moderate bike ride 10:30 am Aroma Cafe Quadra Legion Meat Draw 5pmOpen mic with Mo. 9:00pm HBI pub

SUNDAYFamily Service, Quadra Island Bible Church, 10:30 amQuadra Sunday Painters, 11 am - 2 pm, 285-3390United Church-11 am, first Sun. of month-12 noon, 285-3163.Buddhist meditation, Upper Realm, 10 am.

Submit your news or event info, editorial runs free: email: [email protected] drop off 701 Cape Mudge Rd. or at Hummingbird

Friday, March 2- Kinfo - HBI Pub music 9pmSaturday, March 3- Winter Market Q.C.C. 10 am-2 pm- Cheese-making workshop 1 - 4 pm at Perrywinkle Cottage 692 Cedar Dr.- Celebrate International Women’s Day Q.C.C. 6 pm Wednesday, March 7- Free Money, 11:30 a.m., Seminar Room, Q.C.C.Saturday, March 10- Steven Page, singer-songwriter, guitarist QCC 8:00 pmMonday March 12- Garden Club presents Ryan Nassichuk on Cover Crops 7pm QCCTuesday, March 20- VIRL New branch openingSaturday, March 24- Ladies Auxiliary Garage Sale Quadra legion - spOIL and On The Line 7:00 pm QICCTuesday March 27 - Quadra Island Cemetery AGM; 8:00pm at the Quadra LegionWednesday, March 28 - Learn to Play- Play to Learn Workshop 6:30 – 8:30 at the Literacy Centre, Quadra ElementarySaturday, April 14- Ladies Auxiliary Plant & Bake Sale

Next DeADlINe: MoNDAy, MARCH 12TH, 2012


Copyright 2012

ISSUE 520MARCH 2, 2012

MONDAY, MARCH 12

Apology For Golf Course

DamageAs most community members are aware, significant damage was sustained to the golf course in January. The damage was caused by a dirt bike and an ATV riding over the recently planted fairways and greens. Three youths were identified as having committed the damage and they have recently participated in a restorative justice process where they admitted to their actions. As part of the process, the three youths prepared an apology letter to the community.

This letter is in regards to the damage that was done on January 9th, 2012 to the golf course. We would first like to say how sorry we are to the directors and all the people who put all their time and effort in on fixing up and making this course.

When we rode our bikes through the course, it was not our intention to do the damage. We were just riding our bikes through at night. We know it is still no excuse.

To the people of Quadra Island, we would also like to say sorry. We have been in contact with the RCMP, Directors, and some members of the community, and are in the makings of making a restitution of how we can help in our community to make it right. Again, we are truly sorry.

To our parents, we are sorry that we lied to you about what we did that night.

Submitted by Shane Worth - Quadra RCMP on behalf of those concerned

Dear Editor,Beverley and I would like to express our sincere thank you to the Quadra Island Volunteer Fire Department, for their outstanding professionalism and skill. The fire that consumed our garage/workshop on January 22nd was thankfully kept contained in order to prevent spread to surrounding structures and property. Watching the volunteer force led by Capt. Sharron Glendenning reminded us how the community of Quadra Island is truly something special, and how truly fortunate we are to live here. Mike Arseneau

Dear EditorThe Friends of Strathcona Park (FOSP) have been fighting for approximately seven years against government moves to allow a high-impact commercial operation into the Bedwell Valley in Strathcona Park.

When the Strathcona Park Master Plan didn’t allow the proposed commercial activity, the government changed the Master Plan.

When 80 - 90% of people attending a hastily contrived government “consultation” process spoke against it, the government went ahead.

When the Strathcona Park Public Advisory Committee (appointed by government) opposed it unanaimously, the government still went ahead.

The Friends of Strathcona Park have been fighting issues similar to this one since a former government chopped the park in half in 1987 and opened the park up to extensive high-impact commercial operations. FOSP won that battle, and the governent was forced to reverse its actions after a major public blockade in 1988.

The fight to create a real park didn’t end with the blockade. A few years later, when a park administrator turned park land over to a logging company to construct a logging road, FOSP fought it in court.

When a mine illegally flew engineering crews into several alpine lakes in the park to prepare plans to siphon water from the delicate lake systems for hydro power, FOSP fought again.

Obviously, it takes more than a set of boundaries to create a park. To be effective, the boundaries must have

Shopping Local Is

EverythingThis letter is in response to Mimi Smienks article on the 100 mile diet. I would like to invite everybody down to the other end of Q.Cove shopping plaza where we at Amped on Nutrition have been going out of our way to support the local farmers for the last four years with lovely LOCAL ONLY organic produce from Dirt Co, Tera Nova, Topcliff Farm, Emily + Sam’s garlic, Granite Bay apples and Mimi’s garlic.

Another shop that comes into the 100 mile concept is Evangelines Island Treasures. Evangeline carries LOCAL ONLY Quadra and Cortes made creations. In order for the 100 mile concept to survive, the community needs to be more supportive.

People need to start shopping locally more so the demand meets the supply.

Barbara Mindell


meaning, and meaning doesn’t come without work. Before the 1988 blockade, there were around 250 mining claims in Strathcona. Whole valleys in the park had been logged with government approval. Entire watersheds had been dammed to provide hydro power for commercial purposes. Creeks were polluted, fish were killed, lakes were strewn with garbage, all by commercial operations approved by provincial governments.

Drawing boundaries on a map doesn’t create a park. From 1911 to 1988, Strathcona was essentially a commercial park. In 1988, people finally began to fight to give park boundaries some real meaning. People wanted a real park, not a commercial enterprise.

Most of the mining claims in the park have now been extinguished. There is currently only one operating mine, and it will eventually close. Commercial logging in the park has stopped. Lakes are no longer being dammed. These activitiies, so damaging to the park, didn’t just stop on their own, and they weren’t willingly stopped by governments. It took a huge amount of hard work and the arrests of many dedicated people to force government to change direction. The battle continues.

In December, the present provincial government approved a permit for a high-impact commercial dude ranch operation in the Bedwell Valley.

This operation is totally unsuitable to a west coast rainforest valley. It will harm the park in many ways. The park belongs to the public, and the government shouldn’t have the right to give the Bedwell over to serve the commercial wishes of a high-impact private operation.

FOSP will fight this in court. A motivated and very capable lawyer has been hired. A win will create a valuable precedent in law. The park is worth it. Please donate at: friendsofstrathcona.org

These are my own thoughts, and I’m writing this plea on my own, although I’m also an executive member of FOSP.

Karl Stevenson

Royston

Annual General Meeting Of Centre For

Spiritual Living Campbell River

The Board of Trustee’s of the Centre for Spiritual Living - Campbell River will be holding the elections of its Trustee’s at the AGM on March 11, 2012 at the Willow Point Hall. Sunday Celebration starts at 10:30 am, 11:30 am there will be a Pot Luck followed at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm the AGM and election the the Board of Trustee’s. Everyone welcome to hear the Annual General meeting however only members may vote.

Following the end of the AGM there will be a video of Dr. Kenn Gordon’s address at Centres for Spiritual Living first elected leadership in New Orleans. United Centres for Spiritual Living and International Centres for Spiritual Living have integrated to be ONE after a 50 year split. Dr. Kenn Gordon is the co-pastor of Centre for Spiritual Living Kelowna and served as President of the International Centre of Spiritual Living since 1999. In 2005 he was named Minister of the year and received his Doctorate of Humanities, and is now the Spiritual Leader for the integrated Centre for Spiritual Living. The Centres for Spiritual Living’s goal is to empower 100 million lives in the world. Dr. Kenn Gordon is also teacher to Jill Brocklehurst, Spiritual Director of the Centre for Spiritual Living Campbell River.

About the Centre for Spiritual Living Campbell River

At the Centre for Spiritual Living Campbell River, we teach spiritual tools to enhance personal lives, thereby making the world a better place. We are a non-profit organization with the mission to awaken humanity to its spiritual magnificence. We offer an on-going variety of classes online and in-person. We gather as a spiritual community every Sunday for Celebration at the Willow Point Hall 10:30 a.m., Meditation at 10:00 a.m. For more information visit http://campbellriver.csl.org

Painting Cruise With BC Artist Gaye Adams

The Campbell River Art Gallery and Mothership Adventures are thrilled to announce that renowned B.C. artist Gaye Adams will be leading a painting cruise on the beautiful Columbia III May 27-May 30.

Participants will have the opportunity to paint some of the most beautiful and remote coastal locations in B.C. with instruction and guidance from Adams. Adams is a master pastellist and member of the Oil Painters of America who has won awards at the international level and had images featured in numerous publications around the world.

Adams will be working in oils, her favourite ‘plein air’ medium, but pastellists, watercolourists and acrylicists are most welcome to take part in this exciting painting cruise. Coaching will be geared to the experience level and personal style of each artist. Adams will work with students to help them find strong design elements within the landscape, because she feels that learning to simplify the landscape and distil it down to its important elements is the key to successful field work.

Daily demonstrations and lively conversation around all things art-related will punctuate each glorious day aboard the Columbia III. The Columbia III is a stunningly luxurious 68’ vessel featuring gourmet food passengers rave about for years afterwards. The annual coastal painting cruise is one of the seasonal highlights for Mothership Adventures, which provides a wide variety of exciting coastal adventures on the Columbia III. The scenery participants will get the chance to see is unparalleled – artists will see stunning landscapes daily.

For more information about Adams, visit www.gayeadams.com. To learn more about the Columbia III and Mothership Adventures, go to www.mothershipadventures.com

The three-night painting cruise with Gaye Adams leaves from Campbell River and costs $1,650 per participant. For more information, contact the Campbell River Art Gallery at 250-287-2261, [email protected] or check out www.crartgallery.ca


REGIONAL DIRECTOR’S REPORTby Jim AbramArea C

Hello to all, on this glorious, sunny “spring” day (in spite of the temperature and NW wind). Let’s

hope we are finished with the worst of winter!

Nothing has slowed down in my world of local government. Actually the pace has quickened. That is a good thing as far as I am concerned, since I like things to happen and to see results. We are nearing the “results” stage on a number of fronts.

So let’s get started with the most immediate.

Meeting with Minster Responsible for Connectivity

As I mentioned in my report of Feb. 13th, I was to meet with the Minister to discuss connectivity on our island. I met with her on Jan. 20th and also had the benefit of having officials from Network BC at the meeting also. They are the part of the ministry that deals with connectivity in general. So, I got to have two meetings rolled into one. It went very well and I feel that both the Minister and the Network BC officials will be doing their best to support us in their conversations with Telus. They cannot force Telus to serve us, but they certainly can give them a strong recommendation. I presented them with the same business case materials that I provided to Telus.

Meeting with Telus - Connectivity

As I discussed in my report of January 16th and February 13th, I met with the General Manager for Vancouver Island at Telus in Victoria on January 9th. Please refer to those reports for details so that I do not need to repeat them here. I am meeting with him again on Monday the 27th at 8:30 am for a full hour to go over the business case and the possible “build out” of our island. This will give them a good idea if there is enough business to be had to warrant spending the dollars they will need to spend to connect us up to high speed internet, island wide. I will also be going over the possible questions that the public will need to be asked in a survey to

give them added information in making their case to their superiors. Just the fact that he is willing to meet once again after I sent him all of the info he requested is promising. I am going to remain optimistic and will fill you in after the meeting.

Meeting with the Minister of Transportation

I will be having a private meeting with Minister Blair Lekstrom on Monday the 27th at 11:30 am to discuss our never ending battle to get ferries under the umbrella of Highways and to lower the fares. I have met with Blair a number of times and will be meeting with him again in March with the group of coastal regional district chairs. We will also be meeting with the Premier at that time also. We will be discussing the same topics and also the entire report that was prepared by the Ferry Commissioner. As a group, we have been developing a response paper to the recommendations of the Commissioner. We are making our own recommendations based on what our communities want. The government is going to make some sort of decision in the next few months, I am sure. This is why we are putting this amount of effort into this issue and keeping the pressure on them right now. Our group represents 70% of the population of BC, so I think the government will be taking this discussion fairly seriously. This could be our last shot at making substantive changes to the Ferry system prior to an election.

Notice! Public meeting on 2012 Budget - Monday, March 12th, 7pm at the School

The SRD will be holding a public meeting, at my request, to discuss the upcoming financial plan for the coming year. This is a very important meeting to attend so that you can get the details of the budget for the next year right from the staff who have prepared it. A short presentation will be given and then the floor will be open to questions and answers. The meeting will take place at the Quadra Elementary School at 7pm on Monday, March 12th. Please attend and be fully informed by our staff.

Another Notice! - Regional Solid Waste Management

Public meeting - Thursday, March 15th, 7 - 9pm at the Community Centre

Please, please, please attend this meeting! This is the 5 year review of our Plan and your input will help to shape which direction the Waste Management Plan will go. Do you want more recycling? Do you want to see your rates go up annually for tipping fees at the landfill??? Do you want to see a Waste to Energy plant (incinerator) in the Campbell River area??? These are some of the issues that will be discussed in detail. The consultants and staff will make a presentation and then take questions. This is your opportunity to be heard. Please don’t let it slip by.

Quathiaski Cove Local Area Plan

The Local Area Plan will be before the board soon and a public hearing date will probably be set for May or June. We have been waiting a long time for this to go through the proper process and we are just about there. There will be plenty of notice given and I hope the entire community will attend.

I need to prepare for travel to my meetings in Victoria so that is about it for this report. Feel free to call me between the hours of 8:30 am and 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday (please, not on weekends, folks!) at 285-3355, or you can fax me at 285-3533 or you can email me anytime at [email protected] , or by mail at Box 278 in the Cove, V0P 1N0... Lots of choices. You can also view my website at www.jimabram.com

Please do not use my residential phone number for SRD calls. All business calls should be on 285-3355. Many thanks!

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Abram

Director, Discovery Islands - Mainland Inlets (Area C), SRD


Newcomers to Quadra IslandWelcome

New to Quadra? The Discovery Islands Chamber of Commerce and local businesses welcome you with a gift bag. Please contact Judy at 285-2150.

NEXT DEADLINEFOR THE DI

is Monday March 12th

Send in your submissions [email protected] fax: 250-285-2236 or drop it off at Hummingbird or our office at 701 Cape Mudge Rd.

Free Firewood

Free Firewood is available every Wednesday at 1 p.m. right after the Community Lunch.

Just drive your vehicle or a friend’s pick-up truck to the rear doors of the Quadra Community Centre at 1 p.m. We will meet you there and help you load up.

If you can’t come at this time or cannot find a vehicle, call Steve Moore at 285-3323 for an alternative arrangement. In some cases, we can deliver.

Quadra Island

Cemetery AGM

Tuesday March 27th, 2012; 8:00pm at the Quadra Legion

Ladies Auxiliary Garage Sale

Quadra Legion Br # 154 Ladies are putting on their yearly Garage Sale on March 24th. If you are interested in renting a table for $5.00

Please contact Chris Dyson @ 250-285-2207 or Barbara Frank @ 250-285-3714 Get your tables early.

Ladies Auxiliary Plant & Bake SaleOur plant and Bake sale is coming up on April 14/12

If you have any plants to donate when you are cleaning up the flower garden we would much appreciate them. Contact Barb Frank @ 250-285-3714

International Women’s Day

Come and celebrate International Women’s Day on Quadra on Saturday March 3, 6pm at the Community Centre. All women are invited ! Potluck dinner followed by laughs, learning, art and entertainment. Bring your friends and meet new ones. Please bring your own dishes, cups and cutlery so that no one has to clean up! Admission by donation please, to cover hall rental. See you there, women!

Zumba Dance

Zumba dance fitness classes will be offered every Tuesday night at the Community Centre starting at 5:45 and running until 6:45. (*NOTE the start time of 6:45 that went into the Hungry Eye is incorrect*) Come out and have fun dancing your booty off!


Cheese-Making Workshop on Quadra

Join Mimi Smienk of Open Bay Farm on Saturday, March 3, 1pm to 4pm at Perrywinkle Cottage (692 Cedar Drive) for an introduction to soft cheese-making. With local fresh cow’s milk, Mimi will demonstrate the steps involved in making creamy soft cheese. Amanda Stewart-Webb will join us to discuss her adventures in hard cheese-making. Participants will also enjoy a sampling of cheeses from the islands and locally made artisan bread. Workshop fee is $45 and includes a take home sample of the soft cheese made in class. Limit 8 participant. To register call Carol at 250-285-3664.

Heriot Bay Harbour Report

Phase 4 of the new Heriot Bay Harbour Improvement Project has now been completed under budget and on time.

The project manager, Harbours employees, Lee Roberts, Fraser River Pile Driving and the board members who put so much time on this project deserve a great deal of credit.

Phase 5 which involves reconfiguration of the docks will proceed later this year when funding and a successful bidder is in place. In order to maximize safety and minimize congestion the board requests that everyone respect and obey the posted signs. Please be patient as it will take some trial and error to get this facility running smoothly.

As some of you may have read in a previous D.I. we now have a historic vessel at our dock, unfortunately the owner of this vessel along with two others have not fully paid their moorage and electrical power fees. In addition the most derelict of the three is now at a mooring in Heriot Bay. We the tax payer have already paid to have all oils and toxic materials removed and are now paying to have it pumped so that it will not sink and cause a boating hazard.

The Harbours Board lobbied to have this boat removed on the F.R.P.D. Barge but was turned down by a government bureaucrat because there was no money available (???). The remaining two boats are presently moored on the wave attenuator at the H.B. Dock pending the outcome of a number of legal actions which once again will cost us taxpayers thousands of dollars.

The Harbours Board has gone through some stressful times with all these issues on our agenda, particularly as we are volunteers, and we hope that you the public will support us in our efforts to make our two harbours secure, safe and friendly places for commercial and pleasure boating.- Pete Calverley


spOIL and On The Line

The award-winning documentary spOIL is the result of a Rave (a Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition) to the Great Bear Rainforest by the International League of Conservation Photographers. The seven world-renowned photographers and three videographers focused their energy and cameras on this pristine region in response to the plans by Enbridge Inc. to build a pipeline for heavy crude oil from the Alberta tar sands across British Columbia to the coast of the Great Bear Rainforest.

In On The Line, filmmaker Frank Wolf and his friend Todd McGowan undertake a low-tech trip along the proposed route of the Enbridge pipeline, making investigative pit stops along the way. Wolf gives voice to the citizens whose lives will be upended by the project - some are ambivalent, most are opposed, all are fearful. Wolf ’s documentary is brilliantly structured: his trip through the relatively unspoiled land of two provinces is a literal, slowly cumulative demonstration of what exists now, and what could be ruined tomorrow. His casual, detouring trek is an act of witness and exposure that the corporate media aims to minimize. Here are the land and its people; here will be the natural and human costs of the Tar Sands.

Caitlyn Vernon, Coastal Programs Campaigner for the Sierra Club BC, will talk about the Enbridge Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel Hearings and answer questions on the project.

This Sierra Quadra event will be on Saturday, March 24th. Please note that it starts at 7:00 pm with doors open at 6:30 pm.

Workshop with the Haig-Brown Writer-

in-Residence Trevor Herriot

The Museum at Campbell River is offering a unique opportunity to participate in a writing workshop with the 2012 Haig-Brown Writer-in-Residence Trevor Herriot.

On Saturday, March 3, from 1:00 pm – 4 pm, Herriot will lead a workshop with a focus on ‘Nature Writing’. The workshop will take place at the historic Haig-Brown House. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn writing techniques from a skilled master of nature writing.

Trevor Herriot is a prairie naturalist and writer. His latest book is ‘Grass, Sky, Song: Promise and Peril in the World of Grassland Birds’ (HarperCollins, February, 2009). His writing has appeared in the Globe & Mail, Canadian Geographic, and several anthologies. He has written two radio documentaries for CBC Ideas and is a monthly guest on CBC Radio Saskatchewan’s Blue Sky.

Trevor’s blog, “Grass Notes” (trevorherriot.blogspot.com) discusses some of the stories and issues he addresses in his books. He lives in Regina with his wife Karen and their four children.

The cost for the workshop is $45.00 . Please call the Museum at 287-3103 to reserve a place. Numbers are limited.

Winter Market at the Community Centre

Saturday, March 3rd 10am-2pm

Tired of the rain? Need a break? Come on out to the Winter Market. Enjoy a terrific assortment of local artisans.

Woodworking, jewellery, books, soaps, all of your favourite things under one roof. Rain or shine!

This week, Judi MacMillan (Sew Much More) has all the accessories your heart desires, handbags, scarves, jewellery, jackets, dress up spring!

Fascinating Fascinators. Join Lime Soda Photography and Lydia for a fun modern day portrait with old fashioned flair. All props to dress you in style! Fascinators for sale too.

Sarah Gregg Granger of Heart and Soul Home Care has openings for 2 foot care sessions on Saturday or you can book an appointment (250-204-7648) for a later date.

Treat yourself and get those fancy feet ready for Spring!

Rave reviews on the yummy lunches, delicious soups and baking. Or just sip a cup of coffee or tea. Best price on Quadra!

Spend your Saturday surrounded by friends and handmade items. Come on out, much more to see!

Set up is 8 am. Tables are $10.00. Need more info? Michele@250-285-3747 or [email protected]


Cortes RadioCortes RadioDrop in and tune out89.5 fm

Free Video Exchange The Free Video Exchange needs more videos. I know you have been planning to watch that old VHS or DVD video again. But let’s face it sometimes watching a video once is enough. So why not donate the movie to the Free Video Exchange at the Upper Realm in Q. Cove. And while you at it, take some videos home that you haven’t seen yet. Help yourself. The three shelves of videos are at the top of the stairs. We are strictly on the honour system but if you can donate more videos than you take home it is much appreciated. We are happy to note that the number of DVD’s is slowly increasing. Any questions, just ask anyone is Spirit Books or call Steve at 285-3323

Upper Realm YogaSpirit Books offers courses in Music and Spiritual Renewal five nights a week. Now, we present yet another new course: Vinyasa Yoga with Kai. These Vinyasa based yoga classes will take place in the Meditation Room of Spirit Books in the Upper Realm at Q. Cove on Sunday and Tuesday nights from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There is a $5 drop in fee. Everyone is welcome. Call Kai at 250-850-9245 or Steve at 250-285-3323 for more information. In addition, hand-drumming is Wednesday Nights at 7:45 p.m. Drums are provided if you don’t have one (call Steve at 285-3323). Meditation is on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. with Dave Ashton at 285-3871. Quadra Unplugged, a guitar & other acoustic instruments jam, is on Friday Nights at 7:30 p.m. but they are taking a break for a couple of weeks. So call at Pat at 285-2807 to find out when they start up again. There is also a Buddhist Meditation on Sunday Mornings at 10 a.m. Monday night is still available if you have a book club or a music group or a spiritual course to offer. Call Steve at 285-3323 to book the book store.

Quadra Island Library Branch closes March

10th with new branch opening on March 20thNANAIMO, February 27, 2012 – Customers of the Quadra Island Library Branch will soon be able to enjoy their new library at Cove Centre, Quathiaski Cove. The current library branch will be closed starting on Sunday, March 11th. The new branch opens in its new location on Tuesday, March 20th.

“Quadra Island customers are encouraged to borrow as much material as they wish before the library closes at the end of the day on Saturday, March 10th,” says Timothy Skye, Library Manager. “Loan periods have been adjusted and fines will not be assessed.”

The new 3207 sq. ft. facility will be slightly more than three times the size of the present 1024 sq. ft. branch with room for more books, CDs, DVDs, newspapers, magazines and six public computers.

When the library re-opens on Tuesday, March 20th, all library materials will remain as a fixed collection for six months. A date for the official grand opening of the new branch will be announced in the next few weeks.

The new facility will provide a welcoming, airy and bright, fully-accessible community space with large windows, and room for an expanded collection.

Get Your Seeds Ready!! The Second Annual Fall Fair is coming! I hope that everyone is still enjoying the immense satisfaction of eating from their gardens, although the last squash has just gone and we are on the last box of potatoes! What better motivation to get going on growing for next winter…and of course for the Fall Fair. As you are considering your spring planting, be thinking about what you will enter for fruits and vegetables…and please do take up the Giant Pumpkin Challenge. To grow a real whopper, world champion giant pumpkin you need to start planning now. All contenders should be sourcing, wheeling and dealing for a secret giant pumpkin seed supplier. The olympian training begins with barrow after barrow of ‘soil ammendment’. I must admit that I have been eyeing, with envy, the lovely new poly tunnel that has arisen on my route to Heriot Bay…will they take up the challenge and baby a giant along? Don’t forget to make sure the door will be big enough! We know from history that the Community Garden is quite capable of producing a good sized contender. So, as you wander in your garden with the promise of sun, greeting the garlic poking up through the winters’ mulch, do consider what you can grow and show this fall!

Carol Anne Caulfield, on behalf of the Community Garden,

Fruits and Vegetables Committee for Quadra Island Fall Fair


Friday Flicks

Quadra Literacy

NewsThe Learn to Play – Play to Learn Workshop will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 6:30 - 8:30 in the Literacy Centre at Quadra Elementary. This make and take workshop is based on Susan Munzer’s story baskets and felt board stories. There will be a demonstration of the many ways to tell a story and participants will make a felt board and felt characters to dramatize a story with their little ones. This workshop will be of interest to parents, grandparents, caregivers and early childhood educators. Childcare is provided. The materials for the workshop are supplied, so please preregister at the Literacy Centre (across the hall from the Kindergarten class at Quadra Elementary) or email [email protected].

Free MoneyFree Money needs your help. Free Money is available 6 months a year from November to April, usually on the first Wednesday of the month, just before Community Lunch. We have just enough money for March 7. However, we have almost no money for April 4th.

Please, please make a donation to the Free Money Association Account in our local Coastal Credit Union. We need about $500 by April 1. Every cent goes to Quadra residents in need.

The generosity of Quadra Islanders is truly a miracle. Think of the Community Lunch, the Food Bank, Free Firewood, Free Chimney Sweeps and much more. We haven’t missed a Free Money Distribution in five years, despite the fact that three of these years we have been in an economic recession.

However, Free Money is still available at 11:30 a.m., just before the Community Lunch, on Wednesday, March 7th in the downstairs seminar room at the Quadra Community Centre.

Individuals are welcome to take one book of their choice containing a $10 bill. Family members (or people supporting others) can take two books, each containing a $10 bill. Dog and cat food are also available.

For more information, call Steve Moore at 285-3323

VANCOUVER ISLAND REGIONAL

LIBRARY – DISPOSAL OF

ASSETSThe Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Quadra Island branch is currently accepting bids for items of furniture currently surplus to requirement. Closed bids will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., March 2, 2012. Please address the enveloppe to the attention of the Library Manager, Vancouver Island Regional Library, 1240 Shoppers Row, Campbell River, V9W 2C8. Please drop by the Quadra Island branch (Heriot Bay) during open hours to view the items for sale. Those with winning bids will be contacted after March 2 and must pick up the items between Monday, March 12 and Friday, March 16 by appointment.

WASTE LAND March 9thBrazil, UK, USARated G – doc.After years of re-creating famous paintings out of trash and other discarded material, the Brazilian-born artist, Vik Muniz, returned to his home country to photograph the garbage pickers who scavenge the world’s largest landfill, Jardim Gramacho. Filmmaker Lucy Walker opted to tag along and take his project one step deeper by drawing Muniz’s models into the picture. Walker’s interest in her surreal new environment, (7,000 tons of garbage are received daily), and the people who inhabit it, sweep her away.

While Muniz is focused on the end result of his portraits, Walker’s team goes off to discover the real lives of his six models, giving us rare insight into the compelling stories behind the haunting portraits. As compelling as these stories are, the film grows stronger still when mesmerizing the audience with wordless sequences of the garbage pickers at work, and capturing the otherworldly feel of the place. During these scenes, “Waste Land” feels more like art than just another film about art. It’s an eye-opening experience for First World audiences. And a testament to the redemptive power of beauty.

Alcoholic Anonymous

~ Quadra Island Chapter meets 8 pm Friday at Quadra Children’s Centre, West Road. Everyone Welcome. Call 250-202-6049


How to improve your garden soil

On Monday March 12th, 7pm at the Community Centre, island resident Ryan Nassichuk, will give a talk on west coast cover crops, often called green manure. For the last year, Ryan and his partner Jessica have been gardening a previously fallowed piece of land called Valdez Farms, on the south end of Quadra. They are already producing healthy vegetable crops. Ryan’s talk will discuss the use of cover crops for building and maintaining soil fertility in vegetable gardens. To see their progress on the farm, complete with photos of Quadra’s seasonal challenges, check out Ryan’s blog at On the blog, Ryan lists many species of cover crops including buckwheat, clover, phacelia, oats, peas, tyfon, vetch and what he calls “ the undisputed king of west coast cover crops Fall Rye”. Come to the meeting and learn from a connoisseur of winter green. You will hear about Ryan’s techniques for improving your soil structure and tilth. Also watch for future workshops offered at the farm on the topics of ‘how to grow’. Ryan is a certified horticulturalist, who along with his partner, Jessica, have made Quadra their new home.

For the show and tell table, bring some spring flowers: crocus, hellebores, Japanese plums, forced forsythia. Can anyone pick a bouquet of daffodils for the meeting? Share your extra seeds or seed catalogues. Drop ins welcome $2 at the door or buy an annual membership.

It’s Only FairWe Give A Heads Up!!

The 2nd Annual Quadra Island Fall Fair is set for September 9th, 2012.

This year’s theme – Rural by Nature

We’re planting this seed early so you can mark September 9th on your calendars, and also to remind exhibitors that some exhibits may need lead in time. ‘Now’ might be a good time to count backwards from September 9th. Will you need two months or seven to grow, knit, quilt or write your Exhibit entry?

Reminders will be posted here and on Facebook. (Quadra Island Fall Fair)

For people who would like to get involved in this year’s Fair, contact Sioux @ 2516 or Leslie @ 3727.

We’re looking forward to working with our community on this fun event again this year.


• Quality child care is early learning;

• High quality early years programs promote healthy development;

• Children and families need, and have the right to, quality care and learning; and

• Current policies and approaches are not working.The highlights of the Plan include:

• New legislation….a BC Early Care and Learning Act

• A new home for child care in the Ministry of Education

• A new role for Boards of Education

• The development of Early Years Centre Networks

• Enhancing Kindergarten and Grade one

• Strengthening School-age Care and Family Child Care

• Developing the Early Childhood Educators’ workforce

• Lower fees - $10 per full day/ $7 for half day and free for families with a yearly income of less than $40,000

Quadra Children’s Centre fully supports this plan and is asking the Quadra Community for their support too. Yes, this plan is ambitious and it may take a generation to come to fruition and we need to start now so future families can have a system which supports them.

Quadra Children’s Centre has been affected by full school day kindergarten. We know that if the BC government rolls out a plan for 3 and 4 year olds without taking our Centre and Centre’s like ours

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Families across BC and Canada are facing a crisis in childcare, things are going from bad to worse. There

is a shortage of regulated spaces, fees are high and the early childhood workforce is underpaid with many early childhood educators leaving the field to earn a living wage elsewhere.

In BC there are licensed child care spaces for only about 20 per cent of children. That is only 1 in 5 regulated spaces!

The cost of childcare is high often being the second highest cost for a family after housing. The provincial median monthly cost for infant/toddler care is $875; for preschool care, ages 2.5-5 years is $665; and for school-age care is $300. Unlike other community services, childcare is primarily a user fee system. The fees families pay account for 70-80% of a child care centre’s revenue. The remaining revenues come from small government grants and fundraising. It can cost a family as much or more to pay for childcare from birth to school-age entry as it does to pay for university degree program. There are no RESP’s (registered education savings plan) for childcare!

Early Childhood Educators who generally have 2 years of college- training are underpaid and typically have no health or pension benefits. After 5 years of working in the field approximately 50 per cent leave the field to find better paying jobs.

Here in BC two non-profit grassroots organizations, the Early Childhood Educators of BC and the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC have come together to propose to our government an innovative and ambitious way forward in terms of the childcare crisis.

The Community Plan for a Public System of Integrated Early Care and Learning is in response to BC’s implementation of full school day kindergarten for 5 year olds as well as to the promise made by our government of some form of pre-kindergarten programming for children age 3 and 4 along with the crisis’ facing childcare as mentioned above.

The Plan is built upon well-established research that clearly shows that:

• Public spending on the early years is a wise social and economic investment;

across BC into consideration, we will likely have no option but to close our doors. The Quadra Children’s Centre has greatly appreciated the community’s support in the past and we are asking for it again. Please take a few minutes and endorse the Plan at www.ecebc.ca

Thank-you,

Dee McPhee

Quadra Children’s Centre

The (Ongoing) Crisis in Childcare


DATE CORRECTION to February 17 DI: Saturday March 3 Jazzalele Uke Duo - in the Fireside Lounge. 7:00pm, $15.00. Ukulele lessons, Sunday. Beginner, intermediate or advanced, $20.00. Check on our www.heriotbayinn.com for workshop details. Hear their amazing music at www.jazzalele.com

Two nights stay at the Sandman Inn and 2 tickets to the Canucks! Watch the games and WIN BIG! HBI Pub. A winner every game is entered to win this grand prize drawn March 17. Must be present to win.

UofQ: Where learning in a neighbourhood pub is surprisingly enlightening. Mar 7 • frameless origami steel sailboats with Brent Swain; Mar 14 • heat your house well with the right firewood with Billy Dubois HBI Pub. 7:00pm. March 21st, 7pm: Tracy Tomlinson; Cigar Box Guitars, the making and the music! March 28th, 7pm: Lunabelle Loiseau-Tremblay; Coastal Plant Ecology.

Live Music at the HBI - Friday March 9th… Ray Bennet and Friends; March 16th… Buddy Mac “one-man classic country singer”. Saturday nights; open mic with Mo. Toe tappin’, foot stompin’, sweet dancin’ every Friday and Saturday night. HBI Pub. Your extended living room!

Enjoy Canadian favourite VALDY and a delicious three course meal in Herons. Saturday March 17. $55.00. Seating at 6:00pm., reserve now! 285-3322

Savour the Flavours of “Around the World in 90 Days” in Herons and the HBI Pub! 1st week: Hong Kong; 2nd week: Thailand; 3rd week: Malaysia; 4th week: Indonesia. Specials available after 5:00pm Monday to Thursday. April... flavours of Africa & the South Pacific.

At the HBI

Jazzalele!!!Take two jazz musicians, add two ukuleles… and you get Jazzalele. You get the sunny sounds of the ukulele ringing out classic and Latin jazz with Hawaiian flavour.

The cozy, relaxed atmosphere of the HBI’s Fireside Lounge is the perfect venue to enjoy an evening of sunny jazz. Jazzalele will be performing at the Heriot Bay Inn Saturday March 3 at 7 pm. $15 at the door for the evening performance.

Jazzalele is Anna Lyman, Mexican-American Jazzista and recording artist, and Steve Sutton, a Victoria-based bassist and ukulele player. Anna is a festival favourite, and when she’s not onstage she enjoys teaching voice and ukulele.

To sample what you’ll hear Saturday, March 10, visit www.jazzalele.com

It’s a weekend to revel in the ukulele, because Sunday you can learn or expand your ukulele knowledge at one of three workshops. “The voice of the ukulele will bring you happiness and delight your friends” according to instructor Anna Lyman. Never played or just beginning to play the uke? The beginner’s workshop will teach you simple chords and how to easily move from one chord to another, and there will be some ukuleles available to borrow.

The intermediate workshop will help you get more excitement and pleasure out of your ukulele, including making bigger sounds with smaller efforts, the Hawaiian turnaround, and an introduction to the Hawaiian Triplet strum.

The advanced workshop is aimed at “Extreme ukulele for experienced players” and will include chord melody techniques, fingerpicking tabs, and moveable chords among other techniques. For more details about the workshops, check the events page at heriotbayinn.com.

Workshops are $20 each; please reserve in advance by calling the Inn at 250.285.3322.

Quadra Island Seniors

-BR. 91-B.C.O.A.P.O.The B.C. Old Age Pensioners are celebrating their 80th founding Anniversary. We were instrumental along with Tommy Douglas in acquiring the first Old Age Pension, to help Seniors be able to survive. In June we are celebrating at Convention, meeting in Agassiz and staying at Harrisons Hot Spring. Our Branch will be sending delegates, to vote on Resolutions which the branches all over the Province send in, decisions will then be sent to Federal, Provincial & Municipal Govts. “Everyone should know, the squeaky wheel gets the most grease”.

Our next meeting on March 7th @ 10:30 am, our guest speaker will be Pharmacist Colleen from Peoples Drug Mart, to discuss medications. Following the meeting will be a Pot-Luck lunch and to celebrate a dear ladies 90th Birthday,Guess Who? And she still looks like a spring chicken.’

March 14th we are attending The North Island Regional Meeting in Cumberland, lunch will be served for $5.00. please pay Christine Dyson, by March 7th. We have many excursions planned with the bus lady Lee. Also we will soon be working at the Tourist Information Centre.

On February 17th, we attended the celebration presentation of Halbe Hall Deed, to Black Creek Seniors Br.126, from the School Board No. 71. It was attended also by hundreds of people despite the terrible stormy weather, attendance included some of the Halbe family, and some of the students who attended Halbe Hall school.

Phone Christine Dyson @2207, about membership in our happy group, and also about Wednesdays activities. If any Seniors need transportation call Ruth Amiabel @ 3801.

We would like to Thank with love to Sally and Bill Bradshaw, Shirley Saunders, and the Legion members who help us set up for our special meetings. Valentine decorations were great at our last meeting.


To all discerning, consenting adults who like to get their funny bones tickled, here is an invitation to an evening of Titillating Variety. The Tsk Tsk Revue is a cabaret style show conceived in the wilds of Lasqueti Island to aid the condition known as “bushed”. It also provides a stage for the group of local performers who sometimes want to play dirty. After five annual November shows on Lasqueti Island, five different shows that provoked by celebrating sensuality and comedy, the wacky revue is touring to a venue near you.

The Tsk Tsk troupe comprises twenty lively, strange, hilarious, and talented singers, dancers and actors conspiring to tickle your funny bone and fancy. Meet Billy Blackfoot of rapping fame. Experience Super Wet Nurse. Get teased by temptress Tlulah Moon. Witness Big Love. Fall for a Gerry Can CanCan girl or a Backwoodz Boy. Get lost in Madame JoJo’s croon. Shake Harry Palms hand. Peak under the Woodsman’s Kilts. Also expect to see some guest stars from your own community.

This is contemporary commentary and entertainment cultured in this crazy world in the way of old school burlesque. According to the dictionary Burlesque is a comically exaggerated imitation of something. The words absurd and striptease also come up in the definition. If you need to laugh and want to be part in the Making Of Fun, then please join us at the Quadra Legion on Friday March 30, 2012.

Quadra’s own Kosmic Kafeteria Catering is pleased to offer up a pre-show dinner. For $25 you get a sexy three course meal starting with pureed winter squash soup with lemon grass and red curry, followed by

Bourbon-glazed breast of chicken, Garlic and herb crusted roast potatoes, Maple Dijon carrots, Green beans amandine, Island-made artisan bread and topped with Chocolate pots de creme!

Dinner by reservation only. To reserve call Linda Gray @250-285-2171 no later than Monday March 26.

Lasqueti Invasion Returns(for the discerning that is...?)

Doors open at 6:30, dinner at 7 pm.

Showtime 8:30. Cost is $15 per adult, tickets sold only the night of the event at the door.

Followed by dancing to the beats of DJ Holmes

Adults only due to risqué subject matter. Dress to impress and express. Interpret as you will.

FMI [email protected]


Steven Page, former lead-singer for The Barenaked Ladies, known for his heart-felt lyrics and up-beat song writing, is giving a solo concert on Quadra Island, Saturday, March 10th at 8:00 pm, at the Quadra Community Centre. Since re-directing his career in 2009, he has been playing solo acoustic shows and recording with a variety of guests and musical collaborators. Last August, he had the honour of singing at Jack Layton’s funeral.

Steven continues to compose new material for himself, as recently recorded on his first solo album “Page One,” and for several stage productions at the Stratford Festival. His song, “A Different Sort of Solitude,” was featured in last year’s film “French Immersion,” and was nominated this year for a Genie Award.

Joining Steven Page on the Quadra Community Centre stage will be his long-time friend and co-writer, singer-

Get ‘Around the Point’

Join DI editor Philip Stone Saturdays at 1 pm, repeated Tuesdays at 10 am on CKTZ 89.5 Cortes Community Radio for a round up of news on the Discovery Islands and further afield. This week’s guest Don Staniford on salmon farming.

If you have a news story idea or would like help recording your own item, interview, music etc... on Quadra Island contact Philip Stone at 250-285-2234 or email [email protected]

See you on the radio!

Quadra Unplugged

Every Friday Night, there is a strictly acoustic jam, mainly involving guitars, singing, hand drums and flutes, etc.

The music ranges from blues to folk to pop tunes and even funk. Some of the evening also has original songs written by Quadra Islanders.

Come sharpen your group musical skills in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. It’s the first step before going on stage or performing at a local music festival.

The time is 7:30 p.m. every Friday at Spirit Books upstairs in the Upper Realm at Q. Cove. There is a $5 drop-in fee. Call Tim at 285-2314 or Pat at 285-2807 for more info.

Steven Page Solo Concert on Quadra, March 10

songwriter and guitarist, Craig Northey. Northey was a founding member and one of the principal songwriters of the Vancouver alternative rock band the Odds who toured extensively in the 1990’s, including as an opening act for the Tragically Hip and the Barenaked Ladies. Craig has written/co-written musical scores for movies such as “Brain Candy” and “Dog Park,” and themes for several television series, including “Kids in the Hall,” and “Corner Gas.” He has collaborated and toured with such artists as Rosanne Cash, Wide Mouth Mason and Colin James. Twice in the ‘90s, Craig Northey was nominated as songwriter of the year. Craig’s first solo album “Giddy Up” was released in 2003.

With talent of this calibre, Steven Page and Craig Northey on Quadra will be a sell-out so get your tickets early. Tickets are $20 advance at Hummingbird Office and Art Supply in Q. Cove, and at the Music Plant in Campbell River. For more information, visit stevenpage.com or call 250-285-2580.


The musical magic of Valdy is coming to the Heriot Bay Inn for a dinner show Saturday March 17 in Herons.

Valdy is a Canadian folk institution whose performances do not disappoint. He is

Folk Troubadour Valdy coming to the Heriot Bay Inn

Revel in an evening of musical storytelling with a “master of country, folk, rock and blues”, and enjoy a delicious three course dinner prepared by Chef Catherine Berg and her skilled team. Seats are $55 each; seating begins at 6 pm. Please call the Inn 250.285.3322 to reserve your seat.

Performing since the 60’s, Valdy has sold almost half a million copies of his 13 albums, has two Juno Awards (Folk

“one of the best evenings of entertainment Confederation Centre has ever seen....a man of formidable talents” according to the Charlottetown Evening Patriot.

Singer of the Year and Folk Entertainer of the Year), a total of seven Juno nominations and four Gold albums to his credit. His recent CDs include “Contenders”, a collaboration with friend and fellow singer/songwriter, Gary Fjellgaard, with whom he has an absolute blast touring, and a solo release, “Viva Valdy: Live at Last”, a two-CD package, one live, one studio, with a total of 25 tunes, and a lyric booklet.


It’s Wednesday, high noon, when I step through the doors of the Community Centre and into the bustle and buzz of Community Kitchen. The line-up snakes around the perimeter of the main hall. At first sight it’s daunting, but the Community Kitchen team (roughly 15 people) is one efficient unit. They’ve been hard at work since 8:30am moving through set up, food prep, cooking. A few minutes of line-up chit-chat and I’m at the menu board, faced with the difficult choice between three delicious soup options. Eeny, meeny, miney… spicy beef and kale chile.

I scan the tables for a minute or two, holding my warm bowl in cold hands. As usual, the crowd is a socio-economic cross section of our island population. It also represents every age and stage of life from infants to elders.

Eileen Sowerby and John Kragen are at their usual places – piano and guitar,

bringing music into the list of ingredients that make the Community Kitchen a recipe for success. As John says, “Eileen and I – this is our thing. We have to do it. There’s just no other way to put it.” Over the years, others, too, have shared their gift of music here.

I find a seat and my by-happenstance lunch companions are two friends, two people newly met, and one complete stranger who is eager to talk about CK.

“Some people come for lunch because it’s a necessity,” he says, “and they get the social benefit as well. Other people come for the social aspect, and that is also a human necessity.”

This weekly repast is an authentic sampling of who we Islanders are. Interactions outside one’s predictable social orbit are inevitable. Stretching may be involved, if you’re willing, and we know how beneficial stretching is. Just ask the Wednesday yoga

class, which wraps up just as preparations for lunch are on the home stretch. Relaxed yogis bring their equilibrium downstairs and feed their bodies, as do construction workers who also take lunch here when they can.

“It’s fantastic, amazing,” says a woman who is on Quadra for a 6 week bike mechanics course. “It’s an opportunity to meet people and actually talk to them and get to know them a little.”

A fellow student adds “I meet people here and there on the island, and then I see them at Community Lunch and can sit down and chat and make a real connection.”

Another of my table companions came in for lunch after working on firewood; a volunteer initiative, spearheaded by Steve Moore, to provide free firewood to those who need it.

“There were fifteen of us and six chain saws going all morning out there behind the community center. There’s a lot of work getting done. Normally I don’t come here for lunch, it’s not part of my routine, but I’ve really enjoyed it today.”

Jack Mar is a member of “The Pack,” a cycling group that takes regular Wednesday rides. “We used to ride after work, but in winter it’s too dark, so we head out at 10am and come around for lunch here and donate. There can be anywhere from two to fifteen of us. We all like to support this.” Jack scans the room. “I really cherish the Community Kitchen.”

Community Kitchen is one of the success stories of Quadra Rec Society’s programs. Sandy Spearing, centre coordinator, has watched the Community Kitchen

Community Kitchen - a necessary pleasure; a practice in devotion. By Annette Yourk


Time to Get

Onboard...Now booking

Space for 2012

Information packages are now available for the 2012 editions of the annual Guide to

the Discovery Islands, Quadra Island Map,

Cortes Island Map and internet advertising.

If you’re a new business and would like to receive

information on these invaluable marketing

opportunities:

Call Philip Stone at 250-285-2234 or [email protected]

For more information look online at:

www.discoveryislands.ca/advertising

Some Space Still Open CALL TODAY!!!

Material due by March 2

evolve over its eight years of operation, yet remains in awe of its success.

“I don’t totally get why it’s so magic. Somehow the formula just works and it has total buy in from the community.”

The idea began with the Food Bank. The organizers realized a greater need in the community than their services could provide. Sandy retells the story.

“We put out the word that we were thinking of a soup kitchen and expected two or three to turn up for the meeting. Thirty people came. The time was right, and so was the sentiment.

“As Terry Peebles and I discussed the idea we realized it wouldn’t work in our small community. There would be too much stigma attached. The nurse at baby clinic joined the conversation and talked about Community Kitchen in Campbell River. In this program meals are prepared and frozen in serving portions, which are then distributed. I scooped the name, but not the concept. Then we twigged on the idea that lunch could be paid by donation.”

Several programs and activities now intersect with Community Kitchen. Physiotherapy happens every Wednesday, with a noon to one lunch break. Wednesday is also the day

for baby clinic and food bank (1st and 3rd Wednesdays). On alternate Wednesdays, the daycare children and caregivers dine out at Community Kitchen. Quadra Circle arranges informative talks that take place at 1pm, after lunch. Another initiative came to fruition last Autumn with the Quadra Community Lunch Cookbook, a collection of many of the delicious soup recipes and yummy baked goods from eight years of community lunch. Karen Gair, Lynda Bell, Jan Brettnacher, Mia Frishholz and Donivee Laird joined forces to collect, record, and publish this momento of “soup for the soul”, available at the Community Centre.

“Community Kitchen works as a cooperative, but it has its own organic style of accomplishing that. People come, take responsibility in an area, and give it their all. They hold it together for several months or years and when they need to pass the baton, another lovely person steps forward,” says Sandy. While some might play a stronger coordinating role at times, there is no “manager”. It’s all considered important work.

John Parkyn and his wife Trudy were dedicated volunteers and John has remained steadfast in keeping set-up running

smoothly. Ann Greg, Barrie Calverley, and Linda Bell have been steady on for eight years. Young people have also volunteered over the years helping with setup, clean up, food prep, and soup cooking. Garnet Kehn was the first young soup chef. Eamon Simmons is the current fruit and veggie artist. There is generosity practiced in spades here.

Community Kitchen captures the essence of community and reflects what the Community Centre strives for. This is what building community is all about; an idea springs from a need identified. The idea is brought into focus with a vision that exceeds the need. The vision is nurtured by a dedicated few, whose numbers grow. An infrastructure is in place to provide support and make it a reality.

It’s almost one o’clock. I’ve checked in with friends, talked to strangers, and enjoyed watching the day care children who participate so sweetly. I’ve caught snippets of conversation, made plans, filled my belly, and relaxed in the casual comfort of it all. I’ve warmed my hands and, by extension, warmed my heart.


CLASSIFIEDS

Q-COVE APPLIANCE REPAIR

Repairs and service to your domestic major appliances at competitive rates. We have a good selection of quality rebuilt washers, dryers, fridges, gas and electric ranges. All come with a one year warranty and free delivery for south Quadra Island. New and used parts depot. Free pick up of your unwanted recyclable appliances. Please call 250-285-3425 or cell 250-202-3425.

FERNBANK SAWMILLCustom cutting at your place or mine on a state-of-the-art Woodmizer mill. We cut everything from beams to siding. Call Gerry Cote: 250-285-3651

SERVICES SERVICES

BE READY FOR RAIN GET YOUR GUTTERS CLEANED

We can help you clean and maintain your home and garden. Clean your windows, roof and gutter, finish your renovating job, Build or replace your deck, gates or fence. It’s time to schedule your tree pruning. We can help you with pretty much anything around your home and yard. Please call CanDoServices at 250-285–2874 or email at [email protected]

NOLE CREEK SAWMILLSMilling, moulding, kiln drying to all your specific requirements. Specialty beams to 32 ft. Siding, flooring & Much more. Your logs or mine. Free local pickup and delivery. Call Greg 250-285-2762 www.nolecreeksawmills.com

HUGE SALE!25% Off all Merino wool shirts and long-johns for men and women - small & medium sizes only at Amped on Nutrition.Good Health made simple - we do the sprouting for you. Sprouts have the highest nutritional content of all vegetables. Small $2.50 or large $4.00 Great for children’s lunch boxes AmpedonNutrition.com 250-285-3142

SHOPS

PRODUCE

WAYPOINT SIGNSSigns, Picture Framing and simple Engraving at Waypoint Signs beside Quadra Builders. Tues-Thurs, 9-noon/1-4pm. Appointments possible to suit your schedule. Friendly, efficient, personalized service with quality products at affordable rates. 250-285-2815 & [email protected].

DI CLASSIFIED ADS

Up to 35 Words = $15* 35-70 Words = $30*

* includes HST

Email, fax or drop off your ad with payment,

or pay by credit card online at www.discoveryislander.ca

There may be cheaper ways but the DI works.!!

Call 250-285-2234 or email [email protected]

with any questions

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PRODUCTS FOR SALEPlaned or rough cut decking,lumber, siding,beams, fencing,4x4s,clears, VG,custom milling, whatever you’re needs,Located On Quadra Island, 250 830 7897 504

DATE TIME PST m. ft.

02 02:33 4.0 13.1 Friday 07:28 3.7 12.1 11:21 3.9 12.8 19:22 1.7 5.6 03 03:21 4.2 13.8 Saturday 08:45 3.6 11.8 12:42 3.9 12.8 20:17 1.6 5.2 04 03:56 4.3 14.1 Sunday 09:31 3.5 11.5 13:50 4.0 13.1 21:04 1.5 4.9 05 04:23 4.4 14.4 Monday 10:06 3.2 10.5 14:51 4.1 13.5 21:46 1.5 4.9 06 04:49 4.6 15.1 Tuesday 10:39 3.0 9.8 15:49 4.3 14.1 22:26 1.5 4.9 07 05:15 4.7 15.4 Wednesday 11:13 2.6 8.5 16:46 4.4 14.4 23:07 1.6 5.2 08 05:42 4.8 15.7 Thursday 11:50 2.2 7.2 17:42 4.5 14.8 23:48 1.8 5.9 09 06:11 4.9 16.1 Friday 12:29 1.8 5.9 18:37 4.6 15.1 10 00:32 2.1 6.9 Saturday 06:42 4.9 16.1 13:12 1.5 4.9 19:33 4.6 15.1 11 01:17 2.4 7.9 Sunday 07:15 4.8 15.7 13:59 1.3 4.3 20:33 4.6 15.1 12 02:06 2.8 9.2 Monday 07:50 4.7 15.4 14:49 1.1 3.6 21:40 4.5 14.8 13 02:59 3.1 10.2 Tuesday 08:29 4.6 15.1 15:42 1.1 3.6 22:57 4.4 14.4 14 04:04 3.4 11.2 Wednesday 09:14 4.4 14.4 16:41 1.2 3.9 15 00:22 4.4 14.4 Thursday 05:33 3.5 11.5 10:12 4.2 13.8 17:48 1.3 4.3 16 02:38 4.4 14.4 Friday 08:12 3.5 11.5 12:34 4.0 13.1 19:58 1.4 4.6

LOOKING FOR HELP WITH YOUR GARDEN?

Passionate, experienced horticulturist for hire. Years of experience with food and ornamental gardens. Now is the time to prune fruit trees and many other deciduous plants, and to make plans for the year ahead.

Call Ryan at 250-202-2326 ore-mail [email protected]

4 CORNERS TAX SERVICELocated in the Cove

Call 250 285 2750

for your appointment

VALDEZ FARM VEGETABLE BOX PROGRAM

This summer and autumn, our farm will be providing unbelievablydelicious island-grown vegetables to members. Space is limited. [email protected] or call Ryan at 250-202-2326 for more information.

Quadra Island - Cortes Island

Crossing Time: 45 minutes

Ferry Schedules

* - Fridays and Saturdays only. † - Daily except Sundays.

** - Tuesday sailings are for Dangerous Cargo - No passengers.

Leave Cortes Island

† 9:05 am**11:05 am

1:05 pm 3:05 pm5:05 pm6:45 pm

† 7:50 am 9:50 am11:50 am

**1:50 pm3:50 pm5:50 pm

Pick Up A Copyof the Guide to the Discovery

Islands and the Quadra & Cortes

maps

Leave Quadra Island

Leave Quadra Island

Crossing Time: 10 minutes

6:40 am †7:30 am 8:30 am 9:30 am

**10:30 am 11:30 am 12:30 pm

1:30 pm2:30 pm

3:30 pm4:30 pm5:25 pm6:15 pm7:30 pm8:30 pm9:30 pm

10:30 pm *11:30 pm

Campbell River - Quadra Island

6:15 am†7:05 am8:00 am9:00 am

10:00 am11:00 am12:00 pm1:00 pm 2:00 pm

3:05 pm4:00 pm5:00 pm5:50 pm7:00 pm8:00 pm9:00 pm

10:00 pm*11:00 pm

**

Leave Campbell River

Avoid Line-UpsPeak local traffic are during

morning and evening commutes. On Monday and Thursday Quadra - CR 9 am sailings, Cortes Island

traffic has priority.

serving the discovery islands for 20 years - since 1992 ... · for janitorial services for quadra...

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